Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Personal Narrative Writing Celebration
Yesterday, we celebrated our first published piece of writing; Our Personal Narratives!
Friday, October 17, 2014
Classroom Update!
We have been busy, busy, busy in Room 10! The last two weeks have been filled with lots of learning opportunities for us.
Some parents have been asking about our new grading system here at Great Works. Along with a new report card comes a new grading system. Everyone at Great Works is now using a 4-1 scale for most assignments. Occasionally you might see a check (or check plus, check minus, etc) or a percentage, but I am working hard to start converting everything to the 4-1 scale. Here is a breakdown of the new 4-1 scale.
I have spent a lot of time in the classroom working with this rubric to help the students understand what their scores mean and how to earn them. A score of "3" means your students is exactly where I want them to be. "2" mean they are working on the skill or developing it, but are not quite proficient with the skill I am assessing. A "1" mean they are not yet understanding the skill and may need extra help, reviews or mini-lessons on the skill. A score of "4" is very hard to get. When a student gets a score of "4" they have showed me that they can go above and beyond what I am asking them to do. Here is a kid/parent friendly poster to help explain it.
Here's what we've been working on in other subjects.
In Math, we finished up Unit 2 this week. We took the assessment and worked on our Open Response answers. The Open Response questions are hard, critical thinking math questions that we need to practice answering! Then we began Unit 3: Geometry Explorations and the American Tour. I will be sending home the Family Letter for Unit 3 today, I'm sorry it's late!
In writing, we are working on revising our Personal Narrative Stories. We have Flash Drafted two drafts, learned how stories usually go (Rising Action, Problem, Conclusion) and added Thought-Shots to our drafts. We still have quite a bit of work to do on our drafts before we have a final draft.
In Reading last week and this week we studied the story, "Turquoise Horse" by Gerald Hausman. This is a story about a girl who has a vivid dream about a turquoise horse - a dream related to the holy people of her Navajo ancestry.
Our Social Studies presentations on European Explorers are almost done! We will finish up the final touches today and begin presentations on Monday. I will also be sharing presentations with you, using the email you have provided. You may have to sign-up for Google to view these presentations.
Next week is our first night of parent/teacher conferences. If you have a conference scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd, please be on time. My schedule is packed back to back that day, so we will all have to be on time! :)
Last, but not least, we attended a presentation by The Cromwell Center for Disability Awareness this morning. This was a great opportunity for our class. Be sure to ask your child about it!
Happy Friday!
Some parents have been asking about our new grading system here at Great Works. Along with a new report card comes a new grading system. Everyone at Great Works is now using a 4-1 scale for most assignments. Occasionally you might see a check (or check plus, check minus, etc) or a percentage, but I am working hard to start converting everything to the 4-1 scale. Here is a breakdown of the new 4-1 scale.
|
Academic Grading System
|
|||
|
Exceeds (4)
|
Proficient (3)
|
Developing (2)
|
Not Yet (1)
|
|
The
student demonstrates in-depth understanding of basic and extended concepts
and skills. Performance is characterized by self-motivation and the ability
to apply the skills with consistent accuracy, independence, and high level of
quality.
|
The
student demonstrates understanding of basic concepts and skills. Performance
is characterized by the ability to apply the skills with accuracy, quality,
and independence.
|
The
student has moved beyond the beginning of understanding of basic concepts and
skills. Performance is characterized by the ability to apply skills with
increasing success.
|
The
student is beginning to demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts and
skills.
|
I have spent a lot of time in the classroom working with this rubric to help the students understand what their scores mean and how to earn them. A score of "3" means your students is exactly where I want them to be. "2" mean they are working on the skill or developing it, but are not quite proficient with the skill I am assessing. A "1" mean they are not yet understanding the skill and may need extra help, reviews or mini-lessons on the skill. A score of "4" is very hard to get. When a student gets a score of "4" they have showed me that they can go above and beyond what I am asking them to do. Here is a kid/parent friendly poster to help explain it.
Here's what we've been working on in other subjects.
In Math, we finished up Unit 2 this week. We took the assessment and worked on our Open Response answers. The Open Response questions are hard, critical thinking math questions that we need to practice answering! Then we began Unit 3: Geometry Explorations and the American Tour. I will be sending home the Family Letter for Unit 3 today, I'm sorry it's late!
In writing, we are working on revising our Personal Narrative Stories. We have Flash Drafted two drafts, learned how stories usually go (Rising Action, Problem, Conclusion) and added Thought-Shots to our drafts. We still have quite a bit of work to do on our drafts before we have a final draft.
In Reading last week and this week we studied the story, "Turquoise Horse" by Gerald Hausman. This is a story about a girl who has a vivid dream about a turquoise horse - a dream related to the holy people of her Navajo ancestry.
Our Social Studies presentations on European Explorers are almost done! We will finish up the final touches today and begin presentations on Monday. I will also be sharing presentations with you, using the email you have provided. You may have to sign-up for Google to view these presentations.
Next week is our first night of parent/teacher conferences. If you have a conference scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd, please be on time. My schedule is packed back to back that day, so we will all have to be on time! :)
Last, but not least, we attended a presentation by The Cromwell Center for Disability Awareness this morning. This was a great opportunity for our class. Be sure to ask your child about it!
Happy Friday!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Researching has BEGUN!
After a few weeks of dealing with some technology issues, we have finally started our first research project of the year!
We spent time this week learning how to research using a search engine. Students practiced finding key words in questions they wanted to find the answer to. After searching the keywords students checked for validity by verifying the information on two different sites.
We also learned about plagiarism. We had a fantastic discussion about whether it is right or wrong to steal or borrow someone's work without giving them proper credit. This will help students with their Early European Explorer Projects.
Yesterday, students were paired up and picked an explorer to research. Over the next few weeks we will be working on our research projects. Final projects will be made using Google Presentation. I will also be teaching students how to share their work with you online! Stay tunes, these reports are going to be fantastic!
We spent time this week learning how to research using a search engine. Students practiced finding key words in questions they wanted to find the answer to. After searching the keywords students checked for validity by verifying the information on two different sites.
We also learned about plagiarism. We had a fantastic discussion about whether it is right or wrong to steal or borrow someone's work without giving them proper credit. This will help students with their Early European Explorer Projects.
Yesterday, students were paired up and picked an explorer to research. Over the next few weeks we will be working on our research projects. Final projects will be made using Google Presentation. I will also be teaching students how to share their work with you online! Stay tunes, these reports are going to be fantastic!
Friday, September 12, 2014
Welcome!!
Good Afternoon!
We had a fantastic first full week of school here in room 10. We spent more time getting to know each other, the room and classroom routines. This morning we celebrated the 200th anniversary of The Star Spangled Banner! Great Works was all decked out in red, white and blue. We also had our first popcorn sale of the year. Students were able to buy popcorn today at lunch. Students will need to listen to announcements to hear when the next popcorn sale will be. Popcorn costs 25 cents per bag.
This week…
In Math, we started Unit 1: Number Theory. This unit focuses on reviewing multiplication facts, factors, divisibility and prime factorization. Students will be receiving their Everyday Math user names and passwords soon, we are having a bit of a glitch getting started with our new technology this year. I hope to have them on the computers next week!
During our Literacy block, we began our first Spelling unit, we read our first short story during Reading and launched our first Unit of Study, Personal Narrative, in Writing. This week in Reading we read The No Guitar Blues by Gary Soto. During class, we talked about what good readers do when they are reading (they ask questions!) and shared questions we may have had while we listened to the story. In writing, we did a few writing prompts in our notebook and generated some story idea using Turning Points (First time I did something, last time I did something and when I realized something). We have been writing, writing, writing!!
Our first unit in Social Studies will be Exploration. Right now, we are using our Social Studies time to practice using the technology we have in our classroom. We will be using Google Drive in our class a lot this year. Students will be practicing signing in, creating documents and presentations and using Khan Academy. We will also be continuing to practice our typing skills.
I will be updating the blog as often as I can throughout the year.
Upcoming Dates:
September 18th - Great Works Open House 6:30-7:40pm
September 26th - Walk to School Day
October 3rd/4th - Great Works Camp Out
October 13th - No School, Columbus Day
October 23rd and 29th - Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, June 13, 2014
Feast Day!!
Feast Day was such fun! I took a photo of everyones restaurant and made a slideshow. Check it out!
http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d11259112k9551470o1/feast-day-2014
http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d11259112k9551470o1/feast-day-2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Time flies...
...when you're having fun!
The school is buzzing about Pinkham Notch. All 8 fifth grade classes have gone and returned and students are busy sharing stories, comparing hikes and wishing they could have a breakfast buffet each morning (so much bacon!!) We are left with fantastic memories of views like this:
Now that we are back, we are busy, busy, busy! We have just recently started our Solar Car unit! This, besides Pinkham Notch, is the highlight of our year. Students have been designing cars in class. They will be asked to bring in materials this week to begin construction. We are hoping to use a lot of recycled or recyclable material for our cars. I have some materials here, but not enough to build each car. Our race day will be Friday, May 23rd. We will be looking for volunteers and will be sending home a sign up sheet this week. We need volunteers to set-up, time keepers, etc. Most of the racing happens in the morning, the afternoon is usually clean up and celebrations.
We are taking the Science MEA this week. There are three sessions of the test. We will be testing in the morning from about 9:00-10:00am. If your child is absent, there will be make-up testing the end of this week and next.
There is A LOT going on during the final weeks of school. Here are some important dates to remember:
May 12th-16th - BOOK FAIR!!
May 14th - Staff Meeting (No Learning Lab)
May 15th 5:30-7:30pm - Book Fair Family Night
May 23rd - Solar Car Race Day (rain or shine)
May 26th - No School, Memorial Day
May 29th - Walk to School Day
May 31st 10:00-2:00pm - May Faire
June 5th - Spring Band and Chorus Concert 1:30pm and 7:00pm
June 6th - Grade 5 Step-Up Day at MMS
June 9th - Chorus to visit Central School 8:40-10:00am
June 9th - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Reading Garden and Outdoor Library 2:30pm
June 12th - 5th Grade Restaurant Project Day
June 13th - School Wide Field Day
June 17th - Last Day of School, report cards go home
Do not hesitate to email me with questions or concerns. There is a lot going on, and I hope I didn't forget anything. I am PROUD to say that I was told (and the other teachers as well) several times while at Pinkham Notch how polite, respectful and kind our students were while on the trip. You should be proud as well!
More pictures from the trip coming soon!
-Mrs. Starkey
The school is buzzing about Pinkham Notch. All 8 fifth grade classes have gone and returned and students are busy sharing stories, comparing hikes and wishing they could have a breakfast buffet each morning (so much bacon!!) We are left with fantastic memories of views like this:
 |
| The view from Low's Bald Spot |
Now that we are back, we are busy, busy, busy! We have just recently started our Solar Car unit! This, besides Pinkham Notch, is the highlight of our year. Students have been designing cars in class. They will be asked to bring in materials this week to begin construction. We are hoping to use a lot of recycled or recyclable material for our cars. I have some materials here, but not enough to build each car. Our race day will be Friday, May 23rd. We will be looking for volunteers and will be sending home a sign up sheet this week. We need volunteers to set-up, time keepers, etc. Most of the racing happens in the morning, the afternoon is usually clean up and celebrations.
We are taking the Science MEA this week. There are three sessions of the test. We will be testing in the morning from about 9:00-10:00am. If your child is absent, there will be make-up testing the end of this week and next.
There is A LOT going on during the final weeks of school. Here are some important dates to remember:
May 12th-16th - BOOK FAIR!!
May 14th - Staff Meeting (No Learning Lab)
May 15th 5:30-7:30pm - Book Fair Family Night
May 23rd - Solar Car Race Day (rain or shine)
May 26th - No School, Memorial Day
May 29th - Walk to School Day
May 31st 10:00-2:00pm - May Faire
June 5th - Spring Band and Chorus Concert 1:30pm and 7:00pm
June 6th - Grade 5 Step-Up Day at MMS
June 9th - Chorus to visit Central School 8:40-10:00am
June 9th - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Reading Garden and Outdoor Library 2:30pm
June 12th - 5th Grade Restaurant Project Day
June 13th - School Wide Field Day
June 17th - Last Day of School, report cards go home
Do not hesitate to email me with questions or concerns. There is a lot going on, and I hope I didn't forget anything. I am PROUD to say that I was told (and the other teachers as well) several times while at Pinkham Notch how polite, respectful and kind our students were while on the trip. You should be proud as well!
More pictures from the trip coming soon!
-Mrs. Starkey
Friday, April 11, 2014
Spring Update
Happy Friday!
We have been working hard and keeping super busy in room 10! I have quite a few things to share with you! Starting with our trip to Portland to explore the Gulf of Maine Research Institute back in February! Students were slip up into groups of three and investigated different aspects of the Gulf of Maine. Check out the pics!
http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d9656492k2322207o1/gulf-of-maine-institute
In March we created poetry book for Artists and Authors Night. If you didn't get a chance to check out our poetry and our 13 Colonies projects, I will be finishing up grading them over vacation and will send them home when we return to school.
After Poetry, we began our Persuasive Argument unit. Students are reading, researching and writing about whether or not chocolate milk (and other flavored milks) should be served in schools. Our class is very passionate about this! We are just about split down the middle and the students are working hard to convince us that their side is the right side to choose. While writing, we have also been practicing our "close reading" strategies on some of the articles
In math, we are just about to finish Unit 8, more fractions! We will be reviewing and having the test next week. We will also be completing the 6th grade math placement tests next week. I will be sure to plan these on separate days, so the kids don't feel overwhelmed.
In Science we are studying climate change and alternative energy sources. Students have chosen an alternative energy, are collecting information and creating a Prezi on their topic. I will share the Prezis with you when we are finished!
Next Thursday, April 17th is Aladdin, Jr!! We have a lot of students from our class who are participating in the show in one way or another. Lot of kids are in the cast, helped with the back drop and props or are working backstage. Show times are 9:30am and 7:00pm. Donations accepted at the door, general admission seating only. It's going to be a great show!
Thank you to all the parents who came out for Parent/Teacher Conferences. It was great see you all!
Important Dates:
April 21-25th - April Vacation, No School
May 7th-9th - Pinkham Notch
May 23rd - Solar Car Race Day
http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d9656492k2322207o1/gulf-of-maine-institute
In March we created poetry book for Artists and Authors Night. If you didn't get a chance to check out our poetry and our 13 Colonies projects, I will be finishing up grading them over vacation and will send them home when we return to school.
After Poetry, we began our Persuasive Argument unit. Students are reading, researching and writing about whether or not chocolate milk (and other flavored milks) should be served in schools. Our class is very passionate about this! We are just about split down the middle and the students are working hard to convince us that their side is the right side to choose. While writing, we have also been practicing our "close reading" strategies on some of the articles
In math, we are just about to finish Unit 8, more fractions! We will be reviewing and having the test next week. We will also be completing the 6th grade math placement tests next week. I will be sure to plan these on separate days, so the kids don't feel overwhelmed.
In Science we are studying climate change and alternative energy sources. Students have chosen an alternative energy, are collecting information and creating a Prezi on their topic. I will share the Prezis with you when we are finished!
Next Thursday, April 17th is Aladdin, Jr!! We have a lot of students from our class who are participating in the show in one way or another. Lot of kids are in the cast, helped with the back drop and props or are working backstage. Show times are 9:30am and 7:00pm. Donations accepted at the door, general admission seating only. It's going to be a great show!
Thank you to all the parents who came out for Parent/Teacher Conferences. It was great see you all!
Important Dates:
April 21-25th - April Vacation, No School
May 7th-9th - Pinkham Notch
May 23rd - Solar Car Race Day
Friday, January 10, 2014
Weekly Update 1/6 - 1/10
Happy New Year!
This first week back after our vacation seems to have flown by! We got right to work when we returned and have been busy, busy, busy.
Before vacation we started a class novel called 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass. Students have been reading in class and responding to questions and participating in activities based around the novel. It is a great book! We are about half way through it and I anticipate being finished with it by the end of the month.
We are almost finished with our second published writing piece, a realistic fiction story! Students have been typing these stories, which is good practice for their typing skills. We have also been learning how to type using the program, TypingWeb online. I have already seen much better typing skills within our class.
This week we started our Science Unit on The Water Cycle. And yes, it's true what was said about dinosaurs. :) There is the same amount of water on Earth right now as there was when the earth was first formed. The water running through your faucet could contain molecules that we once drank by the dinosaurs!
Our next writing unit will be called "Through the Lens of History". I am very excited to start this unit. Students will be creating a report on Colonization within this unit. In order to prepare for it, I had to start our 13 Colonies a little sooner that I had originally planned. So, this week we started a colonization simulation. Students have been divided into "colonies" and will be traveling from their home countries to the New World over the next few weeks. They will learn why colonists came from Europe to the New World, they will set sail and they will start a colony in the New World. They will also learn about the importance of maps and geography.
Important Dates to remember:
1/20 - No School, Martin Luther King, Jr.
1/23 - Dental Clinic at MGWS
1/23 - MGWS Pinkham Notch Parent Information Meeting 6:30pm in Cafe
1/27 - 1/29 - Aladdin, Jr. Auditions *Our Class is 1/29
2/2 - Walk to School Day
This first week back after our vacation seems to have flown by! We got right to work when we returned and have been busy, busy, busy.
Before vacation we started a class novel called 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass. Students have been reading in class and responding to questions and participating in activities based around the novel. It is a great book! We are about half way through it and I anticipate being finished with it by the end of the month.
We are almost finished with our second published writing piece, a realistic fiction story! Students have been typing these stories, which is good practice for their typing skills. We have also been learning how to type using the program, TypingWeb online. I have already seen much better typing skills within our class.
This week we started our Science Unit on The Water Cycle. And yes, it's true what was said about dinosaurs. :) There is the same amount of water on Earth right now as there was when the earth was first formed. The water running through your faucet could contain molecules that we once drank by the dinosaurs!
Our next writing unit will be called "Through the Lens of History". I am very excited to start this unit. Students will be creating a report on Colonization within this unit. In order to prepare for it, I had to start our 13 Colonies a little sooner that I had originally planned. So, this week we started a colonization simulation. Students have been divided into "colonies" and will be traveling from their home countries to the New World over the next few weeks. They will learn why colonists came from Europe to the New World, they will set sail and they will start a colony in the New World. They will also learn about the importance of maps and geography.
Important Dates to remember:
1/20 - No School, Martin Luther King, Jr.
1/23 - Dental Clinic at MGWS
1/23 - MGWS Pinkham Notch Parent Information Meeting 6:30pm in Cafe
1/27 - 1/29 - Aladdin, Jr. Auditions *Our Class is 1/29
2/2 - Walk to School Day
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