5V News

We are learning about:

• Estimation and multiplication 
• Using schema when reading
• Personal narrative
• Early Native American civilizations

Some activities we did this week:

• Conducted a thumbtack experiment to discuss probability
• Used the probability meter to make predictions 
• Made magnitude estimates 
• Practiced traditional multiplication
• Finished The One and Only Ivan 
• Skyped with another 5th grade class in Massachusetts about our read aloud
• Made "concentric circles of connection" with the song "Rachel Delavoryas" 
• Studied examples of personal narratives
• Began brainstorming ideas for our personal narratives about relationships, places and events
• Watched a webcast from Scholastic with Taylor Swift 
• Researched an early Native American civilization with our group

Notes and reminders:

• Conference reminders went home one week ago, I'll be contacting those of you next week that I haven't heard from to set a time.  
• Please visit our blog!  It's a great way to see what your child is writing!  
• Some students are working on this contest for Foster's Daily Democrat.  It is a choice writing piece and those choosing to do it should turn it in by November 2nd.  

5V News

Parent Conferences:
In your child's Friday folder you will find a conference reminder with the date and time you chose at Curriculum Night.  Please return the form on Monday and let me know if you are still available at that time. For those of you that didn't sign up for a time at Curriculum Night, I chose a day and time for you. In either situation if the time doesn't work, please feel free to let me know days and times that work best for you and we can schedule a new time.  Thanks!

5V News

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5V Photo and Student Work Permissions

We are learning about:

• Estimating
• Collecting ideas in our writer's notebooks
• Metacognition 
• Blogging

Some activities we did this week:

• Took three NECAP tests!
• Continued listening to The One and Only Ivan 
• Blogged with a 5th grade class in North Carolina about Global Read Aloud
• Discussed metacognition- thinking about our thinking
• Used "thinking stems" to discuss our thinking during reading
• Compared thinking stems that refer only to text and thinking stems that refer to text and thinking
• Practiced what we do when we finish books 
• Wrote about our "fierce wonderings" in our writer's notebooks
• Reviewed adding and subtracting with decimals
• Estimated sums and differences
• Solved number stories with a step by step method

Notes and reminders:

• We have three more NECAP tests next week
• I will send home conference reminders in next couple of weeks

5V News

Xtra Math:
In today's Friday folders you will find a paper on how to access your child's Xtra Math account at home.  I am not requiring Xtra Math as a part of home learning but it's a great way to practice math facts and it only takes a few minutes a day.  I am encouraging students to spend some time each week on the site.

Typing Pal:
Students have access to a website called Typing Pal at home and it's accessible from my Diigo site.  All students have accounts and have already spent some time on it this year.  Once again, I am not requiring it as part of home learning, but I am encouraging students to spend some time on it each week.

NECAP testing:
Testing started this week and will continue for the next two weeks.  We have spent a little time discussing some test taking strategies and looked at scored writing samples from last year.

Kidblog:
I invite you and encourage you to look at our class blog and comment on your child's (or other students') posts.  Please pass the website on to extended family!
www.kidblog.org/msvalentisclass 

Notes and reminders:

• No school- Monday, October 8th 
• We would love some tissues for our classroom!

NECAP schedule

10-3 Reading 1
10-4 Reading 2
10-10 Reading 3
10-11 Math 1 and 2
10-15 Math 3
10-16 Writing 1
10-17 Writing 2