Day 145 - May Update - Mr. Norman - Fox Hill Grade 5

This is more like it! Now it's spring.

In math, we covered the most important concepts in several different units in order to best prepare for the math MCAS.  After MCAS we will return to many of these topics to cover them in more depth.  Topics include classifying 2d figures, analyzing patterns and relationships, algebra, graphing points on the coordinate plane, and representing and interpreting data and measurement.  

In language arts, we completed reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.  Some of the activities we are involved in include: writing book reviews, answering essential questions about the text, and writing scripts about what might have happened between different characters in the story.  We wrote healthy eating commercials and made infomercials that we shared in class. Look for these in Seesaw!  We are also working on our narrative writing skills and are actively planning stories through the use of two-column notes.

In science, we completed our animal enclosure projects.  Last Friday we presented our enclosures to the 2nd grade.  They were eager to visit and ask us questions about the design process since they are working on a habitat unit in science.  Now we are preparing for the Science MCAS test which will take place next Wednesday and Friday, May 16-17.

5th graders explain how they designed their animal
enclosure to meet the needs of its inhabitant.

Day 115 - Where is our Earth in the Universe? - Mrs. Lynch - Francis Wyman Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mrs. Lynch's blog

After two snowstorms and 4 snow days, we are finally finishing out our exploration of Earth in the Universe. We have discovered that the Earth spins counterclockwise by placing sundials on ourselves to see where the sun rises and sets. The children explored their own understanding of the vastness of space by making models of the distance between the Earth and the sun. They determined the relative size of the Earth as compared to the sun and more. However, today came as a real revelation when they could put everything they already knew into play along with what we've learned.

As all the students stood around the 'sun' today holding a map of the United States with an X on Burlington, one student stated, "I have to turn counterclockwise because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. He used evidence to determine which way he had to turn. Success, he used a tool. Another student was struggling to determine which way the Earth rotates around the sun. We were able to draw from the last student and utilize a similar problem-solving strategy. She compared herself to the skillfully spread out summer, fall, winter and spring solstices to determine that the Earth also orbits the sun in a counterclockwise direction.

There is so much more to tell, but hopefully, you have a 202 student at home who can't wait to share.

Day 107 - Room 12 Happenings - Mr. Norman - Fox Hill Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mr. Norman's blog

We recently completed our study of the Earth and its place in the Universe.  Students completed digital notebooks in which they recorded videos, took pictures and made reflections.  They also took an assessment that asked them to edit a short book on the earth, moon, sun, and stars.  This has been an exciting unit that has made use of models and motion to demonstrate basic earth science principles. On the playground, we created a model of the solar system to help us understand the relative distances of the planets from each other and the sun.  On a different day, students, representing the Earth, rotated and revolved around a light source in the center of our classroom. These are just two examples of the many interactive science lessons in which the children participated.

In Language Arts, we completed our research on planets and learned how to craft our own sentences from research notes.  We drafted paragraphs that will be published as book creator projects.  We also began our preparation for MCAS by comparing and contrasting poetry through essay writing.  Additionally, we are studying point of view in non-fiction and fiction writing.  We wrote brief research reports on the flu, writing about the causes of the flu and how to prevent it.  This is a timely topic!

Students doing research on the planets using the two column note method.

A student uses a whiteboard to turn research notes into running text.

In math, we completed the addition and subtraction of fractions and are now learning how to multiply fractions. An important component to understanding fractions is being able to demonstrate your math thinking through pictures.  We are actively engaged in this effort on a daily basis through the use of class presentations. During the Solve and Share each table group solves a real-world math problem and sketches their work on the whiteboard. Group members then explain their thinking to the class. 

Students prepare math thinking to share during the Solve and Share.

Day 79 - Francis Wyman 5th Graders Using KTL Strategies - Mrs. Clancy - Reading Specialist

This post first appeared on the Burlington Keys to Literacy Blog

A group of fifth graders at Francis Wyman School are using the Keys to Literacy Comprehension Routine to deepen their understanding of text and non-text. The students are part of an intervention group that is becoming successful in using Top Down Topic Webs and Two Column Notes! This week’s lessons involved reading an article from NEWSELA, taking Two Column Notes, and determining the central idea of the article. Students were then successful paragraph writers! Way to go boys and girls!




During our first meeting, students read the article, Above and Beyond: Teacher’s Letters Make Former Students Feel Special by Sun Herald. The article was found on Newsela, a database of current events stories tailor-made for classroom use. Students worked to complete scaffolded Two Column Notes about the article. Taking Two Column Notes allowed students to record key supporting details. Students gained practice in gathering and organizing information (as well as practicing their reading fluency) as they reread parts of the text multiple times.

At our next meeting time, students revisited the news article and their Two Column Notes. Students were guided to determine the main ideas embedded in their notes. There was a rich discussion of the big ideas. Listening to the students converse, and even debate was exciting. Proud moment! Students added to their Two Column Notes as the conversations took place.

Students used their Two Column Notes to write a short paragraph that explained the central idea of the article. They worked independently to show what they knew. Students used the KTL routine as they increased their comprehension skills. All in all, an exceptional learning experience for our Burlington students! As a Reading Specialist, I am loving what the Keys to Literacy Comprehension Routine are doing for my students. Students are becoming active and strategic readers!

Day 74 - Welcome 2018! - Mrs. Lee - Fox Hill Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mrs. Lee's blog

We welcome the new year by celebrating all the fun we've had and the accomplishments we have made.  We look forward to continuing as we come back to school refreshed and energized from our holiday break.  I wish all my sensational students and their fabulous families a very happy and healthy new year!  Enjoy some moments from our Mismatch day celebration!

Day 30 - Invertebrate Safari - Mrs. Lynch - Francis Wyman Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mrs. Lynch's Blog

The Land of the Lost Invertebrates

What Makes an Invertebrate an Invertebrate

As we finish our explorations of the elusive invertebrates, students became the scientists in the Land of the Lost Invertebrates. They were met with these curious creatures, rain forest sounds, binoculars and fact cards (another student's animal riddle card.)

Once they explored all of these unique critters they went back to their newly identified animal and presented their findings to their fellow investigators. The results were impressive. All of the animals were correctly identified. 

The students were asked to observe all of the animal inhabitants prior to deciding which animal they were searching for. Clues on the card broke down animal structures, features, habitat, eating habits and more.

Finally, the scientists will work together to determine the traits of these strange lost creatures. I'm sure they will be able to identify the structures, characteristics, environments, eating habits and more of these less familiar inhabitants from our own scientific explorations. In the end, the students will break down mollusks, marine invertebrates, crustaceans, worms, insects and arthropods both myriapods and arachnids. Our study of the invertebrates will be wrapping up shortly!

Day 27 - Global Math Week is Here!! - Mrs. Burns - Memorial School Grade 5

Over 1 Million Students are participating in Global Math Week this week in over 100+ countries.
Memorial 5th Graders are among these students! Mrs. Burns' Math Classes Today go to participate in the exploding dots challenge #1.  The students did amazing !!

These boys above came up with the idea to make a 3 in 1 and a 5 in 1 machine! AMAZING !!

Day 11 - An Exciting Start to the New School Year! - Mr. Norman - Fox Hill Grade 5

This post first appeared on Mr. Norman's Blog

With only two weeks of school completed it's hard to believe how much we have already accomplished.  A week ago the fifth grade had a "Friendship Friday".  During the afternoon, children from Mrs. Lee's, Jaffe's, Norman's, and Raymond's classes worked together to design posters that demonstrated their understanding of friendship.  They shared these posters at our recent school assembly on Belonging.  The children have also worked together to create and draft a 5th Grade Classroom Constitution that has been signed and hung on each teacher's door.  Below are a few pictures of children working together on Friendship Friday and sharing their visions of friendship.

In terms of academics, we have now officially begun our enVision math program.  We are studying place value from the billions through the thousandths. In class, we are using manipulatives (base ten blocks)  and visual aids (place value charts) to make place value concepts clearer.  Below is a photo of the children engaged in a place value game.  The objective of the game is to say and write the numbers formed by the placement of the markers on the charts.  The student with the largest number after each of their markers has been placed is the winner!

In science, we are hard at work observing.  Children are observing details in shells and leaves using magnifying lenses.  They are sketching and writing what they observe.

In language arts, we are writing about our Hopes and Dreams for the new school year.  We are learning and applying the strategies required to be an active reader.

I've enjoyed meeting homeroom parents at our Back to School Conferences.  I look forward to our year together.