4/28/17

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I look forward to starting the month of May with the fifth graders next week.

4/27/17

The fifth graders began to turn their attention to taxation without representation in social studies. This is another step on the road to the Revolution. The students worked to answer questions pertaining to why the British implemented these taxes and the reaction of the colonists.

Later in the school day, the members of M102 read deeper into their fantasy novels. Next week, the fifth graders will have a blog question that ties into an important theme or concept from their novels.

Students also received an acceptable use agreement that needs to be signed and returned tomorrow.


Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday 4/28

Science - practice MCAS open response question due Friday 4/28

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

4/26/17

During social studies, the fifth graders investigated the next domino to fall on the road to the American Revolution. The Proclamation of 1763 provided a jumping off point for a persuasive letter writing assignment. The students are going to attempt to convince the King of England to chose a middle ground to avert the coming war. I thought that this was a positive lesson.

Later in the school day, the students continued to collect information about a potential topic for their information writing. I continue to encourage all students to make a trip to their local library outside of school to look to supplement their research inside the classroom. 



Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday 4/28

Science - practice MCAS open response question due Friday 4/28

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

4/25/17

This early release day saw the fifth graders progressing deeper in to their fantasy titles within their small reading groups. The students had interesting discussions pertaining to setting during their work today. The enthusiasm for this subject matter continues to stand out.

Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday 4/28

Science - practice MCAS open response question due Friday 4/28

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

4/24/17

It was great to see the students back at school today, as we began the final week of April together. The members of M102 began the day by sharing favorite moments from their just concluded vacation during our morning meeting. It sounds like the fifth graders were able to enjoy themselves over the break.

Later in the school day, the students looked at a practice question for the upcoming science MCAS exam. The students discussed the parameters of the question and looked at some examples of quality responses. This week, the members of M102 will have a science question for homework.

Finally, the fifth graders began a new read aloud book today. The Thief of Always ties into our fantasy unit. During the reading, students will be active listeners and will periodically look to write about the story as it connects to the books they are reading in their small groups.

Homework

Math - worksheet due Friday 4/28

Science - practice MCAS open response question due Friday 4/28

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

4/13/17

I hope everyone has a great vacation and I look forward to seeing everyone back at school next week as we begin our final push to the conclusion of the school year.

4/12/17

We officially kicked off our work with the Revolutionary War today. The students were excited for this and it was an interesting lesson. Our first step on the road to the revolution will lead us to the French and Indian War. I can't wait to get further into this material with the fifth graders.

Later in the school day, the members of M102 learned a new game concerning decimals in math class. The students played a game called Fill 2. The goal was to add decimal cards and shade in the corresponding area of a grid. I was happy to see the strides students were making throughout the session.


Homework

Math - worksheet due Thursday 4/13

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due Thursday 4/13

4/11/17

During math class today, the students worked on rounding decimals to different place values. This was followed by some additional practice involving addition and subtraction of decimal amounts. A very productive day in math class.

Later in the day, the members of M102 continued their first informational writing lesson. This work focused on crafting a potential compare and contrast essay. The fifth graders looked to create a venn diagram that focused on Dracula and Voldemort.


 Homework

Math - worksheet due Thursday 4/13

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due Thursday 4/13

4/10/17

The fifth graders began their final week together before the April vacation by kicking off our new fantasy unit. Members of M102 selected fantasy novels that they will be reading in their small groups over these next few weeks. Today, the class discussed recurring elements that appear over and over in these types of stories. That was followed by the students reading the first chapter in their respective books.

Earlier in the school day, the fifth graders were able to watch one of the plays put on by the Thompson Drama Group. The students had a great time watching the talented actors and actresses on stage.

 Homework

Math - worksheet due Thursday 4/13

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due Thursday 4/13

4/6/17

The fifth graders completed their final session of MCAS testing for ELA today. I want to compliment the students for their effort all week long. It isn't the most enjoyable week for the students, but they rose to the occasion. It will be a treat to return to a regular schedule next week.

Tomorrow, the members of M102 have a few items on the agenda. They will have their second round of Circus Smirkus and they will also be able to meet with their book buddies in second grade.

4/5/17

The fifth graders appeared to be in good spirits heading into day two of their ELA testing. Tomorrow will be the third and final day of testing for this section of the test.

Later in the school day, the members of M102 returned to their colonial brochure project. These continue to look very promising. I can't wait to see the finished results.

4/4/17

The students were able to return to a normal schedule today. The students continue to move closer to the conclusion of their work with the 13 colonies during social studies. These projects are looking good in the early stages and I can't wait to see how they turn out.

The fifth graders were also able to enjoy a unique enrichment opportunity called Circus Smirkus. This program saw the students working to learn important learning skills.

As a reminder, tomorrow will see the students return to their ELA testing.

4/3/17

Today, the fifth graders took the first session of their ELA MCAS exam. I applaud the fifth graders for their preparation for this day over the last few weeks. Session two will be on Wednesday and session three will follow on Thursday.

Because of the testing, there will be no homework this week.