This is so true with what are student's are working on this week. We are pushing them to be critical thinkers in all subject areas, and where they land is always better than where they began:)

This week in room 34.....

Science: We are wrapping up matter and chemistry unit with an investigation and MAP prep style questions. On Thursday, we will begin our unit on the Circulatory System.   

Writing: We are working on drafting our argument essay. Checkout this padlet to see what each student is researching! They are working on adding powerful quotations, balancing evidence with analysis, and publishing their essay. We will share these out on next Tuesday, March 6th.  

Math: Our chapter 10 test on multiplying and dividing fractions is tomorrow.   We will start chapter 11 this week, which is measurement. This week will focus on converting customary units of length.

Reading: We are focusing on argument and advocacy, researching debatable issues. Every student chose a debatable issue and are researching both sides of the topic. We are focusing on looking at texts for relevant information and be able to think and wonder as they read. 

Social Studies: We are wrapping up the Industrial Revolution and starting the Causes and Consequences of World War I. 



DATES to REMEMBER!! 
2/27 Mother/Son Dance
3/6   Father/Daughter Dance

Please return the Middle School Forms! 

       Thank you so much for spoiling me last week. I could certainly feel the love and support through the kind cards, chocolate, coffee, balloons, and gift cards. You are all the best!!!

Our Chrome Unconference was a huge hit!! I am so proud of my class with their eagerness to learn as well as our facilitators teaching us all along the way. I know I learned a ton from them! 

Here is what is happening this week....

Science: This week we are learning about how matter changes,  physical and chemical.

Reading and Writing: We are beginning our unit on research-based argument essay, on a topic that they each have chosen. We will learn the importance of researching both sides of the topic and taking notes to develop a paper.  We are focusing on looking at texts for relevant information as they read.

Math:  We are dividing unit fractions by whole numbers, and problem solving by drawing a diagram. We review for our chapter 10 test Friday and Monday and the test will be next Tuesday. 

Social Studies: The Industrial Revolution comes alive as we recreate an assembly line in a factory. 

Please remember to return the Sperreng Middle School form.

Wednesday we will be celebrating  Valentine's Day. Students can bring in their own special snack/drink for our celebration. 

Students are more than welcome to bring in valentines for all classmates, however, they cannot contain any food/candy product. The class list is located in our Google Classroom- we have 24 students! 

***Sperreng's counselors will be presenting on Thursday morning. Be on the lookout for a 6th grade course form coming home Thursday.

***There is no school Friday or Monday- enjoy your 4-day weekend!

Science- We are continuing Chrome Camp! Students are discovering how to best utilize our new Chromebooks. Students are leading mini-sessions in our "Unconference" format- check it out here! . Thursday we will engage in an Unconference with all of 5th grade!

 

Reading-  We are researching debatable issues as we study arguments and advocacy! This week we will organize an ethical research life to investigate an issue within research teams. Have your student show you their debatable issue's text set on padlet (link in their Google classroom). 

Writing-  We are wrapping up our mini-unit on writing a fantasy narrative. Students are busy drafting, revising, and editing with a focus on fantasy elements such as setting, characters with internal/external quests or problems, and resolutions. Stories are due Tuesday, 2/20.

Math- We are busy working on multiplying and dividing fractions this week! Students are not just learning the steps, they are learning how to show visually with models in order to truly understand the algorithm. I couldn't be prouder of the math discussions we have each day! See the below video we will watch in class to really understand fraction multiplication!

Here's what is happening this week in room 34!!

We are so excited to announce that our  1 to 1 device Chromebooks have arrived!!! Today, we spent some time outlining and going over our constitution for our new pieces of technology . We are super excited for the awesome learning adventures to come! 

Science- Chrome Camp! We officially have our Chromebooks and already they are a HUGE HIT! During science time for the next two weeks we will be learning all there is to know about Chromebooks, and how to utilize all of the webpages we use in class but to even greater capabilities.  

Reading- Today we began our new unit- Argument and Advocacy. Today we evaluated claims, reasons, and evidence that are presented in advertisements we frequently see- food items from the grocery stores, "As seen on tv" products, etc. 

Writing- Today began our fantasy writing unit. This is a quick 2 week unit in which students will draft, revise, edit, and publish a short fantasy story. Today we brainstormed story arcs for all fantasy stories and brainstormed some ideas for the stories we will start drafting tomorrow.

Math- Today we reviewed Ch. 8 Fractions and Decimals and Ch.9 Adding and Subtracting Fractions. Do not forget that tomorrow is our big test! See email for resources to study at home tonight. On Wednesday, we will start chapter 10 on multiplying and dividing fractions! 

Social Studies- We are beginning to study the Industrial Revolution.

Reminders: Wednesday, 2/7 is Early Release

                          Friday, 2/9 is Jump Rope for Heart

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Reminders:
   Please turn in Jump Rope for Heart permission slips. 

We will be having a Valentine's party  in our room. Students are more than welcome to bring in valentines, however they can not contain any food product.
   
Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We are working within stations to explore matter, mixtures, and solutions.

Writing- We will be busy this week drafting, editing, revising, and publishing our literary essays. We will celebrate our hard work on Friday! 

Math- We are estimating mixed numbers, adding/subtracting mixed numbers, and subtracting mixed numbers with renaming.  We will review Friday and Monday, and our test over chapter 8 AND 9 will be Tuesday, February 6th.

Reading- We are continuing our unit on fantasy. This week will focus on studying how complex fantasy characters truly can be, and investigating symbolism, allegories, and archetypes.

Social Studies- We will begin to study the Industrial Revolution and if the benefits outweigh the costs.