The students in A303 concluded the month of March by wrapping up our decimal unit during math class. The fifth graders did excellent work these past few weeks and I am quite sure that will be reflected in the results from this assessment. This will be the first grade of the final term.
We also spent some time doing some writing in social studies pertaining to the Compromise of 1763. This important event laid the groundwork for future conflict between the 13 colonies and the British crown
The last week of March will see us learning about the Proclamation of 1763 and various taxes levied on the colonies by Parliament. This will lead to some creative writing and some comprehension work.
We are also going to conclude our non-fiction reading unit over the next two weeks. The fifth graders have one final short piece of writing to do concerning cause and effect relationship that they have noticed in their books.
We concluded our study of the French and Indian War during social studies time. The kids created a mini-booklet that charted the changing shape of the map of North America after the conclusion of the conflict. The last two social studies lessons have been excellent. Next week, we are going to start exploring the idea of taxation without representation.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
We are going to have a series of lessons over the next two weeks that will see the fifth graders working to add and subtract decimals in earnest. A few of these lessons will allow the kids to work on this skills using decimal card games. In the past few years, these lessons have gone over well with the fifth graders. I am hoping that will be the case again this year.
Homework
Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due Friday 3/25
The kids did some review work during math class. As we have reached the midway point of our decimal unit, it is important to periodically step back and revisit some concepts from earlier in the school year. I was impressed with how quickly the fifth graders were able to get back in the swing of work that hasn't been at the forefront of our daily learning these last three weeks.
Homework
Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due Friday 3/25
This week will see us learning about taxation without representation during social studies, plant life and plant nutrition during science and continuing our work with decimals during math class. The fifth graders are also going to officially conclude their opinion writing unit. A busy week ahead.
Homework
Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night, fill out log on a nightly basis. Due Friday 3/25
The fifth grades took a quiz to mark the halfway point of our decimal unit this morning. Using visual representations of decimals and comparing their value were two of the skills the kids worked on. I look forward to going over the results of this assessment this weekend.
Our social studies lesson revolved around the French and Indian War. The fifth graders looked to create two maps showing the changing landscape of the North American continent during this war. Over the next few weeks we will be traveling further down the path to the creation of America.
We were also able to meet with our book buddies. I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
The fifth graders took part in a presentation by the author George O'Connor this morning. This was a great opportunity for them to hear from a published author about his creative process. The fifth graders thoroughly enjoyed this.
We continued deeper into our decimal unit during math time. The students looked to represent decimals on both grids and on number lines.
Math
Finish workbook page 385, if not complete in class.
The fifth graders focused on placing decimals on number lines during our math work. This lesson served as a nice way for the kids to compare the values of decimals. The second part of the lesson saw the students working to complete some word problems.
Tomorrow, the author George O'Connor will be visiting with the fifth graders. They are excited for this opportunity.
Homework
Math - finish page 380 if not complete in class
This was a very productive week for the fifth graders. From completing their unit 5 math test, to kicking off their decimal unit to the continued quality work on both opinion pieces and nonfiction reading. The kids deserve a nice relaxing weekend. Look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.
The fifth graders worked to compare decimals during our math lesson. The first three sections of this new unit have gone well. I was impressed with the ability of the fifth graders to use hundredths and thousandths grids to show their thinking this morning. We also had time for some division practice in the second half of the lesson.
Homework
Math - finish page 369 if not completed in class, due tomorrow
We continued into our next decimal lesson this morning. The focus of the lesson was working with visuals to represent thousandths on grids. The work that has been done over the last two days has been strong. We are laying foundations for the rest of the lessons in this unit.
The fifth graders also had another productive writing lesson during our ELA time. A few more students have reached the publishing phase of the writing process.
Homework
There will be math homework given tomorrow, due Friday
We used the bulk of this early release day to kick off our decimal unit in math class. Using tenths, hundredths and thousandths grids, the kids worked to visualize equivalences between fractions and decimals. They then transitioned to some workbook pages. A quality start to an important unit.
Homework
Math - Finish workbook page 354, due tomorrow.
The next two weeks are going to be significant writing weeks for the fifth graders. There are going to be writing conferences ongoing with myself and peer editing going on as well. Students who have finished drafting and are waiting for conferences are working on posters that summarize and illustrate their viewpoints on the issue of animal care in zoos. I am looking forward to reading more pieces this week.
The fifth graders took part in an exciting science enrichment program this morning. The States of Matter presentation saw the class observe interesting experiments and in a few instances get to take part as well. This was a fantastic opportunity for all the kids and I want to thank the parents that volunteered to help out with this running smoothly.
Homework
Math - homework later this week
We met with our second grade book buddies this morning. The fifth graders were able to learn about their second grade partners and then the pairs did some reading. All of the kids really enjoyed this.
Our afternoon was spent hard at work on our opinion writing pieces. These are coming along great. This will continue over the next two weeks.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend.
The kids put the finishing touches on their compare and contrast essays concerning their nonfiction books. These turned out well and I enjoyed getting to hear a few students share their thoughts with the class at the end of the lesson.
I continue to go through the results of yesterday's math quiz. The early going are encouraging. Lots of quality scores.
Tomorrow, we are going to meet with our book buddy classroom for the first time this year. Our class will be periodically meeting and reading with Mrs. Dichter's second grade class. The kids are looking forward to this.
Homework
Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night and fill out logs on a nightly basis. These are due on Friday 3/4
The fifth graders continued their work with decomposition during our afternoon science lesson. They finished reading an interesting article about mummified fossils and then answered some focus questions.
During our math time, the kids took an ordered pair graphing assessment. They appeared to do very well with this and I look forward to going over the results.
Homework
Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night and fill out logs on a nightly basis. These are due on Friday 3/4
The month of March began with a productive lesson pertaining to our non-fiction reading unit. Each student completed their descriptive essay about the chapter of the book they are currently on. They also had some time to share their observations with a peer.
Homework
Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night and fill out logs on a nightly basis. These are due on Friday 3/4
