Have a Great Vacation!

What a crazy day!! Check out the video below of our impromptu class dance.  You guys definitely had too much sugar today :)

I'm so proud of all your hard work with your crafts today and your secret snowflake gifts.  I was so happy to see how thoughtful you were in making everything.  It made my day!  

Have a wonderful vacation, see you next year!

Secret Snowflake

SHHHHHHHHHHH!!

       This is the season of sharing and caring.  In class we’d like our students to participate in the concept of a “Secret Snowflake”. 

 It isn't about buying anything, but more about making something/doing something nice and from the heart for our secret pal each day. 

       

On the days below you will leave a special treat for your secret snowflake.  On Wednesday and Thursday you can secretly give us the card/poem and we will put them in the mailboxes.  You may also leave a clue as to your identity if you wish.  It is nice to put time and effort into these special treats for your classmates.  If you know you are going to be absent on any of these days, please make your gifts early and give them to me so we may distribute them to your Secret Snowflake.  

This activity will help build upon the caring community in our classroom.  It also reinforces that one person can make a difference.  

We have done this for the past two years in class, and each year we are blown away with the thoughtfulness behind these acts of kindness. 

Wednesday Dec. 21st -Handmade card
A card wishing your classmate well to show you care.

Thursday Dec. 22nd - A Poem

You want to decorate an acrostic poem of the recipients’ name (or any poem about recipient).  I will provide special winter themed paper if needed.

Friday Dec. 23rd - Handmade gift 

A gift made from the heart!  You will have from now to work on this gift.  Do not feel the need to go out and make purchases.  Be creative and put some thought into it.

Here is a link to craft-like homemade gifts for ideas:

http://teachbesideme.com/kid-made-gift-ideas/

Some of these examples are a little more intricate that others, but it gives you an idea if you're totally stuck.  In the past we have had students make ornaments, bracelets, snowflakes, a frame out of popsicle sticks and decorated, etc.
It is not the quality of the gift, it is the thought that counts! 

Please keep your secret snowflake a secret!!  It takes the fun out of the game when you tell your friends who you have.   I look forward to seeing the creative gifts made for your classmates! 

 I hope you enjoy it too :)

Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Here are some links to the videos we watched on Friday, and an additional word problem video we watched today.   I hope you use them to help you as reminders in studying and doing homework.  

Dividing Fraction Rap

Multiplying and Dividing Quick Tutorial

Word Problem 

Also different models to represent multiplication and division of fractions.... 

5.NF.6 Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.

5.NF.7 Apply and extend previous understandings of division to divide unit fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by unit fractions.

Hour of Code

Today in class Ms. Kosakowski came in so we could participate in Hour of Code.  
Click on the link below to go to the different puzzles and games that you practiced today in class. 
https://hourofcode.com/us/learn

Please click on the link below to go to the Spofford Pond Technology Blog and leave some feedback for Ms. Kosakowski about Hour of Code.
http://spoffordpondtech.blogspot.com/
We even had a special visit by our new superintendent, Mr. Morrison and your previous principal from Cole School, Mr. Middleton-Cox.  They were interested in trying to code with you!

Compassion Superpower

This month's superpower is COMPASSION.  Today we had a discussion of what this means and how we can show it.  
It is important to be thinking of others not only this month but at all times. 
The book in the video below is a good example that explains how Nikolai shows compassion for others.  
Click here to hear the story "The Three Questions"