What We Did the Week of March 9th
EL and Writing Workshop
We worked on opinion writing, finishing up work on our first essay about zoos. We also worked on our cloning essay and added a paragraph that refutes the opposite perspective.
Math
We focused on dividing decimals with one and to-digit divisors that also have decimals. We took a quiz on this skill.
Science
We took an Ecosystems pretest and set up our ecocolumns with seeds to prepare for the arrival of critters in two weeks. We analyzed an everglades poster for biotic and abiotic factors. We also labeled different consumers.
What We Did the Week of January 27th
EL
We continued with Promises to Keep. We analyzed a speech and decoded the lofty main ideas. We compared the speech to the main text. We also took a mid-year assessment online through illuminate.
Math
We finished up work on adding and subtracting unlike denominators, taking three quizzes. We also worked extensively on word problems that involved fractions and deciding if we had to multiply, divide, add, or subtract.
Science
We took notes on the four air fronts. We did a demo with an egg and a bottle to illustrate how air travels from high to low areas of air pressure. We learned about weather tools and started taking daily observations with our weather station. We also began looking at the jet stream and global patterns.
Writing
We began work on our Diary of an Animal story where we are telling a narrative that delivers facts about an animal. Most are electing to do this in google docs.
What We Did the Week of January 20th
EL
We continued with Promises to Keep. Our focus was on creating timelines on strings that went well. We also did more main ideas and factors for success.
Math
We worked heavily on adding and subtracting unlike denominators. Most are doing well, but the common mistake is adding when the word problem is subtraction. We’ll get there.
Science
We created forecasts with a national map and presented them. They did a good job as meteorologists.
Writing
We wrapped up work on our Quest story.
What We Did the Week of January 13th
EL
We read a great deal more of Promise to Keep, practicing main idea and identifying factors for success.
Math
We used benchmarks to estimate adding and subtracting fractions and then really dug into working with unlike denominators. We took a pretest for the quarter and also a review of the whole year so far.
Science
We identified the general weather across the US, took a quiz, and began setting up our weather maps for when we act as forecasters next week.
Writing
We continued work on our big chapter story. Their quests are coming along nicely.
What We Did the Week of January 6th
EL
We started our Jackie Robinson books and looked at main ideas and supporting details along with identifying factors for success in the fight against racism and segregation.
Math
We took two quizzes on subtracting decimals. We finished up our decimals unit with an assessment and will be returning to fractions next week.
Science
We acted out the layers of the atmosphere with our towel activity. We studied clouds and began observations of them. We also distinguished between climate and weather in a planet hopping activity.
SS
We finished up our Government unit with a branches quiz and big test. We reviewed in trios and also participated in a mock election online to demonstrate what happens with the Electoral College.
Writing
We began work on a big chapter story that features a quest and fantasy elements.
What We Did the Week of December 9th
EL
We finished up our unit on rainforests by rewriting a scene where we expanded the action and description. We also utilized first person to get into the thoughts of the character.
Math
We took three quizzes on place value and powers of ten. We Finished up work on expanded form, word form and became masters on multiplying a decimal and whole number by the powers of ten. We also started on dividing a number by the powers of ten.
Science
We wrapped up our study of the respiratory system. We studied the digestive system with notes, a video, a sequence chain and a crossword. We took a quiz on both systems.
SS
We analyzed the 3 branches and discussed the system for checks and balances. We had a great discussion of the Bill of Rights and the rest of the amendments. We analyzed situations to determine if any rights were violated. Next week, they will make a board game of the rights.
Writing
We finished up our Day of stories and began our Tiny Trouble story.
What We Did the Week of October 28th
EL
We focused on figurative language more and completed a Venn diagram comparing such. We took a mid-unit assessment on figurative language and POV. We read Space Cowboy and analyzed character traits and actions. We also continued reading our rainforest text and identified sensory and concrete description. They are very good at this.
Math
We took a third division of fractions quiz, an assessment on multiplying fractions, and an assessment on dividing fractions. We also reviewed all skills before the assessments. We started on our place value unit with a focus on decimals.
Science
We took notes on the circulatory system, read a book aloud about it, and watched several videos. We are about to team race through the bloodstream activity with a giant chalk outline of a body on next Monday. We also started taking notes on the respiratory system.
SS
We analyzed the real Declaration after writing one of our own in a predictive assignment. We brainstormed what would happen next to our country after the war and will be doing lots of battle notes and research next week. We also watched two videos on the Revolution.
Writing
We finished up our Closet Creature stories. We started work on our Day of stories and will focus on how to write appositives to give characters a quick personality. Dialogue is going well.
What We Did the Week of October 21th
EL
We read The Dreaming Tree and compared the POV as well as working to write the gist with a partner. We also read The Great Kapok Tree and did the gist and then analyzed figurative language: similes, idiom , and metaphors.
Math
We worked on fractions divided by whole numbers and also created word problems of such to add to our Google Slides. We took three quizzes and also did a big review with word problems while playing Connect Four.
Science
We finished up the Nervous System and took a quiz. We took circulatory notes, watched a video on the circulatory system and also did a circulatory crossword.
Writing
We finished up our Future Self stories and started on our Closet Creature story. Both are showcasing dialogue and now 21 of the 26 students have earned their Dialogue Doctors. That’s fantastic!
What We Did the Week of October 14th
EL
We prepared for a Science Talk and then participated in a Science Talk too develop our Listening and Speaking skills. We read Seeds of Change and filled out a listening brochure.
Math
We finished up multiplying fractions with multiplying mixed numbers with mixed numbers. We moved into dividing fractions by practicing a whole divided by a fraction and understand the power of the reciprocal. We created division word problems in a google slides with partners. We took three quizzes.
Science
We focused on the Nervous system, taking notes, watching videos, and acting out reactions that involve the brain and don’t involve the brain.
Writing
We finished up our Alien Family Reunion and started on our Future Self story. Our big focus is dialogue with the next three pieces.
What We Did the Week of October 7th
EL
We continued reading our rainforest text along with comparing the info to a web article on rainforests. We looked at several text structures: Proposition/Support, Compare and Contrast, Sequence, and Cause and Effect. We also took a mid-unit assessment. In team time, students worked on decoding, fluency, and comprehension with a focus on using the UNWRAP strategy to aid in answering comprehension questions.
Math
We worked through more whole number times a fraction and also fraction times a fraction. We practiced converting improper to mixed and mixed to improper. We took two quizzes on multiplying fractions.
Science
We learned about the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage and how they worked within a joint. We made Playdoh models of the joints to further understand them. We looked at different muscles and what movements were caused by them. We watched a muscular and skeletal video from Discovery Ed.
Writing
We worked on creating a lists of words to use instead of said. We started on our first official story to feature dialogue: Alien Family Reunion.
What We Did the Week of September 30th
EL
We dove into our new unit on rainforests by taking a predictive tour. We researched facts about the rainforest in groups and put them on our facts canopy. We started reading the expository text and focused on identifying different text structures such as problem/solution and description. We also looked at the gist of many pages along with identifying new vocabulary. We did some online reading about the rainforest.
Math
We took a quiz on simplifying. We started our big unit on fractions by reviewing simplifying and then looking at multiplying fractions and whole numbers with the standard algorithm and with models like arrays and number lines. We also took a unit pretest on fractions.
Science
We finished up cells with a quiz. We then started in on Muscular and Skeletal systems with notes, a video and completing a crossword. We also began playing Simon Says to practice the many bones in the body.
Writing
We practiced our dialogue by writing skits that featured talking and presenting them. We focused on identifying the speaker, having a new paragraph for each new speaker, and proper punctuation. This will help us as we start stories next week that prominently feature dialogue.
What We Did the Week of September 23rd
EL
We recorded our monologues using Screencastify. We also watched them. They did an excellent job of adopting another POV. We took a post test for quarter one as well and turned in our Esperanza books. We also prepared our portfolios for our upcoming conferences.
Math
We took three quizzes with two digit divisors. We practiced two-digit-divisor division and reviewed volume and multiplying. We took the quarter 1 post test and also a big assessment on volume, multiplying, and division.
Science
We made models of cells with Mrs. Dupont. We studied unicellular and multicellular organisms and prepared wanted posters to remember the types of organisms. We learned how unicellular organisms touch the outside environment and get what they need by directly interacting through their cell membranes with the outside world. We then looked at how multicellular organisms needed to develop delivery systems to transport nutrients and wastes to and from cells. We used baggies, sand, marbles, and straws to create models of both these interactions and recorded lessons where each student was the teacher and had to explain the two different processes.
Writing
We worked on a personal narrative that featured playful wording and a flashback. We introduced the proper way to do dialogue as we will be hitting that skill hard the next few weeks. We started practicing dialogue.
What We Did the Week of September 16th
EL
We worked on our monologues, creating pieces that reworked a scene from the text from a new POV in the first person. We practiced our vocab bags with partners and solo.
Math
We took three quizzes with one digit divisors. We practiced two-digit-divisor division by playing a dice game with partners and also working solo through a power point featuring word problems.
Science
We watched a video that reviewed genetics concepts. We also did a genetics lesson with Mrs. Dupont that had them examine how inherited traits moved through the generations. We took our first short quiz, and they did very well. We took notes on cells and watched a cells video. We ended the week reading a graphic novel called Vampires and Cells.
Writing
We finished working on our Dimension X story and they juggle d all the skills so well. Many of them are getting very good with using our thesauruses. We started work on a short personal narrative piece that I hope will feature playful words and a confessional tone.
What We Did the Week of September 9th
EL
We wrote a detailed compare and contrast literary essay. We began work on our monologues by analyzing two model monologues.
Math
We finished up Multiplying and took three short quizzes. We started in on division, with showing it visually, chunking it and the area model. We moved on to the standard algorithm.
Science
We took a pretest for our Body Systems unit. We learned about inherited traits by filling out a Traits Inventory. We found our spot on a genetics tree based on three traits. We used dna to code a dog that we then designed from eight traits. We also learned about various DNA facts and what it means to be a dominant and recessive trait by doing a mad scientist designer monster.
Writing
We began work on our double shot Dimension X story. We did a lesson on prepositions as sentence starters and also introduced interjections and how to use a thesaurus. Students are really pushing themselves to juggle more skills in their writing.
What We Did the Week of August 5th
EL
We worked hard to finish Esperanza Rising. The students loved the events and how the lead character changed. We analyzed character reactions for several chapters. We also looked at the human rights, specifically workers' rights.
Math
We worked on decomposing volume problems, took two quizzes and an assessment. We also played a volume baseball game to review. We started on order of operations.
Science
We did our spring scale stations and measured the Newtons it would take to move or lift objects. We watched several physics videos. We played two rounds of bingo to prepare for our unit test later next week. We also designed vehicles to travel across the playground.
Writing
We finished our Transformation story and brainstormed our Finding Treasure story, which will be a treat as it is written in second person.
What We Did the Week of July 29th
EL
We continued looking at rising action plot structure with Esperanza Rising and discussing the human rights that are threatened in the novel. We read several chapters of the book and held discussions of the rights violated and how they felt about the incidents. We began analyzing character reactions to the events and also examined theme and metaphors. I like how invested the students are in reading the book.
Math
We worked heavily on volume, computing the total volume and also computing a missing side given two other dimensions and the final volume. We looked a volume in real life with the popcorn example and the stations involving cubes, rulers, packing peanuts, and numerous food containers. We also looked at volume word problems and started decomposing figures comprised of two or more rectangular prisms. We also took a volume quiz.
Science
We finished our Friction Stations and put the document in as our first science artifact in our digital portfolios. We spent a day practicing how to calculate speed and then they put that to use when they used their matchbox cars on the ramps.
Writing
We finished our setting, action, and character stories and made sure to feature several examples of description using our senses. We brainstormed our next story: My Horrible Transformation. It will feature setting, action, and character quite heavily and be one of the first writing pieces they will look over with you when conference time rolls around at the beginning of quarter 2.
What We Did the Week of July 22nd
EL
We continued looking at rising action plot structure with Esperanza Rising and discussing the human rights that are threatened in the novel. We read several chapters of the book and held discussions of the rights violated and how they felt about the incidents. We took a mid-unit assessment and also an end unit assessment. We also worked on our fluency in small groups, did more of our google classroom assignments, and started taking AR tests.
Math
We finished up work on ordered pairs, line graphs, and numerical and categorical with some additional activities and an assessment. We started work on our new unit about volume with cubes and constructing a variety of rectangular prisms.
Science
We added a sail to our vehicle two ways and tested for wind resistance to find the shape that was the most aerodynamic. We built up our vehicles to feature a propeller system and recorded the distances traveled from various winds. We also started work on our frictions stations activity.
Writing
We finished our About the Author and started analyzing setting, action and character description. We started our story featuring these description tools.
What We Did the Week of July 15th
EL
We looked at rising action plot structure with Esperanza Rising, discussed the human rights that are threatened in the novel, and wrote summaries of two of the rights. We read several chapters of the book and started analyzing the flawed main character. We also worked on our fluency in small groups, did our first several google classroom assignments, and recorded our pages read of many of our first books finished.
Math
We worked quite heavily with line graphs. We played Danger Island to practice ordered pairs and started investigating numerical patterns.
Science
We had washers in a pulley system use gravity to drag our vehicle across a tabletop. We then had the vehicle carry different masses of blocks. We also looked at potential and kinetic energy in rubber bands and used them to power our vehicles to travel across the trailer classroom.
Writing
We finished our exercise in brainstorming by using Pictionary cards to randomize ideas. We started on an About the Author to practice paragraphs, story title formatting, and writing in the third person.
What We Did the Week of July 9th
EL
We made predictions about our topic for this quarter: human rights. We began reading Esperanza Rising together and looked at the gist of the early pages and analyzed the characters and their circumstances. We also set up reading goals in our response journals.
Math
We identified data as numerical, categorical or change over time. We graphed using coordinates and also created line graphs. We took a real drill test to prepare for our multiplication unit that is right around the corner.
Science
We took a pretest for our forces and motion unit. We constructed vehicles that would travel 100 cm and learned about Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. We built a standard vehicle from a blueprint that will be used for future experiments. We learned about key concepts through a graphic novel read aloud.
Writing
We learned about our teacher’s writing background and excitement about writing. We wrote a 30-minute story and put it in a time capsule to be opened at the end of the year. We started learning about brainstorming techniques lie odd pairings.
Welcome Post
Welcome to my website. The This Week section will give you a rundown on what we did in class. You'll also want to check on the Homework Calendar section each Friday to see what homework looks like for the following week.
EL and Writing Workshop
We worked on opinion writing, finishing up work on our first essay about zoos. We also worked on our cloning essay and added a paragraph that refutes the opposite perspective.
Math
We focused on dividing decimals with one and to-digit divisors that also have decimals. We took a quiz on this skill.
Science
We took an Ecosystems pretest and set up our ecocolumns with seeds to prepare for the arrival of critters in two weeks. We analyzed an everglades poster for biotic and abiotic factors. We also labeled different consumers.
What We Did the Week of January 27th
EL
We continued with Promises to Keep. We analyzed a speech and decoded the lofty main ideas. We compared the speech to the main text. We also took a mid-year assessment online through illuminate.
Math
We finished up work on adding and subtracting unlike denominators, taking three quizzes. We also worked extensively on word problems that involved fractions and deciding if we had to multiply, divide, add, or subtract.
Science
We took notes on the four air fronts. We did a demo with an egg and a bottle to illustrate how air travels from high to low areas of air pressure. We learned about weather tools and started taking daily observations with our weather station. We also began looking at the jet stream and global patterns.
Writing
We began work on our Diary of an Animal story where we are telling a narrative that delivers facts about an animal. Most are electing to do this in google docs.
What We Did the Week of January 20th
EL
We continued with Promises to Keep. Our focus was on creating timelines on strings that went well. We also did more main ideas and factors for success.
Math
We worked heavily on adding and subtracting unlike denominators. Most are doing well, but the common mistake is adding when the word problem is subtraction. We’ll get there.
Science
We created forecasts with a national map and presented them. They did a good job as meteorologists.
Writing
We wrapped up work on our Quest story.
What We Did the Week of January 13th
EL
We read a great deal more of Promise to Keep, practicing main idea and identifying factors for success.
Math
We used benchmarks to estimate adding and subtracting fractions and then really dug into working with unlike denominators. We took a pretest for the quarter and also a review of the whole year so far.
Science
We identified the general weather across the US, took a quiz, and began setting up our weather maps for when we act as forecasters next week.
Writing
We continued work on our big chapter story. Their quests are coming along nicely.
What We Did the Week of January 6th
EL
We started our Jackie Robinson books and looked at main ideas and supporting details along with identifying factors for success in the fight against racism and segregation.
Math
We took two quizzes on subtracting decimals. We finished up our decimals unit with an assessment and will be returning to fractions next week.
Science
We acted out the layers of the atmosphere with our towel activity. We studied clouds and began observations of them. We also distinguished between climate and weather in a planet hopping activity.
SS
We finished up our Government unit with a branches quiz and big test. We reviewed in trios and also participated in a mock election online to demonstrate what happens with the Electoral College.
Writing
We began work on a big chapter story that features a quest and fantasy elements.
What We Did the Week of December 9th
EL
We finished up our unit on rainforests by rewriting a scene where we expanded the action and description. We also utilized first person to get into the thoughts of the character.
Math
We took three quizzes on place value and powers of ten. We Finished up work on expanded form, word form and became masters on multiplying a decimal and whole number by the powers of ten. We also started on dividing a number by the powers of ten.
Science
We wrapped up our study of the respiratory system. We studied the digestive system with notes, a video, a sequence chain and a crossword. We took a quiz on both systems.
SS
We analyzed the 3 branches and discussed the system for checks and balances. We had a great discussion of the Bill of Rights and the rest of the amendments. We analyzed situations to determine if any rights were violated. Next week, they will make a board game of the rights.
Writing
We finished up our Day of stories and began our Tiny Trouble story.
What We Did the Week of October 28th
EL
We focused on figurative language more and completed a Venn diagram comparing such. We took a mid-unit assessment on figurative language and POV. We read Space Cowboy and analyzed character traits and actions. We also continued reading our rainforest text and identified sensory and concrete description. They are very good at this.
Math
We took a third division of fractions quiz, an assessment on multiplying fractions, and an assessment on dividing fractions. We also reviewed all skills before the assessments. We started on our place value unit with a focus on decimals.
Science
We took notes on the circulatory system, read a book aloud about it, and watched several videos. We are about to team race through the bloodstream activity with a giant chalk outline of a body on next Monday. We also started taking notes on the respiratory system.
SS
We analyzed the real Declaration after writing one of our own in a predictive assignment. We brainstormed what would happen next to our country after the war and will be doing lots of battle notes and research next week. We also watched two videos on the Revolution.
Writing
We finished up our Closet Creature stories. We started work on our Day of stories and will focus on how to write appositives to give characters a quick personality. Dialogue is going well.
What We Did the Week of October 21th
EL
We read The Dreaming Tree and compared the POV as well as working to write the gist with a partner. We also read The Great Kapok Tree and did the gist and then analyzed figurative language: similes, idiom , and metaphors.
Math
We worked on fractions divided by whole numbers and also created word problems of such to add to our Google Slides. We took three quizzes and also did a big review with word problems while playing Connect Four.
Science
We finished up the Nervous System and took a quiz. We took circulatory notes, watched a video on the circulatory system and also did a circulatory crossword.
Writing
We finished up our Future Self stories and started on our Closet Creature story. Both are showcasing dialogue and now 21 of the 26 students have earned their Dialogue Doctors. That’s fantastic!
What We Did the Week of October 14th
EL
We prepared for a Science Talk and then participated in a Science Talk too develop our Listening and Speaking skills. We read Seeds of Change and filled out a listening brochure.
Math
We finished up multiplying fractions with multiplying mixed numbers with mixed numbers. We moved into dividing fractions by practicing a whole divided by a fraction and understand the power of the reciprocal. We created division word problems in a google slides with partners. We took three quizzes.
Science
We focused on the Nervous system, taking notes, watching videos, and acting out reactions that involve the brain and don’t involve the brain.
Writing
We finished up our Alien Family Reunion and started on our Future Self story. Our big focus is dialogue with the next three pieces.
What We Did the Week of October 7th
EL
We continued reading our rainforest text along with comparing the info to a web article on rainforests. We looked at several text structures: Proposition/Support, Compare and Contrast, Sequence, and Cause and Effect. We also took a mid-unit assessment. In team time, students worked on decoding, fluency, and comprehension with a focus on using the UNWRAP strategy to aid in answering comprehension questions.
Math
We worked through more whole number times a fraction and also fraction times a fraction. We practiced converting improper to mixed and mixed to improper. We took two quizzes on multiplying fractions.
Science
We learned about the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage and how they worked within a joint. We made Playdoh models of the joints to further understand them. We looked at different muscles and what movements were caused by them. We watched a muscular and skeletal video from Discovery Ed.
Writing
We worked on creating a lists of words to use instead of said. We started on our first official story to feature dialogue: Alien Family Reunion.
What We Did the Week of September 30th
EL
We dove into our new unit on rainforests by taking a predictive tour. We researched facts about the rainforest in groups and put them on our facts canopy. We started reading the expository text and focused on identifying different text structures such as problem/solution and description. We also looked at the gist of many pages along with identifying new vocabulary. We did some online reading about the rainforest.
Math
We took a quiz on simplifying. We started our big unit on fractions by reviewing simplifying and then looking at multiplying fractions and whole numbers with the standard algorithm and with models like arrays and number lines. We also took a unit pretest on fractions.
Science
We finished up cells with a quiz. We then started in on Muscular and Skeletal systems with notes, a video and completing a crossword. We also began playing Simon Says to practice the many bones in the body.
Writing
We practiced our dialogue by writing skits that featured talking and presenting them. We focused on identifying the speaker, having a new paragraph for each new speaker, and proper punctuation. This will help us as we start stories next week that prominently feature dialogue.
What We Did the Week of September 23rd
EL
We recorded our monologues using Screencastify. We also watched them. They did an excellent job of adopting another POV. We took a post test for quarter one as well and turned in our Esperanza books. We also prepared our portfolios for our upcoming conferences.
Math
We took three quizzes with two digit divisors. We practiced two-digit-divisor division and reviewed volume and multiplying. We took the quarter 1 post test and also a big assessment on volume, multiplying, and division.
Science
We made models of cells with Mrs. Dupont. We studied unicellular and multicellular organisms and prepared wanted posters to remember the types of organisms. We learned how unicellular organisms touch the outside environment and get what they need by directly interacting through their cell membranes with the outside world. We then looked at how multicellular organisms needed to develop delivery systems to transport nutrients and wastes to and from cells. We used baggies, sand, marbles, and straws to create models of both these interactions and recorded lessons where each student was the teacher and had to explain the two different processes.
Writing
We worked on a personal narrative that featured playful wording and a flashback. We introduced the proper way to do dialogue as we will be hitting that skill hard the next few weeks. We started practicing dialogue.
What We Did the Week of September 16th
EL
We worked on our monologues, creating pieces that reworked a scene from the text from a new POV in the first person. We practiced our vocab bags with partners and solo.
Math
We took three quizzes with one digit divisors. We practiced two-digit-divisor division by playing a dice game with partners and also working solo through a power point featuring word problems.
Science
We watched a video that reviewed genetics concepts. We also did a genetics lesson with Mrs. Dupont that had them examine how inherited traits moved through the generations. We took our first short quiz, and they did very well. We took notes on cells and watched a cells video. We ended the week reading a graphic novel called Vampires and Cells.
Writing
We finished working on our Dimension X story and they juggle d all the skills so well. Many of them are getting very good with using our thesauruses. We started work on a short personal narrative piece that I hope will feature playful words and a confessional tone.
What We Did the Week of September 9th
EL
We wrote a detailed compare and contrast literary essay. We began work on our monologues by analyzing two model monologues.
Math
We finished up Multiplying and took three short quizzes. We started in on division, with showing it visually, chunking it and the area model. We moved on to the standard algorithm.
Science
We took a pretest for our Body Systems unit. We learned about inherited traits by filling out a Traits Inventory. We found our spot on a genetics tree based on three traits. We used dna to code a dog that we then designed from eight traits. We also learned about various DNA facts and what it means to be a dominant and recessive trait by doing a mad scientist designer monster.
Writing
We began work on our double shot Dimension X story. We did a lesson on prepositions as sentence starters and also introduced interjections and how to use a thesaurus. Students are really pushing themselves to juggle more skills in their writing.
What We Did the Week of August 5th
EL
We worked hard to finish Esperanza Rising. The students loved the events and how the lead character changed. We analyzed character reactions for several chapters. We also looked at the human rights, specifically workers' rights.
Math
We worked on decomposing volume problems, took two quizzes and an assessment. We also played a volume baseball game to review. We started on order of operations.
Science
We did our spring scale stations and measured the Newtons it would take to move or lift objects. We watched several physics videos. We played two rounds of bingo to prepare for our unit test later next week. We also designed vehicles to travel across the playground.
Writing
We finished our Transformation story and brainstormed our Finding Treasure story, which will be a treat as it is written in second person.
What We Did the Week of July 29th
EL
We continued looking at rising action plot structure with Esperanza Rising and discussing the human rights that are threatened in the novel. We read several chapters of the book and held discussions of the rights violated and how they felt about the incidents. We began analyzing character reactions to the events and also examined theme and metaphors. I like how invested the students are in reading the book.
Math
We worked heavily on volume, computing the total volume and also computing a missing side given two other dimensions and the final volume. We looked a volume in real life with the popcorn example and the stations involving cubes, rulers, packing peanuts, and numerous food containers. We also looked at volume word problems and started decomposing figures comprised of two or more rectangular prisms. We also took a volume quiz.
Science
We finished our Friction Stations and put the document in as our first science artifact in our digital portfolios. We spent a day practicing how to calculate speed and then they put that to use when they used their matchbox cars on the ramps.
Writing
We finished our setting, action, and character stories and made sure to feature several examples of description using our senses. We brainstormed our next story: My Horrible Transformation. It will feature setting, action, and character quite heavily and be one of the first writing pieces they will look over with you when conference time rolls around at the beginning of quarter 2.
What We Did the Week of July 22nd
EL
We continued looking at rising action plot structure with Esperanza Rising and discussing the human rights that are threatened in the novel. We read several chapters of the book and held discussions of the rights violated and how they felt about the incidents. We took a mid-unit assessment and also an end unit assessment. We also worked on our fluency in small groups, did more of our google classroom assignments, and started taking AR tests.
Math
We finished up work on ordered pairs, line graphs, and numerical and categorical with some additional activities and an assessment. We started work on our new unit about volume with cubes and constructing a variety of rectangular prisms.
Science
We added a sail to our vehicle two ways and tested for wind resistance to find the shape that was the most aerodynamic. We built up our vehicles to feature a propeller system and recorded the distances traveled from various winds. We also started work on our frictions stations activity.
Writing
We finished our About the Author and started analyzing setting, action and character description. We started our story featuring these description tools.
What We Did the Week of July 15th
EL
We looked at rising action plot structure with Esperanza Rising, discussed the human rights that are threatened in the novel, and wrote summaries of two of the rights. We read several chapters of the book and started analyzing the flawed main character. We also worked on our fluency in small groups, did our first several google classroom assignments, and recorded our pages read of many of our first books finished.
Math
We worked quite heavily with line graphs. We played Danger Island to practice ordered pairs and started investigating numerical patterns.
Science
We had washers in a pulley system use gravity to drag our vehicle across a tabletop. We then had the vehicle carry different masses of blocks. We also looked at potential and kinetic energy in rubber bands and used them to power our vehicles to travel across the trailer classroom.
Writing
We finished our exercise in brainstorming by using Pictionary cards to randomize ideas. We started on an About the Author to practice paragraphs, story title formatting, and writing in the third person.
What We Did the Week of July 9th
EL
We made predictions about our topic for this quarter: human rights. We began reading Esperanza Rising together and looked at the gist of the early pages and analyzed the characters and their circumstances. We also set up reading goals in our response journals.
Math
We identified data as numerical, categorical or change over time. We graphed using coordinates and also created line graphs. We took a real drill test to prepare for our multiplication unit that is right around the corner.
Science
We took a pretest for our forces and motion unit. We constructed vehicles that would travel 100 cm and learned about Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. We built a standard vehicle from a blueprint that will be used for future experiments. We learned about key concepts through a graphic novel read aloud.
Writing
We learned about our teacher’s writing background and excitement about writing. We wrote a 30-minute story and put it in a time capsule to be opened at the end of the year. We started learning about brainstorming techniques lie odd pairings.
Welcome Post
Welcome to my website. The This Week section will give you a rundown on what we did in class. You'll also want to check on the Homework Calendar section each Friday to see what homework looks like for the following week.