2/29/16

The fifth graders continued to delve deeper into division of fractions during today's math lesson. Students are continuing the meaningful work that they have done all unit long.

Later in the day, room 312 put the finishing touches on reading Bud Not Buddy. I have enjoyed getting to read this book with my students. Over the next few days, we will look to complete one final writing piece that investigates turning points in the novel.


Homework

Math - workbook page 97

Blog - What was your favorite part of Bud Not Buddy? (Three paragraphs in length). Due Friday, March 4th

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

What movie won the most Oscars?

2/26/16

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and I will see students back at school on Monday.

2/25/16

Students spent one more day, reviewing strategies that we have developed to solve multiplication of fraction problems. Tomorrow, we will start dividing fractions.

Later in the day, room 312 completing the final chapter in Bud Not Buddy. The level of discourse and participation in full group discussion the last two days has been great to see. It seems like the students really enjoyed reading this novel.

Homework

Math - workbook page 92

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing - some students may choose to continue working on their literary essay questionnaire at home


Trivia

Which month were the most US presidents born in?

2/24/16

Students are getting close to the end of Bud Not Buddy. As we work our way through these last few chapters, students are paying special attention to turning points that have changed the course of the story. Students will be responsible for composing an essay pertaining to one such turning point at the completion of the novel. I am quite confident that the fifth graders will do well with this piece of writing, as their work with the novel has been top notch.

Earlier in the day, the members of 312 continued to make significant progress in regards to their colonial timeline projects. The level of cooperation and collaboration during the last few classes have been very positive.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing - some students may choose to continue working on their literary essay questionnaire at home


Trivia

Who holds the Red Sox team record for most home runs hit?

2/23/16

During todays early release day, the fifth graders use the seven reading competencies to better examine a recent literary essay that we read. As we approach the end of our work with literary writing, I have noticed significant progress being made by students in terms of both their writing and their ability to analyze these texts.

As we approach the end of out latest read aloud book, I also continue to encourage my students to be thinking of possible recommendations that could be used as our next class book.


Homework

Math - Multiplication with mixed number worksheet

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing - some students may choose to continue working on their literary essay questionnaire at home



Trivia

What bear species are native to America?

2/22/16

It was nice to see all of my students back in school after the February break. I enjoyed getting to hear about the many trips and activities that they took part in over the past week.

Room 312 continued their work with their 13 colonies timeline project today. The groups have been working well and have been productive over the last few sessions. Many groups are getting close to the point of starting their posters.

Later in the day, we continued to multiply fractions by fractions. Students were tasked with solving these problems and then representing them visually and placing them in the context of a word problem. Later this week, room 312 will take a quiz to gauge the level of understanding of the students.


Homework

Math - finish workbook page 32

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing - some students may choose to continue working on their literary essay questionnaire at home



Trivia

What was the latest recorded snowfall in Massachusetts's history?

2/12/16

I hope everyone has a great February vacation. I will see everyone back at school next week.

2/11/16

Fifth graders were depicting fraction by fraction multiplication problems in a variety of different ways today. As we progress deeper into this unit, the members of 312 are going to be exposed to decimal work rather soon. I am confident that my students will do well with this component of out curriculum as well.

After lunch, the fifth graders reunited with their reading groups to continue to explore the word of Bud in our group book, Bud Not Buddy. We are approaching the end of this book and students are eager to see where the main character ends up.

And one final reminder, if students are bringing in Valentines tomorrow, we ask that there be no food brought in with them.

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Math - workbook page 88

Trivia

Which Dr. Seuss book has sold the most copies?

2/10/16

During today's math lesson, the fifth graders continued their work with multiplying fractions. Students are impressing me with their continued growth when it comes to number sense. I have been impressed with the depth of understanding that my students are showing as we work deeper into this unit.

Later in the day, the students worked to annotate another short story by Cynthia Rylant. This story, entitled, Fly Away Home, was another powerful piece of writing that pushes the students to ask themselves questions as they read.

As a reminder, the members of room 312 will be celebrating Valentines Day this Friday, the 12th


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Math - workbook page 85

Trivia

What city do the Red Sox hold spring training?

2/9/16

It was great to see students back at school today after the long weekend. The fifth graders continued to annotate short stories. Students continue to hone their skill at looking closely at a work of fiction to identify important themes or messages contained in the text. The fifth graders were impressive in their diligence shown to this lesson.

Earlier in the day, the fifth graders worked together to name chapters in Bud Not Buddy. Students had a blast doing this fun activity and were quite creative in the process.

I also sent home a notice with the students today concerning Valentines Day. We will be celebrating this on Friday the 12th. Students do not need to participate, but if they are they should bring in a Valentine for everyone. I also ask that their is no food brought into the classroom. The notice that the students received today contains a class list.

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Math - students who did not finish their first two problems on their posters need to for homework tonight


Trivia

Which NFL quarterback has won the most Super Bowl MVPs?

2/3/16

Short post today, the fifth graders began to face some problems in math that required them to multiply a fraction by another fraction. Once again, the students were tasked with representing these problems visually and I was happy with the early progress.

Later in the day, room 312 read chapter 14 in Bud Not Buddy. While looking closely at this chapter, we also had an interesting conversation about family and the role that it has played to this point in the novel.

Homework

Math - workbook page 82

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - complete the first page of packet, due tomorrow

Trivia

Which teams have the Patriots beaten to claim their four Super Bowl Championships?

2/2/16

The fifth graders were multiplying mixed numbers by whole numbers today. The fifth graders used division and multiplication problems as well as visual depictions to solve these challenging pieces of work. A compliment to the members of room 312 for doing well with last night's homework.

Later in the day, the students began looking at the government and the key people and leaders of the southern colonies. I have very much noticed and appreciated the level of enthusiasm that students have taken to these lessons.


Homework

Math - workbook page 78 (representing fractions of a distance using fraction bars)

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

Who is the all time leader in goals scored for the Boston Bruins?

2/1/16

The fifth graders began the month of February by continuing to multiply fractions by whole numbers. The flexibility of students, to solve these problems using different methods has been a plus. And I continue to be impressed with the improved conversations that the small math groups are engaged in as they are completing their work

The writers of room 312 are also hard at work when it comes to publishing their literary essays. Later this week, we will be selecting another story to annotate and generate some possible themes or big ideas to focus on.


Homework

Math - workbook page 76 (representing fractions of a distance using fraction bars)

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Trivia

How many Stanley Cups have the Boston Bruins won?