Hard at Work!

PBA's and Typing...

Seems like that is the only thing we have been doing since Friday.  I am so glad we are done (except a few people who need to finish and print)... but for the most part.. DONE!

We are starting Unit 2 tomorrow.

We went over the Unit today. That means we looked at the essential questions, practiced all the vocabulary, and thought about the big idea "OBSTACLES" and another key word "INJUSTICE".

Homework:

• Read 45 minutes, write summary, get reading log signed.
• Writing:  Think about an obstacle you have encountered and write a paragraph about it in your writing journal.

MISSING COMPUTER

MISSING COMPUTER!!!!

There is a Macbook Missing.  It has a PINK #1 taped on the cover.  It was here on Monday for sure, but now it is missing. With both classes typing PBA's... being pulled to other classrooms, it has slipped out of our room.  Please check around the house to see if it accidentally made its way home. 

Multiplying with Decimals!

Chapter 3 - Adding and Subtracting decimals went very well!  Performance Tasks and Multiple Choice scores are complete ! Students scored fairly well on both parts :) YAY

Chapter 4

BIG IDEAS:
• Students will understand that the placement of the decimal is determined by multiplying a number by 10 or a multiple of 10.
• Students will understand that multiplication and division are inverse operations of each other.
• Students will understand that rules for multiplication can also apply to decimals.


Wednesday- 4.7 Place the decimal point in the product when multiplying decimals.

Thursday- 4.8 Zeros in the Product.

Friday- Guided Friday & Chapter REVIEW

* Chapter 4  Assessments will be administered next week Tuesday-Wednesday
*Please continue practicing Multiplication facts

Have a wonderful Week & keep up the great work!

Rainy Monday

Today was a pretty good day.  We actually got quite a lot of work done.  It was nice to see students using their PBA checklist to check over each other's work and then make corrections as needed.  I can't wait to read them!

The only homework they students had this weekend was to finish their PBA.  I was very upset that a handful of them came in today and didn't have it done.  Excuses were made, but their job was to do it.  It is this type of behavior that worries me that they will not be ready for middle school.  You have to be productive, take control of your learning, and be responsible.  Middle school is 5-6 different teachers in 5-6 different rooms and they will not care about your excuses.  It is either done or not not done.  It is time to break these patterns NOW so that middle school will be a great experience.

After breakfast, we went over the difference between a 3 and 4 on their writing assessment.  They were then given 90 minutes to work on their PBA's. They had to meet with three classmates to read their PBA, check it next to the checklist, and make changes as needed so they can get the highest score possible.  Many students met with their classmates and started typing.

Tomorrow we have end of the unit comprehension and vocabulary assessment.  That should take between 30-45 minutes.  Students will have the remainder of the period to finish and print their PBA's.  After that they have to give up their lunchtime to get it done.  We are starting Unit 2 Module A on Wednesday.

Homework:

• Read 45 minutes, write summary, log
• Finish PBA if you haven't

Friday MashUp

Today we had what seemed like a million things going at once.... but we got it done for the most part!

We started the day by watching a little bit of The Magic School Bus in the Rain Forest while 502 at their breakfast!  We got to about 13 minutes into it, so I guess we will watch the rest on Monday.


After breakfast we moved into our Cyber Safety lesson for the day.  Today we focused on stereotypes in the media and how to be a smart consumer and pay attention to what the media and marketing are trying to do to you when you are online, watching tv, or playing video games.  We had a really good discussion and then looked at two websites from Lego.  It was very interesting to see the different color choices, art, and even font that were used to make it more "girly" or more "boylike"....

We then went into our homework and discussed how they collected evidence for their reasons for their body paragraphs and then I modeled how to take your reasons and evidence, along with some explanations and transitions, and craft a solid body paragraph.

Sample Body Paragraph with REASONS, EVIDENCE, EXPLANATIONS, and Transitions.

After that we looked at how to make a good Conclusion.  We went over the slides and talked about how the conclusion is very similar to the introduction, only it is kinda reversed and also does the job of making sure the reader knows exactly what they should have gotten out of your essay.  

I then modeled how easy it was to review the introduction and write your conclusion.  I showed them some techniques we discussed in our slides.  Afterward I gave them a checklist to check their essay to make sure they were doing exactly what they were supposed to do.

Students had more than an hour to work on their PBA's in class.  The ONLY homework they have this weekend is to finish their PBA's and be ready to publish (TYPE) on Monday.  The only thing we are doing Monday is typing for 2 hours.  This is it!  Tuesday we start Unit 2!

Sample Conclusion

Checklist for Informational Essay

Homework:

1. Read- 45 minutes on Friday, Saturday, Sunday - Need to AR test on Monday - Log!
2. PBA - Finish, revise, edit and publish your PBA so Monday you just TYPE!

Thursday/Friday - PBA TIME!

After today's Cyber Safety Lesson "What is CyberBullying?", we had our last lesson in Unit 1 Module B.  We compared the three texts we have read and looked for the common thread between them.  After discussion, we moved into modeled writing for the PBA.

Yesterday our focus was on the different types of HOOKS (Generic Statement, Question, or Quotation).  Then we followed that hook with an opinion statement.  Finally we followed that with our THESIS STATEMENT or road map for the three topics we would be discussing.

Today we modeled how to do a Generic, Question, and Quotation introduction for review.

Today we focused on the three topics.  We brainstormed reasons for each of our topics.  Then we practiced going into the text and finding evidence that supports our reason.  Finally, we worked on explaining how that evidence supports our reason.  After modeling how easy it was to come up with reasons, students broke off independently to work on finding the evidence they need in the book to support the reasons. 

Tomorrow we will have our last cyber safety video and our lesson for the day will be on writing a closing paragraph for an informative essay.  The rest of the day will be used on finishing up the hard work for the PBA.

Here are two examples of reasons, evidence, and explanations.  Pick one more and do the same!

here are six possible reasons for the topic, pick 3 and then find text evidence and explain how the evidence supports your reason.

here are four reasons for this topic... you need to pick 3, find text evidence, and explain.

Homework:

1. Read 45 minutes, write detailed summary, have reading log signed
2. Writing - continue to gather evidence and explanations for each category above
3. Lang. Arts - Synonyms (two sides)
4. Vocab - Cooking on a Campfire Vocabulary Work

We started the day reviewing the cyber-bullying lessons from Monday and Tuesday before moving into today's lesson on "Online Privacy" and how to be as safe with your personal information online as possible.

In literacy we moved to lesson 17 and compared "Rachel Carson" to "Pale Male".  After a brief discussion about similar main ideas and themes, we moved to looking at the PBA for this unit.  We read the prompt together and talked about what each part means.  We then talked about the rubric and how easy it SHOULD be to get a 3 or 4 and what they NEED to do to get there.

Types of Introductions

I then did a mini-lesson on informational essays and how to write an introduction for one.  We talked about three different types of hooks - General Information, Using a Quote, or Asking a Question.  We then looked at samples of each type used in an opening informational paragraph.

We then wrote a sample and discussed each part of the intro.  We did it together and showed how the introduction gives the topic, states your opinion, and then tells exactly what you will be touching on in your writing.

Sample Introduction 

Intro and First Body Exemplar

Homework:

• Read:  45 minutes, summary, have parents sign log
• Lang. Arts  Descriptive Adjectives
• Vocabulary: Fun with Verbs

Wrapping Up the Unit

We are slowly wrapping up this unit of study - still with the same theme, but this time with a non-fiction slant.  We finished reading Pale Male and worked on looking at the text structure as a PROBLEM and SOLUTION type of structure.

We are getting ready to start our next PBA, so writing will be the focus the rest of the week as we prepare for this assessment piece.  They will have to use the content we have read to write a response about why the rain forest is important and what they can do to save it.

Parents:  Please send in new contact numbers when you get them.  If you change your phone number or email and we don't know, we can't contact you.  It is vital we keep the lines of communication open.  Please continue to check homework each night and reading logs.

Homework:

• Read 45 minutes, write a GOOD summary, and have parents sign log.
• Lang. Arts - superlative adjectives
• Vocab. - Comparing Opposites

How can you solve decimal multiplication problems?

                                                            Multiplying Decimals                


Before Grade 5, students learned to use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multidigit arithmetic. Students also learned to multiply 4-digit whole numbers by 1-digit whole numbers and 2-digit whole numbers by 2-digit whole numbers using properties of operations and place value strategies.


 In Grade 5, students expand their range of arithmetic concepts and skills to include greater multi-digit whole numbers than in previous grades, as well as decimals to the thousandths place. In Chapter 4, they learn to multiply with decimal numbers, beginning by using models, and ultimately extending the standard algorithm to include multiplication with decimals to thousandths. Students also continue to learn new concepts of place value with decimals, including studying patterns of multiplication by powers of 10 both greater than and less than 1, and by learning how to insert placeholder zeros as needed for multiplication products less than one-tenth.


Lessons -

Monday and Tuesday  - Multiplication Patterns with Decimals       4.1
Wednesday-  Multiply Decimals and Whole Numbers                     4.2
Thursday -  Multiplication with decimals and whole numbers         4.3
Friday- Guided Friday!


Remember: Each place value position is 10 times greater than the place value to its right.  Each place value position is 0.1 (1/10) of the place value to its left.


Have a Great Week :-)

Monday in ELA

We continued reading our text about Pale Male.  The over arching theme is Interdependence and the students are starting to see how this connects to the entire unit.  Today we read the middle section and then started talking about Cause and Effect.  Because this happened, this was the effect.  We broke down many examples in the text and then the students had to find two more on their own.

Many of your children are not doing their nightly reading and getting you to sign their reading logs.  This is to be done EACH night and should be checked daily.

Homework:

• Reading - Read 45 minutes, write detailed summary, have parent  sign log
• Lang. Arts - Comparative Adjectives
• Vocab:  Burgers and Fries Menu match

Friday - A little Catching Up

Today we used as an ELA catch up day.  Students worked on their writing that was due, did independent reading, and took AR tests for books they had finished.  We checked homework and reading logs.  We ended our ELA block by reading from our class novel "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Students".  The book is getting really good!  We are just about half way through it and I can't wait for the action to really get rolling.

For the second part of class we did Social Studies.  We moved into chapter 3 - European Exploration.  We read section 1 together about about Spanish and Portuguese Explorers in the New World.  After reading and discussing, we watched a 19 minute video about the Spanish Explorers and then had a video quiz.

We ended the day talking about homework and expectations for reading.  Many students have still not turned in their Fantastic Beasts Movie Review.

Homework:

• Read 45 minutes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - Write Summaries - Parents sign 
• Reading Comp - Frank Sinatra Biography
• Vocabulary - Working with Antonyms
• Writing - Fantastic Beasts Movie Review PAST DUE!

Thursday Review

So the only complaint I had about today was that students were a bit too talkative.  If we could keep our conversations about learning and focus, we could really move forward as a learning community.  Parents, please stress this to your children so we can have maximum growth this year.

Today we started a new text call "Pale Male".   It is a true story about a Hawk and his adventures around Central Park and 5th Avenue.  Our focus today was looking at interactions between characters in a text and trying to use context clues to figure out domain specific and academic vocabulary.

After reading, we looked at the sequence of events to understand the main idea of the text.  Finally, the broke into groups and students worked on analyzing the text through the lens of craft and structure.  What did they notice that the author did to make the reading interesting.  We looked at repeated words, lists, and figurative language.  This study is important because this will help them to make their own writing more interesting and dynamic.

Homework:

• Movie Review Due FRIDAY!
• Read 45 minutes, write summary, have parents sign log
• Lang. Arts - Adjective Practice
• Vocab - Aliens Visit the President

Rainy Wednesday!

The number of students who didn't do their reading and get it signed dropped...we went from 13 down to 8!   I am sure that by the end of the week we will drop even lower!  The only way to get better at reading is to read!   We need more reading and more AR points!

Lunch Bunch Reading Group!

Today our focus was on comparing and contrasting themes and main ideas across two texts.  We looked at Rachel Carson and Rain Forest Food Chains for common themes and ideas.  We then worked on putting these ideas into a Venn Diagram.

Finally, we started reading an article on Rain Forests so we could start coming up with an outline for a brochure to "Save the Rainforest!"

Tomorrow we look at the information and come up with categories and an outline for what we want to include in our brochure.

Homework:

• Read for 45 minutes - Write Summary - Get Parents to Sign Reading Log
• Writing - Short Response for Lesson 1B.13 on Pesticides
• Lang. Arts - Adjectives with ER and EST

Rainy Tuesday

Today was a rainy day and Ms. Cruz was out for an Algebra For All workshop.  She was missed, but Ms. Cartegena filled in nicely.

We started the day with our 20 minutes of quiet reading time.  Then we did our daily independent reading check. Finally, we collected homework and I checked to make sure parents signed off on students reading logs.  Those who did not were told they would have time to read during lunch with me in the classroom.

We read quite a lot today.  We had to finish the Rain Forest text.  501 started taking the AR test on teh book, while 502 will finish the text tonight and start taking the AR test tomorrow.   We went over taking notes on questions and students have two homework tasks tonight.

Homework:

• Read 45 minutes, write summary, have parent sign log (if not, lunch reading)
• ELA - Use Rain Forest text to find details that answer three questions 1B.12
• Literacy - Irregular Verbs
• Middle School Applications Due THURSDAY!!!!
• Please return all missing behavior contracts, photo permission forms, and lunch forms.

First Lunchtime Reading Group

Thanksgiving Break is OVER!

The classes could not have acted more different today.  502 was quiet and ready to work.  501 wanted to talk and socialize.  502 we had a good lesson and discussions about the pages we read together in groups.  501 wouldn't stop talking to they had to read independently with no discussion.    

Sadly, we didn't get a lot accomplished with 501 today because they wanted to talk, catch up with friends, and not pay attention to what I was doing. 

In 502, we read 7 pages in our text on The Rain Forest.  We stopped along the way and asked and answered questions to make sure we really understood the text.  I did a mini-lesson on text features and how they affect the text and the reader.  We did a mini-lesson on verb tenses and talked about the three tenses (past, present, and future) and how when writing, we had to make sure our tenses were in a agreement.  

Finally we talked more about the Movie Review that was supposed to be done over the holiday.  We did a practice one in class to show them (model) how easy the assignment really was.   Students now have until Friday to get it done.  They know the consequences if it is not done by then!

Finally, I passed out forms that show how many independent reading books your child has read and passed on AR so far this year.  By the end of the month they should have 9 books read and passed.  Some have ZERO tests passed.  Others have 1 and 2.  They must have you sign nightly now that they are reading. If they don't have it signed, they will have to have silent reading time in my room while they eat their lunch.  The only way to get better at reading is to read, and if that means skipping my lunch each day to get them to do better in reading, I will do it!  

Homework:

1. Read 45 minutes, write summary, get reading contract signed
2. Readygen Unit 1B.11 Craft and Structure Activity
3. Verb Tenses Worksheet