Friday, December 18, 2015

HeartPresentations









Week of December 14-18



Wow, we had a fast week here in 5D.  The students have done a lot of diligent work this week.


  • In math, we completed unit 3 with an assessment.  We are onto unit 4 after vacation.  Unit 4 is all about decimals.
  • We've continued our non-fiction reading and research writing unit by looking closely at leads and how non-fiction writing sounds.  We worked on making a stronger lead as well as sounding professional using transitional words.  The research reports are coming along great!
  • The students presented their heart projects to a group of 5 doctors as well as Mr. Fosher, Mr. Goldsmith and Mrs. Wentworth.  Amazing presentations!
  • In social studies, the students began writing a script for an informercial for persuading people to want to come to their colony.

Some important information for next week!

1.  We will have our holiday party with goodies and hot cocoa next Wednesday, December 23rd from 11:30-12:30.  Feel free to send in any of the food/drinks on Monday or Tuesday.

2.  The students earned a PAJAMA day on the 23rd for all their excellent work earning DoJo Points!

3.  For the 23rd, each student can bring in a book all wrapped for our Yankee Swap.  If you have any issues finding a book, let me know.  I have plenty to wrap!

4. Nurse Lilly will be talking with all the students on Monday. Tuesday will be two separate talks for the boys and girls. A flyer went home a few weeks ago with details. 

I'll be forwarding along pictures from our Heart Presentations soon!

Enjoy this weekend!  Only three more school days until holiday break!  Wow, time flies...

Shannon

Friday, December 11, 2015

Week of December 7-11

WOW!  We did SO many exciting things this week!  I can't keep up!  Here's some of the excitement...


  • We learned how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.  We used fraction circles to help us understand the need for the same denominator.  The students did an amazing job with this!
  • We learned how to take our own notes (versus copying from the book).  We read, stop and think, then jot notes in our own words.
  • We flash drafted our research project.  The students have chosen topics such as stonefish, breast cancer, drones, Apollo missions, Washington DC (and many more!)
  • Mrs. Kelley brought in two cow hearts to dissect.  Wow!  It was incredible to be able to touch the heart and see all the insides.
  • Students began planning how they will make a model of the heart and have it actually work.  On Friday, each group began building it.
  • We Mystery Skyped on Thursday with a classroom from Michigan.  5D did an amazing job.  After, we sat down and the students reflected together on how it went.  I saw a definite difference (and growth) as each student spoke honestly.  As a group, they ran this reflection time with me by the side.  It's powerful to see students take the lead on their learning.
  • We had another "Social Hour" chat with the students. Ms. Hodgdon and I talked with the girls while Mr. Goldsmith talked with the boys. Topics touched upon involved popularity as well as whispering and secrets. 
As you can see, we had a BUSY week!

Remember, our classroom celebration will be on Wednesday, December 23rd from about 11:45-12:30.  Parents are welcome to come join the fun.  Perhaps we can KAHOOT as a class.  I'd also love to do a book swap as a class.  Please choose one book that was read and wrap it to give to someone else.  We'll put all the books in the middle and draw numbers.  If you have any issue getting a book, let me know.  


Pictures from our week

Nathaniel, Rachel and Owen teach a lesson on adding with different denominators.

Mrs. Kelly with the cow heart






















Mystery Skype- The Spokespeople!
The Greeter!
NH Experts!
Note Takers!
Think Tank and Runners!
Think Tank and Lead Thinker!

Friday, December 4, 2015

More Pictures

Math Game Centers: Tic Tac Frac
ZAP IT!
Fraction Top It
Researchers Reading, Thinking and Jotting Notes!





Week of December 1st

Hello Families of 5D!

Here's a glimpse into our week...


  • We started a new unit in Reader's Workshop all about non-fiction reading and raising levels of complexity.  Our new writing unit is all about writing Research Reports.  These two units blend together beautifully.  The students all explored non-fiction books and brainstormed the characteristics of them.  
  • We started learning how to read non-fiction differently from fiction.  Along with this, the students practiced writing three column notes in partners, then solo.  The notes included the "Topic, Subtopic and Details".
  • The students brainstormed high interest, motivating topics that they would like to research.  To start this writing piece, each student took notes over two days to prepare to flash draft on Monday. 
  • We continued with unit 3 in math.  We've worked on fractions on a number line, comparing fractions, simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions as well as fraction number sense.
  • In social studies, the students worked in pairs as Crime Scene Investigators to figure out what really happened to Roanoke, the Lost Colony.
  • In science, the students have been doing experiments as well as working toward the stem project.
  • Words Their Way was introduced this week.  We have four different groups.  The students worked together to sort the words and then understand the meaning of each group.  Teams then got a chance to play a game to practice their words.

Questions to promote school talk...
  1. What are some topics you'd like to research?
  2. What has the book Mrs D has been reading, When Lunch Fights Back, been like?
  3. How do you find equivalent fractions? How do you simplify?
  4. What do you think really happened to Roanoke, the Lost Colony?
  5. What books did you find interesting at the book fair?
  6. Tell me what happened at the end of Fish in a Tree.
  7. Tell me about Words Their Way and the games your group played.

Have a wonderful, fun filled weekend!  Until Monday....

Shannon


Introduction to Non-Fiction  Reading in Pairs





Words Their Way- Battleship Game
WTW- Sparkle!
WTW-Sparkle!
Doing a "Blind Sort"

WTW- Playing "Invisible Man"
Sorting together to understand