Class info Jan 29

Math

Last day of dividing fractions for a little while

Language Arts

Personal narrative (incorporating writing where the author learns something)

Science

the circulatory system (Pimenta's turn today)

Class info Jan 28

Math

Continued with division of fractions

Language Arts

Worked on personal narrative and quoting text

Science

Continued with the circulatory system

expect a test the second week of February

Class info Jan 27

Math

Division of fractions incorporating whole numbers and mixed numbers

Language Arts

Read an autobiography of Patricia Polacco (Firetalking by Patricia Polacco) and watched a video interview of her on readingrockets.org

Did a rough draft of the following question:

What are some of Patricia Polacco's inspirations for writing? What motivates her? What do you think about her writing? Why?

A final draft will be due Friday or Monday.  This should be typed as per the usual (size 14, professional font, stapled on top of the rough draft)

email me if you have any questions

Class info Jan 26

Math

Common Core instruction on dividing fractions

Language Arts

Worked on personal narratives

Assigned pages 84 - 89 in practice book - spelling words are on page 89, words for vocabulary boxes are on page 84

Opinion paragraph due Wednesday

Science

currently on circulatory system

Language Arts opinion paragraph

My language arts class is to write an opinion paragraph.  I gave them each a two page excerpt from Jerry Spinelli's book Knots in My Yo-Yo String.  In the excerpt, Jerry Spinelli makes an observation about the difference between radio and television.  Students are to write about whether or not they agree with Spinelli's opinion about radio being a superior entertainment medium as it requires more of an imagination.  It's ok to disagree.

The first sentence has to reference the text and the author.  For example, you could write : In Jerry Spinelli's book Knots in My Yo-Yo String, the author believes that...

Elsewhere in the paragraph, Spinelli's text MUST be quoted.  Here's an example: Jerry Spinelli says that in his life "radio furnished the sounds, and the listener supplied the pictures."  I disagree.

This paragraph is due Wednesday typed out.  There's no length requirement, but I wouldn't imagine students doing less than half a page to have successful details about their opinion.  Font size should be 12 and it should be in a professional style like Times New Roman.

I want the final copy stapled on top of the rough copy and the excerpt.

If you need more time, or any assistance, please contact me at mhewitt@gusd.net

Colonial Day fundraiser information

We are working on earning money for Colonial Day.  I guarantee that it will probably be the best Colonial Day that Keppel has had.

Here's the website:

http://www.gofundme.com/fq5pmc

The idea is that each kid either gets 5 people to donate 5 dollars via the gofundme website.  You can also donate the 25 (or more) yourself.  You can also donate without the internet by sending a check (payable to MKS) or cash.

If you donate the 25 you receive a Colonial Day picture DVD, a headshot of your child (when we do that), and a graduation night DVD

The 5th grade thanks you!!

Class info Jan 22

Math

Started to divide fractions by fractions and fractions by whole numbers

Language Arts

Writing personal narratives.  Also started an assignment that I will post the specifics of shortly.

Science

Circulatory system

Class info Jan 21

Math

learned about reciprocals

Language Arts

started writing personal narratives

Science

started taking notes on the circulatory system

Class info Jan 20

Math

We're finishing up multiplying fractions, and will begin learning how to divide fractions tomorrow.  The first step is learning about reciprocals

Language Arts

Just beginnings the first steps of writing a personal narrative.  Workbook pages 79, 81, 82 assigned this week as well as the usual vocabulary boxes.  Spelling / vocabulary test Friday

Science

Nothing today, but keep studying the human body.  The test will be in about two weeks.


In case you were wondering about yellow ribbon week, it's a week celebrating kindness.  Students may turn in quotes about kindness to the office.  Friday is crazy hair day.  I'm not sure what that has to do with kindness, but it's always fun.

Class info Jan 15

Math

We took iReady math and language arts benchmark assessments today

Language Arts

Reading period today

Class info Jan 14

Math

multiplying fractions

Language Arts

reading and starting to pre-write personal narratives

McTeacher's Night is Thursday at the Mickie Ds on Central.  The three of us will be there from 5 to 6.  Make sure you tell the cashier you're from Keppel when you order so that we get credit for the sale.  See you there!! :)

Class info Jan 13

Math

multiplying fractions with whole numbers

Language Arts

we worked on iReady mid-year assessments today

Class info Jan 12

Math

multiplying fractions : whole numbers and mixed numbers

Language Arts

starting a new reading unit and a new writing unit

spelling / vocabulary test this week - words on pages 73 and 77

no reading logs for a while



Don't forget - Mc Teacher's night is Thursday.  I'll be there live from 5 to 6 serving a penance for transgressions in my past life

Class info Jan 8

I'm making a renewed effort to collect my home room class's PTA membership.  I've sent out envelopes for the organization asking for a 7 dollar membership from all of us, myself included. If you haven't been able to so far, please contribute.  The kids thank you!

Math

common core book - word problems (adding and subtracting fractions)

Language Arts

reading reading reading, and then working on developing questioning skills as we read

Science

respiratory system

Class info Jan 7

Math

Finishing up adding and subtracting fractions using the common core book

Language Arts

Reading using questioning - no spelling/vocab this week

Science

Starting the respiratory system