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| Mr. H looking dazed and confused. |
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Still too many ants, so please remind your son/daughter to bring home their lunches.
We started off the day with the library. Students continue enjoying the book that they are reading. It involves a young boy learner financial concepts while working for his friend and himself. It has a ton of jokes so it keeping their attention.
We came back and students were allowed to either read their newly checked out books, read Volcanoes, work on practice book, study science flashcards or study challenge words.
We reviewed this week's grammar lessons on plural nouns and more specific nouns. We discussed many examples. Students were strongly encouraged to copy down the challenging plural noun rules.
Math time – we discussed the distributive property in full detail. We also discussed Commutative
property and associative property. The distributive property will be super important and emphasized as we go forward since it a key concept in effectively multiplying and adding successfully.
http://www.aaamath.com/pro74bx2.htm
http://www.math.unt.edu/mathlab/emathlab/distributive_property_of_multipl.htm
This allows students to have more options when dealing with larger multiplication. Heck, I have had success with some of the students that struggle with 8*8 or 9*6 –they can decompose one of the numbers into numbers that they can more easily multiply/add.
After math we reviewed the challenge word vocabulary and their sentences. Students did a great job this week of completing this assignment and bringing it to school!!
Rotations – they rotate to Mrs. Cargo's class. http://dusd.schoolwires.net/224720722164552217/site/default.asp
They rotated into science, the test will be tomorrow. So they better have those 19 flashcards memorized. "Remember – repeat to remember and remember to repeat" http://www.brainrules.net/short-term-memory
http://www.brainrules.net/long-term-memory
http://dusd.schoolwires.net/224720722164555580/site/default.asp (this Mrs. Wilmott's link)
Photo day is tomorrow!! Students brought home the envelope on Monday. Hopefully it made it to you. If you don't have one, bring your checkbook and stop off in the front office for an extra envelope. Photos are circa 11:15 for our class.
Have a great Wednesday night.
Homework for the week:
Photo Day is 9/16/2010 around 11:15'ish;
Math:
Due Thursday Page 54-55 7-18 plus 1-6 OR 19-23
Due Friday pages 57-58 5-27 **11 of the multiplication problems must be decomposed.
Free-Write due Friday – this week a true free-write; write about whatever you want
Grammar Work due Thursday – P.B. 48, 49, and 50
Science due Thursday – 20 flash cards written out and the test is Thursday
Social Studies due Wednesday 9/22 read pages 155-162
Due Friday -- Language Arts Comprehension:
Read 78-100
On page 100 – you choose 3 questions and answer them in complete sentences
P.B. 39/40
Reoccurring theme, Tuesdays rock and roll quickly and end abruptly.
1 The brand new C-Wing has too many ants!!
We had morning technology lab. Within the laboratory students were allowed to either study for the chapter 2 test or take the chapter 3 test. With this new computer/math website, it has the ability for the student to take a test and then receive PowerPoint tutoring lesson specific to the skill they didn't master. Furthermore the PowerPoint has both sound and writing to appeal to both audio and written learners!!
Students also practiced typing for 20 minutes to build up their typing skills.
Finally students were able check out a great website put out by our federal government that teaches computer privacy, handling money and being advertising awareness.
You can see it all the links in this blog.
After technology lab the students and I graded last night's math homework and asked final questions regarding chapter 2. They then were given 80 minutes to work on the math tests. About 2/3rds of the class completed the math test. Those that didn't will have exactly 20 minutes to complete the test tomorrow.
We ended the scholastic part of the day reviewing practice book pages 38,43 and 47 and discussing the meaning of the base words "struct" and "rupt";
Remember those 5 challenge words are due tomorrow.
The completed the afternoon with P.E.
Have a great Tuesday and go Giants!!
Homework for the week:
Photo Day is 9/16/2010 around 11:15'ish;
Math:
Due Wednesday Page 52-53 8-25 **also write the four properties in your math notebook
Due Thursday Page 54-55 7-18 plus 1-6 OR 19-23
Due Friday pages 57-58 5-27 **11 of the multiplication problems must be decomposed.
Free-Write due Friday – this week a true free-write; write about whatever you want
Vocabulary Work due Wednesday – 5 challenge words, P.B. 38, 43, and 47
Grammar Work due Thursday – P.B. 48, 49, and 50
Science due Thursday – 20 flash cards written out and the test is Thursday
Social Studies due Friday read pages 155-162
Due Friday -- Language Arts Comprehension:
Read 78-100
On page 100 – you choose 3 questions and answer them in complete sentences
P.B. 39/40
Our first five day week of the year…..
It was a busy day since Monday is a big let's get organized and plan out our week day.
Spelling Pretest –
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/index.html#g5
We re-reviewed conjunction usage.
We then spoke some about this week's story. It concerns volcanoes and it once again a non fiction story.
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/dynamic/dyn_vol-ca.html
Students were given 30 minutes to either read independently or begin reading about volcanoes.
After recess we prepped for tomorrow's chapter 2 test. Students can prep for the test in the following ways:
1st – do tonight's homework
2nd—go on-line and take the chapter 2 test. Whatever questions they miss, they will be offered a follow up tutoring lesson.
3rd--- study this test so you can see what tomorrow's test will be like (very similar however the numbers are changed to protect the innocent). Here is the link: http://www.box.net/shared/3j9zd7ouuu
4th—make sure their math notebook has any type of notes or reminders that will be help them succeed.
Students were given 25 minutes to begin working on tonight's homework and when finished to work on the on-line chapter 2 test since it will give them immediate feedback regarding what they need to work on.
Students then read this week's story on volcanoes for 20 minutes with a partner.
After lunch we discussed other successful ways to prioritize and manage your time.
I spoke about the 4 quadrants and the need to work in the area titled "important and NOT urgent" and too often we work on activities that are urgent and NOT important or worse yet, NOT urgent and NOT important.
We then discussed the good old fashioned "prioritize and make a top 10 list"; We did a few examples to each style and how you can use these as a student.
I have attached the examples that we discussed and students can save the file and print this up for future use.
http://www.box.net/shared/5kb8klkifd
Finally we were given 15 minutes plan out and strategize the game plan for this week based on our weekly homework expectations.
Homework for the week:
Photo Day is 9/16/2010 around 11:15'ish;
Math:
Due Tuesday Page 46-47 all and chapter 2 test Tuesday
Due Wednesday Page 52-53 8-25 **also write the four properties in your math notebook
Due Thursday Page 54-55 7-18 plus 1-6 OR 19-23
Due Friday pages 57-58 5-27 **11 of the multiplication problems must be decomposed.
Free-Write due Friday – this week a true free-write; write about whatever you want
Vocabulary Work due Wednesday – 5 challenge words, P.B. 38, 43, and 47
Grammar Work due Thursday – P.B. 48, 49, and 50
Science due Thursday – 20 flash cards written out and the test is Thursday
Social Studies due Friday read pages 155-162
Due Friday -- Language Arts Comprehension:
Read 78-100
On page 100 – you choose 3 questions and answer them in complete sentences
P.B. 39/40
Kind regards,
Ron
Today….
We started the day with Language Arts and homework time. Students were given 60 minutes to either work on the comprehension work due on Friday, Practice Book work due on Friday, study spelling/vocab or read independently.
We reviewed the five vocabulary words that will be tested tomorrow. I'm on the fence how to penalize the FIVE students that forgot, misplaced or simply didn't do their vocabulary work. We then review the definitions and the sentences as a class which makes "turning it in late" somewhat unnecessary. I am leaning towards a Friday party.
Math:
Lesson 2-6
Subtracting with decimals.
We tried our darndest as a class and we decided to not make decomposing of numbers (aka Burger King Method) mandatory for tonight's homework. When you end up decomposing a "one" into tenths, hundredths, and thousandths, you end up doing standard borrowing like things so just subtract "old-school" style.
Homework: page 40-41 9-23 plus either 40 1-8 all OR 41 24-27 all
Students were given 30 minutes to work on tonight's homework.
Science book walkthrough – this was a continuation of yesterday's team work with discovering how a typical non-fiction text book is laid out. So the students worked in teams of three doing a textbook scavenger hunt.
Then we had rotations again today…students went to Mrs. Cargo's for cursive practice.
Then they went to Mrs. Wilmot's for science. They were assigned more flash cards. I have a cache of flashcards so please do NOT purchase more flash cards. Your child can have a pack to keep at home if that helps. Please see Mrs. Wilmot's or Mrs. Cargo's website if you need more instruction about their homework.
Homework due Friday:
Math
Page 38 1-8 all OR 39 27-33 all
Due on Friday:
Page 40-41 9-23 all
40 1-8 all OR 24-27 all
FYI – page 46-47 1-14 all due on Tuesday 9/14 and Chapter 2 test will be given on 9/14
Vocab and Spelling test is Friday
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/lists/sl_g5t01_02.html
Grammar due Friday
P.B. 33, 34, and 35 Conjunctions, combining sentences and correcting run-ons
Reading Comprehension questions due Friday:
Read 54-76; P.B. 24 and 25; and page 76 Student chooses which 3 questions to answer but must be complete sentences.
Free-write due Friday: "When Mother Nature gets upset….."
Have a great evening.
Mr. Hubbard
Week three…
With Tuesday off a long weekend, it was a day of compact learning.
Technology lab – let's see…my website wasn't loading, my delicious account wasn't loading, they couldn't get into typing, furthermore they tried to log in and take an AR/STAR test and it said their accounts were set up yet. It is just great times being in a computer room with 25 excited students and various computer challenges occurring at the same time. Thankfully the www.pearsonsuccessnet.com worked wonderfully. Students were able to begin taking the chapter 2 pretest. Upon finishing the students are able to go back and either 1. Work on the lessons they missed questions on or 2. Work on challenging work based on their mastery of the skill in the pretest.
Language Arts:
Spelling pretest -- http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/lists/sl_g5t01_02.html
Reviewing what this week's story is all about… ..a storm chaser. We talked about our classroom schema. We talked about what a cool job that would be. We also reviewed the key vocabulary for this story: pb 23
Math:
Lesson 2-4 adding and subtracting larger numbers.
The big lesson that we covered was reviewing the style of "decomposing" your numbers. In 5th grade terms – writing out the words in expanded form. Once laid out in expanded form they may add or subtract the numbers. We also did the "Burger King" method where you can decompose the number into parts that help you most successfully add or subtract. They should 3 examples of what I am talking about written in their math notebook.
Students were given 20 minutes to begin working on tonight's math homework.
Language Arts again –
Students were given 25 minutes to begin reading this week's story. They were able to work in pairs, read, ask questions and refer to this week's PB work.
Conjunctions – we discussed the main ones – but, and, or, that, yet, nor, and however
We also watched Conjunction Junction What's Your Function.
We used the final 15 minutes before lunch to write down the homework for the week into their day planners. We also discussed about planning their week out since it is only a three evening week. I also explained that we will be using class time to resolve some of this work.
They ended the day with PE.
Homework for the week:
Math
Due on Wednesday:
Page 35 7-18 all ** must use the expanded form on at least a 1/3rd of them
Page 35 1-6 OR page 36 19-25
Due on Thursday:
Page 38 9-26 all**must use the expanded form on at least 1/3rd of them
Page 38 1-8 all OR 39 27-33 all
Due on Friday:
Page 40-41 9-23 all** must use the expanded form on at least 1/3rd of them
40 1-8 all OR 24-27 all
FYI – page 46-47 1-14 all due on Tuesday 9/14 and Chapter 2 test will be given on 9/14
Vocab due Thursday
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/lists/sl_g5t01_02.html
Define and use in a sentence the 5 challenge words. Plus p.b. 23,28 and 32
Free-write: due Thursday
"I need to get this off my chest….."
Grammar due Friday
P.B. 33,34, and 35 Conjunctions, combining sentences and correcting run-ons
Reading Comprehension questions due Friday:
Read 54-76 ; P.B. 24 and 25; and page 76 Student chooses which 3 questions to answer but must be complete sentences.
Free-write due Friday: "When Mother Nature gets upset….."
**I will put out an update with the Back to School Files..I have them on my flash drive and it is at home.
It was our first 8:30-2:50 day so I felt like much was accomplished. I took questions about Reading Around the World. People seem clear about the expectations. You have a roll in this, the signing off of 100 pages, so we will discuss this at Back To School Night.
We took our first library visit of the year. Mrs. Klein discussed the expectations of the media center and using our books. The district has begun having the kids and their families sign a contract acknowledging the need to keep books in great shape and returned in a timely fashion so everyone can benefit from our library. Please sign and return the library contract.
After library we took 25 minutes of DEAR time, drop everything and read. Students are allowed to also read and complete their weekly language arts comprehension questions during this time or practice book.
We reviewed the challenge words for the week.
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/index.html#g5
For week one, the students did an amazing job with their definitions and their sentences. So I expect great things with tomorrow's vocabulary test.
We also corrected the three vocabulary practice book pages. We had a discussion regarding thesaurus and when would you need to use it. Also how blindly using it can cause some word choice embarrassment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s0LqZMsfTQ
**I didn't show this to the class, I only made reference to it.
Math – we corrected last night's math homework and I answered questions that people may have head.
We then took our first math test of the year. Many kids finished super quick so I'm hoping it is not a case of rushing.
After the math test, we reviewed chapter 2 lesson 1. It is about mental math. I gave several examples and we brainstormed ways that we can use mental math. We also discussed appropriate versus inappropriate times to use mental math. For example a doctor would prescribe specific amount of medicine per day while an event planner would estimate a number slightly larger than what they think are showing up.
Homework:
HC page 25 1-26 all
27-34 all OR 2-1 R
Students need to show me which numbers they are using, NOT JUST give me their final answer. I realize that it is called mental math however we are practicing our estimating and mental math skilz. Students had just over 15 minutes to begin working on tonight's homework.
**don't forget the entire book is now found on line. If a child needs a further lesson, they can log in and check the area in 5th grade book that says, "to do."
Language Arts -- we reviewed the expected grammar lessons for the week.
Types of sentences
The declarative sentence makes a statement. The interrogative sentence asks a question. The exclamatory sentence is a statement that shows strong emotion. And the imperative sentence gives a direction or a command but without strong emotion.
Predicate and Subject
http://www.criticalreading.com/simple_sentence.htm
Combining subjects or predicates to make shorter concise sentences.
Circle Time:
What is your favorite sport? We had a cornucopia of answers to this question. We had 18 different sports mentioned.
When you hear our classroom theme of "change" what do you think? Some great answers from high level thoughtful responses to some simplistic answers.
If you HAD TO listen to the same artist or album for 24 straight hours, which artist could you listen to without going crazy? Taylor Swift won in a landslide decision.
For the 2nd time we had to cut our time short because too many kids are sharing amongst themselves rather than listening and waiting to have their opportunity to share. Somewhat disappointing….
Since my circle time activity and icebreaker was cut short by selfish deciscions, I then used the final 20 minutes to discuss the article that I posted last night about myelin formation.
http://thetalentcode.com/2010/08/24/letter-to-students-cliffs-notes-for-a-faster-brain/
Rule 1: Feel the Burn
Rule 2: Repetition is Underrated. (Repetition is Underrated.) Also, Repetition is Underrated.
Rule 3: Steal From the Best
We also looked at this quick slide show:
http://thetalentcode.com/myelin/
slide 6 was especially powerful with the class.
Homework for tonight:
Homework for the week:
Math
HC page 25 1-26 all (pb 2-1 R or page 25 27-34 all) due Thursday
Reading Comprehension: All due Thursday
Read pages 26-46
Hardcover book page 46 1-4 and #6 – answer in complete sentences
P.B. 4 and 5
Grammar: Type of Sentences due on Thursday P.B. 13, 14 and 15
Free-write due Thursday The most dangerous thing in my house is……..
Thursday – spelling test, vocab test and reading test on this week's story.
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/index.html#g5
Kind regards,
Ron Hubbard
Oh August, we hardly knew thee….
Today was a super quick day with the kids. I had a collaboration meeting that pulled me out of the room from 8:30-9:30 and then the kids have PE after lunch. So the day came and went.
During my absence the kids read most of this week's story about Earthquakes and discussed questions related to this week's reading strategy of inference/predicting. Therefore the kids need to read only the final 3 pages and then they can/should begin working on their comprehension work for the week.
The kids also had 20 minutes to begin working on tonight's math homework while the visiting teacher was here.
Upon my triumphant return :) We discussed some math questions that the children had, we discussed the new math program being all on line and how to properly behave and respect our computer lab.
Computer lab time --- students can not sign in on their own individual account yet so we used generic log ins. Upon logging in the students successfully logged into our math program.
user name: their five digit district i.d. with a zero in front;
example: student i.d. is 12345 then their user name is: 012345
password: changeme
The ENTIRE math book is found on-line. Therefore they can never tell you that they forgot their book at school and they can't do their homework.
We then successfully logged into www.brainpop.com
We watched movies on earthquakes, tectonic plates and natural disasters.
Students can watch these educational movies M-F from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. user name dublinelem ask your son/daughter for the password.
We then successfully went to my webpage to see where to find all of my links that I keep.
www.delicious.com/iamron is the main one.
Finally the kids were doing such a great job of listening and managing their way through the many websites, I allowed them 10 minutes to go to here:
http://www.subservientchicken.com/
After that we returned to review last night's math homework. We corrected it and took questions. Then we reviewed a near copy of tomorrow's math test.
Click here to use this as a study device for tonight:
http://www.box.net/shared/ef13f33c5e
We also discussed 5th Grade's Reading Around the World.
I gave them the handout and we quickly discussed the minimum requirement of 800 pages per trimester, the Hall of Fame and how I'm only asking 9-10 pages per day. We will discuss this at Back to School Night on Thursday.
I also discussed the 5th grade "end of week party." Kids who haven't completed all of their learning opportunities (called homework in the non-p.c. days) by Friday will stay 20 minutes after school on Friday.
Homework for the week:
Math
HC page 16 7-14 all and page 18/19 1-14 all due Wednesday
Unit 1 test is on Wednesday
HC page 25 1-26 all (pb 2-1 R or page 25 27-34 all) due Thursday
Reading Comprehension: All due Thursday
Read pages 26-46
Hardcover book page 46 1-4 and #6 – answer in complete sentences
P.B. 4 and 5
Vocabulary Work: All due Wednesday
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/index.html#g5
Define and use in a sentence the 5 challenge words
P.B. 3, 8, and 12
Grammar: Type of Sentences due on Thursday
P.B. 13, 14 and 15
Free-write due Thursday
The most dangerous thing in my house is……..
Thursday – spelling test, vocab test and reading test on this week's story.
Kind regards,
Ron Hubbard
Monday, August 30, 2010
Week 2…..
We started the day getting down to math business. We continued working on the math assessment that we started on Friday. This is not "graded" per se rather I use the assessment to see what 5th grade standards students already know.
After this math, we moved our desks around to factor in some of the early talking challenges we were facing. We also took some questions about band, valet and discussing a typical Monday/Tuesday.
We took a spelling pretest. The real test will be on Thursday (no school for the kids this Friday).
Here is the link to the spelling words:
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/index.html#g5
We are using this link every week so feel free to make it a favorite.
Challenge word vocabulary work:
The 5 challenge words need to be defined and used in a sentence that shows you know what the word means. The 5 challenge words are found in the link above.
We started talking about this month's theme, Nature's Future.
Many of students had their Practice Book open and were able complete page 3;
We had a long talk regarding earthquakes. Based on the questions and the comments many of students could create their theme project based just on earthquakes.
We walked through the reading comprehension strategy for the week – inferences and predicting. We looked at the PB pages and the open-ended questions at the end of this week's story.
We then reviewed Friday's math lesson about 1-4 – ordering decimals. There was also an emphasis on using proper mathematical language to describe decimals. (e.g. 0.05 is said as "zero and five hundredths). We then previewed tomorrow's lesson on problem solving with decimals.
Misc things of note:
Valet – if you are interested in being a valet, please return the paperwork
Band—students should have brought home the packet on Friday. Return this to the office ASAP.
Back to School is Thursday night – they changed the time, NOW it at the following times:
No school on Friday, it is a teacher workday.
Homework for the week:
Math
HC Page 12-13 1-16 all (pb 1-4R or page 13 17-19) due Tuesday
HC page 16 7-14 all and page 18/19 1-14 all due Wednesday
Unit 1 test is on Wednesday
HC page 25 1-26 all (pb 2-1 R or page 25 27-34 all) due Thursday
Reading Comprehension: All due Thursday
Read pages 26-46
Hardcover book page 46 1-4 and #6 – answer in complete sentences
P.B. 4 and 5
Vocabulary Work: All due Wednesday
http://www.eduplace.com/spellinglists/index.html#g5
Define and use in a sentence the 5 challenge words
P.B. 3, 8, and 12
Grammar: Type of Sentences due on Thursday
P.B. 13, 14 and 15
Free-write due Thursday
The most dangerous thing in my house is……..
Thursday – spelling test, vocab test and reading test on this week's story.
Kind regards,
Ron Hubbard
