Tech Tuesday as we like to call it.
Today went by quick…
We first reviewed and took final questions about the chapter 2 math. We reviewed the type of questions that would be on the test.
We then read the final 25 pages in Maniac Magee. Much much ground was covered today. Mars Bars was brought to a party on the West-side. There was much racial tension and a fight almost broke out.
In the end Maniac’s attempt to bring the East and West (white & blacks) together would pay dividends when the book reaches its climatic point.
Now that the book has been completed we will be doing reflective pieces, relaying some of the ideas and stories told in the book to our own lives while also researching where specific points of the story occurred.
During the reading of the book, we taken time to discuss the following topics:
The book allowed us to tie in our discussion on the branches of government from the Supreme Court deciding segregation was no longer fair, state rights, and the responsibility of the executive branch, the President, to uphold the laws of the land.
If you have time it would be appropriate to ask your son/daughter about what they learned about from reading this book.
The book covers the following themes and issues:
race, ignorance, bullying, homelessness, grit, resiliency,illiteracy, legends and family (what is a family and is there really one definition of what a family is?).
Many of the directions that our class discussions has evolved into were led by the curiosity and the questions asked by the class. True learning happens when humans sit down and have a conversation. So please have your son/daughter explain what they took out of the book and their experiences and then please feel free to enlighten them with what you have read or learned about any of these keys themes.
We then took our chapter 2 test. It was 100% open-ended and a large part of their grade is taking a menu with numerous items and answering questions regarding to shopping, estimating and staying within their budget.
We then took our triumphant 45’ish minute trip into the computer lab. As of right now 28 of 32 students have turned on their Google apps. Also 28 of the 32 students have added me as their coach on https://www.khanacademy.org/
By makin me their coach, if students watch movies to review math concepts or if they want to challenge themselves, they will get full credit for watching the movies and completing the practice exercises. Also if a student struggles with the exercises, the site will give me a heads up to work with the student since the particular series of videos have not been clear. It is a great way for a student to challenge themselves by working ahead of our daily lessons and it is a great resources for those students that need to remediate or our too shy to ask during the day.
**A great idea was brought up by one of my fellow 5th grade peers, Ms. Proctor from Fred. Elem, she mentioned offering to parents that the students share their Google app password with their parents. If your student is not immediately receptive to sharing their password with you, you can email me. I can NOT see their current password, however I can change or reset it. Therefore I can make the password whatever your family would like it to be. Just another way for those parents that like to be involved with their son or daughter’s online presence. Other things of note -- Google+ is not turned on for students or for teachers. Again the goal is to protect and incubate our youth from participating in the wild wild west of the internet.
Students are free to email me with questions. I will also at times email them assignments or handouts since this helps cut down on trees.
We ended the day reviewing the multiplication and addition properties related to tonight’s homework.
Our review was quick therefore students are strongly encouraged to watch the following Brainpops:
Finally for students trying to add upon our daily lessons and challenge themselves, they should log into www.khanacademy.org and watch & do the activities associated with this entire lesson (14 modules and would take a day or two):
We ended the day discussing the Constitution. The students threw it down and excelled when asked to name examples of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branch!!!
Tonight’s assignment is to reflect on how living under the Mar’s Constitution would change their lives and how it would not be much fun. Students were role-modeled and strongly encouraged to point out specific references to the two Constitutions when writing their response.
We still need chaperons for Outdoor Education!! If you can help out and also enjoy four days of wonderful meals, healthy exercise and little to no sleep -- then please see Lotus Lee in the office at your earliest convenience. If you are on the fence or need more information, then show up on Thursday evening where either the naturalist or myself can answer your questions.
**FYI -- it was asked and I shouldn’t have assumed. If you are a chaperon -- considering that you are working pretty much for four straight days w/ little break. Your stay as chaperon at Chateau Camp Arroyo will be 100% free.
Kind regards,
Mr. Hubbard
“If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
- John Wooden
Here is the homework for the week:
*students earning 98% or higher after the first four weeks, will be given the option to also participate in the 6th grade words.
Math:
Twirling Pinwheels due Wed. *must show your work
Page 52 1-20 all due on Wednesday
Page 54-55 7-23 all due on Thursday *must show original numbers, estimated numbers, and then your estimated answer.
Page 57 8-19 all estimate and use area model for multiplication
What are the different ways that you can decompose and effectively do multiplication? I’m glad you asked. Click here and find out..
Maniac Magee Work:
Maniac Magee -- writing on being bullied. BULLY due on Wednesday
Maniac Magee test due on Friday
Maniac Magee end of book and theme assessments -- due on Tuesday, October 1st.
Non-fiction reading strategies:
Susan B. Anthony due Thursday
Branches of Government tables due on Tuesday
USA Constitution versus Mar’s Constitution due on Thursday
Free-Write due on Friday:
Who let the dogs out?
Read 20+ minutes every night.
Sharkathon on Friday -- get donations and be prepared to run and have fun on Friday.
Camp Meeting on Thursday evening 6:30-7:30
Wall of random needs artifacts, photos, art, drawings, etc…
