Week of September 28-October 2

I can hardly believe we are finishing September already and moving into October.  First quarter always goes so fast.
Last week we had New Book Day for both 5th and 6th grade - complete with silly string!!
We have finished reading our first novel and we are moving on to new books.  The books were introduced on Wednesday and Thursday and later in the week students ranked the books in order of their preference.
I will have book groups made for Monday/Tuesday and each student will be placed in a group with other students reading the same book.

I try to give students their first or second preference, and yet keep the groups somewhat balanced for group work and discussions.  The students can borrow the other books in the set during the year and read if they want.

If you check the blog under literature by Tuesday or Wednesday there should be a calendar for each group posted with the chapters that need to be read and the due dates.  **It is vital the students stay up with the reading, so that they can complete the vocabulary, journals, and discussions at school.  Each student will have their own copy of the book, and may bring it home to read! 

5th grade Lang. Arts:  Spelling this week will be pages 32-35.  Spelling pages are always due on Thursday.  If you check Cornerstone and see low grades for these weekly pages, your student may not be completing them on time.
Grammar skill pages on Tuesday will be pages 31-32.  Pages 33-34 will be assigned on Wednesday and Thursday with the quiz on Friday.

Literature - Look for the new novel to come home.  Check that your student is reading the chapters.  They will have their first journal and discussion this week.

5th grade Social Studies:  We have made it through the notes for chapter 3.  We will begin researching Native American tribes this week.  There will be 8 tribes for each class.  Students will work in a group to research a list of given topics.  Each group will then create 8 artifacts that represent their tribe.  The artifacts must all fit in a shoe box.  Next week depending on the weather we will hold the Great Native American Dig!  Each group will bury their artifacts in the sand pits on the playground.  Another group will dig them up and recover them.  They will examine each artifact and try to determine its origin and usage.  They will then try to piece together with the information they have, which tribe they have discovered and what region they are from.  This should be an awesome experience.  I will have many materials for the creation of the artifacts in my room, however, your child may be asking for things from home as well.
If you have a spare shoe box, we will need some to use.  Send it in anytime this week!  Thanks!

6th grade Literature:  We are moving on to new books.  The four choices for 6th grade are all excellent books and award winners or winning authors.  We will finish reading the last 2 chapters of Charlotte Doyle at the beginning of class this week.  I will be working on grading their essays.  Vocabulary tests will be given back Monday/Tuesday. Again, make sure your student is reading the pages assigned outside of class.

God bless your week!