Digestion, Stars, Rose Blanche: Update 4/1-4/12

Math: Please refer to the 5V Math Class blog with the link provided below. For easy access, the link is also located on the left hand column in the links for learning section. Or... http://5vmath.blogspot.com/



We will read another moving story as part of our thematic study.

Reading: What will the kids learn or discover?

* The theme of "moving forward" via rich picture book and short story immersions. One of the stories we will read is called Rose Blanche. It's a story about a girl who has empathy for children of the Holocaust.

 

 

* Literary craft and writing through a close reading experience. A close reading experience is a very focused examination of a paragraph, page, or section of a story. We'll study author's craft and theme this way.

* The continued joy of reading for pleasure.

* Vocabulary as well as strategies for identifying meanings of words.

* Evidential learning in which positions, opinions, and ideas are supported through evidence from a text. This learning also includes taking the position and extending it. For example, making recommendations, writing legislation, and drawing conclusions based off the evidence.

Current Events: What will the kids learn or discover/discuss?

* The kids will attempt to be satircal by poking fun (light-hearted) at current event issues. They have been immersed in political cartoons and are starting to see the teasing and joke telling within them.

* We'll be studying local news, as well as national news, and news from around the world via our "People in the News", "Current Events", and Caption of the Day boards.




Science: What will the kids learn or discover?

* We are wrapping up our digestion unit. The kids are going to study the functions of the large intestine, liver, pancrease, rectum, and anus.
* As we finish studying digestion we are going to learn about what stars are, how they are formed, what nebulae are, and what is contained in a nebula and a star.  
* We will have quizzes through the week in each of the subject areas.

Social Studies: What will the kids learn or discover?

* The kids will study how our country's first attempt at self-government was difficult.
* We'll study the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of America.
* Within this we will study the branches of government, law-making, and the checks and balances system.



Writing: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Students will hone their argument writing skills.

* The kids are going to become more proficient at supporting their arguments with researched evidence and support from professionals.

 

* We will continue to write poetry through our units in science, social studies, and reading.

* In math class we will be reflecting on our learning as well as the content we study.  

Technology: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Soon, we are beginning an animation project that is connected to theme of "moving forward" that we are studying in class.

* The kids will learn all sorts of manipulation and problem solving tasks via MS PowerPoint.



Citizenship: Next week we will focus on:

* We are delayed on having our marble party. We must schedule that soon.
* I'd like to do some stuff with random acts of kindness.

Themes, Digestion, Battles, Defense: Update Week of 3/11-3/22

Math: Please refer to the 5V Math Class blog with the link provided below. For easy access, the link is also located on the left hand column in the links for learning section. Or... http://5vmath.blogspot.com/

Reading: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Comprehension strategies to use before, during and after reading.

* Various themes of writing across fiction and non-fiction texts.

 

 

 

* How a theme like courage is described and displayed across history.

 

 

* Noticing the craftwork of authors through close readings of literary work.

* Strategies for understanding meaning of unknown words.

* Analysis of character and traits of characters through read alouds.

Current Events: What will the kids learn or discover/discuss?

* Potential increasing tension between North Korea, the U.S, and South Korea.
* The debate over minimum wage.

* Budgets (what that is and how it relates to our classroom revenue) and budget cuts.
* Any other pertinent local, national, and international news stories. 



Science: What will the kids learn or discover?

* What digestion is.
* The role our teeth and esophagus play in the digestion process.
* The body parts that help digest food.

Social Studies: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Details about specific battles of the American Revolution.
* Themes involved history.
* How a nation is born.



Writing: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Recurring themes in the texts they read and their relation to real life.

* Research and blogging skills (note taking, reading informational text, paragraphing, and structuring)

* The theme of courage and how it relates to the Patriots and the Loyalists in the time of the American Revolution.

* Defending positions with rationale and drawing conclusions, making recommenndations, and creating legislation based on information.



Technology: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Research skills via internet browsing.


Citizenship: Next week we will focus on:

* The entire 5th grade is meeting with Mr. LeCrone to talk about some issues that have recently taking place on the playgroung including unsafe play, horseplay, and following directions.

Courage, the Revolution, and Young Authors: Update 2/11-2/28

George Washington crossing the Delaware River.

 

 

Math: Please refer to the 5V Math Class blog with the link provided below. For easy access, the link is also located on the left hand column in the links for learning section. Or... http://5vmath.blogspot.com/

Reading: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Comprehension strategies to use during and after reading.

* The theme of courage in texts they read and in their own personal lives.

* Strategies for determining meanings of words. (Context clues) They're performing context skits.

* Literary devices such as symbolism and mood that are related to the them of courage.

 

* Conflict in their stories: They'll ask themselves what kind of conflict.

* Characterization through our read aloud. We'll meet more individuals and characterize them.

Current Events: What will the kids learn or discover/discuss?

* The Northeast Storm
* President Obama's State of the Union Address (Tuesday Night)

* Any other pertinent local, national, and international news stories.




 Science: What will the kids learn or discover?

* The differences between static and current electricity.
* How electricity flows differently in different paths in a series circuit vs. a parallel circuit.



Social Studies: What will the kids learn or discover?

* How a democracy works.
* Causes of the American Revolution
* Conflict and tension between the colonists and King George III



Writing: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Recurring themes in the texts they read and their relation to real life.

* Research and blogging skills (note taking, reading informational text, paragraphing, and structuring)

* Writer craft skills like (foreshadowing, symbolism, mood, dialogue, etc.) that they will incorporate into their own Young Author stories.  

 

* The theme of courage and how to write short stories, personal narratives, and poetry based on the theme of courage. Students will use their own personal lives as background knowledge to help them write.

 

* Writing argumentative essays that argue and possibly persuade an audience. (We use the PETPC strategy) A lot will be done in social studies.



Technology: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Shortcuts on internet explorer and Microsoft Word.
* Research skills that promote finding what you want to find.


Citizenship: Next week we will focus on:

* Discussions on bullying. 
* Being tactful when confronting a problem.
* Plans for our next 5V Marble Party.  
* Reflecting on our grades and writing more detailed/specific plans for improvement.

5th Grade Concert

Please come see the 5th graders perform a variety of song and music at the annual 5th grade Winter Concert!

When: Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

Where: May Watts Gymnasium

Please refer to the letter from Mrs. Donaldson that was emailed, and remember to have your child report to the 5V classroom at 6:45pm Tuesday evening while you take your seat in the gymnasium.

Science Fair is Coming

Greetings 5V Families! The Science Fair is approaching. Next week I will offer some after school time for the kids who are participating to stay after and do any work that they need to do for the Fair in the classroom. More details on that date to come later.

As for the Science Fair Details:

Where: May Watts Elementary School

When: Thursday, February 7th, 6:30-830pm.

Wintertime Ooohs!: Update 1/21-1/25

Hi 5V Families! How are you? Can you believe it's almost the end of January? We are in the swing of things; in a groove. The kids are enjoying demonstrating their knowledge in their own ways, discovering things for themselves, and following specific routines to get the best out of them. I enjoy teaching them whether it's online through a video lesson, via whole group in class, or small group at the tables. Here's an update on the week ahead:

 

Do you know the balloon is gaining from the girl's hair? What if touched the balloon to a chalkboard? Why do strands of the girl's hair stand up away from one another?

 

 

Math: Please refer to the 5V Math Class blog with the link provided below. For easy access, the link is also located on the left hand column in the links for learning section. Or... http://5vmath.blogspot.com/

Reading: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Comprehension strategies to use during and after reading.

* Test taking strategies for comprehension tests.

* Strategies for determining meanings of words. (Context clues)

* How to write reading essays with structure and elaboration to support an answer.

 

 

 Current Events: What will the kids learn or discover/discuss?

* The NFL playoffs 

 

* International and domestic affairs

 

* President Obama's inauguration



 Science: What will the kids learn or discover?

* What static electricity is.
* How static electricity is created.
* What is happening between positive and negative charges during static electricity.  


Writing: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Recurring themes in the texts they read and their relation to real life.

* Research and blogging skills (note taking, reading informational text, paragraphing, and structuring)

* Composing a reading essay (extended response) 

* More paragraphing and elaboration skills through reading extended response or other writing.  

Technology: What will the kids learn or discover?

* Shortcuts on internet explorer and Microsoft Word 

Citizenship: Next week we will focus on:

* Review of the school matrix, playground safety, helping classmates, reflecting on grades, setting goals, nd staying individually organized.  

 

Discovery Learning: Update 1/7-1/11

I hope that everyone has had a fun, peaceful, revitalizing break. I caught up on some much needed sleep, got to have fun with friends and family, and read quite a bit.

It's time to get back to the grind. The school year is similar to a professional basketball season. We both start in the fall (September/November) and end in the spring (May/June)  We play 5 games a week while the average pro team plays 3 a week. We're at our half way point (or very close at least) and there's a lot more to accomplish, improve upon, discover, and learn.

Is that Coach Thibodeau and the Bulls or Mr. Vaid and the students?

I titled this blog post "discovery learning". I talked to the chief (Mr. LeCrone) and we had an enlightening conversation about giving students more opportunities to at least begin their learning through a process of discovery. This doesn't mean we leave them to their own devices. It means that when we begin studying a concept (magnetic fields), content (the American Revolution), skill (writing ratios), or strategy (re-reading to understand) we give the students more time to discuss what they already know, more time to experiment with methods, more time to talk to each other about how they would solve a problem, more time for the kids to experiment with multiple options, and demonstrate their understanding in varied and multiple ways. It also means that I step in and model possible or correct methods afterwards, and assess for learning. I think we've come close to practicing this in writing and definitely in science (during our weather unit especially), but it's going to occur more in math and social studies too. Henceforth I will refer to it as the DMA model! (Discover, Model, Assess)

Math: Please refer to the 5V Math Class blog with the link provided below. For easy access, the link is also located on the left hand column in the links for learning section. Or... http://5vmath.blogspot.com/

Reading: What will the kids learn or discover? 

* How to distinguish between minor and major details in non-fiction and fiction reading. 

* To use organizers to help them clarify, summarize, and comprehend what they read. 

* Strategies for determining meanings of words. 

* The beauty of literature and its connection to our lives. 

* We'll continue to use Edline for our reading responses this week. (2-3x a week)

 Current Events: What will the kids learn or discover/discuss?

* What's going on in D.C (We've already talked about bipartisanship) 

* The Bears looking for a new coach. 

* International and domestic affairs. 
* The NFL playoffs
Science: What will the kids learn or discover? 

* How a molecule is different from an atom.
* Different properties of magnetism (magnetic fields, polarity, attraction, repulsion, magnetic types, and more)  
* The learning will be in the hands of the kids. They will try to determine or prove the existence of the properties. 

Writing: What will the kids learn or discover? 

* Recurring themes in the texts they read and their relation to real life. 

* How to compare and contrast themes across two or more texts. 

* The necessity to think about audience and genuine purpose of writing prior to actually composing. 

* New information/content via discovery and inquiry. This will be done through our weekly research and blogging. 

Technology: What will the kids learn or discover? 

* The kids are learning a lot through their weekly research and blogging; learnings with word processing (for their weekly notes), multi-media usage (as part of using the blog), and internet navigation (as part of their research). 

Citizenship: Next week we will focus on:

* One item on the agenda for this week is to discuss our feelings about the first half of the school year which will include a written reflection about how the first half has been for us.  

* We'll also re-visit the building expectations and especially the playground safety rules.