Monday February 29, 2016

This leap day morning began in the most disappointing fashion that I could have imagined...  Many students had major problems with completing homework over the weekend and that reflected in their Dojo.  As a result of this, our science lesson was spent playing catch up.  We made up that time during recess and finally wrapped up our glucose research... Homework is not an option- it is a refinement of skills learned in class.

Homework is practice of things learned in school.  Homework is responsibility.  Homework builds a strong base.  Elementary school builds a strong base.  Without this strong base, we cannot easily build new learning on top of this base come middle school, high school, college, or entering the professional world.

In math, we began dividing whole numbers by decimals.

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415354549291

In writing, 2 groups are working on presentations, 5 groups are revising, 3 groups are editing, and 2 groups are continuing to draft.  By this Thursday I would expect all groups are working on their presentations.  These will be presented starting next week!

In reading, we finished written responses to Early American Historical Fiction genre, and continued to dive deeper into our independent reading.

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 25

RELA- Read 30; log signed; KidBiz "Revolution" due Friday; G&L Roots due tomorrow

Other- DOJO sign up- Maddy, Dean, Kyle; Planner signed

Friday February 26, 2016

Major today- morning meeting with Maddy B!

In science, we began to research glucose and its effect on our body.  We will continue to create our collages on Monday.

Math- some tough measurement conversions today!

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844967

Drafting wrapped up and revisions began in writing.  Some groups have begun to think about their presentations!

In reading, students wrote their first integration of knowledge response using our core text and their independent text about what story element was most important to the Early American Historical Fiction genre.  These will be graded and scored on a 10 point rubric this weekend.

SEE EVERYONE AT BINGO TONIGHT!!!!

HOMEWORK

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 20

RELA- Read 30 minutes at least ONCE this weekend for your genre book; book log signed; G&L Roots due next Tuesday 3/1

Other- planner signed; Dojo signed up; Yearbook papers turned in; FITNESS TRACKING due Monday; GLUCOSE readings due Monday

Thursday February 25, 2016

Jacob presented his anti-Superbowl story at morning meeting.

In science, we learned about our continuing project of creating collages on Google Slides for each macro and micro nutrient we learn about.  Ask your child to see their slides!  They can access these at home through their Google Drive.

Math- converting measures using fraction multiplication

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415354549291

Drafting and conferencing continued in writing.  Some groups are heading into the revisions stages.

In reading we reviewed plot and how central conflicts, solutions, subplots, rising action, and falling action effect how the novel unfolds.  Tomorrow, students will write a response about their own novels and The Arrow Over the Door.

HOMEWORK
Math- Mod 4 Lesson 19; Revisions for previous math quiz due tomorrow
RELA- Read 30 min; log signed; G&L roots due 3/1; KidBiz "Water" due tomorrow
Other- Planner signed; DOJO signed; Yearbook paper completed

Wednesday February 24, 2016

Zach B told us all about his kickball accident today at morning meeting- what a trooper!

In science, we continued to look at starches and introduced our collage project.

Math- decimal multiplication: it can also be fraction multiplication!

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415354549291

Drafting continued in writing.  I have almost conferenced with all groups!

In reading, we reviewed the important historical dates that have been surrounding our Early American Historical Fiction unit.  https://www.amrevmuseum.org/timeline/  We then dove deeper into the characters in or independent books with our first Google Doc journal responses.

Homework
Math- Mod 4 Lesson 18
RELA- Read 30; logs signed; KidBiz "Looking for Water"; G&L Roots due 3/1; Bonus to anyone who completes the KidBiz challenge!
Other- Planner signed; DOJO signed up; Yearbook paper completed; track your food and health!

Tuesday February 23, 2016

This morning we kicked our day off with a science test review morning meeting.  Those should be coming home to be signed tonight.

After, we introduced the new unit, told some of our own nutrition stories to make connections, and then began to talk about our first macro nutrient- starches.  We will continue to look at starches tomorrow.

In today's math lesson, we looked at how we can multiply decimals by turning the decimals into fractions.

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844816

To begin our afternoon, we applied subject pronouns to sentences.

After, we jumped into a mini lesson on using strong facts, quotes and statistics to bolster claims made in our environmental issue essays.  Thank you Alyssa, Sierra, Luke R, and Maria for allowing me to use examples from your writing.

To wrap up the day, characters (protagonists, antagonists, and secondary characters) were the story element we focused on developing in The Arrow Over the Door and in our independent texts.

HOMEWORK

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 17; Quiz revisions due Friday (optional but highly encouraged for all who received at 1 or 2)

RELA- Read 30 min; genre book logs signed; KidBiz "Drought" due Friday; G&L Roots due next Tuesday 3/1

Other- Planner signed; DOJO signed up!; Yearbook papers; Track your activities and food for science

Monday February 22, 2016

This morning began with a major reset.  We completed our ticket drawing, and then discussed our new homeroom expectation system.  Parents- please look at the Class Dojo sign up sheet coming home.  Download the app, visit the website, and follow your child daily to see up the the second updates of how your child is doing at school!  After, we switched seats into trifectas... an arrangement I've never used before, but I LIKE IT!

After, we quickly introduced our next science unit- food chemistry/nutrition.  Your child should be filling out a food/exercise chart throughout this week!  Do not forget or fall behind!

In math, we reviewed fraction of fraction word problems and then took a quick quiz.  Quizzes were not up to expectations, so if you received a 2 or 1, expect to have some revision work to do.  There may be a retest...  We shall see.

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1415354549291

After lunch, we received our next round of Greek and Latin roots.

THERM- heat, temperature
SOCIO- companion, friend

In writing, we looked at how to quote and cite our facts within the text.  I met with a few more groups and will continue to tomorrow.  Facts, statistics, and detailed information still continue to be the biggest drawback I am seeing within body paragraphs.  We will continue to revise heavily for specfic facts.

To wrap up the day, we defined setting within the Early American Historical Fiction genre by using text evidence from our core/complex text- The Arrow Over the Door.  Students will complete their setting part of their organizer tonight and read a bit more in their books.

Homework
Math- Mod 4 Lesson 16
RELA- Read 30; Book Log signed; KidBiz "Drought" due Friday; G&L Roots due 3/1
Other- Planner signed; Yearbook papers; Track your health and food; Dojo signed up and returned!

Friday February 19, 2016

Max lead our morning meeting today.  New York sounded fun!

Learning Target Analysis was the focus of our morning.  Hardcore math number crunching today!

In the afternoon, dialogue and quotations were the focus of grammar.  After, partnerships continued to collaborate and swap write their environmental essay drafts.

To finish the day, we built background information on Loyalists, Patriots and Quakers to better understand our Early American Historical Fiction novels.  Setting in this genre comes next Monday!

http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/patriots_and_loyalists.php

Homework
Math- REFLEX or KHAN or Study Island
RELA- Read 30 min in your genre novel (at least once, but brownie points for those who log in more than once!); KidBiz "Drought" due next Friday
Other- Planner signed; Yearbook papers due ASAP

Thursday Feb. 18, 2016

Science assessment morning meeting!  We dove right into that bad boy.

In math, we continued to find parts of parts.  TOUGH word problems!

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844528

In writing, we received back a ton of RELA grades.  Key ideas and details in informational reading is still a major difficulty for us as a class!

Continuing, we looked at an example of a fifth grade environmental project essay from last year.  What a bunch of critics we have in here!  Only helps to motivate them to do better on their own writing pieces!

In RELA we introduced the new genre study for marking period 3.  We will be looking at Early American Historical Fiction throughout all of this unit.  We began reading Arrow Over the Door together, and students selected their independent books.  Students will read at least 4 independent books of their choice throughout this genre study.  Tomorrow we will break down the story elements of this genre.

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 15

RELA- Read 30 minutes- get parent signature- jot down quick notes; KidBiz "Lincoln" due tomorrow

Other- Planner signed; coins of compassion; DRESS TO IMPRESS AS YOUR CAREER OF CHOICE TOMORROW! Bring Spanish books to school

Wednesday February 17, 2016

Morning leader Ryan told us about his basketball game that ended in a tie.

After, we wrapped up the micro-worlds study guide and reviewed a bit for tomorrow's assessment.  Make sure you study tonight!!!  This is your last chance at some of the biology standards in science until May when we enter the ecosystems unit.

In math, we continued to look at parts of parts (multiplying fractions by fractions).

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844372

In the afternoon, we were forced to finish CDTs, and review some key reading strategies on Study Island.  After finishing CDTs, we jumped right back into opinion writing.  Most groups finished up their planning today and are looking to dive head first into Google Doc drafting tomorrow.  We will be implementing a partner swap writing requirement for this!

In all, a decent first day back after an extended break!

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 14

RELA- Read 30; KidBiz "Lincoln" due Friday

Other-Planner signed; Coins of compassion all week!; bring Spanish books back to school

Saturday February 13, 2016

I forgot to post Thursday!

On Thursday, we observed volvox, blepherisma, and vinegar eels using our microscopes.  Although the volvox and vinegar eel specimens were a little underwhelming this year, the blepherisma were the best ever!

We began to fill in our science study guide.  Students have all the information for this in their science folder.  We will continue to review Tuesday, and our assessment is on Wednesday.

There was supposed to be an assembly, but that was cancelled.

In the afternoon, students took the PA CDT reading test.

Have a great break!  Rest and recharge!

Homework
Math- none
RELA- read 30 min; complete G&L Root Quiz; 2 self select KidBiz due TUESDAY (No Thought Questions)
Other- Planner signed; Science test Wednesday- study!

Wednesday February 10, 2016

Alyssa began our day with a fire alarm filled Great Wolf Lodge story.

Vinegar eels were the focus of our scientific research today.  Tomorrow we will observe the volvox, blepherisma, and vinegar eels.  We will make observations of them, and compare and contrast them.

In math, we began to multiply fractions by fractions (parts by parts).

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844250

After lunch, we had our reading celebration for the marking period.  19 of 27 students made their reading goal this marking period!  Hooray for them, but lets try to bump that total up in the 3rd marking period.

Kahoot reviewed our G&L Roots which will be quizzed tomorrow.

After, students completed their key idea and detail KidBiz article on ocean garbage.  In that time, I finished conferencing with students about their progress in KidBiz.  Some students have grown by almost 3 informational grade levels already this year!  WOW!  Growth is the name of the game!

To wrap up the day, environmental issue partnerships continued to plan.  Some have wrapped up the planning process and will begin drafting next week.

RELA CDT tomorrow afternoon!

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 13

RELA- G&L Roots due TOMORROW (quiz); KidBiz "Hey You!"; Read 30 min

Other- Planner signed

Tuesday February 9, 2016 DAY 100

Bri kicked off morning meeting with more soccer stories.  It was a true story of grit!

To kick off science we reviewed our buddy the volvox, and then met a new buddy- the blepherisma.  Ask your child what makes the blepharisma unique!

More extremely challenging word problems in math!  The word problems are DIFFICULT and require detailed reading and CUBED strategy.

C- Circle important numbers

U- Underline key words

B- Box in the question

E- Evaluate

D- Draw a tape diagram!

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844163

In the afternoon, we visited our buddy classes and celebrated 100 days of school with them!

We reviewed Greek and Latin roots with matching games.  Kahoot tomorrow; quiz Thursday.  Also, we will have our CDT testing on Thursday afternoon.

Writing- environmental issue opinion essay planning continued

Reading- KidBiz key ideas and details REVIEW!

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 12

RELA- Read 30; Cold read due tomorrow; G&L Roots due Thursday; KidBiz- HEY YOU due Thursday

Other- Planner signed

Monday February 8, 2016

Morning meeting- Superbowl run-down and ticket drawing.  Why so many dog commercials?  Sheesh...

In science we researched the Volvox, a single cellular organism that lives in colonies.  We will be observing them with our microscopes on Thursday.

Math's focus was on applying numeric expressions to word problems.  Students combined adding and subtracting fractions with finding parts of a whole.  Today's lesson was HARD!  The word problems are DIFFICULT and require detailed reading and CUBED strategy.

C- Circle important numbers
U- Underline key words
B- Box in the question
E- Evaluate
D- Draw a tape diagram!

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844163

Our next stage in writing was to add details to our major reasons that supported our environmental issue opinion.  Facts from research were applied here.

To wrap up the day, we took a quiz on finding Key Ideas and Details in informational reading.

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 11; REFLEX

RELA- Read 30; KidBiz "Hey You!" due Thursday; G&L roots due Thursday; Cold Read due tomorrow

Other- Planner signed

Friday February 5, 2016

This morning, Stephen presented a morning meeting focused on archery competitions he attends.

Afterwards, we jumped directly into science so we could discover what 5 unknown substances were by observing them with our microscopes and reading professional observations of them.  Ask your child what these things were that we observed.

After, we began an EXTREMELY difficult lesson in math.  We will continue to look at numeric expressions with fractions for two more days.  Please use the videos below to assist with homework- ITS TOUGH!

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379844111

In writing we began to organize our environmental essays by selecting our top 3 reasons to support our opinions.  

In reading, we continued to read informational texts to focus on key ideas and details.  We read about cephalopods and their movement today!

Please remember to use a quote and elaborate on the quote in #4!!!

Homework
Math- Mod 4 Lesson 10 abbreviated
RELA- Finish cephalopods, G&L Roots due 2/11; KidBiz "Hey You!"
Other- planner signed

Thursday February 4, 2016

Claire lead a interesting and shocking morning meeting about babies and thumbs stuck in doors!

After, we took the CDT test for math which is required by the district.  For homework use the video below, or look at the previous 4 Eureka videos on the blog.

In the afternoon, we brought the fifth grade together for a middle of the year discussion about expectations.  Ask your child how this went and what the expectations are.  Also ask them what they have to earn.

Research came to its end in writing.  Tomorrow we will begin organizing our environmental issues essays.

To end the day, Mrs. Smith joined us for some Cause and Effect identification to focus our exploration of text structure.

Homework

Math- Common Core fractions and whole number review

RELA- Read 30; KidBiz "Wyoming Pollution" due tomorrow!; G&L Roots due 2/11; Research for writing

Other- planner signed

Wednesday February 3, 2016

This morning we began with learning to make wet slides in science.

Ask your child how to make a wet slide, what kind of things work best in a wet slide, and what they observed today.

In math we reviewed finding parts of wholes, and then took Module 4, Topic C quiz.

As our day progressed, we gained two new Greek and Latin roots.

tract- pull

struct- build

After, research for environmental issue essays continued.  Tomorrow will most likely be our last day of research before we begin organizing our research and essays.  Below is a list of resources I have provided to the students based on their topics:

Ozone Depletion

http://eschooltoday.com/ozone-depletion/ozone-information-for-children.html

http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/00000M4C.txt?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=1995%20Thru%201999&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&UseQField=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5CZYFILES%5CINDEX%20DATA%5C95THRU99%5CTXT%5C00000013%5C00000M4C.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=p%7Cf&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x

http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/facts/SH.html

Landfills

http://environmentvictoria.org.au/content/problem-landfill

http://www.wegreen-usa.org/landfill-problems.html

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Environmental_Problems:_Landfills

Poaching

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/poaching/?referrer=https://www.google.com/

http://www.awf.org/campaigns/poaching-infographic/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-devastating-effects-of-wildlife-poaching/

Marine Life Dying Off

http://www.inquisitr.com/2302738/massive-die-off-of-ocean-animals-turning-pacific-ocean-into-desert-go-see-them-now-before-theyre-extinct/

http://thankyouocean.org/threats/marine-life-decline/

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/

Acid Rain

http://www3.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whyharmful.html

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/acid-rain-overview/

http://chemistry.elmhurst.edu/vchembook/197acidrainsoln.html

Forest Fires

http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/research/fire/fire-effects.shtml

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfires/

http://greenconduct.com/blog/2013/07/25/the-environmental-consequences-of-forest-fires/

Overpopulation

http://planetsave.com/2012/05/27/over-population-the-most-serious-environmental-problem-for-science/

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-overpopulation.php

http://www.everythingconnects.org/overpopulation-effects.html

Nuclear Powerplant Problems

http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/nuclear-energy-for-kids.html

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/nuclear/problems

http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/nuclear-energy/

Air Pollution

http://www3.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/concern.html

http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/air-pollution-facts.html

http://www.clean-air-kids.org.uk/airquality.html

Bottled Water

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/live-healthy/tap-water-vs-bottled-water

http://www.riverkeeper.org/campaigns/tapwater/bottle-water/

https://thewaterproject.org/bottled_water_wasteful

Medical Waste

https://noharm-asia.org/content/asia/medical-waste-know-issue

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/04/01/medical-waste-disposal.aspx

http://www3.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/medical/mwfaqs.htm

To end the day, we focused on Key Ideas and Details in informational reading passages.  This has been a major area of concern for the year, so the next few days in reading will focus on this topic.  Bumper Cars were the topic discussed and dissected in the readings.

Homework

Math- REFLEX or Khan

RELA- Read 30; KidBiz due Friday (Air Wyoming); G&L Roots due 2/11; Finish Bumper Cars

Other- Planner signed

Environmental Socratic Seminar

Well.... Apparently I videoed the first 3 minutes of the first seminar in slow motion.... So is life!  Enjoy some silly slow-mo, but be sure to watch the final 13 minutes of the second seminar as they are supposed to be.

I will be uploading as they finish importing into Youtube.

Seminar 1- Part 1 (Accidental Slow-mo...)

Seminar 1- Part 2 (Not in slow-mo...)

Seminar 2

Watch. Reflect. Enjoy.

Tuesday February 2, 2016 SOCRATIC SEMINARS WILL BE POSTED LATER TONIGHT

This morning in science.  We began our day be observing a water bear as a class. We modeled the expectations for observations during this time with the black image of the water bear below.  Sadly, we did not get to observe real water bears, but we will be observing live organisms this week.  We did observe two mystery items today using well slides.  Please ask your child what it was that they observed!

In math, we continued to look at finding parts of a whole.  Today introduced measurement into the process.  Tomorrow we will have a quiz on finding parts of a whole after a partial unit review.

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379843973

In the afternoon, our Socratic seminars kicked off!  The Quakertown TV crew came around to catch some footage and interview those involved with the seminar.  I will post this video as soon as the high school students have created it.  Mrs. Wilson's students came to observe the seminar as well because they will be doing their own in the future.  After the seminar, we reflected on the performance of others and our own.  Overall, I think our 3rd seminar was the best yet.  The seminar flowed, people did not talk over each other very often, and text was referenced often!  We always have room to improve, but that is why we are here at school- to become better every day.  Seminars will be posted later tonight.  Check back in to see them!

Greek and Latin root quiz wrapped up our day.

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 9

RELA- Read 30; KidBiz "Wyoming Air Pollution" due Friday; Environmental Issue research

Other- Planner signed

Monday Feb. 1, 2016

Ticket drawing Fitbit morning meeting.

Link to T'ville Times.

Finished observing newspaper and glossy magazines.

Math- parts of a whole with the multiplication of fractions

Homework Help: http://www.oakdale.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1425379843869

Writing- more research for environmental issue opinion essays

Reading- Socratic Seminar prep!  The filming crew comes tomorrow!

Homework

Math- Mod 4 Lesson 8

RELA- Read 30; Socratic Seminar prepared; G&L Roots TOMORROW; Research

Other- Planner