Tuesday, January 19, 2016

SNOW!!!!!!

It's snowing!!!!!

This Week in Room 33! Jan. 19-22


I hope everyone enjoyed their 3-day weekend! Looking forward to seeing everyone! Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We will be studying the inner and outer planets this week. 

Writing- Students will be revising, editing, and celebrating their 1st memoir this week! Completed memoirs (on looseleaf, does not need to be typed) will be due Thursday for our celebration. 

Math- We are completing ch. 8 in math with a short, informal quiz on Wednesday and beginning ch. 9 on adding and subtracting fractions. We will be rounding fractions and adding/subtracting like and unlike fractions this week. Our fractions unit test will cover ch. 8-10.

Reading- We will be wrapping up our unit on social issues book clubs this week. We will continue analyzing and interpreting our books through the lens of social issues as we challenge ourselves to make our thinking more complex! 

Social Studies- We will learn about and discuss Roanoke, Jamestown, and the New England settlements.

Reminders-
1/26- Field Trip to Sheldon- Please turn in permission slip this week!
1/29- Family Bingo at Truman- Doors open 6:30, Game begins 7:00

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Reading with Buddies

Check out the album below for pictures from yesterday's reading time with our 2nd grade buddies!

Reading With Our Buddies

Social Issues

In reading we are talking about social issues. What social issues are in your book? What article are you reading tonight that connects with your book's social issues?

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

New Jobs

Another round of Jobs. Will we make it?

Sunday, January 10, 2016

This Week in Room 33! Jan. 11-15


I hope everyone is adjusting well to the new year! We are full steam ahead in 5th grade! Here's what to expect this week-

Science- We are continuing our study on Earth and Space. We are learning that the reason for the seasons isn't about the Earth's distance from the sun, but rather Earth's tilt on its axis! This week we will also learn about stars.

PRISM REMINDER- If your student is interested in and working on completing a PRISM investigation project, check out THIS POST or this Lindbergh link!

Writing- We are continuing our study of memoirs by finding and growing ideas, pushing our thinking, and adding depth to our writing by asking ourselves "What is the deeper theme or message we want to convey?" We are also studying and planning structures and will draft our first piece!

Math- We are continuing to work on chapter 8 with lessons on problem solving, least common multiple, using the ladder method, comparing fractions, and writing fractions as decimals and percents.

Reading- We are continuing to study social issues within our book club books.  Students should be reading their assigned book club book in school and at home. When they reach their stopping point, they can continue reading their choice books. I am SO impressed by the amount of reading, deep thinking and conversing that is happening in our classroom!

Social Studies- We will study different European explorers and begin to discuss the colonies of Jamestown and Roanoke.

Reminders:
Wed. 1/13 is Early Release!
Mon. 1/18- No School!


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

This Week in Room 33! Jan. 4-8

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Welcome back! Thank you SO much for a fantastic winter party and for all the sweet and thoughtful gifts. I felt so spoiled and appreciated! I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break and that you are all relaxed and ready for the 2nd half of 5th grade!

Here's what is going on this week-

Science- We are starting a new unit on Earth and Space (chapter 9)! Our first lesson focuses on how Earth moves. REMINDER- If your student is interested in completing a PRISM investigation project, check out THIS POST!

Writing- We are beginning an exciting and challenging unit on memoirs! A memoir is a hybrid kind of writing, including elements of both personal narrative and personal essay. We are raising the level of our craft by adding in more reflection, opinions, and thoughts. We will then be supporting our thoughts with evidence in the form of personal stories!

As a reminder, students should be spending 20 minutes each week (10 min. Tue, 10 min. Thurs.) writing- they can write in their writer's notebook or they can write an email to me or on their Google drive!

Math- We are now in Volume 2 of our math series and starting chapter 8 on fractions and decimals. This week our focus is on relating fractions and division, greatest common factor, and simplest form. Please practice those basic multiplication and division facts with your student- it is SO important to know them quickly in order to efficiently perform these new skills. Thank you for all your hard work at home!

Reading- We are excited to start a new unit on social issues within book clubs! We will be reading through the lens of identifying and interpreting the author's and our own views on social issues. We will learn that reading for social issues can help you better understand and empathize with people in books, movies, and the world!

Social Studies- We are beginning a new chapter on European settlements.

Reminders/Upcoming Dates:
Wed. 1/13- Early Release
Mon. 1/18 No School