Week of 12/14/2014

Check out this week's newsletter & home study link

ELA Homework:

1. Reading 25 minutes each night

2. Write about your Reading - Google Doc

Candini Homeroom Document

Devlin Homeroom Document

3. Word Study Activities

Word Lists

Bonus:

• Winter Story Contest! (Due 12/19)
• Book Group Newspaper
• Book Review
• Create your own educational song/music video (ex. All About Those Books)
• Keyboarding practice

Week of 12/8/2014

Newsletter & home study link

ELA Homework

1. Read 25 minutes each night

2. Google Doc - Writing About Reading

Candini Homeroom Document

Devlin Homeroom Document

3. Word Study Activities

Bonus:
Winter Story Contest

Week of 12/1/14

ELA Homework:
Newsletter & Home Study Link

1. Reading 25 minutes

2. Google Doc Reading Homework:
Candini Homeroom Reading Homework
Devlin Homeroom Reading Homework

3. Word Study Activities

4. Word Study Quiz - Friday

Week of 11/24/2014

Don't forget Tuesday's field trip to Harvard Peabody Museum!

• Pack a lunch
• wear comfortable clothing

ELA Homework

1. Reading 25 minutes

2. Complete Turkey Disguise & Persuasive Letter to Farmer McNasty

3. Make a card & Bring in items for Sgt. Patterson & Medic Crew

4.  Complete Field Trip 3-2-1

Week of 11/17/2014

ELA Homework

1. 25 minutes Reading - each night

2. The Mayans - Read, answer MC & ORQ

3. Word Study Activities 

4. Student Handbook Signatures

5. Holiday Box for the Troops

4. Turkey Disguise Project - due Tues. 11/24
           Paragraph 1: What you are & why you would not make a good Thanksgiving dinner
           Paragraph 2: Describe your disguise (write as if the turkey is talking)
           Paragraph 3: Try to convince your reader to have something different for dinner

Week of 11/10/2014

ELA homework:

1. Reading 25 minutes - every night

2. Meet A Soldier - Veteran’s Day Reading - due Friday

3. Homophones - due Friday
             **Homophones are words that sound the same but are                         spelled differently and have different meanings.
                        ex.  week, weak
                               meet, meat

Week of 11/3/2014

This week's newsletter and home study link

**Don't forget, we are heading to Gillette Stadium for our first field trip of the Year! Be sure to arrive at school on time - we are leaving promptly at 9:00 a.m.  Also, remember to pack a lunch!

ELA homework

1.  25 minutes of reading each night

2. Google Doc Reading Homework
Candini Reading Homework
Devlin Reading Homework

3. Gillette Field Trip Reflection

4. Commas

Week of 10/27/14

Check out this week’s newsletter

Home Study Link

1. Reading 25 minutes each night

2. Google Doc - reading homework
Candini Homeroom - Google Doc

Devlin Homework - Google Doc

3. Adding detail to sentences

4. Word Study Activities

Group 1 Word List

Group 2 Word List

Group 3 Word List

For Candini students only: We are up next to host Monday Assembly! If you would like to be an emcee or usher, please sign up using this link.

Field Trip Permission Slip for Gillette Stadium & Harvard Peabody Museum 11/4 & 11/25

Week of 10/20/14

Check out this week's newsletter for updates and happenings!

Home Study Link

ELA Homework:

1. Reading 25 minutes each night

2.  Adverbs 1 & 2 due Friday

3. Reading Homework - Google Doc - Asking Questions - due Friday
Candini Homeroom Google Doc
Devlin Homeroom Google Doc

4. Word Study Activities (Lists are uploaded to Spelling City)

5. Word Study Quiz - Friday

Bonus: Fall Story Contest - Due October 28th

Tech Crew Are you interested in Tech Crew? If so, have your parents sign you up!  There are 2 spots left. Tech Crew Sign Up

Book Fair 
Our class will be attending the Scholastic Book Fair on Thursday

Homework - Week of 10/14/14

Check out this week's newsletter 

ELA Homework:

Use this Homework Organizer to help you map out and make a plan for your homework. 

1. Read 25 minutes each night

2. Word Study Homework (due Friday)
    *Remember to do your activities in your Word Study Notebook to get credit! 
    *Word Study Activity List
    *Spelling City Activities
    
3.  Vivid Verbs (Due Friday) - 
     * For Vivid Verbs II - you do not have to play this as a game - you may simply list synonym verbs for the headings.

4.  Writing About Reading
    *The Google Doc is back!  Last week, we learned how to lift lines.   This week you will be practicing this with your at home reading.   Remember, we talked about how to use post-its to mark your thinking if you do your reading at night or away from the computer.  

Candini Homeroom Reading Homework
Devlin Homeroom Reading Homework

5. Bonus: Fall Writing ContestFall Writing Contest & Story Organizer - Due Tuesday, October 28th. 

*Continue with additional research at home for the Explorers Report Card project.  

Week of 10/6/14

Please take a couple minutes to review this week's newsletter and homework link

This week's ELA homework:

1. Reading 25 minutes each night

2.  Active Adjectives (2 pgs.) - Due Friday

3. Comprehension Packet Lesson 4 - Due Friday

4. Word Study Activities - Due Friday
      **Today in class we reviewed that word study homework should be completed in your word study notebooks.  By doing so, you provide evidence of practicing your words.  Remember, if you use any of the online activities at Spelling City, you must get a parent signature in your notebook.
     **In addition, today we discussed conducting word hunts in your independent reading books for words that follow the same pattern or rule as your word study words.  A good strategy to keep track of these words is by using a post it.  You can then stick your post it right into your word study notebook!  I'll be looking for these on Friday! :)

Word Lists
Greek & Latin Number Prefixes
Unaccented Final Syllables (cher, ture, sure, ure)
Short and Long U

5. Word Study Quiz on Friday

*Added on Tuesday - In Social Studies class we are kicking off our Explorers unit.  Mrs. Devlin's class had a chance today to do a bit of research to streamline their decisions on which explorer they'd like to research. Be sure to have a decision for class on Thursday!! If you need help, see me on Wednesday!

*Electronic copy of homework to uploaded tomorrow*

Week of  9/29/2014

Please take a look at this week's newsletter for classroom updates!

ELA Homework for this week:

1. Reading 25 minutes (each night)

2.  Reading Comprehension Packet - Lesson 2 (Due Friday)

3. Nouns - pgs. 9 & 10 (Due Friday)

4.  Word Study Activities (word lists will go home on Tuesday)

*Discuss Autumn observations with your families to help you gather ideas for your Fall Day Writing this week.  This can be done at dinner, in the car, while going for a bike ride - you name it!

**Bonus: In class, we have talked at length about what keeps us reading. One reoccurring theme is reading books that have been recommended to us. A great way to recommend a book to your peers is by completing one these fun activities/projects.

*Electronic Copy of this week's homework

Play Dough Writing

Last week, we learned that a Writer is Like a Sculptor because they both go through similar process to create a final piece! We learned that the stages of the writing process are:

1. Pre-writing/brainstorming
2. Drafting
3. Editing
4. Revising
5. Publishing

Be sure to include:

*Provide a description of your design

*You may provide a story/background

*I learned that a writer is like a sculptor because…

*My favorite part of this activity was…

Click here for google presentation 

See the example below:

Meet Olaf the Pencil Holder! Olaf’s favorite color is icy blue and he loves to sport his favorite blue scarf! He comes from the chilly habitat of the North Pole! I learned that a writer is like a sculptor because they both..... My favorite part of this activity was molding the play dough in to different designs.

Week of 9/22/14

It's officially Fall! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed what will probably be the the last weekend of summer-like weather! :)

ELA Homework for this week:

1. Reading 25 minutes each night

2. Reading Comprehension Packet (due Friday)

3. Analogies - pgs. 58 & 60 (due Friday)

4. Nouns - pgs. 5, 6 (due Friday)

Bonus: Create your own analogies!

*THERE ARE NO READING PARAGRAPHS THIS WEEK*
*No Word Study this week

Electronic Copy of HW

Word Study

Today, we introduced word study and met in small groups to review words, set up word study notebooks, and discuss homework.  

For homework, students have different options for the activities they'd like to use to practice their words.  They have glued the overview of the activities into their word study notebooks.  We completed the first in class together.  They are required to choose 2 activities from the list and must do a practice quiz on Thursday.  All of their work will be done in their word study notebooks. 

Other options include writing the words on a whiteboard, building their words with scrabble tiles or Bananagrams, or doing some online activities through spellingcity.com.  This week's word lists have been uploaded and can be accessed on the homepage.  

*Be sure to get a parent signature if you do your work on a whiteboard, build your words with tiles, or practice on spelling city.

Let me know if you have any questions :)

Week of 9/15

**Don't forget - Thursday is Picture Day :)

This week's newsletter

ELA Homework:
1. Reading 25 minutes each night

2. Write about your reading:
Ms. Candini's Homeroom Reading Homework
Ms. Devlin's Homeroom Reading Homework

*Remember, the reading homework document has been shared with your student google account. You can also access it under your "shared with me" file.

3.  Word Study will be introduced on Tuesday. You will have choices for homework.  You must complete 4 activities all together. There will be a quiz on Friday.  Word Study Homework

4.  On Friday, we will be doing an activity that requires play dough! This week for homework, please "cook up" a batch of play dough. Check out the link for ingredients and directions! If you do not have cream of tarter, I'm more than happy to provide some. Please just let me know! Play dough is due on Thursday.  Letter to Parents - Play Dough Ingredients & Instructions

Week of 9/8 

Check out this week's newsletter!

ELA homework:

Read at least 25 minutes each night

Due Friday:

Read through the Student Handbook with your family and sign Student Acknowledgement Page 

Write About your Reading:

Candini Reading Homework

Devlin Reading Homework

Analogies Page 1

Analogies Page 2

If you have any questions, be sure to check in with me! 

I have received a few requests for this year's school supply list. Here it is! 

5th Grade Supply List

• One 1.5” binder (heavy duty)
• 2 marble composition books
• 1 spiral notebook with grid paper labeled “Math” (add first and last name too)
• 1 spiral notebook with lined paper labeled “STEAM Notes: Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math.” (also add first and last name)
• 1 Spiral notebook titled, STEAM Stars’ Inspiration (add first and last name)
• An easy-traveling plastic zip lock bag, box, or other container with the following supplies
• 1 zip-pencil case (for binder)
• 1 package of thin line colored markers
• 1 package fat colored markers
• 1 pack of 24 pencils
• 3 rolls of scotch tape
• 2 hand-held pencil sharpeners
• 12-inch ruler with inches & centimeters
• scissors
• 4 colored pens for correcting
• 1 set of earphones in a ziplock bag labeled with your name
• 5 two-pocket folders (red, green, yellow, blue, purple)

Our classroom would be grateful for any donations of:

• hand sanitizer
• tissues
• lysol wipes
• ziplock bags (sandwich & gallon)

Welcome to Fifth Grade!

It was a great first day of of Fifth Grade in Room 12! I am so looking forward to this school year and all of the wonderful learning and fun that we will have!  Please take a look at the newsletter and home study links below (hard copies were sent home today).

Team 12/14 Newsletter

Home Study Link

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

Chris Van Allsburg

Harris Burdick Link

Each of the following images has a story.  As a matter of fact, each one has many stories.

You're invited to add yours.  Please look through the pictures and decide which one speaks to you.  

Compose a story, and tell us what the real mystery is about! Incorporate the caption in your story.

Have fun!

Week of 5/27/2014

I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day Weekend! Don't forget, we have a field trip on Thursday. Walking Tour of Boston! To get ready for our trip, please use the link below to visit Ben Edward's website and answer a few questions. This should be done before Thursday.  

Field Trip Homework

April 28, 2014

Biography Project - Website

HW Cover Page

Important Upcoming Dates:

Thursday, May 1st - Break Dancing Show

Monday, May 5th - Math MCAS

Wednesday, May 7th - Math MCAS

Monday, May 12th - Science MCAS

Wednesday, May 14th Science MCAS

Friday, June 13th - Biography Presentation (HH Gymnasium) @ 9:00 a.m.

Monday, April 14, 2014

The only homework for this week is to complete your iBook App Manuals.  Don't forget, these are due on Thursday, April 17th.  

Use the flipcharts we looked at in class to help you! 

April 7, 2014

Homework Cover Page

5th Graders at Happy Hollow are completing a cool take on a reading project! They are working on creating an iPad App manual for their chosen book.  Students may work on this at home and during free time at school.  This project is due on Thursday, April 17th.   Looking forward to seeing the final products!

iPad Manual

It's almost here! As part of the fifth grade curriculum, students select a famous person who has made a difference in the world to research.  This is the culminating 5th grade project and is lots of fun!  Stay tuned for more updates.  Check out the link below for your selection sheet (due Friday) and the biography list. Have fun!

Biography Selection

Biography List

Monday, March 31, 2014

Can you believe tomorrow is April! I sure can't, especially with this weather!

Homework Cover page


A special part of 5th grade is the Memory Book! At the end of the school year, each 5th grader will have a memory book full of pictures and memories of their time in elementary school.  As part of your homework this week, you will write a paragraph describing your favorite memory at Happy Hollow.  Use the link below to submit your paragraph. Be sure to proofread before submitting - it will be published in the book!

5th Grade Memory Book Link

Monday, March 22, 2014

First of all, I have to give a big shout out to Happy Hollow's fifth graders for their hard work on the MCAS last week. They were focused and showed excellent perseverance - way to go! 

This week we are starting a new unit in Social Studies - Colonial American & the American Revolution. This is one of my favorite units to teach! Check out the website Mrs. Mattson and I made for this unit. It's under construction but will continue to be developed as we work through this unit.  It's full of resources for you!

Homework for this week:

Tuesday - No band lessons
Friday - No strings ensemble

Homework Cover Page

Who Wants to be a Colonist? Readers Theater
Who Wants to be a Colonist - Questions

DOODLE 4 GOOGLE

Ask your child about the Doodle 4 Google contest! This is an optional contest that gives kids across America a chance to design a Google Logo!  They were given a template for their design today and are required to create a doodle that includes the theme, "If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place..."  Submissions are due on Thursday! All submissions require a parent signature!

Check out the link for more information: DOODLE 4 GOOGLE

Steps for Answering an Open Response Question

1.             Read the passage. What genre is it? What is it about?

2.           Read the ORQ – Rephrase the question in your own words

3.           Reread the passage

4.           Underline evidence to help you answer the question

    5.    Plan your OR
    6.    Answer ORQ

ORQ Checklist

______ I understand the question

______ I answered the question accurately

______ I have a topic sentence

______ I have 4 examples of evidence from the text (in the text it says, in paragraph 7 it states, etc.)

______I elaborated with my own thinking (this shows, this means, this proves, this illustrates, etc.)

Multiple Choice Strategies

There are 3 kinds of Multiple Choice Questions:

Right there - answer is stated in the text

Inference - you have to use the clues in the text and your background knowledge for find the answer

My Mind - the answer is going to come from your own knowledge

Strategies for answering Multiple Choice Questions: