Peek At The Week

The kids are definitely excited for upcoming events this month!

We had another great week of learning together.

In Math, we solved a lot of story problems for addition and subtraction. We learned to use tens and ones for adding and keeping the number whole for subtraction. They are really catching on quickly and they are able to solve problems faster, which is great!

In Science, we played Reptile Jeopardy to review for the test. It was the Snazzy Snapping Turtles against the Cool Crocodilians. It was a very close score and the students definitely studied. We took our reptile test on Wednesday and everyone did an excellent job.

This week we went to the computer lab and Mrs. Weldon taught us how to log in to the computers using a special id number and we also logged into our own gmail accounts. Then the students used Google Docs to type up a descriptive paragraph they each had written about me. Some were able to finish and bring the paragraph home today, but others still need to finish typing.  Soon they’ll learn how to share their documents with me too!

It was nice to have them practice their typing skills and getting used to logging in to use the computers. Plus, they certainly knew a lot about me! J

Have a wonderful weekend! We might even see some snow!

-Mrs. Farrand J

Peek At The Week

 What a nice way to start the week. I had a great time speaking with all of you about your child’s progress. They are all making very nice progress.

In Math, we learned a new game called Close to 20. The students had to lay out 5 cards from the deck and choose 3 cards that will get them the closest to 20. The player with the lowest score after 5 rounds wins. It was definitely the luck of the draw for some players. They had fun! We also solved number strings and took a short assessment that was sent home in their backpack folders today. We also practiced flash cards with near doubles. (ex: 5+4 or 9+8)

*See Fun Photos

In Science, we learned fun facts about lizards. We also read about lizards and salamanders. We then compared lizards and salamanders using a Venn Diagram. We learned that there are no lizards living in Burlington.

We also learned about the 5 Burlington reptiles. They are the spotted turtle, snapping turtle, water snake, garter snake, and black racer snake. We made a mini book to help us remember. We also presented our reptile reports. All the students had really interesting facts to share with the class and did a great job on their presentations.

The students took home their reptile folders today and also the study guide for the reptile test next Wednesday. Please help your child study for the test.

In Writing, we practiced writing friendly letters to our parents. Look for your child’s letter in their backpack folder today.

We had a fun time with our 5^th grade buddies today. Miss C read everyone a story and then they wrote an acrostic poem about December.

Also, if you would like to order any Scholastic Books, please order by December 14th.

Have a great weekend!

-Mrs. Farrand J

Peek At The Week

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your family! We had another super week!

In Math, we started Unit 3 called Stickers, Number Strings, and Story Problems. We started by talking about the order of adding numbers. We also solved number strings by looking for combinations of ten or doubles, since those are easier to solve first.

We played a new game called Beat the Calculator to help solve number strings too. The students took turns being “The Brainiac” or “The Calculator Kid.”  It was fun to see who could solve the problems first.

*See Fun Photos

In Science, Miss P from the Science Center delivered a new, cute class pet. It is a 3 month old snapping turtle named Crush. We are so excited to have him in our class!  We watched a video called All About Reptiles to see how many new facts we learned. We also learned about crocodilians. We read about alligators and crocodiles. Then we used the information to compare them using a Venn Diagram.

In Writing, we worked on descriptive paragraph writing. The students had to use senses to describe me and then they drew a picture. They did a nice job painting a picture for the reader. They certainly know a lot about me! We will type them up soon when we visit the computer lab.

In Reading, my groups read about Squanto and Pocahontas. We answered questions about each story and compared the books too. We also finished Unit 5 in Fundations.

In the Backpack Folders today there is a special notice about a reading club after school with Mrs. Warford for grade 2 and 3. It sounds like it will be really fun! Please check the blue flyer for more information.

Thanks so much for visiting our school Book Fair and thank you for purchasing some books from my wish list for the classroom. I love getting new books to share!

The last day to buy books at school will be on Monday, December 3^rd during conferences. It is open in the morning until 3:30 p.m.

Have a fantasic weekend!

-Mrs. Farrand J

Peek At The Week

We had another fast and fabulous week!

In Math, we worked on more mirror symmetry using pattern blocks and creating a construction paper shape creation. We also made symmetrical turkeys. It was challenging, but fun! We have finished Unit 2 on shapes and geometry and will begin Unit 3 after we return from Thanksgiving break.

*See Fun Photos

In Writing, we wrote descriptive paragraphs about a special person that we know well and we are thankful for. I modeled this by writing about my husband. They liked this! First, they made a list of things they see, hear, and know about the person before writing. They did a nice job describing their special person to paint a picture with words for the reader.

*Check their backpack folder

We had Library on Tuesday and found out that our school Book Fair will be taking place the week after Thanksgiving. We will be attending the Book Fair during our normal scheduled time on Tuesday 11/27 at 9:30 a.m.

You can send in money for your child to buy books.

     The Book Fair will also be open during parent conferences on Monday, Dec. 3^rd or you can order books online at scholastic.com/fair 

You will click on Massachusetts, then Burlington, then Memorial Elementary School.

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving! I am certainly thankful for each student in my class!

-Mrs. Farrand J

Peek At The Week

We had a short week, but it was fun filled!

In Math, we took an addition fact test. They only get 2 ½ minutes to solve 30 problems. The students are getting better, so I think the Xtra Math online is helping! We also worked to groups to show the area of different rectangles. They worked nicely together. We also learned about mirror symmetry. I read a book called Let’s Go Fly A Kite as an introduction to symmetry. Then we chose 4 objects to create that were all symmetrical. They will be bringing them home today.

*See Fun Photos

In Science, we continued learning about reptiles. We focused on turtles this week by reading a turtle types poem. We also read about sea turtles and made a sea turtle life cycle. We even had a star reader read about a sea turtle’s journey.

In Writing, we worked on Leader/Follower ideas and wrote friendly letters to our parents about our week. We tried to use good details. I think they did a fabulous job! Look for the letters in their backpack folder today.

We also earned another 25 class compliments, so we voted and got to have extra recess outside. What a great way to celebrate our accomplishment! My class works so hard!

I am so proud!

Have a fabulous weekend!

-Mrs. Farrand J

Peek At The Week

We had another great week of learning together!

In Math, we practiced building rectangles with tiles and we wrote rectangle riddles for other students to solve. It was fun to try and solve all the riddles! We also took some assessments about what is a rectangle is and how many faces are on a shape. We made rectangular prism boxes with a partner too! They used great teamwork!

*See Fun Photos

In Science, we started a new unit on reptiles. They knew a lot of facts and were so excited to learn more, which is wonderful! We went over the special reptile characteristics and learned about the four main groups. The four groups are turtles, crocodilians, snakes, and lizards. We also made a cool folder and sorted reptiles into different categories. We read some cool books too!

In Writing, we worked on persuasive writing. We talked about our opinions and how we can try to convince someone else to think the way we do. Next, we chose a topic from a cup such as crayons or staplers. Then we wrote about how useful the objects are and why we are thankful for them. They all did a nice job with their ideas!

*See Fun photos

In Reading, my groups are wrapping up Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears and Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon. We are working on sequencing a story and comparing and contrasting using a Venn diagram.

We also read books with our 5^th grade buddies!

In the backpack folders today you will find the Parent Conference Confirmation paper. Please check over your day and time to make sure it still works for you.

Remember there will be no school Monday for Veteran’s Day and then the teachers will have Professional Development on Tuesday, so I will see the students on Wednesday.

I hope you have a wonderful, long weekend!

-Mrs. Farrand  J

Well, we certainly had a wild week of weather!  Here are some things we did in our short week.

In Math, we sorted quadrilaterals and discussed right angles. We also talked about how a shape is a rectangle if it has 4 straight sides and 4 right angles. Also, the students worked with a partner to sort rectangle shapes from biggest to smallest. They used tiles to find the area of each rectangle after they made predictions. They pretended the tiles were pieces of chocolate bars. The students discovered that the tiles helped us to know how to determine the biggest or smallest chocolate bar.

In Science, we wrapped up our science unit on trees and took our tree test. They did a great job. Thank you for helping your child study using the guide. We also did a cool museum walking tour in our classroom to examine and answer questions about our family trees.  It was really fun!  They posters were very creative!

On Wednesday, we had our vocabulary parade. We had so much fun parading around the school as verbs!

*Check the fun photos from this week’s activities.

Today we had a school assembly where the 5^th graders gave us information about President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Next, the students secretly voted and we will know who won the election on Monday. The results should be interesting.

Have a nice weekend!

-Mrs. Farrand J