Blog Archives

Monday, October 29, 2018

10/28/2018

Wow, happy last week of October! It's hard to believe that Wednesday is Halloween! As you can imagine, we're all super excited for our celebration! Thank you to our Room Moms, Mrs. Lisota and Mrs. Rocks, and to all of the volunteers who are helping as well! Here is a repeat of the information Mr. Larson sent out in the Weekend Update regarding Halloween lunch.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we focused on solving real world multiplication and division problems. Students persevered through incredibly challenging multi-step story problems. We also practiced using bar models to solve complicated problems where certain variables are unknown.

READING WORKSHOP:
We were super busy last week during our workshop! Students learned that readers of fiction pay attention to story elements to monitor understanding and help build the world of the story. We also examined and analyzed characters to look for evidence when proving a character's traits. Finally, students explored point of view by examining how the narrator's perspective influences the way the events of a story are told.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Last week our writers' workshop continued to focus on Personal Narratives. Students examined how storytellers share personal events and experiences from their own lives in their work. We used our conversations from these mentor texts, along with our personal experiences, to begin drafting our narratives.

SCIENCE:
Our Earth in Space unit began last week! Students were given the task to find evidence to prove the shape of the Earth. While working with partners, we explored print and online resources (along with a few great videos), and took notes to document our learning!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up the remainder of Chapter 2 as we continue to practice solving real world multiplication and division problems. Our Chapter 2 Assessment will be on Friday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our Fiction study will continue this week. Mini-lesson topics will include: determining the main idea, comparing structures of texts, and identifying theme.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue to explore personal narratives this week.

SCIENCE:
Students will prove their claims regarding the shape of Earth!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 10/30: RIBBON AWARD CELEBRATION...WE'RE BUILDING FORTS!
Wednesday, 10/31: HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION (PM)
Friday, 11/2: Chapter 2 Assessment (Anderle-story problems only)

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Monday, October 15, 2018

10/15/2018

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It's hard to believe that October is already halfway over! Just a reminder...if you haven't already done so, please fill out the October Conference Survey I sent last week. I am looking forward to meeting with you at the end of this week!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Chapter 2. Students spent the week examining the order of operations.

READING WORKSHOP:
We had another super busy week in reading workshop! Our comprehension topics included uncovering the meaning of poetry and finding the main idea in nonfiction. Students also reflected on their notes and reading logs to gain insight into their habits and behaviors as readers. We reflected on our reading logs to better understand our stamina and pacing, and examined the circumstances that best support our reading. At the end of the week, students used this reading data to set personal reading goals and make new plans for their reading.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
What a great writers' workshop we had last week! Students finished their story publications and participated in a Gallery Walk to view and give feedback to their peers on their stories! We also began our next writing unit, Personal Narratives. Students explored the idea that personal narratives tell a true story from the author's own life.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Sadly, our American Revolution study is coming to an end. Students compared and contrasted the British and Continental Armies, examined the Americans' push for independence and assistance from allies, and uncovered the details of the Treaty of Paris.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will review multiplication, division, and the order of operations. Students will take an assessment over these concepts on Wednesday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our fiction unit will begin this week with a focus on the structure of fiction.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue our Personal Narrative unit this week!

SOCIAL STUDIES:
The American Revolution will come to an end this week with our re-enactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill on Tuesday. Students will also write "letters home" after the battle, and compose an essay after choosing a side in the war.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 10/17: Chapter 2 Math Assessment (Anderle)
Thursday, 10/18 and Friday, 10/19: CONFERENCES

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018

10/8/2018

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Welcome back after the long weekend! Our first week of October proved to be successful. We're moving right along in fifth grade!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Our focus last week in math was on division, as we continued to move along in Chapter 2. Students practiced dividing two, three, and four-digit numbers by two-digit divisors.

READING WORKSHOP:
We were super busy last week during our workshop! Students learned the importance of book recommendations, and examined "Book Talk Criteria" to use in determining whether or not a book is "worthy" of a book talk. Students also learned that readers talk with partners about their thinking in order to support comprehension. Students practiced jotting down ideas and sharing with a partner while using our conversation protocol. Finally, we learned that readers of fiction pay attention to story elements to monitor understanding and help build the world of the story.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Last week students were extra busy Being Writers! Students moved through each component of the writing process as we worked toward publication of our drafts. Students conferred with their writing partners, proofread for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, and illustrated their stories!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
The American Revolution continued last week in fifth grade, as we began our first in depth look at the Declaration of Independence. Students examined the purpose of the Second Continental Congress, as well as the impact of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense booklet. We also explored the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence, and interpreted the five excerpts for further understanding.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up most of our Chapter 2 lessons this week (hopefully). Students will examine the order of operations and real world multiplication and division problems. We will also practice solving problems by using bar models.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our workshop topics for the week include: reviewing reading data, uncovering the meaning of a poem, finding the main idea of nonfiction, and setting goals/making reading plans.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week students will participate in a Gallery Walk to view one another's published drafts! We will also begin our first genre writing unit of the year: personal narratives.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
The American Revolution will continue this week as we wrap up our study of the Declaration of Independence and begin exploring the battles of the Revolutionary War.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tuesday, 10/9: Monday Schedule
Tuesday, 10/16: Battle of Bunker Hill Re-Enactment
Wednesday, 10/17: Friday Schedule
Chapter 2 Math Assessment (Anderle...tentatively)
Thursday, 10/18 and Friday, 10/19: No School (Conferences)

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