1/30/15

I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the Super Bowl.

All students should try to wear dark clothes that they are not afraid will get dirty for school on Monday 2/2. Students will be participating in a ceramics activity that will use clay that can stain clothes.

1/29/15

I was glad to see everyone back in school today after the two snow days. Students continued their work with multiplying factions and mixed numbers using fraction bars. Students did a nice job of explaining their reasoning and showing their work using different models.

In social studies, students looked closely at the Mayflower Compact. Room 312 has been tasked with putting themselves into the shoes of the Pilgrims. They need to come up with their own compact that they would want to live by. I am eager to see what rules and regulations students feel it is important to live by.

We also continued our opinion writing unit. Students read examples of opinion pieces, looking for some of the key components that a strong argument/opinion piece needs.


Homework

Math - complete workbook page 76

Writing - read chocolate milk opinion piece

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading and fill out readers log


Trivia

Which player has scored the most touchdowns in Super Bowl history?

1/26/15

Room 312 continued its work with Number the Stars. Students discussed what bravery is and I thought that the ensuing lesson went very well. We will continue to work with this book over the course of the next few weeks. I also want to compliment my class for their use of the 3 step journal. This graphic organizer allows students to focus in on important plot points and character traits for later class discussion.

Students began to look at the early English settlement in Plymouth, MA today in social studies. The class read aloud and use their notebooks to gather important information about this spot. During our next class period, students will begin to compare and contrast Plymouth with Jamestown.

Students in room 312 are eager to help parents and other family members shovel over the next two days.



Homework

Math - multiplying fractions worksheet

Reading - finish chapter 3 in Number the Stars. Compile 3 entries in 3-step journal.

-fill out readers blog on nightly basis

Writing - continue to work on chocolate milk opinion piece


Trivia

Who did the Patriots play in their first appearance in the Super Bowl?

1/23/15

During reading class today, students officially began chapter 1 in Number the Stars. I have a number of students who are history buffs and I am looking forward to digging into this novel with my class.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.


Homework

Students need to finish their tenmarks assignment if it has not already been completed

1/22/15

Students took their addition and subtraction of fractions assessment during math today. We have spent a lot of time on this work over the course of the last few weeks and I am confident that students all tried their very best on this exam. I look forward to going through them.

Room 312 also officially began their work with the novel, Number the Stars. Students began to talk about the time period that the book is set and looked closely at some key vocabulary and terms that they will be encountering in the early chapters.

In social studies, students turned their attention to the Jamestown colony. I am impressed with the level of prior knowledge that students are bringing into the class. Tomorrow we will start to look at an early colony a little close to home.



Homework

Math - last page in math packet

Tenmarks - complete assignment by Friday, January 23rd.

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

Writing - continue to work on chocolate milk opinion piece


Trivia

Which team has won the most Super Bowls?

1/21/15

In math class, we reviewed for our assessment which will be tomorrow the 22nd. Students did a nice job completing fraction word problems which dealt with recipes for cooking. I encourage all students to review their notes in preparation for tomorrows test.

Students continued to investigate the lost colony of Roanoke. Room 312 has been using resources to come up with a plausible theory of what happened to the men and women of this early settlement. Within the next few days we will move on to look closely at Jamestown and Plymouth.

In writing class, we continued our argument/opinion unit. Students have been tasked with compiling reasons for or against serving chocolate milk in school. We started our first flash draft today. This writing unit will take us into February and I look forward to working more closely with my students on this material.


Homework

Math - second page in math packet. math assessment on Thursday 1/22

Tenmarks - complete assignment by Friday, January 23rd.

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

Writing - watch chocolate milk articles from bibliography in preparation for first draft



Trivia

What species of animal can be called minke, grey or bowhead?

1/20/15

During social studies, students in room 312 moved on to focus on the early English settlements in North America. First up, we will focus in on the lost colony of Roanoke. After learning more about this settlement, students will be tasked with coming up with a hypothesis to explain the mysterious circumstances around the disappearance.

In math class, students continued to work with adding and subtracting fractions in the context of multi-step word problems. The team work that I have seen during this time has been a positive. Later this week, students will have an assessment on adding and subtracting fractions. I am hoping the positive classwork will be reflected in these results.


Homework

Math - first page in math packet. math assessment on Thursday 1/22

Tenmarks - complete assignment by Friday, January 23rd.

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

Social Studies - complete Roanoke theory worksheet if not done in class

Writing - watch chocolate milk articles from bibliography in preparation for first draft



Trivia

What is faster a horse, a hare or a greyhound?

1/16/15

Students in room 312, were able to work with their book buddies today to complete an activity about Martin Luther King Jr. I continue to be impressed with the level of cooperation and teamwork that my class brings to their lessons with the second grade class.

My class also put the finishing touches on their European explorer projects. These turned out very well and will be displayed around the classroom over the next few weeks. Next week we move into the early European settlements.

In writing, grade 5 has also officially begun their work with argument/opinion writing. We are easing into it by giving students a topic to write about. Eventually, all members of room 312 will be tasked with selecting their own topic to write about.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend. Keep the Indianapolis Colts in your thoughts and prayers, come Sunday I think they will need it.

1/15/15

Students began their work with argument/opinion writing during our ELA bloc today. Students were engaged in a meaningful discussion about what makes a good argument and began to compile some of their beliefs to further their writing. The class also helped to fill out some anchor charts which will serve to drive our work with this material over the course of the next few weeks. I look forward to getting deeper into this topic tomorrow.

In math class, room 312 put the finishing touches on their work with a rather challenging fraction word problem. As we look forward to next week, students will be given an assessment to gauge where they stand at this point in our fraction unit. I continue to be impressed with the vast majority of my students for their diligence in this subject matter. Extra help will be offered next Wednesday from 2:15-2:45.


Homework

Math - last page in math packet

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post:  due 1/16

Why do you think that author of Wonder wrote the book? What were the messages that the author wanted to convey to the reader?

2 paragraphs, 8-10 sentences in each paragraph

Spelling - test on Friday, study on a nightly basis

Social Studies - complete explorer poster if not finished in class

Science - complete mammal worksheet


Trivia

What part of a butterfly's body do they taste with?

1/14/15

Homework

Math - third page in math packet

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post:  due 1/16

Why do you think that author of Wonder wrote the book? What were the messages that the author wanted to convey to the reader?

2 paragraphs, 8-10 sentences in each paragraph

Social Studies - today, students were assigned a report on an European explorer. I am asking all students to compile some additional research at home to better help them complete this ongoing assignment in class. If students are able to go to the library to obtain additional resources that would be great.

Spelling - test on Friday, study on a nightly basis


Trivia

Which of the five senses is the weakest in almost all primates?

1/13/15

Students in room 312 were productive on this early release day. We continued our work in math class with our challenging fraction word problem. The involvement of the students and the active participation over the course of the last two days has been great.

We also continued our European explorer reports during social studies.



Homework

Math - second page in math packet

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post:  due 1/16

Why do you think that author of Wonder wrote the book? What were the messages that the author wanted to convey to the reader?

2 paragraphs, 8-10 sentences in each paragraph

Social Studies - today, students were assigned a report on an European explorer. I am asking all students to compile some additional research at home to better help them complete this ongoing assignment in class. If students are able to go to the library to obtain additional resources that would be great.

Spelling - test on Friday, study on a nightly basis


Trivia

What is a young penguin called?

1/12/15

Students are hard at work on a challenging fraction problem in math this week. They have been given a word problem that will require them to add and subtract fractions to arrive at an answer. Students will have to be prepared to explain their reasoning and show their work. I look forward to seeing how this problem turns out.

In writing, room 312 began our next writing unit on argument/opinion pieces. Students are going to be given a topic which they will have to compile some research as they look to bolster their point of view. This will be an ongoing assignment over the course of the next few weeks. This past Friday, my students engaged in a debate concerning the end of Bud Not Buddy. The debate went very well and I believe it was a great introduction to this new writing unit.

After completing the novel Wonder in class on Friday, students have a new blog post topic this week about the lessons that the author of that book hoped to impart to her readers. Students really seemed to enjoy the book and I am hoping that the new blog posts will reflect that. I wanted to mention that the blog post this week needs to be 2 paragraphs. Unfortunately, I had a number of posts this past week that did not meet the required length. I am hoping that will be different this week.

Room 312 also began reading the Mighty Miss Malone in class today. We will be reading this book over the course of the next few months. This book is by Christopher Paul Curtis, the same author as Bud Not Buddy.



Homework

Math - first page in math packet

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post:  due 1/16

Why do you think that author of Wonder wrote the book? What were the messages that the author wanted to convey to the reader?

2 paragraphs, 8-10 sentences in each paragraph

Social Studies - today, students were assigned a report on an European explorer. I am asking all students to compile some additional research at home to better help them complete this ongoing assignment in class. If students are able to go to the library to obtain additional resources that would be great.

Spelling - test on Friday, study on a nightly basis

Science - complete worksheet

Trivia

What do an anteater, a seahorse and a kangaroo have in common?

1/9/15

As we completed our first school week of 2015, students continue to be hard at work on their explorer project. Students have been very diligent over the course of the last week in compiling information from a variety of reputable sources. We are going to continue to work on this project heading into next week and I look forward to seeing the finished products.

Students today also had a class discussion concerning last nights math homework. As we rapidly approach the beginning of MCAS, students will start to do some work with practice problems. Last nights homework assignment was a nice introduction to the work that we will be doing. Room 312 also was able to meet up with the fifth graders in room 310 to play a fraction game.

And in our final piece of work with Bud Not Buddy, students were broken up into teams to debate the merits of the ending of the novel. It was great to hear such passionate and knowledgable discussion. I look forward to starting our work with Number the Stars next week.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

1/8/15

Room 312 has been having some informal discussions the last few days about the time frame of our next class novel, Number the Stars. This novel is set during World War II and has a young girl as a main character. I get the impression that students are eager to learn more about this time frame and if their work with Bud Not Buddy is any indication, this will be a rewarding reading unit.



Homework

Math - last page in math packet

Tenmarks: assignment due on Friday 1/8

I continue to advise my students that this site offers both hints and videos to help if they become stuck on a problem. These assignments are meant to serve as a challenge, as such students should have some scrap paper and a pencil with them as they work to do their figuring. Students should also take advantage of the hints and videos that accompany each problem.

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post: Write about a book that you read over the winter vacation. Give a summary of the book and tell what you enjoyed about it. Should be 2 paragraphs in length and is due on Friday 1/9

Social Studies - today, students were assigned a report on an European explorer. I am asking all students to compile some additional research at home to better help them complete this ongoing assignment in class. If students are able to go to the library to obtain additional resources that would be great.


Trivia

What is the only mammal that can fly?

1/7/15

Working in groups, students began to act our one of the turning point scenes in Bud Not Buddy. This assignment is a great opportunity for students to work together to accomplish something meaningful. My class seems to be having a lot of fun while practicing their scenes and what I have seen so far has been worthwhile.

In social studies, we continued our explorer baseball cards. Students have been compiling resources and collecting as much information as they can about their explorer. This is a project that will continue into next week and I look forward to working with my class over the course of the next few days to further this goal. I continue to encourage all of my students to take the initiative and to complete some research or work on this project at home.



Homework

Math - THIRD page in math packet

Tenmarks: assignment due on Friday 1/8

I continue to advise my students that this site offers both hints and videos to help if they become stuck on a problem. These assignments are meant to serve as a challenge, as such students should have some scrap paper and a pencil with them as they work to do their figuring. Students should also take advantage of the hints and videos that accompany each problem.

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post: Write about a book that you read over the winter vacation. Give a summary of the book and tell what you enjoyed about it. Should be 2 paragraphs in length and is due on Friday 1/9

Social Studies - today, students were assigned a report on an European explorer. I am asking all students to compile some additional research at home to better help them complete this ongoing assignment in class. If students are able to go to the library to obtain additional resources that would be great.


Trivia

What is the fastest land animal on earth?

1/6/15

Yesterday, students completed a group activity in math class concerning fractions. I was impressed both by the ability of students to work together and by the quality of the work produced. Today, students moved on to working on another fraction related problem, which will take a few days to complete. I have high hopes that the quality of the work will remain the same.

Students are also hard at work in social studies on their European explorer baseball card. Students have been tasked with selecting one of five different explorers and compiling a report on this man. I have many students who excel at art related activities, and this project will allow them to combing this skill into a research project.


Homework

Math - SECOND page in math packet

Tenmarks: assignment due on Friday 1/8

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post: Write about a book that you read over the winter vacation. Give a summary of the book and tell what you enjoyed about it. Should be 2 paragraphs in length and is due on Friday 1/9

Social Studies - today, students were assigned a report on an European explorer. I am asking all students to compile some additional research at home to better help them complete this ongoing assignment in class. If students are able to go to the library to obtain additional resources that would be great.


Trivia

What is the longest living mammal on planet earth?

1/5/15

It was nice to see everyone back at school today. As we began our work in 2015, students were eager to share with their classmates their favorite moments of their vacation. I enjoyed getting to hear about the exciting events that students took part in over the course of the last two weeks.

Students continued their work with European explorers in social studies. Room 312 completed a graphic organizer which compiled information on 5 different explorers. In the coming days, students will be tasked with selecting one of these men to compile a report about.

Students also began their final task concerning Bud Not Buddy. All member of the class have been put into groups. These groups will be tasked with selecting one scene from the novel that they will act out in front of their classmates. I think that this is a unique opportunity for all students to show their understanding of the material covered in the novel. At the completion of this assignment, room 312 will start to read Number the Stars together.



Homework

Math - first page in math packet

Tenmarks: assignment due on Friday 1/8

Reading - fill out reading log on nightly basis.

blog post: Write about a book that you read over the winter vacation. Give a summary of the book and tell what you enjoyed about it. Should be 2 paragraphs in length and is due on Friday 1/9


Trivia

Which animal can be taught to recognize itself in a mirror, a chimpanzee or a monkey?