Welcome to Week 18! Is it bad that both of us are checking the weather report every 5 minutes to see if we will have a snow day on Wednesday?
Here's the week:
In math we will be concluding this chapter of geometry. Students have measured using standard and metric lengths and found the perimeter and area of objects. This week students will be finding the area of triangles, investigating circles and their circumference, and organizing ideas into lists. If the week runs exactly to plan, we should have peer instruction on Thursday and a chapter test on Friday.
In reading we will be continuing to read through our historical fiction novels. Students have gotten a good start on their novels and have done a solid job working in their novel study groups. We have decided to check for each students effort in reading their books (on time) by assigning a single comprehension question at the beginning of each day. If students are able to prove that they have read their assignment, they are allowed to work with their novel groups. If they have not read, students are asked to read and answer questions on their own.
In writing, students are continuing to work on personal narratives. At this point, students should have a couple of different narratives started. This week we will be continuing to write out different ideas for personal narratives. Students will continue working on sensory details within their work.
That's it for now. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Allyn and Alaina
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Week 17: Perimter and Area, Historical Fiction, and Personal Narratives
Welcome to Week 17! Sorry for the delay this week. Our brains are still in vacation mode.
Here is the week:
In math we will be starting a chapter on units of length, perimeter, and area. In particular: Monday we will look at cutomary units of length. Tuesday: Metric length. Wednesday: Perimeter. Thursday: Area of a square and rectangle. Friday: Area of a parallelogram. In addition, on Friday we will be taking an Easy CBM assessment to see how each student is progressing in math this year.
In reading we will be start our historical fiction genre study. This week students will be receiving their World War 2 book and will begin reading it and working through a comprehension packet. This packet will look closely at students ability to infer within their novel and will continue to ask them to question the text while they read.
Here is the rubric we will be using for this genre study:
4= In addition to 3.0, in depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught
3=The students are expected to:
•provide reasonable inferences based on text cues and own background knowledge.
•Provide evidence from text to support answers.
The student exhibits no major errors or omissions
2=There are no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes as the student:
•Gives a inference with EITHER background knowledge support or text support but not both
Student exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes
1=With help, a partial understanding of some of the ideas and processes
In writing we will be working on personal narratives. A personal narrative is a true story about ones self. Students will be focusing on sensory details.
That's it for now. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
-Allyn and Alaina
Here is the week:
In math we will be starting a chapter on units of length, perimeter, and area. In particular: Monday we will look at cutomary units of length. Tuesday: Metric length. Wednesday: Perimeter. Thursday: Area of a square and rectangle. Friday: Area of a parallelogram. In addition, on Friday we will be taking an Easy CBM assessment to see how each student is progressing in math this year.
In reading we will be start our historical fiction genre study. This week students will be receiving their World War 2 book and will begin reading it and working through a comprehension packet. This packet will look closely at students ability to infer within their novel and will continue to ask them to question the text while they read.
Here is the rubric we will be using for this genre study:
4= In addition to 3.0, in depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught
3=The students are expected to:
•provide reasonable inferences based on text cues and own background knowledge.
•Provide evidence from text to support answers.
The student exhibits no major errors or omissions
2=There are no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes as the student:
•Gives a inference with EITHER background knowledge support or text support but not both
Student exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes
1=With help, a partial understanding of some of the ideas and processes
In writing we will be working on personal narratives. A personal narrative is a true story about ones self. Students will be focusing on sensory details.
That's it for now. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
-Allyn and Alaina
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Week 16: Shapes, Inferring, and Personal Narratives
Welcome to Week 16! Only 5 school days until Winter Break!
This week is also report card week. Report cards will be handed to students on Monday at the end of school. Please sign and return the envelope so that we know you have seen your students report card. In addition, please fill out and return your classes conference week sign-up for January. Conference times will be handled on a first come first served basis, so the sooner your student returns it, the better the chance of getting your top choice.
On to the week:
In math we are doing a quick chapter on shapes. Last week we learned how to identify parallel and perpendicular lines as well as measure angles using a protractor. This week we will continue with investigations into polygons, triangles, and quadrilaterals. Students will be able to identify each of the figures and use their knowledge of these figures to determine angles and types of shapes.
In reading we will continue to work on the difficult comprehension strategy of inferring. We have been practicing and studying how we use text clues as well as back ground knowledge to make decisions on what is occurring within the books that we read. Although most of us do it naturally as we read, inferring can be a difficult strategy to practice and become comfortable with. We will continue this strategy as we get into our individual historical fiction books after the winter break.
In writing we are continuing to complete our personal narratives. Students were asked to complete a rough draft of their narrative by Monday. This week we will spend a great deal of time editing and revising our stories. This class has struggled mightily with writing conventions (spelling, punctuation, and grammar) throughout this year. We will be working very hard on this aspect of our writing this week. We hope to get a final draft by Friday.
That's it for now. Thank you for all your support this year!
Sincerely,
Allyn and Alaina
This week is also report card week. Report cards will be handed to students on Monday at the end of school. Please sign and return the envelope so that we know you have seen your students report card. In addition, please fill out and return your classes conference week sign-up for January. Conference times will be handled on a first come first served basis, so the sooner your student returns it, the better the chance of getting your top choice.
On to the week:
In math we are doing a quick chapter on shapes. Last week we learned how to identify parallel and perpendicular lines as well as measure angles using a protractor. This week we will continue with investigations into polygons, triangles, and quadrilaterals. Students will be able to identify each of the figures and use their knowledge of these figures to determine angles and types of shapes.
In reading we will continue to work on the difficult comprehension strategy of inferring. We have been practicing and studying how we use text clues as well as back ground knowledge to make decisions on what is occurring within the books that we read. Although most of us do it naturally as we read, inferring can be a difficult strategy to practice and become comfortable with. We will continue this strategy as we get into our individual historical fiction books after the winter break.
In writing we are continuing to complete our personal narratives. Students were asked to complete a rough draft of their narrative by Monday. This week we will spend a great deal of time editing and revising our stories. This class has struggled mightily with writing conventions (spelling, punctuation, and grammar) throughout this year. We will be working very hard on this aspect of our writing this week. We hope to get a final draft by Friday.
That's it for now. Thank you for all your support this year!
Sincerely,
Allyn and Alaina
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Week 15: 2-digit Division Test, Intro to Historical Fiction, and Personal Narratives
Welcome to Week 15!
In math this week we will be completing our Chapter 5 assessment. Students will be doing some peer instruction and practice work to prepare for our test on Wednesday. Late in the week we will start our last section of math before Winter Break which is a quick section on shapes. It should be a fun way to end a very full first trimester of math.
In reading students will be starting our second genre study with a look at Historical Fiction. Once again, students will be setup in reading ability groups surrounding a historical fiction text on World War 2. Prior to receiving their books, students will be given some insights into the second world war and the people that were involved. In addition, the class will be studying the important comprehension strategy of inferring.
In writing students will continue to work on personal narratives. Now that our students have received ample time to play with a few different ideas for their narratives, they will be asked to choose one idea to write their narrative with. This week and next students will work through the writing process from brainstorming to writing a final draft.
Just a FYI....Ms. Therriault will be out this week. We miss her, but the classroom has continued to run smoothly thanks to our fabulous students and great guest teacher (Mr. K).
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
-Allyn and Alaina
In math this week we will be completing our Chapter 5 assessment. Students will be doing some peer instruction and practice work to prepare for our test on Wednesday. Late in the week we will start our last section of math before Winter Break which is a quick section on shapes. It should be a fun way to end a very full first trimester of math.
In reading students will be starting our second genre study with a look at Historical Fiction. Once again, students will be setup in reading ability groups surrounding a historical fiction text on World War 2. Prior to receiving their books, students will be given some insights into the second world war and the people that were involved. In addition, the class will be studying the important comprehension strategy of inferring.
In writing students will continue to work on personal narratives. Now that our students have received ample time to play with a few different ideas for their narratives, they will be asked to choose one idea to write their narrative with. This week and next students will work through the writing process from brainstorming to writing a final draft.
Just a FYI....Ms. Therriault will be out this week. We miss her, but the classroom has continued to run smoothly thanks to our fabulous students and great guest teacher (Mr. K).
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
-Allyn and Alaina
Monday, November 29, 2010
Week 14: Two Digit Division, Finishing Realistic Fiction, and Writing
Welcome to Week 14! We hope everyone had a restful week away from school. Back to the grind....
In math this week we will continue to look at division by two-digit divisors. In particular, students will be dividing with 1-digit quotients (answers), dividing with 2-digit quotients (answers), estimating and dividing greater numbers, and finding missing information within a problem. The kids have done a great job with math these past few weeks. We have really pushed through some tough topics and the kids have taken it all in stride. They are showing great persistence!
In reading we will be completing our study in realistic fiction. Students will be finishing their realistic fiction novels (if they haven't already) and completing their comprehension packets early this week. In addition, we will practice some of the concepts that we have been working on throughout this section. These include summarizing, thick and thin questioning, and understanding why a story is a realistic fiction or not.
In writing, students will be beginning another section of our writing curriculum. This time around students will be creating a personal narrative.
One last note, due to a family situation, Ms. Therriault will not be at school this week. She will be leaving detailed plans for our fantastic subs and Mr. Woods will be doing his very best to keep everything running as smoothly as it does with Ms. Therriault in the classroom. Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
Allyn and Alaina
In math this week we will continue to look at division by two-digit divisors. In particular, students will be dividing with 1-digit quotients (answers), dividing with 2-digit quotients (answers), estimating and dividing greater numbers, and finding missing information within a problem. The kids have done a great job with math these past few weeks. We have really pushed through some tough topics and the kids have taken it all in stride. They are showing great persistence!
In reading we will be completing our study in realistic fiction. Students will be finishing their realistic fiction novels (if they haven't already) and completing their comprehension packets early this week. In addition, we will practice some of the concepts that we have been working on throughout this section. These include summarizing, thick and thin questioning, and understanding why a story is a realistic fiction or not.
In writing, students will be beginning another section of our writing curriculum. This time around students will be creating a personal narrative.
One last note, due to a family situation, Ms. Therriault will not be at school this week. She will be leaving detailed plans for our fantastic subs and Mr. Woods will be doing his very best to keep everything running as smoothly as it does with Ms. Therriault in the classroom. Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
Allyn and Alaina
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Week 13: 2-digit division, realistic fiction, and turkey day
Welcome to Week 13! It's Thanksgiving week and one of my favorite holidays. Please remember that Wednesday is a half day.
In math this week students will be working through two sections. The first will look at dividing by multiples of 10. The second sections will be dividing with two digit divisors and getting one digit quotients. Each of these sections will require a good amount of practice and use of math facts. Please take a look at your students math this week to see how they are doing.
Speaking of math facts....the kids (and parents practicing with their kids) have done an extraordinary job getting their math facts down. At the beginning of the year we were very nervous about how low our students were testing in math facts. So nervous, in fact, that we created a number of incentives to motivate the kids to continue working on their facts. As a result of their great efforts, the classes averages have risen to great levels. They went from 22 to 26 in addition, 16 to 23 in subtraction, 13 to 21 in multiplication, and 10 to 18 division problems correct in one minute. As you probably remember, 25 correct in a minute is the end of the year 5th grade standard. Amazing! As a result, we have scheduled some rewards for the kids. These are: a free recess either this Tuesday or next Tuesday. A movie this Wednesday. And a Spirit Day (PJ day) and our half day of reading is on Dec. 1st. Nice work kids and parents!
In reading this week, most groups will finish their novels if they haven't already. When the groups are finished, they will be completing a project to go along with their book. These projects will be due the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The only group who will not be doing a project is Walk Two Moons. That group will be finishing their book and their packet over the Thanksgiving weekend. Their packet will be due Dec. 1st.
In social studies we have completed our brief study of explorers. We are going to be moving into our investigation of the settlement of America. Our essential questions are: Why do people move? Why did people move to America?
In the coming weeks in writing, we will be starting to write personal narratives. Look for more information to be coming home regarding writing after the Thanksgiving Break.
That's it for now. We hope everyone is able to have a fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday!
-Allyn and Alaina
In math this week students will be working through two sections. The first will look at dividing by multiples of 10. The second sections will be dividing with two digit divisors and getting one digit quotients. Each of these sections will require a good amount of practice and use of math facts. Please take a look at your students math this week to see how they are doing.
Speaking of math facts....the kids (and parents practicing with their kids) have done an extraordinary job getting their math facts down. At the beginning of the year we were very nervous about how low our students were testing in math facts. So nervous, in fact, that we created a number of incentives to motivate the kids to continue working on their facts. As a result of their great efforts, the classes averages have risen to great levels. They went from 22 to 26 in addition, 16 to 23 in subtraction, 13 to 21 in multiplication, and 10 to 18 division problems correct in one minute. As you probably remember, 25 correct in a minute is the end of the year 5th grade standard. Amazing! As a result, we have scheduled some rewards for the kids. These are: a free recess either this Tuesday or next Tuesday. A movie this Wednesday. And a Spirit Day (PJ day) and our half day of reading is on Dec. 1st. Nice work kids and parents!
In reading this week, most groups will finish their novels if they haven't already. When the groups are finished, they will be completing a project to go along with their book. These projects will be due the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The only group who will not be doing a project is Walk Two Moons. That group will be finishing their book and their packet over the Thanksgiving weekend. Their packet will be due Dec. 1st.
In social studies we have completed our brief study of explorers. We are going to be moving into our investigation of the settlement of America. Our essential questions are: Why do people move? Why did people move to America?
In the coming weeks in writing, we will be starting to write personal narratives. Look for more information to be coming home regarding writing after the Thanksgiving Break.
That's it for now. We hope everyone is able to have a fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday!
-Allyn and Alaina
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Week 12: One-Digit Division Test, Realistic Fiction Continued, and Erosion Test
Welcome to week 12! One week away from one of our favorite holidays- Thanksgiving!!
This week we will be completing two of the units that we have been enjoying over the last couple of weeks. The kids have worked tirelessly on their long division as well as their erosion unit in science. We are very excited to see what each of the kids has taken away from these units.
In math, we will be reviewing our one-digit division unit on Monday with some peer tutoring. Students who need a review of a section or two will get the chance to practice some problems as well as receive help from a classmate who has mastered the material. On Tuesday we will test to see what our kids can do. The rest of the week we will spend getting into our 5th chapter of the year. This one is very closely related to the present chapter as it is looking at two digit division. We are very impressed with the overall progress of our kids in all areas. Our math facts are definitely starting to turn around. The kids should be proud and excited about their new abilities!
In reading we are going to continue working in our realistic fiction novel study. To help your student, encourage them to add more detail to their answers. They need to use specific examples from the story to support their answer or opinion. Many students are forgetting to support their answer with evidence. Your students have turned in their reading packets three times now. It would be a good idea to ask to see their packet and review our comments with him or her to help them understand how they can improve their work. This will also give you an idea of how they are doing.
Lastly, in science we will be reviewing many of the concepts that we have hit during our first science unit. These include systems, weathering, erosion, deposition as well as the use of questions, hypotheses, and procedures during an investigation. At the end of the week we will test the kids using short answer, multiple choice, and essay format to see what the kids have learned. We are modeling the method that the science MSP uses so that students will be comfortable with the test when they get the MSP in the Spring.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Allyn and Alaina
This week we will be completing two of the units that we have been enjoying over the last couple of weeks. The kids have worked tirelessly on their long division as well as their erosion unit in science. We are very excited to see what each of the kids has taken away from these units.
In math, we will be reviewing our one-digit division unit on Monday with some peer tutoring. Students who need a review of a section or two will get the chance to practice some problems as well as receive help from a classmate who has mastered the material. On Tuesday we will test to see what our kids can do. The rest of the week we will spend getting into our 5th chapter of the year. This one is very closely related to the present chapter as it is looking at two digit division. We are very impressed with the overall progress of our kids in all areas. Our math facts are definitely starting to turn around. The kids should be proud and excited about their new abilities!
In reading we are going to continue working in our realistic fiction novel study. To help your student, encourage them to add more detail to their answers. They need to use specific examples from the story to support their answer or opinion. Many students are forgetting to support their answer with evidence. Your students have turned in their reading packets three times now. It would be a good idea to ask to see their packet and review our comments with him or her to help them understand how they can improve their work. This will also give you an idea of how they are doing.
Lastly, in science we will be reviewing many of the concepts that we have hit during our first science unit. These include systems, weathering, erosion, deposition as well as the use of questions, hypotheses, and procedures during an investigation. At the end of the week we will test the kids using short answer, multiple choice, and essay format to see what the kids have learned. We are modeling the method that the science MSP uses so that students will be comfortable with the test when they get the MSP in the Spring.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Allyn and Alaina
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