Not very much time left in 5th grade...
Last week, we learned about ancient civilizations in class. I let each class choose their pathway for learning. It was a successful week! We started a travel brochure today in class that is due Friday about the ancient civilizations. We will be working on it in class a little bit each day.
Last week, students wrote advice letters for our future fifth graders and stuffed them into envelopes for me to pass out to each of my future students next school year. Also, they spent time writing a nice Mother's Day letter to all of the moms/grandmas/special ladies in their lives!
Our last summative is tomorrow for Reading, it will be one fiction and one informational passage. The other final grade is for Reading Counts which is due by this Friday, May 19.
Wednesday will be our final book battle for the year. Today, we revised our writing pieces about the books we chose to make them the best they can be for the battle on Wednesday.
It has been a great year growing as readers and writers together! I am very proud of each and every child for their hard work and dedication this year. Thanks for all of your continued support throughout the year!
Monday, May 15, 2017
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
update 4-25
Only one more month of school left...
Our last day of testing went smoothly today! We are officially done with the AIR testing. (other than make-ups). To end our week last week, we did readers' theater plays that were based on Greek myths. See the pictures below. The kids did great!
This week we started reading Lawn Boy in class since the kids will be learning about Economics in other classes. Here's a link to the book: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/lawn-boy
Reading Counts points are due by May 19 and there is no reading log this week.
Our last day of testing went smoothly today! We are officially done with the AIR testing. (other than make-ups). To end our week last week, we did readers' theater plays that were based on Greek myths. See the pictures below. The kids did great!
This week we started reading Lawn Boy in class since the kids will be learning about Economics in other classes. Here's a link to the book: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/lawn-boy
Reading Counts points are due by May 19 and there is no reading log this week.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Planet Projects
Our Planet Projects were a success....enjoy! As a reminder, Reading Counts is due May 19. Each child received a report and update on their progress today.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
update 4-13
This week our focus has been on the Solar System and the planets. We started with a video on the Solar System and each child chose a planet to research more. In class, we have been reading about that planet and taking notes on it. Today, we started writing our reports on the planets.
Next Wednesday, a planet project is due in class. Each student will present his or hers to the class. Students have the option to use paper or a computer to create the project. The requirement sheet is attached. I have been showing samples each day of projects and asking students to give feedback so they should understand what is expected. I showed them a variety of projects- some were posters and others on the computer. Click here to view the project.
We have also been reading our fictional books each day in class too. This week we drew character sketches related to our books in our reading notebooks.
I sent home a colored half sheet of cardstock with each child that has the books he/she has read the first 3 quarters. In fourth quarter, we started gluing small sheets into planners so that serves the same purpose as the half-sheets. Feel free to check those out to see what your child is reading each day.
A Chipotle Reading Rewards Calendar went home at the beginning of April for any child interested. Those are due by May 3.
Reading Counts is due by May 19.
Next Wednesday, a planet project is due in class. Each student will present his or hers to the class. Students have the option to use paper or a computer to create the project. The requirement sheet is attached. I have been showing samples each day of projects and asking students to give feedback so they should understand what is expected. I showed them a variety of projects- some were posters and others on the computer. Click here to view the project.
We have also been reading our fictional books each day in class too. This week we drew character sketches related to our books in our reading notebooks.
I sent home a colored half sheet of cardstock with each child that has the books he/she has read the first 3 quarters. In fourth quarter, we started gluing small sheets into planners so that serves the same purpose as the half-sheets. Feel free to check those out to see what your child is reading each day.
A Chipotle Reading Rewards Calendar went home at the beginning of April for any child interested. Those are due by May 3.
Reading Counts is due by May 19.
Monday, April 3, 2017
update 4-3
Here's hoping Spring Break was great! In class today, the kids had a chance to share about it with their peers. I heard about some fun things that took place.
Today, we finished up our Arbor Day posters for the Arbor Day poster contest sent out by Mrs. Will. We will use those as a springboard to writing a story related to the theme. Either: Captain Planet saves our forests!
Today, we finished up our Arbor Day posters for the Arbor Day poster contest sent out by Mrs. Will. We will use those as a springboard to writing a story related to the theme. Either: Captain Planet saves our forests!
or
Sarah Rainmaker saves our forests!
We will type those in class tomorrow and into Wednesday. Before writing, we will review good leads for narratives and making sure to include a problem, rising action, and resolution. The kids already designed their main characters, settings, and problem/solutions. Some were so excited and going to start it tonight!
Independent reading this week is informational in class and relates to the topic of Space. Today, kids were able to shop for a space related book and had to record 2 questions with 2 answers based from their books. Ask your child about it! Next week, we will start our planet projects (this involves researching and making something at home).
The rest of the week will involve more reading and some researching, which will keep us busy. In your child's planner, we started a goal setting paper for number of pages read daily. The average goal for a fifth grader should be 20-30 pages a week. Students are setting a goal and keeping track daily in school which allows them to reflect on their goals. Please check that if you haven't seen it yet.
Reading Counts goals are due by the end of the year- May 19th.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
update 3-21
Last week before Spring Break! This week, I met with all kids about their Reading Counts goals from 3rd quarter and they set new goals for the last quarter. Kids enjoyed a reward today for working hard to earn all of their points. 4th quarter reading counts goals are due the last week of school in May.
There has not been a reading log the last few weeks due to testing. Instead, students have a slip of paper that is glued into their planners to record pages read each day. In class, we update those daily as we read around 30 minutes in class each day. Students had to write goals for a daily number of pages being read between class and at home. Each day, students should read at least 20 minutes at home in addition to school. The more we read, the better readers we become!
This week, we have read a mix of informational and fictional texts. Yesterday, we finished an article about monster goldfish and wild pigs being invasive species. Today, we read a story about a boy whose Uncle lost his hat and chased around town to try to find it. We also talked about the words tone and mood.
Our week will end reading some informational texts together about Arbor Day and the importance of trees. Students will be creating posters and writing stories related to this topic. We will develop and design our main characters to write a story about saving the rainforests.
There has not been a reading log the last few weeks due to testing. Instead, students have a slip of paper that is glued into their planners to record pages read each day. In class, we update those daily as we read around 30 minutes in class each day. Students had to write goals for a daily number of pages being read between class and at home. Each day, students should read at least 20 minutes at home in addition to school. The more we read, the better readers we become!
This week, we have read a mix of informational and fictional texts. Yesterday, we finished an article about monster goldfish and wild pigs being invasive species. Today, we read a story about a boy whose Uncle lost his hat and chased around town to try to find it. We also talked about the words tone and mood.
Our week will end reading some informational texts together about Arbor Day and the importance of trees. Students will be creating posters and writing stories related to this topic. We will develop and design our main characters to write a story about saving the rainforests.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
update 3-9
This is our last week before AIR testing for Language Arts starts next week. Our quarter also ends next Wednesday, March 15. Reading Counts points are due by then. We are taking a summative today and tomorrow that is broken into 2 chunks.
Yesterday and Monday, we practiced on the computers using the state website for testing to play with the tools and to share the discoveries we made. The main point was to make kids comfortable going into testing next week. It was a success! ELA testing dates are next Tuesday and Friday. One day is just reading multiple passages and answering questions while the other day is reading a few passages and typing an essay. These are all things we have been doing the entire school year.
For some more fun, on Monday we wrote essays on the importance of sound and posted them on the Science Kidblog. Yesterday, we had our Battle of the Essays. Winners are below: Michael, Kaitlin & Emma, and Bella.
There will be no reading homework from me other than to read for this week and next week. Remember to make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and give them some extra hugs and positive encouragement next week. Today in class, we took time to create some inspirational posters and tips to hang up for testing day.
Yesterday and Monday, we practiced on the computers using the state website for testing to play with the tools and to share the discoveries we made. The main point was to make kids comfortable going into testing next week. It was a success! ELA testing dates are next Tuesday and Friday. One day is just reading multiple passages and answering questions while the other day is reading a few passages and typing an essay. These are all things we have been doing the entire school year.
For some more fun, on Monday we wrote essays on the importance of sound and posted them on the Science Kidblog. Yesterday, we had our Battle of the Essays. Winners are below: Michael, Kaitlin & Emma, and Bella.
There will be no reading homework from me other than to read for this week and next week. Remember to make sure your child gets plenty of sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and give them some extra hugs and positive encouragement next week. Today in class, we took time to create some inspirational posters and tips to hang up for testing day.
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