Thank you

Dear students and parents, thank you so much for all of the love and kindness you have shown me, especially in this holiday season. I very much appreciate the sweet cards and gifts, your thoughtfulness means a lot. I hope you all enjoy this special time of year doing what you love, with those you love.

I will post an academic content update for week 17 after new years, but if you get bored, here are the directions for how to get some extra math work during winter break :)
EXTRA Math Practice (by Logging on to the Hub)

To log on to the HUB, you need your student’s HISD Identification number. It is listed on every report card and standardized test result sent home. Additionally, students should have it memorized.

1. Open Google Chrome. (***The HUB will NOT work on Internet Explorer.) Search for “HISD Hub.” (It may come up as “Power Up HUB.)
2. Click “HUB Sign In.”
3. Username is the student’s ID number with the letter “s” directly in front of it. Password is the student’s birthdate in an 8 digit format. For example:
Username – s1234567 (s+ID #)
Password – 01012010 (for birthdate of Jan. 1, 2010.)
*If asked for a domain, the domain is “student” then a backslash (located above the Enter key.) For example: student/s1234567
4. Roberts Elementary School’s page will come up. Click on “Digital Resources” in the top menu bar (it may be under a drop down tab labeled “More.”)
5. Click on “Log In With Active Directory.”
Your student is now logged on to the HUB! Click on math on the left sidebar and then click on Imagine Math.
+ HISD has many computer programs and other resources available to students through the HISD “Power Up HUB.”

Week 16

• Holiday party - Thursday, Dec. 20, Students may bring a food/snack/dessert item to share with their classmates (please label items containing nuts). This is completely optional! We will have hot chocolate provided by our room moms, and the kids may play board games and watch a movie (Home Alone 1) during our afternoon party time. We look forward to celebrating a great first semester and enjoying each other's company before our holiday break!
• Winter break - Friday, Dec. 21 - Sunday, Jan. 6 (Students do not have school on Friday, Dec. 21. They return to school on Monday, Jan. 7)
• Roberts Fundraising Auction - Saturday, Feb. 9

Math:
Continue Customary and Metric Conversions

ELA/Reading:
Continue our Fantasy Unit (Fairytales, Fables, Myths, Tall tales)
NO Quizlet or Spelling this week.

Science:
Earth Science – Constructive and Destructive Landforms
Study Jams Go to Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: watch Weathering & Erosion video and Landforms video.

Social Studies:
1500-1800 Review

Exhibition:
Reading & analyzing sources, note taking, and categorizing facts into “causes of the problem,” “effects of the problem,” and “solutions to the problem.” We will also begin a rough outline in preparation for composing our research papers.

Week 15

Christmas Caroling - Friday, December 14
Last day of first semester - December 20
Winter break - December 21 - January 6

Math:
Customary and Metric Conversions
Problem Solving quiz on Friday

English/Language Arts/Reading:
We will be reading and learning about fairytales, fables, myths, and tall tales from around the world and looking at how different cultures portray the same stories in various ways. Additionally, we will create a passport book summarizing and comparing the stories we read.
Spelling and Quizlet on Friday

Science:
Earth Science – soil and constructive and destructive forces and landforms. Study Jams Go to Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: watch the “Weathering & Erosion” and “Landforms” video.

Social Studies:
Bill of Rights project - students will work in groups to understand and analyze an assigned amendment, then creatively display their learning

Week 14

Reminders:
Campout rescheduled - Friday, December 7
Winter break - December 21 - January 6

Math:
Order of operations: PEMDAS Math Antics - Order of OperationsProblem of the day quiz on Friday

English/Language Arts/Reading:
Figurative language, literary devices, elements and purpose of different forms of poetry.
Spelling and Quizlet on Friday

Science:
Earth Science – Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, The Rock Cycle Constructive vs. Destructive Forces and Landforms. Study Jams - under Landforms, Rocks & Minerals, watch Weathering & Erosion video and Landforms video.

Social Studies: This week we will focus on the formation of the Bill of Rights. Week 9 newspaper

Week 13

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all enjoyed some time with family and friends, and reflected on the many things we have to be thankful for. I am so thankful for such a wonderful class this year. I look forward to seeing you all on Monday!

Reminders:
- Progress Reports go home Tues., November 27th - please sign and return
- Campout rescheduled - December 7th
- Last day of 1st semester/beginning of Winter break - December 20th

Math:
Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions with modeling. There will be a unit test on Thursday, November 29th. Problem solving quiz on Friday.

English Language Arts/Reading:
We will be starting our unit on poetry, including the elements and purpose of various forms. We will also continue our class read aloud novels, Forge (including our historical fiction double timeline) and Tuck Everlasting. Spelling and Quizlet on Friday.

Science:

Forms of energy unit test on Thursday, November 29th. Studyjams.com has awesome videos for review, and as always, the science journal has everything you need!

Social Studies: 

This week we will focus on the formation and branches of our government system. We will also be comparing the Articles of Confederation and US Constitution.

Week 12

Reminders:

• Book Fair - Wednesday, Nov. 14
• Picture Retakes - Thursday, Nov. 15
• Thanksgiving Break - November 19-23
• Campout rescheduled - Friday, Dec. 7

Math:

Multiplying and dividing fractions with modeling Multiplying fractions, Multiplication models, More Models, Dividing fractions

NO problem solving quiz this week!

ELA/Reading:

Historical fiction book club projects (double timelines) will be due on Wednesday, November 14th. We will continue reading and discussing Forge, as well as our second class read aloud, Tuck Everlasting.

Spelling quiz on Friday, NO quizlet

Science: Thermal energy. There will be a test on forms of energy after the Thanksgiving Break. Studyjams.com has awesome videos that your child can watch to help review, and as always the science journal has everything they need!

Social Studies: American Revolution unit test on Thursday, November 15th; the students will receive a study guide on Monday to help them prepare for the test.

Exhibition: Finding and analyzing quality resources.

Week 11

Reminders:

• Ancillary time change (8:45-9:35am) effective Monday, 11/5
• Report cards go home in Tuesday folders, 11/6
• IOWA testing Monday - Wednesday, 11/5-7 (for students who took Cogat last week)
• Early dismissal & PADRES campout on Friday, 11/9

Math:

We will be continuing addition and subtraction (including regrouping) of fractions with different denominators.

Visual Model of Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Adding and Subtracting Fractions Math Antics

Problem Solving Quiz on Friday

ELA/Reading:

Historical fiction book club projects will begin this week. Students will create a double timeline to compare & contrast the events within their book, with real historical events. We will also continue our focus on different types of conflict, especially within our read aloud, Forge.

Quizlet Week 11 and spelling quizzes on Friday

Science:

Forms of Energy focus: light and thermal energy.

Social Studies:

Week 6 newspaper. Leaders and battles of the American Revolution

Exhibition:

Analyzing quality resources and taking notefacts categorized by causes, effects, or solutions to the problem.

Week 10

• COGAT Testing on Wednesday, 10/31
• November 6 - Report cards go home in Tuesday folders
• November 9 - Early dismissal and PADRES Campout

Math:
We are continuing addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators.
Visual Model of Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Adding and Subtracting Fractions Math Antics
Problem of the day quiz on Friday

English/Language Arts/Reading:
Final week of historical fiction book club meetings. We will also continue to focus on different types of conflict found in literature.
Quizlet Week 10 and spelling quiz on Friday

Science:

This week we will be exploring light with in our forms of energy unit.

Social Studies: 

Advantages and disadvantages of the Revolutionary War. Leaders and important battles of the American Revolution.

Exhibition: 

Finding resources for research and analyzing their content and quality.

Week 9

• Middle school night – Tuesday, October 23rd 6-7:30pm
• Magnet Application window closes December 7
• November 9 - Early Dismissal and PADRES Campout

Math:

Unit Test on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals on Tuesday, October 23rd

Addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators.

Visual Model of Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Adding and Subtracting Fractions Math Antics

Problem of the Day Quiz on Friday

English Language Arts/Reading:

This past week we finished our class novel, Chains, and on Monday, we will begin reading the second book in the trilogy, Forge. We will also continue our second week of the Historical fiction book clubs, and learn about different types of conflict found in books.

Quizlet Week 9 and Spelling quiz on Friday

Science: As we continue to cover forms of energy, this week we will focus on electricity (open/closed circuits and series vs. parallel) and sound energy. Studyjams.com has awesome videos that can help with review, and as always the science journal has everything they need!

https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/topics/zj44jxs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-xKZKxXuu0

Social Studies: Causes and events leading up to the Revolutionary War, Week 5 newspaper

Exhibition: Students will be receiving their groups and topics this week. As a first step in this process, we will be learning about how to identify and properly use reliable resources in research. I ask that they find two resources related to their exhibition topic this week. They may print (or email me) from a website or search in the library for a useful text. Due on Thursday. (Please be sure that if a online article is used that you retain the website address for citation purposes)

Week 8

- Friday, October 19 - International Festival & early dismissal
- Tuesday, October 23rd 6-7:30pm - Middle school night
- Magnet Application window opens September 28th and closes December 7th
- Exhibition topic lists will be going home this week. I ask that you carefully review the ideas that were collected from all 5th grade classes, and select your top 3 choices. I will then begin working on dividing the class into groups so that we can begin the research phase of this important project.

Math: Division of decimals by whole numbers. We will create area models and base ten (quick picture) models to demonstrate the process of finding the quotients of decimals and whole numbers.
Shading Model Divide Decimals by Whole Numbers
Drawing a model for Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers
- Problem Solving Quiz on Friday
- Unit Test on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals on Tuesday, October 23rd

English/Language Arts/Reading: We are starting our second book club this week! The genre for this round of books is historical fiction. We will also be learning about different types of conflict found in books.
-Quizlet Week 8 & Spelling quiz on Friday

Science: Forms of Energy - chemical, mechanical, and electrical (open/closed circuits and series vs parallel). Studyjams.com has awesome videos that your child can watch to help review, and as always the science journal is a great resource to review!
Bill Nye - Energy
Remember, energy is never created nor destroyed, it is only transferred or changed from one form to another!

Social Studies: Causes and events leading up to the Revolutionary War

Week 7

Reminders:
- Pershing Middle School Tour on Tuesday, October 9th - please wear a red Roberts t-shirt
- Early dismissal and International Festival on October 19th
- Middle school night – Tuesday, October 23rd 6-7:30pm
- Magnet Application window opens September 28th and closes December 7th
- Brainstorm Exhibition Project topic ideas at home - real world problems that you feel compelled to take action on

Math:
Multiplication of decimals by other decimals using models and the standard algorithm.
On Friday, we will begin division of decimals by whole numbers (create area models and pictorial models to show the quotients of decimals and whole numbers)  
Shading Model Divide Decimals by Whole Numbers
Drawing a model for Dividing Decimals by Whole Numbers

ELA/Reading:
Book Clubs Projects- “Matchbook” group project, we will start by creating summaries for 20 chapters/sections within the book. Rubric to be given on Monday.
-Quizlet and spelling quizzes on Friday

Science:

We will begin our unit on forms of energy beginning with potential and kinetic energy this week. Studyjams.com has awesome videos for review, and as always the science journal is a excellent reflection and study tool!
Remember!!! Energy doesn't go anywhere...it just takes different forms! ALSO Energy is never created nor destroyed, it is only transferred or changed from one form to another.

Social Studies:

We will be discussing causes and effects of the French and Indian War

Week 6

Reminders:

- Please consider signing up as volunteer at the International Festival
- October 9th Pershing Middle School Tour

- October 19th International Festival & early dismissal

- October 23rd 6-7:30pm Middle School Night

- Magnet Application window opens September 28th and closes December 7th

Math:

Multiplication of decimals by whole numbers and by other decimals. We will also use various models to show decimal multiplication. Problem Solving Quiz on Friday

English/Language Arts/Reading:

- Book Clubs, final meetings this week

- Quizlet Week 6 and spelling on Friday

Science:

Review for unit test on matter this Friday, October 5th

“Bob the Ice Dude” assignment due Monday, October 1st

Steve Spangler's Density Tower

Explanation of Density

Mixtures, Solutions, Solubility

Magnetism, Conductivity

TED-ed Mixtures:

How to Separate Mixtures and Solutions based on Properties

Looking for a fun science project to do this weekend?

https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/homemade-rock-candy/

Social Studies:

13 colonies brochure due on Wednesday, October 3rd

There will be a open note quiz on the 13 colonies on Thursday.

Week 5

Reminders:

- Roberts Elementary School Climate Survey
- We will tour Pershing Middle School on Tuesday, October 9th. Parents who are interested in joining us as a chaperone for the trip, please email me
- October 19 - Early release (11:30am) and International Festival
- October 23 - Middle school night 6-7:30pm
- September 28th - Magnet application window opens (closes December 7)

Math:

- On Monday we will review for the unit 1 test. Math notebooks are an excellent study tool, as well as previous blog post tutorial videos, and the Go Math book. The test will cover prime & composite numbers, simplifying fractions, mixed & improper fractions, multiplication (2 by 3 digit numbers) and division (2 digit divisors with remainders), compatible numbers, expanded form and notation, and decimal place value (to the thousandths place). Test on Tuesday.

- On Wednesday we will begin learning how to add and subtract decimal numbers to the thousandths place value.

- Problem of the day quiz on Friday

English/Language Arts/Reading:

Book Clubs - as a reminder, students have book club work to complete everyday. Any work that does not get finished in class, becomes homework. Students are expected to read the assigned pages and complete their job in their book club notebook daily. Descriptions of job requirements and a grading rubric can be found in that notebook, and reading assignments and a schedule of jobs are marked on the green bookmarks. We have had many (too many) conversations about how jobs must be complete before the day of the meeting, and they must show 5th grade (or higher!!!) effort/quality. This is imperative, as each member of the book club relies on their group. When a job is incomplete or of sloppy/poor quality, it negatively impacts the group as a whole.

Week 5  Quizlet and spelling on Friday

Science:

This week’s focus will be on mixtures and solutions and how to separate them.

We will be starting our “Bob the Ice Dude” project on Monday and it will be due the following Monday, October 1st

Steve Spangler's Density Tower

Explanation of Density

Mixtures, Solutions, Solubility

Magnetism, Conductivity

TED-ed Mixtures:

How to Separate Mixtures and Solutions based on Properties

Studyjams You will see scrolling topics under science.  Find the one on Matter. The three videos I suggest are: Properties of Matter, Solids Liquids Gases, and Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter.

Social Studies:

13 colonies brochure project - In groups, students will be creating a brochure inviting others to come live in New England, Middle Colonies, or Southern Colonies.

Week 4

Reminders:

Early dismissal - September 21st

Math:

This week will cover place value to the thousandths place, rounding and estimating with decimals, comparing and ordering decimals, and rewriting fractions as decimals. We will review the following topics on Friday for a unit test on Monday, Sept. 24:

• multiplying and dividing powers of 10
• multiplying and dividing whole numbers
• prime and composite numbers
• decimal expanded notation
• rounding and estimating decimals
• comparing and ordering decimals
• rewriting fractions as decimals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JB3bNfLqEM  Decimal place value

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MIn3zFkEcc Rounding decimals to the tenths place

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jcW-ZgpRbM Base 10 fractions to decimals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do_IbHId2Os Convert fractions to decimals

* Problem of the Day Quiz on Friday

English/Language Arts/Reading:

Book Clubs! We started our first book for book club this week. Each student was assigned a novel with their group, and we plotted out a reading schedule on their green bookmarks. It is imperative that all group members read to the exact page assigned (no reading ahead or falling behind), come with their job completed in their book club notebook, and are ready to engage in conversation each day. The book club notebook has a blue paper glued in with an explanation of each job and its requirements, there is also a white rubric with expectations for the daily meetings.

Within our read aloud novel, Chains, we will focus on honing our summarization skills and use exercises to target and describe the most important events as they come about.

Quizlet Week 4 and spelling quiz on Friday

Science:

Properties of matter - density, electrical conductivity, magnetism, temperature, and solubility.  States of matter - characteristics of a solid, liquid, and gas.

Steve Spangler's Density Tower

Explanation of Density

Mixtures, Solutions, Solubility

Magnetism, Conductivity

TED-ed Mixtures:

How to Separate Mixtures and Solutions based on Properties

Studyjams You will see scrolling topics under science.  Find the one on Matter. The three videos I suggest are: Properties of Matter, Solids Liquids Gases, and Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter.

Social Studies:

Colonial America. We will learn about why each of the 13 colonies were settled and what economic strengths each colony had.

Week 3

Reminders:

• No school on September 10th
• Curriculum Night/Open House will be September 13th at 6pm
• Early dismissal on September 21st

Math:
Powers of 10 division
Estimation with 2 digit divisors
Division of compatible numbers
Division with two digit divisors (Example: 576 divided by 18) Math Antics
- Problem Solving Quiz on Friday
- Please continue to practice multiplication fact fluency!

English/Language Arts/Reading:

Continue Chains read aloud, quiz on Thursday.

We will begin our first book club this week, I am so excited!
- Reading Daily (minimum of 20 minutes of reading)
- Week 3 Quizlet and spelling quizzes on Friday

Science:

We are beginning our unit on matter and its properties…. what matter is, what it isn't, the main states of matter, and changes in states. StudyJams has some great videos to review. You will see scrolling topics under science, click on matter. The three videos I suggest are: “Properties of Matter,” “Solids Liquids Gases,” and “Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter.”

Social Studies:

We are continuing our unit on early explorers and also covering essential map skills, which despite technological advances, is good for all to know! Our explorer/colonist essay will be due on Wednesday. As a reminder, you are writing home to your king or queen (Spain, England, or France) and explaining the details of your voyage, and what you’ve encountered since arriving in this “new world.” Please display your knowledge this time period and of the 3 F’s or 3 G’s of exploration. Be as creative in your final product as possible, this is our first display project of the year!

Week 2

What a great first week this has been! I already know this is going to be an awesome year!

Reminders:

• Parents, please remind your students how they will be going home each day.
• No school on Labor Day, September 3rd
• No school on September 10th
• Curriculum Night/Open House will be September 13th at 6pm
• Early dismissal on September 21st

What’s coming up this week?

Math:

1. Prime, composite, factors
2. Multiplying by powers of 10
3. Multiplying by 2-3 digit numbers (Check out these helpful videos!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ5qLWP3Fqo & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVYwunbpMHA
4. Estimation with 2 digit divisors
5. Division of compatible numbers

• Fluency with multiplication facts is crucial in fifth grade. Please continue to practice from home! Multiplication Practice Games  
• Our weekly problem solving quiz will take place on Fridays. Students took their first “practice quiz” last week, but going forward, these will be graded. The weekly quizzes directly reflect the “problem of the day”  and “exit ticket” questions we practice M-Th. 

English Language Arts (ELA):

• Continue reading “Chains” aloud as a class
• Letter writing
• Daily independent reading (while individual reading assessments take place)
• Content vocabulary quiz Quizlet: Week 2
• Spelling quiz on Friday - Leveled lists will be distributed on Tuesday

Science:

• Scientific Method (variables, controls, experimental design) and Science Tools

Social Studies:

• Age of Discovery
• Early Civilizations
• Migration to the New World
• Letter to Spain/England/France 

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