Week of December 21, 2015

Students following the leader during Morning Meeting

Highlights from Last Week:

​Students tested their geography knowledge in the 2nd annual Geo Bee at Pine Hill. The questions focused not only on states in the US but also extreme locations around the world. Henry was our class winner, missing only 1 question out of 7.
 
The delightful Winter Concert delighted the community on Tuesday night. The fifth grade band and chorus performed beautifully yet again. I wish I could have been there.
 
Our book group discussions are reaching a new level of literary analysis and insight. Students are now coming prepared for discussions armed with Reading Reports, which have students summarize, plan questions, and target important story developments and author’s craft decisions. Students are pushing their thinking deeper than ever.
 
In Math, we reviewed for our upcoming assessment on decimal operations. Students are still grappling with the idea of multiplying by numbers less than one. It is such a hard concept to conceptualize. Sure, I could have taught them how to get an answer and moved on. But the real challenge is understanding why that answer makes sense. I’ll find out if I did my job well after students take the assessment!
 
Our study of Colonial America and informational reading continues to engage students. I am modeling how to read and analyze an informational text so that students will be able to do this work independently. We compare and contrast the information we learn from multiple sources, including documentaries. Students really loved the riveting documentary “Nightmare in Jamestown,” which will continue watching this upcoming week.
 
 
What we didn't get to:

• I still need to teach students how to write a strong ending for their personal narratives.
• In Reading, we focused on launching the Reading Report, so we did not work on Character Traits or Reading Responses.

This Week's Plan
 
Special:

• Wednesday: 5th Grade Annual Beatnik Café Poetry Celebration at 1:30pm. Students can bring an extra personal snack for the event.
• Winter Break: Begins on Thursday. School resumes Monday, January 4th, 2016.

  

Math: 
Finish Decimals.

• Assessment on Decimals –We will test our knowledge of decimal addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
• Open Response Practice –Students will practice their ability to explain their thinking clearly and completely.

 
Writing:  
Personal Narratives.

• Ending Stories –Students will try to resolve problems, teach lessons, or make changes that tie back to the big meaning of their stories.
• Assessing our Progress –We will use checklists to assess our narrative writing skills and determine whether or not our stories are ready for publishing.

 
Reading:
Book Groups. Character Traits.

• Book Groups  –Groups continue to meet using Reading Reports to prepare for insightful discussions.
• Reading Response Journals –Students will write a response on a topic of their choice about their independent reading.
• Informational Text –As part of our exploration of early American Colonization, we will read informational texts and primary sources. See the Social Studies section for more details.

 
Social Studies:
Colonial America. We will learn about the following through videos, readings, and reenactments:

• What challenges did colonists overcome to survive in the new settlements?
• How did the European colonists and the Native Americans interact?
• What are the similarities and differences among the first settlements/colonies?
• Who were some of the famous characters in early Colonial America?

This week, students will learn to analyze the perspective of historical characters. They will learn how to use features of informational text and how to get the most out of what they read by questioning, perspective-taking, and comparing and contrasting. Students will also read some primary sources and discuss the virtues and the limitations they present.


Homework:
Please visit the Homework Page for more details.

• Homework Project: There is no new homework project this week.
• Math: There will be a page or two of math practice each night.
• Reading: 20 minutes of daily independent reading is expected. Students should log it in their Planners. 
• Reading Response Blog: Students must response to another student’s post on Blog #8 from last week. In the response to another student, students must give a meaningful compliment, ask a clarifying question, make a statement, and then either ask a curiosity question or make a connection.
• Poetry Memorization & Practice: Students must practice memorizing and reciting their chosen poem. The goal is to recite without hesitation, with appropriate pauses, and with passion.

Thanks for Reading!
So that's the plan for the week. Please feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or feedback. 
 

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