update 3-19

Today marks the first day of the fourth quarter!  We reviewed fiction last week by drawing plotlines and looking at all parts of it-characters, setting, theme, and plot.  See the sample below.

We also reviewed arguments along with reasons and evidence.  In class, we did a flash debate about whether cell phones should be allowed in schools.  It was challenging for some because they were assigned a side to argue after reading two different perspectives!

We ended our week looking at Reading Counts reports from the third quarter.  They showed how many books each child read and successfully passed quizzes for.  Then, the kids had to choose one of those books to create a book talk for.  Ask your child to show you his or hers.  Clink the link below to see some.

Stoyle Sample
Skeels Sample
Will Sample

This week before Spring Break, we are doing some AIR practice sessions.  The first AIR test for your children will involve them reading, answering questions, followed by writing an essay in 90 minutes time.  The second Language Arts AIR test is reading multiple passages and answering questions in a 90 minute time frame.   So, this week we will partially simulating that and reflecting on our success.  Today, the essay was typed about ways to tell time and tomorrow we will analyze the writing using different colors to make sure everything is included.  Wednesday will be another simulation of this.

The AIR tests for Language Arts in 5th grade are Friday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 10.  Since we will be working on this a lot this week, each class gets to design their Language Arts class on Friday.  That should be fun!!

update 3-9

Planets have been our focus in class this week.  Each child had to choose two planets to compare and contrast.  We focused on the differences and each child wrote a Planet Report discussing the differences.  Ask your child to show you the report!  We have worked very hard on revising these and adding citations to support our ideas.  Today, we are making pop-ups to show the composition differences in the planets.

Reading has been taking place every day in class and should be at home as well!  The kids wrote convincing arguments about having less homework so I have only had them read for homework the last two weeks.  I told them that they should be reading more if there is less homework.  :)

Reading Counts points and goals are due by March 16.  Almost all of the kids have reached their goals, they have really developed into avid readers this year!  One day we practiced giving book talks to encourage others to read our books- see some pictures below.

We also practiced adding specific evidence to responses through use of Padlet-a cool way to electronically make and share what look like post-it notes.  This was to work on supporting our thinking with evidence.



The vocabulary challenge recently was to choose an important word from their choice book and illustrate it by hiding the word in the picture, see some creative responses below!



Next week is the last week of the quarter!