December 10th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The classroom “qualifier” spelling bees will take place on Monday. The words will come from the list handed out a couple weeks ago.

MATH

Barber: Strand 1-3 Assessement.

Brazier: Number Talk. Introduction to Division. Generalizing the area of a rectangle as length times width.

* ASK: “How’d you do on the Strands 1-3 test?”

Martinez: Strands 1-3 review.

*HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 18.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers slow down and make connections.”

Brazier: “Readers compare key characters.”

* ASK: “How is Gilly similar to yet different from Agnes Stokes?”

Martinez: “Readers pay attention to character’s struggles/challenges and see them as turning points.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  “Poetry observe the world using figurative language.”

HOMEWORK: Write a poem of an object using the Safety pin poem for guidance.  Due tomorrow.  

Brazier: “Poets traffic in figurative language.”

* ASK: “Which type of figurative language (alliteration, personification, metaphor, simile) did you try out in your writing today?”

Martinez: Starting collection of poetry in poetry folder.

HOMEWORK: Write an “object poem” following the structure of the poem we studied in class called Safety pin.  Due tomorrow.

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

Students read Chapter 6.3-Jamestown and share thinking with a partner,  Share out Friday.

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Word of the Day (serendipity). Word Puzzles. Spelling and Geography Bee Daily Challenge. New Spelling Words. Spelling Tests for some students. Spelling Groups. Hour of Code.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

Continuation of culminating project for the Solar System.

December 9th, 2015

MATH

Barber: Strand 3 Fraction Quiz.  Continuing area of triangles and curved sided shapes.

Brazier: Review Strands 1-3 Test. Number Talk. Introduction to Division. Perseverance Reflection.

Martinez: Quiz Time: A culminating fraction task.  Strands 1-3 review.

*HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 18.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers use evidence to confirm theories.”

Brazier: “Readers gather evidence that confirms or challenges initial theories about key characters.”

* ASK: “Explain the significance of the following quote: “If she [Gilly] didn’t watch herself, she’d start liking the little jerk.”

Martinez: “Readers read with their theories in mind and revise or confirm their thinking.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  “Poetry can be about anything.” Re-working the lesson.

Brazier: “There’s poetry in the ordinary.”

* ASK: “What was a word or phrase you highlighted today in your writer’s notebook because it was something you were proud of?”

Martinez: “Poets observe the world and use figurative language.”

HOMEWORK: Write an “object poem” following the structure of the poem we studied in class called Safety pin.  Due tomorrow.

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

No Rotations due to Late Start

December 8th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The first round of the BLE Geography Bee took place today.

• Late Start tomorrow

MATH

Barber: Strand 4 begins: Introduction to ways to find grid area.

Brazier: Strands 1-3 Test

* ASK: “Did any problems on the Strands 1-3 Test really make you think? Tell me about them.”

Martinez: Comparing and ordering fractions

*HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 18.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers use evidence to push their theories.”

Brazier: “Readers gather evidence that confirms or challenges initial theories about key characters.”

* ASK: “Summarize the section you read today of The Great Gilly Hopkins.”

Martinez: “Readers use precise, exact words to describe a character and their actions.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  “Poetry can be about anything.”

Brazier: “There’s poetry in the ordinary.”

Martinez: “Poetry can be about anything.”

HOMEWORK: Write an “object poem” following the structure of the poem we studied in class called Safety pin.  Due December 10th.

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

Students work with partners to discover why Jamestown was the first successful settlement.

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

Solar System and Moon Review.  Students started working on their culminating project for our solar system unit. (Martinez)

December 7th, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• To generate excitement for the upcoming Spelling Bees, we watched Akeelah and the Bee today. Consequently, you will see some blanks below.

MATH

Barber:

Brazier: Comprehensive Review of Strands 1-3

* ASK: “What do fractions have in common that are near or equal to ½?”

Martinez:

*HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 18.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Independent Reading & Read Aloud

Brazier: “Readers gather evidence that confirms or challenges initial theories about key characters.”

* ASK: “Summarize the section you read today of The Great Gilly Hopkins.”

Martinez: Continuation of The Great Gilly Hopkins.

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  “Poets write about things that matter to them.”

Brazier: Freewriting!

Martinez: “Poets write about things that matter.”

Students engaged in a writing exercise.

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

Students partner reading Chapter 6.3.  What made the Jamestown Colony successful?

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Spelling and Geography Bee Problems of the Day. Aluminum Foil Challenge Presentations. Hour of Code Activity.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

Solar System and Moon Review.  Students started working on their culminating project for our solar system unit.

Check out when the next Solar and Lunar Eclipses will be.

http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list.html

December 4th, 2015

MATH

Barber: Strand 4 Pre-test.  Review Fractions.

Brazier: Introduction to Ratios. Strand 4 Pre-test.

Martinez: Making fraction strips.

*HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 18.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: Students explored poetry further.

Brazier: “Readers remain alert to changes in a character.”

* ASK: “Were Gilly’s actions today consistent with or a departure from her usual way of acting? Cite examples from the text in your answer.”

Martinez: “Readers learn about characters when they act in surprising ways.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  “Poetry is found in the every day.”

Brazier: “Poetry is meant to be read aloud.” Poetry Thinking Routines.

Martinez: “Poets get ideas from their daily lives.”

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

Students partner reading Chapter 6.2.  Determining the happenings to the ‘lost colony’: Roanoke.

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Word of the Day (eliminate/elimination). Spelling and Geography Bee Problems of the Day. Practice Classroom Spelling Bee. Final part of the Aluminum Foil Challenge!

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

Solar System and Moon Review

Check out when the next Solar and Lunar Eclipses will be.

http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list.html

December 3rd, 2015

MATH

Barber: Ordering Fractions wrap up.

* HOMEWORK: FRACTION REVIEW DUE TOMORROW.

Brazier: Comparing and Ordering Fractions. Fraction Number Lines. Introduction to Ratios.

* ASK: “What’s something you now know about fractions that you didn’t know a couple weeks ago?”

* HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE TOMORROW

Martinez: Comparing, ordering and finding equivalent fractions on a number line.

*HOMEWORK: STRAND 3 DPP DUE ON DECEMBER 18.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers note characters behaviors and use.”  

Brazier: “Readers remain alert to changes in a character.”

* ASK: “Were Gilly’s actions today consistent with or a departure from her usual way of acting? Cite examples from the text in your answer.”

Martinez: “Readers think about what they learn from objects characters hold close”

WRITING WORKSHOP

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

Brazier: “Poetry is meant to be read aloud.” Poetry Thinking Routines.

* ASK: “What surprised you today as you explored some poems?”

Martinez: “Poets get ideas from their daily lives.”

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

Further Reading about Age of Exploration & the conflicts in Europe wrap up.

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Word of the Day (eliminate/elimination). Spelling and Geography Bee Problems of the Day. Practice Classroom Spelling Bee. Part II of the Aluminum Foil Challenge!

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

Exploring solar and lunar eclipses (Barber and Brazier’s class)

Making the phases of the moon with Oreos.  Thank you to all parents who donated cookies! (Martinez’s Class)

Thank you to all parents who donated Oreos for our Moon Phase Project!

December 2nd, 2015

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Donuts With Dad is tomorrow (A-L) and Friday (M-Z) beginning at 8:00 in the cafeteria. The Book Fair will be open during Donuts With Dad. (You might want to hit the Fair first to avoid long lines.)

MATH

Barber: Review improper fractions & mixed numbers. Ordering Fractions.

Brazier: Comparing and Ordering Fractions. Fraction Number Lines.

* ASK: “Why does 2/6 = 4/12? Explain in more than one way. Why is 3/5 greater than 4/10?”

* HOMEWORK #1: DAB PAGE 30. DUE TOMORROW.

* HOMEWORK #2: STRAND 3 DPP DUE FRIDAY

Martinez: Using models, division and multiplication to explore improper and mixed numbers.  Exit Pass.

*HOMEWORK: Finish (if not done already) the improper and mixed numbers practice page.

READING WORKSHOP

Barber: “Readers use precise words to describe characters actions.”  

Brazier: “Readers remain alert to changes in a character.”

* ASK: “Were Gilly’s actions today consistent with or a departure from her usual way of acting? Cite examples from the text in your answer.”

Martinez: “Readers pay attention to the way other characters treat the main character.”

WRITING WORKSHOP

Barber:  Student self assessment of personal narrative on demand 2.

Brazier: We created covers for our “published” personal narratives today.

Martinez: “Poets get ideas from their daily lives.”

SOCIAL STUDIES (Teacher: Mrs. Barber)

Further Reading about Age of Exploration & the conflicts in Europe.

EXPLORE & DESIGN (Teacher: Mr. Brazier)

Aluminum Foil Challenge! Spelling Groups.

SCIENCE (Teacher: Mrs. Martinez)

Making the phases of the moon with Oreos.  Thank you to all parents who donated cookies!