Friday, February 27, 2015

Classroom Update - 2.27.2015

Happy Friday Families!

It is hard to believe that we have finished up two thirds of this year already.
Our second conference times are quickly approaching. Please remember to
return your conference slip.

The Fifth Graders have been doing a wonderful job with their explorer reports.
They have really been enjoying sharing their information they have learned with
the rest of the class. Thank you for all of your help at home with this project. Also, please check out our explorer pictures at the bottom of your blog!!

Here are some other targets your children will be working on in the upcoming weeks.


Literacy
* Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details.
* Explain the relationships between two or more individuals, events, ideas or concepts in a historical text or scientific text based on specific information in the text.

Writing
* We will be circling back to Opinion writing in cycle 5.

Math
* We will be working on a new measurement unit. 
* Please refer to the parent letter attached at the end of this blog.

Social Studies
* We will be studying the early American Colonies and looking at the effects of  Indentured Servants and Slavery in the area.

Science
* We will be finishing up the Human Body Unit. Your child will be participating in an at-home project with other students.  They will be working together to create a board game. This is one of the kids favorite activities.

Upcoming Events
** February 27th - Report period ends
** NO SCHOOL - Casimir Pulaski Day
** March 9th - PARCC testing begins.
** March 11- Progress reports issued
** Conferences - March 12 and March 13
** No School - March 13th conferences.
** PARCC Testing - See update below


PARRC Update - Please Read
PARCC
You've likely heard and/or read about PARCC.  Well, it is just about here.  For those interested, PARCC stands for Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.   You can read much more about it at http://parcc.pearson.com/  This test is taking the place of ISATS.  I will follow up with our exact schedule, but the testing at Ivy begins on March 9th.   If at all possible, please do not plan to take your children out of school that week.  

Your students will take the PARCC exam in March and then again in May.  The March session includes 3 Literacy exams and 2 Math exams.  The May session is slightly shorter with 1 Literacy exam and 2 Math exams.

Tests such as these can be stressful for some kids.  We are doing everything possible to make sure they are not anxious about the tests.  The PARCC exam is completely computer based.  As such, there are some nuances to using the test.  For example, students must be able to click into different texts, use a highlighter, and drag and drop items.  During ICT, students have been given time to take sample tests and use these features.  I have shared some examples in class as well.  Beginning next week, students will have an opportunity during center rotations to practice using the program.  

Below are two links to view sample tests if you are interested in seeing them for yourselves.  Some of you may be surprised by the rigor of the test questions.  






Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Enzie Pangilinan


Explorer Pictures



** The last group picture will be added shortly!





                                                        5th Grade
Math - Unit 5 Family Letter
If you are asked to create a LearnZillion student account after clicking on the video links, please do!  Save your username and password for next time.

Dear Parents,

The focus of Unit 5 is Measurement Conversions and Volume.   Your child will be working to master three targets which are described below. Our goal is to help you understand what these learning targets will look like for your child, in order to assist you in helping your child at home. We will be practicing and applying the understanding of these concepts through the use of visual models in order to build a solid foundation.   Please contact your classroom teacher and/or the school’s math coach if you have additional questions about the content within this unit.
Unit 5 Vocabulary  - to become acquainted with the magnitude of each of the following units of measurement and for what type of measurement they’re used.

kilometer
meter
centimeter
kilogram
gram
liter
milliliter
ton
pound
ounce
gallon
quart
pint
cup
mile
yard
foot
inch
hour
minute
second




Unit 5 Vocabulary
convert- to change to an equivalent measurement using a different unit.
2-Dimensional vs. 3-Dimensional -
2 dimensions (length and width) vs. 3 dimension (length, width and height).
Base:  B  vs. b - area of the base of a 3-dimensional figure (B) vs. one of the dimensions of a 2-D figure (b).
decompose solids - break apart a complex shape (into 2 rectangular prisms), in order to find the total volume.
Packing vs. Filling - packing is filling a container with no gaps or overlaps.
Metric / Customary units of measurement - Customary units of measurement are units used mainly in the United States.  Metric units are used here as well.
rectangular prism - A solid (3-dimensional) object which has six faces that are rectangles.
cubic units of measurement -units used for the measurement of volume or space.
                                          
The links within each target will take you to videos that demonstrate the concept for that target .

5MD.1:   Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system, and use these conversions in solving multi-step real world problems.

To show mastery of this learning target your child will be expected:
  • To understand that when we convert from a larger unit of measurement to an equivalent  smaller unit of measurement (gallons to quarts), that you will have more of the smaller unit, so we multiply to find the  equivalency , i.e. 2 gallons - 2 x 4 or 8 quarts.

  • To understand that when we convert from a smaller unit of measurement to an equivalent larger
unit of measurement (centimeters to meters), that you will have fewer of the larger unit so we
divide, i.e. 4,000 centimeters = 4,000 divided by 100 = 40 meters.

5.MD.4   Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and improvised units.

To show mastery of this learning target your child will be expected to:
  • Understand that volume is the amount of space occupied by an object measured in three
dimensions, expressed in cubic units.
  • Find the volume of a rectangular prism through pictures and numbers.
                                Volume =     27 cubic units  
         Volume =     3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cubic units


5.MD.5  Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real world and mathematical problems involving volume.

To show mastery of this learning target your child will be expected to:

How can you help your child at home?
  • Watch the videos together so you can discuss and check for understanding.
  • Encourage your child to manipulate different-sized containers to get a feel for the magnitude of the different units used to measure capacity and weight in both the Metric and Customary systems.
  • Have your child engage in real world problem solving using conversions and volume at home.
  • Ask your child to explain his or her thinking as they solve problems. Help him or her practice using the correct math vocabulary while explaining.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Classroom Update - 2.13.2015

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope you have a SWEET day!  The Valentine's Day Party was soo fun!  Thank you so much for the parent helpers and the supplies/food from parents.  The kids had a great time!

Here are the targets we are currently / planning on working to master over the next couple of weeks:

Literacy
* We have been reading a variety of books with various points of view. They are really enjoying this unit!
*We will analyze an author's point of view to determine how a story is told.  
*We will also make inferences when reading a text.
* Please remind your child that the monthly comprehension strategy practice attached to the reading log has inferences due each week.

Writing
*We have revisited narrative writing, currently focusing on incorporating the writer's voice throughout students' essays. Students are creating interesting pieces with another focus of ADDING DETAILS! (Ask them about the way they "code" their details)

Math
*We are continuing our work with fractions in Unit 4. The students have worked hard to interpret multiplication and division. We will have the Unit Test next week.

Social Studies
*We are currently working on the explorer projects.  Students are learning valuable research skills as they work hard to pull information from various resources.  Please continue to check in with your child's progress.  The website, explorer box, and presentation is due on the 23rd. We will present in class and we look forward to the explorers coming in character!!

Science
*We are currently studying the respiratory system and learning how to take outlined notes.


Upcoming Events
**NO SCHOOL - President's Day
      - Monday, February 16th


Friendly Reminders
**Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack.  Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!  Also, because allergies, please make sure your child's snack complies with our district's safe snack list.


Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you and have a fantastic weekend!

Enzie Pangilinan