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.

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.

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