Fifth grade continues to be busy and exciting! We finished our first round of goal settings last week, and I have to say...I am impressed! Our class set the bar high, and I can't wait to see the progress we make!
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH
In math last week, we began Unit 2: Whole Number Multiplication and Division. Students practiced using patterns to multiply by 10s, 100s, and 1000s. We also reviewed rounding and estimating.
READING WORKSHOP
We finished up our Notice & Note Literary Signposts study last week with our final two signposts! Our first signpost of the week was Again and Again; when you're reading and you notice a word, phrase, object, or situation mentioned over and over. Using excerpts from Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, students practiced answering the question, "Why does this keep showing up again and again." We learned that these answers will tell us about the theme and conflict, and might even foreshadow what will happen later.
Our final signpost of the week (and of the unit) was Memory Moment; when you're reading and the author interrupts the action to tell you a memory. Using an excerpt from Hope was Here, by Joan Bauer, students practiced answering the question, "Why might this memory be important?" We learned that the answers will tell us about the theme and conflict, and might even foreshadow what will happen later in the story.
Additionally, we officially put together our structure for our Reading Workshop! Students reflected on real reading vs. fake reading, and discussed the importance of engaging in their texts. We also examined the roles of the teacher and students during our reading workshop time. Finally, using a few helpful hints and reminders, students explored how good readers know when to stop and jot. Using one of my favorite texts, The Hard Times Jar, students practiced how to stop and jot to track their thinking.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP
Being a Writer was awesome last week! Students explored a prewriting technique, quick writes, to get their writing juices flowing. We also explored point of view and learned how to get ideas from nonfiction texts. In addition, our class loved writing from the perspective of a thing during our I am... creations!
SOCIAL STUDIES
The majority of our American Revolution Personalized Learning projects were shared last week, and they were amazing! Students not only shared their work, but reflected on the process of completing this project and gave feedback to the presenters as well.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH
We will continue moving through Unit 2. Students will examine the powers of 10 and practice multiplying by 2-digit numbers.
READING WORKSHOP
This week we will consider our reading identities, dive into thinking strategies, and begin to explore to the power of conversation.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue to focus on getting ideas from nonfiction. Students will also participate in our first pair conferring experiences!
SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week students will step back into time and relive the 1770s as angry colonists as we examine the causes of the American Revolution!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, 9/27: In School Field Trip...Boston Tea Party Skype! (2:15-3:15)
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH
In math last week, we began Unit 2: Whole Number Multiplication and Division. Students practiced using patterns to multiply by 10s, 100s, and 1000s. We also reviewed rounding and estimating.
READING WORKSHOP
We finished up our Notice & Note Literary Signposts study last week with our final two signposts! Our first signpost of the week was Again and Again; when you're reading and you notice a word, phrase, object, or situation mentioned over and over. Using excerpts from Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, students practiced answering the question, "Why does this keep showing up again and again." We learned that these answers will tell us about the theme and conflict, and might even foreshadow what will happen later.
Our final signpost of the week (and of the unit) was Memory Moment; when you're reading and the author interrupts the action to tell you a memory. Using an excerpt from Hope was Here, by Joan Bauer, students practiced answering the question, "Why might this memory be important?" We learned that the answers will tell us about the theme and conflict, and might even foreshadow what will happen later in the story.
Additionally, we officially put together our structure for our Reading Workshop! Students reflected on real reading vs. fake reading, and discussed the importance of engaging in their texts. We also examined the roles of the teacher and students during our reading workshop time. Finally, using a few helpful hints and reminders, students explored how good readers know when to stop and jot. Using one of my favorite texts, The Hard Times Jar, students practiced how to stop and jot to track their thinking.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP
Being a Writer was awesome last week! Students explored a prewriting technique, quick writes, to get their writing juices flowing. We also explored point of view and learned how to get ideas from nonfiction texts. In addition, our class loved writing from the perspective of a thing during our I am... creations!
SOCIAL STUDIES
The majority of our American Revolution Personalized Learning projects were shared last week, and they were amazing! Students not only shared their work, but reflected on the process of completing this project and gave feedback to the presenters as well.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH
We will continue moving through Unit 2. Students will examine the powers of 10 and practice multiplying by 2-digit numbers.
READING WORKSHOP
This week we will consider our reading identities, dive into thinking strategies, and begin to explore to the power of conversation.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue to focus on getting ideas from nonfiction. Students will also participate in our first pair conferring experiences!
SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week students will step back into time and relive the 1770s as angry colonists as we examine the causes of the American Revolution!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, 9/27: In School Field Trip...Boston Tea Party Skype! (2:15-3:15)
