Student Reflection 12/20/13

In math this week we learned that a larger sample gives us a better estimate of the data.

After a week of clues, our Secret Santas were revealed today!

News From 5-4 12/20/13

News From 5-4 12/20/13

News From 5-4
December 20, 2013

We've been so busy these past three weeks! The fifth graders have been hard workers and have been focused on their second trimester goals. Today we had a chance to work on a fun holiday math challenge, identify signposts and figurative language in How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and reveal our Secret Santas.  As always, I was impressed by the kindness 5-4 expressed toward one another throughout these special activities. They have so much fun together! I sure am one lucky teacher. :)

Dates to remember:

1/6   Return from Winter Vacation

1/14  PTA Meeting

1/16  School Board Meeting

1/20 No School MLK Jr. Day

1/21 No School Institute Day

Here's what has been happening the past few weeks:

Literacy:
We have been practicing close reading strategies in the informational text, Freedom Walkers. This book had given the fifth graders insight into the what led up to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and about the civil rights leaders who led the fight for equality. We've been using this text to practice making a claim and supporting it with evidence from the text. We are practicing quoting the text in a meaningful way and looking at the assessment rubric for claim and evidence.
We are more than half way through our guided reading novels. In addition to noticing and noting the signposts in literature, we are also working on recognizing figurative language and problems and solutions in these novels.
In vocabulary we are back to working on prefixes.

Math:
We've been working on Unit 6: Using Data & Adding and Subtracting Fractions. We've covered measurement, probability, stem and leaf plots, mystery plots, and circle graphs. After break, we'll begin working on adding and subtracting fractions and finding common denominators. Many students have been passing from levels to level on the fast fact tests. Thank you so much for encouraging and helping your child study! 
Social Studies:
We studied the Declaration of Independence, including the events that led to its writing, the Second Continental Congress, Common Sense, and Thomas Jefferson's role.

We also studied the Revolutionary War. We compared and contrasted the American and British forces, key factors that allowed the American colonies to defeat the more powerful British, and the major provisions of the Treaty of Paris.

Writing:
In grammar, we've been focusing on verbs. After break, we'll continue with verb tenses, main and helping verbs, and linking verbs.
During Wex, we are  using the novel The Liberation of Gabriel King to practice writing in response to fiction. We have been focusing on the main characters, Gabe and Frida, to help us learn to develop characters in our own writing. We have also been using this book to help us compare and contrast the different view points and structure of two texts related to the same topic.

I'll be thinking of each of your fifth graders over break. They are such a light in my life! Thank you for sharing them with me. Enjoy family time and celebrating the holidays these next two weeks.

Sincerely,
Kelly

Student Reflection- 12/6/13

In social studies, we played tug-of-war to help us understand the Revolutionary War.  There was a larger, stronger team versus a smaller team. This represented the British army being larger, more organized, and stronger than the colonies' army. The smaller team was told they would be given candy if they won (representing the prize of independence), except one person who didn't
receive the prize (representing the slaves and indentured servants who fought).  An extra team came in to help when the smaller team was struggling, which represented our allies, The French. Half of the large team had to stand further back to represent the distance between the colonies and Britain. The larger team had to pull the rope 20 feet toward their side, representing that the British had to claim new land, while the colonists were just defending and holding their own territory.

Mrs. Lytle organized an amazing service project for the fifth graders. We created placemats for the Meals on Wheels program. During this holiday season, the recipients of the meals will also be surprised by a colorful, cheerful placemat to put it upon. Think of all of the spirits we are lifting! We're so proud of ourselves for making people smile and "filling their bucket."

News From 5-4 11/12/13

News From 5-4
November 12, 2013

I hope you all had a relaxing Veteran's Day weekend.  I had the chance to take two of my favorite vets out to lunch to personally thank them for their service.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon to discuss your child's strengths, achievements, and goals at parent/teacher conferences.

Dates to remember:

11/13  Second Grade Musical 2:30 PM & 7:00 PM
11/14  Monday Schedule
11/15  Dads and Doughnuts 8:00 AM
11/21  Non-Fiction Book Reports Due
11/22  Report Cards Go Home
          Silly Hat Day
11/25  No School
          Conferences
11/26  No School
          Conferences
11/27- No School-Thanksgiving Break
11/29

Here's what will be happening in 5-4 the next couple weeks:

Literacy:
We finished up our informational texts about Energy. These leveled texts gave students the chance to practice close reading skills with challenging non-fiction texts. Students used graphic organizers, as well as bubbl.us to organize ideas about energy. Each group examined the pros and cons of a particular energy source to present to the rest of the groups. Students had to use this information to decide which source of energy is best for America.
This week we are beginning new novels in guided reading. We will continue to practice signposts and discuss words worth noting. Our skills the next couple weeks are identifying problems and solutions in literature and making inferences.
In vocabulary we have been exploring Greek and Latin root words. While this is a challenge for the students, they are benefitting already. Many students have recognized the roots we have already studied in texts they are reading. This week we are studying the root "man or manu."

Math:
We took our Unit 4 tests last week. Hopefully you had a chance to see your child's test in his/her Friday Folder. In Unit 5 we will be exploring fractions, decimals, and percents. This unit includes: mixed numbers, comparing fractions, equivalent fractions, improper fractions, relationships between fractions and decimals, converting fractions to percentages, bar and circle graphs, and percent circles. We will finish Unit 5 the first week back after Thanksgiving Break.

Science:
The students created fantastic animated movies on Animationish to demonstrate their knowlege of energy types, energy transfers, and chain reactions.  These will be available for you to view at conferences. Our Energy Unit Test is Thursday, with a review Wednesday.

Social Studies:
We'll be diving into Chapter 12 in our history books these next two weeks. During this chapter on the Declaration of Independence, we will identify the major events that led to the creation of the Declaration and examine key passages from the document.

Writing:
In grammar this week we will be working on possessive nouns. The grammar packet will be completed here at school this week. Spelling homework is posted on Edmodo and is due Wednesday.  
This week we started translating our personal narratives into a picture story using Comic Life. Students recorded their narratives using Vocaroo.com and created QR codes to add to their Comic Life posters. These will be up in the hallway, so get your QR code reader apps ready so you can listen to your child reading his/her story. We'll also have links to the recordings on our class website under "STudent Gallery."
In WEX the next couple weeks we will also focus on showing sequence and showing cause and effect.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks!

Sincerely,
Kelly O'Kelly

Student Reflection 11/8

This week, we had to make human sculptures in WEX. We has to write directions on how to recreate the sculpture. We handed our directions to another group to see if they could follow them to make the exact same sculpture. We found out whether we have enough details in our writing or not.

We used Bubbl.us to create idea webs for our energy books. Each guided reading group researched a specific energy source and created a web to show the main ideas and details. Take a look at the webs and decide which energy source you think is best!

Student Reflection 10/31

This Halloween, we had an awesome party. Thank you to Mrs. Giannopoulos for planning our party and to Mrs. Colias, Mrs. Slifierz, and Mrs. Rule for helping out. Thanks to all of the families who contributed to the party. We had a blast! Which costume is your favorite?

Student Reflection-10/25/13

In science this week, we learned about insulators. We discovered that aluminum foil and polyester batting were the best insulators because they kept the heat in the bottle. Then we designed our own insulation for the bottles and tested them out in groups. Table 4's design proved to be the best because the temperature didn't drop at all in 10 minutes.

 Our mystery book reports are proudly displayed in our classroom.

Bloggers: Alexander and Nick.