Week 12

Wow, what a busy week we have had in 5D!

Here's a little bit of what we did...

• In math we began division of whole numbers after working with divisibility rules.  
• In reading and writing, the students looked through many non-fiction books to notice the set up, display and information included.  We then learned how to take notes noticing the topic, sub topic and details as well as boxes and bullets These skills they are learning we be useful from now through college!
• We are reading aloud Pax as well as a new non-fiction book called When Lunch Fights Back.  Be sure to ask about them!
• We started a science unit with 5L and 5W all about space.  This unit involves Earth and it's place in the universe, why we have day and night as well as gravitational forces. The students learned hands on each day. Ask them about making a model of the Earth, moon and sun as well as their sundial. 
• Words Their Way: Students are bringing home their assessment when it's completed.  Based on the last one, I switched up some groups.  Students should be sorting words at home when a sheet is given for homework.

I'm looking forward to Innovation Day on Monday!  Make sure your child has all the things he/she may need for Monday.  I'll be taking a lot of pictures to post on the blog next week!

Non-Fiction Noticings

Hands On Activity:  Why does the sun rise and set?

Some of their initial ideas for Innovation Day!

Homemade sun dial

Refined topics and questions for Innovation Day

Have a fantastic weekend and enjoy the Spaghetti Bingo night if you are going! 

Shannon 

Gems Needed

Happy Sunday!  If you happen to have any gems like these (in any color) that you could donate, we will need them for a holiday project next week.  Thanks in advance!

Also, last call for any glass jar (if you have not already brought one in).  

Enjoy your day!

Shannon

Week 11!

Students from 5D, 5L and 5W worked hard all week at creating projects to demonstrate their understanding of our first social studies unit.  Check out some of their projects:


Jack, Gavin and Aiden



Austin, Dylan & Brigham


Jack S, Annabeth, Chloe & Harry

Brielle, Logan, Allison & Noah
 

Derek, Will, Clare and Camryn



Clare H, Mary Clare, Josh and Luke

Week Ten is in the Books!

Hello everyone,

Thank you ALL for taking time to come in and talk about your child(ren).  I feel so fortunate for a strong home-school connection and cannot wait to see all the growth this year!

Here are some happenings from our week!

• In math, we learned about picturing decimal multiplication, estimating, and then the actual algorithm.  We started prodigy math online which has been a huge hit with the kids!
• In reading, book clubs began comparing their second book with their first.  Mrs. Loh and I modeled this with our two read alouds from the year, The Honest Truth and Pax.
• In writing, the students drafted their second narrative with a strong lead, transitions, emotion and conclusion.
• In social studies, the students learned about an Astroblade and then put themselves in an explorer's shoes. In groups, students compared the three worlds.
• Words Their Way is going smoothly.  New lists went home Monday/Tuesday. Students should be doing 3 activities at home and during morning work each week.  They take their assessment right online every other Friday.
• On Wednesday, we walked in perfect weather through the trails of SHP with our buddies.  As buddies, we sketched, labeled and wrote science observations!

Book Fair Information:  Please see the attachment

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=strathammemorialschool1

Before I forget!  If your child hasn't brought in a mason jar yet, please have them bring it it soon.  We are doing a project the week of Thanksgiving.  We could also use gem stones if you have them to donate.  They normally come in a bag.  Thanks in advance!

Important dates to remember

• Tuesday, 11/8 No school: Teacher Workshop
• Friday, 11/11 No School: Veterans Day
• Wednesday through Friday 11/23-11/25 Thanksgiving Break

Buddies at work

Some science sketching and notes

Our hike on Tote Road

Week 9!

Happy Birthday, Derek! 

We welcomed Dyson to our class this week!  All of us in 5D are very excited to have him as a part of our amazing community!  

Team Building with 5L... Tarp Flip

Math Games: multiplication War, Salute and Factor Football

Book Club Reading

Happy Friday friends and families of 5D!

Can you believe we have completed NINE weeks of school?  Time flies!  Thank you for the donations for an informal Halloween party!  We celebrated late in the day with the delicious treats and a Kahoot!

Here's a little glimpse into our week...

• In math we started unit 3 which is all about multiplying, dividing and problem solving with whole numbers and decimals.  The students also had a game day on Monday (which we often do after a unit assessment) and a pre-assessment on Tuesday.
• New book clubs have formed in reading.  I have been impressed with all students as readers and book club has really pushed their motivation and love for reading.  Two book clubs decided to stay together and read the next book in their series.  I've also seen students share and encourage others to try their book for the next club!  Some books for this club are Auggie and Me, Max the Mighty, Hatchet, Freak the Mighty, and Wonder.  
• We've done a lot of writing focus lessons this week with 5L.  Our goals this week are for all students to raise the level of their narrative.  We first looked at mentor narratives to get ideas of what writers do to convey their story.  Then, Mrs. Loh and I modeled a writing partnership with a conversation about coming up with powerful ideas for personal stories.  We asked two extremely important questions... "So what?" and "What is your story really about?"  When students can answer those questions, they know they have a powerful idea for their narrative.
• We are through the three worlds in social studies and now beginning our next phase about reasons for exploration and the impact on each world.  This unit will culminate with a project where students will showcase what they have learned.
• Words Their Way and Spelling City are in full swing.  The students learned how to log on and find their spelling lists.  There are a ton of games, practice and resources on the website.  On Friday, I had the kids take their first spelling assessment right online.  I'm going to have the students write down their color and sort number right in their agenda.

Important dates!

11/2 Early Release: dismissed at 12:50

11/8 No school: Teacher Workshop 

11/11 No School: Veterans Day

Questions to Promote School Talk

1. What is your narrative really about?
2. Tell me about your Flocabulary song.
3. How's multiplication going?
4. Tell me about the new book your reading for book club.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Shannon

Reading Buddies

Last week our reading buddies worked on creating their science journals for our science walks to SHP.  Weather permitting, we plan on going this Friday after lunch!

Week 8

Happy Friday to all of you!

With the end of our 8th week, here are a few happenings from our week...

• We completed unit two in math with an assessment today.  The students are working hard on word problems and explaining their thinking.  We start unit three on Monday (Multiplying and Dividing Decimals).  
• Book clubs are going well and their first club finished on Friday as well.  New clubs will form early next week.  The students worked on thinking and writing deeply about theories and themes in their books.
• Our first narrative is also complete!  We will start raising the level of our writing with another narrative.  Students will ask themselves one essential question about their story.  What is this story really about?
• Students have visited all three worlds and are almost onto the next phase of our Three Worlds Meet unit.

MYSTERY SKYPE! Please see the pictures above!

• Ask your child(ren) all about our first Mystery Skype and their job!  We had reporters, a supervisor, spokespeople, NH experts, runners, notetakers, think tank and lead thinker.
• Here's a blog our reporters wrote about the Mystery Skype!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jxOJGOi7tzNKFX55PBO9mIhRig_4DAR8ozZiKC2uij4/edit?usp=sharing

Remember we have a half day next Wednesday for conferences.  Below is the link you can use to check your conference time.  Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lCKOzW7PiL568U4NvbkTUAQr1Pdu_USk0Uznzdr9r2U/edit

Enjoy your weekend!

Shannon