Monday, October 1, 2018

In Language Arts today the students began learning about point of view.  We discussed that we will be focusing on four different types of point of view; first person, second person, third person limited, and third person omniscient.

They participated in a sorting activity where they determined which statement fell under each point of view category.

Then, they were introduced to a story we will be reading later in the week.  Today they hovered for words they did not know in the story and if they did not finish in class, it was homework.\

Have a great evening!

Homework:

  1. Hover for words you do not know in “Eleven”
  2. Read for 20 minutes
  3. Read Theory due Friday
  4. AOTW-“Earth’s Atmosphere” due Friday

 

Friday, September 28, 2018

Today in Language Arts the students participated in SSR and turned in their first metacognitive reading response.  This is an in class activity that students complete after they have read on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  If a student is absent on one of these days, they must write “absent” on their paper and they will be excused from responding on that day.  Responses will be collected every Friday.

With the remainder of our class time, the students finished presenting their Book Talks.  I will be updating grades throughout the day so please don’t panic if your child’s grade looks low. The computer automatically assigns them a “zero” until I put in a grade.  I will have grades updated by the end of the school day to reflect students’ actual scores. I have been very impressed with the work I have seen on Book Talks!  The students and families have done terrific work!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. AOTW Response due NEXT Friday-Highlight the Golden Line and explain why it’s the most important one, take the quiz on the article, and write the written response.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

In Language Arts today the students were given SSR time.  Afterwards, they filled out a log about what they read.

Then, we participated in an activity where we found examples of text features. I have taken pictures of the answers and added them to the bottom of this blog post for students who did not finish during class.

Today was our first PBIS celebration. The students who have exhibited positive behavior were invited to play in a kickball game against the teachers as a reward.  For this reason, classes were a bit shorter today in order to have time to play.

Tomorrow we will be presenting our Book Talks during class.  I know that some 5th grade teachers assigned additional work to do for summer reading.  I am asking the students to bring anything they completed that is reading related to class tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. Book Talk Presentations Tomorrow-Bring any reading Summer Learning work with you!
  3. 5 Read Theory Quizzes due Friday
  4. NewsELA Article of the Week due Friday, October 5th

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Today in Language Arts we focused on text features and applying what we have learned to a non-fiction text.  The students were assigned an article on NewsELA.  They practiced identifying the text features in the article and we discussed the importance of looking at text feature while we read for the added information they provide.

Then, the students spent time reading the article.  After they read, we went back and talked to the text while reading it a second time.  The students will be assigned a NewsELA article biweekly.  It will be their responsibility to hover for words they do not know, label the text features, read the article, and read it a second time while talking to the text.  Then, they will need to take the quiz, identify the golden line in the article, and answer the constructed response question.  They will be given two weeks to complete these tasks.  Many students completed most of this today but they will be given more time to work on it in class tomorrow. This will be due Friday, October 5th.

Have a great evening!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. Book Talk Presentations Thursday-Bring any other Summer Learning reading work you may have done too!
  3. 5 Read Theory Quizzes due Friday
  4. Article of the Week due Friday, October 5th

Monday, September 24, 2018

In Language Arts today the students spent time in the library checking out good fit books.  Then, we spent time doing sustained silent reading (SSR). After SSR, the students are going to be expected to keep a log of what they read in class that day.  This will be called a Metacognition Reading Log.  Each entry will be no more than a paragraph and it will be collected on Fridays for a participation grade.

I spent time reviewing Book Talks with each student in class.  Everyone seemed to be on the right track which is fantastic!  Many students have most of their work done but need to finish. The students were given time in class today to work on their Book Talk too.  Anything that was not completed will need to be completed as homework since students need to be ready to present on Thursday.  I have attached the directions to this blog post for anyone who may need them. I realize that some students were asked to do other homework as part of their Summer Learning. I will collect anything you did over the summer that relates to Language Arts on Thursday.

The students also began talking about text features in class and how we can use text features to gain more information about what we are reading. We will continue to learn more about this tomorrow.

Have a great evening!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. Book Talk Presentations Thursday-Bring any other summer learning assignments you may have done for reading too!
  3. 5 Read Theory Quizzes due Friday

 

 

Summer Learning Book Talk Directions 2018

Friday, September 21, 2018

In Language Arts today the students continued to practice talking to the text. We analyzed the poem, “On Turning Ten”, and reflected on how it applies to our own lives.  We also determined whether the poem was written to persuade, inform, or entertain.

The students also continued to practice identifying whether various types of text were written to persuade, inform, or entertain.

Monday is our library day.  All students should bring their library books to class whether they plan to return the book or renew it. Also, I will be looking over the students’ book talks to make sure they are on the right track and ready to go for presentations on Thursday.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. Book Talk Presentations on Thursday

Thursday, September 20, 2018

In Language Arts today the students spent time identifying the author’s purpose of various sample sentences. Then, we read an informational text to determine the author’s purpose for writing it.  While reading, the students were introduced to talking to the text and we practiced this concept while we read.

Have a great evening!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. 5 Read Theory quizzes due Tomorrow
  3. Book Talk Presentations NEXT Thursday- I will be looking over presentations on Monday to make sure students are on the right track.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Today in Language Arts the students continued to learn about author’s purpose. We reviewed why authors write and how using PIE can help us remember the three main reasons.  We also spent time reviewing what persuade, inform, and entertain mean and looked at examples of how this appears in our everyday life.

We also spent time in class selecting our first free Scholastic book for the school year!  I have placed the order and we should receive the books at the beginning of the month! The students were encouraged to select a book that was near their lexile or that they did not have at home.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. 5 Read Theory Quizzes due Friday
  3. Book Talk Presentations NEXT Thursday

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

In Language Arts today the students took their baseline writing assessment.  We will use the results of this assessment to determine where to start with writing.

The students also began talking about the reasons why authors write.  We discussed that the acronym PIE, is a wonderful way to help us remember that authors write to persuade, inform, and entertain readers. We will continue to focus on this idea for the next few days in class but this is something that should be a review from elementary school so we will not be spending a significant amount of time on this concept.

Don’t forget tomorrow is a late start!  We DO NOT have Advisory on late start days so students should go directly to their Block One class.

Have a great evening!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. 5 Read Theory Quizzes due Friday
  3. Summer Learning Presentations NEXT Thursday

Monday, September 17, 2018

Today in Language Arts the students reflected on their NWEA scores.  We used this reflection to set goals for ourselves in Language Arts.

Have a great evening and don’t forget tomorrow is picture day!

Homework:

  1. Read for 20 minutes
  2. 5 Read Theory Quizzes due Friday
  3. Summer Learning Presentations NEXT Thursday