Blog Posts - Mrs. Anderle's Class

Mrs. Anderle's Class

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

2/15/2024

Welcome back after the short, super packed week, and extra long weekend! We had a great Valentine's Day celebration on Wednesday! Thank you to our wonderful Room Moms and parents for volunteering and helping out with the 5th Grade Party! 💝

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will begin Chapter 8: Polygons. Students will practice classifying triangles and polygons.

READING WORKSHOP:
This week we will continue our 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 using context clues to understand new vocabulary terms. We will also practice summarizing as we explore how the Montgomery Bus Boycott concluded.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers will begin their next writing unit, Opinion Writing! We will examine persuasive topics, audience, and author's purpose.

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will continue this week. Students will identify properties of matter through an investigation of mystery materials.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Tuesday, 2/20 Band Concert @7pm

Monday, February 5, 2024

2/3/2024

Happy February! Frozen auditions concluded last week! The kids were incredible and we are all SO PROUD of them!! Thanks to each of you for shuffling around your schedules-we know it isn't easy and we appreciate your support! Looking forward to our cast announcement later this week!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we finished up Chapter 6. Students practiced solving volume of composite solids problems. We reviewed the major concepts from the unit and took our final assessment on Wednesday. On Friday, we began Chapter 7: Line Plots and The Coordinate Plane.

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 continued to explore this story behind the Montgomery bus boycott, students compared and contrasted the lives and experiences of JoAnn Robinson, Claudette Colvin, and Rosa Parks. We also examined nonfiction text features, and determined important details as we explored the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers were super busy last week as they finished up their revisions on their fiction drafts. Students self-evaluated their and conferred with a writing partner. We are so excited for our next Gallery Walk, this afternoon!

SCIENCE:
It was so much fun to watch our scientists in action as they spent our science days exploring the properties matter! Students worked in groups observing the properties of solids, liquids, and gases to develop evidence to support their properties of matter claims.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 📌
MATH:
We will continue moving through Chapter 7. Students will learn how to graph on a coordinate plane and examine number patterns and graphs.

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

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers will be busy this week completing a Narrative Writing Performance Task.

SCIENCE:
Investigating Matter will continue this week as we examine properties of gases and mixtures!

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
See the picture below of our Digital Citizenship Spirit Week.

January 29, 2024

1/28/2024

Happy last week of January!! Where has the time gone?? Fifth graders have been incredibly busy...and not just on the academics! Our Frozen auditions have been amazing, and I'm sure this week will be no different! Thank you again for your willingness to support our musical and get. your kids out the door early for auditions!! We appreciate you!! 💗

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK 📌
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Chapter 6: Volume. Students learned how to use the formula for finding the volume of rectangular prisms and composite solids. We also practiced solving real world volume problems.

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 Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks. Students examined pictures and captions to better comprehend this complex text, and used evidence from the text to support their opinions in constructed responses.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
In writing last week, students continued revising and editing their fictions drafts. We revised for setting, and examined prepositional phrases and point of view. Students also revised their dialogue formatting.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our study of The Constitution came to an end last week with our wonderful Branches of Government presentations.

SCIENCE:
We began our second science unit of the year, Investigating Matter! Our focus for our fist lesson was on defining and classifying matter.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 💡
Math:
We will wrap up our Volume chapter this week with a final assessment on Wednesday. Next up, Chapter 7: Line Plots and The Coordinate Plane.

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

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers will self-evaluate, peer conference, proofread, and make final edits on their fiction drafts.

SCIENCE:
We continue our Investigating Matter unit this week. Students will examine properties of matter and properties of gases.

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Wednesday, 1/31: Chapter 6 Math Test (Anderle)
Friday, 2/2: Candor Health Puberty Presentation (1:30-3:00pm)
Frozen Auditions continue this week. Please see the schedule below.

Monday, January 22, 2024

1/21/2024

What a crazy start to 2024!! It's hard to believe that the end of January is around the corner...fifth grade is flying by!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK 📌
MATH:
Last week in math we wrapped up our Decimals chapter. Students also began exploring volume concepts, as we began Chapter 6: Volume.

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 life of Jo Ann Robinson. 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:
In writing last week, students began revising their fiction drafts. Our writers revised to develop characters, plot, and closing sentences.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our examination of The Constitution continued last week as we explored the branches of government. Students worked with their group project members to finalize their branch of government presentation.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 💡
Math:
We will continue to examine volume in math this week. Students will practice measuring volume, and solve real world volume of rectangular prisms and composite solids problems.

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

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers will continue to revise their fiction drafts this week. Students will revise for setting, and examine verb tense and point of view.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
We will wrap up our study of The Constitution this week and then shift into our second science unit: Investigating Matter.

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Frozen Auditions continue this week. Please see the schedule below.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

1/2/2024

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 finish up Chapter 5. Students will practice converting metric units and solving real world decimal problems. Our final assessment for the unit will be on Friday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our fifth grade nonfiction study of Freedom Walkers will begin this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue moving through our Fiction unit this week. Students will continue to explore character, plot, and setting and select a draft to begin the publication process with.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our next unit of study, The Constitution, will begin this week!

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Monday, 1/15: NO SCHOOL (MLK, Jr. Day)
Wednesday, 1/17: MONDAY SCHEDULE
Friday, 1/19: FROZEN Auditions begin!! (See schedule below.)

Monday, December 11, 2023

12/10/2023

Things are winding down as we wrap up our final weeks of 2023, and our 12 Days 'Til Winter Break Countdown is off to a great start!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK 📌
MATH:
Last week in math we finished up Chapter 4. Students practiced converting fractions and mixed numbers into decimals. We reviewed the major concepts from the unit and took our final assessment on Wednesday!

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. Students also continued working in their book club groups; reading, discussing, and exploring fiction elements.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Fiction writing continued last week! Students explored a quick write technique:, "What If," to generate new writing ideas. We also used pictures to create story starters, and examined how to implement the development of character, plot, and setting into our work.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
We had a great week in social studies as our class began examining the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Students learned about the Battle of Lexington and Concord, examined 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 begin Chapter 5: Four Operations of Decimals. Students will practice adding and subtracting decimals.

READING WORKSHOP:
This week our readers will examine the Notice & Note nonfiction signposts Extreme and Absolute Language and Number and Stats. Additionally, our book club groups will also continue this week.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Fiction writing will continue this week as we continue to examine character, plot, and setting.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Wednesday, 12/13: MATH MAP TEST (1:15pm)
Thursday, 12/14: Erin's Law Presentation (1:45pm)
FROZEN Kickoff Meeting (7pm)
Friday, 12/22---ELF MOVIE (pm)
HAPPY WINTER BREAK!!

Monday, December 4, 2023

12/3/2023

We had a great week back after Thanksgiving, and sure squeezed a lot of fun into each day! We're all looking forward to our 12 Days 'Til Winter Break Countdown that begins later this week!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK💡
MATH:
Last week in math we began Chapter 4: Decimals. Students examined decimals to the thousandths place as we practiced comparing, ordering, and rounding. We also learned how to convert fractions and mixed numbers into decimals.

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 Stances "What Surprised Me?" and "What Did the Author Think I Already Knew?" 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, it helps us read nonfiction text with a critical and questioning eye. Additionally, if we can figure out what the writer is thinking we know, it helps us to get past “I don't get it” and move on to some fix-it-up tactics. Our readers also began practicing taught fiction comprehension and discussion skills from earlier this year during our small group book clubs.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our writers began our next unit of study, Fiction! Students examined the elements of fiction writing as we explored writing ideas based on messy situations and everyday events that surround our lives.

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 finish up Chapter 4 this week with a brief assessment on Wednesday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Students will continue to focus on the Notice & Note nonfiction We will examine the stance "What Challenged, Changed, or Confirmed What I Already Knew?" and explore Extreme or Absolute Language.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
This week in writing we will gather writing ideas from pictures and learn how to incorporate character, plot, and setting development into our work.

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📆
Tuesday, 12/5: Individual Math Contest #1 (Lunch)
Wednesday, 12/6: READING MAP TEST (1:15pm)
Thursday, 12/7: Team Math Contest #2 (lunch)
Friday, 12/8: Candor Health The Science Behind Drugs" Presentation (am)
Wednesday, 12/13: MATH MAP TEST (1:15pm)
Friday, 12/22: ELF (pm)

Monday, November 28, 2023

11/26/2023

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Due to last week's absence, this week's Class News update will only contain highlights for the week ahead. Look for a regular edition of our Class News next week! 💗

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS📌
MATH:
We will begin Chapter 4: Decimals. Students will examine numbers in the thousandths place, and compare, order, and round decimals.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our reading focus for the next four weeks will shift to Notice & Note: Nonfiction. This unit begins with creating the questioning stance. Students will be asked to read with the following questions in mind:
What surprised me?
What did the author think I already knew?
What changed, challenged, or confirmed what I already knew?
"Reading with these Big Questions in mind encourages a critical, attentive stance and develops habits of mind that-if we can instill them in our students-may help them deal more attentively and intelligently with the nonfiction texts they will encounter throughout their lives."

WRITERS' WORKSHOP::
This week we will begin our next writing unit: Fiction. Students will examine the structure of fiction, and explore writing ideas based on messy situations and interesting people.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the American Revolution will continue this week! Students will examine the Loyalist, Patriot, and Neutralist perspectives, and consider each argument for or against declaring independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Tuesday, 12/5: Individual Math Contest #1 (LUNCH)
Wednesday, 12/6: Chapter 4 Math Test
Thursday, 12/7: Team Math Contest #1 (LUNCH)
Friday, 12/8: Candor Health Science Behind Drugs Presentation (am)

Monday, November 13, 2023

11/12/2023

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week! The first trimester honestly flew by! Friday was a magical day celebrating our country's Veterans, and our 5th graders sang beautifully during Patton's assembly! I hope you have all a wonderful holiday next week with your families!! 💗

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK 💡
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Chapter 3. Students practiced multiplying mixed numbers, and learned how to divide fractions.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our readers were super busy last week during our guided reading groups and Book Clubs! We continued engaging with texts during our small groups, and students worked diligently practicing summarizing, determining main ideas and supporting details, and making inferences. We also conducted our second and third Rules Book Club meetings!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Last week our writers continued revising and editing their personal narrative drafts. Students analyzed opening and closing sentences, self-assessed their work, and met with writing partners for peer feedback. We also proofread our drafts for commonly misspelled words, and proper capitalization and punctuation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
The 1760/1770s continued at Patton School last week, as our class reviewed the major events leading to the American Revolution. Students were also given their first bank of Shillings, 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!!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 📌
MATH:
We will finish up Chapter 3 with our final lesson focusing on solving fraction multiplication and division problems. Students will review the major concepts from the unit and take their final assessment on Wednesday.

READING WORKSHOP:
We will wrap up our first round of guided reading groups and our Rules Book Clubs this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students will complete the final stages of publication with their Personal Narratives. We will host our second Gallery Walk on Thursday to share our work with one another!

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our study of the American Revolution will continue this week as we further examine the Intolerable Acts. Be sure to ask your child about a special tax simulation he/she will participate in later in the week!

UPCOMING EVENTS 📆
Wednesday, 11/15: Chapter 3 Math Test
Band Concert @ 7pm at TMS
'Friday, 11/17: Report Card Day!
Monday, 11/27: Classes Resume!

**PLEASE SEE OUR STUDENT COUNCIL SPIRIT WEEK FUN THAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK!

Monday, October 30, 2023

10/28/2023

Happy (almost) Halloween! We are gearing up for a fun Halloween celebration tomorrow! Thank you to our Room Moms and parent volunteers for making our 5th Grade Halloween Party a memorable one!! 🎃 👻 We appreciate you! 🧡
Our Halloween Countdown wraps up this week...please enjoy the picture below of our Fort Friday classroom! ⛺️ 🔦 We even had a special visit from our 1st Grade Buddies and loved reading in our forts together!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK 💡
MATH:
Last week in math we began Chapter 3: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. Students learned how to multiply fractions and whole numbers, along with proper fractions. We also practiced solving real world fraction problems.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our small groups are up and running and we were able to devote our time continuing to focus on growing our fiction comprehension skills. We also moved along in our whole class book club, Rules, and practiced are final three book club roles: Summarizer, Dictionary Detective, and Illustrator.

The Summarizer's job is to write a summary of the reading and present it to their group. In trying to capture the general idea/key points of the reading, students practiced using our summary formula:
SOMEBODY: the character
WANTED: what the character wanted
BUT: what the problem was
SO: how the character reacted to the problem
THEN: how the character solved the problem

The Dictionary Detective identifies two unknown or important words from the reading. The words are defined and used in sentences and then shared with the group to discuss.

The Illustrator's job is to try to visualize the reading and create some kind of picture that is related to the reading. It can be a poster, flow chart, Venn Diagram, stick figure scene, cartoon....anything that can retell an important event from the reading.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Last week our writers continued to explore personal narratives. We examined examples of narratives that focused on valuable lessons learned in life, and we practiced incorporating sensory details into our own narratives to engage readers.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Last week in social studies, students examined our next chapter: Slavery in the Americas. As a class, we explored what life was like in South Africa and the European Slave Trade. We also examined triangular trade, surviving the Middle Passage, slavery in the colonies, and what life was like for an enslaved person.

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS 📌
MATH:
Students will learn how to multiply improper fractions and mixed numbers.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our Rules Book Club will continue this week!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will continue moving through our Personal Narrative unit. This week, students will select a draft for publication and begin the revision process.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Our American Revolution unit will begin this week as we examine the rising tensions in the colonies.

UPCOMING EVENTS📆
Monday, 10/31: HALLOWEEN PARADE (1:45pm) and PARTY!!
Wednesday, 11/8 @ 10:15am: CoGAT Testing
Thursday, 11/9 @ 10:15: CoGAT Testing