All the cool things that are happening in Room 20 ...

Oct. 16, 2018

Today

Sept. 11, 2018

We've had a great start to the school year, and it can only get better now that the temperatures have cooled!

While we're continuing to learn the processes and expectations of fifth grade, this is the point at which we really start "digging in" to content. Here are some of the things we are working on this week:

• Math: Place value and exponential and expanded notation
• Science: Matter and its interactions
• Social Studies: Examining what social studies is and why we study it
• Reading: "Esperanza Rising" novel study, poetry, articles of the week
• Writing: The power of grammar and punctuation; informational writing pre-assessment

Homework will be assigned on a nightly and weekly basis. There will be math homework every night and spelling homework every week. The 5th grade teachers also expect students to be reading every night. (Other subjects may also be given for homework, on an as-needed/as-makes-sense basis.)

Due to the short week this week and next, and because we are still learning the spelling routines, the spelling homework will be due next Friday (Sept. 21) instead of this Friday. The spelling will be assigned tomorrow (Wednesday).

I will address the purpose and practice of homework more in a separate communication.

Let's make it a productive week!

Aug. 30, 2018

Day 2 is in the books! Today we visited the library to check out independent reading books, and we started our Classroom Words project. Students worked in groups to find meaning from some of the words that are key to our classroom running efficiently, safely, and joyfully. I continue to be impressed by the students' enthusiasm, hard work, and good humor. The posters the students made today will have a prominent place in the classroom for the whole year.

We also worked on some math writing. The prompt was: "Write everything you know about the Number 6." I appreciate the way the students jumped in and got started. Each person's ideas were a little different, but across the classroom the writing demonstrated deep thinking.

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The Classroom Is Ready! I Can't Wait to Meet You!!!

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Welcome to 5th Grade!

Dear 5^th Graders,

Hello! My name is Mrs. Miller, and I will be your Grade 5 teacher this year.

I am very excited to meet you and get to know more about you. Here’s a little about me: I live in Sterling with my husband, two daughters, and our dogs, Brady and Beatrice. I love to spend time with my family, read, write, run, hike, do yoga, and learn! In fact, my motto is ABL: Always be learning! (I also like watching New England sports teams, but most especially the Red Sox!)

I am looking forward to developing a strong classroom community where we put into practice five very powerful words:

►Integrity ►Initiative ►Empathy ►Resilience ►Perseverance

We will talk about these words and what they mean when we gather as a class. They will be the first of many words that we will “own” as the year progresses.

You’re probably wondering whether we have snack in 5^th grade. We do! Last year my students and I set a goal of bringing in healthy snacks as often as we could. I’d like to do the same this year, to make sure we are focused and energized throughout the day.

If it’s OK with your parents, check out our classroom Instagram account, where we post photos of our healthy snacks and things we’ve done in the classroom: https://www.instagram.com/millerzeh/.

If you have any questions or would just like to say “hi” before school starts, I can be reached at ddonston-miller@nsboro.k12.ma.us.

I hope you and your families have a great rest of the summer, and I can’t wait to start learning together! ABL!!!

With very best regards,

Mrs. Miller