As we close out the last week of August, it is fair to say that we are officially sinking our teeth into the meat of our work as fifth graders. We've begun our first major unit of study in reading workshop (interpretive thinking). We're digging into our first chapter book read aloud. We're ready to choose one story to commit ourselves to revising and perfecting for a few weeks in writing workshop. Our language arts work is in full swing. And, the tell tale sign that the year is well underway, there are Behavior Bucks burning holes in students pockets! :)
Monday will come to an exciting conclusion as we attend a pep rally to launch this year's PTA Boosterthon Fun Run. Be sure to ask your child to share with you the information and paperwork they will receive Monday. On Friday, students will take their first reading comprehension test of fifth grade. Please look for these to come home sometime the following week. In the days in between, we will focus our attention on improving the depth of our thinking as we read, reading "wide awake" using all that we know as writers, grounding our thinking in the text, and considering character perspective and its effects on the story. In writing, we will draft and redraft one story idea, sharpening our focus on the most important parts of the story so readers understand the most important lessons and ideas it teaches. We will continue to practice our techniques for elaboration that truly bring stories to life. In language arts, we will embark on our first week together of Word Study. Students will receive a set of word cards to use for note-taking as they learn more about each word. Throughout the week, students should study these words briefly (five minutes) nightly. In class, we will focus on a variety of activities and experiences that help deepen their understanding about a variety of elements of this word collection. Keep an eye on the "Characters' Calendar" and planner for information about the first language quiz! Students should continue to read nightly with the goal of completing a minimum of two chapter books before September 8th. On Friday, all students received a copy of the first nine weeks options for responding to their books; this document should be filed in a page protector in their red MAGIC folder. I have also added a downloadable file on the Readers to Leaders page of this site for your convenience. If your child is interested in ordering a book from Scholastic, orders are due by August 31st. Please refer to the online access code to submit your orders online. I can't wait for the first Scholastic delivery day and our exciting celebratory lunch bunch! :) I hope your students are coming home each day joyful from a great day of learning and eager for each tomorrow!
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4th GradeAccept no limits. Archives
March 2020
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