9/28/18

The fifth graders wrapped up a very productive week together by returning to Bud, Not Buddy. The students took the actions modeled during chapter 1 and applied them to chapter 2 during today's lesson. It was a nice to get to hear students both reading and discussing the novel.

Later in the school day, the members of A303 were introduced to a multiplication comparing game in math class. The students used different strategies to compare the products that would result from selected number cards.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend. Next Monday, Boys in Motion starts and on Tuesday the fifth grade patrols will also begin.

9/27/18

The students looked at another short story today as part of our literary essay unit. The fifth graders used the annotation strategies that we modeled in our last session to analyze this text. After completing that task, they worked in pairs to formulate a thesis statement that would allow them to build a full essay.

During science class, the students built shadow trackers using a few different materials. Good teamwork was in evidence throughout this session.

As a reminder, tomorrow is Thompson Spirit Day. Students may wear clothes that remind them of the Thompson School.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, reader's log due on Friday September 28th

9/26/18

Time was spent during social studies looking at the early English settlements in North America, prior to the formation of the 13 Colonies. The students acted as detectives as they attempted to discern what may have happened to the residents of Roanoke Colony in the 1590s.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, reader's log due on Friday September 28th

9/25/18

Today's ELA lesson was focused on practicing the skill of annotating. The students have kicked off their literary essay unit and they will be presented with a number of short stories over the next few days with which they will be working with. This work will continue on Thursday.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, reader's log due on Friday September 28th

9/24/18

This week began with work being done on many different fronts. The students received their copies of Bud, Not Buddy during ELA. This work of historical fiction will be the basis of reading lessons throughout the next two months. Today, the fifth graders undertook an introductory lesson in which they used sticky notes and their three-step journals to analyze the first chapter of the book.

During math class, the kids continued to work on their posters which display different methods to solve a multiplication problem, a visual representation of the problem and a word problem to accompany the solution. The students did a great job with this.

We are still in need of chaperones for the upcoming trip to science camp. Please reach out to me through my email address if you are able to help out.

Homeowork

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night, reader's log due on Friday September 28th

9/21/18

The students conducted their first science experiment today. Pairs of fifth graders were tasked with tracking the sun's light by tracing their shadows at two different parts of the school day. This lead into a discussion of the position of the earth in relationship to the sun.

The fifth graders had a great week of school. I hope everyone has a nice weekend.

9/20/18

The fifth graders completed a writing assignment on Kidblog today. Students wrote about a character from the book Wonder. Each student was tasked with writing about a character that has made an impression on them. The writing prompt came from our list that ties into the 9 core writing competency questions that will frame our reading this year.

Later in the school day, the members of A303 were able to once again work with their small math groups to continue to work on their selection of number puzzles.

As a reminder, the students' first homework assignment of the school year is due tomorrow.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of reading per night, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis. Due Friday the 21st

9/18/18

The fifth graders continued to work with order of operation problems during math class today. The students had a productive lesson today. I was impressed by the level of recall that was on display throughout the classroom.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of reading per night, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis. Due Friday the 21st

9/17/18

This week began with a few different items on the agenda for class A303.

The fifth graders undertook their first official writing piece of the school year. The class was given an opinion writing prompt, which asked them to construct an opinion piece in a 60 minute block of time. This pre-unit assessment serves to give me an understanding as to where each student's strengths lie in their writing.

Later in the school day, the students learned about longitude and latitude.

I look forward to seeing parents and guardians during curriculum night.

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of reading per night, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis. Due Friday the 21st

9/13/18

Today, the members of A303 continue to work on their group number puzzles in math class. The level of discourse stood out to me this morning. It was great to hear the students justify their thinking to their peers.

Tomorrow, the fifth graders will meet with their book buddies in second grade for the first time this year.

Homework

Students are encouraged to decorate their writing notebooks at home this week.

9/12/18

This Wednesday saw the members of A303 begin to look closely at the literary reading competencies that will serve as guides during our study of different pieces of literature. This lesson was productive and gave the students the opportunity to do some writing about a simple text.

During social studies, the students learned about longitude and latitude and their current day applications.

Homework

Students are encouraged to decorate their writing notebooks at home this week.

9/11/18

The fifth graders returned from the long weekend and began to look at the ins and outs of their reader's notebooks. The students practiced having a running dialogue with themselves in their notebooks, using an anchor text. It was a productive lesson.

Later in the school day, the fifth graders looked at some number puzzles in math class. This work will continue into tomorrow.

Homework

Students are encouraged to decorate their writing notebooks at home this week.

9/7/18

It is hard to believe that the first week of the new school year is over. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the new members of A303 this week. The students engaged in many different activities to begin to foster a sense of community in our classroom this week. I was impressed by the level of respect and sharing that was evident during these four days.

Today, the students undertook their first official math lesson. We dealt with arrays and multiplication factors. It was a productive first session.

Also, the students received a packet containing important information about science camp. The Thompson fifth graders will be traveling to science camp in Rhode Island from October 16th - 19th. Three forms that are a part of the packet need to be filled out and returned to me.

I will also be sending out an email to all families next week looking for volunteers to help at science camp.

I hope everyone has a nice long weekend and I will see students back at school next Tuesday the 11th.