Highlights from Last Week:

Students had been working during the week on creating short presentations to teach about an aspect of Colonial American life. They studied colonial homes, healthcare, jobs, travel, entertainment, and more, and compiled their knowledge into entertaining little skits and slideshows. 

Students also shared their Creature Feature projects. Creativity abounded with a variety of creatures roaming the imaginations of students. We saw a wide range of imaginary creatures, all with unique adaptations that help them survive in their sometimes imaginary environments.


What We Didn't Get To:

• In Math, fraction division. The area model for multiplication was trickier than anticipated.
• In Reading, rewriting a story from another character's point of view.

This Week's Plan


Upcoming Special Events: ​​​​

• Talent Show Set Design Work --Tuesday, March 28th from 3-4pm;  Thursday, March 30th from 3-5pm;  and Tuesday, April 4th from 3-5pm.
• Conference Make-Ups --Wednesday, March 29th (also an early release day now)
• District Choral Concert --Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30pm in the Mudge Auditorium. "Dress to Impress."
• Council on the Aging Choral Performance --Thursday, March 30th at 1:45pm.
• Grade 5 ELA MCAS --Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, April 5th-7th.

Special Activities:

• Citizenship Project -Students will select an organization and cause to support. We will discuss ways to support the cause/organization and take steps to action.

Math:
Begin Fraction Division.​

• Fractions divided by whole numbers -Fifth graders learn fraction division by modeling. We'll cut fractions into smaller parts and relate it to multiplication.
• Whole numbers divided by fractions -We'll fill wholes with fractions to see how many fit in.
• Review for a Fraction Multiplication and Division Assessment. Study Guide here.
• Assessment --Students test their understanding of fraction multiplication and division.

Reading:
Book Groups and Informational Reading.

• Book Groups & Literary Analysis --We continue our discussions and students work on writing summaries, asking questions, and identifying important information.
• Rewriting a story from another character's point of view -Students will learn craft techniques that help their writing have a distinctive point of view.

Writing:
Informational Writing.​

• Helping Readers Imagine --Students will practice bringing their readers into their text using short narrative elements.
• Using Quotes from Experts --We'll learn how to incorporate the words of scientists, historians, and other experts into our writing.
• Conclusions --We'll learn how to write summarizing conclusions that help readers think back on all that was covered.

Social Studies:
Finish Colonial America.

• Colonial Life Project --Students finish their profiles and journal entries. 
• Colonial America Quiz --Students take a short quiz about Colonial America to see what they learned from their research and presentations.

Science:
Begin Plants, Animals, and Ecosystems.

• Food Webs –We will learn how organisms are related to one another by what they eat in their ecosystems. We’ll learn about producers, primary and secondary consumers, decomposers, and more.

Homework:
Please check the Homework page for more details.

1. There is a new homework project called, "Invention Convention." It is due Tuesday, April 11th. 
2. The Reading Response Blog is glitching, so we're moving to Google Classroom for the next blog. Students will summarize a part of their independent reading.
3. Read 25 minutes at home per day and log the title, author, and time in the planner.
4. There will be a math page for homework each night.

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

Highlights from Last Week:

Students had a blast at our field trip to the Ecotarium on Friday. They learned about the causes of weather and the relationship between the sun, angles, and seasons. They also got to explore the museum, enjoying most of all the hurricane simulator capsule.

In Social Studies, we launched our Colonial America project. Students created colonial personas and began writing journal entries from the point of view of their characters. Students will also be creating presentations to teach the class about an aspect of life in Colonial America, such as "How to Stay Safe and Healthy" and "Where to Find Sports and Recreation."


What We Didn't Get To:

• One group of students still needs to learn how to multiply mixed numbers times mixed numbers in math.

This Week's Plan


Upcoming Special Events: ​​​​

• Enrichment at All School Meeting -this Friday.

Special Activities:

• Creature Feature Project -Students will share their work with the class.
• Citizenship Project -Choose a cause and research organizations. 

Math:
Finish Fraction Multiplication. Begin Division.

• Mixed numbers times mixed numbers –The ultimate challenge in fraction operations!
• Modeling mixed number multiplication with an area model -This is also challenging. Students use grid paper and unit fractions.
• Fractions divided by whole numbers -Fifth graders learn fraction division by modeling. We'll cut fractions into smaller parts and relate it to multiplication.
• Whole numbers divided by fractions -We'll fill wholes with fractions to see how many fit in.

Reading:
Book Groups and Informational Reading.

• Book Groups & Literary Analysis --We continue our discussions and students work on writing summaries, asking questions, and identifying important information.
• Point of View --We'll learn how the point of view of a narrator or writer can influence the way a story is told or the way events are recounted.
• Rewriting a story from another character's point of view -Students will learn craft techniques that help their writing have a distinctive point of view.

Writing:
Informational Writing.​

• Writing a clever introduction --How to introduce a topic clearly and hook readers.
• Comparisons --How to use comparisons to things that readers are familiar with to teach about an informational topic.
• Anecdotes --How to use short, amusing stories to elaborate about a topic.

Social Studies:
Colonial America.

• Colonial Life Project --Students create a colonial persona and write journal entries featuring realistic historical details. They also will collaboration with a partner to create a short presentation about an aspect of colonial life.

Science:
We switched to Social Studies.

Homework:
Please check the Homework page for more details.

1. Students turn in their Creature Feature project on Monday.
2. Charitable Organization Research: Students will need to complete their research on two organizations by Friday (see attached form). We will learn how to search for information in class.
3. Students will write back to their partner on Blog #8 by Friday.
4. Read 25 minutes at home per day and log the title, author, and time in the planner.
5. There will be a math page for homework each night.

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

Highlights from Last Week:

Meteorologist Matt Noyes from NBC Boston visited fifth graders on Tuesday to talk about weather. Students got to see the Weather Warrior weather tracking vehicle. Check out the video at the bottom of this page.
​
This week we got some good practice in for reading open responses. Students learned how to structure a written response about a prompt by mirroring the prompt, stating a literary action, provings support, and unpacking the meaning. The level of students' responses just went to 11.

Students learned how to model fractions times fractions in math. The algorithm is easy, but understanding why it works through modeling is where the real brilliance occurs. 

In writing, students explored how to use text structures to enhance their informational writing projects. Students brainstormed ways to incorporate three different text structures into their work: topic/detail, sequence, compare/contrast, cause/effect, and problem/solution. Students are getting pretty creative in how they present information.


What We Didn't Get To:

• One group of students still needs to look at the standard algorithm for fraction multiplication.
• In Social Studies, we started learning about the northern, middle, and southern colonies. We also didn't get to look at life as a slave.

This Week's Plan


Upcoming Special Events: ​​​​

• CSA Book Fair -Monday thru Wednesday, March 13th, 14th, & 15th.
• Early Release -Wednesday, March 15th. Parent Teacher Conferences.  Sign up Here
• Field Trip to the Ecotarium --Friday, March 17th. We'll learn about weather, the seasons, the sun, and much more.

Special Activities:

• Field Trip Friday! 

Math:
Fraction Multiplication.​

• Standard Algorithm for Fraction Multiplication –Once students understand the concept of fraction multiplication, we will practice the standard algorithm and simplifying fractions.
• Whole numbers times mixed numbers –Mildly challenging.
• Mixed numbers times fractions –Challenging.
• Mixed numbers times mixed numbers –The ultimate challenge in fraction operations!

Reading:
Book Groups and Informational Reading.

• Book Groups & Literary Analysis --We continue our discussions and students work on writing summaries, asking questions, and identifying important information.
• Informational Text Structures --We look at various ways of structuring informational texts, such as topic/detail, compare/contrast, sequence, and cause/effect.

Writing:
Informational Writing.​

• Developing Vocabulary --Students will learn how to use precise language and expert vocabulary to explain their topics.
• Linking & Thinking Words --Students will learn how to incorporate linking and thinking words and phrases to connect ideas, paragraphs, and topics.

Social Studies:
Colonial America.

• Short Research on Colonial Culture –Students will choose a topic they were interested in from the book, “Your Travel Guide to Colonial America,” and research it further. They will work in partnerships to create a short presentation to teach the class about their learning.
• Journal Writing –We will take what we learned from our Colonial America reading and write from the perspective of an American Colonist.

Science:
We switched to Social Studies.

Homework:
Please check the Homework page for more details.

1. Students continue working on their Homework Project, "Creature Feature." Due date is Monday, March 20th.
2. Students will get a partner this week and will need to write to their partner on Reading Response Blog #8.
3. Read 25 minutes at home per day and log the title, author, and time in the planner.
4. There will be a math page for homework each night.

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

Highlights from Last Week:

Students immersed themselves in research on their informational text topic. They learned how to focus their subject using separate topics, how to take organized notes, and how to find and evaluate resources on the internet.

We wrapped up Fraction basics, addition, and subtraction with an assessment this week. Most students did very well. For those that need a little more support, I will offer a recess period on Thursday to review concepts.

In Social Studies, students read "You Wouldn't Want to be an American Colonist," a playful account of the challenges faced by Jamestown colonists. Then they watched "Nightmare in Jamestown," a dark, thrilling video about the same topic. Students learned how to compare and contrast the book and the movie using linking words and examples.


What We Didn't Get To:

• We didn't get to the table of content in writing, but students needed a little more work on choosing topics about their subject.
• Instead of looking at "point of view" in social studies, we learned how to compare and contrast.

This Week's Plan


Upcoming Special Events: ​​​

• Special Guest: Matt Noyes --Tuesday, March 7. Mr. Noyes is the chief meteorologist for NECN and has been a Pine Hill favorite for many years. He will be presenting to 5th graders about predicting weather.
• Talent Show Auditions --Tuesday, March 7
• Early Release --Wednesday, March 8th. Parent Teacher Conferences. Sign up Here.
• CSA Book Fair -Monday thru Wednesday, March 13th, 14th, & 15th.
• Early Release -Wednesday, March 15th. Parent Teacher Conferences.  Sign up Here
• Field Trip to the Ecotarium --Friday, March 17th. We'll learn about weather, the seasons, the sun, and much more.

Special Activities:

• None that I can think of.

Math:
Fraction Multiplication.

• Fractions of Whole Numbers –We will relate multiplication to the word “of” and find fractions of whole numbers using number lines and array models.
• Fractions Times Whole Numbers –We will use repeated addition and fraction models to multiply fractions times wholes.
• Fractions times Fractions –Students will explore models of fractions of fractions and relate it to multiplication.
• Standard Algorithm for Fraction Multiplication –Once students understand the concept of fraction multiplication, we will practice the standard algorithm and simplifying fractions.

Reading:
Book Groups and Informational Reading.

• Book Groups & Literary Analysis --We continue our discussions and students work on writing summaries, asking questions, and identifying important information.
• Informational Text Structures --We look at various ways of structuring informational texts, such as topic/detail, compare/contrast, sequence, and cause/effect.

Writing:
Informational Writing.​

• Table of Contents --Students will learn how to create an outline of their informational text using a table of contents. 
• Informational Text Structures --Students will take what they learn in reading and determine how they will structure the various sections of their informational text.
• Voice --We'll learn how to add voice to our writing through kid-friendly language, reactions, questions, and comparisons.

Social Studies:
Colonial America.

• Native Americans and Colonist --How did the Native Americans and the colonists interact?
• Northern, Middle, Southern Colonies --How did colonies develop differently?
• Slavery --Why did the colonies have slavery and what was the life of a slave like?

Science:
We switched to Social Studies.

Homework:
Please check the Homework page for more details.

1. There is a new Homework Project called "Creature Feature." Due date is Monday, March 20th.
2. There is a new Reading Response Blog #8 about inferring.
3. Read 25 minutes at home per day and log the title, author, and time in the planner.
4. There will be a math page for homework each night.

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