Wow, it’s hard to believe that October begins on Thursday! We’re busy as ever in fifth grade, moving through our units and of course having lots of fun doing so!
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week, we continued our work with estimation and computation. Students examined the components of open number sentences and solved addition and subtraction number stories. We also conducted two experiments to collect and analyze data. Our first experiment focused on our reaction times and finding the landmarks for our data set. Our second experiment focused on probability and chance events. Students recorded results for the number of times pushpins landed face down. In addition, we practiced making magnitude estimates for addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.
READING WORKSHOP:
Literacy last week focused on our remaining Notice & Note literary signposts, along with our first mini-lesson from the Schoolwide program, Studying Ourselves as Readers.
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.
Our second 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 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.
After learning our final signpost, students were super enthusiastic to put all of their hard work to the test! We began to explore the novel Among the Hidden, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, looking for signposts and their meanings. Using a Signpost Log to document their findings, students practiced locating signposts and answering their important questions to deepen their understanding of the text. I am so proud of our class' hard work and effort with these signposts!
Our final reading component of the week focused on studying ourselves as readers. Students learned that readers need to have an understanding of their pace and stamina when reading in order to develop a clearer sense of themselves as readers. We began an additional reading log to track the time and amount read each day.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX focus for the week was on focus. Students focused on setting and sound, and also completed their first revision assignment.
SCIENCE:
Our study of the human body in motion continued as students explored how the circulatory system supports movement. They learned to take their pulse and discovered that their heart rate increases as exercise intensity increases. Students then related this finding to the increased needs of muscle cells during exercise, realizing that the heart beats faster to deliver more raw materials to active muscles and to remove their waste. We also learned how the respiratory system supports movement. Students discovered how breathing rate increases with exercise, and the increased needs for oxygen by their more active muscles. We breathed through straws of varying diameters to appreciate how much we depend on a healthy respiratory system to perform even minor physical activities. During our final science exploration of the week, students learned that their muscles depend on a healthy digestive system to provide the nutrients and water their cells need to produce energy and function. We experimented to see how digested gelatin passes through a filter easier than undigested gelatin, and realized the need for food to be digested before it can enter the bloodstream.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up Unit 2 this week. Students will review multiplication of whole numbers and decimals, and review the major concepts from the unit. Our final test will be on Friday.
READING WORKSHOP:
Our Schoolwide mini-lessons will continue this week, along with our literary signpost practice and exploration of Among the Hidden.
Mini-lesson topics include: making a plan for ourselves as readers, book talks, and partner talks.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX time for the week will focus on using showing details.
SCIENCE:
Our Human Body in Motion unit will come to an end this week. We will create two projects, one focusing on cells and one focusing on poetry in motion. Our final human body assessment will be on Thursday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, 10/2.............................................Unit 2 Math Test (Anderle)
Monday, 10/5.........................................Picture Day! & SPARK
Thursday, 10/8........................................Historical Reenactment Field Trip (am)
Friday, 10/9.............................................No School (Institute Day)
Monday, 10/10........................................No School (Columbus Day)
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week, we continued our work with estimation and computation. Students examined the components of open number sentences and solved addition and subtraction number stories. We also conducted two experiments to collect and analyze data. Our first experiment focused on our reaction times and finding the landmarks for our data set. Our second experiment focused on probability and chance events. Students recorded results for the number of times pushpins landed face down. In addition, we practiced making magnitude estimates for addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems.
READING WORKSHOP:
Literacy last week focused on our remaining Notice & Note literary signposts, along with our first mini-lesson from the Schoolwide program, Studying Ourselves as Readers.
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.
Our second 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 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.
After learning our final signpost, students were super enthusiastic to put all of their hard work to the test! We began to explore the novel Among the Hidden, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, looking for signposts and their meanings. Using a Signpost Log to document their findings, students practiced locating signposts and answering their important questions to deepen their understanding of the text. I am so proud of our class' hard work and effort with these signposts!
Our final reading component of the week focused on studying ourselves as readers. Students learned that readers need to have an understanding of their pace and stamina when reading in order to develop a clearer sense of themselves as readers. We began an additional reading log to track the time and amount read each day.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX focus for the week was on focus. Students focused on setting and sound, and also completed their first revision assignment.
SCIENCE:
Our study of the human body in motion continued as students explored how the circulatory system supports movement. They learned to take their pulse and discovered that their heart rate increases as exercise intensity increases. Students then related this finding to the increased needs of muscle cells during exercise, realizing that the heart beats faster to deliver more raw materials to active muscles and to remove their waste. We also learned how the respiratory system supports movement. Students discovered how breathing rate increases with exercise, and the increased needs for oxygen by their more active muscles. We breathed through straws of varying diameters to appreciate how much we depend on a healthy respiratory system to perform even minor physical activities. During our final science exploration of the week, students learned that their muscles depend on a healthy digestive system to provide the nutrients and water their cells need to produce energy and function. We experimented to see how digested gelatin passes through a filter easier than undigested gelatin, and realized the need for food to be digested before it can enter the bloodstream.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up Unit 2 this week. Students will review multiplication of whole numbers and decimals, and review the major concepts from the unit. Our final test will be on Friday.
READING WORKSHOP:
Our Schoolwide mini-lessons will continue this week, along with our literary signpost practice and exploration of Among the Hidden.
Mini-lesson topics include: making a plan for ourselves as readers, book talks, and partner talks.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX time for the week will focus on using showing details.
SCIENCE:
Our Human Body in Motion unit will come to an end this week. We will create two projects, one focusing on cells and one focusing on poetry in motion. Our final human body assessment will be on Thursday.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, 10/2.............................................Unit 2 Math Test (Anderle)
Monday, 10/5.........................................Picture Day! & SPARK
Thursday, 10/8........................................Historical Reenactment Field Trip (am)
Friday, 10/9.............................................No School (Institute Day)
Monday, 10/10........................................No School (Columbus Day)
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