I've been thinking a great deal about what inspires the 21 kids in my classroom. For some, it's the ability to push themselves and achieve their goals. For others, it may be a specific subject, like Science or Social Studies, or Math. Some may be inspired by a new book or author they've discovered (like "The Name of This Book is Secret" or the author Mary Downing Hahn). Some may be inspired to getting to work on creative projects or using technology, or even the simple act of discussing their point of views on a subject.
I've been thinking about this because, at this point in time, I've realized that every one of my students is INSPIRED to learn... in some area...by some thing...that they are experiencing in school...AND THAT IS WONDERFUL THING!
All of my students seem to be inspired to undertake our newest project. We will writing monthly letters to pen pals who live in a retirement community. We have begun reading a new book, "War With Grandpa," and the students will be learning about the aging process and how it feels to get old as they go through the rest of the year. This is new for me, too, and I am just as inspired as the kids.
This time of year, we are supposed to be reflective and think about what we appreciate and are thankful for. I am thankful that we have coalesced into a tight knit learning community who values learning in different ways and engaging in academic conversations. In the few months that we have been in 5th grade together, EVERYONE has grown so much! I've seen their confidence soar-and that is a wonderful thing.
I am thankful that I LOVE waking up in the morning and coming to a classroom full of kids who love learning and growing. I am inspired by my students!
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
November 5
This week we did our Word Parade. I was elegant: it means to be pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner. We went to two different classes and the office. I was nervous and excited at the same time. I thought everyone did a great job! I wish we could do this again.
This week in class we learned all about Marco Polo.He was a famous merchant.Marco became famous because he wrote in his journal.He wrote all about his travels in his journal.Marco his father and uncle traveled to China on the Silk Road,they brought back many beautiful silks and gems.Unfortunately he died at the age of 70, which is really old for back then.He died of a disease because they didn't have good medicine back then.
This week we presented our Power Point presentation's on nonfiction books. I did hippo's, but other people did things like robots, the Titanic, lizards, pandas, owls, giraffes, camels, and phones! There are bunch, because that's not all! They were all great. I liked them all!
This week in writing we have been working on our Personal Essays. We did surveys to prove our thesis statement. We need three things to prove our point in each sentence with three paragraphs so that's nine sentences in total, its not too long and I think its perfect.
This week in Health we were learning about calories and fat.We were learning about how to find the amount of fat in a certain item. Say you got a cookie and it had 10 grams of fat you would divide the number of grams by 5 to get the amount 2 teaspoons. It may not sound look like much but if you use baking fat to measure it out it looks disgusting. Say you went to Burger King. You could get a Double Whopper with cheese a large fry and a small shake. That is a total of 2,060 calories and 23 teaspoons of fat. That is alot.
This week in class we learned all about Marco Polo.He was a famous merchant.Marco became famous because he wrote in his journal.He wrote all about his travels in his journal.Marco his father and uncle traveled to China on the Silk Road,they brought back many beautiful silks and gems.Unfortunately he died at the age of 70, which is really old for back then.He died of a disease because they didn't have good medicine back then.
This week we presented our Power Point presentation's on nonfiction books. I did hippo's, but other people did things like robots, the Titanic, lizards, pandas, owls, giraffes, camels, and phones! There are bunch, because that's not all! They were all great. I liked them all!
This week in writing we have been working on our Personal Essays. We did surveys to prove our thesis statement. We need three things to prove our point in each sentence with three paragraphs so that's nine sentences in total, its not too long and I think its perfect.
This week in Health we were learning about calories and fat.We were learning about how to find the amount of fat in a certain item. Say you got a cookie and it had 10 grams of fat you would divide the number of grams by 5 to get the amount 2 teaspoons. It may not sound look like much but if you use baking fat to measure it out it looks disgusting. Say you went to Burger King. You could get a Double Whopper with cheese a large fry and a small shake. That is a total of 2,060 calories and 23 teaspoons of fat. That is alot.
Friday, October 25, 2013
October 25, 2013 Group 1
Hello this is a student from Mr. Weinstein's 5th grade class.This week in math we took our chapter 3 math test.It's all about prime factorization,prime numbers,and composite numbers.In math we also learned how to know if a number is divisible by 2,3,5,6,9,and 10.We also played a fun game call click - clack.It was fun.
Hello this an awesome student from Mr. Weinstein's 5th grade class and in science and social studies we have bean learning about ATOMS and vikings. We actually finished our time travel report which was awesome. We also learned about ATOMS, Neutrons and Electrons AND Protons. We also learned that if you split an ATOM in half it would cause a nuclear reaction.This week we also did this thing were we made an ATOM with people witch was really fun. we also learned that you can trade ATOMS with whatever you touch.
Hello this another student from Mr. Weinstein's 5th grade class. In reading we finished reading "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. I will give you a brief summary about it. We found out that a jerk named Julian Albans would not be going to Beecher Prep the next year and the main character,August got SUPER popular by winning the Henry Ward Beecher medal. After that August and his friends got in a picture and soon after even more 5th graders got in the picture soon all the 5th graders took a "grade picture."
After that they all were going home when August mom said "You are a wonder Auggie, you are a wonder."
October 23, 2013 Group 2
Hi I am a student in Mr. Weinstein's fifth grade class. Last week in Social Studies we did a Viking Time Travel Report. We had to pretend we traveled back in time to the era of the Vikings. We gave them an interview. The Vikings lived in the 700's. The Vikings had tons of weapons. A lot of people thought they had horns on there helmets, but they did not.
This week in class we finished a awesome book called "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. I love this author because she makes you feel like you are in the book with August or Via, or who ever else is talking. It's about a boy with a deformed face. His name is August Pullman. This is now my new favorite book. I highly recommend this book to others.
Hi I am a student in Mr. Weinstein's fifth grade class. This week in energy we are learning what is in a battery. We learned how electrons jumping from nucleus to nucleus make electricity and they try to make it even out. When you have a lightbulb and there are two different colors it does not matter which wire you put to it will still run. For Kinetic Energy means moving. Potential Energy means not moving.
This week in class we finished a awesome book called "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio. I love this author because she makes you feel like you are in the book with August or Via, or who ever else is talking. It's about a boy with a deformed face. His name is August Pullman. This is now my new favorite book. I highly recommend this book to others.
Hi I am a student in Mr. Weinstein's fifth grade class. This week in energy we are learning what is in a battery. We learned how electrons jumping from nucleus to nucleus make electricity and they try to make it even out. When you have a lightbulb and there are two different colors it does not matter which wire you put to it will still run. For Kinetic Energy means moving. Potential Energy means not moving.
October 23, 2013 Group 3
This week in math we were working on how to divide large numbers like 1,205 by 2,3,5,6,9, and 10. The rule for 2 is the ones digit is a even number. The rule for 3 is the sum of the digits is a multiple of 2. The rule for 5 is the ones digit has to be 5 or 0. The rule for 6 is the ones digit in the number is even and the sum of the digits is a multiple of 3. The rule for 9 is the sum of the digits is a multiple of 9. And finally the rule for 10 is the ones digit is a 0.
This week "Wonder"by R.J Palacoio is amazing. August,Jack, and Summer are at a school special to celebrate certain kids behave in a jolly kind of way. Mr.Tushman the principal is giving a speech about being kinder than is necessary.At the end of the special Mr.Tushman said August's name for various reasons.And August is getting treated fairly.Then, August's point of view in your life is you should get a standing ovationm.Also August is now just a kid in 5 grade.
This week in writing we were working on our thesis statements. For example mine is "kids should be able to have pets." Then once you have your thesis statement, you have to think of three reasons why you think that. The goal is to convince everyone that you are right and people who disagree with you, are wrong. Once you have your three reasons, you think of mini-stories. You need at least three mini-stories in each section. If you can't think of three mini-stories, on your own, you can ask your class mates. I had to ask two of my friends.
This week "Wonder"by R.J Palacoio is amazing. August,Jack, and Summer are at a school special to celebrate certain kids behave in a jolly kind of way. Mr.Tushman the principal is giving a speech about being kinder than is necessary.At the end of the special Mr.Tushman said August's name for various reasons.And August is getting treated fairly.Then, August's point of view in your life is you should get a standing ovationm.Also August is now just a kid in 5 grade.
This week in writing we were working on our thesis statements. For example mine is "kids should be able to have pets." Then once you have your thesis statement, you have to think of three reasons why you think that. The goal is to convince everyone that you are right and people who disagree with you, are wrong. Once you have your three reasons, you think of mini-stories. You need at least three mini-stories in each section. If you can't think of three mini-stories, on your own, you can ask your class mates. I had to ask two of my friends.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
October 15, 2013
Hi all,
I am hoping to have the students begin updating the classroom blog sometime next week, but until then, I thought I would provide you with an update. ELA has been quite full of quality learning and discussion! We have been busy learning about prefixes and word patterns during our Word Study blocks. In Reading, we continue applying our nonfiction reading skills and the students are in the process of creating nonfiction brochures that incorporate various text and graphic features that they have learned about. In Writing, the students are beginning to develop mini-stories from their own and their classmate's lives to support a thesis statement for their Personal Essays. We have a wide variety of thesis statements this year, including ideas about sports, the environment, amusement parks, food, and pets. The students are very engaged in this process.
In Social Studies, we are finishing up our study of the Vikings. The students are writing "Viking Time Travel Reports" in which they pretend they have traveled back in time to the era of the Vikings and must report back on what they see, incorporating facts that they learned about. In Science, we have finished our unit on Variables and Pendulums and are beginning our study of types and forms of energy and how they transform from one to another.
Math has been quite exciting as the students are learning different ways to solve complex multiplication problems by using factors, multiples and area models. Very soon, we'll begin using traditional algorithm and examining how area models and traditional algorithms are related.
Well, that's the update for you! Have a great week!
Mr. Weinstein
I am hoping to have the students begin updating the classroom blog sometime next week, but until then, I thought I would provide you with an update. ELA has been quite full of quality learning and discussion! We have been busy learning about prefixes and word patterns during our Word Study blocks. In Reading, we continue applying our nonfiction reading skills and the students are in the process of creating nonfiction brochures that incorporate various text and graphic features that they have learned about. In Writing, the students are beginning to develop mini-stories from their own and their classmate's lives to support a thesis statement for their Personal Essays. We have a wide variety of thesis statements this year, including ideas about sports, the environment, amusement parks, food, and pets. The students are very engaged in this process.
In Social Studies, we are finishing up our study of the Vikings. The students are writing "Viking Time Travel Reports" in which they pretend they have traveled back in time to the era of the Vikings and must report back on what they see, incorporating facts that they learned about. In Science, we have finished our unit on Variables and Pendulums and are beginning our study of types and forms of energy and how they transform from one to another.
Math has been quite exciting as the students are learning different ways to solve complex multiplication problems by using factors, multiples and area models. Very soon, we'll begin using traditional algorithm and examining how area models and traditional algorithms are related.
Well, that's the update for you! Have a great week!
Mr. Weinstein
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Welcome Back! August 29, 2013
Greetings everyone!
We're off to a FANTASTIC start this year and our class has been working very hard to build a strong learning community. We spent 1.5 hours today creating a set of values for our class and then turning those into rules that will help everyone be successful. The first week is always about building community and routine, and everyone has been pulling together to participate and learn. I have been very impressed at how seriously the children are taking their responsibility of being role models for the rest of the school. I am also encouraged by the depth of discussions that we have had about what being "fair" really means, and how it doesn't mean equal, but it means that everyone gets what they need to be successful.
We're off to a great start, and I can't wait to see what these students can achieve...our journey together is just beginning!
Mr. Weinstein
We're off to a FANTASTIC start this year and our class has been working very hard to build a strong learning community. We spent 1.5 hours today creating a set of values for our class and then turning those into rules that will help everyone be successful. The first week is always about building community and routine, and everyone has been pulling together to participate and learn. I have been very impressed at how seriously the children are taking their responsibility of being role models for the rest of the school. I am also encouraged by the depth of discussions that we have had about what being "fair" really means, and how it doesn't mean equal, but it means that everyone gets what they need to be successful.
We're off to a great start, and I can't wait to see what these students can achieve...our journey together is just beginning!
Mr. Weinstein
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 21, 2013
I write this post as my students are writing their last Friday Letter Home to their parents. It's has been an absolutely fantastic year and I am so thankful that I was able to work with such a wonderful group of young people. I have them watched them grow into fully independent learners who will always push themselves to do their best.
Last night at our graduation ceremony, I asked them to remember two things from fifth grade: The first was to remember that "you can do anything you set your mind to!" The students learned this firsthand during our Wax Museum. The second thing is a quote from our favorite read aloud book called "Wonder." That quote is to be "kinder than is necessary." I share those with you because they are life lessons and are important for everyone, not just my students this year.
Best of luck, enjoy your summer, and we'll be back next fall with a new round of entries from new students.
Last night at our graduation ceremony, I asked them to remember two things from fifth grade: The first was to remember that "you can do anything you set your mind to!" The students learned this firsthand during our Wax Museum. The second thing is a quote from our favorite read aloud book called "Wonder." That quote is to be "kinder than is necessary." I share those with you because they are life lessons and are important for everyone, not just my students this year.
Best of luck, enjoy your summer, and we'll be back next fall with a new round of entries from new students.
Friday, May 31, 2013
May 31, 2013
This week in school we started reading a new book called "Dead End In Norvelt" by Jack Gantos. The book is about a boy who causes a little mischief so far. In one part he is playing with a shotgun that was he dads and trying to shoot china men at the screen and the gun goes off! It's a very good book! I would recommend it to my friends!
Hello there I am a student in Mr.Weinstein's 5th grade class. today I am going to be teaching you on how to create a blade on a windmill. First off you need an Popsicle stick. That will be the base of the blade. Next you need a small piece of paper or an index card. You then need to tape it to the Popsicle stick. After that attach the blade to a foam ball therefore creating your first blade on your windmill.
This week we have been learning about the Bill of Rights. I was assigned the 8th amendment is to protect the rights of people who have been arrested. The 8th Amendment is important because cruel and unusual punishments is against the Constitution. Therefore it is protecting people who are arrested. The 8th Amendment makes me feel safe. I know I have my rights and that police officers cant just beat me up.
Hello there I am a student in Mr.Weinstein's 5th grade class. today I am going to be teaching you on how to create a blade on a windmill. First off you need an Popsicle stick. That will be the base of the blade. Next you need a small piece of paper or an index card. You then need to tape it to the Popsicle stick. After that attach the blade to a foam ball therefore creating your first blade on your windmill.
This week we have been learning about the Bill of Rights. I was assigned the 8th amendment is to protect the rights of people who have been arrested. The 8th Amendment is important because cruel and unusual punishments is against the Constitution. Therefore it is protecting people who are arrested. The 8th Amendment makes me feel safe. I know I have my rights and that police officers cant just beat me up.
Friday, April 5, 2013
April 5, 2013
This week in social studies we learned about the American Revolution. The British and the colonists took part in that war. The places the war was fought in were Lexington and concord, and bunker hill.
The British had a base called fort Ticonderoga. They had many supplies there. The colonists found it and invaded the base. The British won the war.
This week in social studies, we learned about the Boston Massacre. The Boston Massacre wasn't really a massacre. Paul Revere showed people a picture British soldiers killing innocent towns people and a little puppy watching them. It was a lie. The towns people threw snowballs at the soldiers. But the snowballs had sand and gravel in it. When one soldier fell to the ground, he heard someone yell, "FIRE!" He got up and shot. Five people died. But the picture Paul Revere showed people, had many people dying. The Boston Massacre was a snowball fight gone horribly wrong.
The British had a base called fort Ticonderoga. They had many supplies there. The colonists found it and invaded the base. The British won the war.
This week in social studies, we learned about the Boston Massacre. The Boston Massacre wasn't really a massacre. Paul Revere showed people a picture British soldiers killing innocent towns people and a little puppy watching them. It was a lie. The towns people threw snowballs at the soldiers. But the snowballs had sand and gravel in it. When one soldier fell to the ground, he heard someone yell, "FIRE!" He got up and shot. Five people died. But the picture Paul Revere showed people, had many people dying. The Boston Massacre was a snowball fight gone horribly wrong.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
March 13, 2013
Greetings! Today is our Wax Museum and I am always amazed at how kids can surprise you with their perseverance, dedication, and focus when something is important to them. About a month ago, they chose a biography and began to read it and take notes on the life of their person. Then they wrote a 3-4 minute speech and memorized the entire thing, paying attention to their fluency, body language, and expression. They created props and a costume as part of the project, too. Today, we set up the classroom like a darkened museum and gusts shine a flashlight on them to "bring them to life: in the guise of their person!
Some of the kids were behind on the project, even with a planning calendar, but when push came to shove, they got it all down! I'm so impresses with this group of 11 year olds!
Sincerely,
Mr. Weinstein
Greetings! Today is our Wax Museum and I am always amazed at how kids can surprise you with their perseverance, dedication, and focus when something is important to them. About a month ago, they chose a biography and began to read it and take notes on the life of their person. Then they wrote a 3-4 minute speech and memorized the entire thing, paying attention to their fluency, body language, and expression. They created props and a costume as part of the project, too. Today, we set up the classroom like a darkened museum and gusts shine a flashlight on them to "bring them to life: in the guise of their person!
Some of the kids were behind on the project, even with a planning calendar, but when push came to shove, they got it all down! I'm so impresses with this group of 11 year olds!
Sincerely,
Mr. Weinstein
Friday, February 1, 2013
February 1, 2013
This week in Science we did our ideas for the animal summaries. I am a partner with a friend of mine. We haven't started our final draft. We have ten ideas for vertebrates (animals WITH backbones) and invertebrates (animals WITHOUT backbones). Doing the summary will be fun!
In Social Studies this week, we learned about the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Witch Trials were about when men/women would accuse one another of using witchcraft. If someone was found guilty, they would be hung. Several people got hung each day. It was a horrible time.
This week in Reading we learned about internet safety.We used an internet program called "Missing".The internet program is about a boy who tells too much information and gets kidnapped!He thinks that the person is helping him but he really is kidnapping the 14 year old kid.But at the end the kid gets saved and the person who kidnapped the kid goes in jail.
Friday, January 18, 2013
January 18, 2013
Robots and Reading
This week in Mr.Weinstein's 5th grade class, we did some REALLY cool research
on the future robots. There is a robot named ASH that can fight fires without putting the firefighters in harm's way. There is another robot named Alphadog that can carry up to 400 pounds for 20 miles!
That will be helping the U.S. Marines on long walks. But don't worry, these robots are safe and are not programed to harm anyone.
DRA's
This week in Mr.Weinsteins 5th grade class, we were doing the DRA's. We have to read a part of a book, then answer questions about it. One of the books was called " Lights, Camera, Action!" and the other one was called " Storm Chasers". "Lights, Camera, Action!" was about a girl named Alyssa Bueker who made movies with her guinea pigs. And "Storm Chasers" was about people who chase and watch storms. They are both very good books and I recommend to read them whenever you get a free moment!
Reading
In reading, we watched a video on Rosa Parks. It was about her journey into changing the world
forever. She started the Montgomery bus boycott. Martin Luther King, JR. was thie leader. They ended up getting freedom. The black people were treated very badly, some were killed. Life was very different back then. Youcan learn alot from Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
This week in Mr.Weinstein's 5th grade class, we did some REALLY cool research
on the future robots. There is a robot named ASH that can fight fires without putting the firefighters in harm's way. There is another robot named Alphadog that can carry up to 400 pounds for 20 miles!
That will be helping the U.S. Marines on long walks. But don't worry, these robots are safe and are not programed to harm anyone.
DRA's
This week in Mr.Weinsteins 5th grade class, we were doing the DRA's. We have to read a part of a book, then answer questions about it. One of the books was called " Lights, Camera, Action!" and the other one was called " Storm Chasers". "Lights, Camera, Action!" was about a girl named Alyssa Bueker who made movies with her guinea pigs. And "Storm Chasers" was about people who chase and watch storms. They are both very good books and I recommend to read them whenever you get a free moment!
Reading
In reading, we watched a video on Rosa Parks. It was about her journey into changing the world
forever. She started the Montgomery bus boycott. Martin Luther King, JR. was thie leader. They ended up getting freedom. The black people were treated very badly, some were killed. Life was very different back then. Youcan learn alot from Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, January 11, 2013
January 11, 2013
This week in Engineering we made sails. It was very challenging. You had a lot of materials to use. We had tin foil, paper cups, wax paper, felt, tissue paper, straws, and a Popsicle stick. You had to plan it out very well to do well on this project.
In the we are reading in Diamond Willow the sentences are shaped like a diamond.And in the shape it has secret messages.This book is about a girl who is named Diamond Willow.And she was named after a stick.We are doing free verses which is when you pick out a book that has a bunch of poems in it,and then pick one stanza,then write one sentence that describes why you wrote that piece.
In the we are reading in Diamond Willow the sentences are shaped like a diamond.And in the shape it has secret messages.This book is about a girl who is named Diamond Willow.And she was named after a stick.We are doing free verses which is when you pick out a book that has a bunch of poems in it,and then pick one stanza,then write one sentence that describes why you wrote that piece.
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