Friday, October 27, 2017
Week of Oct. 30-Nov. 3
We are moving into second quarter. We are in the midst of exciting units of study!
Book clubs are in full swing.
Thank you to those who were able to make it to Parent/Teacher conferences. It is always good to touch base about how things are going as we partner together! If you were unable to make it, and still would like to talk, just let me know and we can set up a time.
5th Grade Assignments for this week
Personal Narrative - due Tuesday - must be proofed by a parent
Literature Quiz Monday - due Tuesday - on Google classroom
Spelling homework on Tuesday - due Wednesday
Grammar homework on Monday - due Tuesday
Reading chapters due Monday, Wednesday, Friday - see individual book club calendar on Google classroom
Social Studies chapter test on Thursday
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature: Book Clubs meet every day. There is a calendar on Google classroom under the book your child is reading with the specific chapters and assignments recorded. The calendar is set up so that it lists what assignment we are working on that day. A due date is posted.
If you have not responded to Google classroom invites, I can send those out. It allows you to get notifications of assignments due on Classroom.
We are moving quickly through the Book club books. It is important that each student reads the assigned chapters and completes the assignments on time, in order to stay in the group. This week there will be a quiz on Monday, that is due Tuesday.
Spelling/Grammar: We chose new spelling words last week. The class words are posted on the blog. Your child's complete list is on Google classroom under English, Second quarter spelling lists. The test will be next Thursday, Nov. 2. There will be a spelling assignment on Tuesday that is due Wednesday.
We continue to work on grammar skills that affect our writing. We will review sentences this week and then do a lesson about proper nouns, since that is affecting writing across subjects. We will be doing Mentor sentences this week as well.
Writing: YEAH!! We have reached the end of our first unit. All 5th graders have brought home their personal narrative to be read over the weekend. Please go over it with your child, we have spent many hours on this story. Give them any final advice or help them make any last corrections before turning it in on Tuesday. We will have an Author's celebration on Friday!!
Social Studies: We completed chapter 4 which is an introduction to chapter 5 on Explorers. I will hand back the quiz on Monday. Students will be able to make corrections even though it was only 11 points. Parents will need to sign the corrected test.
Students have worked in partners this week to investigate one of the 8 explorers we study. They will present their findings on Monday and Tuesday and we will take notes in our workbooks from those presentations.
We are scheduled to take the test on this chapter on Thursday of this week. I will let you know if that needs to be adjusted. They will be using their note taking page again for this test, because it is too much information to remember.
Students will be choosing an explorer from a class list this week to begin researching. This unit will cross over writers workshop, genius hour and social studies. We will begin learning some of the writing skills as they gather information. Most of this work will be done at school. i will send out a timeline and directions when we get going.
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6th Grade Literature: Weekly assignments
Chapters due each class period - individual book club calendars with chapter listed on Google classroom.
Vocabulary words - done in class - if absent student must get the words from the group
Book quiz - Thursday or Friday
Students are enjoying the Book clubs. They meet every class time to discuss the book and often read together. All students should have some reading that is being done at home or outside of class. We have been working on vocabulary. The group picks the words together and agrees on the definition to match its usage in the book.
Students must stay current with the chapters assigned and assignments, so look for missing work on Educate. Students not keeping up may be removed from the group.
We finish these book November 10-11.
Enjoy your long weekend.
Blessings,
Mrs. Brown
Friday, October 20, 2017
Conference Week
I look forward to meeting with many of you this week for Parent/teacher conferences. I love to have the students come along. After all, it is their work we are discussing. The sign up link has been sent out, or you can come by and pop in during open times.
We continue to roll into second quarter. All grades from last week and this week will be posted for 2nd quarter.
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature: Book clubs have begun! This gives students an opportunity to read a book independently, while still having others to discuss it with and work together on literary elements. It also challenges them to read out loud, which is a different skill than silent reading. I love to sit in on the book clubs both as they read out loud to each other and as they discuss the books.
Each book club has a daily calendar posted on Google Classroom. It has the assignments and chapters assigned for each day of the book club, so students know exactly what to read and what homework is due. Check it out!
Many students have chosen to check out the remaining book club books to read on their own. They are all great choices and I have recommended that they read several of them.
Spelling/Grammar: We will be choosing new spelling words on Tuesday. they will go on a new document for Second quarter spelling that is on Google classroom. We will work with these words for 2 weeks. The final test will be on Thursday, Nov. 2.
We continue working on grammar skills, focusing on skills I have noticed are weak in their writing.
There will be grammar homework on Google classroom Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Writing:We have been editing our personal narratives. They will receive a paper copy of their narrative edited by 3 people back on Monday. Students will have until Thursday to make corrections on the chrome book and turn in a final copy. They will have class time to work, but may need to work at home as well. I recommend they have a parent read their final draft for any last mistakes!!
This was a challenging unit, but I am proud of how the students have incorporated so much of what we learned into their writing. For many of them, this was their first experience with a true Writer's workshop format.
Social Studies: Thursday and Friday were the Sunken Ship Exploration activity. The students did an awesome job. They found 8 artifacts within the ship, sketched each one and then read to discover what the artifact was and why was it important. On Monday I will give them the 11 question quiz that goes with the information from the ship. They will be able to use their notes to answer it.
We move on to Chapter 5 about the individual explorers. This chapter is full of dates, countries and other information for each explorer. We will break into groups to read about the explorers and then present the information to each other, taking notes together in our workbook. This chapter test will also be open note (not book) so students need to follow as we take notes in class.
Towards the end of the chapter, each student will be choosing an explorer to research. I will send out that information soon.
*****************************************************************************
6th Grade Literature: Book clubs are here!! After a wonderful book tasting on Monday/Tuesday, the 6th graders have been divided by A day and B day into 6 book clubs. This is a mixture of students from Ms. Stearns' room and Mrs. Brown's room. The assignments will be the same for all the groups.
Each book club has a daily calendar posted on Google classroom. It has all the assignments and chapter assignments for the entire unit posted for each day. It is a great thing to look at if you are not sure what is due or what chapters should be read or if you are absent.
Groups will be reading some in class, but chapters are assigned each class time and due the next. This will require outside reading for most students. You should see the book club book around. Most other literature work will be done in class.
We are excited about all 6 books. We have encouraged students to check out the other 5 at some point this year. We will make those available.
Check out the Book tasting pics on Twitter!
It is a pleasure working with your children. Blessings on your week ahead.
Mrs. Brown
We continue to roll into second quarter. All grades from last week and this week will be posted for 2nd quarter.
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature: Book clubs have begun! This gives students an opportunity to read a book independently, while still having others to discuss it with and work together on literary elements. It also challenges them to read out loud, which is a different skill than silent reading. I love to sit in on the book clubs both as they read out loud to each other and as they discuss the books.
Each book club has a daily calendar posted on Google Classroom. It has the assignments and chapters assigned for each day of the book club, so students know exactly what to read and what homework is due. Check it out!
Many students have chosen to check out the remaining book club books to read on their own. They are all great choices and I have recommended that they read several of them.
Spelling/Grammar: We will be choosing new spelling words on Tuesday. they will go on a new document for Second quarter spelling that is on Google classroom. We will work with these words for 2 weeks. The final test will be on Thursday, Nov. 2.
We continue working on grammar skills, focusing on skills I have noticed are weak in their writing.
There will be grammar homework on Google classroom Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Writing:We have been editing our personal narratives. They will receive a paper copy of their narrative edited by 3 people back on Monday. Students will have until Thursday to make corrections on the chrome book and turn in a final copy. They will have class time to work, but may need to work at home as well. I recommend they have a parent read their final draft for any last mistakes!!
This was a challenging unit, but I am proud of how the students have incorporated so much of what we learned into their writing. For many of them, this was their first experience with a true Writer's workshop format.
Social Studies: Thursday and Friday were the Sunken Ship Exploration activity. The students did an awesome job. They found 8 artifacts within the ship, sketched each one and then read to discover what the artifact was and why was it important. On Monday I will give them the 11 question quiz that goes with the information from the ship. They will be able to use their notes to answer it.
We move on to Chapter 5 about the individual explorers. This chapter is full of dates, countries and other information for each explorer. We will break into groups to read about the explorers and then present the information to each other, taking notes together in our workbook. This chapter test will also be open note (not book) so students need to follow as we take notes in class.
Towards the end of the chapter, each student will be choosing an explorer to research. I will send out that information soon.
*****************************************************************************
6th Grade Literature: Book clubs are here!! After a wonderful book tasting on Monday/Tuesday, the 6th graders have been divided by A day and B day into 6 book clubs. This is a mixture of students from Ms. Stearns' room and Mrs. Brown's room. The assignments will be the same for all the groups.
Each book club has a daily calendar posted on Google classroom. It has all the assignments and chapter assignments for the entire unit posted for each day. It is a great thing to look at if you are not sure what is due or what chapters should be read or if you are absent.
Groups will be reading some in class, but chapters are assigned each class time and due the next. This will require outside reading for most students. You should see the book club book around. Most other literature work will be done in class.
We are excited about all 6 books. We have encouraged students to check out the other 5 at some point this year. We will make those available.
Check out the Book tasting pics on Twitter!
It is a pleasure working with your children. Blessings on your week ahead.
Mrs. Brown
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Second Quarter Begins
Last week was a great ending to the quarter. We finished reading Wonder and have only the very end of Charlotte Doyle left to read.
Both were great class read alouds, that gave us a chance to learn numerous literary elements, practice journaling, discussion and vocabulary.
Both 5th and 6th grade are now beginning Book Clubs where students will be assigned to a book, along with a group and will read the book as well as complete the same activities from quarter one.
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature - We have finished reading Wonder. We took both the vocabulary test and the book test last week. Because of the nature of these tests, there will not be an opportunity to correct them for points.
Vocabulary folders which were done in class will be graded and added to first quarter grades.
This week the students will divide into groups and create a book trailer for Wonder. This will be an activity just for fun and learning the steps of creating a book trailer (something they do for a grade later in middle school).
Book clubs begin tomorrow. Each book will have a calendar of chapters and due dates. The assignments will be posted in Google classroom under the title of the book. We will read these books in 2-3 weeks. Some of the chapters will be read at school, but much of it will be assigned to read at home. You may certainly read with your child on those assignments.
Writing/grammar/spelling: We chose spelling words last Tuesday. They are on Google classroom. The test over these words will be Thursday, October 19th. There will be spelling homework on Tuesday of this week.
We will also continue working on grammar skills focusing this week on subjects, predicates, run-on and fragment sentences. This will help us greatly as we begin the final editing of our personal narratives.
I will be printing the drafts of the personal narratives this week, so that we can edit spelling, grammar and any other still needed revisions.
The final copy will be completed next week. These will be posted on Seesaw! We will also have an author's celebration, and may join the 6th graders and share stories.
Social Studies: We have one presentation of Native American tribes left in each class. We will finish that Monday and move on to the next chapter. Final grades for the Native American test and presentations/artifacts will be added to Educate this week. We will begin to study early exploration of the Americas. On Thursday of this week we will have a Sunken Ship treasure hunt activity.
The second part of this chapter will include a research project on a famous American explorer. We will work on this as part of social studies, writing, and genius hour. All the details will come out for this project as we get closer.
*******************************************************************************
6th Grade Literature: It was a blast reading True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle during first quarter. We learned many literary elements, including foreshadowing. Discussions, predictions and students analyzations of the story were wonderful. Final tests on the book and vocabulary will be returned this week. Because of the nature of these tests, there will not be a chance for corrections. Vocabulary folders will still be added to the quarter grade.
But...we are moving on. Monday and Tuesday of this week, Ms. Stearns and I will be introducing the 6 books available to read for Book clubs. We have a great Book tasting event planned for the students.
We will be combining our two classes and dividing them among the 6 reads. The work in this unit will be similar to the first, vocabulary, reflection journals, quizzes, and we will add graded discussions. Each group will also complete a final project.
We will read the books in 2-3 weeks time, so chapters will be assigned to read at home. It is imperative that students stay up with the reading in order to complete the work in class. You may certainly read along with your student if you wish.
Blessings on your week as we begin a new quarter,
Mrs. Brown
Both were great class read alouds, that gave us a chance to learn numerous literary elements, practice journaling, discussion and vocabulary.
Both 5th and 6th grade are now beginning Book Clubs where students will be assigned to a book, along with a group and will read the book as well as complete the same activities from quarter one.
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature - We have finished reading Wonder. We took both the vocabulary test and the book test last week. Because of the nature of these tests, there will not be an opportunity to correct them for points.
Vocabulary folders which were done in class will be graded and added to first quarter grades.
This week the students will divide into groups and create a book trailer for Wonder. This will be an activity just for fun and learning the steps of creating a book trailer (something they do for a grade later in middle school).
Book clubs begin tomorrow. Each book will have a calendar of chapters and due dates. The assignments will be posted in Google classroom under the title of the book. We will read these books in 2-3 weeks. Some of the chapters will be read at school, but much of it will be assigned to read at home. You may certainly read with your child on those assignments.
Writing/grammar/spelling: We chose spelling words last Tuesday. They are on Google classroom. The test over these words will be Thursday, October 19th. There will be spelling homework on Tuesday of this week.
We will also continue working on grammar skills focusing this week on subjects, predicates, run-on and fragment sentences. This will help us greatly as we begin the final editing of our personal narratives.
I will be printing the drafts of the personal narratives this week, so that we can edit spelling, grammar and any other still needed revisions.
The final copy will be completed next week. These will be posted on Seesaw! We will also have an author's celebration, and may join the 6th graders and share stories.
Social Studies: We have one presentation of Native American tribes left in each class. We will finish that Monday and move on to the next chapter. Final grades for the Native American test and presentations/artifacts will be added to Educate this week. We will begin to study early exploration of the Americas. On Thursday of this week we will have a Sunken Ship treasure hunt activity.
The second part of this chapter will include a research project on a famous American explorer. We will work on this as part of social studies, writing, and genius hour. All the details will come out for this project as we get closer.
*******************************************************************************
6th Grade Literature: It was a blast reading True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle during first quarter. We learned many literary elements, including foreshadowing. Discussions, predictions and students analyzations of the story were wonderful. Final tests on the book and vocabulary will be returned this week. Because of the nature of these tests, there will not be a chance for corrections. Vocabulary folders will still be added to the quarter grade.
But...we are moving on. Monday and Tuesday of this week, Ms. Stearns and I will be introducing the 6 books available to read for Book clubs. We have a great Book tasting event planned for the students.
We will be combining our two classes and dividing them among the 6 reads. The work in this unit will be similar to the first, vocabulary, reflection journals, quizzes, and we will add graded discussions. Each group will also complete a final project.
We will read the books in 2-3 weeks time, so chapters will be assigned to read at home. It is imperative that students stay up with the reading in order to complete the work in class. You may certainly read along with your student if you wish.
Blessings on your week as we begin a new quarter,
Mrs. Brown
Saturday, October 7, 2017
End of First Quarter
Yes this week is the end of first quarter already. A lot of growth and learning has taken place this quarter.
Thank you to those of you that have encouraged your student to keep up on Educate and check on assignments they have questions about.
This will be the last week this quarter to make corrections or adjust any possible assignments.
A great time to talk about this is at recess. I am inside this week as well, and have time to work with students that want help. Some students ask during class, while we are working on other things and that doesn't work out.
Not all assignments can be corrected, but have your student ask if they are unsure. All corrected or missing work must be in by Friday - no exceptions!
Late and corrected work doesn't get graded immediately. I usually grade the current class assignments first, before returning to other work. If they turn something in this week it will be adjusted on the final quarter grade.
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature: We are on the last section of our class read aloud Wonder.
We will finish it this week. There will be a final test over the book on Thursday. We completed the vocabulary words together in class. Each student should have a folder with all 14 words, definitions and examples. This folder should have come home on Friday. They will have all week to look over the words. I suggest they make or use some study aids to remember them. The final test on the words is Thursday. They will also turn their folder of words in on Thursday for points. These should be easy points if they kept up with the words and completed their examples. Students that were absent or missed words, were to ask me for a copy of them.
Many of the students have asked about going to see the movie when it is released in November. That is something we are working on and we will let you know as it develops.
We will move into Book clubs after Wonder. Listed below are the 5 book choices for this read. I will be going over each of them this week with the students before making choices. Groups are based on interest and ability.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Patterson
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Common sense media is a great website to use to check out books your child wants to read. It gives a good summary and rating of the book.
English: Spelling - we will be choosing new spelling words on Tuesday. Your child's complete list will be on Google classroom on Thursday. We will use spelling city on Thursday as well. The test will be the following week Thursday, October 19.
Grammar - since we are approaching the editing part of Writers workshop, we will be doing some grammar skills the next several weeks. We will start Monday in class, and there will be an assignment on Google classroom due Tuesday.
Writing - Our new writing curriculum is awesome but intense. We work everyday on some aspect of our story. This week we will be working on the endings and then begin the editing process. I am proud of the way the students keep absorbing the new skills and incorporating them into their story.
I will be printing all the drafts this week to help with editing.
I will post the date for the final writing to be completed when we get a little closer.
Social Studies: What an awesome week in social studies!! Thank you to those of you that could stop by the dig on Tuesday or come along with us on Thursday. If you were unable, look for some great pictures on Twitter. We are in the final steps of this unit.
1. First groups were assigned and each student completed research on their tribe.
2. Then the artifacts were created representing the tribe.
3. On dig day groups buried their tribes artifacts, but then dug up artifacts from another group.
4. Wed and Friday we spent time sketching and identifying the artifacts recovered. Groups made an educated guess which tribe they thought they had recovered.
5. Groups are now creating a presentation to show the class about their tribe. They will reveal to us the tribe they researched and the artifacts they created. Reveal days will be Thursday and Friday.
The test for this unit both chapters 2 and 3 will be on Wednesday. Students will receive a study guide Monday for homework. It must be done and at school on Tuesday to receive points.
We will go over all the information in class on Tuesday so they can study some more.
The field trip was great. The weather held for us. It was interesting to see and learn about the Native Americans that lived so close to us. The students did a great job listening, following directions and climbing to the top of Monk's Mound.
*********************************************************************************
6th Grade LIterature: This is the final week for Charlotte Doyle. Groups have either finished their vocab or will finish on Monday. The folders should come home for the students to study the words. They will need to know all 14 words, the definitions and be able to use them in a sentence. The vocabulary test will be Thursday for A day, and Friday for B day classes. Students should use some study guide aids to go over the words. They will also turn in their vocabulary folders on test day. The folders themselves will be graded. We completed the words together in class, and students added an example sentence for each word. This should be easy points if they worked in class. If they were absent or missed words, students will need to ask for a copy of the words.
There will also be a final test over the book on Thursday. Since the book was a read aloud, there will not be much prep for the test, however we will look back over quizzes before hand
Ms. Stearns and I are so excited to begin book clubs. We have the books ready and will be introducing them to the students beginning of the following week. More about that on next week's blog.
Any missing or corrected work for 6th grade must be in this week. Have your student check Educate!
Looking forward to a great end to the first quarter.
Have a blessed week,
Mrs. Brown
Thank you to those of you that have encouraged your student to keep up on Educate and check on assignments they have questions about.
This will be the last week this quarter to make corrections or adjust any possible assignments.
A great time to talk about this is at recess. I am inside this week as well, and have time to work with students that want help. Some students ask during class, while we are working on other things and that doesn't work out.
Not all assignments can be corrected, but have your student ask if they are unsure. All corrected or missing work must be in by Friday - no exceptions!
Late and corrected work doesn't get graded immediately. I usually grade the current class assignments first, before returning to other work. If they turn something in this week it will be adjusted on the final quarter grade.
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature: We are on the last section of our class read aloud Wonder.
We will finish it this week. There will be a final test over the book on Thursday. We completed the vocabulary words together in class. Each student should have a folder with all 14 words, definitions and examples. This folder should have come home on Friday. They will have all week to look over the words. I suggest they make or use some study aids to remember them. The final test on the words is Thursday. They will also turn their folder of words in on Thursday for points. These should be easy points if they kept up with the words and completed their examples. Students that were absent or missed words, were to ask me for a copy of them.
Many of the students have asked about going to see the movie when it is released in November. That is something we are working on and we will let you know as it develops.
We will move into Book clubs after Wonder. Listed below are the 5 book choices for this read. I will be going over each of them this week with the students before making choices. Groups are based on interest and ability.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Patterson
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Common sense media is a great website to use to check out books your child wants to read. It gives a good summary and rating of the book.
English: Spelling - we will be choosing new spelling words on Tuesday. Your child's complete list will be on Google classroom on Thursday. We will use spelling city on Thursday as well. The test will be the following week Thursday, October 19.
Grammar - since we are approaching the editing part of Writers workshop, we will be doing some grammar skills the next several weeks. We will start Monday in class, and there will be an assignment on Google classroom due Tuesday.
Writing - Our new writing curriculum is awesome but intense. We work everyday on some aspect of our story. This week we will be working on the endings and then begin the editing process. I am proud of the way the students keep absorbing the new skills and incorporating them into their story.
I will be printing all the drafts this week to help with editing.
I will post the date for the final writing to be completed when we get a little closer.
Social Studies: What an awesome week in social studies!! Thank you to those of you that could stop by the dig on Tuesday or come along with us on Thursday. If you were unable, look for some great pictures on Twitter. We are in the final steps of this unit.
1. First groups were assigned and each student completed research on their tribe.
2. Then the artifacts were created representing the tribe.
3. On dig day groups buried their tribes artifacts, but then dug up artifacts from another group.
4. Wed and Friday we spent time sketching and identifying the artifacts recovered. Groups made an educated guess which tribe they thought they had recovered.
5. Groups are now creating a presentation to show the class about their tribe. They will reveal to us the tribe they researched and the artifacts they created. Reveal days will be Thursday and Friday.
The test for this unit both chapters 2 and 3 will be on Wednesday. Students will receive a study guide Monday for homework. It must be done and at school on Tuesday to receive points.
We will go over all the information in class on Tuesday so they can study some more.
The field trip was great. The weather held for us. It was interesting to see and learn about the Native Americans that lived so close to us. The students did a great job listening, following directions and climbing to the top of Monk's Mound.
*********************************************************************************
6th Grade LIterature: This is the final week for Charlotte Doyle. Groups have either finished their vocab or will finish on Monday. The folders should come home for the students to study the words. They will need to know all 14 words, the definitions and be able to use them in a sentence. The vocabulary test will be Thursday for A day, and Friday for B day classes. Students should use some study guide aids to go over the words. They will also turn in their vocabulary folders on test day. The folders themselves will be graded. We completed the words together in class, and students added an example sentence for each word. This should be easy points if they worked in class. If they were absent or missed words, students will need to ask for a copy of the words.
There will also be a final test over the book on Thursday. Since the book was a read aloud, there will not be much prep for the test, however we will look back over quizzes before hand
Ms. Stearns and I are so excited to begin book clubs. We have the books ready and will be introducing them to the students beginning of the following week. More about that on next week's blog.
Any missing or corrected work for 6th grade must be in this week. Have your student check Educate!
Looking forward to a great end to the first quarter.
Have a blessed week,
Mrs. Brown
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