1/29/16

Students composed an essay during ELA today concerning a favorite scene from Bud Not Buddy. We are past the half way point in the novel and I want to compliment my class for their continued zeal when reading and discussing the finer points in the novel. These essays will be displayed in the classroom over the course of the next few weeks.

Next week, we will continue to investigate multiplying fractions further and we will have more students publish their literary essays. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

1/28/16

Today, the fifth grade officially started to work with multiplying fractions. The students used fraction bars to represent various amounts and worked to visually represent their work. A nice start to an important section of work.

Later in the day the students continued to read Bud Not Buddy. Fifth graders have been looking at turning points and the effect that they are having on different characters. The members of room 312 are showing their comprehension skills with both their writing and their discussions.


Homework

Math - workbook page 73 (representing fractions of a distance using fraction bars)

Reader's Blog - Select a TURNING POINT from Bud Not Buddy. Describe what happens in this scene and why it is important. This is due on Friday January 19th. Must be a least 2 paragraphs in length.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

What is the highest natural peak in New England?

1/27/16

After having to reschedule last week, room 312 was lucky to have Pamela Powell, a published author and a member of the Thompson community, come into the room and work with the students on some narrative writing. Both the students and myself were excited for this unique opportunity. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Arlington Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Earlier in the day, the fifth grade turned a discerning eye on the New England colonies. Students looked at the positives and negatives of the land and the reason for these colonies' creation. 

Homework


Reader's Blog - Select a TURNING POINT from Bud Not Buddy. Describe what happens in this scene and why it is important. This is due on Friday January 19th. Must be a least 2 paragraphs in length.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

What is the tallest natural point in Massachusetts?

1/26/16

I have really enjoyed getting to read the literary essays that my students have been composing that last few weeks. The fifth graders have been working diligently on these papers and the results are quite good. Students are meaningfully analyzing the content of short stories and using evidence from the pieces to back up their point of views. I can't wait to see all of the final published pieces.

Earlier in the day, we continued to progress deeper into our read aloud book, Auggie and Me. Members of room 312 continue to look to make meaningful connections between this book and others that they have read in the past.


Homework


Reader's Blog - Select a TURNING POINT from Bud Not Buddy. Describe what happens in this scene and why it is important. This is due on Friday January 19th. Must be a least 2 paragraphs in length.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

Which large city in Oregon was named after a city in New England based on a coin flip?

1/25/16

The fifth graders returned to school for the last week of January today. During math class, we began our exploration of multiplying fractions. Students were presented with a number of problems that were put into a bike race context. I thought this was a nice start to the next few weeks of work.

Earlier in the day, the fifth grade turned their attention to the 13 British colonies in North America. Students appear to be bringing a lot of valuable background knowledge to the subject matter. I look forward to investigating this important time period with my students.

Homework

Math - Some students have a fraction worksheet to complete, which is due tomorrow

Reader's Blog - Select a TURNING POINT from Bud Not Buddy. Describe what happens in this scene and why it is important. This is due on Friday January 19th. Must be a least 2 paragraphs in length.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

Where was the first Super Bowl played?

1/22/16

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Go Patriots.

1/21/16

Today, the fifth grade was a captive audience during a presentation from the Museum of Science. Students were actively engaged in a session that dealt with the states of matter. This was an informational and fun way to end the day.

Earlier in the school day, the fifth grades once again joined together to finish working on a challenging math word problem. Students were able to share their solutions with one another and engage in a conversation that fostered new ways of thinking. I was happy with the way this turned out.

I also wanted to apologize to Pamela Powell, as we had to reschedule her writing lesson. Next week, she will be visiting room 312 to work with the students on narrative writing.

Homework

Reading - 30 Minutes of quiet reading. Fill out reading log throughout the week

Math - fraction assessment on Friday the 22nd



Trivia

Where was the first Super Bowl played?

1/20/16

Today was another productive day for the members of room 312. The fifth graders are preparing for our fraction mid-unit assessment. Students continued to work closely with mixed numbers today. By this point in the unit, the fifth graders have many different strategies in their toolboxes to help them solve these problems. I have been impressed with the versatility that the students have shown. i am confident that the results will be positive ones.

Later in the day, the students returned to the story of Bud in the novel Bud Not Buddy. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to read the journals that the students have been keeping while reading the book. The fifth graders have been having a conversation with themselves as they read and have been keeping track of their thoughts about the novel. Students have been accessing deep themes and important messages.

Tomorrow, room 312 is lucky to have a visit coming in for a writing lesson. Pamela Powell, a published author and a member of the Thompson community, is going to come into the room and work with the students one some narrative writing. Both the students and myself are excited for this unique opportunity. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Arlington Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Homework

Reading - 30 Minutes of quiet reading. Fill out reading log throughout the week

Math - worksheet 5.F.74

fraction assessment on Friday the 22nd



Trivia

What is the coldest day in recorded history in the state of Massachusetts?

1/19/16

It was nice to see everyone back at school after the long weekend. We returned to work in room 312 in good spirits (probably thanks to the Patriots). The fifth grade continued deeper into the writing process in regards to our literary essays. Students are having writer's conferences and editing with peers. I have enjoyed getting to read the early drafts and look forward to continuing the process over the next few days.

Earlier in the day, the students started to put the finishing touches on their own Mayflower Compact. The fifth graders have been tasked with creating a set of rules that they would want an imaginary society to abide by. Students have been focused and creative while working on this project.

Homework

Reading - 30 Minutes of quiet reading. Fill out reading log throughout the week

Math - fraction assessment on Friday the 22nd



Trivia

How many Super Bowls have the Patriots played in?

1/15/16

I hope everyone has a great long weekend. I will see everyone back at school next Tuesday.

1/14/16

Short update today, the fifth grade continued to work with different strategies to add and subtract mixed numbers and fractions. The fifth grade continues to impress with their flexibility in this area. This work will continue into tomorrow.


Homework

Tenmarks.com - students have an assignment that is due by Saturday, the 16th

Science - some people need to complete reading article

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading



Trivia

Which team won Super Bowl I ?

1/13/16

Today was a very productive day for the members of room 312. The fifth graders continued their work with the novel Bud Not Buddy. The students have really grown attached to this novel and their work has been a real positive. I have enjoyed getting to explore the complex themes with my students. I have also liked seeing the level of discourse that the small reading groups have been taking part in.

Earlier in the day, the Mayflower Compact was the topic of discussion during social studies. The students have been investigating the early English settlements that began to appear in the 1600s in North America. Today, the students began to craft their own compact, with which they would want their new society to abide by. I look forward to seeing the finished products.


Homework

Tenmarks.com - students have an assignment that is due by Saturday, the 16th

Math - worksheet 5.F.62

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading



Trivia

Who were the last three teams to win the Super Bowl?

1/12/16

The two fifth grades once again got together to work in smaller groups during math. Over the last few weeks, the fifth grade has been exploring fractions. Today, the small groups were tasked with investigating a real world problems that dealt with fractions. The students; discourse during this introductory lesson was positive and many of the groups laid the groundwork for solutions. It was a productive math block.

Later in the day, we began to hold writer's conferences during our ELA session. Students have been crafting a first draft of a literary essay and I was happy with most of the early results. This work will continue throughout this week.

Homework


Tenmarks.com - students have an assignment that is due by Saturday, the 16th

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - worksheet due on Wednesday the 13th


Trivia

How many albums did David Bowie record?

1/11/16

The fifth graders are hard at work on their literary essays. Students have been working to craft an essay that looks to focus in on an important theme or message from a short story. I have been impressed by the diligence students have shown while writing. As always, the writer's conferences that I have had with my students have been very positive. The students are making some nice progress.

During social studies, we turned our attention to the Mayflower Compact. This important document was a topic of discussion during our investigation into the landing of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. Over the next few days, the fifth graders are going to put themselves in the shoes of the Pilgrims. They are going to be tasked with coming up with a set of rules/laws that they would want a new society to live by.


Homework

Tenmarks.com - students have an assignment that is due by Saturday, the 16th

Math - workbook page 5.F.13 Rounding mixed numbers

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - worksheet due on Wednesday the 13th


Trivia

How many total members are in the House of Representatives?

1/8/16

I want to compliment my students on returning to school this week and continuing their strong work into 2016. Much was accomplished this week and the is a tribute to the members of room 312.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I will see everyone back at school on Monday.

1/7/16

Students are hard at work on their literary essays during our ELA block. Yesterday, the fifth graders work to craft opening paragraphs that captured their purpose for writing. Today, the members of room 312 worked to create supporting body paragraphs. As always, I very much enjoyed getting to conference with my writers in small groups settings.

Earlier in the day, mixed numbers continued to be the topic of the day during math class. Students have been working hard over the last few weeks and the progress has been great to see.

I also wanted to thank Crocodile River Music for coming in and performing with the students. They had a blast.

Homework

Reading Blog: Which character in Wonder was your favorite and why? This blog entry needs to be at least 3 paragraphs in length. Students should use specific and compelling evidence from the text to explain why a character is their favorite. (due Friday January 8th)

I would also like to encourage all students to read and comment on their fellow classmates writing.

Math - Fraction Distraction 3

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading


Trivia

Which state has the fewest members in the House of Representatives?

1/6/15

During today's math class, the fifth grade continued to look at some supplemental fraction work. The students have been working well in small groups to compare and order fractions based on their value. I continue to be impressed with the work done by the students in my classroom during the past few weeks.

Later in the day, room 312 continued to work with the Bud not Buddy novel. We have been looking at metaphors and their relationship with the story. Our main character continues to face a number of challenging situations and the students have done a great job of interacting with the text.


Homework

Reading Blog: Which character in Wonder was your favorite and why? This blog entry needs to be at least 3 paragraphs in length. Students should use specific and compelling evidence from the text to explain why a character is their favorite. (due Friday January 8th)

I would also like to encourage all students to read and comment on their fellow classmates writing.

Math - Fraction Distraction 2

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading


Trivia

Which state has the most members in the House of Representatives?

1/5/16

Students began their first copy of their literary essay during today's ELA session. Students have been exposed to many different literary essays over the last few weeks and we have also focused our attention on questions that readers ask of texts. I am eager to see the different directions that my writers chose to take their first drafts. This work will continue throughout the course of the week.

Earlier in the day, small groups continued to work on fraction related land plot problems. The level of positive discourse has been a positive over the last two days. I felt today was quite productive.


Homework

Reading Blog: Which character in Wonder was your favorite and why? This blog entry needs to be at least 3 paragraphs in length. Students should use specific and compelling evidence from the text to explain why a character is their favorite. (due Friday January 8th)

I would also like to encourage all students to read and comment on their fellow classmates writing.

Math - Fraction Distraction 1

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading


Trivia

How many members of Congress does Massachusetts have in the House of Representatives?

1/4/16

It was nice to see everyone back in school today as we officially began the 2016 school year together in room 312. I enjoyed getting to hear my students share their favorite moments of their winter breaks.

Students went right back to work today during math class. The fifth graders continued to look at land plots in relation to fractions. I was impressed with the fifth grader's ability to retain knowledge from before vacation. This challenging enrichment work will continue into tomorrow.

Later in the day, the fifth graders were able to return to Bud Not Buddy. Throughout the first few weeks of this book, students have truly enjoyed reading and writing about this important story. The small reading groups continued to work very well together.

Homework

Reading Blog: Which character in Wonder was your favorite and why? This blog entry needs to be at least 3 paragraphs in length. Students should use specific and compelling evidence from the text to explain why a character is their favorite. (due Friday January 8th)

I would also like to encourage all students to read and comment on their fellow classmates writing.

Math - some students need to complete question B on the land plot paper started in class. Students should show work and complete all three questions.

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading


Trivia

When was New Year's Eve first celebrated?