Back in the swing of things....

With one week under our belt we are back in the swing of things.  It was great to be back in the classroom with all of your children.  Although it was wonderful having my whole family home, I certainly missed your children.

Third Quarter book report:  At the end of the week I gave out the information for the third quarter book report.  Each child will receive a paper copy this week, but it is shared on Google with them and posted on this blog under 5th or 6th grade literature.  If you have questions or need to recall the due dates or instructions make sure to look in those two places.

5th grade is focusing on mystery, fantasy, science fiction.  It has to be a fiction book, not based on truth or real events or people.  I will need to approve the book by Thursday 1/14, however I may ask that you approve it also if it is a book above 5th grade reading and maturity level (such as Hunger Games, Divergent etc...)

6th grade is reading Biographies, autobiographies or historical fiction.  There are lots of great choices out there, especially in historical fiction.  I need to check all books by this week Thursday 1/14.

**Remember book reports take time!!  They are meant to be done at home over the course of several weeks, and should be done with the student's best  effort.  Points are 2-3 times that of a normal assignment.  Most second quarter book reports were well done, however some were never completed and others lacked effort.  We have looked at this closely in class.

5th grade language arts:   Spelling this week is pages 104-107.  Due on Thursday.  Pretest on Monday and final test on Thursday.
Grammar - we continue with pronouns.  We will look closely at last week's assessment before going on this week.
Literature - This is one of my favorite weeks in literature.  We are reading 6 Chris Van Allsburg picture books.  Groups will read one book a day, discuss and answer a few simple questions.  If your child is absent, they must complete what they missed at seminar or study hall.  There is one copy of each book.
We will eventually do a presentation on one of the books, focusing on symbolism and theme/lesson.  We will at some point watch Zathura - the movie.  We will not watch Jumanji or The Polar Express, but you may want to watch them at home for a fun comparison to the books.

5th grade social studies:   Also one of my favorite weeks in social studies.  We will finish chapter 8 on slavery Monday and Tuesday.  If your child did not tell you about our Middle Passage simulation, make sure to ask them.  It was enlightening.
Then we will begin a 3-4 day hands on experience into Colonial life.  I will set the room up in stations and the students will experience what school, church, government, homelife and entertainment were like in colonial times.  Again, they will be answering questions along the way that will be graded.

Absent students will need to make up the stations during study hall time.

6th grade literature:  We have been reading biographies from our Yellow lit book.  Be checking Cornerstone that your child is completing the work for each story.  This week we will move into historical fiction.  We will read 2 great stories from our book.  The second story about Pompeii will include some awesome research and outside reading as well as a musical look at this topic.

I am happy to assist with picking out books for the book report - just let me know.  I have many books on my shelf and Miss Albers does as well.