Blog Posts - Mrs. Anderle's Class

Mrs. Anderle's Class

Monday, February 21, 2022

2/18/2022

Welcome back after the short, super packed week! We had a great Valentine's Day celebration on Monday!! Thank you to Christine Reilly, Julie Gartrell, and Asako Hoichi for volunteering in our classroom! 💝

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we began Chapter 8: Decimals. Students examined decimals to the thousandths place, and practiced comparing and rounding decimals.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our literacy time last week continued to focus on the nonfiction text, Freedom Walkers. Students examined new vocabulary terms and practiced using various comprehension strategies to better understand this complex text. Last week we focused on Claudette Colvin's bus incident and its impact on the boycott movement. Students also explored photographs and captions, and used evidence from the text to construct written responses.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our Opinion Writing unit began last week, and our class seemed to really enjoy exploring this genre. Throughout the week, students read and discussed persuasive essays, and determined each author's purpose and audience. We also took a closer look at the information that's presented in a persuasive essay and the structure and organization that must be present for it to be effective.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will finish up Chapter 8 this week and take a brief assessment on Thursday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our nonfiction study of the text Freedom Walkers will continue this week.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will continue moving through our Opinion Writing unit.

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will come to an end this week as we finish exploring mixtures...and OOBLECK!

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Tuesday, 2/22: TWOSDAY!
Thursday, 2/24: Chapter 8 Math Assessment (Anderle)
Friday, 2/25: PJ Day & Oobleck Day!
**Stay tuned for information on our upcoming Illinois Science Assessments!

Monday, February 14, 2022

2/12/2022

Happy Valentine's Day!! 💝 Looking forward to a fun and busy (and short) week ahead!
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we wrapped up Chapter 6. Students learned how to find the area of a triangle, and practiced solving multi-step area problems. We reviewed the major concepts from the chapter on Wednesday and took our final assessment on Thursday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our literacy time last week focused on the nonfiction text, Freedom Walkers. Throughout the week, students examined new vocabulary terms and practiced using various comprehension strategies to better understand this complex text. As we explored this story behind the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, students learned about the lives of Jo Ann Robinson and Claudette Colvin. We practiced visualizing as we compared life in the 1950s to life today. Students also used evidence from the text to support their opinion in constructed responses.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our fiction unit came to an end last week. Students finished their final edits and revisions, and enthusiastically participated in our Gallery Walks. It is always a special and sacred time in our classroom as students carefully read each other's writing, and thoughtfully provide feedback on one another's work. 💗

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter continued last week as we focused on mixtures. Students compared separate materials with mixtures of those materials. Through measuring, weighing, and graphing data, students discovered that the total weight of matter is conserved in mixtures.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will begin Chapter 8: Decimals. This week we will focus on understanding thousandths, and comparing and rounding decimals.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our nonfiction study of the text Freedom Walkers will continue this week.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will begin our next unit on Opinion Writing.

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will continue this week as we further explore mixtures.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Monday, 2/14: Valentine's Day Celebration/Party (2:00-3:00)
Thursday, 2/17: NO SCHOOL (Conferences)
Friday, 2/18: NO SCHOOL (Conferences)

Monday, February 7, 2021

2/5/2022

Happy Monday!! Looking forward to another great week ahead!!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we began Chapter 6: Area. Students practiced finding the area of rectangles with fractional side lengths. We also learned how to find the bases and heights of triangles, to solve area of triangle problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our 5th grade novel study, The Liberation of Gabriel King, continued last week. Students practiced making inferences, drawing conclusions, and supporting their claims with specific evidence from the text. Students analyzed the character Terrance to gain a better understanding of his perspective throughout the story. We also determined the major conflict and resolution of the novel, and explored its theme.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We wrapped up our final proofreading lessons for our fiction unit last week. Students spent time revising for setting, plot, and character details and proofread their work for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. We are looking forward to sharing our work at this week's Gallery Walk!

Science:
Students continued investigating matter last week! This time we focused on heating and cooling matter, and whether or not a material's weight changes once it's heated or cooled. Through an investigation of water/ice, glycerin soap, and paraffin wax, students learned that the weight of matter is conserved when heated or cooled.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 📌
MATH:
We will finish up Chapter 6 this week with a short test on Wednesday. We will also begin Chapter 8: Decimals.

READING WORKSHOP:
This week we will begin an exploration of the nonfiction text, Freedom Walkers. Students will practice using various comprehension strategies and explore new vocabulary terms. This week we will focus on visualizing, comparing and contrasting, and understanding pictures and captions.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers will be busy this week finishing their fiction publications and participating in our Gallery Walk. We will also begin our next writing unit, Opinion Writing.

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will continue this week as we examine mixtures!

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Monday, 2/7: Belle Audition #2
Wednesday, 2/9: Chapter 6 Math Test (Anderle)
Friday, 2/11: Beauty & the Beast Cast Announcement
Monday, 2/14: Happy Valentine's Day ❤️ 2:00-3:00pm Party!
Thursday, 2/17 & Friday, 2/18: NO SCHOOL (Conferences)

Monday, January 31, 2022

1/28/2022

Happy last day of January!🤷🏻‍♀️ Beauty and the Beast auditions are in full swing and we've had amazing turnouts over the last two weeks! The kids have been incredible and we are all SO PROUD of them!! Thanks to all of you for shuffling around your schedules to make this happen. We know it isn't easy and we appreciate your support! Looking forward to continuing this week!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we finished up Chapter 5, Algebra. Students practiced using letters as numbers and solved variable problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our literacy time last week continued to focus on The Liberation of Gabriel King. Students examined the vocabulary terms perseverance and oppression, and used text support to predict whether Mr. Evans said something kind or hurtful to Frita.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers were super busy last week as they continued developing their fiction drafts. Students also explored how to format dialogue properly.

SCIENCE:
It was so much fun to watch our scientists in action as they spent our science days exploring the properties of gases! With the help of a partner, students developed an investigation to provide evidence that air does, in fact, have weight. Additionally students drew models to show how gases are made of particles that are too small to see.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will begin Chapter 6, Area, this week. Students will practice finding the area of rectangles and triangles.

READING WORKSHOP:
This week we will wrap up our Liberation of Gabriel King study. We will also begin a nonfiction text study, Freedom Walkers, which focuses on the heroes of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our fiction writing unit will come to a close this week. Students will make final edits on their fiction drafts and publish their stories. We're hoping for our next gallery walk to take place at the end of the week!

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will continue this week as students explore heating and cooling matter.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Monday, 1/31: Gaston/LeFou Audition #2
Tuesday, 2/1: Beast Audition #1
Wednesday, 2/2: Beast Audition #2
Thursday, 2/3: Belle Audition #1
Friday, 2/4: Candor Health Puberty Presentations (PM)

Monday, January 24, 2021

1/22/2022

It's hard to believe that this is the last week of January already!!! This year is going by so quickly...hold on tight!

Thanks again to everyone who was able to come out to FMSC on Saturday! Spending time with students and families outside of school is truly a gift...and not one I get to enjoy nearly often enough, so thank you!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
In math last week we took a brief pause from Math In Focus and spent time working with our Hands-On Equations algebra program. Students were super excited about learning “legal” moves each day. Our class was introduced to a blue pawn (x), white pawn (*) and number cubes. Students spent the week learning how to keep our scale balanced by removing equal amounts of pawns and/or "zero pairs" from both sides of an equation.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our week was spent reading, analyzing, and discussing The Liberation of Gabriel King. Students examined new vocabulary terms and researched many of the historical facts mentioned in the story. We also selected character traits to define Frita Wilson and inferred how Gabe was feeling during a monumental scene; all while using specific evidence from the text to support these claims.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Fiction writing continued last week in fifth grade. Our writers were super busy exploring our final mentor texts and looking for ways to further develop their characters, plot, and setting.

SCIENCE:
We began our second science unit of the year, Investigating Matter! Our focus for the week was on defining and classifying matter. Students examined how matter can be identified based on its properties and sorted into "states of matter." Additionally, students found evidence to determine the properties that make something a solid, liquid, or gas.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will finish up Chapter 5 this week in math. Our modified test will be on Thursday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of The Liberation of Gabriel King will continue this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers will continue exploring fiction elements. We will also spend time learning how to properly format dialogue.

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will continue this week as we examine the properties of gases.

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Monday, 1/24: Mrs. Potts Audition #2 and Narrators Audition
Tuesday, 1/25: Lumiere/Cogsworth Audition #1 (Non-Band)
Wednesday, 1/26: Lumiere/Cogsworth Audition #2
Thursday, 1/27: Gaston/LeFou Audition #1
Chapter 5 Algebra Test (Anderle)
Friday, 1/28: Student Council Rainbow Day (5th Grade Shirt Day!!)

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

1/17/2022

Fifth grade continues to be busy and exciting, especially as our production of Beauty and the Beast gets underway this week! Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time, with any questions or concerns. I am always available to you and/or your child.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK📌
MATH:
In math last week we began Chapter 5: Algebra. Students examined number patterns and identified the rule used to determine the next several terms in a sequence.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our week was spent reading, analyzing, and discussing The Liberation of Gabriel King. Students examined new vocabulary terms, continued making inferences to better comprehend the story, and practiced using evidence from the text to support their opinions.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Fiction writing continued last week in fifth grade. Students explored character, plot, and setting. We also examined how to incorporate a character's actions, thoughts, and speech into our work.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our study of the American Revolution came to an end last week as students learned about the factors that led to the colonists winning the war. Additionally, students examined the roles that women, enslaved people, and American Indians played in the American Revolution.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS💡
MATH:
We will make a brief pivot from Math In Focus and continue to explore algebraic concepts using an exciting hands-on approach to learning, called Hands-On Equations.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of The Liberation of Gabriel King will continue this week.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week our writers will continue to develop their characters, plots, settings, and dialogue within their fiction work.

SCIENCE:
We're excited to begin our next science unit this week, Matter! Our focus for this week's lessons will be on investigating the properties of matter.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Wednesday, 1/19: Narrators #2 Audition
**Monday Schedule**
Thursday, 1/20: Mrs. Potts #1 Audition (Girls)
Saturday, 1/22: FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN @ 11:30am Libertyville
Monday, 1/24: Mrs. Potts #2 Audition AND Narrators #2
Tuesday, 1/25: Lumiere/Cogsworth #1 Audition
Wednesday, 1/26: Lumiere/Cogsworth #2 Audition
Thursday, 1/27: Gaston/LeFou #1 Audition

Monday, January 10, 2022

1/7/2022

WOW, we had a great first week back and we are ready for a busy second half of the school year! 💗 💗

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK📌
MATH:
In math last week we continued moving through Chapter 4. Students learned how to divide fractions and whole numbers, and practiced solving real world multiplication and division fraction problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our whole class novel study/response to literature unit on The Liberation of Gabriel King began last week! Students were extremely enthusiastic about the story of Gabriel King and his best friend Frita Wilson. Already we’ve had many mature and higher-level discussions as we’ve explored the ideas of liberation, integration, and justification.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers were busy last week continuing their work with fiction writing. Students explored character, setting, and plot development in several mentor texts, and examined how dialogue and narration impact a story.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
The American Revolution continued last week in fifth grade! Students compared and contrasted the British and Continental Armies, and discovered the challenges both armies faced while fighting this war.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS💡
Math:
We will wrap up Chapter 4 on Tuesday with a modified test focusing on dividing fractions. Later in the week we will begin Chapter 5, Algebra.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our novel study of The Liberation of Gabriel King will continue this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will focus on developing characters, plot, setting, and dialogue in fiction.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our study of the American Revolution will come to an end this week as we examine the push for independence, war allies, and the Treaty of Paris.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Tuesday, 1/11: Modified Chapter 4 Math Test (Anderle)
Monday, 1/17: NO SCHOOL (MLK, Jr. Day)
Tuesday, 1/18: AUDITIONS BEGIN!! (Narrators #1...For Non-Band Students)
Wednesday, 1/19: Narrators #2 Audition
**Monday Schedule**
Thursday, 1/20: Mrs. Potts #1 Audition (Girls)
Saturday, 1/22: FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN

TUESDAY, January 4, 2022

12/19/2021

Happy New Year!!! I hope you had a wonderful winter break with your families, and enjoyed a restful vacation. Due to our two week absence, this week’s Class News update will only contain our highlights for the week ahead. Look for a regular edition of the ANDERLE ADVENTURES next week!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 📌
MATH:
We will begin the second half of Chapter 4. Students will learn how to divide fractions and whole numbers, and continue to practice solving real world fraction problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our fifth grade novel study of The Liberation of Gabriel King will begin this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue moving through our Fiction unit this week. Students will explore fiction writing elements, gather ideas for their writing from pictures, and begin to develop characters, setting, and plot.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our American Revolution unit will continue this week as we examine the Revolutionary War itself.

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Thursday, 1/6: Beauty and the Beast Parent/Student Meeting @7pm
Friday, 1/7: B&tB Audition Packets Sent Home
Monday, 1/17: NO SCHOOL (MLK, Jr. Day)
**Auditions begin during the week of 1/17! More specific information will be given out at our Parent/Student Meeting on Thursday.
Saturday, 1/22: Feed My Starving Children Event! 11:30-1:15pm

Monday, December 13, 2021

12/11/2021

Wishing each of you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! See you all in 2022! 💗

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK 📌
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Chapter 4. Students learned how to multiply improper fractions and mixed numbers. We also spent time practicing how to solve real world multiplication of fractions problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our super readers continued examining Notice and Note Nonfiction. Students used the questioning stance, What Did the Author Think I Already Knew, to help them better understand nonfiction text. We also continued working in our RULES Literature Circle groups; reading, discussing, and exploring fiction elements.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We held another successful Gallery Walk last week to celebrate our Personal Narrative publications. Our class also began our next writing unit, Fiction! Students were super excited to begin exploring the fiction writing elements.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
We had a great week in social studies as we continued to explore the American Revolution. After examining the Loyalist, Patriot, and Neutralist perspectives, students made a choice for which side of the war they would choose, and supported this choice with specific evidence for their argument. Additionally, our class began examining the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Students learned about the meeting and tasks of the Second Continental Congress, and explored the importance of Thomas Paine's Common Sense pamphlet.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 💡
Math:
We will finish up the first half of Chapter 4 this week (multiplication of fractions). We will take a modified version of the chapter test on Tuesday, and spend the remainder of the week continuing to build our fact fluency skills.

READING WORKSHOP:
This week our readers will examine the final questioning stance in N & N Nonfiction: What Changed, Challenged, or Confirmed What I Already Knew. We will also explore the nonfiction signposts Extreme and Absolute Language and Number and Stats. Additionally, our RULES Literature Circle groups will come to an end this week.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week our writers will continue to examine fiction writing!

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our study of the American Revolution will continue this week as we further explore the Declaration of Independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
**Final Days of our Winter Break Countdown!**

Tuesday, 12/14: Chapter 4 (Multiplication of Fractions) Math Test
Wednesday, 12/15: Band Concert 7pm @ TMS
Friday, 12/17: ELF Movie Day (PM)
Monday, 12/20-Monday, 1/3: WINTER BREAK!
Tuesday, 1/4: CLASSES RESUME!!

Monday, December 6, 2021

12/4/2021

We had a great week back after Thanksgiving, and sure squeezed a lot of fun into each day! One of our biggest highlights was definitely our Boston Massacre virtual field trip on Thursday! Our classroom jury members, magistrates, co-council members, and witnesses listened carefully to the arguments given by John Adams in defense of the soldiers, and Robert Treat Paine, who argued that the redcoats should be found guilty. After considering the testimonies given by several witnesses, our jury voted guilty!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we began Chapter 4: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions and Mixed Numbers. Students learned how to multiply proper and improper fractions. We also spent time solving real world multiplication of fractions problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our readers were busy exploring nonfiction reading strategies, with a side of literature circles! Last week our class examined the Notice & Note Questioning Stance "What Surprised Me?" We learned that it's important to read nonfiction text critically to deepen our understanding of the topic presented. By recording what surprises us as we read helps us read nonfiction text with a critical and questioning eye.
Additionally, our readers began practicing taught discussion skills from earlier this year during our small group literature circles. While reading the novel Rules, students created discussion questions, identified noteworthy quotes and passages, and illustrated key moments from the text. These findings were used to facilitate their first group meetings on Friday!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers worked super hard last week finishing up the final edits of their personal narratives. Students proofread their work for commonly misspelled words (their, they're, there, its, and it's), punctuation, and run-on sentences. We are excited for today's Personal Narrative Gallery Walk!

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our study of the American Revolution continued last week! Students examined the varying perspectives of Loyalists, Patriots, and Neutralists and considered each groups' argument for whether or not to declare independence.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will continue moving through Chapter 4. Students will practice multiplying improper fractions and mixed numbers.

READING WORKSHOP:
Students will continue to focus on the Notice & Note questioning stance. We will examine What Did the Author Think I Already Knew and What Challenged, Changed, or Confirmed What I Already Knew?

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will begin our next unit of study, Fiction!

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our American Revolution unit will continue this week as we focus on The Shot Heard Round the World and the Declaration of Independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Monday, 12/6: MATH MAP TEST (am)
Tuesday, 12/7: READING MAP TEST (pm)
Wednesday, 12/8: Individual Math Contest #1 (lunch)
Thursday, 12/9: Team Math Contest #2 (lunch)
Friday, 12/10: Boston Tea Party Virtual Field Trip