Mrs. Rice's Fifth Grade Class 2017-2018

Mrs. Rice's  Fifth Grade Class 2017-2018

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Happy Memorial Day!

We have been working hard and learning a lot in fourth grade! Here's what we have been up to:

  • In ELA we have been working in literature circles. Students had the option to read either Hear My Sorrow or The Journal of Finn Reardon. Both books are about immigrant children working in NYC during the Industrial Revolution. Students have also been writing "How To" speeches about a topic of their choice. They will be presenting their speeches to the class later in June. 
  • In social studies, we just finished learning about the Erie Canal, and recently started a unit on the Industrial Revolution. We examined many photos of children working in factories, and have been discussing unions and child labor. Our literature circle books are set during this time period and the kids have learned a lot from them! Ms. Laverty came in twice and told the class stories about children working during the Industrial Revolution. 
  • In science, we have been studying simple machines. The kids had the opportunity to build simple machines in science lab and have been reading and watching videos about simple machines. We also started to review for the NYS science test, which is on June 6th. We will begin a STEAM project for simple machines, in a couple of weeks.
  • In math, we finished up our unit on decimals, and reviewed other content covered this year. Students are now working in groups to build a bridge out of toothpicks. The groups are given a budget to work within, and must write checks and keep their checkbooks balanced. The bridges have to be specific measurements. When all of the bridges are complete, we will test them to see which group's bridge can hold the most weight. 
  • Please note that we will have a 4th Grade STEAM night on June 20th (an invitation will be coming home next week).
  • Please see below for photos from our field trip, class projects, Good eats, etc..
  • Have a great Memorial Day weekend!










































Tuesday, February 23, 2016

February

We have been doing a lot of learning and growing in 4th grade! Here's some of what we have been up to:

  • In ELA, we have spent the past couple of weeks learning about different types of figurative language. So far, the class has learned about metaphors, similes, alliteration and hyperbole. This week we will be exploring idioms and allusion. We continue to practice close reading and answering questions with text evidence. Over the past few weeks, the kids have written persuasive letters, which you will be receiving this week. We just started writing an essay comparing and contrasting groundhogs and squirrels. Students continue to cycle through word work groups each week. This week, we are learning about different writing forms, and their similarities and differences. The class is doing well with the 40 book challenge; we now have 5 students who have reached 40 books!
  • In math, we are just wrapping up our fraction unit and are starting to learn about perimeter and area. On Friday the class will take a fractions test, and we will be reviewing Thursday. Students have cycled through math stations throughout the month.
  • The class has been learning about the American Revolution the past few weeks. They have been creating "pocket books" for each major theme, similar to the colonial pocket book they already took home. For read aloud, we are reading George Washington's Socks which is a story about a group of kids that go back in time to fight in the Continental Army along side of George Washington. 
  • We are really looking forward to our Erie Canal trip! Please make sure that you send in your chaperone money as soon as possible, if you received the purple sheet indicating that your name was selected.
  • Please see below for some photos from good eats and our Valentine's day party. Thank you to all who donated items for the "minute to win it" games!
Good Eats- Making Sauerkraut! 




Minute to Win It!









Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Happy Holidays!

December has been a very busy month! We are in the midst of several fun projects : ) Here's what we have been up to:
  • In science, the class has been learning about the solar system. They have learned about the planets, comets, asteroids, meteors, inner vs. outer planets,  the cause of day/night and Earth's seasons, and the moon's phases. For our STEAM project, students are designing a structure that would make life on Mars possible. They had to research Mars to learn about the obstacles humans would face if they had to move to Mars. Students are currently building a structure with a partner, that would make life possible for humans on Mars. 
  • In math, we are wrapping up our unit on long division. At this point, all students should be able to divide up to a 4 digit number, by a one digit number. We have continued to spend time drawing models to assist in solving word problems. Students have continued to cycle through stations a couple of times a week. Please make sure that your child is practicing their basic facts each night.
  • In ELA, students have been learning about author's purpose and the features of a play. We have also been practicing incorporating text based evidence into written responses. Currently, we are working on our "Boxes of Hope" holiday project. Students have written an acrostic poem, an inspirational letter, and 5 genuine compliments about their buddy in Google Classroom. They also drew a picture for their buddy. All of the items will go in the boxes that they have decorated, and they will exchange boxes on Tuesday.  
  • Please see below for a few photos of our field trip to see "The Wizard of Oz." Have a great holiday season!!!