Thursday, August 29, 2013
So many updates!
Thanks to our wonderful PTA, we had a fantastic cultural arts presentation today. Ask your child to tell you about it, and ask them what ROAR stands for.
We started reading rotations this week. Some students did a compare and contrast lesson about animal and plant adaptations. Some students did a CLOSE READING about ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Some students did a CLOSE READING about the Bill of Rights. Some students did a Reader's Theater about the Underground Railroad. Ask your child to tell you about what they did during rotations this week.
Social Studies is getting very interesting. We've had interesting discussions about the DRAFT. They have so many questions about it. Ask them about it.
We have also discussed Sherman's March to the Sea and the destruction of his total war strategy. They have so many questions about that too, as many of them have been to Savannah and traveled through Georgia. They are trying to understand that in the northeast there are homes and buildings still standing from the 1600's, but here there are very, very few things older than 1864.
We have had Social Studies homework almost nightly. Next week we will be adding Grammar HW to that. They will have homework in their Grammar workbooks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
All students have been writing a narrative on the topic of their choice. Rough drafts are due tomorrow. They will peer conference, revise, and write their final drafts next week. Final narratives are due Friday, September 6. Ask your child what they are writing about.
Grade books are up and running. You should see lots of papers in their Friday Folders on Friday!
Enjoy the long weekend!
We started reading rotations this week. Some students did a compare and contrast lesson about animal and plant adaptations. Some students did a CLOSE READING about ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Some students did a CLOSE READING about the Bill of Rights. Some students did a Reader's Theater about the Underground Railroad. Ask your child to tell you about what they did during rotations this week.
Social Studies is getting very interesting. We've had interesting discussions about the DRAFT. They have so many questions about it. Ask them about it.
We have also discussed Sherman's March to the Sea and the destruction of his total war strategy. They have so many questions about that too, as many of them have been to Savannah and traveled through Georgia. They are trying to understand that in the northeast there are homes and buildings still standing from the 1600's, but here there are very, very few things older than 1864.
We have had Social Studies homework almost nightly. Next week we will be adding Grammar HW to that. They will have homework in their Grammar workbooks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
All students have been writing a narrative on the topic of their choice. Rough drafts are due tomorrow. They will peer conference, revise, and write their final drafts next week. Final narratives are due Friday, September 6. Ask your child what they are writing about.
Grade books are up and running. You should see lots of papers in their Friday Folders on Friday!
Enjoy the long weekend!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Writing Time
Students are learning how to have quality peer conferences. They listen to each other's rough drafts, give thoughtful feedback, and revise. Ask them if they know what ARMS stands for.
Preposition Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byszemY8Pl8&feature=related
If this link doesn't work, just go to youtube and search preposition song by the Bazillions. It's a great way to get the students to understand that prepositions show where things are in relation to other things.
If this link doesn't work, just go to youtube and search preposition song by the Bazillions. It's a great way to get the students to understand that prepositions show where things are in relation to other things.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Grades
Where are they? I'm sure you're all wondering where your child's grade are! Unfortunately, my grade books are experiencing technical difficulties which are completely out of my control. Everyone is working hard to get them up and running. I apologize and I appreciate everyone's patience. I'll post when they are ready to go! Have a great week!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Happy Weekend!
I have been blocked from my blog, but I'm back! We've had 8 great days! This group is amazing! They are learning how to work fast and not waste time as the fifth grade curriculum is packed! I know you haven't seen any work come home yet, but your students have been working very hard! Our grade books are not set up yet, but as soon as they are I will begin posting grades. Please check the parent portal regularly as soon as you start seeing grades. I will also be emailing a newsletter to you every Friday. Please be aware of the following:
Social Studies: Causes of the Civil War flip books are due Wednesday, 8/21. I expect these to be very neat and organized and to be packed with lots of information and specific details.
Chapter 1 Test will be on Thursday, 8/22. They have many resources in their SS notebooks that they should be studying. Tests are multiple choice and long answer. Again, I will be expecting detailed answers!
Ask your children about STAMINA. We have been working on building our reading and writing stamina this week. It's harder than it sounds! By March your children will be expected to be able to sit and write for 2 hours for the writing test. It might sound impossible now, but I promise you they will be ready! I'm already seeing improvement in their stamina!
I look forward to seeing all of you at Curriculum night on Thursday, 8/22. Enjoy your weekend!
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
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