Mrs. Anderle's Class
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Monday, October 26, 2015

10/26/2015

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 Another exciting week passed us by in fifth grade! Schillings, taxes, American Revolution novel groups, and an Authors' Party kept us super busy! It's hard to believe that Halloween is upon us already!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we finished up Unit 3. Students explored angles of polygons and solved geometry template problems. We reviewed the major concepts from the unit on Wednesday, and students took their final test on Thursday. Students did exceptionally well on this unit, and I'm so proud of the everyone's hard work on these tough concepts!

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of Nonfiction began last week! Students examined the significance of nonfiction and how the genre is different from fiction. We learned about the different types of nonfiction and the unique elements within various texts. Students also examined the textual features of reference nonfiction, and used them to locate and sort information. We explored different text structures to comprehend multiple nonfiction texts, and practiced asking ourselves questions before, during, and after reading. Students asked these questions to activate prior knowledge, build understanding, and monitor comprehension.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Students continued to move through the writing process last week, revising, editing, and publishing their personal narrative essays. We experimented with lead sentences and formulated paragraphs, in addition to meeting with our writing partners to peer edit our work. As well, our class designed their own scoring rubric for our personal narrative essays! Working in both small groups, and as a whole class, we established categories to be critiqued, descriptors for each "cell" of the rubric, along with the number value in each corresponding category. We went on to use this class-created rubric to self-assess
our work! Finally, our class celebrated all of this hard work on Friday at our Authors' Party!

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our exciting exploration of self-selected American Revolution topics continued last week! Once again we spent our time researching topics, asking questions and documenting findings via note-taking, reflecting on progress, and eliciting peer feedback. Many students are already creating their final presentations to be shared with the class near the end of the week! I can't stress enough how amazed I have been with the excitement for learning during our social science time! We are all eagerly awaiting final presentations this week!


THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
Fifth grade math will make a switch for this upcoming unit...instead of moving on to Unit 4 (Division) this week, we will begin Unit 5: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents. We will come back to Unit 4 after our Thanksgiving break. This week, students will examine parts and wholes, as well as mixed numbers. We will compare and order fractions, and examine equivalent fractions.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our study of nonfiction will continue this week! Students will determine author's purpose, identify main ideas, and check for understanding.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
We will take a short hiatus from WEX this week as we use our time to finish our American Revolution research. 

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our American Revolution exploration will continue this week as we finalize our research and notes. Students will prepare and present final presentations!


UPCOMING EVENTS:
Friday, October 30..................................................Halloween Celebration (PM)

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Monday, October 19, 2015

10/19/2015

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We had a great week back after our extra long weekend! Our class is loving our study of the American Revolution, and are already enjoying being my royal subjects! :)

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Math last week continued to focus on Unit 3, Geometry Explorations and the American Tour. Students explored and classified triangles, and examined vertical and adjacent angles. We also investigated and sorted polygons by their properties, and determined which polygons create regular tessellations.

READING WORKSHOP:

Last week during Reading Workshop we completed our final mini-lessons for our first unit of study! Students learned that readers of poetry build their understanding by using a variety of strategies for inferring. We conducted a close reading of a poem to determine what the poet was really saying. Students also learned that readers of nonfiction have an understanding of the features and structures of nonfiction text. We determined the main idea of a text by using our knowledge of the features and structures of nonfiction. Finally, students reflected on themselves as readers and set goals for their future reading work!


WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX focus for the week was creating our personal narrative essays. Students were given the opportunity to work on these writing pieces using a laptop, which they all enjoyed! We chose and developed moments for the essay, and revised our paragraphs to include showing details.

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Wow, our study of the American Revolution is off to an amazing start! We began the week by documenting our prior knowledge of the Revolutionary War and determining what we want to learn about this topic. As you can imagine, there was quite a range of knowledge, but the enthusiasm for studying the American Revolution was consistent across the board! As a class, we briefly sequenced the war into three categories: before the war (the causes that brought about the tension in the colonies), during the war (the two armies, leaders, key battles, division of Patriots/Loyalists/Neutralists, declaring independence), and the end of the war (war allies, treaties, the aftermath). Next, students individually determined their topic of interest and developed essential questions to guide their research. We looked at the abundance of print resources available and students developed an action plan for their research. 


I have to say, I found myself mesmerized many times throughout the week. Their excitement for learning was contagious! At times the classroom was utterly silent, with fifth graders completely engaged in their research...the only sounds to be heard were keyboards tapping and book pages turning. At other times students were literally running up to one another to share an interesting fact, show an important picture, or even lend a helping hand. Many students helped others by clarifying important information of certain events as well!

In addition to our research, students spent the week documenting their findings in their notes. We also reflected at the end of each research session; sometimes on paper and other times with our Tavern Groups.

Overall, this first week was undoubtedly a success, and I can't wait to see what this week brings!


​THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up Unit 3 in math this week. Students will examine angles of polygons and solve geometry template problems. We will review the major concepts from the unit on Wednesday and take our final test on Thursday.

READING WORKSHOP:
Our next unit of study, Nonfiction, will begin this week! Students will explore types of nonfiction (literary nonfiction, reference nonfiction, and biography) and text features. We will also examine the structure of nonfiction, along with how to read nonfiction and unlock unfamiliar vocabulary.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
During WEX we will continue to draft, edit, and revise our personal narratives. Students will experiment with lead sentences and formulate paragraphs. We will meet with writing partners to peer edit our work and celebrate our final drafts on Friday (hopefully) at our Author's Party (more details to follow later this week).

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our American Revolution research will continue this week! We will also examine the rising tension in our own colonies as my royal subjects begin to experience their own taxes!


UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, 10/22....................................................Unit 3 Math Test (Anderle)
Friday, 10/23.........................................................Author's Party
Friday, 10/30.........................................................Halloween Celebrations (PM)
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Tuesday, October 14, 2015

10/13/2015

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Welcome back after the long weekend! I hope you were all able to enjoy our beautiful weather! We had another great week together, and especially enjoyed our Historical Reenactment field trip on Thursday!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we began Unit 3, Geometry Explorations and American Tour. Students examined US census and population data and reviewed pattern block angles. We also classified angles into three categories: acute, obtuse, and right angles. In addition, students practiced drawing and measuring angles using their full and half circle protractors.

READING WORKSHOP:
We were super busy last week during our workshop! Students learned that readers of fiction pay attention to story elements to monitor understanding and help build the world of the story. We also examined and analyzed characters, and compared and contrasted characters to develop a deeper understanding of the text. Finally, students reflected on their notes and reading logs to gain insight into their habits and behaviors as readers. We reflected on our reading logs to better understand our stamina and pacing, and examined the circumstances that best support our reading. 


WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
WEX last week continued to focus on using showing details. Students practiced showing the subject and showing the setting. We were thrilled to work with our writing partners as well, carefully providing thoughtful feedback to enhance our journal entries.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:

Last week our class enthusiastically began our study of the American Revolution! Students learned about the importance of taverns during this political time in our history. We elected tavern group leaders for our entire American Revolution study. The following students were chosen among their peers as leaders:  Grace, Jason, Maddie and Michael Jasper. Congratulations to our great leaders!!!

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:

We will continue moving through Unit 3 in math this week. Students will examine types of triangles, properties of polygons, and regular tessellations. 

READING WORKSHOP:
Our mini-lesson topics for the week are:
Uncovering the meaning of a poem, finding the main idea in nonfiction, and setting goals & making plans!

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
It is time to begin our first formal piece of writing for the year, our personal narrative essays! Students will have access to laptops this week as we define the personal narrative and develop our essays.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Our study of the American Revolution will officially begin this week! The students and I are super excited to take a "different" route of exploration this year...one that involves them in the "driver's seat" and me alongside as a passenger. Picture yourself teaching your child to drive in say...5(ish) years...he or she will be in the seat as you guide him or her to become a successful driver. This is my goal for our unit!


Together, as a class, we will discuss our prior knowledge of the American Revolution and then develop essential questions to guide our understanding of what actually took place before, during, and after the American Revolution. Students will essentially be in charge of their learning and plan their course of travel...they will develop their own questions and research their answers (using a multitude of resources) to eventually be shared (in any capacity) with the rest of the class. We will stop along the way to document our learning, reflect on our progress, and of course give peer feedback to one another.

Tavern groups will serve as true meetinghouses for our learners to share their findings, elicit feedback, and make decisions about their learning. I can't wait to begin this adventure with your children and fill you in on all of our happenings every step of the way!!!


UPCOMING EVENTS:
Thursday, 10/15...............................................Monday Schedule
Friday, 10/16....................................................Pumpkin Patch 
Thursday, 10/22...............................................Unit 3 Math Test (Anderle)



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Mrs. Anderle's Class 10/8 by Ryan S. & Alex

10/8/2015

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Today, October 8th, we went on a field trip to the district office to study the American Revolution at the Hisorical Reenactment.

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Our Tavern Group leaders: Grace, Michael J., Jason, and Maddie.
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We started working in our tavern groups and are having fun!

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We talked about how leaders should act, so we can have great tavern leaders!

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The author of "Fish in a Tree" read us the first chapter of the global read aloud.

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We had our SPARK event where parents or Arlington Heights workers came in to tell us what they work and love! Maybe some interests for Personalized learning?

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Monday, October 5, 2015

10/5/2015

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Happy October! The month is off to a great start as we begin our American Revolution unit!

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
In math last week we finished up Unit 2. Students practiced multiplying whole and decimal numbers and reviewed the major concepts from the unit. We took our final test on Friday and did great! Way to go, math students!!!

READING WORKSHOP:
Literacy last week focused on our Schoolwide mini-lessons, as well as our literary signposts study of Among the Hidden.

Mini-Lessons included making a plan for ourselves as readers, book talks, and partner talks. Students learned that readers have both short-term and long-term plans for their reading lives. We created "bookshelves"  to help keep a running list of books to develop our reading identities, and build independence as readers. Students also learned the importance of book recommendations, and examined "Book Talk Criteria" to use in determining whether or not a book is "worthy" of a book talk. We planned our first book talk presentations and many students even got a chance to give their book talks to the class! Finally, we learned that readers talk with partners about their thinking in order to support comprehension. Students practiced jotting down ideas and sharing with a partner while using our conversation protocol.
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WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
During WEX last week we focused on using showing details. Students practiced replacing telling sentences with showing sentences, and revised their writing to incorporate many descriptive showing details.     

SCIENCE:
Our Human Body in Motion unit sadly came to an end last week. Students enthusiastically participated in our final project, the creation of a mythical alien and description of its organs and cells. As you can imagine, we had LOTS of fun with this one!   


THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH: 
We will begin Unit 3, Geometry Explorations. Students will examine US census and population data, explore pattern block angles, and practice measuring angles with a protractor. 

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: elements of a story, examining characters, and reviewing reading data.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
Our WEX time for the week will focus on showing the subject and showing the setting. 


SOCIAL SCIENCE:
We will officially begin our study of the American Revolution this week! Students will explore the importance of taverns during this political time in our history. We will also examine what colonial life was like during this time period at our Historical Reenactment field trip on Thursday!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Monday, October 5........................................Picture Day!
                                                                       SPARK
Thursday, October 8.......................................Historical Reenactment Field Trip
Friday, October 9............................................No School (Institute Day)
Monday, October 12.......................................No School (Columbus Day)
Thursday, October 15.....................................Monday Schedule
​Friday, October 16..........................................Pumpkin Patch
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