#21 This Week in 5th Grade

WHAT WE'RE LEARNING IN CLASS

Math: We started our adding and subtracting fractions unit. During this unit, we will be adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike fractions, as well as mixed fractions. We will also be learning how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers.

Literacy (Reading & Comprehension): This week we have been diving into theme again. We read fiction stories and determined what the big idea and lesson was by analyzing the main character's words, thoughts, and actions.

We then wrote summaries for fiction by following the format below:

• Somebody (who is the main character?)
• Wanted (what did the main character want?)
• But (what was the problem?)
• So (how did the character try to solve the problem?)
• Then (what was the solution to the problem?)

Writing: We are starting our next informational paper next week! We will be reading several articles about animal adaptations and then writing a five paragraph essay on it. The format for an informational paper is as follows:

• Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph
  • Hook: 2-3 sentences that grab the reader's attention
  • Background Knowledge: 2-4 sentences that give background knowledge about the topic being written about
  • Thesis: 1 sentence that states the topic and 3 sub-topics
• Paragraphs 2 - 4: Body Paragraphs
  • Topic sentence
  • Text Evidence
  • Explanation of text evidence
  • Examples
• Paragraph 5: Conclusion
  • Restate thesis

Science: Mrs. Hamilton and I switch for science, so right now, my class is in with her learning about physical changes! This includes landslides, erosion, volcanos, earthquakes - it's a super engaging and interesting unit. They recently created a slideshow where they planned a theme park. They had to research the land they were "building" on and come up with solutions on how to prevent problems to "investors."