Wednesday April 30, 2014

Check out some Knowledge Fair pictures I snapped last night here: https://twitter.com/TrumTigers
Excellent work by all who participated and presented!

Today kicked off with an awesome noise making morning meeting greeting from Kaitlyn.  Super tiny kitten.  She also told us about her adventure on Bring Your Child to Work Day.

Soon after, students got back to creating their healthy restaurants.  Many began publishing today!  Projects are due on FRIDAY!

In math we continued talking about algebraic expressions and how to graph linear data.

This afternoon was a doosey as we began planting for our upcoming ecosystems unit.  Ecocolumns are set up and ready to grow.  Next week we will dive deeper into our columns when we begin our biology unit.

They may look dismal now, but in a week or two they will be filled with life!

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- SL 10.4
Social Studies
- Journals due May 5^th (Monday)
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
Vocabulary and Spelling
- Spelling due Friday
- mal/male sentences due Friday
Other
- Planner signed

Tuesday April 29, 2014

First and foremost- here are some videos to help create your antique journals:

One more here that I cannot direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzQrmqxomDw

Elena was our morning meeting leader of the day and she told us all about "take your child to work day" at Merck.  Quickly after students continued creating their healthy menus.  We have some extremely creative ideas and chefs in here!

In math we began using algebraic expressions to draw linear patterns on a coordinate plane.  What we learned today is a little easier than the example in the video:

Since we did not get to the end of 10.4, the Study Link is not due until Thursday.

Writing continued with our pen pal letters which are in the draft stage.  Read also continued with small group sequence of event work and LDCs with partners.

Please follow @TrumElem on Twitter to see all that is happening at the Knowledge Fair this evening!

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- SL 10.4 (due Thursday)
Social Studies
- Journals due May 5^th (Monday)
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Green and Blue: trifolds
- Purple and Pink: LDC
Vocabulary and Spelling
- Spelling due Friday
- mal/male PWYK Friday
Other
- Planner signed

Monday April 28, 2014

Today began with a return to Latin roots.  This week's roots are "mal/male" meaning bad, abnormal or worse.  Quizlet here to help students study- http://quizlet.com/337824/vocab-list-14-mal-male-flash-cards/

In math we began using algebraic expressions to continue our journey into algebra.  Today was an intro to using variables.

In writing we began planning and drafting our letters to our Philadelphia pals, and in reading groups continued using sequence of events in small groups and others worked on 3 reading LDCs.

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- SL 10.3
Science/Social Studies
- Journals created and due May 5^th
- Green smoothie permission slip
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Optional: Red Fern Chapter 5 website response (4 opp.)
Vocabulary and Spelling
- mal / male matching
- Spelling due Friday
Other
- Planner signed

Friday April 25, 2014

Today was quite the hectic day!  It felt like we were flying around at 200 mph, but that is good, we got lots completed!

In science we began our healthy restaurant project.  It involves keeping a budget, serving healthy menu options, and hitting daily values from myplate/the food pyramid.

Math consisted of a district wide Diebels test catch up.  30 minutes to pound out 3 assessment check ins- no problem for these guys.

In the afternoon we took it outside for our first pen pal writing lesson.  Over the next week, students will be writing to third graders in a Philadelphia public school.  This is a great opportunity to communicate with other individuals from different communities to better understand our state and become more well rounded individuals.  Maybe we will get to Skype with them after a few mail exchanges.

For reading there will be a new student dependent blog on my website.  After each chapter of Where the Red Fern Grows, I will post a question.  Students can respond to the question using text evidence.  Other students can comment and question each other.  This is voluntary at this point and will count as "going above and beyond."  Just another great way to discuss and communicate about a subject we are all experiencing together.

Notice to parents:  I sent home a letter about green smoothies- please sign and return.  In addition, Social Studies journals will be due in a week from Monday.  Please look over that sheet on how to make one.  I will be posting videos on here next week on how to create them.

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- none
Science/Social Studies
- Journals created and due May 5^th
- Green smoothie permission slip
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Pink and Purple: Trifolds
- Green and Blue: LDC
- Optional: Red Fern Chapter 5 website response (4 opp.)
Vocabulary and Spelling
- new vocab. and spelling coming next week…
Other
- Planner signed

Thursday April 24, 2014

With today being bring your child to work day, we were down 4 bodies in class today!  I hope tons of learning was had by those of you out in the work force with your parents.  You have to find a job you love, the money is an added bonus.

Joe started our day off with a story about winter snowmobiling.  Students then hopped back into their vitamin groups and continued to work on their mini-projects for the 4 different vitamins.

In math we continued talking about pan balanced and the connection to algebra.  The focus of today's lesson was to use two pan balances (equations) to solve for unknowns.  Lots of visual learning taking place today.

Cool pan balance resource for modeling: http://seeingmath.concord.org/case_studies/raw/9d501f6bc748cd26d5218510d234ddfc/lodocs/ma003/01b_activities/divingin/ma003_divingin.htm

Numbers approach to pan balances: http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3530

Sadly, I was not around in the afternoon.  I was over at district office for meetings and implementation of new teacher SLOs.  Students worked on quick narrative character snapshots and also thought about sequence of events in their reading groups.

Tonight’s Homework

Math- SL 10.2 (on the back of 10.1) revise if you did this last night!
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- PB p. 158
Vocabulary and Spelling
- Spelling due tomorrow
Other
- Planner signed
- Coins of Compassion: Twin Day Friday

Wednesday April 23, 2014

Today opened with a fantastic presentation from our Student Council representatives.  They presented on the character trait of respect and team work.  Excellent job; look for another CPR podcast coming soon from Natalie and Nick.

In science we discovered what vitamins do for our bodies and what happens when we do not uphold the proper nutritional needs of our bodies.  Groups are in the process of reading about vitamins A, B1, C and D.  They will present to the class tomorrow about their findings.

Pan balances were our focus on math.  Pan balances are a great introduction to pre-algebra.  When I showed students that they were doing alegbra today, they could not believe it.  Many commented that, "Wow this is way easier than I thought it was!"

Like I promised, here is the website to practice working on pan balances: http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3531

Today was our final day for narrative publishing.  Students who were finished worked on scribble writing (which is just as fun as it sounds).  Creativity and narrative writing at its finest!

In reading we began discussing sequence of events in a story about the life of James Forten.

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- SL 10.1 ONLY
- MJ p. 334 #10 explained for 3 bonus Dojo points! (extra credit)
Science
- Food labels worksheet
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- PB p. 157
Vocabulary and Spelling
- Spelling due Friday
Other
- Planner signed
- Report Cards signed
- Coins of Compassion: Twin Day Friday

Tuesday April 22, 2014

This wonderful morning began with a spring greeting from Abby.  She then told us about her Easter weekend.  Cheeseball sounds like quite the kitten.

In Science we learned how to read those ever pesky and confusing food labels.  Ask your child about them tonight!

In math some students took an advance placement test for middle school and other worked on an MPA to see how they are doing with all math skills.

In writing we listened to some soothing orchestra music while wrapping up our narrative essays or working on scribble writing.

Finally we finished off the day with Lesson 14 of Journeys and new vocabulary.

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- none
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Journeys L14 vocabulary (sentences!)
Vocabulary and Spelling
- Spelling due Friday
Other
- Planner signed
- Report Cards signed
- Coins of Compassion: Twin Day Friday

Thursday April 17, 2014

This morning was a very special morning since it was the first day of middle school orientation.  Mrs. Cloonan, Mr. Breidinger and former T'ville students came to discuss the middle school transition.  Current T'ville fifth graders selected classes for next year at this time as well.  Strayer parents- please sign and return these pink sheets; Milford parents please just look over your white papers.

After, we had our third marking period reading meetings.  At today's meeting Mr. Mozz asked students to sell their book to the group in order stimulate some reading interest heading into the 4th marking period.  Micah did a fantastic job of convincing the group to read A Series of Unfortunate Events.

 gold card readers

microphone in hand

In the afternoon we finished Chapter 4 of Where the Red Fern Grows.  Billy will soon get his pups!  After we spent the next hour wrapping up narrative publications.  Heading into the final 15 minutes of the day, we cleansed our desks of marking period 3 things that are no longer needed, and did our first Dojo drawing.  I think Dojo is here to stay!  Ask your kids about it.

Have a great Spring break!

Field Trip! March 16, 2014

Adventure Aquarium Field Trip 2014

Here are a few of the pictures from Adventure Aquarium today.  It was a blast and the kids did a fantastic job representing our school.  If any parents want to email me more pictures, I would be happy to post them here.  Again, thank you so much chaperones!  We could not do it without you!

Tuesday April 15, 2014

We began the day with a morning meeting from Tyler that focused on his outdoor weekend.  NICE!  Nothing like spending time outside when it is beautiful out.

After morning meeting we went into an extended Science nutrition lesson recapping fats and focusing on protein.  We used these two videos to aid in learning:

(top 10 healthy proteins; although I disagree with cheese...)

(McNuggets- how they are made)

The big take aways from our lesson were that protein is essential to building and rebuilding the body.  We need to choose healthier, leaner proteins (poultry, fish, grass fed beef, quinoa, etc.) and eat less fatty proteins.  Its all about healthy LIFESTYLE.  Your health is your future.

In math we quickly reviewed volume and how length and capacity in metric units can be converted.

This afternoon we finished revising and editing our narratives then began publishing.  A narrative grade will start the 4th MP gradebook in writing.  Upcoming writing lessons will include journal writing and some type of internet research project.

In reading we finished chapter 3 of Red Fern and continued in our guided reading groups.

Tonight’s Homework

Math- SL 9.10

Science

- World Biomes due Thursday (annotated and all questions answered)

Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Green and Blue: Trifolds; Purple and Pink: Vocab. Responses
Other
- Google Apps signed ASAP
- Planner signed
- Field Trip tomorrow!  Pack a lunch!

FINAL Field Trip Reminder

When:   Wednesday, April 16th

Where: Adventure Aquarium

Bring:  Labeled brown bag lunch

            Drink

            $15 maximum for shopping in the gift shop

Wear:  Comfortable clothing (T’ville Shirt!) and sneakers

Departure Time:  9:15AM  (Please be at school as close to 9:05 as you can that day!)

Return Time:  3:15 PM

*Students may bring a book to read on the bus*

Monday April 14, 2014

Monday, Monday, Monday!

Today began with a recap of our reading and video on fats.  Students answered questions and then put together a collage using a Giant coupon add based on foods that fell into saturated and unsaturated fats.

We then jumped into finding the volume of ANY prism using the formula: Volume = Base Area * Height

During gym, the students ran the mile.  Since it was so beautiful, I decided to jump in with them and take on a timed outside mile for the first time since.... I think high school?  Joe ended up beating me by one second!  Awesome job Joe on your 7:24 mile time.  Everyone did a great job, and lots of students hit their personal best times today!  Healthy eating, healthy movements.

Before starting the afternoon, some of our fifth grade parents delivered our fifth grade 2014 t-shirts and we took class pictures outside.  After, students partner revised their narrative pieces.  We are getting close to publishing finally!

Finally, the afternoon concluded with some Where the Red Fern Grows and reading groups.

Tonight’s Homework

Math
- Volume practice WS
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Practice Book p. 146
Other
- Google Apps signed ASAP
- Planner signed
- Field Trip Wednesday!  Pack a lunch!

FINAL Field Trip Reminder

When:   Wednesday, April 16th

Where: Adventure Aquarium

Bring:  Labeled brown bag lunch

            Drink

            $15 maximum for shopping in the gift shop

Wear:  Comfortable clothing (T’ville Shirt!) and sneakers

Departure Time:  9:15AM  (Please be at school as close to 9:05 as you can that day!)

Return Time:  3:15 PM

*Students may bring a book to read on the bus*

Friday April 11, 2014

What a night at Reading Olympics last night.  T'ville came home with two blue ribbons and the highest point total for Team 2 out of the entire competition.  After one of the rounds, a parent from a private school came over to Mrs. Wilson and myself and said, "Wow!  Those kids were great, what private school are you part of.  They just knew so much!"  Mrs. Wilson responded, "We are a public school and we have absolutely fantastic, intelligent, and deep thinking students.  Thank you!"

Congratulations to everyone.  Hard work for the past 5 months PAID OFF!  

(just as it always does)

Today began our morning meetings for the first time in almost a month!  Trevor entertained the crowd with stories of boogie boarding and cramping up in the ocean.

After some laughter and connections to character traits, we jumped into our nutrition lesson on fats.  We dispelled some myths about fat and learned that fats are extremely healthy for us when the right kinds are eaten.  Check out this video for some extra education:

We then hopped into math where we jumped back into area.  We learned that the area of a triangle is exactly one half of that of a rectangle.  Most students practiced using this formula while other students who had already mastered it extended their thinking by diving into some 6th grade Khan Academy skill mastery.

Our afternoon was dominated by Disney's greatest animated character of all time, Archie the Scare Pig.  There was a big focus on building character this afternoon. Superb effort, perseverance and dedication to show your growth this year on PSSA.  You earned it.

Tonight’s Homework

Math

- Area of triangles WS

Reading

- Read 30 minutes

- Book logs for MP3 due MONDAY!

- Narrative drafts due Monday

Vocabulary and Spelling

- none

Other

- Planner signed
- Google Apps form signed by MONDAY  (New program we will be piloting to end the year- more technology! YES!)

Thursday March 10, 2014

Sorry for a "no post" Wednesday.  Crazy night ripping down the room from PSSA and getting everything back on for regular schedule.  Starting next week posts will be regular and daily.  We are just trying to get our routine back, and I will not be able to do a detailed post since I am heading to Reading Olympics right after school to coach one of our teams.

SUPER HUGE SHOUT OUT TO READING OLYMPICS STUDENTS!  LETS BRING HOME THE BLUE TONIGHT!

Homework- Excluding Reading Olympics Students (since they did so much extra work for this event)
- Math: SL 8.9
- Reading: Read 30 min, Practice Book p. 145
- Planner signed, MBSiD signed
- BOOK LOGS due by Monday 4/14 for 3rd MP

Tuesday April 8, 2014

I will admit, yesterday I was wondering if our class would be able to get itself back on track for PSSA writing essays... Well the proved me wrong and came back with a VENGEANCE today.  Wow am I impressed with how they followed the writing process and gave it their all.  One more day tomorrow!  FINISH STRONG DUDES AND DUDETTES!

In the afternoon we began reading about a woman named Molly Pitcher and how she helped soldiers during the Revolutionary War.  The skill of infer/predict/conclusions/generalizations is our focus for this unit.  Small groups will be reading about revolutionary spies, the unsung hero Joseph Warren, and the spread of smallpox during the American Revolution.

Again, more more day of PSSA!  Show your growth.  Prove to yourself and the state of PA what you know!

Monday April 7, 2014

This morning we began with a morning meeting from Cole.  He told us about his movie making skills.

After, we began the writing portion of PSSA.  This section was short and included 12 questions based on grammar.  Tomorrow and Wednesday are the big sections that are based around a single writing prompt.  Fifth graders should be ready to organize, draft, revise/edit, and publish all in one morning!  Two more days- we need to finish strong!!!

Afterwards we worked on defining starches and creating collages by searching through grocery store ads.  Starches are used by our bodies to supply us with energy.  Later in the afternoon we worked on Journeys vocabulary for the story They Called Her Mollie Pitcher.

Homework:
- Good night's rest for PSSA Writing tomorrow
- Journeys vocabulary Lesson 13

Thursday April 3, 2014

SUPER DUPER HAPPY!  We finished the Reading/Writing PSSA!!!

I am very proud with everything that I observed this year during PSSA.  Students showed perseverance and grit the entire time.  I told the class that they were my most prepared class yet, so lets hope that comes out in the results!  Great work ladies and gents.  Writing PSSA continues next week from Monday until Wednesday.

After PSSA today, we jumped back into food chemistry/nutrition.  Students analyzed what they ate on a daily basis, we examined the food pyramid (which I still do not totally agree with the updated version), and we began logging our daily food intake.  Hopefully as students continue to track what they eat, they will decide to make some healthier choices.  Three years ago, tracking what I ate made a HUGE difference in my physical and mental health.

Post food chem, students got back into reading groups and continued tracking facts and opinions in the story Can't You Make Them Behave King George.  Students had the opportunity to see more causes of the American Revolution through a different point of view other than the Patriots/Colonists.

Students already know this, but I will not be in school tomorrow.  Our class will be working on reading about starches in food chemistry, continuing drafting narratives in writing, finishing King George, and a fun post-PSSA activity in the afternoon for all their hard work. 

** REMEMBER- Get a great night sleep on Sunday (I know!  Its Wrestlemania, its going to be hard!) writing PSSA start on Monday! **

Wednesday April 2, 2014

April Fools!  No post yesterday...

Tomorrow is the last day of reading/math PSSA.  Students have been working their absolute hardest this week.  Luckily that rain has held off for some extra recess in the afternoon.

Tomorrow is the final reading PSSA.  Get your good night sleep and eat another great breakfast!!

Friday