Boston

Boston

Monday, October 31, 2016

10/31/16

The fifth graders continued to read deeper into Bud, Not Buddy today. The students continue to use their strategies for reading complex texts. I enjoyed getting to touch base with the reading groups and hearing them discuss some comprehension questions. I encourage all families to ask their students about this book, the students really do seem to be enjoying it.

Earlier in the day, the students looked at ancient tools and artifacts that have been discovered from the migration spots of the first peoples to enter into the North American continent. The students are engaged and inquisitive during our social studies work.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading


Friday, October 28, 2016

10/28/16

The members of M102 ended the last full week of October by continuing their work with division. The students used their prior knowledge of multiples to help them deconstruct some division problem today. The students showed great fortitude when dealing with some of the more challenging problems today.

We once again were able to meet with our book buddies in second grade today. The students worked together on some fall releated arts and crafts activities.





Finally, the fifth graders continued their strong work during our writing time. Many students are well into their first official draft of their opinion writing pieces and many other students are getting ready to begin. I have enjoyed getting to conference with individuals and small groups to see where students are in their gathering of evidence.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading nightly

Writing - this week on the blog, students should respond to the following blog topic: What were your favorite moments of science camp? While at camp did you learn anything either academically or socially that proved meaningful?

This post should be at least 4 paragraphs in length and is due Friday October 28th.

Science - the students have a moon journal that they are asked to fill out at night on a nightly basis, starting tonight

Thursday, October 27, 2016

10/27/16

We returned to Bud, Not Buddy during our ELA time today. The students began the lesson by responding to some close reading questions. The groups did a nice job of sharing their responses in the large class setting. I continue to enjoy getting to hear the students read in class. There are reading fluently and with understanding.

Earlier in the school day, the fifth graders created division posters to represent a word problem story with a solution and work show. The students impressed me with their passion for the subject matter today.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading nightly

Writing - this week on the blog, students should respond to the following blog topic: What were your favorite moments of science camp? While at camp did you learn anything either academically or socially that proved meaningful?

This post should be at least 4 paragraphs in length and is due Friday October 28th.

Science - the students have a moon journal that they are asked to fill out at night on a nightly basis, starting tonight

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

10/26/16

Today, we were lucky to have the author Melissa Stewart visit with the fifth grade class. Ms. Stewart worked with the students on an engaging lesson that focused on creating non-fiction writing. The students had a great time and the lesson proved beneficial.




Later in the day, the members of M102 officially turned their attention to division. The students were tasked with creating stories to match written division expressions. We also began to build our working vocabulary of division words. This work will continue over the next few weeks.



Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading nightly

Writing - this week on the blog, students should respond to the following blog topic: What were your favorite moments of science camp? While at camp did you learn anything either academically or socially that proved meaningful?

This post should be at least 4 paragraphs in length and is due Friday October 28th.

Science - the students have a moon journal that they are asked to fill out at night on a nightly basis, starting tonight

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

10/25/16

This early release day saw the fifth graders finish up their work with a challenging multi-step word problem. Using pictures, words and operations the fifth graders solved this problem and then were tasked with verbalizing their solutions to their peers. A very productive day.

Later in the day, the fifth graders had a lesson about the electoral college and the process to become president after the votes have been cast.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading nightly

Writing - this week on the blog, students should respond to the following blog topic: What were your favorite moments of science camp? While at camp did you learn anything either academically or socially that proved meaningful?

This post should be at least 4 paragraphs in length and is due Friday October 28th.

Monday, October 24, 2016

10/24/16

With science camp week have concluded, it was nice to return to the classroom with my students. The fifth graders had a tremendous time at camp last week. They engaged in countless entertaining and informative lessons and were able to enjoy the wilderness of Southern Rhode Island. I was grateful to get to spend time with the students down at Alton Jones.




As we returned to the classroom today, we began to turn our attention to the connection between multiplication and division problems. The students rose to the occasion during our work with multiplication and I am eager to see that work carry over as we begin to focus on division.

Later in the day, the students returned to their writing. They continue to make steady progress in their opinion writing and many students are in the process of starting their first official drafts. This week we will pay special attention to proper attribution of sources.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading nightly

Writing - this week on the blog, students should respond to the following blog topic: What were your favorite moments of science camp? While at camp did you learn anything either academically or socially that proved meaningful?

This post should be at least 4 paragraphs in length and is due Friday October 28th.

Monday, October 17, 2016

10/17/16

There was a lot of excitement in the fifth grade today as we wrapped up our last day before science camp. The students are eager to get down to Alton Jones for the week. To their credit, they were able to focus on their classwork today.

We continued to read deeper into Bud, Not Buddy today. The students looked at an excerpted passage from the novel today. Using some close reading strategies, they worked with their small reading groups to answer come comprehension questions pertaining to the portion of the text in question.

Earlier in the day, the fifth graders continued their exploration of the sun during science class.


In regards to science camp next week, it is suggested that all students take a water bottle with them on the bus. The ride down will take less than 2 hours and there will be a movie shown on the bus. On Tuesday, the 18th, we are asking all students and parents to meet in the gym. That will serve as a collection point for children and their bags. The buses are aiming to leave by 8:30, but that may change slightly depending upon if they come to the Pierce of Thompson first.

Chaperones riding down on the bus should aim to be at school by no later than 8:15. Any chaperones driving should hopefully meet the buses down in Rhode Island around 10:30.

Friday, October 14, 2016

10/14/16

The fifth graders wrapped up another busy week. Today, the members of M102 took a mid-unit math assessment. This test touched upon multiplication and order of operations problems. The students worked very hard the first few weeks of school and I am confident that these assessments will reflect that.

Later in the day, the fifth graders teamed up with the students in Ms. Dichter and Ms. Bassham's rooms for their first book buddies meetings. The fifth graders were responsible and helpful while taking part in an introductory activity with their young buddies.





In regards to science camp next week, it is suggested that all students take a water bottle with them on the bus. The ride down will take less than 2 hours and there will be a movie shown on the bus. On Tuesday, the 18th, we are asking all students and parents to meet in the gym. That will serve as a collection point for children and their bags. The buses are aiming to leave by 8:30, but that may change slightly depending upon if they come to the Pierce of Thompson first.

Chaperones riding down on the bus should aim to be at school by no later than 8:15. Any chaperones driving should hopefully meet the buses down in Rhode Island around 10:30.

We are all looking forward to next week and I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

10/12/16

Today, the fifth graders spent a significant amount of time with Bud, Not Buddy. The student returned to their reading groups and dived into chapter 4. While reading together, the small groups continued to mark up their texts using their 3-step journals. Special attention was paid to three focus questions which served to guide the reading and generate some meaningful discussion across the groups. The students then met back as a whole class and shared out some thoughts and opinions concerning recent developments in the novel.

Earlier in the day, the fifth graders focused on the multiplication algorithm. We continue to want to see the fifth graders be versatile in their math work and I loved seeing the comfortability that the students showed in solving problems in multiple ways. Tomorrow, the members of M102 will take a mid-unit math assessment.

As a reminder, the Boys In Motion running club will have a practice after school tomorrow the 14th.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

10/11/16

This early release day saw the fifth graders practicing different methods to solve 2 digit by 2 digit and 3 digit by 2 digit multiplication problems. On Friday, the fifth graders will take their mid-unit assessment. They have been working hard these last few weeks and I am confident that the students will rise to the occasion come Friday.

The second half of the day saw the students return to their research for their opinion writing pieces. The students are starting to compile their research into an early draft. Members of M102 used Google Classroom today to share links and videos. I was impressed once again with the attention to detail that the fifth graders showed in their research.

As a note, the fifth graders took home a reminder notice today about items to bring with them to science camp. Next Tuesday, the 18th, the Thompson School will depart for Alton Jones.

Also as a reminder, Boys In Motion will meet after school on Friday from 2:45 - 3:45.

I hope everyone enjoys the day off tomorrow and I will see the students back at school on Thursday.

Friday, October 7, 2016

10/7/16

The fifth grade wrapped up another successful week together. We continued to read deeper into Bud Not Buddy. Today's focus was to talk about the importance of family in the lives of the characters that we have met to this point. It continues to be a pleasure to get to hear my students reading aloud in class.

Earlier in the day, the fifth graders talked about fire safety with members of the Arlington Fire Department.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Go Red Sox.


Thursday, October 6, 2016

10/6/16

Today was a big writing day for the members of M102. The fifth graders were able to look at many sources of information pertaining to our topic (both hard copies and online). The students are looking to supplement their point of views with meaningful evidence. I was impressed with the diligence that was on display in class and commend my students for staying on topic throughout the session.

Earlier in the day, we worked to identify state capitols during social studies. The students worked well together and impressed me with their level of background knowledge.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing on Kidsblog - In a 3 paragraph essay, focus in on at least two (2) character traits of Auggie in the book Wonder. Students should use evidence from the story to supports their claims. Each paragraph should have 6-8 sentences. This is due by Friday, October 7th.

(Students may write this on a piece of paper if unable to type online)

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

10/5/16

It was so nice to return to Bud, Not Buddy with my fifth graders today. The students launched the lesson with a response to one of the guiding essential questions. We then transitioned to working within out small reading groups to tackle chapter two. The students continued to be active readers, using our stickys and our three-step journals to guide our understanding of the text.

Earlier in the day, the students were faced with some multiplication cluster problems during math. The students were tasked with breaking up these problems efficiently and then multiplying fluently.



Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing on Kidsblog - In a 3 paragraph essay, focus in on at least two (2) character traits of Auggie in the book Wonder. Students should use evidence from the story to supports their claims. Each paragraph should have 6-8 sentences. This is due by Friday, October 7th.

(Students may write this on a piece of paper if unable to type online)

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

10/4/16

It was nice to see the fifth graders back in school today. During our morning meeting, the students shared out fun or noteworthy moments from their weekends. The morning meetings continue to kick start the day on a positive note.

During our math time, the fifth graders worked with multiplication cluster problems. These problems served to get the students to verbally explain their thinking or to show it on paper, but without actually solving the problem. I enjoyed getting to see the members of M102 work through these problems.

Later in the day, we returned to our opinion writing. The students turned a critical eye on another article pertaining to the topic of whether or not chocolate milk should be served in the school cafeteria.

I also wanted to thank Bill Hayner, who taught an engaging lesson to the students concerning the branches of government. The students were a thoughtful and responsive audience.



Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Writing on Kidsblog - In a 3 paragraph essay, focus in on at least two (2) character traits of Auggie in the book Wonder. Students should use evidence from the story to supports their claims. Each paragraph should have 6-8 sentences. This is due by Friday, October 7th.

(Students may write this on a piece of paper if unable to type online)