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.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
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.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
update 3-1
Welcome to March! This week in class, students have had independent reading time to read a free choice book. Last week, we read informational books and learned some very interesting facts! All kids received reading counts goal reports today. They had the chance to ask questions if need be. Goals are due in two weeks on March 15.
This week, we have focused on reading traditional literature. We started the week with folktales and will end the week with tall tales. Please ask your child what they read! As fifth graders, their job is to be able to analyze character, setting, theme, and/or plot in a story. We wrote responses discussing similarities and differences between our folktales in these areas. In writing, we have also looked at samples and discussed what we noticed. Our latest discussions have included compliments and suggestions for authors. Then, students are creating writing goals that they reflect on while finishing or revising their responses. Some samples are below.Overall, the reading and writing skills are growing!
Next week, we will be taking a practice AIR test on the computer so the kids can become comfortable with the computer settings and features. Also, at the end of next week will be a reading summative covering fiction and informational text. Happy reading and writing!
This week, we have focused on reading traditional literature. We started the week with folktales and will end the week with tall tales. Please ask your child what they read! As fifth graders, their job is to be able to analyze character, setting, theme, and/or plot in a story. We wrote responses discussing similarities and differences between our folktales in these areas. In writing, we have also looked at samples and discussed what we noticed. Our latest discussions have included compliments and suggestions for authors. Then, students are creating writing goals that they reflect on while finishing or revising their responses. Some samples are below.Overall, the reading and writing skills are growing!
Next week, we will be taking a practice AIR test on the computer so the kids can become comfortable with the computer settings and features. Also, at the end of next week will be a reading summative covering fiction and informational text. Happy reading and writing!
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