Monday, November 30, 2015

November 30th, 2015

MATH
Barber: Equivalent Fractions & Fractohoppers.
* ASK: “Prove in multiple ways that 2/4 is equivalent to 3/6.”

Brazier: Equivalent Fractions
* ASK: “Prove in multiple ways that 4/6 is equivalent to 2/3.”
* ASK: “What is 4/6 + 2/3? Prove your answer using pattern blocks. Express the solution as both an improper fraction and mixed number.”  
* HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 4

Martinez: Using models to write equations.  Exploring improper and mixed numbers.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers notice when characters act in surprising ways.”  

Brazier: “Readers step OUTside the story to think abOUT a character.

Martinez: “Readers step OUTside the story to think abOUT a character.”


WRITING WORKSHOP
Barber:  Jotting about characters and surprising actions.

Brazier: “Writers can name what they do consistently well.”

Martinez: “Poetry is meant to be read aloud.”

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)
Wrap up any last Explorer presentations.  Groups create a Headline to represent their explorer.  
EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)
Word of the Day (WPM). Typing Club. Spelling Groups.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)
Introduction to the phases of the moon.

Please email Mrs. Martinez at ammartinez@clarston.k12.mi.us if you are able to donate a box of original Oreos for Wednesday.  Thank you!





Tuesday, November 24, 2015

November 24th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • School will resume on Monday (11/30).

  • Spelling words to study for the forthcoming spelling bees went home today.

MATH
Barber: Introduction to Equivalent Fractions.
* ASK: “Prove in multiple ways that 2/4 is equivalent to 3/6.”

Brazier: Equivalent Fractions
* ASK: “Prove in multiple ways that 2/4 is equivalent to 3/6.”
* ASK: “What is ½ + ⅓? Prove your answer using pattern blocks.”  
* HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 4

Martinez: Using models and equations to add fractions.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers pay attention to how other characters treat the main character.”  

Brazier: “Readers step OUTside the story to think abOUT a character.

Martinez: “Readers step OUTside the story to think abOUT a character.”

WRITING WORKSHOP
Barber:  Jotting about characters actions or choices.

Brazier: Sundry Written Reflections

Martinez: Published Piece Artwork.



SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)
* HOMEWORK FOR LAUREN C.’S SPELLING GROUP (Brazier): PAGES 143-144
* HOMEWORK FOR JEFFREY B.’S SPELLING GROUP (Martinez): PAGES 95-96
* HOMEWORK FOR GRACE A.’S SPELLING GROUP (Barber): PAGES 95-96
* HOMEWORK FOR MEGAB M.’S SPELLING GROUP (Barber): PAGES 6-7
** ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS DUE ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)
No Science today.






Monday, November 23, 2015

November 23rd, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • The Thanksgiving Feast will take place tomorrow afternoon. Thank you in advance for your contribution.

  • The Tuesday Writing Club will not meet tomorrow.  

MATH
Barber: Improper Fractions & Mixed Numbers.  

Brazier: (1) Converting improper fractions into mixed numbers, and vice versa. (2) Ms. Skiba’s Google Maps multidisciplinary lesson.   
* HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 4

Martinez: When comparing fractions, it is essential to consider the whole.
*ASK: When the red trapezoid is one whole, what block represents ⅓? (green triangle)

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers pay attention to how other characters treat the main character.”  

Brazier: “Readers take note of characters’ prized possessions.”
* ASK: “What’s Gilly’s prized object? Why did you say she acted ‘out of character’ when she lingered over it?”

Martinez: “Readers step OUTside the story to think abOUT a character.”

WRITING WORKSHOP
Barber:  Jotting about characters actions or choices.

Brazier: Sundry Written Reflections

Martinez: Published Piece Reflection
*ASK: “What is something you did well as a writer on your Personal Narrative published piece?  What do you believe are the ingredients of a powerful Personal Narrative?
SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)
Chapter 5: Complete Explorer performance assessments.  
EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Word of the Day (innovate). “Cane’s Arcade.” Brainstorming for the forthcoming What If Wednesday.
* HOMEWORK FOR LAUREN C.’S SPELLING GROUP (Brazier): PAGES 143-144
* HOMEWORK FOR JEFFREY B.’S SPELLING GROUP (Martinez): PAGES 95-96
* HOMEWORK FOR GRACE A.’S SPELLING GROUP (Barber): PAGES 95-96
* HOMEWORK FOR MEGAB M.’S SPELLING GROUP (Barber): PAGES 6-7
** ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS DUE ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)
Science tests scored and returned.  I collected them to put in student portfolios.  I will make a copy of them and send it home.







Friday, November 20, 2015

November 20th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • School will be in session next week on Monday and Tuesday only.

  • The homework menu will return on Friday, December 4.

MATH
Barber: Fractions Greater Than One.

Brazier: Fractions Greater Than One
* ASK: “List all you know about the fraction 5/2.”

Martinez: When comparing fractions, it is essential to consider the whole.
*ASK: “Mrs. Barber ate ⅙ of a pizza at lunch.  Mrs. Martinez ate ¼.  Could Mrs. Barber have eaten more than Mrs. Martinez?”  (Hint: It depends on the whole.)

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers notice character's actions & choices.”  

Brazier: “Pull & Polish”

Martinez: “Readers step INside their characters’ shoes.”


WRITING WORKSHOP
Barber:  Personal Narrative On-Demand Reflection

Brazier: Revisiting the 5th Grade Throughline: “How can I impact our world?”

Martinez: Reflection: “What are some strategies you can use for the next on-demand so that you are more successful?”


SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)
Chapter 5: Explorer performance assessments.  

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Word of the Day (calculating). Parts of Speech Game. Connecting parts of speech and analogies.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)
Science Test






Wednesday, November 18, 2015

November 18th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Tomorrow is Favorite Team Day.

  • The BLE Book Fair needs a few more volunteers. Sign up here.

MATH
Barber: Pattern Block Fractions.
* CFP RETAKE ON THURSDAY DURING LUNCH.

Brazier: Pattern Block Fractions
* ASK:
  1. “Why is the common utterance “I got the bigger half!” mathematically inaccurate?”
  2. “If the yellow hexagon pattern block is one whole, what’s ⅓?” (Answer: the blue rhombus)

Martinez: CFP

READING WORKSHOP
Barber: “Readers build theories about their characters.”  

Brazier: “Readers try to step inside their characters’ shoes.”

Martinez: “Readers step INside their characters’ shoes.”


WRITING WORKSHOP
Barber:  Jotting and building theories.

Brazier: “A writer does not just ‘slap on’ a title.”
* ASK: “What did you learn today about the art of writing a title?”
* HOMEWORK: ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT YOUR PUBLISHED PIECE BY TOMORROW MORNING

Martinez: Post On-Demand Performance Assessment
* HOMEWORK: ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT YOUR PUBLISHED PIECE BY TOMORROW.

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)
Chapter 5: Explorers.  Presentations begin for Barber.
* PRESENTATIONS BEGIN WEDNESDAY

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)
Spelling Sorts. Word Games. Analogy Self-Talk. Beginning Analogies.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)
* TEST ON FRIDAY (To help students study, they should use their study guide, the pages about seasons, days and years that they brought home today and the videos below.)

The following video explains rotation and revolution.


The following short video gives a nice explanation for the reason for the seasons.


Bill Nye Explains the Seasons

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUU7IyfR34o


What Causes the Seasons?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4_-R1vnJyw


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

November 17th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • Tomorrow is Favorite Team Day.

  • The BLE Book Fair needs a few more volunteers. Sign up here.

MATH
Barber: Pattern Block Fractions.
* CFP RETAKE ON THURSDAY DURING LUNCH.

Brazier: Pattern Block Fractions
* ASK:
  1. “Why is the common utterance “I got the bigger half!” mathematically inaccurate?”
  2. “If the yellow hexagon pattern block is one whole, what’s ⅓?” (Answer: the blue rhombus)

Martinez: Multiplying decimals.  Story problems.
* CFP tomorrow.  Topic: I can multiply decimals.

READING WORKSHOP
Barber: “Readers build theories about their characters.”  

Brazier: “Readers try to step inside their characters’ shoes.”

Martinez: “Readers set goals.”


WRITING WORKSHOP
Barber:  Jotting and building theories.

Brazier: “A writer does not just ‘slap on’ a title.”
* ASK: “What did you learn today about the art of writing a title?”
* HOMEWORK: ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT YOUR PUBLISHED PIECE BY TOMORROW MORNING

Martinez: “Writers use checklists.”
* HOMEWORK: ELECTRONICALLY SUBMIT YOUR PUBLISHED PIECE BY TOMORROW.

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)
Chapter 5: Explorers.  Presentations begin for Barber.
* PRESENTATIONS BEGIN WEDNESDAY

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)
Spelling Sorts. Word Games. Analogy Self-Talk. Beginning Analogies.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)
What is the relative size of the Earth and Moon?
* TEST ON FRIDAY

The following short video gives a nice explanation for the reason for the seasons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b25g4nZTHvM