Winter Break Has Arrived

     Program...check.  Rounding decimals math test...check (and ALL passed with proficiency!).  "Santa" letters...check.  "If I Was a Gift" writing...check.  Last day of school before winter break...check.

     Today we had a "snow in" for an afternoon celebration.  We pretended the electricity was out.  We curled up in blankets next to a "fireplace" and enjoyed the story Santa is Coming to Iowa.  We munched on popcorn and candy canes and sipped on hot chocolate and marshmallows. The students played board games and enjoyed each other.

     Yesterday students responded to the prompt: "If you were a gift, what would you be?  Who would you give yourself to and why."  This prompt created discussion about holidays, traditions, cultures, and celebrations.  We acknowledged all holidays that we were aware of: Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year.  We concluded that this time of the year isn't all about presents.  Rather, it's about love, family, friends, goodwill, and the fun of giving and receiving.  When students responded to the prompt they were told that they needed to choose a gift that would improve the well being of one of their family members.
     I proofread a variety of responses, such as shoes (because their mom only has one quality pair), a car (because their mom's car is unreliable and causes stress), a book (because getting lost in a good book is relaxing), a big dog (because the family misses their dog and they would feel safer with one), a door (because their sister deserves privacy), a vacation (because their family needs a break), a college education (so they can have a house and their mom can have a good job).  Their answers were thoughtful and delightful to read.

     We did a little roll playing and responded to first grade Santa letters.  When we delivered our letters we went into the classrooms above first grade, stomped our feet, jingled bells, and dropped our envelope out the window.  This is a holiday tradition our school has enjoyed for many years.  Below you can see some examples of letters.  They are absolutely adorable!

What have we been up to, you ask?

     I feel like a broken record...we have a lot going on...or maybe it just always feels that way?!  Monday and Tuesday were business as usual.  On Wednesday Mrs. Zahs came to visit our classroom to observe me teach an E.L.A. lesson on main idea.  She was pleased with the student-to-student interaction that was present.  She complimented both student and teacher roles, so we all have something to be proud of!  On Thursday we had hearing checks, fifth grade music program rehearsal, and most importantly, high school students came to teach us Spanish.  Fridays are always madness (good madness...yes, that exists in my room).
     This coming week we are looking forward to our winter program dress rehearsal on Monday and the BIG show on Tuesday; we are hoping you'll be able to join us.  The students are sooo proud of the work they did to memorize songs, lines, and what not.  Honestly, I can't wait to see them perform!  After the excitement of the program fizzles we have two days to jam in some learning before we celebrate with an assembly and classroom parties on Friday.
     There were so many times that my students made me smile this week, and I am truly thankful to have a bunch of talented, fun-loving, adorable, and capable fifth grade students.  Is everything always sunshine and rainbows?  (That's totally a fifth grade thing of me to say; I try to make them giggle with comments like that.)  No, but together we make it work.  And they make me work!  Really, I wonder if they're as tired as I am right now (again, a good kind of tired)...
     Below are some pictures/captions that gives you a little view of our week:

     1.  Fitness Brain Break!  I meant to take a picture of this, but it slipped my mind.  Every morning around 10 o'clock we take a 10 minute fitness break.  During our fitness break we pick six different exercises/stretches to practice.  For example, today we moved around our classroom "track" (around our desks).  Today one meant side shuffle, two = mall walk, three = karaoke, four = lunges, five = jump, and six = slow mo.  We listen to one or two songs on our CD and I roll the die to switch up the movements.  Everyone gets their heart pumping and there is usually a lot of laughter involved.  Sometimes I even join the fun!  We work hard enough that they beg for a drink afterward.
     Although this is a "break" it a valuable, teachable time.  The students are relieved from work with a few minutes to relax, exercise, and learn new movements with their peers.  Our exercises range from burpees to yoga poses.  Ask your child about their favorite exercise!

2.  Here are some of the activities the Spanish students prepared for our class.

3.  Literacy, literacy, literacy.  I want my students to interact with reading grade level texts as frequent as possible.  I want my students to gain research skills.  I want my students to have a solid writing foundation.  I want my students to be comprehensive readers.  I want my students to have an extensive vocabulary.  I want them to learn these skills in a meaningful way so I try to make activities as relatable and powerful as possible.  Here are some techniques I used this week...

It's Good to Be Back in Action!

We were worker bees this week!  We started studying main idea in E.L.A.  Here are our observations for the week:

In science we explored the water cycle.  

We used the following resources: our science textbooks, a website, a short video, an experiment, and finally we created individual "mini projects" (diagrams using craft materials to represent the different components of the water cycle).  Here are some examples of student work...

We aren't currently studying multiplication but as a reminder here is what math looks like in our classroom.  Students are encouraged to find a variety of strategies to solve.  Using the most efficient strategy is preferred, and ultimately the goal is to master standard algorithms.

Also!  We made our classroom craft for Jazzy Jamboree.  Jazzy Jamboree is this coming Tuesday, December 9th.  Come celebrate and fundraise with us!  There will be many family friendly activities and raffle baskets.  The fifth grade basket has a "family fun night" theme.

Bonus pictures for my faithful followers.  A little light into my life...