The fifth graders had a productive start to the day. During ELA this morning each of the kids was able to draft their first proof paragraph, which was used to compare an athlete of their choosing with Jackie Robinson. We are going to look to complete our first drafts by early next week.
As a reminder, we are traveling to the Gibbs on Monday morning. Kids should be at Thompson by 740, so that we can leave at 745.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
Today was one of the more enjoyable days of the school year, as Jim Parks from the Wingmasters program visited the Thompson. Jim brought five birds of prey, all of whom have been rescued and rehabilitated, into the school to visit with the fifth graders. The kids learned about the uniqueness of each of the birds and their adaptations. This was an excellent session and the kids were engaged and entertained throughout.
Here is some more information about this wonderful program:
https://www.wingmasters.net/aboutus.htm
The fifth graders continued to work on the early stages of their compare and contrast essay during our ELA time this morning. A handful of the kids began their first draft, while others are nearing that point. We will look to have everyone in the class working on a draft by tomorrow.
The focus of our math lesson today was on multiplying decimals. The fifth graders called to mind previous strategies that we have used to help them solve these problems. A productive lesson and we will look to carry that momentum into tomorrow's work.
We also continue to work on a social studies project that has each of the kids creating a series of Revolutionary War themed trading cards. These are shaping up nicely.
We ended the week by starting a new project in social studies. Each of the fifth graders will be creating six Revolutionary War themed trading cards. These can represent either a person or event. There was a lot of creativity and enthusiasm for this today and we will look to carry that over after the holiday weekend.
The students received two permission slips today for upcoming field trip. Please fill these out and return as soon as possible.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
The fifth graders completed their final MCAS test this morning. My compliments to all of the kids for their diligence throughout this testing window.
Tomorrow, we are going to compare and contrast Jackie Robinson will another baseball player.
The kids took part in a workshop moderated by the author Grace Lin. This enrichment took the shape of a reader's theater and a draw along activity. The kids enjoyed this a great deal.
Tomorrow we will conclude the MCAS testing schedule when the kids take the second and finals session of their science test.
Each of the fifth graders has crossed the finish line with their opinion writing. Lots of time and effort went into this work and the kids should feel proud of their effort. Tomorrow, we will move into module three in our current EL unit.
Also tomorrow, the author Grace Lin will be visiting the Thompson and hosting a workshop for the kids.
As a reminder, we will also take our second and final science MCAS test on Thursday 5/22.
The kids took an assessment in math class. After that was complete, we returned to our work dividing fractions and mixed numbers.
Next week the fifth graders will take their science MCAS tests on Monday and Thursday.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
The kids looked at an online practice test in preparation for next week's science MCAS. I continue to be impressed with the attentiveness that the kids are showing to this work. Two more sessions, next Monday and Thursday, and the testing season will be complete.
Our ELA time was spent continuing to work on our opinion writing.
Many of the fifth graders are close to completing their opinion pieces of writing. It was great to see so many of the kids on task and hard at work during our ELA time this morning. The goal is to have the rest of the class cross the finish line during our ELA and all-block time tomorrow.
The fifth graders took part in a wonderful field trip this morning. We visited both the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House, where we took part in in mock debate concerning the lead up to the Boston Tea Party. Much thanks to all the chaperones who came along.
The members of A303 continued to make progress with their long form opinion writing concerning an aspect of Jackie Robinson's success during ELA. Later this week, the kids will begin typing their final draft.
As a reminder, tomorrow the fifth grade is traveling into Boston to visit the Old South Meeting House.
We spent quality ELA time working on a draft of our opinion piece. Using graphic organizers, the kids looked to craft their two proof paragraphs. This was a nice opportunity for the fifth graders to bounce some ideas of off each other and to make some serious headway in their writing. I was happy with the productivity during this session.
As a reminder, next Tuesday the 13th will see the fifth grade traveling into Boston to visit the Old South Meeting House. There is a lot of excitement for this Revolutionary War themed trip.
Have a nice weekend.
The fifth graders spent ELA time using a graphic organizer to help them with a piece of opinion writing. Today was a nice first step on an important work item that we will be working on over the next two weeks.
Homework
Reading - read for thirty minutes each night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due in class on Friday 5/9
Congratulations to all of the students involved with the school play. We were able to watch a portion of the performance this morning. These turned out excellent.
During math class later in the day, we focused on multiplying fractions by mixed numbers. Tomorrow, the fifth graders will take an assessment to gauge their understanding of the recent material.
Homework
Reading - read for thirty minutes each night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due in class on Friday 5/8
The last two days, the fifth graders learned about the Old South Meeting House and its importance to Revolutionary era Massachusetts. They also have been assigned a role to play at our mock debate during next week's field trip.
During math class, we used arrays to help us solve some multiplying fractions problems. Great effort during this session.
Homework
Reading - read for thirty minutes each night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due in class on Friday 5/8
This week, the kids are going to finish their Jackie Robinson mid-term assessment during ELA time. Throughout this week, the fifth graders are going to continue to multiply fractions and mixed numbers using visual aides. They will take an assessment later this week.
Homework
Reading - read for thirty minutes each night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due in class on Friday 5/8
The fifth graders completed the second portion of their math MCAS testing this morning. My compliments to all of the students for their attentiveness to this. Tomorrow, we will return to a normal schedule.
