Happy New Year!!

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a wonderful break with your family!!  I miss all of you and can't wait to see you in exactly ONE WEEK!  I look forward to hearing all about the fun you have had!  Enjoy ringing in the new year tonight! 

SNOW!!!

You KNEW that would be the title of this blog post, right?  HAHA!   I am sure the kids had some giggles as they saw my excitement at the thought of any snow that might fall tonight.  Snow is definitely one of the bright parts of my life!  I could never imagine living somewhere that never got any snow.  I would be so sad.  I just heard on a news report that we haven't had any REAL snow for 290 days.  That fact was a little depressing!  However, just a quick look outside and I am cheered right up!

Another thing I am cheering up about is our fun day planned for tomorrow.  Right now, it looks as if the snow isn't supposed to be too bad so I'm looking forward to everything we have on the schedule.  Remember that you are free to bring in a non-electronic game (board game, card game, LCR, etc.) to play in the afternoon after our dance party.  We will play a game of LCR as a whole class if we have time, using our Dolphin Dollars.  Some lucky winner will have a bunch of "money" to use during Treasure Box tomorrow!

Homework:
Study your Sammy Sosa packet questions.  Our test will be tomorrow.

All classes have math homework but my class can finish tomorrow in class if they don't finish Scooby Doo tonight (I don't have any idea how long it may take).

See you all tomorrow - hopefully with your snow boots on!

Let's Get Some Runs!

We are "heading to home plate" with our Sammy Sosa biography and preparing for our test, which will be on Friday.  We have been reviewing by playing some "baseball" using review questions and packet questions. 

Last week, we put the finishing touches on our essays about things in our life that make us so excited.  I know the kids are looking forward to get them home and let you read them.  It was very interesting to see all the different things that "light" us up. 

On Friday afternoon, we will have time in the classroom for board games.  Your child is free to bring in any game that can be played by multiple players and is NOT ELECTRONIC.  I look forward to sitting with the kids and playing, while listening to some music and just relaxing after a busy week. 

Here are some things that will keep us busy this week:

Math - my class will test on the final part of Unit 3 on Wednesday.  A study guide came home today and we will go over that and review tomorrow.

Word Work - test Thursday and work due Thursday

Social Studies - we will finish up with chapter 6 this week.  Today's work is to finish the green poster with visual representations and descriptions of each of the following parts of colonial life:

• cities
• plantations
• farms
• towns

Tomorrow night is Skate Night at Aurora Skate.  While I LOVE to roller skate,  I am still on the fence about this as I had an event already scheduled for tomorrow night!  It's a busy time of year!

Finally, progress reports went home today and those should be signed and returned by Thursday.
Thanks so much!
Happy Holidays!!

Special Day

What a special day it was!  First, it started out COLD...just the way I like it!!  Then, I got to model how to write a detailed paragraph by writing about one of my most special things, a special drink I get from McDonald's...YUM!  Next, I was privy to the Edmodo conversations in lab today...always fun to sit in and "listen" to the kids communicating with each other.  Finally, we studied all the parts of the microscope, watched a quick video of the history of the microscope, and got to play around with the microscopes!!   It was a great day!

Remember, there is no word work due until Wednesday of next week.

Finish labeling the parts of the microscope and study it.  We will have a quiz over some of the main parts next week.

Keep logging.  We will soon do a reading response on your current book.

Everyone has math homework.

Off to see the Collage Concert at Metea!!!

This is December?

I hope everyone enjoyed the nice warm weather today.  As much as I try to act like I don't mind it, I really do.  It's DECEMBER!  It's supposed to be cold.  I am supposed to wear a scarf, and mittens, and a hat.  Kids should not be wearing FLIP FLOPS to school on December 3!!!  It's just wrong.  Of course, I say this half-jokingly, since no one can control the weather! It's really quite fun to see kids in flip-flops in December.  But I just can't fully enjoy it.  See, the thing I really want is snow.  Just a teeny bit.  Just a flake.  Even just to see one little spec of snow in the forecast would make me happy!  But, no!  No snow.  Not a chance.  Not all week.  :-(

There are BRIGHT parts to this week, however!  Today we had some wonderful genre presentations.  I LOVE learning new things through the informational text and historical fiction genres. There are quite a few mysteries this month as well.  Reading mystery requires the reader to be very attentive to the details - it is very easy to miss some of the clues given by the author.  I look forward to listening to many more presentations tomorrow.

Presentations were also made during science this afternoon.  We learned about types of cells, shapes of cells, photosynthesis, and much more.  This week, we will learn the parts of a microscope and how to use a microscope to study cells.  I PROMISE!!!

 In writing, we are beginning work on our next assigned piece of work.  It is a 5 paragraph essay on the things in our life that we LOVE....things that make us happy...things that make our life brighter.  Now, there are many things we are grateful for in our lives like our parents, our homes, and having nice clean water for a bath.  However, the things I want you to focus on for your writing are the things in your life that make you so EXCITED, you just can't wait until they happen.  Some examples are playing a brand new video game that you've been waiting to play, sleeping in over Winter Break, having a sleepover with a couple close friends, getting to go to a movie you've been looking forward to, spending time with cousins whom you rarely see, etc.  While your family, homes, and bathrooms are things you are happy to have, the things you choose to write about should not be things that are there for you every day.  They should be special things that you don't have access to daily.  We will continue to develop this understanding in class tomorrow.  I bet you know one thing that will be in MY writing.....SNOW!!!

I may need to resort to this stuff if this trend continues!!

Due this week:
(Word Work will be assigned on Wednesday, but will not be due until NEXT Wednesday.)

MATH
5K and 5R have math homework (5R has a link and a sheet)
5G will continue the test tomorrow, so use the study guide to study the parts you had to correct during our review today.

READING
Log pages
Be prepared for your presentation (unless you went today)

WRITING
Grezlik Gazette - Free choice on the format and topics you choose to include  (one picture needs to be included, just like a real newspaper).  I would include something about this depressing weather!! ;-)

It's the Little Things in Life....

We've been busy this week beginning our study of cells.  Tomorrow the kids will have a quiz over the parts of an animal and plant cell.  Not only will they need to identify each part on a diagram, they need to know the functions of each of the main parts.  There is a study guide chart that we filled in on Wednesday and the parts picture was checked today and given back to study with as well.  Next week, we will work with the microscopes, looking at some real cells!



Building reading skills in the content areas like social studies and science is a big part of our reading development in fifth grade.  Learning how to work through the text, pictures, diagrams, maps, and more will create deeper comprehension of the material.  In addition to reading about cells this week, we continue to read our biography of Sammy Sosa.  We are learning how to stop after every few pages to ask questions about the text.  Sammy Sosa has many similarities to Roberto Clememte!

Accelerated math will test over parts of unit 3 on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  A letter came home today explaining the concepts that will be covered in this test.  Next week, we will move on to studying the coordinate plane, ordered pairs, and other related concepts.  We will test on those concepts the following week and move on to unit 4. 

Don't forget to spend 5 - 10 minutes nightly on each of the following:

• the dates flashcards we created this week
• preparing for your genre presentation on Monday (your project should be completed)
• math facts (Otter Creek) at your current level
• spelling word lists (word work is due tomorrow - we have had independent work time in class for these activities, but they may need to be finished at home)

Arithmetickles Assembly

First, I would like to give a quick shout out to B.H., who won the fifth grade competition at the math assembly today.  I'll bet your new favorite number is 7, right?  7 was always my favorite number when I was a kid, although I don't know why.

Today really flew by, and most of the class was pretty awake and alert, considering all the game playing, tv watching, and idleness that likely (and expectedly) occurred over the holiday weekend!    I hope you and your families all enjoyed your time together and I am sure I am not the only one that has an eye on another upcoming break in the distance.  There is much work and learning to be done over the next four weeks, so get those brains ready! 

While we will gently move through chapter 6 in social studies, including a quiz over our timeline flashcards on Monday of next week, this week we will dive back into science, beginning our study of cells (which will indeed include the use of the microscope).  Figure out which of the dates you just don't know about automatically, and study those for 5-10 minutes nightly (or any time you have during the day).

We will have a new list of words tomorrow and I will assign the activities this week, giving the kids time on Wednesday to work on the activities in class.  The word activities will be due on Friday and the test will be on Friday. 

As I posted last week and mentioned in class today, the November genre activity is not due until Monday.  THe extra time should be used to prepare for your presentation, which will be delivered to the entire class, not just a small group.  You will be graded on your presentation, so practice it at home. Everyone's presentation should be at least 2 minutes, but no more than 5.  This will count as a speech grade.

My math class has some decimal division and multiplication practice for homework and Mrs. Ryan's class has a test tomorrow.

For those who did not finish in class, the Sosa questions for chapter 4 (up to page 36) are due.  We will get in our first game of "Baseball" this week on Friday!    Also, the Gazette entry should be completed (again, most people finished with the time given in class) to be turned in tomorrow.

Until tomorrow....

Attention All 5G Students!

Ok-here is the BIG announcement!

First, I hope you all have been managing your time well with your genre projects so far. Your books should be completely read and understood.  Time management continues to be a challenge for some, witnessed today by the number of people who didn't get word work done on time.

Anyway,  I hope you have enjoyed the book you chose for this month and that you are noticing the differences between the different genres. We had some great representations from each of the genres last month. Since I want you to put the proper time and effort into your project AND have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving Break with your family, I am extending the due date for the November genre  project to December 3. Please spend some time planning and thinking about your project over break, but know that you'll have the week and weekend after Thanksgiving Break to work on it.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Busy Kids

Everyone is really excited about Thanksgiving Break!

Today we continued to use our strategies as we read the Sammy Sosa biography.  We used the strategy of using prior knowledge to set us up for reading new material.  We also used the strategy of asking questions while we are reading to really pay attention to our material.  The class worked really well and had involved discussions on what would make good "thick" questions.  Due tomorrow are 5 questions at different levels that cover chapter 4 (single, double, and home run questions), but the majority of kids finished in the time given today in class.

Tomorrow, our reading session will be devoted to finishing up any reading for this month's genre selection, so BRING YOUR BOOK!  YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO ALSO BRING A PILLOW OR STUFFED ANIMAL (within reason) TO READ WITH AND GET COMFY.  If  your  reading is done, you can work on the project in class independently, so be sure you bring any materials needed.   I will be available to answer questions on the projects during the time I am not conferencing with students.  See....reading the blog does have its perks.  This was NOT announced in class!

Word work is due tomorrow (sentences are optional and it is free choice week).  We did a pretest in class today and many kids passed with an A, but some will retake to see if some extra study time helped.

Tomorrow is the final day for test corrections from the Chapter 5 test (unless you were absent) and everyone has math homework except for Mrs. Kallal's class.

Finally, tomorrow is the last day to participate in the Secret Snowflake program.  This is a very meaningful program offered at Young, helping our Young families in need for holiday gift buying.  If you don't have a sheet about the program, just email me that you would like your child to participate.  Your child will pick a snowflake from the window in the office and that snowflake has the gift to purchase with a number that represents the child it goes to.  I will write down the code, and the snowflake gift idea will come home for your family to go out and buy, wrap, and return for this family in need.  I helped separate the gifts last year, and the response from the community was really overwhelming.   Please consider helping those who need it.

5G Actors Club

Today, the kids did an amazing job performing their skits on what life was like for the Pilgrims in 1621.  Our skits focused on a variety of challenges faced by the Pilgrims.  Here were the names of the skits:

1.  Reasons for Leaving
2.  Starting Over, Again
3.  The Voyage to a New Life
4.  Land is Sighted
5.  Plymouth, a New Colony
6.  A Tough, Sad Beginning
7.  Two Cultures Meet
8.  Thanksgiving, 1621

While each group only had three cast members (a writer, a director, and an illlustrator), the groups did a great job of procuring volunteers willing to buff up their performances.  It was a great display of creativity, compromise, and time management (whether they were ready or not!).  An important thing to remember is that many groups who came over to America after the Pilgrims faced similar difficulties and dangers.

Tomorrow we have our test over chapter 5.  Students' pendafiles were checked today for the sheets that we've done that relate in any way to chapter 5.  While I have told the kids many times to keep all relative work in the pendafile for studying for the test, many kids were missing worksheets and work from lesson 2 and 3.  We will continue to work on developing this habit of keeping things where they belong at all times.

Homework:
Social Studies Test (look at the review pages at the end of chapter 5 to help you find questions to answer/look for) 

Math :  everyone has a sheet of homework.  My class has problems using formulas and I just sent an email to the class email address I have.  See the email for more info.  There is an error on one question.

Word Work:  Free choice activities due on Tuesday of next week.  Sentences are OPTIONAL (the kids were quite excited) .  Also, test on Tuesday.

Thanksgiving

Today, we read about the first Thanksgiving, which lasted for three days!  We talked about the ways to compare the Thanksgiving we are used to with our families, to the first Thanksgiving the Pilgrims experienced with the Wampanoag tribe.  Of course, with Thanksgiving being right around the corner, it is a fitting time to discuss this time in history. 

It is important to spend more than one sitting on reading this social studies content.  Just like the story on the Iditarod race, there are many details and events to take notice of.  One pass through the text will not provide the experience necessary to digest the material.  There are things we see every time we read that we easily pass over on the first go-round.  Think of when you watch a movie or a tv show for the third or fourth time.  You might find yourself saying, "I didn't see that the first time!"  As always, put yourself back in time.  Ask yourself some "Can you imagine?" questions to get yourself back to the time of the early colonies.

Homework for this week:

Social Studies:
--  Read lesson 3 again (see Links you'd Like for online access info). Most kids finished the worksheet in independent work time this afternoon.

--  On a piece of loose leaf, write down 6 important events and the dates on which they occurred.  Words you may use in your notes include, Pilgrims, Puritans, Squanto, Samoset, the Mayflower Compact, Separatists, Boston.

Math:
5G - link 3.2
5k - sheet
5R - link 4.5

Reading:
Read the Iditarod story. Study the alternate vocabulary sheet you got on Friday (in your pendafile).
We will have a quiz on this story tomorrow.

Social Studies Textbook

Our social studies textbook is now available online.  If you click on the "Links You'd Like" tab on top of the blog, you then click on the link to the book and enter the username and password given.  You can also bookmark this site:  pearsonsuccessnet.com  and put a post-it on the computer with this information (same for all the kids - they HAVE to type it in exactly as it is written, with caps in the right place):

username:  5Gstudent
password:  Young5

I know many kids will be happy to be able to leave the book at school and save their backs!!

We are currently on chapter 5 and have covered lessons 1 and 2.  We will cover lesson 3 and 4 this week and will review and test this week (on Friday).  FYI - the word list this week will not be tested until Tuesday, the 20th.  Word work for the next unit will be due on Tuesday, the 20th.

Iditarod Race Sites

Check out some of these sites to help you understand more about this race and the mushers!

Iditarod site 1

Iditarod site 2

Quick...and no harrumphing!!

Just a quick post for tonight between my conferences!

Remember to complete page 43 (lesson 2 sheet) for social studies.  The little journal entry is what I will really look at to see if you "can imagine" what it was like back then!   Can you remember the important event that happened on this date in history?

1492           1521          1535               1603             1607            1619            1624        1776        1793

Homework:
Social Studies:  Page 43.

Math
5G - 2 sided expression worksheet (use examples and your packet from yesterday's class to help you know the key words to look for!)

5K - none

5R - practice sheet

Word work due tomorrow and test tomorrow on word sort

LOG your pages.  I will do random checks to see that you are reading most nights of the week.  I do understand when there are occassional nights you cannot read! 

PICTURES CAME HOME TODAY!  If you would like retakes, they will be offered at a later date.

The best Monday...

"The best Monday is when there is no school on Tuesday!"

This is what I overheard in a conversation in class today.  I understand!  Enjoy your day off, kids!

Here is the work for this week:

Reading
Sammy Sosa reading - chapter one
*  Venn Diagram
*  Question sheet
(Most kids finished -or nearly finished - in class today)

Word Sorts
New word lists were studied today in class.  Word work is due Friday and the activities should be on the yellow sheet.  The chart for the syllables vs. vowel sound will be given on Wednesday, but some go-getters were making their own during some independent work time today.  The other activities include sentences, a word hunt (see the back of the sheet), and one free choice.  The test will be Friday.


Math
5G has a sheet on Order of Operations (see the Math Class tab for video sites)
5K has a sheet
5R has a division sheet

Social Studies
Carefully read page 159 - 161.  Be sure to reread for understanding.  Do you know the key people, places, and events from the pages?  What is an indentured servant?  Who was John White?  If you can't answer, go back and reread!  Put yourself there in history!!  Try to imagine what it was like!!

Writing
Get your 2468 (finished in class) signed.

Also, don't forget about being a Secret Snowflake helper (the sheet went home Friday).  See you Wednesday!

PoP aRt

Today we had our first Art Awareness lesson and learned about Andy Warhol. We created some pop art of our very own!  You'll see it next week at conferences. Below are a few pictures from our work session. Thanks, Mrs. Gudgeon! 

 

The kids were really focused and put their best coloring skills to work!  This piece took a lot of attention to detail.  While we had a good deal of time to work on this in class, some kids brought the work home to complete with the markers they have at home.  Please remind the kids to bring in thier finished work.

 

We worked on the second draft of our memoirs today, using some notes from the first draft.  One lesson we are learning as writers is how we have to spend a lot of time going back to the drawing board with new focus and ideas.  As all writers know, it is a good feeling to be "done" with a piece of writing, and lots of the kids thought they were done after the first draft.  Looking at some of the ideas that were generated today after reviewing some suggested changes, I think many kids are happier with the second draft and understand the need for revision. There is a lot to think about when we are writing, mostly what our reader needs from us. Sometimes, as writers, we think about the amount or quantity of what we are writing, when our reader just wants to be able to fully experience one thing we experienced. Writing memoir is challenging because it requires us to reflect on previous thoughts and feelings, something not easy to remember or tap into. While it is a challenge for this age, we will continue to develop stamina while writing and practice the habits of good writers.

 

Remember that word work activities, assigned on MONDAY, are due tomorrow.  Sentences are part of word work  this week.  We'll also take our test tomorrow on our word sort words.

 

Tomorrow is "Jersey Day!"

 

Map Work

I know I said I would stop blogging so much, but this one is for the students.  Also, don't forget to check out the geography practice in the social studies links.  It is fun!  REALLY!


As a reminder (even though you had enough time to complete the labeling in class), here is what should be labeled on the maps we worked on today.  Remember to write the words as directed and write horizontally.  Shade water area in light blue.  SHADE LIGHTLY!!

World Map
1. Write World Map on the bottom
2.  Label the oceans, capitalizing the first letter of both words:
-Pacific Ocean
-Atlantic Ocean
-Indian Ocean
-Arctic Ocean
(ok to label Southern Ocean)

3.  Lightly shade in crayon or colored pencil all the water area (use your book to help).


North American Map
1.  Label NORTH AMERICA in the middle of the continent
2.  Label the following countries (using ALL CAPITALS)
- UNITED STATES
- CANADA
-MEXICO

3.  Label the oceans - capitalizing the first letter of both words:
-Pacific Ocean
-Atlantic Ocean
-Arctic Ocean

4. Lightly shade in crayon or colored pencil all the water area (use your book to help).

Changes

One of the changes that will occur with the second quarter is less posting on the blog.  I generally overwhelm you at the beginning of the year, then cut back as the year goes on, specifically with writing the homework on the post. Some days, I allow kids to write posts about things they are studying. I will now write posts on Monday and Thursday each week, with periodic updates when needed.  Students should be practicing good work habits, writing homework down correctly from the board, and keeping work and projects organized.  This is something we can discuss in depth next week at conferences (if needed), but overall, I am happy with the organization skills I see that are in place.

Speaking of organization, Wednesday will be our first Book Share. Each student should have the genre activity completed and ready to share on Wednesday. We will have our banked 45 minutes of Choice Time on Wednesday as well, so if the assigned activity is not completed adequately, the student will work on the project (or a writing activity and poster) during Choice Time.  Your child may bring any non-electronic game or arts and crafts to school for Choice Time.  I am looking forward to seeing the completed projects and hearing about the books (if the genre activity is completed).

Another change was with the Grezlik Gazette. We are now using a new format, which the kids can tell you about.   For most of the quarter, we will write now at the beginning of the week instead of at the end of the week.  Time will be given in class to start this activity.  If done on the computer, it needs to be cut out and pasted into the composition book.

The weekly word work changes this quarter.  Sentences will now be one of the 4 activities that needs to be done for Friday word work.  Sentences will not be assigned every single week.  Some weeks, the kids will need to write a short story with their words.  On all weeks, students need to be sure to follow the directions on the back of the word work sheet and label their work so I know what the work choice is.  Some weeks (like this week), I will assign the activities.  Other weeks, it will be student choice.

Here is the work due this week:
Reading - log your pages and bring your completed genre activity to school on Wednesday

Writing - Grezlik Gazette (2,4,6,8) - Many kids finished most of this in school today.  It is due on Wednesday.

Math -  Mrs. Ryan's class has a small packet of work
          -  Mrs. Kallal's class has a sheet of practice
          -  Mrs. Grezlik's class has test corrections, a parent signature on the test, and bring ads to school for this week's transfer task.  Math boxes will be assigned tomorrow and are due on Friday.  There will be time in class to work on these.

Word Work - See above.  Some kids had time to work on Spelling City today in lab.  These activities are due on Friday and the test is on Friday.

I look forward to meeting with parents next week at conferences.  Let me know if you need to change times or days. 

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is a time to celebrate a healthy lifestyle!  Make good choices this week in all you do. Eat good foods, get some exercise, love your family, be good to your friends and classmates, and be happy with the life you have!

  Monday 10/29 – Wear Red and bring a stuffed animal
“Hugs not Drugs day”

Tuesday 10/30 – Wear slippers
“Give Drugs the slip”

Wednesday 10/31 – Wear a hat
“Put a Cap on Drugs”

Thursday 11/1 – Wear Sweats
“Being Drug Free is no Sweat”

Friday 11/2 – Wear a favorite sports shirt
“Team up against Drugs”

By the way, if you are looking for sites for latitude and longitude practice, there will be practice time for that in lab this week. I will put them up tomorrow. You can always google sites for practice with your parents assistance.  Hope everyone is ready for our first Book Share on Wednesday.

Fall Fun!!

Tomorrow morning, we will complete our spelling test and our "Roberto Clemente" test in the morning.  The reading will be a verbal test with a couple of extended response questions.  I have decided the kids can use the book for the extended response questions. 

During our writing time, we'll do some Halloween writing for fun. We've been so busy with our memoirs.  There will even be pictures to color!!

We took our Social Studies test today and the multiple choice section was immediately graded.  It came home for corrections, where the students can earn some percentage points for looking for the correct answer and filling in the sheet that came home.  Overall, the class did very well and I didn't see a lot of kids looking in their packets or on their outlines (notes were allowed on this test).  I have now graded the skills section (written responses) and tomorrow you will get your final grade for the test, with test correction points and extra credit for using complete sentences on the skills section.  Remember, this is our first social studies test.  We have many ahead and so many interesting people, places, and events from history to learn about.  We will learn many strategies for how to understand this material. 

Finally, tomorrow is our Fall Party.  Kids may bring costumes to wear, as long as there are no scary masks, fake blood or heavy makeup, or weapons of any kind.  Also, no candy or treats can be passed out, so keep those at home for your trick-or-treaters next week.

Don't forget to complete your work work for tomorrow.  I checked Spelling City and the lists are now up there (don't know why they didn't load on Monday).  I also put the lists up for the next few weeks so you can check them out...you know, if you're looking for something to do!!

BOO!   

Can you imagine?

Can you imagine what it was like to be an explorer, looking for a city or treasure for years and years (in a really HOT and DRY place), and then finding out that it never really existed? 

Can you imagine what it was like for the natives in the West Indies when they saw a vessel on the water that they have never seen before?

Can you imagine what it was like for the Spaniards to travel to lands far from their home and families in order to set up new colonies for New Spain?

The "Can You Imagine?" activity is one that we will use often in social studies as we take new people, places, and events, and try to make sense of what it was like in history.   The "You are There" section at the beginning of each lesson helps us think of what it was like.

Homework:

Social Studies

- study the map on page 147 (no quiz on it, but know how to read it
- read page 148-150 (Adjust your reading rate - reread for understanding)
- in your packet, complete lesson 3 sheet - only 1-5 matching

Math

5G - test Thursday
      - give your survey questions to 5th graders only (slips due Friday)
      - 4 division problems
5R
      - test tomorrow
      - 3 journal pages and notes

Word Work
(see yesterday's post)

**  Tomorrow you will have 30-45 minutes of independent work time in class.  You should be done or very close to done with your October book selection.  You may choose to use the time in class to work on word work for the week or your genre activity for book talk next week.  If you do not use your memoir time wisely tomorrow, your independent time will be spent finishing your rough draft for memoir. 

What is Important?

Social Studies
Today we continued to figure out what is important for us to remember in history.  It is impossible to remember EVERY FACT in history, but we can remember more if we adjust our reading rate (and reread) when reading SO many facts.  It is also easier to understand if we think about putting ourselves in the middle of history.  Can you imagine being one of the Aztecs and seeing a horse for the very first time?  Imagine what you would feel inside!  Also, think of which leader had an easier time conquering new land for Spain, Cortes or Pizzaro.  Why did Pizzaro have an easier time (not that it was and easy thing to do!)? 

What is also important is that we find little tricks and ways to help us remember the things we deem important!  Slowing our reading down, acting out a scene in our mind, putting ourselves in history, rereading and accenting specific words....these are all good strategies to help comprehension.   For example, we talked about ways to remember how Cortes conquered the Aztecs and Pizzaro conquered the Incan Empire.  One of those empires was in what is now Mexico City and one was in what is now Lima, Peru.   One was in Central America and one was in South America.  How do you keep it all straight?  That is what we will figure out! 

HELP!?!
Today we also filled out a yellow calendar in order to keep track of the weekly assignments and long term projects.  This is optional.  Some kids may find it helpful and some may find it a hindrance to have ONE MORE THING to look at.  I told the kids to use it as they wish.  Also this week, I will implement an Study Period on Wednesday afternoons.  This will be about 30-40 minutes for students to work on activities in class where I am available for help.  This will be time I conference with individuals as needed.  I hope this alleviates some of the Thursday/Friday assignment stress.

Here's what is due this week:

Social Studies - page 36 and 38 in your packet.  Kids had time to work on page 36 this morning, some may have been finished.   No book should be used.  You are to fill in what you remember from both readings in class.  This will not be graded, but will show you if you need to think in a smarter way during social studies.  The more you remember, the more effective your thinking and listening was today in class.  We will complete an outline for lesson 2 tomorrow and will read lesson 3.  We will test on Chapter 4 on Thursday.

Word Work - 15 sentences due on Thursday and word work due on Friday (Test Friday too)

Math - link 2.7 for my class and the evens on the study guide (time in class was given to start 2.7

Reading - Time was given to read Roberto Clemente in class today (the great majority used time wisely and finished with time to spare) using the reading strategy of adjusting the reading rate (speed).  There are lots of facts in this story, since it is a biography!  Be prepared for some comprehension questions (books can be used, but time will be limited).

Also, finish up your October books and begin your project for our FIRST Book Talk on October 31.  See me with any questions!

Building our Biceps

I know this was a very heavy backpack day!  I will try to keep the homework to one heavy book per day.  Tomorrow - NO HEAVY BOOKS!! 

Due tomorrow:

Social Studies
Read page 136-139 and add to your two column notes.  Remember to only write fragments in the right column, describing the people, places, and events that are important.  There is not a SPECIFIC number of entries for you to include, but I want to see that you know how to pick an important piece of information (like the Columbian Exchange - hint, hint) from the reading and put some notes down about it.

Math
5G - Accel: Link 2.6  (Tomorrow, we'll have a 10 point quiz on multiplying decimals)
5R has a sheet of work
5K cool math and 5 boxes from any box page

Reading
Log due
Review Elena
Test tomorrow

Word Work
Activities due tomorrow
Sort test tomorrow

How is your reading coming along for your genre selection?  Are you starting the project?  Will you be done with the reading by Wednesday?  Do you understand how to do your assigned project?  Ask me if you need help with anything!

FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY

1/2 Day

Wow!  Did that go fast?  Whew!  I was just listening to the song "Good Time" on my iPod.  It made me think of the Animoto video I made of you all for Curriculum Night.  You know that that is linked under the 5G photos tab, right?

Here is what is due tomorrow!

SPELLING
15 sentences with word sort words - follow the guidelines you know from the rubric!  skip lines, underline the sort words used.

MATH
5G - bring your survey questions (between 20-30 copies of the question to hand out to collect data) 
      - also, study link 2.10 (see your parents email for info on today's homework)
5K - sheet
5R - quiz!

READING
Log pages
Read Elena again (test on Friday)
Comprehension questions on loose leaf

TOMORROW IS DOLPHIN DAY - WEAR YOUR SPIRIT WEAR TO SCHOOL!!!!

Tuesday....

Don't forget!

We have early dismissal tomorrow at 12:10.

Please send in the Time for Kids money ($5) so we can put in the order.

 

If you still have not signed up for a conference time (7 parents), please see my weekend email and let me know a time you can meet from the available times listed.

 

HOMEWORK

 

Reading:

Read Elena and fill in two more parts on your two column notes.

 

Writing:

Edmodo assignment (choices only)

 

Social Studies:

Know your continents (and the correct spelling and capitalization)

 

Math:

5G - Boxes in journal

5R - find 5 boxes to do in your journal (not the whole pages, just a mix of practice)

5K - sheet

 

Word Work (see detail on Monday's post):

15 sentences - due Thursday

word work - due Friday

TEST FRIDAY

 

How do we do this all in one day?

Here are some of the things we did today:

• Math fact practice
• New vocabulary for our reading story this week (Elena)
• Strategy to focus on for the week (Read Ahead)
• Math - positive and negative powers of ten/angles
• Worked on identifying  books by genre (and got some ideas on our genre sheet)
• Reviewed subjects and predicates
• Compound subjects and predicates
• Learned about how Native American groups moved throughout the continent and used resources
• Learned why early explorers came to America and where they came from
• Learned a new song in music (in parts)
• Took our listening quiz on Savvy

Remember for this week:

PICTURE DAY TOMORROW!!!

Reading: 
Log pages read
Definitions for Elena -due tomorrow
Begin your project due on Oct. 31 (finish reading by 10/24)

Math:
5G - Worksheet on powers of 10 (use your notes)
5R - cut out shapes
5K - worksheet

Word Work:
*  Due Thursday - 15 sentences on loose leaf (skip lines and underline words)  follow the rubric guidelines we've worked on all year, but don't do work on the rubric sheet

*  Due Friday - Word Work (no speed sort, Spelling City must include a practice test!)

5G News for the Week

Here are a few notes for the week:

1. There is an Edmodo assignment that is due on Wednesday. For your kids to write a great memoir this week, they need your help in choosing an event to write about. Please read the Edmodo assignment and talk with them before they complete the assignment.

2. This is Spirit Week at Young. See the "Important Events" Tab so your child can participate if interested.

3. The PTA Fundraiser ends tomorrow. If your child participated in this, all materials are due tomorrow.

4. Picture Day is Tuesday. Be sure your child dresses as you wish and I will make sure they look as pretty and handsome as possible in front of the camera.

5. There will be a Spirit Council Fundraiser on Monday, October 22 from 5-10p.m., at
Sky High Sports in Naperville. A flyer came home on Friday. The Bears game will be on as the kids jump and have fun. I will copy extra flyers in case the original was misplaced. I will be there from 7-9p.m.

6. There is early dismissal this Wednesday at 12:10.

7.  All Genre Exploration activities are now linked on the blog under the Genre Explorations Tab.  The October book your child has chosen should be read by October 24 so he or she can have a full week to work on the project and writing.  Students can begin the project as they are reading and complete it during the last week before the book share.

 

8. Parent/Teacher Conference sign up was on Curriculum Night. If you did not sign up, please see the times below and let me know if you have a time preference. I am also available before school a few days, if those time work best for you.

- Monday, Nov. 5 - 6:00-7:20

- Tuesday, Nov. 6 - 10:20, 12:20, 1:20 - 3:00

- Thursday, Nov. 8 - 6:00, 6:20, 7:00p.m.

Other Dates:

- Monday, Nov. 5 - 8:30a.m.

- Thurs., Nov. 8 - 8:30a.m.

- Monday, Nov. 12 - 8:30a.m. or 3:35 p.m.

Due Friday

Tomorrow, we will quiz over narrative text characteristics.  A sheet defining narrative text characteristics came home Tuesday and we have studied it in class.  Students are responsible for the information on the front and back, including examples of narrative text.

We also will have a quiz over the nutrient information we've been studying.  There is an outline in the science notebooks to help, but some of the information is from the health presentations we had in class last week and this week.  I WILL ALLOW NOTES TO BE USED FOR THIS QUIZ!!

We spent time in small groups studying outside in the reading garden today.
We spent time in small groups studying outside in the reading garden today.
We spent time in small groups studying outside in the reading garden today.

All students have math homework.  My accel. class has journal page 52.  Be sure to estimate the numbers so that you can do the calculations IN YOUR HEAD.  The purpose of creating an estimate is to have an idea of what the exact answer will be.  You should not create MORE work for yourself.  This is a very important skill we will be building on and using ALL YEAR.  See the tab marked Math Class for link to practice sites!

Reading the story about "The New Kid" again carefully in a quiet place will help you with the comprehension questions you are going to answer tomorrow about the text. 

Get your assignment book signed and bring in your reading log! 

Thanks for reading!!!

Time to Analyze...

Today, we continued studying narrative texts.  We learned how to analyze our narrative writing about fall for the characteristics of memoir.  We created a color code for all the characteristics we should include in our memoirs.  Analyzing one piece of writing will help us see what we need to focus more on next week for our final memoir choice.  Tomorrow, there will be an Edmodo assignment where you have to list three choices you might write about next week (it will be due on Monday).  Remember, think of an event you can remember good details about, including:

- where you were
- when this event took place (maybe not EXACTLY, but maybe how old you were or the time of year and the year)
- who you were with
- dialogue you had with someone (or many people) during this event
- parts of the event in sequential order
- thoughts and feelings you had surrounding this event

If you have trouble thinking of any one of the above items, you may not have enough memory to write about your choice.  To determine whether the events you choose are acceptable, talk to a parent or a sibling (or an imaginary friend) about the event or time in your life.  While we have focused on trying not to be too broad with our memoir choice, the event could span a brief amount of time, as long as the event is focused.  This could be a time when you were really sick with the flu, were learning how to ride a bike (unless it took you a whole year), or teaching your dog a new trick (again, depending on how long it took you), just for a few examples.  Find an event in your life that you REALLY REMEMBER WELL!! 

Now, for those of you who took the time to read all of that, I have a reward. Tomorrow, if you come ready to answer the blue question below, you will get to move up one level on our clip chart. I know it is only one level, but there may be a chance to move it higher. Here is the question:

What is one event your parent might choose to write about for a memoir?

Other homework:
Science - Nutrients Quiz Friday - study the nutrients outline in your science notebook (everyone should have it with them..many reminders about this)

Reading - Narrative Text Characteristics (Quiz Friday) - study the sheet that is in your pendafile.

Math - (5G)adding decimals sheet - ONLY DO THE ADDING!!  (front and back)
5R has a triangles worksheet
5K has a worksheet

Also, don't forget the fundraising forms (if you are participating) and the Scholastic book order is due Friday.  I will put the order in on Saturday.  You can order online (http://www.scholastic.com) easily.  Our classroom code is JGN7C.

A Week of Writing

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend enjoying all the spectacular parts of fall!  I sure did!  I took my family up to a beautiful part of Wisconsin called Door County.  This is an area that is full of gorgeous scenery and lots of history.  My favorite activity was visiting the Maritime Museum in Sturgeon's Bay.  Maritime is primarily an adjective that describes objects or activities related to the sea.  I learned so much about the "hard-working fishermen, brave ship captains, skilled craftsmen, bold inventors and lonely lighthouse keepers" that helped to develop this area back in the 1800s.  The thing I enjoyed most was watching the shipbuilding process (on video) and watching the ships get launched into the water.  FASCINATING!!!

While that was a memory from my weekend, students today have the assignment of writing a 5 paragraph memoir of a specific event focused around fall, Halloween, or Thanksgiving.  Brainstorming today, we came up with specific topics such as buying or creating a costume, decorating the house for Halloween, raking leaves, or a favorite food at Thanksgiving.   Kids were asked to go back to an event in the past, focusing on events in 2011 or before.  A list of expectations was sent home today, so the kids know what belongs in each paragraph.  Attached to that is also a rubric (grading guide) so kids know what they are going to be graded on for the FINAL MEMOIR.  This assignment is formative in nature, meaning I will use it to help me see who needs help with specific parts of writing for the final assignment next week.  The main focus in memoir is writing all the details of a specific event (not a broad event).

We will use this draft this week to study and prepare for next week's final assignment.  For next week, kids get to choose the event to focus on for their memoir.  Again, it is not to be a broad event, like a birthday.  Students will be directed to focus the memory down to a manageable task where proper focus can be given to the details (using all the senses to make the reader feel like they are experiencing it).

Writing will be a major focus this week.  We do not have a Harcourt story, but students are responsible for reading and logging pages daily.  Tomorrow, you will have a Genre Plan to discuss at home that outlines all the reading and reading related work that your child will have outside the Harcourt stories (which we will continue to use periodically to work on vocabulary and skill work).

Math:
5G - link 2.1 and study the notes we took in class on different ways to write number values (Also, the survey half sheet is due, so don't forget!  I can't wait to see what you plan to survey!)

5K and 5R both have sheets for homework (and some kids have to correct their test #2 and return signed tomorrow).

REMINDER: We are giving the district Interim Assessments this week (in the morning before math).

A Long Weekend.....

Boy, I know a few kids who are really looking forward to a nice long weekend!  This has been a challenging week, with tests (math and grammar), projects (Final Reading Response), and new expectations (new goals for reading log pages), but 5G kids are doing their best to keep up with it all!  What I have been impressed with this week:

1.  Kids reading my blog more than ever before.  Since telling them there would be secret messages that would help them move their clip up to Outstanding on our behavior chart, I have seen the biggest spikes in traffic on my blog!  Yesterday, we had almost 200 hits to the blog. Incredible!  Can I get a "Rodeo Roundup?"

2.  Kids making their own work lists for the week (a suggestion from an earlier post) to keep in their assignment book and mark off items as they complete them!  Can I get some" Fireworks?"

3.  Kids taking their grades to heart, knowing that they need to come prepared for tests and quizzes, but realizing that if they don't perform to their satisfaction, they can make changes in how they listen, study, and plan in the future.  That deserves a "Fantastic!"

4.  Creative ideas flying around the room for our health presentations tomorrow!  I can't wait to see some of these ideas from our jigsaw activity!  You are all "Brrrrrilliant!" 

Keep up the hard work, 5G!

See the post from Monday to see what is due tomorrow.  In addition to that, your health presentation (we've had time in class to work on this, but there may be a little bit of practicing that may need to be done to prepare).  Also, Mrs. Ryan's math class has link 3.3 and my math class has test reflections (due on Tuesday next week, signed in your notebook - test can stay at home).

Mrs. Ryan's class -  I put a great site link under math sites in the margin links to practice measuring angles ONLINE.. It's FUN!!!

A Little Quest..

Questions to discuss at home tonight or in the morning:

What did one of the CoGat tests look like?  Can you recreate a question that you saw today?  See if your parents can solve it?

What is a Webquest?  Are you prepared to answer any questions from the questions you answered?

What health topic are you responsible for presenting to the class as part of our jigsaw activity?  What day will that be?

What will you do tomorrow if you can show me that you have already completed the Final Reading Response that is due Friday?

Why did some kids get to move to "Outstanding" today?

Walk to School Day!!

Walk to School Day-Wednesday

Nancy Young will be celebrating "Walk To School Day" on Wednesday, October 3rd.  Walk to School is a program that began in Chicago in 1997.  The goal of this program is to promote safer streets, and encourage healthier habits and cleaner air by walking and biking.  All children will have an opportunity to participate in activities during their lunch recess time to promote a healthy lifestyle.

What we're working on....

Please look at the previous post regarding the Art Club sign up, just below this one.

A couple things we are currently studying...

In science, we are studying the nutrients our body needs to be healthy (thank goodness for those villi in our small intestine).  Today, we learned how to create an outline with organized information.  Science notebooks came home to study those notes and the actual outline format (no quiz - just to look at for FUN!).  If you read this post, ask your parent if you can bring in a small food item that is packaged and does NOT need refrigeration.  We are going to study food labels and serving sizes, and the item will eventually be returned.  If you do this tomorrow, your clip get to move all the way up to OUTSTANDING (for checking and reading the blog and following directions!!).

Homework:
See Monday's post.

The only extra would be 5K math has a sheet of homework and 5R math has two sheets.  5G math will continue the test (we had about 15-20 minutes today on it) so use your resources to study what you feel you need to.

Art Club

Parents and kids,

I am so sorry, but I forgot to pass out the IMPORTANT Art Club permission slip this afternoon. Mrs. Heller and Mrs. Wise are running the Art Club for 5 Wednesdays after school until 5:40. Here are the dates:

Oct. 10 and 24

Nov. 7, 14, and 28

There are only 20 spots open, so only sign up if you can make ALL the dates. If you are interested, please print out this post (or see the email I just sent), sign the line, and fill in the information needed below. Also, indicate if your child will walk home or be picked up. I will send the actual note home tomorrow, but the printed email will get turned in immediately in the morning to Mrs. Heller! 

 

I would like to attend the Art Club with Mrs. Heller and Mrs. Wise.

____________________________________

parent signature

Phone number: ______________________________

My child will (circle one) RIDE HOME or WALK HOME.

One of those weeks.....

Would you like another chance to figure out just how organized you are? This is one of those weeks that will test your level of organization and time management. We have quite a few things going on this week and, as I noticed when I checked in with my "PM Group" this afternoon, keeping track of everything in the assignment book can be a little tricky. I would suggest making a bookmark of all the assignments listed with the due dates and a space for checking off when the items are completed.  Some of you can already create your own table using a Word document.  Stick that bookmark in your assignment notebook, your take home section, or your current reading book so you are aware of it DAILY!

Something like this (and yes, this is what our week looks like...remember, don't get overwhelmed!  Take one assignment at a time, working on what is due earliest.):

Item	Due date	Turned in
Progress report	Wednesday
Final Response for book (both sides)	Friday	we will have time for this on Wed. & Thurs. in class
“Backyard” passage read and signed. Only study the questions.	Friday
Writing – subject/pred. sheet corrected	Tuesday
Writing – subject/ predicate quiz	Wednesday
Word Study List – sentences using rubric	Thursday
Word Study - work	Friday
Word Study – test	Friday
Math – daily work (Accel. study for test)	Every day……

In fact, you could just copy and print this whole post into a word doc. and BOOM!  Done!

Also, don’t forget to log the PAGES you are reading and meet your page goal  every day.  Remember, it is your job to communicate with me if you feel your goal should be higher or lower depending on the material you are currently reading. A post it on my desk or teacher note box is fine.  I have finished conferencing with everyone in the class, except one student (D.M.) who was at band this afternoon.

Good luck, everyone!  I have great faith in your abilities!!

Don't Forget!

The PTA Fun Fair is this Saturday from 11-2.  Make plans now to come.  I will be there from 11-1, then off to a soccer tournament with Madison.

Today, the students were completely engaged in a "story" I shared about Makenna and a finger injury that happened to her last December.  They then had to think about an injury that occured to them and share it in a "Round Robin" session with their apple groups.  Finally, they began writing about this injury in their writing notebooks (we are preparing for writing our memoirs) but they had to cease writing when they came to the part when the injury was "fixed."  They had to use as much detail as possible to describe what led up to the injury and the sensory detail that they remembered surrounding the injury.  These details are what engages a reader.  We will continue our work on this tomorrow.  I can't wait to read about all the injuries and THE DETAILS!!!
Please read the homework below carefully.

Due TOMORROW:
Reading - your log  and reading response (not the FINAL RESPONSE - that is due next week). The response due tomorrow is the three paragraph one focusing on the questions for the beginning, middle, OR end of a book.

Math - my class has the blue sheet to complete.  Remember to get it signed. The practice packet is NOT DUE as homework and will not be graded!  Practice what you feel like you need to and keep it in your pendafile.

Science - complete the "FOOD" sheet you started today in class.  Remember to use the back if you need more room for the bottom 5 questions.  Also, try to paraphrase (put into your own words) the answers instead of writing directly from the book.

Assignment book will be checked in the morning as well.

DUE NEXT WEEK:
(there has been time to work on these in class while I have conferenced with students)

Reading:  Your book of choice (reading plan sheet) should be completely read (or reviewed) by next Wednesday so you are prepared to do the FINAL RESPONSE in class.  That is due next Friday.

Word Work:  Sentences are due Thursday (use the rubric - it is posted on the Important Documents tab) and word work is due on Friday (at least one WRITTEN assignment).  The test will be Friday (10/5/12).


LOOKING AHEAD:
Also, by next Friday, you will need to make your next book choice (and another reading plan) for the next Final Response, due by the end of October.  We will talk about this in greater detail on Monday, but it will need to be one of the following:

Historical Fiction
Mystery
Biography or Autobiography
Fantasy
Informational Text (non-fiction, any topic of interest)