A Social Studies Test and a Fire Drill!

A Week in Review

October 14 - 18

 

 

Happy Friday! Our week has come to an end, but we were hard at work in room 210! I was out sick on Monday and had a meeting on Tuesday morning, but both guest teachers were so impressed with our polite, hardworking, and focused students!! It was nice to come back to such great news! Here is what we've accomplished this week:

 

 

Virtue Awards:

Alan Y. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of responsibility and diligence. Alan always works hard and has 100% of his class work and homework turned in! Good job Alan!

 

Gracie S. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of responsibility and commitment. Gracie has 100% of her class work and homework turned in. She completes all of her assignments with quality work! Way to go Gracie!

 

Reading:

Our main selection in Journeys this week was a nonfiction piece, Blasting Off to Space Academy: From Ultimate Field Trip 5 by Susan E. Goodman. Students worked to use the text and graphic features to deepen their comprehension and analyze the author's craft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing:

In Computer Lab this week, students drafted their first descriptive paragraphs of their monster face. They brainstormed how the original sample was not clear or specific and what they needed to do to make sure their writing was.

 

 

 

 

Math:

We have started our third math unit of the year, Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers and Decimals. We worked this week to understand place value and how to correctly write and also compare whole numbers and decimal numbers.

 

 

 

 

Science:

Ms. Keenan and our students continued analyzing the proposed sites for the development in their science groups. Then students began designing a procedure for a science experiment to answer the investigative question, "How does increasing the amount of water affect the length of the delta?"

 

 

 

astrolabe

Social Studies:

Students finished analyzing artifacts from the New World. We discussed the importance of the artifacts and how the explorers used them. We also learned about the reasons the explorers set sail and how each artifact related to their motives. We ended the week with by taking our Chapter 4 Social Studies test!

 

 

 

 

 

Another week of 5th grade has concluded and it ended with a planned fire drill. We have planned fire, lockdown, and earthquake throughout the year in order to ensure that we are familiar with all of the emergency procedures. Our students were very focused and determined to beat our school record of 5 minutes to evacuate! It's a tough time to beat!

 

Have a wonderful weekend! How about those Seahawks?!?

 

Go Seahawks!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Upcoming Events:

25 Oct - 5th Grade Parents Cocktail/Wine Tasting Party (7:30pm-9:30pm)

5 Nov - PTA General Assembly Meeting, 8:15

11 Nov - No School, Veterans' Day

18-23 Nov - Missoula Children's Theater

28-29 Nov - No School, Thanksgiving Break



Watermelons, Walkathon, Sunken Ships

A Week in Review

October 7 - 11

 

Our week has come to an end, while it was only a four day week - we packed a lot of learning into it! I appreciate the students' eagerness to learn and their excitement for school! I loved their creativity with their superhero costumes, crazy hair, and pajamas! While it was a school spirit filled week, we also accomplished a lot! Here's what we've been up to:

 

 

Virtue Awards:

 

Shelby S. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of KINDNESS and HELPFULNESS. Shelby is kind to her classmates and always willing to lend a helping hand! Thank you Shelby for being a great 5th grade leader!

 

Meghnath D. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of EXCELLENCE and RESPONSIBILITY. Meg always puts forth his best effort, asks clarifying questions, completes his assignments in a timely manner, and looks for ways to challenge himself.

 

 

 

 

Reading:

A Package for Mrs. Jewls was our main selection in our Journeys anthology this week. We analyzed how the author, Louis Sachar, used humor in his writing. We also worked on using context clues in order help us as understand the challenging words we find as we read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing:

We used the analogy of writing being like a WATERMELON. We looked at examples of "watermelon" stories (stories that read more like a list of events) and "seed" stories (stories that were focused on ONE event with lots of detail to bring the story alive for the reader). We realized the importance of narrowing our focus and adding description to our writing.

 

 

Math:

Unit 2: Perimeter and Area has concluded! Students worked to find the perimeter and area of complex figures this week, as well converting Customary Units of Measure (inches, feet, yards) in order to use one unit to find an answer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science:

Ms. Keenan taught our students Science as they worked on their Skokomish River Challenge. Students continued studying topographic maps and researched more extensively the three sites proposed for the 'development'.

 

 

 

 

 

Social Studies:

What's in a sunken ship from 500 years ago? Students worked in pairs to investigate artifacts "recovered" from a sunken ship that set sail for the new world. Students read about each item in the ship in order to determine the importance of the artifact. and why it was important to explorers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Computer Lab:

We collaborated with the ever fabulous Ms. Benay this week during our lab time. Students have drawn a monster face using the program, Pixie. They also had a chance to "draw" a monster face using Pixie based on a description read to them. It was interesting to compare what they drew on the computer to the actual picture that was described. Students learned to be specific and clear! Next week, students will write their own descriptions of their monsters!

 

 

Thanks for another great week! We worked really hard this week (both on and off the Walkathon field) and I am proud of our students!

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Go Seahawks!

 

~Mrs. Hatlestad

 

Upcoming Events:

11 Oct - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

25 Oct - 5th Grade Parents Cocktail/Wine Tasting Party (7:30pm-9:30pm)

5 Nov - PTA General Assembly Meeting, 8:15

11 Nov - No School, Veterans' Day

18-23 Nov - Missoula Children's Theater

28-29 Nov - No School, Thanksgiving Break

 



Cocoa and Current Events

A Week in Review

September 30 - October 4

 

 

We had our first "Cocoa and Current Events" session on Thursday! Students were excited to share their articles, drink hot cocoa, and discuss current events. It was a great week, here is what we've been up to:

 

 

Virtue Awards:

John V. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of LEADERSHIP and HELPFULNESS. John saw a student who needed help and without hesitation, stepped up to offer his assistance. Through his actions, he showed his classmates what it meant to be a leader.

 

Hilal M. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of EXCELLENCE and RESPONSIBILITY. Hilal is always focused, always completes quality work, and always, always, always puts forth his best effort. He is a 5th grade leader.

 

Reading:

We are conducting a joint read aloud with Ms. Keenan's class. Four times a week, we combine classes and enjoy a whole class read aloud. Currently, we are reading Five Pages a Day: A Writer's Journey by Peg Kehret. Students practice more than their listening skills, as they deepen their comprehension by discussing the text, making predictions, and answering higher level thinking questions. It is a beautiful book about a local author's journey to become a published writer.
 

 

Writing:

Students wrote descriptive poems this week. We analyzed an image, brainstormed words and phrases the image provoked in our minds and from there created beautiful pieces of poetry. The whole class sample was based on a picture of Arlington Cemetery. We will be sharing this poem with the whole school during the Veterans' Day Assembly.

 

Math:

Unit 2 Perimeter and Area is off and running! We worked this week to learn how to convert measurements within the metric system (meter, decimeter, centimeter, millimeter) to find perimeter and area of rectangles, squares, triangles, and parallelograms. For many problems, students had to convert the measurement into a common unit of measure in order to find the correct answer, while also using the area and perimeter formulas to solve the problem.

 

Science:

Ms. Keenan taught science to our students this week. They worked on creating a topographic map using a 3D model of Mount Shasta. These maps allow you to see the elevation levels and visualize the steepness of each side of the mountain. This will help students with their Skokomish River Challenge, as they look at the different sites for the Evergreen Development Company.

 

 

Social Studies:

Chapter 1 concluded, as students wrapped up their learning on US geography. Students took an assessment on Friday on different geographic terms and physical features  on a map of the United States.

 

Our next "Cocoa and Current Events" session will be Thursday, October 17th! Students need to find an article, fill out the graphic organizer and summarize the main ideas before the 17th!

 

Thank you for a wonderful weekend! It is a pleasure teaching and learning with your children each and every day.

 

Go Seahawks!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Upcoming Events:

9 Oct - Walkathon

11 Oct - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

25 Oct - 5th Grade Parents Cocktail/Wine Tasting Party (7:30pm-9:30pm)

5 Nov - PTA General Assembly Meeting, 8:15

11 Nov - No School, Veterans' Day

18-23 Nov - Missoula Children's Theater

28-29 Nov - No School, Thanksgiving Break

 



Camp Terry!

A Week in Review

September 23 - 27

 

We ended the week in the best way with our LEADERSHIP field trip to Camp Terry! The students spent the day in mixed classroom teams, getting to know each other and reflecting on their own understanding of what it means to be a leader. It was another busy week and our field trip was the perfect way to sum it up!

 

 

Virtue Awards:

Trevor K. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtue of ENTHUSIASM. Trevor always has a positive attitude! His smile lights up our classroom!

Elysia Q. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of HELPFULNESS and RESPONSIBILITY. She was an active participant during our 5th grade leadership camp field trip. She was focused during each activity and worked hard to help her teammates!

 

 

Reading:

Understanding what you read is the most important thing good readers need to do in order to grow in their reading. We focused our class discussions this week on the "fix-up" strategies that we use when meaning breakdowns for us in our reading.

 

 

Writing:

Our first "current event" assignment is due October 3rd! I modeled for students how to use the middle school graphic organizer to write a quality summary for their bi-monthly assignment. We are looking forward to hot cocoa and current events next week!

 

 

Math:

We have come to the end of Unit 1: Multiplication and Division Word Problems. We studied the Properties of Multiplication, took a practice test for Unit 1, used that practice test to study, and then ended the week by taking the end-of-unit assessment! On to Unit 2: Perimeter and Area we go!

 

Social Studies:

Our Science Landforms unit crossed over into our Social Studies lesson this week as we learned more geographic terms. Students used guiding questions to label specific landforms on a map. We then looked at Lake Washington and Mercer Island as local examples of landforms.

 

Science:

Ms. Keenan taught science to our students this week and they were busy! Students observed a stream table that simulated flooding. There assignment over the weekend is to look for real life examples of erosion and deltas around the neighborhood and/or school. Some students spotted examples during our field trip!


What a fantastic week! The students worked hard and deserve a very restful weekend!

Go Seahawks!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Upcoming Events:

9 Oct - Walkathon

11 Oct - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

25 Oct - 5th Grade Parents Cocktail/Wine Tasting Party (7:30pm-9:30pm)

5 Nov - PTA General Assembly Meeting, 8:15

11 Nov - No School, Veterans' Day

18-23 Nov - Missoula Children's Theater

28-29 Nov - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Leading with Lollipops

A Week in Review

September 16 - 20

 

 

Another great week has zoomed by! We were busy learning, working together, and having FUN! We started the week by watching a short clip from a Ted Talk in Toronto, "Leading with Lollipops" by Drew Dudley. The point of the message was for students to begin thinking about leadership in a different light, it doesn't have to be a giant moment, but leadership can come in little moments, too. He called them "lollipop moments" and if someone has made our life better, by something they've said or done - we need to tell people the positive impact they've had on our life. I gave students lollipops as a reminder. You can view the clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVCBrkrFrBE

We also had the opportunity to be one of the first groups of students to watch a brand new show from "The Noise Guy", Charlie Williams. He is trying out a new show and offered a free sneak peek to Medina students. Students enjoyed his reenactment of the Star Wars trilogy (complete with his collectible action figures!!!) and self-made sound effects. He taught students how to do some of the sound effects and invited Mrs. Kaminoff up to perform a reader's theater with him! It was a great way to start our Friday morning! 

 

Virtue Awards:

Nate B. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of enthusiasm and excellence. Nate is an enthusiastic learner in our classroom and always strives to do his best! Thank you for being a fantastic 5th grade leader!

 

Anjali K. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of responsibility and diligence. Anjali has 100% of her homework and class work turned in! She completes assignments with quality work and is a hardworking student! Thank you for always modeling excellence!

 

 

Reading:

Our focus this week during Reading Workshop was on genres. We discussed Fiction and Nonfiction and how they are the umbrellas for many genres that fall under these two categories. We found time to "get lost in good books" as well. Students also began recording the books they are reading on their "Independent Reading Log".

 

 

 

 

 

Writing:

Students started a baseline writing assessment this week. Our Writer's Notebooks are set up, our ideas now have a place to be store, so students chose one memory from their brainstorm lists and began drafting a personal narrative. I will use these writing pieces to set goals with students and guide my teaching to best meet their needs.

 

 

 

Math:

It was a busy week of word problems, multiplication, and division. Students were reminded of the Order of Operations in math in order to solve more complex problems (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally or PEMDAS or Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction). Using their knowledge of PEMDAS, students worked with word problems with misleading language - challenging themselves to slow down and think carefully about what the problem was asking them to do. Students also had time to begin working on the computers with the math program, Dreambox! Login cards with usernames and passwords were sent home today. The website to access this program at home is: https://play.dreambox.com/login/x5s9/medinae

 

 

Social Studies:

Latitude and Longitude rap? Yes, that's right - in order for students to become proficient in these geographic terms, Mr. Thiel found a short video of the Longitude and Latitude rap to help students solidify their learning! Latitude are like the rungs of a ladder and I taught students a hand motion to remember longitude is like "long hair", it runs up and down. Here is the link to the rap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0c1idtn3e8

 

Science:

Ms. Keenan taught our class Science this week (while I taught her class Social Studies). Students watched an erosion video to learn about why people care about erosion and deposition.Students began answering these questions:

 

• What are erosion and deposition?
• Why do people in the Skokomish River area and other areas around the world watch and study erosion and deposition?
• How can we model erosion and deposition in the stream table?

Thanks for another great week of learning! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Go Seahawks!

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Upcoming Events:

9 Oct - Walkathon

11 Oct - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

25 Oct - 5th Grade Parents Cocktail/Wine Tasting Party (7:30pm-9:30pm)

5 Nov - PTA General Assembly Meeting, 8:15

11 Nov - No School, Veterans' Day

18-23 Nov - Missoula Children's Theater

28-29 Nov - No School, Thanksgiving Break

 



Week 2 - Curriculum Night, Picture Day, and Lots of Learning!

A Week in Review

September 9 - 13

 

We are moving and learning like a well-oiled machine in Room 210! We have our systems and routines down and that allows us to focus 100% on LEARNING! What a great week - here's what we were up to:

 

 

Virtue Awards:

Roman T. has earned a Virtue Award for demonstrating the virtues of courage and excellence. Roman, without hesitation, volunteered to be the first student to read his writing during our class Author's Chair!

Merin R., Madison L., and Sahar A. have earned Virtue Awards for demonstrating the virtues of cleanliness, helpfulness, and commitment. Thank you for taking your recess time to care for our class beta fish, "Russell Wilson" and clean his aquarium. He appreciates it!

 

 

 

Reading:

We continued discussing what good readers do and think about while reading. We analyzed the differences between "Easy", "Just Right", and "Challenging" books. We also discussed, WHY it's important for students to be reading a "Just Right" book when they're reading independently (to practice the strategies they're learning in class with ease).

 

 

Writing:

Our Writing Workshop has been launched! Students began using their "Writer's Notebooks" to brainstorm and draft ideas that are swirling around in their minds. We learned from published authors on how they use their notebooks to keep their ideas. We also discussed WHERE writers get their ideas and how we can use their tips in our own brainstorming sessions.

 

 

Math:

The Basic Fluency Plan introductory unit is DONE! We took a pre-test for Unit 1 and started right away on our first unit: Multiplication and Division Word Problems. Using the pre-test data, students are receiving differentiated instruction in our classroom, as some students are working independently or in small groups with Ms. Aileen or me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Science:

Landforms is our first Science unit. We combined classes with Ms. Keenan's to introduce the first 'challenge'. Students learned that builders want to build apartments at three different sites near the Skokomish River, the most frequently flooded river in Washington State. In science groups, students began researching the problem. Their challenge is to determine which site, if any, is the best location for the new apartment buildings.. At the end of this challenge, students will make a group presentation to the Mason County City Council (aka the class) with their recommendations.


This week flew by and it was because of all the learning happening in our classroom! I am so proud of the students for taking their learning seriously, for showing flexibility, and supporting me with my crazy love for the Seahawks!

Go Seahawks!

Enjoy your weekend,

~Mrs. Hatlestad

Upcoming Events:

20 Sept - Walk-a-Thon (11:20am)
27 Sept - Camp Terry Leadership Field Trip for 5th Grade

11 Oct - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)

 

 



Welcome Back!

A Week in Review

September 3 - 6

 

 

Welcome back! We've had a fantastic first week back! I'm so impressed with our students, their positive attitudes and flexibility! Each week, I will send out our "A Week in Review" newsletter to let you know what we've been learning. So, here is our first one of the year!

 

Virtue Awards:

Sahar A. has earned a virtues award for demonstrating the virtue of helpfulness. Thank you Sahar for helping to organize the classroom community supplies!

 

Jacob L. has earned a virtues award for demonstrating the virtue of responsibility. Thank you Jacob for always making sure our class beta fish has been fed!

 

 

Weekly Reports:
Every Friday I will send home a Weekly Report. This report grades students in three categories: Behavior, Study Habits, and Work Completion. These reports are to be signed by parents and returned to school the following week. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
 

Reading:

Students have checked out books, had time to read independently, and learned our "Guidelines for Reading Workshop" to ensure that all of us can do their best learning. We discussed how "Reading is Thinking" and we took not one, but TWO reading assessments already, so that I can learn more about my fabulous students.

 

Writing:

We started Writing Workshop this week with a Virtues Poem. We are hoping to have our poems revised and edited by curriculum night, so that they can be on display! Students chose a virtue that represents them or one they think is important and wrote a poem from the virtue's perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

Math:

The Basic Fluency Plan is our first mini-math unit in 5th grade. Students are reviewing key terms they learned in 4th grade and dusting off their math brains as they work through word problems. While the numbers in the word problems are small, the focus has been on understanding the operation needed to solve the problem.

 

Science:

Have you ever wondered if gummy bears dissolve faster in water or vinegar? Well, you're in luck because we conducted our first experiment in class to answer that very question! Students reviewed the Scientific Process and together we wrote a procedure, collected data, and wrote a conclusion to find out if our hypothesis was right!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for a great first week of school! I look forward to continuing to get to know these amazing students! Thank you so much for entrusting me with their learning!

 

Go Seahawks!

 

~Mrs. Hatlestad

 

Upcoming Events:

 6 Sept - Ice Cream Social (6:00-7:00pm)

10 Sept - Curriculum Night (5:30pm)

11 Sept - Hearing Screening

13 Sept - Picture Day (our class time is TBD)

11 Oct - No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)