Hello Everyone,

Its been another great week in grade 5!

We have begun a new unit in math.  In this unit, students will learn strategies for multiplying and dividing whole numbers.  We began by learning how to multiply powers and multiples of 10’s (e.g. 43 x 1,000 or 56 x 90).    We have also been studying three new strategies for multiplying whole numbers including: the distributive property, the area model and the standard algorithm.  

In reading, we are beginning our study of themes in literature.  Students will learn what a theme is and what it is NOT.  We will then practice identifying themes in our read alouds, guided reading books and independent reading books.  Additionally, book groups will begin their second guided reading books.  Some of the books we will be reading are:

Inside Out and Back Again

How to Steal a Dog

Save Me a Seat

In writing, we are beginning to wrap up our narrative unit.  Students have begun to type their stories to get them ready for publishing.   This week, our lessons  centered on conventions in order to support students while they edit.  We read the book Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Why Commas Really Do Make a Difference.   The book shows the hilarious meanings of sentences that do not use a commas correctly! We also practiced writing funny sentences using specific comma rules. 

In social studies, we are finishing our unit on the Government.  Students have take their end of unit assessment.  Next week, we will begin our first science unit.  We will begin with a unit on water.  We will graph the amount of fresh and salt water available on earth.    Additionally, we will design water filtration systems that will filter dirty water.

Have a great week!

Ms. Phillips  

Take a look at the pictures below.  We created short skits to represent the amendments from the Bill of Rights!

Hi Everyone,

We had a great week here in 5th grade!  In math, we are finishing up our unit on coordinate grids.  Next week, we will begin our unit on Multiplication and Division of whole numbers.  Students will learn how to use the standard algorithm as well as the area model to become fluent in multiplying multi-digit whole numbers.    Below is a video from Khan Academy with a helpful reminder of how to use an Area Model.

In reading, we are starting a new unit on theme.  In this unit, students will begin by learning about story elements including setting, characters, and plot.  We will then use those elements to think deeper about themes in our stories.  In our guided groups, we will continue to read books together and think about what themes are beginning to emerge.

In writing, students are continuing their work on personal narratives.  At this point, students have committed to a story that they are taking through the writing process.  Currently, most kiddos are working in the revision stage.  We have learned how to draft, redraft and redraft again thinking about the meaning we want our stories to show.  We will continue to learn revising strategies next week to help make our pieces AMAZING!

In Social Studies, we are still learning about the Government.  Students have learned about the 3 branches of government and their main responsibilities.   This week, they are reading current event articles and determining which branch of government is doing it's job.  Next week, we will explore the Bill of Rights.

Important Dates:

Parent Conferences: October 27th, November 3, November 7th      Look forward to seeing you then!

Recess Fun!!!!!

Collaborating In Math!!

Writer's Workshop!!!!

Discussing Current Event Articles

Take a look at how students are working together to solve problems in Math Workshop!!!

Hello Everyone!

It has been a nice transition back from Nature’s Classroom.  Since our return, we have jumped right back into our daily routines.  We have also been diving into our first academic units!

                In math, we have been learning how to write, evaluate and interpret numerical expressions by learning about The Order of Operations (PEMDAS).  We have practiced writing and solving expressions that represent real life situations.  Additionally, we have used models to help us visualize the expression.  This week, we will continue to explore algebraic thinking in a unit about patterns, corresponding terms and coordinate grids! Students will learn how to generate patterns and represent them by using a table.  They will also learn how to recognize and explain relationships among corresponding terms.  Lastly, they will learn how to represent and interpret data on a coordinate grid.

                In Reader’s Workshop, students are still learning routines that will set the stage for the rest of the year.  We have been learning how to respond to our reading using sticky notes.  We have learned that sticky notes can help us to come prepared for partner/group conversations as well as support the longer response writing we will do about our reading. We have also been learning what it means to have good partner and group conversations.   These foundational lessons are extremely important. They will support the deep, meaningful work that students will be doing throughout the rest of the year!  In addition, we have also begun our first series of book groups!  Below is a list of the book students are reading:

·        
No Talking by Andrew Clements

·         Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper

·         Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

·         Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park

                In Writer’s Workshop, students have continued to explore the genre of Personal Narrative.  Students have been collecting ideas for stories in their writer’s notebook.  We have learned many ways to generate ideas for narrative writing.  For instance, we have learned that it is helpful to think of first times, last times and times we realized something.  We have also been learning about what makes good narrative writing.  Specifically, our lessons have been designed to help students distinguish between watermelon topics vs seed topics in order to help them focus on a small moment in time.   This week, students will choose 1 story that they will take through the writing process.  We will learn how to draft, redraft and revise to bring forth meaning to our stories.

                In Social Studies, we are beginning our first unit on The Government.  Students will learn about the 3 branches of government, their responsibilities and how they work together so that no branch is more powerful than the other.  Students will also learn about the Bill of Rights and how it was added to the Constitution in order to protect certain fundamental rights and liberties.

I look forward to seeing you all at Open House on October 3^rd.   Check out some pictures below of things we are working on in class~

Ms. Phillips 

Cup Stacking Challenge!!

Marshmallow Challenge!!

Reader's Workshop!