11/30/17

The students returned to outer space during science class today. The fifth grade went over the data that was collected about planets in our solar system during our last session and investigated a classification system for the planets.

As a reminder, the first term report cards will be going home with the students tomorrow.


Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday December 1st.

11/29/17

During our ELA time today, the members of A303 began to focus their attention on the state of zoos in the world. The students are going to be presented with a number of sources these next few days that take a position on zoos being either a positive or a negative to the animals. This will lead to the fifth graders undertaking a performance based assessment in which they state their position.

Later in the school day, we began to look at different Native American cultural regions that developed in parts of America. This will eventually culminate in a project in which the students select a tribe to do a research project on. 


Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday December 1st.

11/28/17

Today, the fifth graders completed their final essay for Bud, Not Buddy. I look forward to reading through these later this week. Students will be turning their attention to dramatizing a scene from the book in the later stages of this week.


Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday December 1st.

11/27/17

As we returned to school for the last week of November, the students continued to work to complete their last piece of writing concerning Bud, Not Buddy. We will look to have all students complete this by tomorrow. The second part of this week will see the fifth graders working with their reading groups to act out a scene from the story.

During social studies, the members of A303 did some research into early tools used by Native Americans. This lesson will lead us into a close examination of different cultural regions that sprang up throughout the continental United States.

Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday December 1st.

11/22/17

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and enjoys the long weekend.

11/21/17

Time was spent today beginning the final piece of writing connected with Bud, Not Buddy. The fifth graders are going to be compiling their thoughts on important turning points in the story. The students will have time tomorrow to continue and finish this important piece of writing.

The fifth graders were also able to meet with their second grade book buddies. The students worked together on some Thanksgiving holiday activities.

11/20/17

It was an exciting day for the fifth grade students as we had our first day in the new classroom on the third floor. The students made themselves familiar with their new surroundings while continuing their work from last week. The fifth graders finished reading Bud, Not Buddy today. I got the sense that the students enjoyed reading this novel and I look forward to seeing student's thoughts on the last few chapters with some writing assignments over the next two weeks.

Tomorrow, the fifth graders will have one more meeting with their book buddies before the Thanksgiving break.

11/17/17

It was moving day in fifth grade today. The students moved their personal materials up to the third floor. Starting next Monday, the fifth graders will begin their first day in their new classroom. I want to thank the students for helping out today and look forward to starting in the new room next week.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend and I look forward to seeing the Boys In Motion at the race tomorrow morning.

11/16/17

Today, the students were introduced to a new fraction comparison game during math class. This game, required the fifth graders to line up fraction cards in order of their value. I enjoyed getting to hear the dialogue that the students used with one another.

Later in the school day the fifth graders read one of the last few chapters in Bud, Not Buddy.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night. Reading Log due on Friday the 17th

11/15/17

During math class today, the fifth graders used clock faces to better understand fractions. The fifth graders used their iPads and good old fashioned pencil and paper to work through this collection of problems. The students are doing a very nice job with these early fraction lessons.

Tomorrow, the students will continue to work on an interesting science activity that requires them to classify the different bodies that exist in our solar system.

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night. Reading Log due on Friday the 17th

11/14/17

Fifth graders are approaching the conclusion of Bud. Not Buddy. Today's lesson required the students to make some educated guesses as to just how the story will conclude. I look forward to completing these last few chapters with the students.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

The science camp paperwork needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday November 14th

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night. Reading Log due on Friday the 17th

11/13/17

The fifth graders spent time investigating the planets of our solar system during science class today. Working in small groups, the students were tasked with looking for similarities and differences using planetary cards. The students worked well during this time.

Earlier in the school day, the fifth graders took a pre-unit fraction assessment during math class. This important piece of work will serve to give me a baseline of background knowledge before undertaking the core parts of this unit.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

The science camp paperwork needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday November 14th

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night. Reading Log due on Friday the 17th

11/9/17

The students wrapped up another productive week today. We are approaching the home stretch in Bud, Not Buddy. Next week, the members of M102 will look to undertake a larger piece of writing concerning an important upcoming scene. Also, next week we will begin preparing to move into our new classroom. The goal is to have everything set up in the new room by Monday, November 20.

I hope everyone has a nice long weekend.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

The science camp paperwork needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday November 14th

11/8/17

Today, was an impressive day in social studies. Many students were able to complete their Kennewick Man projects. I was impressed with those that I saw and look forward to tomorrow when students will have the chance to present these to the class.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

The science camp paperwork needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday November 14th

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night and fill out log on a nightly basis

11/7/17

The fifth graders took their unit one math test today. I am eager to go over these tests. The students seemed confident and I commend the fifth graders for going over their work and checking with a careful eye.

Time was also spent reading deeper into Bud, Not Buddy. The reading groups spent some time today talking about rules that the main character has used to guide his life. The students will be doing some writing later this week concerning rules in their own lives.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

The science camp paperwork needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday November 14th

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night and fill out log on a nightly basis

11/6/17

The members of M102 spent one more day doing some review work in preparation for tomorrow's end of unit one math assessment. I believe that the students are heading into this test feeling prepared. The later stages of today's lesson were spent looking at a challenging multi-step word problem. This work will continue into Wednesday.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

The science camp paperwork needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday November 14th

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night and fill out log on a nightly basis

11/3/17

Social Studies was dedicated to our Kennewick Man projects. I want to give credit to the students for taking these projects in new and interesting directions. We will complete these next week and I can't wait to see the finished products.

Right before lunch, the members of M102 met with their book buddies in second grade. It was great to see the fifth graders working well with their younger peers.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

11/2/17

The first school day in November saw students continuing to work at different phases of the writing process. The fifth graders are continuing their strong work with their opinion writing. I was able to conference with some students today, while others worked to put the finishing touches on their first drafts and still others worked on editing pieces. A productive day.

The fifth graders also received paperwork concerning the fifth grade trip to science camp in early December. There are a number of forms that need to be signed and returned to school as well as information for parents at home. In addition, the fifth grade team is on the look out for chaperones to stay over different days down at the Alton Jones camp. If interested or if anyone has questions please contact me at:  dallen@arlington.k12.ma.us

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night.