Weeks of December 13 and December 20

We started to use our class wikispace (https://coburnrm27.wikispaces.com/) to share ideas, thoughts, create and collaborate. The space gives each student a page to share their work as well as other pages to share thoughts, research and complete a project.  We discussed the use of the space and using our Second Step skills and Coburn Respect rules when using the space.

Also we used a new 2.0 tool, Symbaloo,  for our research on Washington DC.  This gives students websites to visit without having to surf the internet.  See below.

Week of December 6.

We used a new web tool, Awesome Screenshot.  This app allows us to capture and annotate our work. We can show our work as we solve a problem or peer edit.   Then we share our work with each other and make comments.   See examples below.

Reminders:
Early release Tuesday, December 10
Half Day Friday, December 20

Weeks of November 22 and November 29

We continued our work on a fictional narrative.  Students brainstormed ideas, completed a graphic organizer and started a draft.  In reading we revisited and worked on how to answer open response questions, specifically organizing our response and adding specific details from the text to support our answer.  In science we used the new tech book to complete an assignment on earthquakes.   In math we continued multiplication, using arrays, expanded algorithm and standard algorithm to multiply 2 digit numbers.  In social studies we started our study of Washington DC monuments.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

Below are some examples of animoto videos created from rocks and minerals research.

cool rock's

Rocks 2

rock and minerals

Weeks of November 8 and November 15

We started the school wide read of One Thousand Tracings by Lita Judge.  The theme of the book is about acts of kindness.  Students will be recognized for acts of kindness with a tracing of a shoe which will be displayed in the school.   This book goes along with our How Full is Your Bucket book.  We want to continue to reinforce students and staff to be nice to each other. We finished a writing piece about a family tradition.  Students enjoyed sharing the traditions they celebrate with each other.  In reading we started our study of historical fiction.  The One Thousand Tracings book was a nice lead into it.   We will write at least one fictional narrative for writing.  In science we just started using the new Discovery Education tech book.  This is an online book and we are very excited about it.  All students have a password and user name.
 In math we took the October test and have started multiplying larger numbers.   Also we have been using the netbooks to complete problems.  Some examples below.

Reminders: 
Early release Tuesday, November 19
Half Day, Wednesday, November 27
No School, Thursday-Friday, November 28-29 Thanksgiving recess

Week of October 25

This week students created a graphic organizer using Google drawing about the New England States.   In addition we continue to work on JA Skinner State Park brochures.  In math we continued to use Google drawing to create and solve problems.  We shared our problems with each other as well as comment on the work.  In ELA we focused on character development and setting.  We continued to work on a piece of writing about time we were helpful.   At the end of the week we used a checklist with the addition of character, setting, use of predicate expanders and strong verbs added to our rubric.
 In second step we talked about verbal and physical cues in understanding how someone feels.  We observed each other's reactions to a picture.  Part of the class looked at the picture on the smart board while the rest of us observed their reactions without knowing what they were looking at. This lesson we will use next week when we talk about "show don't tell" in our writing.   Instead of telling the reader "I was excited", we will describe excited such as "I jumped up and down with my arms in the air".
The use of the "Bucket" in the classroom has had a positive effect on our behavior.  We are writing more drops for each other.  We have 24/25 loops to reach our monthly goal.  We hope to get that last loop for our class reward before the end of the month.  I think the reward will be pickled eggs.  Everyone loves pickled eggs!

Almost finished product of brochure:

 

Weeks of October 11 and October 18

We started to create brochures for JA Skinner State Park using Publisher.  Students researched on the web and used their own experience from their journal to create the brochure.  Also we completed a writing piece using a checklist which focused on organization, a lead, transitional words/phrases and spelling.  In reading we continued our genre study of realistic fiction and a focus on character, setting and plot.
In math each student has his/her IXL account.  This site has opportunities for students to practice and master skills in both math and language arts.
Students were introduced to Google Drawing.  This is in their Google Drive and it is a great way for students to show their learning in a creative way.  See examples below.

Week of October 4

We had our trip to JA Skinner State Park.  It was a beautiful day to hike and learn.  The view from the top of Mt. Holyoke was incredible.  We were able to see Mt. Greylock, Mt. Monadnock, Springfield, and Hartford.  We would like to thank Ms. Traub,  Regional Environmental Education Coordinator, for teaching us about rocks and the formation of the park.