Last day of January...lots of cold and snow!
Some of my students have started some contests for everyone that are optional. One is for Valentine's Day Posters and the other for words related to Valentine's Day! What fun!
We talked this week about comparing stories in the same genres. Students also took part of a practice test to prepare us for the tests in February. Check out this link, it has the practice test on it it. We only did the part about Paul Bunyan which is the last passage.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5WCrKPpylsGSEFmZU1MWFhCX0E/view?usp=sharing
It was about Paul Bunyan. The students did very well as they navigated through it. Once they finish reading the story and answering the questions, then they have to write a narrative essay about it. They did this in writing class. We will keep practicing to prepare us the best we can!
Students also were invited to join my Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a neat way to interact with everyone through our Google Accounts. Check out this link that talks about everything it can do.
http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2014/09/07/20-things-you-can-do-with-google-classroom/
I am experimenting right now with completing reading logs online through this site. Students have the option to use it and can find the classroom by logging into their Google Accounts. Once logged in, they click on the 9 dots, click more, and then choose classroom. They had the chance to try it today during class if they wanted. Reading Logs then get submitted to me, I read and grade them, and send them back. There is no paper involved! Ask your child if he/she tried it today...
We are two weeks into the quarter. Please ask your child about Reading Counts. Goals are due by March 25. Please ask if you have questions.
https://h100000985.education.scholastic.com/slms/studentaccess
Friday, January 30, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Reading Update 1-21
3rd Quarter started this week which means we are halfway towards sixth grade!
This week we are talking about visual elements(pictures) in stories and how they add to what we are reading. Today, I introduced the words tone and mood. We watched two movie trailers about Mary Poppins, both created with different tones. Ask your child about it! It was very entertaining and a great experience. I will give you a hint...the first one was happy and the other one was called "Scary Mary". :)
Tone is a speaker's attitude and mood is how something makes you feel.
As we get closer to our PARCC testing in February, we will be reviewing and doing some practice assessments to get everyone as ready as possible.
Reading Logs- Remember that Reading Logs are due each Monday. We are going to start our Reading Log Survivor Game starting Monday and it will last four weeks. To "survive", students must complete all sections of the reading logs well including dates, pages, etc. and have a parent signature. If not, they are crossed off the list. Anyone who "survives" will get a prize after four weeks. I am trying to keep them motivated to do their homework and be responsible. Most kids will find this out tomorrow.
Reading Counts- students all made point goals for third quarter. Each goal has also been entered in the computer so students can view how they are doing at any time. Please let me know if you have questions or need help. Goals will be due by March 25.
*CoGat testing will take place next Tuesday.
This week we are talking about visual elements(pictures) in stories and how they add to what we are reading. Today, I introduced the words tone and mood. We watched two movie trailers about Mary Poppins, both created with different tones. Ask your child about it! It was very entertaining and a great experience. I will give you a hint...the first one was happy and the other one was called "Scary Mary". :)
Tone is a speaker's attitude and mood is how something makes you feel.
As we get closer to our PARCC testing in February, we will be reviewing and doing some practice assessments to get everyone as ready as possible.
Reading Logs- Remember that Reading Logs are due each Monday. We are going to start our Reading Log Survivor Game starting Monday and it will last four weeks. To "survive", students must complete all sections of the reading logs well including dates, pages, etc. and have a parent signature. If not, they are crossed off the list. Anyone who "survives" will get a prize after four weeks. I am trying to keep them motivated to do their homework and be responsible. Most kids will find this out tomorrow.
Reading Counts- students all made point goals for third quarter. Each goal has also been entered in the computer so students can view how they are doing at any time. Please let me know if you have questions or need help. Goals will be due by March 25.
*CoGat testing will take place next Tuesday.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Historical Fiction Book Trailers
Check out our book trailers for the historical fiction books we read. They are by class.
Mrs. Skeels Class
Mrs. Tyrrell & Mrs. McGilbra's Classes
Mrs. Will's Class
Mrs. Stoyle & Mrs. Gagel's Classes
Mrs. Skeels Class
Mrs. Tyrrell & Mrs. McGilbra's Classes
Mrs. Will's Class
Mrs. Stoyle & Mrs. Gagel's Classes
Monday, January 5, 2015
Reading Update 1-5
Happy new year!!
To start our year off right, I had the kids clean out their take home folders and reading binders. Hopefully that started us off on the right track. :)
This week in reading, we are focusing on point of view. We have discussed first and third person and how different characters points of view affect how stories are told. Today, students chose different people in a photograph of a snowstorm and had to tell their sides of the story. They were entertaining!
We are also working on comparing and contrasting these viewpoints. Next week, there are some important things happening. Next week is also the last week of the 2nd quarter. We are almost halfway done with fifth grade!
On Tuesday, January 13-Reading Counts Goals need to be completed. Students will be graded on the percentage of their goal that they reach. For example, if their goal is 100 and they read 80 points, they earn a grade of 8/10. Any amount over their goal earns them a 10/10 in the gradebook.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14 we will be having a reading summative that covers the following skills:
*point of view
*summarizing
*comprehension
*setting
*theme
*vocabulary
We are doing the reading summative over two days because there will also be a writing response for the students to complete--(a literature analysis comparing and contrasting two characters)
Reminders:
*Reading logs due each Monday with a signature. The next one is due January 12!
To start our year off right, I had the kids clean out their take home folders and reading binders. Hopefully that started us off on the right track. :)
This week in reading, we are focusing on point of view. We have discussed first and third person and how different characters points of view affect how stories are told. Today, students chose different people in a photograph of a snowstorm and had to tell their sides of the story. They were entertaining!
We are also working on comparing and contrasting these viewpoints. Next week, there are some important things happening. Next week is also the last week of the 2nd quarter. We are almost halfway done with fifth grade!
On Tuesday, January 13-Reading Counts Goals need to be completed. Students will be graded on the percentage of their goal that they reach. For example, if their goal is 100 and they read 80 points, they earn a grade of 8/10. Any amount over their goal earns them a 10/10 in the gradebook.
Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14 we will be having a reading summative that covers the following skills:
*point of view
*summarizing
*comprehension
*setting
*theme
*vocabulary
We are doing the reading summative over two days because there will also be a writing response for the students to complete--(a literature analysis comparing and contrasting two characters)
Reminders:
*Reading logs due each Monday with a signature. The next one is due January 12!
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