Fifth grade is off to an amazing start and we're really having a great time building our classroom community. I've enjoyed conferencing with individual students for our first round of goals this trimester. Our class really seems to understand the importance of being goal driven---I'm impressed!
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we finished up Chapter 1. Students practiced solving real world math problems and reviewed the major concepts from the unit. We are ready to move on and tackle Chapter 2!
READING WORKSHOP:
Our reading focus last week continued with Notice & Note as we learned about two more signposts.
Using an excerpt from Riding Freedom, by Pam Munoz Ryan, students found and analyzed Words of the Wiser; when you're reading and a character (who's probably much older and wiser) takes the main character aside and gives serious advice. We practiced answering the question, "What's the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?" Answering this question helped us find the theme for the story.
The next signpost students explored 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.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students continue to enjoy our writing time together! Last week's lessons focused on getting writing ideas from poetry and our own lives. It's been wonderful to see the excitement in the room when students are given the opportunity to share some of their writing work!
SOCIAL SCIENCE:
The 1760/1770s have arrived at Patton School! Students examined some of the rising tension in colonies that led to the American Revolution. We learned about the French and Indian War, The Proclamation of 1763, The Quartering Act, and the Stamp Act. Students were given their first bank of Shillings on Friday...which came with a laundry list of Queen Anderle's Royal Taxes! This is such a super fun time of year in fifth grade and we're excited for this week's adventures (be sure to ask your child about today's social studies lesson)!
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will begin Chapter 2, Whole Number Multiplication and Division. This week we will practice multiplying by tens, hundreds, and thousands.
READING WORKSHOP:
Students will learn about the final signpost, Memory Moment. We will also move into our launching Schoolwide unit and focus on who we are as readers.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will learn how to get ideas from our own lives. We will also examine a prewriting technique, and point of view.
SOCIAL SCIENCE:
The American Revolution will continue this week as we explore the impact of taxes on the colonists. We will also learn about the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Intolerable Acts.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, 9/20: Boston Tea Party Skype! (More information soon...)
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we finished up Chapter 1. Students practiced solving real world math problems and reviewed the major concepts from the unit. We are ready to move on and tackle Chapter 2!
READING WORKSHOP:
Our reading focus last week continued with Notice & Note as we learned about two more signposts.
Using an excerpt from Riding Freedom, by Pam Munoz Ryan, students found and analyzed Words of the Wiser; when you're reading and a character (who's probably much older and wiser) takes the main character aside and gives serious advice. We practiced answering the question, "What's the life lesson, and how might it affect the character?" Answering this question helped us find the theme for the story.
The next signpost students explored 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.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students continue to enjoy our writing time together! Last week's lessons focused on getting writing ideas from poetry and our own lives. It's been wonderful to see the excitement in the room when students are given the opportunity to share some of their writing work!
SOCIAL SCIENCE:
The 1760/1770s have arrived at Patton School! Students examined some of the rising tension in colonies that led to the American Revolution. We learned about the French and Indian War, The Proclamation of 1763, The Quartering Act, and the Stamp Act. Students were given their first bank of Shillings on Friday...which came with a laundry list of Queen Anderle's Royal Taxes! This is such a super fun time of year in fifth grade and we're excited for this week's adventures (be sure to ask your child about today's social studies lesson)!
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will begin Chapter 2, Whole Number Multiplication and Division. This week we will practice multiplying by tens, hundreds, and thousands.
READING WORKSHOP:
Students will learn about the final signpost, Memory Moment. We will also move into our launching Schoolwide unit and focus on who we are as readers.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will learn how to get ideas from our own lives. We will also examine a prewriting technique, and point of view.
SOCIAL SCIENCE:
The American Revolution will continue this week as we explore the impact of taxes on the colonists. We will also learn about the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Intolerable Acts.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, 9/20: Boston Tea Party Skype! (More information soon...)
