Math: We are in the home stretch for Unit One! Tomorrow we'll be working on some 5th grade content - polygons and their attributes. Sounds simple but it is actually complex when you try to classify... Unit assessment will be Monday and Tuesday. Study packets are due on Friday - a day of review, go figure!

Language Arts: We have spent the last couple of mornings discussing the "narrowing" of our thinking. For example, as we listen/read a story we have been identifying details that we "think" are important to the main idea of the story. Then, after analyzing these details for commonalities, we develop a few possible main ideas. Once again, we look at these possibilities and decide what is the main idea by incorporating common elements. Of course, these is then supported with specific text-support. Asleep yet?

After meeting in small groups today, I pulled everyone together and spoke of the importance of feedback. As I'm sure you've seen in their RRJs, I spend considerable time giving specific ideas for how to improve their thinking. One thing I have noticed throughout our class is how too many times they aren't committing to one interpretation; rather, they are listing a bunch of "maybe's" or "probably's" and providing limited support. I instructed them to "pick one and support it!" They need to be decisive because if not, it indicates a lack of confidence in their understanding...

Now I know how Redskin fans feel...my only hope is this doesn't become the norm like my friends wearing burgundy and gold. Maybe next week we'll get a Tuesday post?

Math: We jumped into quadrilaterals today. In addition, we spent a little bit of time reviewing last week's quiz. I was somewhat pleased that I'm not getting nearly as many conceptual mistakes but remain frustrated when they simply mess up the calculations! Please review their work with them and ask them to explain how they would solve trouble problems again.

Tonight's homework is simply to complete numbers 3-23 odd on page 350. However, we have a long-term study guide that is due this Friday, as well. Please help them budget their time accordingly.

Language Arts: All three groups are in chapter books. I expect to finish up the quarter in these...

Beans on the Roof - We read and discussed how George was feeling when he was the only Bean not with a roof poem.

Flat Stanley - We defined the word "hasty" by using the context to help us. It is really important that unfamiliar words are not just words that are tough to pronounce; rather, it's the meaning that truly makes them unfamiliar.

Amber Brown - They read and discussed the characters from chapter one. They also continued working on their personal narratives.

Social Studies: They selected a community worker they hope to be one day and described the goods/services associated with the particular job. In addition, they needed to include the resources necessary to complete the work.