Weekly Updates 2023 - 2024
Weeks 18 - 26: 1/8 - 3/8
Week 27: 3/11 - 3/15
5th Grade Math: Students continued to work on Expressions and Equations with a focus on distributive property and simplifying and evaluating expressions. (Unit 6: Expressions and Equations)
5th Grade Science: Scientists started to look at how the Earth orbits the Sun and what causes the seasons.
4th Grade Math: Students continued to review adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, with a side focus on dot plots: both creating and analyzing them. (Unit 6: More Decimal and Fraction Operations).
4th Grade Science: 4th graders continued to look at what the Earth's orbit around the sun has to do with day and night and the seasons.
Week 26: 3/4 - 3/8
5th Grade Math: This week was focused completely on Expressions and Equations, looking at tape diagrams, hangers, and other ways to represent equations. We also looked at patterns to develop algebraic expressions to represent those patterns. (Unit 6: Expressions & Equations)
5th Grade Science: Students focused on understanding of moon phases by completing an activity that showed why we see moon phases despite the moon always being half lit. They then created a diagram that showed that relationship to show their understanding.
4th Grade Math: Students focused on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators this week, and took a quiz on Thursday. Students also completed the 5 Essentials Survey for Decatur on Friday. (Unit 6: More Decimal and Fraction Operations)
4th Grade Science: This week we focused on stars and their brightness and talked about true vs. apparent brightness. We also started to focus on the Earth's rotation and why that makes it look like the sun is moving, when in fact the Earth is the object that is moving.
Week 25: 2/26 - 3/1
5th Grade Math: Students demonstrated their mastery of operations with decimals with a test this week, and started the newest unit on Expressions and Equations by looking at visual models of equations to help them solve. (Unit 5: Decimal Operations + Unit 6: Expressions & Equations)
5th Grade Science: Now that our Sexual Health unit is complete, we are moving on to a new unit that will focus on space.
4th Grade Math: Students also demonstrated their understanding of decimal operations by taking a test, and they are starting a new unit on adding and subtracting fractions. (Unit 5: Place Value Patterns & Decimal Operations + Unit 6: More Decimal and Fraction Operations).
4th Grade Science: Students finished a project that demonstrated their understanding of where Earth is located in the universe, and then started to explore what stars are and how they are classified by scientists.
Week 24: 2/19 - 2/23
5th grade Math: Students are completing their decimals unit and will start to transition to the next unit on Expressions and Equations in Week 25!
5th grade Science: We finished up our Sexual Health and Wellness Unit and we will be moving into a new Unit on Space.
4th grade Math: Students are also completing their decimals unit and will start to transition to the next unit on Fraction Operations.
4th grade Science: Students are beginning our new unit on Space by exploring where Earth is located within the universe.
Week 23: 2/12 - 2/16
4th and 5th grade Math: Students are finishing up dividing decimals and should be prepared for a quiz on Tuesday or Wednesday!
4th and 5th grade Science: Students have been learning a lot during week 2 of our Sexual Health and Wellness Units!
Week 22: 2/5 - 2/9
4th and 5th grade Math: Students worked on multiplying and dividing decimals this week. We will finish dividing decimals next week and prepare for an upcoming quiz.
4th and 5th grade Math: We started our Sexual Health and Wellness Units this week and they will continue through next week.
Week 21: 1/28 - 2/2
5th grade Math: We started our decimal unit and already took our first quiz on Adding and Subtracting decimals. We are currently working on multiplying decimals, looking at different strategies to help us understand better.
5th grade Science: This week was all about our TED Talk presentations! Students demonstrated their understanding of what we learned in our geological processes unit by creating a presentation about plate tectonics and plate boundaries.
4th grade Math: Students in 4th grade are also continuing their decimals unit, with a current focus on multiplying decimals. Since 5th graders have been working on the same things, I was able to give the 4th graders some exposure to the 5th grade decimal content, too, extending their understanding even further.
4th grade Science: Students focused mostly on math and extending their decimal knowledge this week, but next week we start our Health and Wellness Education unit.
Week 20: 1/22 - 1/26
5th grade Math: We finished our unit on dividing fractions and we are moving into our unit on decimals. Students are already coming in with a lot of decimal knowledge, so be ready for some extensions and to move fast!
5th grade Science: Students used fossil and geological evidence to see how the tectonic plates used to be connected in the supercontinent Pangea. Students started their final project of the unit, where they will write and present a Ted Talk on the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
4th grade Math: Students finished the decimal section on adding and subtracting, and we are officially moving into multiplying!
4th grade Science: Students finished their unit on the Water Crisis and Conservation by creating a brochure that explained one of four water crises happening currently.
Week 19: 1/15 - 1/19
What a weird short week! We still got a lot accomplished, though!
5th Grade Math: Students continued to work on division of fractions and how we can use them to solve area and volume problems.
5th Grade Science: Students summarized what they learned during the simulation about plate boundaries.
4th Grade Math: We continued to learn about operations with decimals by focusing on subtraction
4th Grade Science: We did an activity where students determined the best water solution for a water scarce village based on information given.
Week 18: 1/8 - 1/12
5th Grade Math: Students reviewed and continued to work on division of fractions, looking at various types of word problems and making comparisons.
5th Grade Science: Students used a simulation and reading to determine the various types of landforms that occur at different plate boundaries.
4th Grade Math: Students reviewed and learned how to add decimals to the hundredth place.
4th Grade Science: Students continued to learn about the Water Crisis and participated in an
activity called "Water, Water, Everywhere," where they experienced what it might be like in a country where water is scarce.
Weeks 15 - 17: 12/4 - 12/22
Week 17: 12/18 - 12/22
5th Grade Math: We continued our work on division of fractions looking at them ina different way and really examining word problems.
5th Grade Science: We focused on what is beneath the Earth's surface. This will help us understand what is causing earthquakes and volcanoes more in depth.
4th Grade Math: Students continued their work on understanding decimals to the thousandth. We worked on placing these numbers on the number line, rounding, and putting decimals in order.
4th Grade Science: We're continuing our understanding of water usage and conservation. This week students looked at their personal and household water footprint to see how much water they use on a regular basis. Some of the results were surprising!
Week 16: 12/11 - 12/15 -- SHOW WEEK
All Grades & Subjects: This week we focused on problem solving, overcoming challenges, and persevering. Students were given some problems that had them review concepts they've learned throughout the year, but maybe a little more advanced and higher level thinking. They did great!
Students were also given time to make up any assignments that they may have missed throughout the quarter.
Week 15: 12/4 - 12/8
5th Grade Math: Students started a new unit on dividing fractions. We started off with the basics of which fractions would be greater than 1 and which would be less than 1. Then we practiced finding how many groups of fractions go into whole numbers.
5th Grade Science: Students looked at maps and data to analyze patterns between volcanoes and earthquakes and where they occur around the world.4th grade Math: Students started a unit on analyzing decimals and place value. They were introduced to the idea of a "thousandth" and we've been analyzing various ways to represent those numbers.
4th grade Science: We continue to look at the different spheres in the global, but with a current focus on the hydrosphere. Students will be learning more about water usage and how that effects the other spheres in particular.
Week 10-14: 10/23 - 12/1
Week 14: 11/27 - 12/1
5th grade math: We finished up our unit on percentages this week! We learned 3 different strategies of solving percentage problems this week, specifically the cross multiply and divide strategy, and then we took a test!
5th grade science: We focused on how natural disasters change the area of the Earth around us in different ways. Our focus this week was on volcanoes. Volcanoes have different types of eruptions, so we looked at what eruptions look like with less gassy and more gassy magma, and then made predictions on what types of rock would be made from the cooled magma.
4th grade math: We are finishing up our unit on multi-digit multiplication and division! We reviewed partial quotients some more, and now we are preparing for a test next week before we start our new unit.
4th grade science: We are continuing to look at the different systems on Earth, but now with a focus on how they interact. Students analyzed some interactions and are creating posters showing a how a specific scenario shows all 4 systems interacting at once.
Week 13: 11/13 - 11/17
5th Grade Math: We started our mini unit on percentages this week. Students were introduced to benchmark percentages (10%, 25%, 50%, etc.) and how to calculate those numbers. We then looked at different strategies for solving percentages like double number lines and tables. We'll continue to work on percentages after break.
5th Grade Science: We continued to look at geologic processes to answer our question of where to store nuclear waste. We looked at landslides, and read articles about other natural hazards that we might need to consider like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
4th Grade Math: Students are learning division with 2 digit divisors. We learned the strategy of partial quotients this week, and that's what we spent most of our time practicing. After Thanksgiving break, we will learn the standard algorithm of long division.
4th Grade Science: We started our new unit on the 4 different spheres of Earth. We looked at videos and explored the Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere. We finished the week reading an article on the 4 spheres and defining them in our own words.
Week 12: 11/6 - 11/10
5th Grade Math:
Students worked on finding the unit rate and using the unit rate to make comparisons between situations. We finished the week doing an assessment where students made posters explaining their problems.
5th Grade Science: We started our new unit on Geologic
Processes. The students were introduced to the natural phenomenon of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, and we'll use the information we learn in this unit to discuss where it is best for the United States to store our nuclear waste.
4th Grade Math: Students completed their unit on multiplying multi-digit numbers, and we are now moving into a unit on dividing multi-digit numbers.
4th grade Science: Students completed their unit on the Ergstown blackout, and created posters that explained what they thought would be the best solution to making Ergstown's system better. Next week we start a new unit on Earth's systems and how they interact.
Week 11: 10/30 - 11/3
5th grade math: Students worked on converting measurements using ratios and rates. We will be starting rates and unit rates next week!
5th grade science: To close our our unit on weather and climate change, we analyzed graphs to determine there was a correlation between climate change and the amount of carbon emissions humans produce. We also watched a documentary called "The Year Earth Changed" that explored how our Earth changed during our year in quarantine. We'll be moving into our new unit on Geological Processes next week.
4th grade math: We spent this week looking at how to multiply multi-digit numbers using various strategies. We started with area models/arrays of partial products, then using the algorithm with partial products, and finishing the week learning how to use the algorithm.
4th grade science: We are finishing up our unit on the Ergstown Blackout by looking at what officially caused the blackout and how can we make Ergstown's Electrical system better. Students looked at various solutions and weighed the pros and cons to determine which solution is best based on several pieces of criteria. We'll be moving into a new unit next week!
Week 10: 10/23 - 10/27
5th grade math: We finished up our unit on Ratios and Equivalent Ratios with review and a test. We'll be moving into Unit Rates and Percentages next!
5th grade science: We are finishing up our unit on weather. We focused this week on Wind Patterns and how that affects the climate.
4th grade Math: We finished up our unit on Dividing Fractions this week, and we'll be moving into our unit on Multiplying Multi-digit numbers
4th grade science: We wrote a letter to Ms. Negron to explain to her what the best backup source of energy would be for our school in case of a blackout! Wind, water, or solar?
Week 6-9: 9/25 - 10/20
Week 9: 10/15 - 10/20
5th Grade Math: Students are finishing out their unit on ratios by learning about how tables and tape diagrams can be helpful tools. We also looked at various work problems to decide what type of word problem is best solved with ratios. Students should be prepared for a test next week!
5th Grade Science: Students were able to put on their best meteorologist hats and analyze a weather map. Students were given a weather map for them to interpret and then explain to an audience what that meant for the weather. Some of our friends even decided to present their weather reports to the class!
4th Grade Math: Students took a quiz on dividing fractions, and now we're moving into word problems that require both multiplying fractions and dividing. Students will need to use what they know to decide which operation to use.
4th Grade Science: Students continued to learn about electrical systems, but with a focus on sources and source converters (solar panels, wind turbines, etc).
Week 8: 10/9 - 10/13
5th Grade Math: Students spent the week learning how to find the unit rate of two values and then using the unit rate to make comparisons. We looked at some Olympic athletes to help make those comparisons.
5th Grade Science: We learned about how climate is affected by wind, oceans and large bodies of water, and landforms. We looked closer at the Coriolis effect and how that affects the wind patterns around the Earth.
4th Grade Math: Dividing fractions was our focus this week. We started off by learning how to divide unit fractions by whole numbers, and finished the week learning how to divide whole numbers by unit fractions.
4th Grade Science: Our focus this week was on discovering that LED lights are more energy efficient than regular lightbulbs because they give off more light energy than thermal energy. Students used a simulation to make this discovery, and then wrote a letter to our fictional Mayor explaining our discovery and what that means for our fictional town.
Week 7: 10/2 - 10/6
5th Grade Math: This week students continued to learn about ratios and equivalent ratios and ended the week taking a quiz. Next week, students will be making comparisons using ratios and rates.
5th Grade Science: Students read a role play about the Gulf Stream and how affects the climate of Europe. We'll predict what will happen to the Gulf Stream and the European climates of the Arctic ice caps continue to melt.
4th Grade Math: Students are finishing up their unit on multiplying fractions by looking at area models and the standard algorithm. We practiced both all week, and students will take a test on it next week. We'll then move into dividing fractions.
4th Grade Science: 4th graders have been learning about how electrical devices convert energy from electrical energy into various forms. Next week we'll explore the idea of systems being overloaded, and what are some better ways to conserving energy.
Week 6: 9/25 - 9/29
5th Grade Math: This week students finished their unit on area and surface area and we began our unit on ratios. We started by making chocolate milk, pizzas, and rice (virtually) to practice the idea of ratios and proportional reasoning.
5th Grade Science: 5th graders looked at global ocean temperatures to recognize patterns in climates and latitudes.
4th Grade Math: Students have been working on multiplying fractions. Specifically, how are division and multiplication related, and how can I use what I know about division to multiply fractions?
4th Grade Science: 4th graders learned that energy comes in different forms when they added buzzers to their simple systems. We learned that energy can be sound, motion, light, thermal, and electrical energy. Students ended the week by using what they've learned to make a final argument on what they think happened in our fictional town of Ergstown to cause the blackout.
Weeks 1 - 5: 8/21 - 9/22
Week 5: 9/18 - 9/22
5th Grade Math: We used our knowledge of finding the area of parallelograms and triangles to find the surface area of 3-D figures. We started off using nets on a grid, but now we are moving off the grid and trying to find strategies to finding it without. Tricky stuff!
5th grade Science: We are looking at climate trends right now. What climate is Chicago located in? Does our data from the last activity support what Climatologists say? What causes different climates to occur around the world? These are all questions we're looking to answer!
4th grade Math: We started Unit 2 and looked at division problems.
Our big idea from these lessons is that the division symbol can be replaced by a fraction bar, and nothing changes! So if 3 people are sharing 4 items, then each person is going to get 4/3 of an item because 4÷3 = 4/3. We also practiced showing how to represent these problems on bar models.
4th grade Science: We are continuing to look at electrical systems. We made connections between the simple solar powered system we created on Friday to a larger system of a power plant powering houses and businesses. We ended the week looking at a simulation that will help us understand more about how systems work.
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Week 4: 9/11 - 9/15
5th grade math: We continued finding the area of parallelograms and triangles, but then we moved into composite figures - where we needed to break the figured up INTO parallelograms and triangles to solve for the area. Students also took a quiz to demonstrate their learning.
5th grade science: We started our Weather and Climate unit where students collected local weather data and converted the measurements into the Metric system. We are moving into analyzing this data and determining what climate region Chicago is likely in.
4th grade math: Students continued to work on finding the volume, but now with a focus on composite figures (figures made of more than one rectangular prism). This was definitely the hardest part of our unit, but I saw a lot of growth! Students also took their first test on this content. We'll be moving into ratios next! One of my favorites!
4th grade science: Students started their unit on Electrical Conversion by being introduced to their problem that we will help solve - How can we prevent blackouts and make an electrical system better?
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Week 3: 9/4 - 9/8
This week we were solidly in the curriculum and continued to practice our best behavior.
5th Grade Math: We finished looking at how to calculate the area of parallelograms and started focusing on how to calculate the area of a triangle, and why it's the same formula, just halved.
4th Grade Math: We continued looking at volume with a focus on finding algebraic expressions that matched the volume of different prisms. Which expressions would work and which don't and why?
Science: Students continued to learn about new scientists and what scientists do on a regular basis. We also practiced writing and doing research, two things that scientists do. We also focused on how to collect data and organize our information and findings.
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Week 2: 8/28 - 9/1
This week we started getting into the math and science a bit more, while also continuing to review expectations in the classroom.
5th grade math: We were introduced to our new curriculum, Desmos, which has very interactive computer features that help the students visualize the math. We started calculating the area of irregular shapes using a grid, introducing the idea that we can break shapes apart to calculate them easier.
4th grade math: We started learning about volume and how to calculate it by working with snap cubes and building both irregular shapes and rectangular prisms.
Science: Students have been introduced to new scientists and some of the common things that scientists do. We also took some time to ask questions as scientists, and look at the difference between observations, inferences, and predictions. We finished off the week practicing these skills by doing an investigation where we looked at how water interacts with copy paper vs. wax paper.
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Week 1: 8/21 - 8/25
We had a very interactive week this first week of school! Students focused on getting to know each other while also showing positive group work behaviors.
Monday: We talked about school and classroom expectations and what it means to Endure Challenges, Be Present, and Take Care of Each Other, the three pillars of Decatur students.
Tuesday: I got to know more about the students and their personalities as they came up with character traits for themselves and created a banner to help decorate the room with representations of who they are.
Wednesday: We demonstrated positive group work behaviors by completing a challenge with a group, and then used those positive behaviors to problem solve through some math puzzles.
Thursday: Students continued to get to know each other while also completing a STEM Challenge that required them to build a tower out of index cards with commonalities they found among each other.
Friday: We started diving into some problem solving in math where students were shown a video of a pyramid made of pennies. Students were encouraged to try and come up with an answer or at least a strategy to find the answer, to how many pennies make up the pyramid. We also talked about what makes a scientist, and tried to debunk some common misconceptions about who scientists are.