10/31/14

We wrapped up another great week of school in room 312 today. Students had a buddy activity with Ms. Dichter's class that involved some fun seasonal activities. The fifth grade class has been great mentors to their younger peers.

In math class, we finished our partial quotient lesson. The students created some great word problems and augmented them with some images from online. We moved on into an array model today. We want all fifth graders to have the ability to understand what is actually happening in a division problem and to have the tools necessary to solve these problems in a variety of ways.

I would also like to remind everyone that I offer extra help on Wednesdays after school should the need arise.

I hope everyone has a great and safe Halloween and enjoys their weekends.

Homework

Reading - blog post must be complete by tomorrow. This is a graded assignment.

10/30/14

I wanted to give special thanks to author Nicola Davies for coming into Thompson today. Ms. Davies was nice enough to share some of her experiences with fifth grade and read some of her books to the children. Grade five were active listeners and asked some great questions when the time came.

Thanks also to Ms. Halley for setting this unique experience up for the Thompson community.

Students in room 312 had an amazing math class today. We worked on the partial quotient division method. Students were active participants and were engaged fully in the material. A very productive math class. They are close to finishing a division word problem story using this method. Over the course of the next few days, we will begin developing a variety of methods to help solve division problems.




Homework

Math - final page in homework packet

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading. Finish three step journal entries for chapter 9.

Prompt question for Friday (2 paragraphs): How does Bud Not Buddy remind you of yourself, people you know or something that happened in your life? Explain your thinking.

Spelling - test on Friday


Trivia

What color is a polar bear's skin?

10/29/14

Students continued their work with division today in math class. We completed our division story posters, which will be displayed in the math corner in the classroom. I enjoyed getting to hear students show their understanding of new concepts by creating these stories.

Our lesson in writing today concerned focusing in on parts of our narrative story that are the most important. We learned some elaboration strategies that should serve us well as we approach the final steps before the stories are published.

Tomorrow, the Thompson School is lucky enough to have author Nicola Davies. Ms. Davies is a zoologist turned author from originally from Great Britain. I am sure that this will be a rewarding experience for all of the students in room 312.




Homework

Math - third page in homework packet

Reading - those students who did not finish, read chapter 7 and 8 in Bud Not Buddy. Must make at least two entries into 3-step journal as read.

Prompt question for Friday (2 paragraphs): How does Bud Not Buddy remind you of yourself, people you know or something that happened in your life? Explain your thinking.

Spelling - test on Friday


Trivia

Who is the only U.S. president to serve two non-consecutive terms in office?

10/28/14

We continued our work on division in math today. Students created a word problem and images which served to help students fully understand the concept of what division really is. These turned out very well.

Students also continued to read Bud Not Buddy. The class is using close reading strategies to help them develop a deeper meaning for the text. We had a meaningful discussion of what family means to our main character. Students have been asked to write this week about the story on kidblog. This writing assignment focuses in on students making a connection between the story and their own life. I look forward to reading these as the week moves on.




Homework

Math - second page in homework packet

Reading - Finish reading chapter 7 and 8 in Bud Not Buddy. Must make at least two entries into 3-step journal as read.

 Prompt question for Friday (2 paragraphs): How does Bud Not Buddy remind you of yourself, people you know or something that happened in your life? Explain your thinking.

Spelling - test on Friday


Trivia

What team did the Bruins defeat to win their first Stanley Cup?

10/27/14

It was great to see everyone back at Thompson today. I enjoyed getting to hear about the different experiences that my students had while at science camp. I expected some sluggishness on the part of the class, but that wasn't the case. Everyone came back ready to work.

We continued to investigate the interesting case of the Kennewick Man in social studies. Students are about to begin a mini project concerning the discovery of this ancient man. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

In math, we began our unit on division. This can be a challenging piece of work, but I am confident that my class is going to be giving it their all. We began our work today by filling out a graphic organizer and using connecting cubes to ensure that all students have a certain baseline of information on which to draw upon as we work throughout this material.

Finally in writing, students chose a seed idea with which they are going to eventually publish. Students identified this idea with a special green paperclip.


Homework

Math - first page in homework packet

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading. Prompt question for Friday (2 paragraphs): How does Bud Not Buddy remind you of yourself, people you know or something that happened in your life? Explain your thinking.

Spelling - test on Friday


Trivia


Which five animals comprise the 'big five' in Africa?

10/20/14

You could feel the excitement in the air today, as the fifth grade finished their last school day before departing for science camp. Students were shown their grades for their math exam. I was quite pleased with the scores that the class earned. You could tell that they put in the time and work necessary to get good grades. It definitely made me happy to see. They will be able to take the test home when everyone has completed it.

We continued our work with Bud Not Buddy during reading. Students read chapter six and had a nice discussion about the actual circumstances that Americans were faced with in the early 1930s. I look forward to picking this book back up after science camp.

During social studies, we continued are lesson on the first people in arrive in the Americas. Special attention was paid today to the nomadic lifestyle these people led. When we pick back up after the break we will investigate the mysterious case of human remains found in Washington state within the last two decades.

I would advise all of my students to make sure that they have everything that they need for their trip. Also, I think it would be wise for everyone to get a good nights sleep so they are ready to go early on Tuesday morning. I look forward to seeing everyone early tomorrow.



Trivia

In which country does the the goliath bird eating spider live?

10/17/14

Room 312 wrapped up another busy week today. Students took a test in math, which concerned multiplication strategies and order of operation problems. Students have worked hard these first few weeks in math and I am confident that it will be reflected in their grades.

We also officially began our unit on Native Americans today. It was a very interesting lesson about the first peoples to set foot in North America. Students were engaged with the lesson and were asking some great questions and impressed me with their background knowledge.

Book buddies went very well today. Room 312 chose a great buddy class to work with. The students in Ms. Dichter's room have made active partners for the fifth graders.

We have also started to read Wonder by R.J. Palacio in class together as a read aloud book. I have never read it before, but from talking to some students and other teachers, I have heard great things. Students have enjoyed getting into the early stages of this book.

Next week is an abbreviated week because of science camp. I am not planning on giving any homework next week and look forward to seeing my students down in Rhode Island.




The 2 paragraph blog post is due by 8 tonight.

10/16/14

Today room 312 reviewed for a math assessment that we are going to have tomorrow. The students have been working hard on multiplication strategies and on order of operation work. Both of these important concepts will be important stepping stones to have as we work our way through the rest of the year.

Students are about to begin a unit on the first peoples to arrive in North America in social studies. We will be learning about the journey into the North American continent and more about the people who undertook this perilous trek. We will be working on this Native American unit for the next few weeks and have had some informal discussions with my students, I get the sense that they are eager to get started.

In writing, students work with their writing partners to critique their first full narrative writing draft. Students were active partners and worked together well to ensure that everyone's work will improve. We concluded this lesson by sharing some of our comments as a whole group.

Tomorrow we will have a math assessment and we will also once again meet with Ms. Dichter's class for the second round of book buddies.





Homework

Math - final sheet in homework packet. This sheet is a technology component and must be signed by a parent and returned to school.  Students will also have an assessment on order of operations and multiplication tomorrow.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading.

Blog - 2 paragraph response written on kidblog by Friday. The students need to respond to this prompt: What is a prediction that you have and what is the evidence from the text for this prediction?



Trivia: Which NBA player has won the most championships?

10/15/14

Today, room 312 finished their first round of writer's conferences with me. I can honestly say that I have been impressed with the level of thought put into these early drafts by my class. Each student has managed to touch upon a personal story that contains a 'heart'. Students have also been meeting with their writing partners. Students have been active participants in the writing process and have been critiquing their own writing. As this process continues over the next few weeks, I am confident that all of my students will end up with a sting finished product.

Students have also been hard at work in math. We continued our work with cluster problems. Strategies have been developed by all students to better help them attack multiplication problems.

We also had an in depth discussion about chapter 5 in Bud Not Buddy.



Homework

Math - second sheet in homework packet. Students will also have an assessment on order of operations and multiplication this week.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading.

Blog - 2 paragraph response written on kidblog by Friday. The students need to respond to this prompt: What is a prediction that you have and what is the evidence from the text for this prediction?



Trivia: Who is the last major league baseball player to bat at least .400 in a full season? What year did he do this?

10/14/14

It was nice to see everyone back in school today after the long weekend. Students were lucky enough to have the chance to listen to some members of the Arlington fire department who came into the building to speak with the students about fire prevention.

We began work in math class today on cluster problems. These problems continue out work with multiplication by showing students the relationships between numbers. It was a very engaging lesson and the students were active participants.

I continued to have one on one conferences with my students in writing class. I have enjoyed getting to hear my students talk about their narrative stories.






Homework

math - first sheet in homework packet. Students will also have an assessment on order of operations and multiplication this week.

Reading - 30 minutes of quite reading.

Blog - 2 paragraph response written on kidblog by Friday. The students need to respond to this prompt: What is a prediction that you have and what is the evidence from the text for this prediction?





Trivia: What type of fish is Dory from Finding Nemo?

10/10/14

Another successful week has been wrapped up in room 312. I could feel the energy in the room all day today as kids were working. I am sure it had to do mostly with the interest level in the work being done and not the prospect of enjoying the upcoming three day weekend.

We took our first spelling test and from talking with some of the students, it appeared to have gone well. Our class also partnered up with Ms. Armstrong's class for a math activity. Students were grouped together to work on some challenging order of operation work.

In writing, students selected their topic that they will begin to turn into a publishable piece of narrative writing. I am eager to work with my class throughout this writing process as I have heard a number of great writing topics.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend and I will see everyone on Tuesday.

10/9/14

In math, room 312 continued to work with numerical expressions. Students have been writing these expressions in word form and have been using tape diagrams to accurately represent each problem. It is a challenging lesson, but the children are working hard.

We began chapter 3 in Bud Not Buddy. Students are really enjoying this book and are enjoying getting to know the main character more and more.




Homework


Math - complete final sheet in weekly math packet

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading.

Blog for Friday - How does the setting affect the characters in Bud Not Buddy? Special attention should be paid to our main character of Bud. This post should be 8 - 10 sentences in length.

Spelling - look over spelling list for twenty minutes each night in preparation for test on Friday




Trivia: What is the name of the villain that Buzz Lightyear is constantly in conflict with?

10/8/14

I wanted to give special thanks to Lydia's mother, who was nice enough to come into our classroom today. Ms. Powell, who is a published author, came into room 312 to work with the students on their personal narrative stories. The children were engaged in the lesson and did some really nice work. As we approach the end of the first bend in our personal narrative section, students continue to be very productive.

In math class, we started a lesson on numerical expressions. We also compared expressions using visual models.

In social studies, we used our giant inflatable globe to help us better understand the hemispheres. Students worked together to identify countries in all four of the hemispheres.





Homework


Math - complete third sheet in weekly math packet

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading.

Blog for Friday - How does the setting affect the characters in Bud Not Buddy? Special attention should be paid to our main character of Bud. This post should be 8 - 10 sentences in length.

Spelling - look over spelling list for twenty minutes each night in preparation for test on Friday




Trivia: Which actor was the voice of Woody in the Toy Story movies?

10/7/14

We finished discussing chapter 2 in Bud Not Buddy. We spoke about the role that rules play in Bud's life. We also spent some time discussing figurative language in terms of chapter 2.

In writing class, we spent time looking at action sequences and how good writers have the ability to draw out the most important action in their narrative story. Students in 312 have to write about an action sequence in their writer's notebook tonight for homework.

Homework


Math - complete second sheet in weekly math packet

Reading - 30 minutes of quite reading.

Blog for Friday - How does the setting affect the characters in Bud Not Buddy? Special attention should be paid to our main character of Bud. This post should be 8 - 10 sentences in length.

Spelling - look over spelling list for twenty minutes each night in preparation for test on Friday

Writing - 1 paragraph in writer's notebook about an action sequence. Describe in detail one event.



Trivia: What is the largest land mammal?

10/6/14

Students continue to dig deeper into Bud Not Buddy. Our class discussion today focused on the conclusion of chapter one. Students have been using sticky notes to focus their reading and they have been picking up on important themes and character developments. We looked at the importance of family today and some important phrases that repeated throughout the chapter.

In math, students continued to work on order of operation problems. Students have been dealing with some challenging work that includes exponents. Progress is being made on a daily basis and I love seeing so many hard workers in room 312. Even if at first, things are a little confusing, my class does not give up.

I also wanted to pay tribute to my class on our website for the praise that was paid to them today. During morning announcements, Mr. Allen's class was singled out for their quiet, respectful lines. Keep up the good work.

My class has also being doing a great job making the morning announcements over the speaker in the morning from the principal's office.

I will see everyone tomorrow.



Homework


Math - complete first sheet in weekly math packet

Reading - 30 minutes of quite reading.

Blog for Friday - How does the setting affect the characters in Bud Not Buddy? Special attention should be paid to our main character of Bud. This post should be 8 - 10 sentences in length.

Spelling - look over spelling list for twenty minutes each night in preparation for test on Friday



Trivia: What is the largest mammal on planet earth?

10/3/14

I was very happy with the way that book buddies went. The fifth graders in room 312 did a great job of reading with their young partners. I definitely have some great role models in my class and it was a great first partner activity. We look forward to working with Ms. Dichter's class in the future.

Students also engaged in a productive discussion on some key moments of chapter 1 in Bud Not Buddy. Students are using their sticky notes to identify key turning points, character traits and other interesting concepts from the novel. We have only been working with this book for two days, but I can't wait to get back into it next week. Keep up the good work room 312.

In math class, students paired up with fifth graders from Ms. Armstrong's room to practice order of operations problems. This can be a challenging concept, but over the course of the last two weeks I have seen students start to make serious progress in getting these concepts down.

This weekend I would like all of my students to be thinking about one of their narrative seed ideas that they can pick out of their notebook. This seed idea will serve as the foundation that they will start building upon for a publishable piece. Students need to remember that the idea that they select need to have a heart. I hope everyone has a great weekend and I look forward to seeing everyone back in class on Monday.

Homework
I have a number of students who have not completed their blog post for this week. I would ideally like everyone to have completed this no later than 8 o'clock tonight. Again the prompt is: Would you recommend your book to another reader? Why or why not.

This needs to be an 8-10 sentence response.

10/2/14

In writing, we continued our work with the novel Bud Not Buddy. The class engaged in a thoughful discussion about why rules are important and why having a job is a meaningful thing for people. Both topics tie into the early chapters in the novel. Students were presented with background information about the Great Depression, and used that knowledge to better access the reading. I look forward to continuing to explore this book with my class.

Students finished creating great promotional posters about the order of operations in math class. These posters turned out very well and they will be displayed in the classroom during the duration of our work on the topic.

Students also participated with Ms. Solomon, our math coach, on a challenging math problem. Students rose to the occasion and were fully invested in the lesson.

Tomorrow we will have our first book buddy activity with Ms. Dichter's second grade class. I will be looking to my class to act as strong role models for their young friends.



Homework


Math - fourth sheet in math packet, students should practice multiplication facts for 15 - 20 minutes a day and record on sheet

Reading - 30 minutes of independent reading. Blog prompt for Friday: Would you recommend the book that you are reading to another reader? Why or why not?  Must be 8 - 10 sentences


Trivia: What are the two types of mammals that lay eggs?

10/1/14

It was great to see so many parents and other family members at curriculum night yesterday. I enjoyed getting to meet families and look forward to seeing more of you throughout the course of the school year.

I can't believe we have already completed the first month of the school year. If September was any indication, I think room 312 is going to have a productive year.

Students continued their work with order of operations in math today. In reading, the class began their first discussion about the novel, Bud Not Buddy. I for one am eager to dig into this book with my class.



Homework


Math - third sheet in math packet, students should practice multiplication facts for 15 - 20 minutes a day and record on sheet

Reading - 30 minutes of independent reading. Blog prompt for Friday: Would you recommend the book that you are reading to another reader? Why or why not?  Must be 8 - 10 sentences


Trivia: An animal that does not have a backbone is known as a what?

Recommended 5th grade reading

http://www.greatschools.org/cgi-bin/showarticle/678

This is a link to a comprehensive list of fifth grade reading books. This list groups books by genre and gives a brief synopsis of each. Hatchet, Number the Stars would be two books that I would ask students not to read, as they are books that could potentially be used in class this year