We wrapped up a successful first week back after Spring Break. The students were refreshed and we jumped right into new material. We've begun practice as editors using Every Day Edit. Students read a paragraph that contains ten punctuation, capitalization, spelling, or semantic errors. The every day edits are another tool we are using to sharpen our ability to recognize errors in print and emphasize the need to edit work. We will extend the usefulness of Every Day Edits by analyzing the structure of the sentences in the Framing Your Thoughts format. You read more at http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/archives/edit.shtml. I sent home a completed Every Day Edit in your child's agenda. Students have been so successful working with writing process this year and their willingness to revise their work has grown dramatically. Spring will be dedicated to making sure they're growth in editing is solid as well.
In mathematics, we are working in fractions and students are manipulating improper fractions and mixed numbers. We continue to utilize manipulatives to give them concrete experiences to develop their understanding as well as consistent pictoral support when working with fractions. They will be wrapping up a game they are creating in class, which converts improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice a versa. You will see these come home as part of their homework this week.
In reading, students are finishing a class novel that links to the American Revolution through literature circles. Their ability to discuss text as a group in a meaningful, serious way continues to inspire me. These rich discussions help deepens students' comprehension of the text and the questions they pose to one another gets all members of the group thinking and leading. The connections they are making to our social studies work is cool to watch and their genuine enthusiasm around sharing books is a true pleasure to experience.
Our health class discussions were wonderful. Both the boy and girl groups asked thoughtful, age-appropriate questions about changing bodies and personal hygiene. Our conversations were comfortable, appropriate for where they are developmentally, and informative. If you would like to know more, please ask! We will continue the opportunities for boys and girls to discuss issues meaningful to them in gender groups (as we are calling them). The boys will meet with Mr. Church, and the girls will meet with myself and Ms. Pizzo twice weekly - once for a morning meeting and once for a lunch. The students are frequently commenting on how much they enjoy being with all the girls or all the boys in the fifth grade. We will continue this arrangement well into the spring, as we aim to keep discussion channels open and continue to provide integration experiences across the grade.
Happy Spring everyone! I hope to eat lunch outside on Monday.
Laura
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