The Update in Room U

Dead Verbs and Strong-Verb Paragraphs

2011-11-02T20:25:00.001-07:00

This week, students will lay to rest the "dead verbs" that have dulled their writing. Students discovered how often they rely on these "dead verbs" when they highlighted them in their Fall Writing Samples. We will create epitaphs for the verbs and bury them. We will then create a Strong-Verb Paragraph Rubric as class and begin writing the four types of paragraphs: descriptive, persuasive, expository, and narrative. You can find a list of these dead verbs in the inside cover of your child's writing journal.

Division-Partial Quotients Algorithm

2011-11-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

In math, we are reviewing the partial-quotients algorithm to divide both whole numbers and decimals. There is a web link under Helpful Websites on this page to help you better understand

what your child is doing in math. Remember also that the first several pages on the study link packet define important terms and concepts for each unit. For graded math boxes, have your child use the practice math boxes to check for understanding.

Scientific Method, Variables, and Energy

2011-10-10T20:31:00.001-07:00

Boy, have we been busy little scientists! Variables aren't just used in math, we have learned. Students have used the science process skills of observing, inferring, and using the scientific method and variables to design their own experiments investigating potential and kinetic energy. They completed variable wheels to identify the variable they would manipulate, the responding variable, and the several controlled variables they would need to ensure valid results. They stated their hypotheses and after writing their own procedures, they performed their experiments, collected data, and concluded whether or not their hypotheses were proven or disproven. Ask your child how their teams experiment turned out. We learned a lot, not only about energy, but about the process of scientific investigations. This week we will practice creating data tables and then graphing the information. Students will learn which graphs---bar or line---are best suited for different types of data. Our next unit will be Mixtures and Solutions.

Reading Goals, Book Talks, and Black Dots

2011-10-10T20:29:00.000-07:00

WOW!! The students did an excellent job presenting their Nonfiction Book Talks in September. They were enthusiastic and knowledgeable on their subjects, creating powerpoints, diagrams, posters, and quizzes to help engage and inform the audience. Most students were also able to meet their monthly goal of reading and passing a black dot book quiz at their level. At the beginning of each month, students will check out two books and have them approved for their book talks and black dots. They will need to conference with me if they decide to change either of their goal books, so that I can make sure it is the appropriate genre and level. I will then have students sign up on our wall calendar for a day to present their book talks. They should also enter this date into their planners. They will have until the last day of the month to read and take their quiz on their black dot. Students may take the quiz up to 3 times in order to pass.
Our book talks for October will be a Fiction Book Talk. Your child has already signed up for a day to present their already approved fiction book for October. Most students have also chosen and been approved for their black dots. Remember that most Newbery books have quizzes and that your child can use these books toward a Newbery award medal, as well. Why not kill two birds with one stone, as they say. (Poor birds!)
We are also keeping track of the minutes that your child reads each week for their Lit Logs. For every 300 minutes, your child receives a star on our reading chart. A total of 18-20 stars is needed to meet the yearly goal. Your child can record any reading they do at home, including the Scholastic News. (Remind students to highlight proof in the text for each comprehension question on the back.)

Spelling Routines, "No Excuse" Checks, and Conventions

2011-10-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

After many weeks of singing the Grammar Rap, practicing Split Rules, and reviewing the parts of speech, we are ready to begin our weekly spelling activities and tests. As a side note, I actually had a former student stop me in the parking lot today and tell me that she actually used the Grammar Rap to help her on a grammar pre-test she was taking in 6th grade. She said she was amazed as to how much it helped her, so have your child teach it to you...it is a pretty catchy tune. As for our spelling routines, students will be introduced to their new words on Wednesdays of each week. We will sort them and talk about the generalization for that week. They will then receive their purple Word Connections sheet. They will be asked to use the many skills we have learned and reviewed over the past several weeks to complete the sheet. It will be due the following Tuesday, so that they may have a weekend to complete them if needed. Tests will also be on those Tuesdays along with a "No Excuse" Word Check.
A major focus this year for Tarver is conventions in writing ( an area we are not showing as much growth in as we would like). Conventions include grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and "No Excuse" spelling words. For this reason, we will do weekly "No Excuse" Word Checks which will be passages from readings we are doing in class with such words omitted. Students have a list of these words in their Spelling Folders. You may also have noticed a score for conventions on many of your child's assignments and tests. As a school, we would like students to start incorporating good conventions in all of their work...not just on spelling or writing assignments. Knowing we have taught the skills consistently as a staff, our next step is to make sure we are holding the students accountable for demonstrating these skills on all assignments. You could say our philosophy is "Practice makes permanent, not perfect." I also tell my students that the more you practice something incorrectly, the harder it is to break the habit and do it correctly. So if you are working with your child on homework in any subject, please help reinforce these basic writing skills by having your child correct their work.

First Grade Buddies--SHH!! It's a Secret!

2011-10-10T18:57:00.001-07:00

Lots of smiles filled the Media Center during our first meeting with our 1st grade buddies from Mrs. Moore's class. We played a "Get to Know You" dice game and the 5th graders interviewed their buddies to find out their favorites. We also taught them some of the praisers we have been using in class. We will meet monthly with our buddies to read, play math games, celebrate holidays and to play at recess. Here is the secret!!! Our class will be using the information gathered during our first visit to write and illustrate an original picture book designed just for them, based on their favorites. We will plan and write our first drafts this week in class and will spend the next two weeks in the computer lab typing them. We will surprise them with the books when we meet with them on Oct. 28th for a Halloween math activity. A Criteria and Checklist for this project will also be posted under the Rubrics heading on the 5th grade homepage.

EDM Unit 3 :Geometry Fun and Tessellation Project

2011-10-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

Students are having a blast with geometry. They have been exploring with pattern blocks, identifying and drawing angles with protractors, creating circles with compasses, and will soon be learning about tessellations. On Thursday, our first of several math projects will be assigned--The Tessellation Project. Students will be given a rubric and all materials in class. We will have a workday on Wednesday, Oct. 19th during math time. Students will then need to finish up their projects at home. A copy of the rubrics can be found on the 5th grade homepage at the bottom of the page under Rubrics for Major Assignments and Projects. The due date for these projects will be Friday, Oct.28th.

Everyday Math Routines

2011-08-27T02:48:00.000-07:00

Just a few notes on our Everday Math Routines that you should be aware of:

Students receive the Parent Newsletter and Study Links in the form of a packet at the beginning of each unit of study. The Study Links should NOT be done all at one time, but rather nightly to practice just the skills we covered that day in class. Please refer to your child's planner or the Homework Schedule on the 5th Grade page of the Tarver website for the Study Link # that your child should be working on each night.
Your child will need to finish the Math Box for the day for homework if they do not finish in class. All journal pages that will be graded for the unit are highlighted with the matching practice math boxes indicated on the top of the page. Students are encouraged to use the practice boxes to help them on their graded boxes.
You will see marked Exit Slips come home periodically in Monday Folders with the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 on them. The expectation is that students earn a 3 or 4 on these review skills. I will meet in small groups with those scoring 2 or below to reteach and practice specific skills. These scores are for monitoring purposes only and will not be averaged into their grade.
On Wednesday, in lieu of a lesson, I will meet with students in small groups for reteach and enrichment. Students' homework for that night will be given individually to meet the needs of each child.
Because fifth grade math introduces many multistep problems that rely on instant recall of math facts, it is imperative that students master these basic facts. Therefore, students have been timed tested on their math facts for +, -, *, and /. You will receive weekly updates as to how your child is progressing in these areas. I will record the grades, however, as the students improve each week, I will change the grade to reflect such improvement. Think of it as a "grade in progress". I have practice sheets available in class for students, as well as, a helpful website for printing your own available under Helpful Websites on the right side of this webpage.

If you have any questions or concerns about the progress of your child, do not hesitate to contact me at cheryl.stanley@adams12.org or 720-972-8462.

Accordians, Monday Folders, and Student Planners...Oh My!!!!

2011-08-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO FIFTH GRADE!! I enjoyed meeting all of you at Back to School Night. I look forward to an exciting year of learning and getting to know your child. Please refer to your child's accordian file for papers that need to be returned to school with your signature. They should be stored in the front inside pocket of the Monday Folder (found in the back of the accordian file). This folder will be coming home each Monday (or first day of the school week) filled with your child's work from the previous week. In the brads, will be the parent signature sheet, copy of the Homework Routines, and an updated grade sheet. If your child has a zero recorded for an assignment, your child will have until that Wednesday to turn in the missing assignment or the zero will be recorded. Your child will be bringing the accordian file home each night and returning with it each morning to school. They will also carry their student planner home in this folder. The planner will be completed each Monday morning for the entire week. This will allow your student to manage HW assignments with any other events they may have going on throughout the week. The Homework Schedule will also be posted each Monday on our Tarver website under 5th grade classrooms. I do not require a parent signature on the planners each night. My hopes are to teach students to take more responsibility in managing their work and to prepare them for middle school. However, if a student is having difficulty using the planner to help keep up with homework, I will call the parent and set up a signature policy with them. If you have questions regarding these routines, feel free to call me at 720-972-8462 or email me at cheryl.stanley@adams12.org.