5th Grade Teachers Visit Chinook Middle School at Ringdall

A Week in Review

11/26 - 11/30

 

 

It was another productive and busy week in Room 210! One of the highlights for me, was a visit to Chinook Middle School at Ringdall. All of the 5th grade teachers took Thursday morning to observe and talk with students and teachers at Chinook. We were able to view Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science classrooms in action!

We walked a way with much validation for the preparation that Medina Elementary teachers already do with students to ensure they're successful. We also took many notes on new ideas and strategies that we can implement into our classrooms to help our 5th graders be even more prepared for the rigors of middle school!

 

Virtues Awards:

Safa A. for demonstrating RESPONSIBILITY and DILIGENCE! Safa consistently completes her assignments with quality work and in a timely manner!

 

Ethan T. for demonstrating RESPECT and EXCELLENCE! Ethan works diligently and is always so focused during instruction!

 

Reading:

We journeyed to the Everglades through a shared reading of Everglades Forever; Restoring America's Great Wetland by Trish Marx. Our target skill was persuasion and as we read, we looked for evidence of how the author was trying to persuade us to believe in the importance of the Everglades Restoration Project.

 

Writing:

Teacher/Student writing conferences, editing and publishing kept us engaged and busy-busy in Writing this week! We worked to finalize our memoirs and print them. The students are really working on taking their revisions seriously by zooming in on their writing to "explode the moment" for their reader!
 

 

Math:

Fractions were our focus this week! We compared unit fractions and fractions with like denominators and added/subtracted fractions with like denominators. We ended the week studying mixed numbers and improper fractions.

On our middle school visit, I observed students independently taking notes in ALL subjects! I noticed that the middle school teachers did not always tell students what specifically to write down or what to copy. In today's Math lesson, as we worked on improper fractions and mixed numbers, I required students to take notes in their math journals, modeling for them how to specifically write the notes in their journals, with the intention being that students will USE their notes to study for tests or use them to complete an assignment. In our classroom, we will use the Cornell Notetaking strategy to help us prepare for middle school.

 

Science:

This week in Science, we used actual topographic maps to study the landforms around Mt. Shasta. Students used the topographic map symbols to find places on the map. We also used the foam mountain model from a previous lesson to help us visualize how Mt. Shasta was depicted on the he map.

Our end-of-unit assessment for Science will be on TUESDAY!

 

Social Studies:

We concluded Chapter 6 - Early English Settlements. Students learned about early English settlements in North America. They analyzed images of the settlements and worked to understand the reasons for settlement, hardships the settlers endured, and the reasons for success or failure of each settlement. We have a Social Studies Test for Chapter 6 on MONDAY!

 

Thanks for another great week! Your students worked so hard! I am continually impressed by their focus on learning and how driven they are for excellence.

I’m looking

  

Enjoy your weekend and GO SEAHAWKS!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Our Short Week in Review

A Week in Review

November 19^th – 21^st 



We’ve packed a great deal into these three short days before our Thanksgiving weekend. 

We worked hard this week showing Diligence, Perseverance and Joyfulness  as we “stuffed” 5 days of work into three short days.  I’m constantly amazed at the positivity, the integrity and love for learning.  I’m certainly THANKFUL for all of my amazing students! 

 

Literacy:

We worked diligently this week to revise and edit our memoirs. I was able to have writing conferences with many students as we work to publish our final drafts. As we meet to conference about our writing, we are making sure we've "exploded the moment", used dialogue, and descriptive language. We're almost done and the writing is impressive!

 

Math:

Tuesday marked the beginning of our 5^th Math Unit:  Addition and Subtraction with Fractions.  You’ve probably noticed that we skipped Unit #4 (we’ll return to this Unit of Circles, Polygons and Angles in May).  Room 210 took the Pre-Assessment for Fractions using ourSENTEO Clickers (it’s kind of like our own version of Jeopardy)!  We’ll analyze the results, use the data to drive our instruction and next week…let the Fraction ACTION begin!  Please remember to SAVE all Homework and Remembering for Unit #4 in your booklets. 

Social Studies:

Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth…what do these three locations all have in common?  5^th graders dug deep this week starting Unit #6:  Early English Settlements.  To jump start this unit, students wrote a few paragraphs reflecting upon what it might feel like if they moved to a foreign country, spoke none of the language and were unaware of traditions and customs.  They truly tried to put themselves into another perspective and point of view.  Then, kids broke out into small groups to read, research and study one main early settlement.  Students analyzed these locals and determined why the people either thrived or disappeared.  On Wednesday, 5^th graders acted their parts out – portraying a settler who arrived in Roanoke, Jamestown or Plymouth.  We observed some fabulous acting, accents and dramatizations!!  Check with your child to ask which settler they presented and what major key points they recall from their research! 

Science:

This week in our Landforms study, we applied what we have learned about interpreting a topographic map.  We were given a topographic map of an imaginary location, Foss Creek. We identified the highest and lowest points of elevation, the contour intervals and mapped out a trail using the less steep side of the mountain. We also used the Foss Creek map to create a profile of the mountain. Ask your student if they can define the correct name for the top and the bottom of a mountain!

**PLEASE NOTE that NO Weekly Reports were sent home today! 

I hope you enjoy the long weekend and that you find time to relax with your family. Apple Cup football is FRIDAY! I'm hoping for a  Purple and Gold victory!!  GO HUSKIES!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

~Mrs. Hatlestad

A Chilly Fall Week in Review

A Week in Review

November 12 - 16

 

 



 

We packed a lot into a short week. I can tell that students are eagerly anticipating the upcoming break, they have been quite excited all week! They were great role models today with their Reading Buddies, Miss Muller's fabulous 2nd graders! Here's what we were up to this week!

 

 

Virtues Awards:

Jack M. has earned a Virtues Award for showing the virtues of SERVICE and RESPONSIBILITY! He willingly videotaped the Veterans' Day Assembly. Thank you Jack!

Khushaal K. has earned a Virtues Award for showing the virtues of RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY! Every day Khushaal is always prepared with his homework completed and during class time, he's on task and focused. Thank you Khushaal for being an excellent 5th grade leader!

 

 

Reading:

Students read an excerpt from the classic novel Old Yeller by Fred Gipson and worked in teams to use evidence from the text to answer higher level thinking questions. We examined Travis, the main character and his own inferences. We also discussed characters and how understanding a character's thoughts, words, and actions can help us comprehend a text more deeply.

 

Writing:

As we've dug deeper into the revision process with our own writing, our memoirs are progressing beautifully. We worked this week on combining sentences, fixing run-on sentences, and punctuating dialogue. I have also begun 1:1 conferencing with students about their writing. Students have volunteered for author's chair where they have shared portions of their memoirs in order to provide an example of a technique we've worked on or to receive feedback from their peers. I love the excitement and enthusiasm of the students as they eagerly volunteer for author's chair! 

 

 

Math:

Our decimal unit has come to an end. We worked this week on two-step problems and ensuring that we're being careful mathematicians by reading the story problems twice, extracting the important information, and then completing all steps accurately to ensure that we're answering the story problem question. We also examined bar graphs, line graphs and continued analyzing discrete and continuous data.We took a practice test today and our homework over the weekend is to STUDY for the Unit 3 Math Test on Monday!

 

Social Studies:

We reviewed the routes of exploration to the new world this week and worked together to understand their motives and impact on the native people. We took our Chapter 5 Social Studies test today and the students were relieved it was open note. It was quite a challenging assessment and I am proud of the perseverance I saw in each student!

 

 

Science:

In our Landforms unit this week, we discussed and began creating a topographic map. Students worked with a foam model of a mountain. We traced each layer of the mountain to begin creating our topographic map. We discussed elevation and contour lines. We learned that contour lines connect points of equal elevation and the closer the contour lines, the steeper the slope.

 

We have another short week next week, only three days! It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already next week! I hope that you enjoy the weekend. For those of you leaving early, travel safely!

The Seahawks have a BYE-week, so I'll  just say GO HUSKIES!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Important Dates:

22-Nov - Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL

23-Nov - Thanksgiving break - NO SCHOOL

  7-Dec - Report Cards sent home with students

Week 10 – Voting, Veterans’ Day, Virtues & Victory

A Week in Review

November 5^th – November 8^th

 

We had a short, but busy week here in Room 210! We learned all about the electoral college and how popular votes count AND all the other fun subjects in 5^th grade. 

 
I know the next few weeks will just fly by; with a 4 day week and another 3 day week, we have a bunch to fit in!  Please do feel free to drop me a line if you and your family will be traveling over the next few weeks and I’ll do my best to prepare your student! 

News from Band/Orchestra and the 5th Grade Teachers:

This is just a reminder that Band and Orchestra instruments are to be brought back and forth to school by the students.  We realize that some are large and need to stay at school or cannot go on the bus and that is fine.  We are referring to forgotten instruments.  Many students have been asking to call home for instruments.  We do not allow this.  If you notice that your child has forgotten their instrument and you bring it in for them PLEASE leave it in the office.  Students know to check there before they go to band and orchestra.  There is no need to email or call.  Bringing the instruments into the classroom or hallways is a distraction.  We are working to teach each student responsibility and independence, this is one simple way to do that.  If they forget their instrument perhaps the consequence will encourage a change in behavior. 

Thank you for supporting this rule.

 

 

Reading:
5^th graders are really digging deep into the Peg Kehret Read Aloud, “Five Pages a Day”.  We’re nearing the end of this autobiography non-fiction text, and I think kids are sad that it’s almost over.  There have been a variety of writing strategies that Peg suggests for writers of all ages; she even keeps a record of all her ideas in an “Idea Box”.  This author also has written a plethora of novels and here are some of her great works:  Nightmare Mountain, Don’t Go Near Mrs. Tallie, The Stranger Next Door, Spy Cat, Shelter Dogs, I’m Not Who You Think I Am and many more!  We hope to complete this Read Aloud by next Friday and begin our next selection (Realistic Fiction text by Andrew Clements) the week of Thanksgiving Break. 

 

Writing:

Students worked this week to strengthen their writing. We looked at samples of students’ work and their use of similes to show comparisons that made the writing clearer for their readers. We also revised our memoirs by strengthening our verbs. After the “Toss our Tired Verbs” lesson, we ‘put tired verbs to bed’! We are working diligently to avoid using these tired verbs in our everyday writing. We have a poster of a bed on the back wall and as we come across overused verbs in our writing, we ‘put them to bed’ by adding them to the poster. This poster is a visual reminder for us to strengthen our writing.

 

Math:
This week students were able to practice skills of interpreting data on bar and line graphs.  In small groups (and independently), 5^th graders worked to create graphs of their own using a variety of whole numbers as well as decimals.  We also worked on rounding and estimating decimal numbers and the importance of using estimation as a way to check if our exact answer is reasonable or not.

Science:

Today we wrapped up our third portion of the Unit #1 with “Changing the flow of the water to a FLOOD” – one of the last stream tables. This was a session of inquiry assessments given throughout the week – in collaboration with the University of Washington.  I’m excited to look over student work as it involves designing their own experiment involving stream tables.  Next week, we’ll begin creating topographic maps and by the beginning of December should be wrapping up our very first unit of Science (just in time for Report Cards)! 

 

Virtues

I’m so very impressed by the respect and enthusiasm our students showed for our Virtues Parents, Karyn O. (Kate) and Gina M. (Katie). Our Virtue for the month of November is THANKFULNESS. Students wrote what they are thankful for on fabric leaves and our Virtues Parents created a class tree displaying our thoughts of gratitude. The vase will stand as reminder for us of what we are thankful for. I’m thankful for our wonderful Virtues Parents and the thoughtfulness they put into their lessons.

Veterans’ Day:

An Invitation for all Veterans & Families

 

Please join our Medina Tigers and community in celebrating our very special Veterans.  You’ll be in for a treat with a fun filled assembly including singing, poetry and guest speakers!  We hope to see you bright and early at 8:15 on Wednesday, November 14^th.  Make sure to join us after our assembly for light refreshments following our celebration in honoring our Veterans.  

An RSVP is greatly appreciated so we can anticipate the number of guests expected. 

5^th Grade Advanced Math Club:

Please see the attached letter regarding this amazing opportunity for our kiddos!  Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be sure to pass along to Mrs. Hamilton! Also, if there are enough students for two classes, I will be teaching the Advanced Math Club as well.

 

Victory:

Let’s hope for a HUSKY and SEAHAWKS VICTORY this weekend! Have a great 4-day break from school! 

 

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Week 9 – Time to Fall Back

 

A Week in Review

October 29^th – November 2^nd 

 

Halloween was a success in Room 210 this year; many thanks go out to the parents who helped plan, organize and facilitate our fun celebration!  I really couldn’t do it without your help and support! 

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour and “Fall Back” on Sunday!!  One extra hour of sleep (let’s hope our kids actually sleep in) will be such a treat! 


Virtue Awards:
Zach E. was awarded a Virtue Award for showing RESPONSIBILITY by being focused and completing 100% of his class work and homework assignments!

Lauren S. has been awarded Virtue recognition for her KINDNESS and HELPFULNESS this week.  She took care of a hurt classmate and is helping Mr. K to complete one of his student teaching homework assignments!

 
Reading:
This week we read a realistic fiction text, "Elisa's Diary" by Doris Luisa Oronoz. We analyzed the theme (the big idea or lesson the author wanted the reader to know) in this selection. We used an inference map to pull out evidence from the text to support our choice of theme: "You have to work hard to overcome obstacles". Students worked in teams to discuss their thinking and learn from each other.

Writing:
Our second memoirs are in the works! Students drafted a memoir and then used strategies that they learned in class to go back and find the climax of their memoir and "EXPLODE THE MOMENT"! Students worked to choose descriptive words that would describe the intensity of the scene for their reader. We also looked at several Newbery winners and read their opening paragraphs. We used these published authors' works to generate ideas on how to revise our own beginnings to HOOK our readers! The diligence and hard work of writing the rough draft and revising so willingly was impressive! I'm so proud of the students' focus and excellence!

Math:
We are racing through this third Math unit; this last week we constructed pictographs and interpreted the data shown.  Students also worked to round larger numbers (millions and hundreds of millions) with and without visual aids.  I think the highlight would be students working in pairs to create their own animal by combining existing animal (i.e. camel + cat = camet), describe it, and then use their knowledge of larger numbers to write a creative story problem to solve about this creature. The students loved coming up with the animal (my personal favorite was the Seadog = Seahawk + Husky) I don't think they even realized they were hard at work using their critical thinking math brains to construct a complex story problem!

Science:

At this point in the year, we’ve most likely conducted at least 7 experiments so far!  Five of these learning experiments have involved our Stream Tables.  This week, students were asked the question:  How does increasing the slope affect the flow of water?  Does this increase, decrease or have no effect on the water flow (aka, the size of the Delta created).  Students worked in groups to conduct the experiment and next week we will analyze the results, identify the variables, and write a conclusion.

 

Thank you for another fabulous week of 5th grade!

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Upcoming Events:

6-Nov - PTA General Assembly meeting
9-Nov - Professional day - NO SCHOOL
12-Nov - Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
13-Nov - BSF Phonathon begins
14-Nov – Veterans Day Assembly 8:15 AM
16-Nov - SPIRIT DAY!
22-23 Nov – Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL