9/15/16

During social studies today, the fifth graders brought their knowledge concerning the directions of the compass into their look at the continents. I have been impressed with the passion that the students are bringing into these initial lessons and I am eager to continue to work next week. We will soon turn our attention to longitude and latitude.

The students were also introduced to using sticky notes to guide their close reading of texts. Students will be using these notes throughout the course of the year, especially during our upcoming work with the novel, Bud Not Buddy.

Students in grades three through five also took part in an assembly concerning renewable energy. One fifth grade student was able to show off their acting skills:

As a reminder to parents and guardians, the fifth graders should be looking to return signed and completed science camp forms as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Students today, also received a permission slip for A.M. and P.M. patrols. Please return these as soon as possible if students are interested

Homework

30 minutes of quiet reading, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis. Due Friday

9/14/16

Room M103 began their science investigations today. The students will being studying the sun and its importance over the course of the next few weeks.

As a reminder to parents and guardians, the fifth graders should be looking to return signed and completed science camp forms as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Students today, also received a permission slip for A.M. and P.M. patrols. Please return these as soon as possible if students are interested

Homework

30 minutes of quiet reading, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis

Decorate writing notebook

9/13/16

The fifth graders continued to progress deeper into Wonder during class read aloud time. The students really seem to be enjoying this novel. While being read to, the members of M102 have also been writing down some connections between Wonder and other novels that they have read. The students continue to impress me with their meaningful writing.

During math class, the students continued to tackle some challenging math puzzles. These puzzles incorporate some of the vocabulary that we have been using recently.

Students also received the information and sign up packets for fifth grade science camp. Students are coming home with a number of important documents. Please take the time to look at these and return certain ones as soon as possible.

Homework

30 minutes of quiet reading, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis

Decorate writing notebook

9/12/16

As we began our first full week together, the fifth graders continued to work with factors and multiples during our math time. The level of difficulty continues to rise, and the fifth graders rose to the challenge today.

We also officially kicked off our first social studies unit. We out going to spend some time looking at the continents and oceans. The students impressed me with their levels of background knowledge that they brought to the subject matter.

Homework

30 minutes of quiet reading, fill out reader's log on a nightly basis

Decorate writing notebook

9/8/16

The students continued to work with multiples and factors today. The students have been building their working math vocabulary this week and I was impressed with the use of important terms duing today's lesson. The students worked capably in small groups.

Later in the day, the members of M102 were able to share their first creative writing piece with their peers. Using a "scar map", the students collected potential narrative story ideas in a fun way. I enjoyed getting to hear the students share.



Homework

By next week, I would like all students to have decorated their writing notebooks to reflect their likes and interests. As a frame of reference, her is a picture of mine:

9/7/16

Day two saw the fifth graders kick of their first unit in math class. The topic of today's lesson were factors and multiples. The students engaged one another in some meaningful discussions and worked nicely together when it came time to answering some questions using manipulatives. This work will continue on Thursday.

Later in the day, the students undertook their first creative writing project. This activity saw the students create scar maps. These maps will be used to generate future narrative writing pieces.

Homework

By next week, I would like all students to have decorated their writing notebooks to reflect their likes and interests. As a frame of reference, her is a picture of mine:

9/6/16

It was great to see the students return to the Thompson School today. I was happy to get to meet the 26 students who will be in my classroom this year.

The fifth grade began their day with some getting to know one another activities that tie into responsive classroom. Later in the day, the fifth graders were able to undertake an art project which allowed them to share some details about themselves with their peers.

We also spent some time today outlining some of the expectations and guidelines that are in place because the fifth grade will be outside in the modular classrooms this year.

I enjoyed this first day together and am eager to start this new year with the fifth graders. I look forward to seeing all of my students tomorrow for our first full day together.

Homework

By next week, I would like all students to have decorated their writing notebooks to reflect their likes and interests. As a frame of reference, her is a picture of mine:

Trivia

What species of fish is Dory?