Thinking about our Character's Thoughts!

Today we used the books Thank You Mr. Falker and Mr. Peabody's Apples (video below!) to show how reader's use the character's thoughts and the story as a whole to deepen their understanding of the book's message or theme (the heart of the story). We discussed how when we think metacognitively we notice that our thinking changes. WOW! We are working on using what we learn in our mini-lessons and practicing it with our own independent books with a post-it.

This Week in Room 33! Sept. 29- Oct. 3

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

Science- We are continuing our study of weather! We are LOVING our science stations and time to meet with small groups to read and discuss weather and science-related texts while also studying nonfiction text features. This week we will finish up lesson 1 (chapter 7) on the water cycle and begin lesson 2 on the ocean.

Writing- I am SO excited to continue with our second half of our personal narrative unit! I hope you have enjoyed seeing your student's first personal narrative in their portfolio (binder that came home last Wednesday). This portfolio with the green sheet filled out (with parent signature) and the self evaluation checklist filled out are due Tuesday. This week we will focus on using a mentor text to continue to raise the level of our writing!

Math- Chapter 2 math tests will come home today! Please review with your child. ***Friendly reminder- it is the student's responsibility to return tests that were fixed (a grade in the 70s, students have a choice to fix and a grade in the 60s or below must be signed and fixed!) This week we are beginning chapter 3 on division. We will relate division to multiplication (please keep practicing those math facts at home!), dividing with 2-digit dividends, division patterns, and estimating quotients.

Reading- We will continue our study on fiction texts, specifically thinking about how the character's thoughts and actions help us understand the deeper meaning of the text. We will discuss and differentiate between themes and main ideas. Students are continuing to read their independent books and using the lessons in class to help them better understand and think about their own books. They should be tracking their thinking using at least 1 post-it note a day. These are kept in their reader's notebooks at school. I am SO proud of our readers! Many students are exceeding my goals of completing 1-2 books a week- WOW! :)

Social Studies- We will begin our study of chapter 2 in our text titled Ancient Americans!


October Dates/Reminders-
*Oct. 17- Half day and end of 1st quarter
*Oct. 27 & 19- Conferences (I will send out time slots in a separate email!)
*Oct. 30- Pumpkin Run, Fall Festival, Halloween Parties
*Oct. 31- No School!

Staying Focused and On Task!

Today Mrs. Smith led a lesson on how to train your brain to focus in order to stay on task! In order to keep our stamina in reading, writing, science, math, and social studies we need to be in charge of our focus! I am so proud of our focused learners! Ask your student about the candle, clock, and bubble exercise we did today and have them practice again at home!

Science Stations and Reviewing for our Math Test!

Thank u mr. Falker

We read thank u mr.falker for writing because it is a personal narrative.

This Week in Room 33! Sept. 22-25

Here's what to expect this first week of FALL! :)

Science- We are continuing to track weather data in our science notebooks using weather.com and beginning our study of chapter 7 in our textbook. We are so excited to begin a science "workshop" approach in which students will be engaged in science stations and small group instruction with a teacher! 

Writing- We will be putting the final touches on our first personal narratives! We are so excited to see the final products and share our stories! 

Math- It is time for our chapter 2 test on multiplying whole numbers! Our test is on Thursday. Keep practicing those math facts at home! Students are encouraged to study at home by using their homework sheets in their binder. They can also access the online textbook for further practice (see video in parents page). I am proud of our mathematicians! 

Reading- We are continuing to discuss strategies good readers use when reading fiction texts. Our focus this week is on understanding stories by paying attention to the characters thoughts, actions, and feelings. Engage your student in a conversation about the independent book they are reading now and the characters in their book! 

Social Studies- We will finish our study of chapter 1 this week and complete an open-book writing assessment to show what we have learned!

Reminders-

Wed. is picture day!

No School on Friday!

Diagram of a listener

Today our buddy class talked about the difference between listening and understanding.