Sample Conclusion Paragraphs

Sample Conclusion for Comparison Essay

Sample Conclusion for Informative Essay

Sample Body Paragraphs for Informational Writing

Tuesday, December 18th

1. Breakfast in Classroom - Reading Block
2. Reading Block
3. Writing Block
1. We combined reading and writing today because they are both meshing now with using the information you have gained doing research to write expository essays.  We practiced using the information we gathered today to write introductions.  We worked together to write an introduction for our compare and contrast extreme weather expository essay.  Then we worked together to write an introduction to our native American informative expository essay.  Once we practiced, they broke off and wrote their own.  Then they paired up with buddies to read and listen to each others introductions.  They were looking for a HOOK, General Information on the Topic, and focus on their writing (thesis).  Once they worked together, they went back to make changes.  Now, everyone should have a great introduction for their writing.
4. Math Block
5. Math Block with Number Talks
1. Started with looking back over lesson 4.3 - Interpreting Remainders.  After going over homework and a slew of other word problems, we moved onto lesson 4.10 - placing the first digit to divide by.  This is more like traditional division that you might be used to parents.   I showed them the process and steps, and then we did problems side by side where they picked the numbers and did the process and then doing partial quotients.  Tonight they have to practice this process and check with partial quotients.  
6. Lunch and Recess
7. Art with Mrs. Arbelo

Homework:

• Math 4.10 Practice (pages 257-258)
• ELA Packet Day 2 and 3
• Make Up Work if needed
• Permission Slips and Money due TOMORROW!

Sample Intros and Hooks

Extreme Weather Sample Intro 

Native American Sample Intro

Different HOOKS

More HOOKS

Monday, December 17th

1. Dance with Mr. Nunez
2. Math Block
3. Math Block
1. Problem of the Day
2. Go over homework 4.8/4.9 modeling division.
3. Lesson 4.3 on deciding what to do with the remainder.
4. CGI
4. Reading Block
5. Writing Block
1. Students worked on finishing taking notes for their two extreme weather conditions
2. Students worked on comparing and contrasting (alike and different) their two extreme weather conditions.
3. We shared our findings and students added or subtracted information from their graphic organizer by sharing on the document camera and discussing if it fit, didn't fit, or needed to add more.
4. Independent Reading
6. Lunch
7. Social Studies
1. Shared a slideshow about "If I were alive with the Iroquois Indians"
2. Broke into groups
3. passed out materials 
4. Students started a project looking at the land and natural resources of the Iroquios

Homework

• ELA Packet Day 1
• Math Practice Lesson 4.3
• Social Studies - Native American Iroquois Tribe and Take Home Test

Movie Trip is FRIDAY

I am buying tickets WEDNESDAY after school - 

Money is due by Wednesday, the 19th

Students and adults are both $8

DUE WEDNESDAY for both students and chaperones!!!

Wednesday Wrap Up

• Periods 1 and 2 - Math Block:

• Review the homework from Monday (dividing using compatible numbers)
• Lesson 4.6 - Division using the Distributive Property.
• Worked through sample problems looking for patterns and then used base 10 blocks as well.
• Students worked on ON YOUR OWN and Practice in Class.
• Homework is to do the Chapter MidPoint Review
• Khan Academy Explain Division

• Period 3 - Reading

• Reading the Weather Session 14 - Reading and Thinking Across Two Topics: Comparing and Contrasting
• Groups who had finished research were now tasked at getting a different topic and repeating the research cycle to be able to make comparisons and contrasts across two topics.
• Tsunami and earthquake research teams will switch topics.
• The drought and floods will switch topics.
• Hurricane and tornado teams will swap topics
• As students worked on research, small groups worked on a special arts and crafts project.

• Period 4 - Gym with Mr. Hoffman
• Period 5 - Finish Reading - Transition to Writing
• Groups worked for 15 more minutes doing boxes and bullets research before sharing out and wrapping up.
• The Art of Information Writing - Session 9
• Students looked at mentor texts to be able gather craft ideas on how to expand their writing.
• Period 6 - Lunch
• Period 7 - Writing Wrap Up and Social Studies
• Today we read "The Iroquois of the Northeast" with the lense of thinking about what were the "chapters" in the writing and how could we pick one "chapter" or "topic" and fill out a boxes and bullets form to gather information that we could later use in our writing.

Homework:

• Math:  Midpoint Chapter Review 
• ELA Packet - Page 3
• Reading - Read 45 minutes and LOG

*** Great Review*** Khan Academy Comparing With Multiplication

Just One of Those Days...

What a day... It literally FLEW by...

• 1st - Music with Ms. Young
• 2nd - Quick trip to Library to change out books...
• 3rd - STAR READING (math practice)
• 4th - Go Over Math Chapter 5 Unit Test (Form A) - Review for misunderstandings
• 5th - retake the math test, a shorter version 13 multiple choice, 2 short response to see if review worked?  Math Chapter 5 Test - Form B 
• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - finish Math Chapter 5 Unit Test form B and start STAR MATH

Homework:

Math - Division Facts Practice - page 2

ELA - Homework Packet - page 2

Reading - Read Independent Books - Log so you can take AR tests

Monday, December 3rd

• Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 2nd - Chapter 5 End of Chapter Review.
• Spent the period going over the chapter review question by questions allowing students to stop me and check any misunderstandings.  Then we did a quick review of factors and prime vs. composite numbers to clear up any misunderstandings. 
• 3rd - Chapter 5 Test
• Students worked on the Chapter 5 Unit Test and then put the test into the computer to get immediate feedback.  Once they saw which questions they missed, they had to rework them to make sure they understood their mistakes. 
• 4th / 5th - Reading - Reading The Weather - Session 11 - Writing to Grow Research Based Ideas
• We moved into grow our research into creative writing ideas.  We looked at the research they have been doing on weather and decided how to take the notes and turn them into interesting writing passages.  We looked at samples of what not to do, and at samples of what to do.  Students then broke into groups and then worked on turning their writing into interesting passages on their own.

sample of growing a fact with thought

• 6th - Lunch
• 7th - Science Wrap Up
• After our trip to the GESC (pictures coming), we looked at a final activity where students broke into groups and had to discuss how certain circumstances would effect a food web.

Homework:

• Math - Division Fact Sheet
• ELA - Homework Packet #11 - Read article - do page 1
• Reading - Nonfiction book - Take Notes!  Library Day Tomorrow!
• TOMORROW IS PICTURE DAY!  DRESS NICE!!!

Apologies

Parents:

I apologize for not updating the blog for the past week.  I have been sick since right after Thanksgiving and started an anitbiotic on Monday night... I am slowly starting to feel better and promise to start updating the blog and teacherease reminder emails very soon.  Thank you for understanding.

Mr. McD!

Tuesday, November 20th

• Breakfast 
• Writing:  Thank You Letters
• Prep - In Auditorium 
• Reading:
• Reading the Weather - Session 9.  The focus today was doing research on the same topic.  The second time you read an article, your focus is now to see if what you read adds to what you already know, or challenges what you already know.  You take in information from various sources and then synthesize the information and come up with understandings on the topic that might change.
• Students then had 30-40 minutes to continue looking up information and adding the information they found to their categories.  We will wrap up our research tomorrow.
• Math:
• We started by reviewing our homework.  Then we moved into GoMath Lesson 5.2 on making a list to check factors for numbers.  After students did group work, we had a quiz to check for understanding.  Tonight they will be doing practice 5.2 for homework.
• Lunch / Recess
• Social Studies
• We have been studying New York Natives.  The Haudenosaunee which are also known as The Iroquois.  Students have been working on learning the Thanksgiving Address that the natives used to say before gatherings.  We filmed their parts today and I will try my hardest to upload the video.
• Thanksgiving Address Video Link

Homework:

• Thanksgiving Packet - Day 2
• Math Practice 5.2

Monday, November 19th

• Dance With Mr. Nunez (held in classroom because Mr. Nunez was out).
• Book Fair in Library
• Math 
• GoMath Chapter 5 - Lesson 1
• Finding Factors of numbers through modeling.  We used counters to model different ways to factor numbers.  Like the number 12 can be shown as 1 x 12, 2x6, 3x4....   Then we learned how to write the factors in order of least to greatest without duplicating a factor.

• Reading:
• Reading the Weather Session 8 - Planning a Research Project. 
• We broke into groups of 3 and then students picked a topic from 6 weather conditions.  The group decided which of the six sub topics they would research so that they didn't copy each other.  They worked at gathering information to add to their boxes and bullets for that topic.  
• Writing
• The Art of Information Writing - Lesson 5  Organizing Matters in Texts Large and Small
• Students worked on organizing their research for their own nonfiction topic (book).  They were tasked at reading a section, taking notes, and "writing" a chapter about that subtopic.
• Students also started writing thank you notes for ETA Hand2Mind who donated a math fluency pack to our classroom.  Saying Thank You is always a must when people do nice things for you!

Homework:

• Homework Packet Section 1 (Math and Mayflower)
• GoMath 5.1 Practice
• Reading - Continue to research your topic for class activity

Rainy Tuesday

• Music with Ms. Young
• ELA Catch Up
• We had to reread the articles from Friday in our Scholastic Weekly.  Then students made sure they finished their MAIN IDEA graphic organizer for the main article, and then finished their opinion letter for the second article.  This was supposed to be finished on Friday, so since it wasn't finished, we played catch up!
• Reading:
• We did the mini-lesson for TC Reading the Weather section 6.  The focus was how to attack the tricky words you encounter in nonfiction texts.  The said we would "Look In and Around the words" to try and figure out the meaning.  Inside means looking at root words, prefixes, and suffixes.  Looking around the word means looking at the text, the pictures, the rest of the paragraph to see if we can figure out the word.  We also said trying substituting similar wards to see if they make sense.  Students will make a WORD BANK in the back of their reading notebook to keep track of new words they learn.
• Math:
• Picked up the homework and went over the Friday FRIZ to look at misunderstandings.  Then we moved into the last lesson of the chapter - GoMath 3.7.  It was using multiplication in multi-step word problems.  After reading and doing many problems together, students practiced by doing the PRACTICE we normally do for homework as YOU DO work.  We checked it.  Students have to work on the Chapter Review for homework.  ONLY questions they don't understand will be explained before we do the unit test tomorrow.
• Writing/Social Studies:
• We combined writing with social studies.  We read a text "Native American History: The Iroquois people" We practiced using a highlighter to ONLY highlight key words and phrases.  NO COLORING THE PAGE with highlighter.  It is just important information.  After reading the article, we looked at the questions attached to the reading.  Then we talked about MAIN IDEA and Supporting Details for the article (Writing).  Students came up with the main idea, and then they had to work on getting details that support this main idea from the text.  Many didn't finish so it became homework.

Homework:

1. Math Chapter 3 Review (test tomorrow)
2. ELA Packet - page 1/2 should be complete
3. Reading - Reading Log and create a WORD BANK in your reading notebook (5-7 words tonight)
4. Writing - Finish your Boxes and Bullets from class

Friday, November 9

• Sadly, I had to get a root canal, so I was not at school today.  I was in the dentist chair from 10:45AM until 1PM.  

The plans I left were...

• Guided Math Friday
• Friday Math Quiz - FRIZ!
• Then, students had a review of the skills we have learned in chapters 1 - 3 of the GoMath book.  
• After completing that, they were to get with partners and work on some math problems on their desk.
• There was a math packet left (review) for students to work on over the long weekend for homework.
• Guided ELA Friday
• I left an issue of Scholastic News Weekly Reader for students to work on with the teachers.  As part of the skill review, they had to do a Main Idea graphic organizer looking at a nonfiction text by each section (boxes and bullets style).  They also had to do an opinion letter based on the Pro/Con article (another nonfiction structure) they read.  Finally they had to complete a reading comprehension check of the entire magazine by taking the end of the magazine quiz.
• Science
• Students read an article about 10 fascinating facts about ecosystems and had to answer four comprehension questions.  This will get them ready for the nonfiction we will be reading next week and the project they will work on over the holiday.

Homework

• Math review Sheet
• ELA homework packet #9 (passed out early since no school on Monday)
• Reading - Reading Log and Boxes and Bullets notes

Thursday, November 8th

• Digital Literacy - Advertising 
• Math
• GoMath Lesson 3.6 - Picking a method to solve double digit multiplication problems.
• After going over the lesson, we did problems in a variety of ways.  After I do and we do, students went off to use the dry erase markers and their table tops to solve 8 more problems.  We checked them to make sure we had understanding.  Students who finished became student teachers and helped other who needed help.  Others worked on their nonfiction books until we were ready to discuss.

• ART
• Reading:
• We combined our reading and writing today.  We went over the steps of taking our notes and turning them into paragraphs.  After modeling, students were instructed to return to their nonfiction texts the have ALREADY READ (so they didn't have to read for comprehension, but for gathering information), and do a series of notes on what they had already read.  They had between 15-20 minutes to go back, reread that last chapter, and take notes using the boxes and bullets we worked with yesterday.  Once they did that, I stopped them and modeled turning notes into paragraphs.  We stressed you don't just write your notes, you create a hybrid paragraph combing the notes with your own personal writing voice.

• Lunch
• Reading/Writing:  
• Students had a little time after lunch to finish their writing from their boxes and bullets.  Those who didn't finish were asked to finish for homework.
• Science:
• Lesson 3.7 - Underground Farmers ( Earthworms as Decomposes)

Homework:

• Math - GoMath 3.6 Practice
• ELA Packet - Finish - Due Friday!
• Reading/Writing - reading log, boxes and bullets, finish paragraphs if necessary

Wednesday, November 7th

• Digital Literacy Lesson: 
• Citing sources you use online.  After looking at videos and discussing, passed out take home for parents and students.
• Math:
• Practice with multiplying 2digit x 2 digit using area models.  Students worked with partners to complete 16 problems.  After checking each other, they turned papers over and solved 6 word problems too.  
• Library:
• Ms. Sestak took students to the library to allow them to check out new books and quiz since they missed their Tuesday library day.
• Math:
• Groups finished their group work.  Those who finished early were given choice to work on Ipad's with math games, read their nonfiction books, or decorate room for Thanksgiving.
• PE:
• Students had Mr. Hoffman for Gym today.
• Writing:
• We read one of our articles from reading "TSUNAMI".  I modeled how to read a nonfiction text and take notes carefully with a highlighter, only doing small chunks of information.  Then I modeled doing Boxes and Bullets to take notes from a text.  Students then practiced the skill using the article Yum Yum, Plants That Eat Meat.
• Lunch
• Writing/Science:
• Students finished their boxes and bullet note-taking from earlier.  Then we read a new Science article about the Mangrove Swamps and the ECOSYSTEMS they create.  Students answered 6 comprehension questions on the article.

Homework:

• Math:  Multiplication Review QUIZ - Examples on one side, 4 quiz questions on back!
• ELA:  Day 3 of ELA Packet
• Reading:  Reading Log

Monday, November 2nd

• Digital Citizen Lesson:  
• You've Won a Prize - what to do if you get SPAM.
• Math:
• Problem of the day and subtraction fluency review
• Lesson 3.5 - multiplying multi digit numbers using regrouping.
• Practiced with pages 171-173
• Students paired up and worked on 2 digit by 2 digit problems on their desk with the dry erase markers. They checked each other's work and discussed what errors might have been made. 
• homework:  175-176

• Reading:
• Teacher's College Reading the Weather - Session 5 - The Challenges Posed by Texts that Are Structured as Hybrids.
• The focus was understanding that some text have both nonfiction and fiction elements and you have to read them differently.  
• I passed out a packet of articles to practice looking at the text through a narrative lens or nonfiction lens.  They will continue this work tonight.

• Writing:
• The Art of Informational Writing:  
• Lesson 3 – New Structures Lead to New Thinking
• The focus was on different ways to structure writing.
• Science:
• Lesson 3.5 - Creatures of the Night
• Read nonfiction text, discuss, answer questions to show understanding.

Homework:

1. Math Practice 3.5
2. ELA packet - Section 1 and 2 (Monday and Tuesday)
3. Reading:  Pick 2-3 articles from packet to mark (S/I) and look at how they are structured
4. Reading/Writing:  read nonfiction books / take notes from sections in ordered way based on writing lesson

Tuesday, October 30th

• Music with Ms. Young
• Library visit to return books, recheck books, or get new books.
• Reading:
• Teacher's College "Reading the Weather" lesson 3.  The focus today was different types of text structures.  We looked at different types of texts and decided what format they were set up in. Once you did that, you can learn how to read the text better to take notes.  Then we did group work and independent reading time.

• Math:
• I collected the math homework so I could assess student understanding.  I went over the homework so students could still see the correct answers, but will look at it tonight to see who I need to support more.  
• We did lesson 3.2 in GoMath with a focus on using estimation to multiply by multi-digit numbers.  

• Writing:
• Teacher's College "The Art of Writing Informational Text" Lesson 1.  The focus was becoming a master of informational text by deciding what information is important and taking notes so you can "teach" your topic.
• Social Studies:
• Chapter 2 - Lesson 1
• Our focus today was The Five Nations and how they were different from the other native people in New York. 

Homework:

1. Math Practice 3.2
2. ELA Homework packet Page 2
3. Social Studies - Chapter 2 Section 1 practice page
4. Reading - Reading Log / Take notes on topic / Free Write so you can "teach" tomorrow

Monday - October 29

• Math
• Show What You Know for Chapter 3 - students showed what they learned in chapter 2 to make sure they were ready for Chapter 3.
• Chapter 3 - Lesson 1
• Multiplying by 10's - we are moving in to multidigit multiplication by double digit numbers.  

• Reading/Writing
• We had to take a detour today to finish the Scholastic News from Friday.  They only got partially done on Friday due to some classroom situations.  The skills I wanted them to practice were important, so we did them today.



• We reread all the articles.
• I showed them how to use a cause and effect graphic organizer with the article on Jellyfish.
• We did the close reading comprehension questions.
• We read an "opinion" article about what you should do if you found money?
• We went over stating an opinion, finding reasons, examples, and restating your opinion.
• We ended taking a magazine quiz to see how well they are comprehending what we just REread.

• Class Read Aloud - 
• We finished reading STRIDER.  Students took the AR Quiz on the book.  Nice ending to our adventures with the Character Leigh Botts we met in Dear Mr. Henshaw.
• Social Studies:
• We started Chapter 2 - New York's Early People.  We will be looking at the Native Americans who called New York home.  Students will be using what we learn in Reading and Writing about nonfiction to work on projects for Social Studies!

Homework:

•  ELA Homework Packet
• Math - 3.1
• Reading Log / Independent Reading

Character Con Photos