As we start a new month it is also once again time to start with fresh new ideas and concepts. This is the everlasting story of grade 5.
Last week we competed our math unit on Ratios and the unit assessment will go home on Monday. I must admit that all the work on problems solving seems to finally be coming a reality. While not perfect, this was the best assessment for problem solving I have seen so far. I plan on keeping this going for two reasons. The first is math - problem solving is what math is all about. How can we use numbers to solve a problem. Sometimes it is very easy while other times it can be quite complex. The second reason is not even math related. Reading the problems too understand us exactly what all the reading lessons this year are about - reading for a deeper meaning. As I have mentioned before, everyone in the room has shown me they can read but reading for a deeper understanding is something new to this age group and takes many years to become good at. Starting now helps on this journey.
Speaking of reading, our new unit is on Argument and Advocacy. Students will be reading articles, books and websites to develop an understanding of an issue and then from there develop either an argument or advocacy on the issue. Having a personal stake in the issue is good, but all personal opinions must be supported with facts. Determining what is fact and ‘fantasy’ can be a hard road to ride and this unit will look at ways to do this. We will also be doing several lessons on how to properly search the internet as I have noticed this is a skill that is lacking in the class.
To accomplish this reading unit, the writing unit is on writing essays that persuade. Once again, having a deep understanding of an issue is what it is all about. Making sure that the writer sees, and writes about both sides of an issue is what we will specialize on. It will also help students as they prepare for their exhibition report since it will most likely fit this category of writing.
Speaking of exhibition, we are right in line with selecting topics of study, central ideas, and guiding questions. We looked at how to narrow the focus of a topic last week and this week there were be several times when this is put into practice. We will also complete our look at the Approaches to Learning and Action Plans. On Thursday students will have an opportunity to see action in practice here at SFS with a speed dating time around various action groups both here on Campus and within our parent community.
Our next math unit is a short unit on Decimals to the thousandths. Very quick and I expect to finish the teaching this week with the assessment next week. After this is more on operations involving decimals.
On Friday I sent home a permission sheet for a field trip later in February. Due to the health restrictions currently in place, this trip will have to be postponed too sometime in the future - date not set yet. Please destroy the permission slip. I will send an update home later when it has been reset.
Please stay healthy - we live in interesting times.
