1/12/22

We launched our latest reading unit during our ELA time this morning. This new unit, which revolves around works of non-fiction will see the students working with complex texts and looking to compile information and sources for a research project. Today, was a great opportunity for the students to familiarize themselves with some of the components of complex, non-fiction texts. 

The fifth graders also worked to solve division word problems during math time. The central part of today's work saw the kids create a word problems and then solve it with a visual representation on a piece of poster paper.  

Homework

Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night. Fill out log on nightly basis. Due Friday 1/14

Math - workbook page 223, due Friday 1/14

1/11/22

The fifth graders continued onto the next lesson in our opinion writing unit during our ELA time. Working in pairs, the kids read an article that concerns an affliction that some animals develop when kept in captivity. They then looked to gather evidence pertaining to the article's main idea. This was a valuable lesson that seemed to engage the students.

We also took our first assessment of the new year during math class. This multiplication quiz will offer valuable feedback as to where the kids are in terms of their unit four progress.

Homework

Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night. Fill out log on nightly basis. Due Friday 1/14

Math - workbook page 223, due Friday 1/14

1/10/22

The fifth graders undertook the next lesson in their opinion writing unit this afternoon. Looking at a short news video from Phoenix, the kids learned about a zoo's efforts to save a highly endangered animal. Using this video to gather evidence about a zoo's role in the world they then filled out a graphic organizer. We continue to do a fine job laying the groundwork for more significant pieces of writing to come. 

Homework

Reading - 25 minutes of reading per night. Fill out log on nightly basis. Due Friday 1/14

Math - homework later this week

1/6/22

The students were able to refine their standard algorithm work from yesterday's math lesson. In the span of two lessons, I was impressed with the strides that many of the students made. We were also able to have the kids solve some word problems using the array method. A productive lesson all the way around.

I look forward to meeting with parents during conference time tonight. 

Here is the zoom link for that:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84373961885?pwd=SURhNE81bk1pNVh0bnkvNU9pRHpiZz09

1/5/22

We launched our next writing unit during our ELA time this morning. This unit of study will see the kids working on an opinion research topic. To lay the groundwork for future lessons, the fifth graders read an article about pet ownership and then used a graphic organizer to practice the skill of supporting one's' opinion with ample evidence. This was a productive lesson that the fifth graders were engaged with throughout. 

Our math time was spent focused on refining our use of the standard algorithm to solve multiplication problems. Some of the students have this skill mastered, while others are working diligently to practice this method. I was impressed with the perseverance that was in evidence. We will continue with this work tomorrow. 

1/4/22

We continued with the next lesson in unit four during math class. This unit will serve as a timely review of multiplication concepts. The goal is for the fifth graders to refine some of the skills that they built earlier this year. Many of the students were able to complete are parts of our agenda during this sessions today. 

Our class is also approaching the end of our second read aloud book this year, Auggie and Me. We will look to finish this book and complete a piece of writing some time next week. 

1/3/22

The students returned to the classroom for the first time in the new year today. Everyone was excited to see one another after the time off. Our morning meeting time allowed the kids time to share some memories and highlights from their vacation week. 

This week and the next few weeks are going to be important ones for the fifth graders. We began a new math unit today and over the next few days will also kick off new reading and writing units of study. I am looking forward to getting into this new material with the fifth graders.

There will be no homework this week. As a reminder, this Thursday the 6th, virtual parent conferences will be held from six to eight o'clock.