The Rivers Rhinos did roar and pulled through with a 5-3 win over Ms. Schillmoeller's class in field day today. Thank you to Mr. Jackson, Nathan's father, who helped during the field day, to the Chan Family for donating water for the day's events (very much needed and appreciated) and thank you to Mrs. Brosig for helping to coordinate necessities.
I also want to thank all of the classroom parents who participated in and helped in the planning of, participation in and presentation in the International Festival last Friday. A special thank you to Mrs. Ramirez, Carolina's mother and to Mrs. O'Dwyer, John's mother and grandmother for making presentations to our classroom on their countries of origin. The students and I enjoyed. John made homemade scones, delicious, and Mrs. Ramirez brought in multiple brochures and informational booklets on Mexico. Thank you again for your participation!
Academic Updates!
Math- We have finished our unit on Geometry and will start a new unit on Division next week. The state curriculum for 5th grade focuses on dividing 3 digit dividend by 2 digit divisors. The unit will also work on the application of division in word problems as they have also been practicing through daily homework assignments.
Science- Our Solar System Planner has floated off into space and we are now focused on Matter. We have already reviewed what matter is and is not, states of matter and other basic background information. We will be covering Matter for about the next 4 weeks. For your information, the Texas State Curriculum requires basic understanding of the following: what is made of matter, properties of matter in terms of mass and volume, definitions of the 3 states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases), physical properties, measurement of matter, define and compare mixtures, solutions and how to combine and separate mixtures and solutions. Physical and chemical changes will be covered as well.
Social Studies- European Colonization in the New World has started and will continue as the lead up to the American Revolution which will start in December or January.
Reading/Language Arts- Our first Literature Books are complete! Students are working on a small final book project which is due on Tuesday, the 2nd. New books and groups will start next week. Look for further updates.
Exhibition- Students are finishing up all their research and will be wrapping up note taking next week as well as working on a written component in a question/answer format. Students are note taking differently than in years past. Each group and individual student has a Wiki page. Feel Free to look at your student's Wiki page at the following website; http:\\riversfifthgradeexhibition.pbworks.com
Your child knows their user name and password. Students have a format on their Wiki page for citing sources, highlighting important information and for putting information into their own words. It is really quite impressive. I am eternally grateful to Ms. Anderson, our Technology Teacher, for setting all of the students up and training us, she has been monumental in helping me integrate technology into our IB Planners! Thanks again Pamela Anderson.
Enjoy to cool weather and have a great weekend. Ms. Rivers
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Parents and Students,
I hope that all of you have had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful weather!
Exhibition-
Students will meet their mentors tomorrow. Mentors will meet with students and work on refining their topics this week. Our Technology Teacher, Mrs. Anderson, has also been working with our class, and will continue to do so, on finding online resources. She comes into our class once a week and usually comes to our room on Tuesday mornings. We will also work with the librarian, Ms. Whitehouse, on writing a Bibliography and plagerism. I will present lessons this week on how to identify important information and how to take notes and put into own words.
Science- The Solar System will wrap up this week with a final test on Wednesday or Thursday.
Social Studies- Continuing with Exploration for a couple of weeks.
Reading- Students are catching up with eachother on novel reading and some have to read and others do not, depending on reading speed. We will continue to write in Reading Journals.
Spelling and Wordly Wise update-
While I understand that many of the spelling words are also vocabulary words for students, I also want to provide a challenge for spelling that follows a spelling pattern or rule. This is a balancing act and I know that vocabulary development is addressed through Wordly Wise. I am also trying to overlap them somewhat so that there is vocabulary and spelling exposure. This week's rule is the vowel-consonant-silent e rule.
Math-
We have covered 2 lessons on reading and interpreting data through looking at old Census data. The Main subject of Lesson 3,Geometry and measurment of angles, began today. We continue with daily/weekly review of place value and rounding.
I hope that all of you have had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful weather!
Exhibition-
Students will meet their mentors tomorrow. Mentors will meet with students and work on refining their topics this week. Our Technology Teacher, Mrs. Anderson, has also been working with our class, and will continue to do so, on finding online resources. She comes into our class once a week and usually comes to our room on Tuesday mornings. We will also work with the librarian, Ms. Whitehouse, on writing a Bibliography and plagerism. I will present lessons this week on how to identify important information and how to take notes and put into own words.
Science- The Solar System will wrap up this week with a final test on Wednesday or Thursday.
Social Studies- Continuing with Exploration for a couple of weeks.
Reading- Students are catching up with eachother on novel reading and some have to read and others do not, depending on reading speed. We will continue to write in Reading Journals.
Spelling and Wordly Wise update-
While I understand that many of the spelling words are also vocabulary words for students, I also want to provide a challenge for spelling that follows a spelling pattern or rule. This is a balancing act and I know that vocabulary development is addressed through Wordly Wise. I am also trying to overlap them somewhat so that there is vocabulary and spelling exposure. This week's rule is the vowel-consonant-silent e rule.
Math-
We have covered 2 lessons on reading and interpreting data through looking at old Census data. The Main subject of Lesson 3,Geometry and measurment of angles, began today. We continue with daily/weekly review of place value and rounding.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Unceasing River Roars Update-
The Students have a long list of positive attributes that includes; creativity, intelligence, engagement, energy and eagerness to share knowledge and ideas. With these positives, comes a talkative group. There are times in our class when students work with partners and small group and other times, instruction is teacher lead. During times throughout the day when instruction is whole group, students are being talkative. In response, I have started keeping time when the group (not individuals)is talking and I am waiting. This time is taken from recess time at the end of the day. This is by no means one or two students, but the group as a whole. I do expect that the talking will decrease and this will not be necessary after a few weeks at the most. There are students that are quiet at all or most transitions and I am rewarding these students with extra auction points. If we get down to one or two students, I will make adjustments and the whole class will not lose recess at that point. Thank you for your support.
Exhibition-
Students have identified their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for their Exhibition project and final subjects will be made next week. Ideas generated fall under the overall Central Idea of "Through deep understanding of our world, we find solutions".
Math- The current Math focus of estimation, multiplication (2 digit by 2 digit), organizing/analyzing data using mean, median, mode, mean and range, and rounding Will continue into this week, with a test on Wednesday or Thursday. Students will complete a study guide as practice this week as well. The following unit will cover Geometry. NEW- Students have been registered on www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. Assignments for individual students have been assigned and I will be giving students their usernames and passwords this week on Monday or Tuesday. Students go on and watch a lesson, have an opportunity for guided practice, independent practice and take a quiz.
Science-
Wow!!! I am impressed with student prior knowledge of the Solar System. The new Science topic has generated student debate, clarification and has made for animated classroom discussions. Our Solar System unit of study will continue through the next 2 weeks (approximately). If you are interested, here are some websites students may be interested in visiting:
http://landsat.usgs.gov/index.php
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/
http://plantandsoil.unl.edu/croptechnology2005/pages/index.jsp
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/TECHNICAL/ECS/agronomy/photos.html
http://www.rossea.info/landforms.html
Reading-
Literature Circles are continuing with comprehension mini-lessons and small groups with teacher. The Reading Journals are used for written responses and generating discussion points when meeting in groups.
Language Arts-
Language Arts is currently being addressed through the research component of Exhibition and through student reading journals as well as daily spelling and Language lessons.
Social Studies-
With Exhibition starting this past week and finishing our poetry projects, we have had an extremely busy week with little time for students to work on their state projects. We will have time this week.
Have a great week!
Carol Rivers
The Students have a long list of positive attributes that includes; creativity, intelligence, engagement, energy and eagerness to share knowledge and ideas. With these positives, comes a talkative group. There are times in our class when students work with partners and small group and other times, instruction is teacher lead. During times throughout the day when instruction is whole group, students are being talkative. In response, I have started keeping time when the group (not individuals)is talking and I am waiting. This time is taken from recess time at the end of the day. This is by no means one or two students, but the group as a whole. I do expect that the talking will decrease and this will not be necessary after a few weeks at the most. There are students that are quiet at all or most transitions and I am rewarding these students with extra auction points. If we get down to one or two students, I will make adjustments and the whole class will not lose recess at that point. Thank you for your support.
Exhibition-
Students have identified their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for their Exhibition project and final subjects will be made next week. Ideas generated fall under the overall Central Idea of "Through deep understanding of our world, we find solutions".
Math- The current Math focus of estimation, multiplication (2 digit by 2 digit), organizing/analyzing data using mean, median, mode, mean and range, and rounding Will continue into this week, with a test on Wednesday or Thursday. Students will complete a study guide as practice this week as well. The following unit will cover Geometry. NEW- Students have been registered on www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. Assignments for individual students have been assigned and I will be giving students their usernames and passwords this week on Monday or Tuesday. Students go on and watch a lesson, have an opportunity for guided practice, independent practice and take a quiz.
Science-
Wow!!! I am impressed with student prior knowledge of the Solar System. The new Science topic has generated student debate, clarification and has made for animated classroom discussions. Our Solar System unit of study will continue through the next 2 weeks (approximately). If you are interested, here are some websites students may be interested in visiting:
http://landsat.usgs.gov/index.php
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/
http://plantandsoil.unl.edu/croptechnology2005/pages/index.jsp
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/TECHNICAL/ECS/agronomy/photos.html
http://www.rossea.info/landforms.html
Reading-
Literature Circles are continuing with comprehension mini-lessons and small groups with teacher. The Reading Journals are used for written responses and generating discussion points when meeting in groups.
Language Arts-
Language Arts is currently being addressed through the research component of Exhibition and through student reading journals as well as daily spelling and Language lessons.
Social Studies-
With Exhibition starting this past week and finishing our poetry projects, we have had an extremely busy week with little time for students to work on their state projects. We will have time this week.
Have a great week!
Carol Rivers
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