April 30th

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• A note will be sent home tomorrow with information about upcoming field trips!

• The SCAMP Walk & Roll is this Sunday in Depot Park. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. We hope to see some of you there.  

• The 5th Grade Music Performance will take place on Tuesday, May 5 (arrive by 6:40 p.m.).  

WORD STUDY

Barber:  New weekly words: except, accept, expect, probably and a lot (two words, not one)

* SPELLING TEST TOMORROW

Brazier: Common types of analogies. The importance of self-talk when solving analogies.    

* SPELLING TEST ON FRIDAY, MAY 8 (25 Word Masters words)

Kornas: Words for next spelling test: refuge, grope, languid, vigor, compel, listless, snicker, grapple.

* SPELLING TEST ON Monday, May 4

Martinez: Practicing parts of speech and dictionary skills.

MATH

Textbook Link: http://webcom4.grtxle.com/MTB3/uploads/MTB3_Gr5_SG.pdf

Brazier - Switch One: New textbook issued (Bits and Pieces II).  Lesson Focus:Strategies for estimating the sums and differences of fractions and decimals. Game: “Getting Closer.”

* HOMEWORK: PAGE 10 IN THE NEW TEXTBOOK, PROBLEMS 1-19 (odd-numbered problems only) and 31-33. DUE TOMORROW. CIRCLE OR HIGHLIGHT ALL ANSWERS.

Brazier - Switch Two: Approaching the addition of fractions with unlike denominators in multiple ways.

* ASK: “Why do some people mistakenly think that ¾ is equivalent to ⅘? Which fraction is greater? How do you know, and in how many ways can you prove it?”

* HOMEWORK: STUDENT GUIDE PAGE 176. DUE TOMORROW. CIRCLE OR HIGHLIGHT ALL ANSWERS.

Martinez - Switch One: Comparing fractions.  Finding common denominators using pictures.

* ASK:Which fraction is greater? ¾ or ⅘ How do you know?  Prove it.

Martinez - Switch Two: Fraction Cover-All game.

SCIENCE

Barber: Activity 6 review and begin preparing for Activity 7!

*TEST TOMORROW

Kornas: Complete Activity 7 - Rolling On (focus on the force of FRICTION).

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Independent reading.  Running records.

Brazier: Noticing the explicit and implicit in nonfiction texts.

Kornas:  Instructional Read Aloud - The Cay chapter 9-12.  Independent Reading/Running Records.

Martinez: DRA Prep: When filling out a summary of a nonfiction text, readers write one section at a time.

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  Writing celebration.  Sharing our reflections.

Brazier: “Informational writers are teachers.”

Kornas: Writing a concise summary. (Chapter 11 - The Cay)

* HOMEWORK: TYPED OPINION ESSAYS ARE DUE TOMORROW MORNING. STUDENTS HAVE A CHECKLIST TO USE TO GUIDE THEM AS THEY DO THEIR FINAL EDITING.

Martinez: “Informational writers are experts on their topic.”

* HOMEWORK: TYPED OPINION ESSAYS ARE DUE BY NEXT WEDNESDAY.  STUDENTS SHOULD USE THEIR CHECKLIST AS THEY MAKE THEIR FINAL CHANGES.

April 29th

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The SCAMP Walk & Roll is this Sunday in Depot Park. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. We hope to see some of you there.  

• The 5th Grade Music Performance will take place on Tuesday, May 5 (arrive by 6:40 p.m.).  

WORD STUDY

Barber:  New weekly words: except, accept, expect, probably & a lot

* SPELLING TEST ON THURSDAY

Brazier: The importance of noting parts of speech when solving analogies   

* SPELLING TEST ON FRIDAY, MAY 8 (25 Word Masters words)

Kornas:

HOMEWORK: COMPLETE UNFINISHED W.M. POSTER. DUE THURSDAY MORNING.

Martinez: Practicing parts of speech.  Mad Libs.

MATH

Textbook Link: http://webcom4.grtxle.com/MTB3/uploads/MTB3_Gr5_SG.pdf

Brazier - Switch One: Strands 1-7 Test

Brazier - Switch Two: Adding fractions with unlike denominators

* ASK: “Why do some people mistakenly think that ¾ is equivalent to ⅘? Which fraction is greater? How do you know, and in how many ways can you prove it?”

Martinez - Switch One: Comparing fractions.  Finding common denominators using pictures.

Martinez - Switch Two: Parts to Whole.  Fraction Equations.

* HOMEWORK: HOMEWORK ENTITLED “FRACTION EQUATIONS” IS DUE TOMORROW.

SCIENCE

Barber: Activity 3 review and begin Activity 4 Cup & Ball

*TEST TOMORROW

Kornas: Complete Activity 7 - Rolling On (focus on the force of FRICTION).

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Independent reading.  DRA prep work.

Brazier:

1. “Readers of nonfiction preview their texts.”

2. Jotting and deep discussion about Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Kornas:  Instructional Read Aloud - The Cay chapter 6 and 7. Summarize chapter 6 in WWNB.

Martinez: “Readers of nonfiction ask questions as they read.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  Writers reflect on their final piece.

Brazier: Opinion Writing On-Demand Post-Test

Kornas: Writers “whisper-read” to catch errors in writing. Editing day in computer lab.

* HOMEWORK: TYPED OPINION ESSAYS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY MORNING. STUDENTS HAVE A CHECKLIST TO USE TO GUIDE THEM AS THEY DO THEIR FINAL EDITING.

April 28th

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The 5th Grade Music Performance will take place on Tuesday, May 5 (arrive by 6:40 p.m.).  

WORD STUDY

Barber: Practice crafting a ‘great sentence’ vs. a ‘good’ one.   New weekly words: except, accept, expect, probably & a lot

* SPELLING TEST ON THURSDAY

Brazier: The importance of noting parts of speech when solving analogies   

* SPELLING TEST ON FRIDAY, MAY 8 (25 Word Masters words)

Kornas: Word Master Poster work.  Today was the last day to work in class.  Completed posters are due by Thursday morning at the latest. Each student has been given a rubric/checklist to ensure they have done their best work.

HOMEWORK: COMPLETE UNFINISHED W.M. POSTER.

Martinez: Dictionary skill practice.  Practice crafting a ‘great sentence’ vs. a ‘good’ one.

MATH

Textbook Link: http://webcom4.grtxle.com/MTB3/uploads/MTB3_Gr5_SG.pdf

Brazier - Switch One: Reducing fractions. Finding the LCM and the GCF.  

* STRAND 7 TEST TOMORROW

Brazier - Switch Two: Introducing the skill of adding fractions with unlike denominators

* ASK: What’s one-fourth added to five-twelfths? Solve the problem using pattern blocks and dot paper - at a minimum. Finally, express the sum as an equivalent fraction.”

Martinez - Switch One: Exploring adding fractions with unlike denominators.  Introducing finding common denominators using pictures.

Martinez - Switch Two: Parts to Whole.

SCIENCE

Barber: Activity 3 Moving Masses. Looking at how acceleration requires more force.

Kornas: Complete Activity 6 - notes and vocabulary.  Begin Activity 7: Rolling On

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Independent reading.  DRA prep work.

Brazier:

1. “Readers of nonfiction preview their texts.”

2. Jotting and deep discussion about Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Kornas:  Reading response - The Cay chapters 4-5.

Martinez: “Readers use text features to help them understand complex texts.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  Writers use checklists in writing.

HOMEWORK: FINAL OPINION PIECE DUE WEDNESDAY.

Brazier: Celebration. Reflections. “Cheat Sheet” for tomorrow’s On Demand.

* ‘ON DEMAND’ OPINION WRITING POST-TEST TOMORROW

* HOMEWORK: REVIEW PUBLISHED PIECE AND END-OF-UNIT REFLECTIONS. RETURN THE REFLECTIONS WITH BOTH STUDENT AND PARENT SIGNATURE

Kornas: Writers use a catchy title to get their readers attention.

HOMEWORK: TYPED OPINION ESSAYS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY MORNING. TODAY WAS THE LAST DAY TO WORK ON THEM IN CLASS. STUDENTS HAVE A CHECKLIST TO USE TO GUIDE THEM AS THEY DO THEIR FINAL EDITING.

Martinez: “Writers unpack their evidence.”

April 27th

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Students will need their recorders for this week’s music class. The 5th Grade Music Performance will take place on Tuesday, May 5 (arrive by 6:40 p.m.).  

WORD STUDY

Barber:  Analogy practice. New weekly words: except, accept, expect, probably & a lot

*TEST THURSDAY

Brazier: Analogy practice.

* ASK: What’s the word you’ll have to become a master of in the coming days? What do you already know about this word?”   

* SPELLING TEST (all 25 Word Masters words) ON FRIDAY, MAY 8

Kornas: Word Master Poster work.

Martinez: Parts of Speech Packet Practice.

MATH

Textbook Link: http://webcom4.grtxle.com/MTB3/uploads/MTB3_Gr5_SG.pdf

Brazier - Switch One: Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, including mixed numbers. Reducing fractions.

* STRAND 7 TEST ON WEDNESDAY

Brazier - Switch Two: Comparing fractions using pictures and symbols. Finding common denominators.

* ASK: What’s ¾ - ½ ?

Martinez - Switch One:  Equivalent Fractions.

Martinez - Switch Two: Fractions greater than one.  Parts to Whole.

* HOMEWORK: PURPLE SHEET.  DUE TOMORROW.

SCIENCE

Barber: Complete Activity 2: gravity & balance.

Kornas: Complete Activity 3 - notes and vocabulary.  Begin Activity 4: Ball in Cup.

ASK: “Tell me about Newton’s Second Law of Motion.”

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Independent reading.  DRA prep work.

Brazier:

1. “Readers of nonfiction preview their texts.”

2. Jotting and deep discussion about Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Kornas: Read aloud - The Cay.  Independent reading

Martinez: Book trailer presentations.  Book trailer feedback.

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  Writers use checklists in writing.

HOMEWORK: FINAL OPINION PIECE DUE WEDNESDAY.

Brazier: Writing Celebration, Part 1. End of unit reflections. And lots of ice cream.

Kornas: Writers include counter arguments in their opinion essay.

HOMEWORK: IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COUNTER ARGUMENT YET, YOU NEED TO HAVE ONE TO INCLUDE IN YOUR OPINION TOMORROW MORNING.

Martinez: Writers use text features to help the reader make sense of complex information by organizing the text.

April 24th

WORD STUDY

Barber:  Analogy practice.

Brazier: Analogies. Word Masters Word Assignment.

* ASK: What’s the word you’ll have to become a master of in the coming days? What do you already know about this word?”   

Kornas: Word Master Poster work.

Martinez: Parts of Speech Practice.

MATH

No math today because of the M-STEP

SCIENCE

Barber: No switches today

Kornas: No switches today

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Independent reading.  Discussion and jot  on The Cay, instructional read aloud.

Brazier: Independent reading. Jotting and ‘heavy discussion’ about Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, the instructional read aloud.

Kornas: I.B. Book Club meeting or independent reading. Read aloud - The Cay.

Martinez: Students finished their book trailers.  They are awesome!

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  Rough drafts due and checklist work day.

Brazier: “Titles do a lot with a little. They try to be catchy and topic-related.”

* HOMEWORK: ELECTRONICALLY SEND THE FINAL DRAFT OF YOUR OPINION PIECE TO MR. B BY 10:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY EVENING.

Kornas: Different types of conclusions and hints for writing a great conclusion.  Type, revise and edit opinion essay using the checklist.

Martinez: Writers use checklists in writing.