Hello Everyone,

This week we had our Frosty Fun Run!  It was a beautiful day out and the kids enjoyed the wonderful weather.   I have included lots of great pictures below from the Fun Run!

This week in math, we wrapped up division and began our new unit.....FRACTIONS!  Understanding of fractions is a huge 5th grade standard.  We will learn how to use models to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.  We will connect these models to a written method ( finding LCM).  This week, we spent time thinking about fraction equivalency with area models and representing the addition of fractions with like denominators on number lines.

In writing, we continued our study of poetry craft.  We learned about using figurative language in our poetry writing such as similes, metaphors and personification.    To learn about personification, we went outside to observe nonhuman objects and takes notes in our writer's notebook.  Then we came inside, and tried to describe the object by giving it human characteristics.  We also studied how thinking hard about line breaks and word choice are ways to revise our poetry.

In reading, we worked on the skill of determining the main idea in a nonfiction text.  We have been reading articles about the American Revolution, and using those texts as mentors when finding main ideas.  During our workshop time, students have been immersing themselves in nonfiction reading.  Many of the kiddos have gravitated toward reading Scholastic News or nonfiction texts from the library in order to practice these skills.  We have also been reading nonfiction articles in our guided reading groups.

In science, we learned about rocks and how they changed. We began by observing samples of rocks and jotting our observations and questions. We wondered, "do rocks stay the same or will they change? Are there rock types?"  We modeled this using starburst candies to represent broken down sediment.  We "compacted " the sediment together to create a rock, then applied " heat and pressure" to transform the rock.  Finally, we heated up the rock on a hot plate and observed the rock when it cooled.  Next week, I will introduce the vocabulary of the rock types as well as the rock cycle.

Reminders:

Writer's Celebration- December 23rd!

 We are low on extra snacks in the classroom.  If anyone is willing to bring in a snack ( pretzels, goldfish, saltines etc..) that would be most helpful.


Have a nice weekend!

Ms. Phillips

Hi Everyone,

We had a great week.  We continued working on division in math and poetry in writing.  So far we have drafted: self portrait poems, memory poems, "poetry hides" poems and surrounding haikus!  This week, we will move into the revising phase in which be learn craft strategies to make our poetry better!

In reading, we began nonfiction.  In read aloud, we read a long article about the American Revolution.  This ties nicely to our Social Studies Curriculum.  We have also been learning about good nonfiction reading strategies, such as previewing and predicting using text features, paraphrasing information and note taking.  Next week, we will focus on how good readers determine the main ideas in a text.

In science, we learned about weathering and erosion.  We did an experiment with sugar cubes to model what happens to rocks when they erode.  Then, we completed a design challenge in which students had to design and construct a landfill that prevented erosion from bringing pollution into a "town."  See the pictures below for the constructions students made.  They were so excited and extremely engaged!

Have a great week!

Ms. Phillips

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed some special time with your families. I know I am very thankful for getting to teach such a wonderful group of students this year!

These past weeks, the students have continued to work on division strategies in math. We have learned how to estimate quotients, as well as solve division problems with up to 3 digit dividends.  As we have moved into larger numbers, we have been learning to use partial products to solve division problems.  This strategy is a bit different from the standard algorithm that we are all familiar with,  so take a look at the following video to see how this strategy works. Partial Products The kids have demonstrated great success with this strategy!  As we wrap up division, students should be expecting a test, which I anticipate to be at the end of the week.

In reading, we have begun our new nonfiction unit.  Students will learn how to determine main ideas and supporting details, how to summarize text, how to determine text structures and how to synthesize information from multiple texts on 1 topic.  For read aloud, I have chosen the topic of the American Revolution, which supports our social studies curriculum.  The students and I will read articles on the Revolution and use them in our mini lessons.  I have also chosen articles on this time period for guided reading groups.

In writing, we will continue our unit on poetry.  Students have already drafted a "Self-Portrait Poem," and will continue drafting other poems throughout the week.  One way you can support this work, is by talking with your children about experiences and memories they can write about.  The more specific the topic, the more personal the poem will be!

In Science, we continue to study Earths Changing Surface.  We have learned about Volcanoes and why some explode and others do not by performing an experiment that tested types of "lava" ( See pictures below).  This week, we will learn about weathering and erosion.  Students will also get to design a landfill that prevents erosion from spreading into a town!  The students are really looking forward to this lesson!

Important Reminders:

• Fun Run on December 5th @ 2:00 p.m.  Please dress accordingly!
• We are in need of snack!  The extra snack in our classroom has been eaten up and we are in need of some donations.  We are looking for snacks such as goldfish, pretzels, saltines etc...  Thank you in advance!

Best to you and your families,


Ms. Phillips

Hello Everyone.

On Thursday, we celebrated Veterans Day at the Town Hall with our annual Veterans Day Ceremony.  We heard beautiful speeches from military veterans, sang songs and heard a veterans day poem.  It was beautiful, and the students were a wonderful audience.   Check out the following link which will take you the News 22 coverage of the event! Check out News 22!  We were also visited by a few Military Members who did a Q and A with the class.  They even brought us some MRE's to eat!

Last week in math, we finished our unit on multiplication.  The kiddos took a test on Wednesday to show what they know.  Those will be coming home sometime this week.  This week, we will begin studying division! The students will learn different strategies for dividing up to 4 digit by 2 digit whole numbers.

In reading, we are finishing up our fiction unit.  We have studied characters, story elements, theme, author's craft and how to compare and contrast two different stories.

We will take a reading assessment on Thursday that will measure students understanding of these skills. This week, we are learning to how to write a response while reviewing some of the skills they have learned. Our next unit will be non fiction!

In writing, we have finished our narrative unit and will be doing on On Demand to show what we have learned about narrative stories.  Our next unit will be poetry.  Please see my last post about ways you can support this unit at home!

In Science, we will begin our Earth Science unit that will cover the Rock Cycle, Mineral Identification, Weathering and Erosion and Soil Types.  We are also trying some new lessons from a website called Mystery Science.  These lessons will teach us about the formation of Volcanoes, which will support our understanding of how rocks are formed and how the earth changes!


Ms. Phillips

Hello All,

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween last week! As October ends, we too are ending units and will be moving on to new beginnings.

 In math, we learned about the standard algorithm for multiplication and how it connects to the area model representation.  We also worked in groups to solve multi-step word problems.  We discussed the importance of planning ahead and understanding the problem before attempting to solve.   Next week, we will have a test on multiplication to show what we have learned.  The students will review on Monday, and take their test on Wednesday.

In writing, we began wrapping up our narrative unit with a few lessons on editing.  The students used our co-constructed editing checklist to edit their papers for spelling, punctuation, commas and paragraphs.  Next week, we will begin the publishing process in which we will type our stories on the chromebooks in class.
Following the narrative unit, we will begin to study poetry.  One way you can support this unit is by reading and discussing poems at home.  The following questions would lead to great discussions as a family:
-What is the poem about?
What is the theme or message in this poem?
-What types of figurative language do you notice in this poem?
-What is the author really saying or talking about when he/she writes___________________.
-What other craft moves is the author using?

Don't know any great poets?  Here are  a few names to get you started that are appropriate for 5th graders:
Shel Silverstein ( a favorite)
Carl Sandburg
Jack Prelutsky
Emily Dickinson
Robert Frost
Robert Louis Stevenson


Here is a website with 100 poems for children!
http://100.best-poems.net/100-best-kids-and-children-poems.html

     In reading, we will be finishing our unit on fiction. We will be working on the skill of comparing and contrasting two books.  We will dive deep by trying to compare books that might not necessarily seem similar.
    Following this unit, we will begin a unit on nonfiction.   I will be reading aloud some great non fiction books, while extending this work into our guided reading time.  This is really an open ended unit in which students are free to read and learn about any topics that interest them!  One way you can support this learning at home is by discussing your child's interests.  A simple question like, "What do you want to learn more about?"  will help them think of books to choose for their independent reading time.  You might also try a trip to the Sunderland Public library in search of nonfiction books. Although we have many great nonfiction titles in our school library, the public library would offer more options depending on what your child is interesting in reading about.

We will also finish our government unit this week and begin science!  I am so excited to begin our first unit which is about Rocks and Minerals.  We will learn about how rocks and volcanoes are formed, how weathering and erosion cause changes to the landscape, soil types, and how to identify minerals by their properties.  This is a very hands on unit, and students will get to perform many experiments to learn these new concepts.   If you have any suggestions of activities that connect to this unit, please let me know!

Have a fabulous week!
Ms. Phillips