Happy Friday!!!
Here's a look at what we are doing in the classroom:Reading: In reading, we finished up our unit on Poetry a few weeks ago. We examined several different forms of poetry, and students wrote their own poems, including Haikus, Lantern poems, Concrete Poems, and poems inspired by famous quotations. They are putting the finishing touches on their Poetry Anthologies. Wait until you see how beautiful they are! We began our genre study of Fantasy last week and continued looking at features of fantasy this week. We shared some amazing books together: The Wretched Stone. Beekle, and After the Fall. We also choose what books we wanted to read for our book club. Students choose between The One and Only Ivan , Wishtree, and Crenshaw, all by Katherine Applegate, City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau Savvy by Ingrid Law. We talked about what a book club looks like and sounds like, and ways to prepare for a good book discussion. We also used a fishbowl activity to watch and observe classmates participate in a book club so we could talk about the experience. Writing: In writing, we began our research based argument writing unit by thinking about topics that we feel strongly about. Students choose topics to research, such as should Lynnwood switch to all paper straws? Should students get homework? Should students have to wear uniforms? Students wrote an essay discussing these topics. Next week, we will being learning specific strategies to make argument writing strong and effective. We were then posed with a question: Should chocolate milk be served in schools? We have read several articles and have been gathering information about both sides of the argument. Next week, students will take a side and begin crafting a research based argument essay to respond. Math: We finished our unit on Graphing and Data. Starting next week, we will be reviewing 5th grade topics that are most important for 6th grade, and then will being looking at some 6th grade math concepts. S.S.: In Social Studies this week, we continued to talk about the marketplace project. All businesses have been approved and all bankers have been hired officially. The marketplace will take place on:
We were lucky enough to have a guest speak this week. Jeremy from the local company MyTwill, came to discuss what it was like to have an idea and turn it into a business opportunity. He spoke about how he not only started a company with his brother, but through this company he is able to give back to people in the community who need it the most. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Have a great weekend!
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Happy Friday 5V! Some important dates to keep in mind:
*To avoid make up dates, please try to schedule doctors appointments around these days. We are usually done with testing around 10:30 am. Here's a look at what we covered this week:Reading: In reading, we began looking at difference test taking strategies. We look at reading for a test as a genre. It requires different reading skills and has different demands. We made a list of how reading for pleasure is different from reading for a test. The biggest idea that students came up with is that when we read for a test, we are reading to answer questions, vs. when we read for pleasure, we are reading for entertainment. We talked about the different times in life when we will need to take tests (in highschool, Regents, SATs, for jobs, licenses...etc). We also looked at the difference between reading tests on paper and reading them digitally. We read a passage and answered questions on paper. The next day, we read the same passage and answered the same questions on the computer. We compared and contrasted what that experience was like, and how the two differed. This year, students will be taking the NYS assessments on the computer. This will require a different set of skills. My hope is that with some practice and strategies, they can make this adjustment as comfortably as possible. I also hope the skills we are discussing in preparation for the test are skills that they will use for all test taking in their academic future, not just for this particular test.
Writing: In writing, we continued our work on our information writing pieces. We worked on adding text features such as maps, charts, diagrams, table of contents, etc. We also worked on creating cohesion in our writing so that our work is organized for our readers. Next week we will work on crafting our introductions and conclusions, and will make final edits to our pieces. I can't wait for you to see the awesome writing your children have been working on. The books are very impressive. Math: In math, we wrapped up Chapter 7, Multiplying Fractions. We will review this chapter on Monday, and will take the Chapter 7 test on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will begin Chapter 8: Dividing with Fractions. This will be our last chapter in the fractions unit, and then we will move into geometry! S.S.: In S.S., we read Grandfather's Journey as a class. It told the story of one man's grandfather and his journey as an immigrant to out country. We also continued to work on our immigration section by talking about Ellis Island, and looking at data from this time period and what life was like. Science: This week, in Science, we made water webs to look at the interaction of Earth's 4 major spheres. We made models on paper, and used our web to predict future outcomes of possible events that could impact our access to groundwater. The future events came directly from California's Water Plan section on Sources of Uncertainty. They are authentic scenarios that scientists and engineers in California and around the world are trying to understand as they plan for the future. In my opinion, our class is ready to work with the best of the engineers in our world--they had some amazing and thoughtful responses. Happy Friday 5V Families, |
Classroom NewsUse this page to keep up to date on what we are doing in the classroom. Also, don't forget to check out See Saw for student posts and stories. (We will set this up in September) Archives
February 2019
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