Tuesday December 23, 2014

Happy Holidays!

Homework
READ!

Monday December 22, 2014

This morning we kicked off our extra short week with our student council members presenting news to the class.

In math we continued to look at mixed numbers and how to multiply them when stated in word problems.  Tough, tough, tough lesson!!!

https://learnzillion.com/lessons/215-multiply-mixed-numbers-by-renaming-factors

Upon completion of math, we took our spelling test and then studied for our science assessment which is tomorrow.

In the afternoon we wrapped our a reading assessment on turtles and then sung along with the school for the holidays.

Homework
Math- Lesson 21 both sides
Science- STUDY!!!!!!!!
RELA- finish SotB (ch. 24 and 25); the final response question is a 4 opportunity and optional
Other- planner signed; steps tracked

Friday December 21, 2014

Homework
Math- none
RELA- Chapter 22 and 23 of SotB
Spelling- due Monday!
Other- planner signed

Thursday December 18, 2014

This morning began with David telling us about his time at Freddie's house.  Character counted most of the time while there!

In science we observed the volvox and blepharisma under our microscopes.  We did an excellent job of noting observable properties and assisting others in focusing microscopes.

Then in math we began multiplying mixed numbers.

This afternoon we again worked on the reading skill of generalizations and conclusions.  We worked on this during our writing time since 2nd grade's sing along happened during our regular reading time.  After sing along, we crafted our science study guide for Tuesdays assessment.

Homework

Math- multiplying fractions/mixed numbers

RELA- Cold read- annotate!; text evidence, elaborate for question 5- explicit text evidence

Spelling/Voc- Spell due Dec. 22; jur, jud, jus sentences due tomorrow- PWYK tomorrow as well

Other- Planner signed; PJs tomorrow!  Coins of compassion/giving tree items!

Wednesday December 17, 2014

This morning we wrapped up the last chunk of NWEA- Language.

After NWEAs students posed questions about their endangered animal and did further research so they could add elaborations to their notes.

In the afternoon we were introduced to the 3 microorganisms that will be observed over the next 2 days- volvox, blepharisma, and vinegar eels.

Then for the last 40 minutes of the day, we joined our first grade buddies for some holiday crafting and fun!

Homework

Math- +, -, * review

RELA- SotB Ch. 20/21 and questions

Spell/Voc- jur, jud, jus sentences due Friday; Dec. 22 for spelling- Monday

Other- sign planner; coin compassion/giving tree donations PJs Friday! 

Tuesday December 16, 2014

NWEA reading was our main focus this morning.  Growth is our goal, as always!

In the afternoon we spent a solid hour on mathematics since we did not have a chance to get to our math lesson yesterday.  The focus of today's lesson was on these 3 key facts

• When multiplying by a fraction less than one whole, your product will always be smaller than the number you are multiplying into.
• When multiplying by a fraction greater than one whole, your product will always be larger than the number you are multiplying into.
• When multiplying by a fraction equal to one whole, your product will always be equal to the number you are multiplying into (although it may need some major simplifying!)
  

Apply these ideas on tonight's homework and check out these videos for extra help:

https://learnzillion.com/lessonsets/537-interpret-multiplication-as-scaling-and-predict-the-outcome-of-multiplying-by-fractions-less-than-greater-than-and-equal-to-one

After, we continued to work on the skill of concluding in reading.

Homework

Math- Lesson 20

RELA- SotB Ch. 19

Spell/Voc- Spelling due Dec. 22; jur, jud, jus sentences due Friday (PWYK too!)

Other- planner signed; assessments signed; Coins of Compassion and Giving Tree donations due Friday

Monday December 15, 2014

This morning began with computers being distributed to students so we could begin our mid-year NWEA testing sessions.

Math was our NWEA of the day.  Growth from beginning of the year is our goal.  Once these are finished, I will be sending home NWEA progress reports.  Reading tomorrow.

In the afternoon we reviewed our latest TDAs, received our newest Latin/Greek root "jur, jud, jus."
Quizlet

Finally, we reviewed Sign of the Beaver up until chapter 16.  At some point this week, Sign of the Beaver will the collected and graded based on comprehension.

To wrap up our day, small guided reading groups worked on the skill of coming to conclusions and other individuals worked on Study Island reinforcing various skills we have learned so far this year.  My group, the pink group, had a fantastic discussion about levees and floods since our book was based on this topic.

Homework
Math- none
RELA- SotB Ch. 17 and 18
Spell/Voc- jur, jud, jus matching tomorrow, sentences Friday; spelling due Dec. 22
Planner and TDAs signed

Friday December 12, 2014

This morning we had our scrib/script PWYK.  84% proficient or advanced this week! WOOOOOOO!

In science we observed table salt, Epsom salt, grits, quartz sand, and poppy seeds and identified these mystery substances based on definitions of the observable properties.  We also learned when to use well and wet slides.

Well- larger 3 dimensional items

Wet- flat, thin items

Math's focus for the day was multiplying fractions and fractions by whole numbers.

In writing we looked over our rubric and checklists before wrapping up our first body paragraph drafts.

Finally, we wrapped up the day with coming to a conclusion about the character Nathan's future in the story Storm Warriors.  Ask your child what conclusion we came to and what text evidence lead us to that conclusion.

Homework

MATH- Lesson 18 both sides

RELA- SotB Ch. 15 and 16 (all questions)

Spelling- due Dec. 22

Other- Planner signed; Latin roots and spelling signed

Thursday December 11, 2014

Surprise 2 hour delay!  I did not expect that at all!

With the two hour delay, many things will be switched around for the next couple of days.  Next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we will be taking the mid-year round of NWEA tests.  Growth is our goal!  We will take these in math, reading and language (grammar, writing, etc.).

Today we took the mid-year Dibels assessments in math.  I can already tell we will show a ton of growth in these performance tasks.

In the late afternoon, Dr. Hertz paid us a visit to reinforce the reading skill of quick annotating.

Study for the tomorrow's scrib/script Latin Root PWYK tomorrow!

Homework
Math- + and - mixed numbers word problems
RELA- SotB up to Chapter 14 and all questions
Spell/Voc- scrib/script PWYK and sentences due tomorrow; spelling due Dec. 22
Other- planner signed; holiday part snack sheet signed

Wednesday December 12, 2014

So sorry!  I missed yesterday's post and did not even realize it until this morning.

MadFish lead our morning meeting with a quick story about her medical procedure she had yesterday.  Quite interesting and informative to students about what it means to be potentially allergic to gluten.

In science we observed newspaper and magazine clippings with our microscopes.  It was quite interesting to see how ink is deposited onto a page!

Today's math lesson focused on multiplying fractions by fractions and fractions by whole numbers.  Today was mostly an introduction, and tomorrow we will dive deeper into the topic but practicing the strategy to evaluate these types of problems.

Fraction of a whole number

fraction of a fraction

In writing we had a mini-lesson on concluding sentences, looked at an example of a body paragraph about an animal's description and began drafting our own description paragraphs of our animals.  Tomorrow we will continue.

In reading we received our next set of vocabulary for lesson 9.  Solid work today.

As a whole, we started the day with quite a bit of commotion.  After having a discussion about keeping ourselves focused until the holidays truly begin, the day became much smoother.  Lets keep this up heading into the next 9 days.

Homework

Math- Lesson 18 both sides due Friday

RELA- Lesson 9 vocab due tomorrow; SotB Chapter 12 and questions

Spell/Vocab- scrib script sentences due Friday; December 22 spelling is due

Other- snack sheets signed and planners signed

Monday December 8, 2014

This morning we received our next Latin/Greek Root of the week- "scrib/script" meaning 'write.'
QUIZLET
Root Tree

In science we reviewed what makes a magnifier and then took a quick quiz on magnifiers.

Math's focus was on solving mixed number and fraction adding and subtracting word problems.

Turning annotated notes into research was our focus in writing.  Tomorrow we will wrap up note taking and begin drafting our first body paragraph.

Reading continued TDA and small group persuasive practice.

Homework

Math- Lesson 16 both sides

RELA- SotB Chapter 11- 10 and 11 questions; Spelling due tomorrow; scrib/script matching due tomorrow

Other- planner signed; assessments signed; holiday party food sheet signed

December 5, 2014

Quick Friday update!

Science- discovered the 2 necessary properties of all magnifiers: transparent and convex (clear and rounded)

Math- add and subtract fraction/mixed number word problems

Grammar- compound sentences and conjunctions

Writing- turning research into notes: questioning your notes to add more detail

Reading- persuasion and TDA

Homework
RELA- S.o.t.B. Ch 10 and only vocabulary for Ch. 10; extra animal project research (optional); TDAs and trifolds due Monday
Spelling- Dec. 9th (Tuesday)
Planner signed; graded items signed

Thursday December 4, 2014

This morning we started the day by receiving back all the graded things from right before Thanksgiving.  Please have these signed.

In science we observed burlap, yarn, screen wire, and pencil shavings using our hand lenses.  We wrote down the observational properties and drew each item in great detail.  Through this we were able to describe an object and guess it based on detailed descriptions.

Math's focus was on adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  Combination review today.  We also had an RSA on this topic.

Grammar: Compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions:

Writing's focus was annotating our endangered animal research.  We coded our research based on the paragraph topics for the essay.  Tomorrow we will begin compiling notes and drafting body paragraph one on the animal's physical appearance.

Finally, in reading small groups worked with Mrs. Hand and myself to analyze how persuasion can encourage a reader to make a change in their beliefs or actions.  Others who were not in groups worked on the newest Text Dependent Analysis question (LDC, now known as TDA- thanks PSSA for changing all my acronyms!)

Homework
Math- + and - mixed numbers word problems (show all work!)
RELA- S.o.t.B. Ch. 8 and 9 with all 8 and 9 questions; optional additional animal research on websites/YouTube
Spelling- due Dec. 9
Other- planner signed; graded papers signed

Wednesday December 3, 2014

Today kicked off with a morning meeting lead by Amelia.  She discussed the time her car ran out of gas on the way to the beach, and had tons of connections to our Character Counts wall.

In science we continued to closely observe our pennies but this time using hand lenses.  The details and observations were so much more in depth!  We discussed why scientists revise their observations and made connections to the past two days lessons.  Ask your child why scientists must make close observations and then revise their observations over time.

Our focus in math today was subtracting mixed numbers.  This included borrowing from whole numbers!  Tough stuff but as a class we rose to the challenge.  Below are two videos to help with homework tonight (HINT! Always remember to write your problems out the vertical way!):

Borrowing when you cannot subtract fractions

Subtracting fractions from whole numbers

Today's writing lesson was one I was hesitant on attempting, but we will follow good old Lucy Caulkins and see how her idea/guidance pans out.  Today students wrote a flash draft on the endangered animal that they chose yesterday.  This flash draft was based on no research, only prior knowledge.  The purpose of this is to allow students to make misconceptions because as they research, they will adjust and actually absorb more from the research.  Interesting theory, and we will see how this works tomorrow when we start researching.

In reading we read about the Everglades and how it is so important to protect them.  The author used the strategy of persuasion to entice the readers to do what they can to preserve the Florida Everglades.

Homework

Math- SL 8.3

RELA- Sign of the Beaver- read Ch. 7; answer Chapter 6 and 7 questions (go back, reread, use text evidence and elaboration to answer the questions)

Spelling- due Dec. 9

Other- Planner signed

Tuesday December 2, 2014

Today we started the morning by sharing stories about things we were thankful for over the Thanksgiving holiday.

In science we began our unit on magnifiers and micro-worlds.  Today we used our sense of sight to observe a penny.  Tomorrow we will observe the penny using a magnifying glass to see the intricacies in it that our eye has a hard time observing.

Math's focus was on mixed numbers and how to add them.

In writing we began our next informative writing piece about endangered animals.  Originally this was to be about westward expansion but we decided to push this back into our last unit.  We brainstormed possible paragraph/research topics.

Reading focused on vocabulary for Lesson 8- synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, root words and sentences.

Hope your holidays were lovely.  15 more school days until our next break!

Homework

Math- SL 8.2

Reading- read 30 min; finish lesson 8 vocabulary

Spell/Voc- Spelling due Dec. 9th

Other- planner signed