5P at SES

Hi Everyone,

I apologize that it has been awhile since I have updated.  We have been working very hard in 5th grade!

In math, some groups are learning how to solve the volume of a rectangular prism. ( L x W x H)  Other groups are continuing to explore operations with fractions in order to solve real world problems.  Students have learned how to multiply and divide fractions using many strategies including models and algorithms.

In reading, we have begun my favorite unit.....FANTASY!!! This is such a hit with students as fantasy is so popular with this age group.  For read aloud, I have chosen a wonderful, less known fantasy book titled The Thief of Always.  We will use this book as a springboard for many of the mini lessons during our reader's workshop.  The students are also reading fantasy books in their guided reading groups.  Some of the books include:

The Land of Stories

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrob

The City of Ember

In writing, we have begun our informational unit.  During March, the students studied the topic of Westward Expansion during Social Studies.  They have since chosen a topic that peeked their interest to research further.   They will do extensive research on their topic and then write an information booklet.  In class, our lessons will center on good research skills such as note-taking, as well as informational writing skills, such as organizing thoughts into sections and crafting strong introductions.

In science, we have begun a new Mystery Science Unit titled: Chemical Magic.  In this unit, students explore the concepts of substances and chemical reactions.   They will have hands on experiences transforming materials.  This week, we learned that by putting copper pennies in a vinegar/salt solution the pennies went from being dull to shiny!  We then put a steel nail in the penny/vinegar/salt solution and watched ( to our amazement) how the steel nail began to appear copper!!