4/11/16

As we returned to school for the last week before the April vacation, the students in room 312 had a busy day across the board. The fifth graders were challenged with some decimal word problems during our math lesson. I continue to be impressed with the hard work that the students are undertaking during our lessons. Later this week, we will have a small assessment on some of the topics that we have been dealing with the last few weeks.

During our ELA time, the kids continue to be focused on their informational writing research papers. The students have all selected a topic and have begun to build the basic structure of their pieces using graphic organizers. I commend the students who have taken it upon themselves to do some additional research on their own outside of the classroom.

I continue to encourage my students to visit a library outside of school to supplement their resources.

Homework

Math - workbook page 57B

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - worksheet due Wednesday

Trivia

How many delegates attended the Second Continental Congress?

4/7/16

The members of room 312 are in the middle of having a NCAA Tournament style contest with a new decimal addition game that they have learned this week. The students are working well together and are having a great time, while improving their flexibility with decimals.

The fifth graders are also beginning a research project on a topic that pertains to the Revolutionary War. We have a number of sources for the students to use in the course of the writing, but I would strongly encourage students to travel to their local library to collect additional resources to use in the course of their project.


Homework

Math - workbook page 5

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - worksheet due Friday


Trivia

How many home runs has David Ortiz hit with the Red Sox?

4/6/16

Today, the fifth graders returned to Number the Stars. The students read in their small groups today and then dealt with some reading comprehension questions pertaining to the chapter in question. I was impressed with the level of discourse and compliment my students for their diligence in regards to this book. I look forward to progressing deeper into the text.

Earlier in the day, the students looked at the famous ride made famous by Paul Revere. The students looked closely at a famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and used that to help them dig into this important event.

The fifth graders are also beginning a research project on a topic that pertains to the Revolutionary War. We have a number of sources for the students to use in the course of the writing, but I would strongly encourage students to travel to their local library to collect additional resources to use in the course of their project.


Homework

Math - worksheet page 43

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - worksheet due Friday


Trivia

What cities did Paul Revere warn the night of his famous ride?

4/5/16

The fifth graders continued their work with rounding decimals today. During today's lesson, the students were tasked with coming up with a set of rules to follow as they are rounding decimals. I was happy with the work that the students were able to get done today.


Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Science - finish worksheet


Trivia

How many delegates did Massachusetts send to the First Continental Congress?

4/4/16

Rounding decimals was the topic of the day during math class. The students continue to use number lines to better frame their thinking. Room 312 also worked in some adding and subtracting of decimals in as part of this lesson. A very productive math block.

Later in the day, the fifth graders explored the First Continental Congress during our social studies time. This momentous occasion inches us closer and closer to the onset of the Revolution. The students are beginning to make plans for their informational writing topic. Each student will be tasked with selecting a topic pertaining to the Revolutionary War and compiling research to write a paper.

We also continued to get deeper into Number the Stars. The fifth graders seem to be very much enjoying this novel.

Homework

Math - worksheet 23 B

Science - worksheet

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading


Trivia

How many colonies were represented during the the First Continental Congress?

4/1/16

I wanted to congratulate all of the students who took part in the plays. They all turned out great. Whether students were acting or doing work behind the scenes, the teamwork produced some highly entertaining shows. The entire student body of the Thompson enjoyed all of the performances.

Later in the day, the fifth grade was lucky enough to see some birds of prey in the flesh. The students were a rapt audience as they were able to visit with owls and hawks.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

3/31/16

As we wrapped up the month of March, it was nice to get back into the classroom with my students today.

We continued out work with the novel, Number the Stars. The fifth graders continue to do nice work in their small reading groups. The theme of bravery continues to be a focus of our reading.

I am greatly looking forward to seeing all of the students take the stage tomorrow. The fifth graders have worked very hard over the last few weeks and we are all eager to see the finished product.

Homework

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading

Blog - If you had been alive during the Revolutionary War period, would you have sided with the patriots or the loyalists. Explain your point of view. (At least three paragraphs in length, due Friday April 1st)

Trivia

What is the Red Sox team record on opening days?