Welcome back after the long weekend! We had another busy and exciting week in fifth grade, and a wonderful Valentine's Day celebration on Friday. Thank you to our Room Moms, Mary Salm and Susie Zitella, and all of our parent volunteers for a super successful and fun afternoon!
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Unit 6, Organizing Data and Adding/Subtracting Fractions. Students solved mystery plot problems and used sample sizes to make sound conclusions. We also reviewed equivalent fractions and least common multiples. In addition, students learned how to find lowest common denominators to add fractions with unlike denominators.
READING WORKSHOP:
We completed the last of our Fiction mini-lessons last week! Students learned that readers of ficiton understand that there are different types of conflict present in fiction. Students analyzed fiction stories and identified the type of conflict present in order to understand how it affects the plot and characters. Next, we learned that readers of fiction need to understand plot structure in order to comprehend the text. We created a visual representation (plot diagram) to understand plot development and deepen our overall understanding of plot. Students also learned that readers encounter a variety of types of fiction, including plays. We examined the elements of drama and the elements of a story portrayed in the play, "Coming to America." Finally, students spent the remainder of the week dealing with difficulty in vocabulary comprehension and uncovering the themes across multiple texts.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
WEX for the week focused on identifying textual evidence that shows character traits, and making connections between two moments based on traits.
SCIENCE:
Energy explorations continued last week! Students conducted several experiments to examine the transfer of heat energy. Our first experiment demonstrated the transfer of heat energy between hot water and cold water. Students learned what happens when a container of warm water is placed into a container of cold water by collecting temperature data from each container over time. We graphed and analyzed these results, and learned that heat energy moves from the warm water to the cold water until the water in each container reaches the same temperature. In our second experiment, students continued to explore heat energy transfers, this time focusing on the concept of conduction. We compared how heat energy transfers from a warmer substance (water in this case) to some cooler objects (butter cubes placed on rods made from various materials). Students recognized that heat energy is conducted at different rates through different materials. In our final experiment, students attempted to slow the transfer of heat energy. We tested a variety of materials to see which ones act as the best insulator for a water bottle. Next, students designed and assembled insulation for their own water bottles, using materials they believed would effectively slow heat energy transfer. Finally, we tested our insulated water bottles to determine which bottle was insulated most effectively.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up Unit 6 this week. Students will practice subtracting fractions with different denominators, and review the major concepts from the unit. Our final test will be on Friday.
READING WORKSHOP:
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:
WEX this week will focus on the rules for verb tense and quoting directly from the text.
SCIENCE:
Our final week of Energy will take place this week! Students will be researching Energy Sources, organizing information, and formulating arguments to participate in a class energy debate!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 2/17...........................................................LION KING Auditions Begin Monday Schedule
Friday, 2/19....................................................................Unit 6 Math Test (Anderle)
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
MATH:
Last week in math we continued moving through Unit 6, Organizing Data and Adding/Subtracting Fractions. Students solved mystery plot problems and used sample sizes to make sound conclusions. We also reviewed equivalent fractions and least common multiples. In addition, students learned how to find lowest common denominators to add fractions with unlike denominators.
READING WORKSHOP:
We completed the last of our Fiction mini-lessons last week! Students learned that readers of ficiton understand that there are different types of conflict present in fiction. Students analyzed fiction stories and identified the type of conflict present in order to understand how it affects the plot and characters. Next, we learned that readers of fiction need to understand plot structure in order to comprehend the text. We created a visual representation (plot diagram) to understand plot development and deepen our overall understanding of plot. Students also learned that readers encounter a variety of types of fiction, including plays. We examined the elements of drama and the elements of a story portrayed in the play, "Coming to America." Finally, students spent the remainder of the week dealing with difficulty in vocabulary comprehension and uncovering the themes across multiple texts.
WRITERS' WORKSHOP:
WEX for the week focused on identifying textual evidence that shows character traits, and making connections between two moments based on traits.
SCIENCE:
Energy explorations continued last week! Students conducted several experiments to examine the transfer of heat energy. Our first experiment demonstrated the transfer of heat energy between hot water and cold water. Students learned what happens when a container of warm water is placed into a container of cold water by collecting temperature data from each container over time. We graphed and analyzed these results, and learned that heat energy moves from the warm water to the cold water until the water in each container reaches the same temperature. In our second experiment, students continued to explore heat energy transfers, this time focusing on the concept of conduction. We compared how heat energy transfers from a warmer substance (water in this case) to some cooler objects (butter cubes placed on rods made from various materials). Students recognized that heat energy is conducted at different rates through different materials. In our final experiment, students attempted to slow the transfer of heat energy. We tested a variety of materials to see which ones act as the best insulator for a water bottle. Next, students designed and assembled insulation for their own water bottles, using materials they believed would effectively slow heat energy transfer. Finally, we tested our insulated water bottles to determine which bottle was insulated most effectively.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:
MATH:
We will finish up Unit 6 this week. Students will practice subtracting fractions with different denominators, and review the major concepts from the unit. Our final test will be on Friday.
READING WORKSHOP:
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:
WEX this week will focus on the rules for verb tense and quoting directly from the text.
SCIENCE:
Our final week of Energy will take place this week! Students will be researching Energy Sources, organizing information, and formulating arguments to participate in a class energy debate!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 2/17...........................................................LION KING Auditions Begin Monday Schedule
Friday, 2/19....................................................................Unit 6 Math Test (Anderle)
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