Morning Lesson
From Ms. Kiefer:
This week in morning lesson we reviewed the relationship between fractions and division problems that illustrates why a division problem can be expanded or reduced. We practiced all of the concepts learned this block in small groups, and Friday students tested their level of independence with the new material, which included
- multiplying decimal fractions
- long division with whole numbers
- dividing when there is a decimal in the dividend
- dividing when there is a decimal in the divisor
- bringing to consciousness rules of divisibility for 2, 5, 10 and learning the rule of divisibility for 3s
- looking at our place value system columns as powers of ten and learning that there are other systems out there
In other news, this week while playing a game in morning lesson the idea of sexism as it relates to unfairness came up. We addressed the idea of fairness of a particular item in the moment and the next day had a brief and engaging conversation about what sexism means. As a class they were very open minded and knowledgeable during the discussion, including reflecting their knowledge and affirmation of the existence of gender beyond the binary. Friday morning Ms. Kondrat agreed to let us use the gym for 15 minutes and we began morning lesson with a game; when we arrived at the gym, I stepped back and told the class they could work together to choose, manage, and play a game, and I would not be helping them–the sooner they figured it out the more time they would have to play. They skillfully chose their game as a group and showed great teamwork! I have appreciated the opportunity to get to know the fifth grade class on a deeper level over the course of the past block.
In Gratitude
Please join me in thanking Angie Kiefer for her masterful work this block, and for holding the 5th grader class so conscientiously during these last three weeks. Angie and I have been in touch on a daily basis about how everyone is doing, as well as how I can plan our upcoming Math Skills classes to help the 5th graders practice and deepen their understanding of these important concepts.
I would also like to thank Sarah Steedman and Heather Berhalter for donating books to our classroom library this week. Thank you for this incredibly important contribution to the reading habit life of the 5th grade class!
What has Ms. Cather been up to during Morning Lesson?
I have been student teaching in the 7th grade class, with the help and guidance of Mr. Riendeau. We finished our 3-week Renaissance block this week, which was fun for me to teach and learn about. The 7th graders learned about Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, as well as the Filippo Brunelleschi. We added some diverse perspectives as well, by talking about women artists of the Renaissance, and the Harlem Renaissance as well. The 7th graders honed their note-taking and writing skills I have learned so much about planning and teaching a block on the middle school level, and have many ideas I will be able to bring to my teaching of the 5th graders, although of course in a developmentally appropriate way.
Skills Classes
In Language Arts skills class this week, the students practiced writing sentences with the homophones there, their, and they’re. We discussed their usage and made up tricks for remembering which one to use for which meaning. The 5th graders had fun with a jokes worksheet I gave them, where the answers have there, their, and they’re in them.
Q: How do you know that grandfather clocks are shy?
A: They always have their hands over their faces!
They made a page about these homophones in their Language Arts Reference Books, so they can refer to them when they’re writing. Next up: your and you’re! (Homophones are a great thing you can notice and point out with your 5th graders at home. This can be especially fun with “punny” jokes!)
We also did reading groups this week. The 5th graders started by doing a two-minute “quick write,” where they wrote their impressions of the chapters they had read for this week. They then met with their reading groups to discuss the questions, “Who was the most important character in the chapters you read? Why?” and “What was the most important event in the chapters you read? Why?” Most of the discussions were lively and joyful. However, some of the children had not read the agreed upon amount, and so they were unable to participate fully in the reading group meeting. This should be each 5th grader’s responsibility to complete the reading on their own each week, but you may want to check in with your child to see how their reading is going. If it is something they forget regularly, try making a list or writing a reminder. If they are reading a little every night, then they can get the reading done easily.
In Painting class, the 5th graders used a new set of watercolor paints to paint their trees throughout the seasons, as they have previously sketched in their Botany journals. They used the paint set previously in Botany Skills, in order to do an artistic study of a leaf that they chose from either a classroom plant or from our Leaf Identification activity.
Mid-Year Reminders
Thank you all for your careful attention to our nut- and egg-free allergy policy! The middle of the year is always a good time to remind you all to please refrain from sending any nuts or nut products or eggs in whole form to school with lunches. If your 5th grader packs their own lunch now (which I recommend!), then please make sure they are reminded as well.
One more note about lunches and snacks: I have noticed that our growing 5th graders seem to be eating more at snack and lunch. Many of them run out of food, since they eat a lot at snack, or the food may not be enough. I recommend checking in with your child about whether or not they are getting enough to eat, and helping them to plan ahead if they need to pack more food.
Upcoming Events
Midwinter Break: February 16-23
Field Trip to the Oriental Institute: TBD, late February or early March. Look out for an announcement with specifics soon!