update 10-31

Capture the Flag will continue the rest of this week.  It is assigned nightly for homework.  Sometimes, students have to just read and other times they have to answer questions or write on a post-it.  Check out the homework page if confusion arises at all over this.  A NEW reading log will be handed out Friday that should cover a new book your child is reading.  I will have books available Friday for kids who cannot find a book to read. Reading Counts goals are uploaded into the computer and points are due by December 21.

Last week we did more skits- check those out below.

Mrs. Skeels

Mrs. Will

Dr. Stoyle

Last week, we typed for 30 minutes and students learned how to use the word count tool.  They had to type 2 paragraphs- a similarities and a differences one for the characters in our books and typed in the  number of word at the bottom.  We are going to start to track this and hopefully see an increase in number of words over time.  It worked out quite well!

In class today, we learned a new app called Skitch.  Students chose a vocabulary word, uploaded a picture and included text on them.  Below are some samples.

update 10-24

We are in the full swing of Capture the Flag. Homework to read that book is given nightly except over the weekend.  Kids should be reading their own independent books then.  We will read this book the next two weeks so all homework in reading will relate to it.   The book is about the star-spangled banner flag being stolen so please ask your child who they think took it.  Possible suspects now are:  Snickerbottom, Snake-Arm, security guard, or Jose's mom.

Last Friday, we did skits to summarize the first part of the book.  Check those out here:

Mrs. Skeels' Class
Mrs. Will's Class
Dr. Stoyle's Class

They are very cute!

Reading Counts goals for 2nd quarter have been set.  These papers went home with report cards and goals will also be written in student planners.  2nd quarter goals are due by Winter Break which is December 21.

In writing, we are going to do our literary analysis on characters this week.  We are going to typing more in class to help prepare students for Harmon (where they get a chromebook) and to help with the state testing in the spring.  My goal is to spend one day a week for 30 minutes typing.  Reading Logs will start to be online coming soon to help with that too.

Conferences are this week and next week so thanks in advance for your support!

Update 10–17

Second quarter was off to a great start today!  We started watching National Treasure and the kids LOVED it.  They seemed to be excited to watch the rest tomorrow.  As we watch it, we are noting the characters, setting, plot, and tomorrow will be theme.  This quarter we will start the book Capture the Flag on Wednesday.  Each child will be provided a copy of the book that will travel from school to home and then back to school.  

Our writing continues to focus on Literary Analysis as we will be comparing characters, settings, plot, and theme.  The reading log homework this week is practice with this with the kids comparing the main character in their books to themselves.  

The book projects last week were great!  I have attached pictures at the bottom for everyone to check them out.  There are some in the hallway, some in the science lab, and others on display in my room.  I was impressed!

Reading Counts for 2nd quarter will be set up this week and a progress report from 1st quarter will be sent home with report cards on Friday.  A SRI report will also be included to let you know your child's lexile level in reading.  The goal for kids by the end of fifth grade is to score between 700-1000.  This is a test that students in grades 5-12 in Aurora continue to take yearly to monitor their reading progress.

update 10-10

Fiction continues to be a success!  Students are reading lots of books and having success on Reading Counts.  The points for Reading Counts are due this Thursday since it is the last day of the quarter.

On Wednesday, there will be one last summative over fiction which is one story and 12 questions.  In class, when we have practiced with reading a story and answering questions, I have started to display a running stopwatch. This way, students are becoming more aware of how long it takes them to work through things.  It seems to be helpful!

This week, there is a book project due.  I will be giving everyone an hour in class Thursday to complete it.  Students can bring in pictures, stickers, special supplies, etc. if they would like that day to work on it.  They also have the option to start it at home.  Tomorrow, I will offer the different projects they can choose from to start if they wish.  The homework sheet is linked here.  

In writing, we started Literary Analysis.  Ask your child what that means...the fifth grade standard is to compare and contrast characters, setting, theme, and plot.  This will be our focus for the next six weeks.

Next week, we will be showing a movie called National Treasure.   We will be doing some plot work with that as it ties into the class book we will start called Capture the Flag by Kate Messner.  View a review of the book here.    We will officially start the book on October 19.  Parts will be read in class and kids will have to be reading the book at home too.  This book will become homework until it is finished and then we will resume the regular reading logs.  Audio versions for each chapter can be found using this link if needed for your child.

update 10-3

Fiction continues to be our focus in class.  We have reviewed characters, setting, plot, theme, summarizing, and story elements.  The kids have spent a lot of time during reading workshop in reading their own independent books and applying the skills to those.  We have also been sharing a lot with others with the goal of inspiring someone else to read the book!  Wednesday will be a formative for fiction and then one next week to end our quarter.

Our expert pieces are finished!  Thanks to those who have turned in the permission form with the possibility to order a book back in.  I do need those by Friday so please let me know if you need another copy.

Our writing will shift this week to literary analysis.  That means writing about fiction and comparing and contrasting characters, settings, events, themes, etc.   In class, we are reading aloud together The Boys Start the War, and kids will start comparing that book to their own.

Reading Counts points are due by next Thursday, October 13.