Welcome back. I pray your family was well and enjoyed your time off over the holidays. It was wonderful to have all three of my children at home, and spend quality family time together.
Third quarter has begun, and units have changed. 5th graders will be expected to be in class on time and prepared. Both 5th and 6th grade will have weekly free reading assignments and both will have a book report due. This quarter is full of wonderful learning experiences in all the subjects.
Important dates are listed below.
5th Grade Third quarter dates to remember:
Possible Colonial Activity day - Thursday, Jan. 18
January 22-26th Lutheran School's Week
Friday, January 26th - Author visit at Elementary
February 2 - JA Biztown field trip
Book Report due - February 26th
This week's assignments:
Weslandia - Create your own land - due Wednesday. Directions on Google classroom
Monday - Grammar quiz
Tuesday - Choose new spelling words - see blog and Google classroom
Tuesday - Zathura questions assigned in Lit - due Wednesday
Thursday - grammar homework - due Friday
5th Grade Language Arts: Literature: We have begun studying a new genre. We will be focusing on Fantasy, science fiction and fairy tales for the next couple of months. Right now we are reading a couple selections from the Treasure's reading book and completing activities on them. We worked on the story Weslandia last week, and answered story questions. Now each student is designing their own land or civilization. Directions are posted on Google classroom, but besides the basic requirements, their creation is only limited by their imagination.
This week we will read Zathura which will begin our author study of Chris Van Allsburg. Students will be reading 8 of his picture books in class and answering questions about them. We will also study the author himself. This work will be done at school, with the copies of the books. Absent students will have to stay at recess and read what they have missed.
**Students should have by now a book they are reading independently and using for their book report. All books must be approved by me. They will be getting class time to read, but will still need to read at home. They have a reading log they are keeping track with, and each student must read a minimum of 1 and 1/2 hours per week. That averages out to about 15 minutes per day including once over the weekend.
**We will be going over the book report choices this week. They will be posted on the blog and Google classroom.
Spelling/grammar/writing: We will continue with spelling in the same manner as first semester. We will pick new words every two weeks. Over the course of those two weeks, students will complete at least one spelling assignment. They should study the words on their own. Tests will be given every other Thursday. We will choose words this Tuesday.
Grammar: Since we just finished a large writing assignment, we will take a break for a few weeks and work on grammar skills. We are reviewing nouns at this point, and will go onto verbs as well. There will be assignments on worksheets and google classroom.
Writing: We have several writing units to still get through. We are going to write fantasy/fairy tale stories as we read them this unit. That will begin in a few weeks.
I am going over the Explorer writing with each student individually to discuss their writing. They will eventually get that report and grade page back to bring home.
5th Grade social studies:
We are moving into an awesome time in US history to study. Right now we are on chapter 8 about the beginning of slavery. This topic will carry through until the end of the year. We will then move on and talk about Colonial times. This is a great unit with lots of hands on activities. We usually do them over the course of a week in the classroom. This year if it works out, we may try an activity lasting the afternoon in a couple of weeks. I will keep you posted.
This week will will finish up work in our workbook for chapter 8 and it will be graded. There will be a test or quiz and I will let you know when that will be.
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6th Grade Literature: Now that we are back, we are switching gears. We have taken notes and discussed some different genres. First semester we mostly read realistic fiction. We are now reading biographies, autobiographies and eventually historical fiction. We are using short stories out of our yellow reading anthology book. Last week we read a biography about an African American that was part of the first expedition to reach the North Pole. There is a homework assignment with it on Google classroom. It is important these assignments are done on time and the answers are complete!
This week we will be dividing into expert groups and reading 1 of 4 short stories from our book. There will be a note taking assignment with it. Then groups will be reshuffled and each student will need to teach their story to the rest of the group. Again, an assignment on all 4 stories will be on Google classroom.
Students should be now also have an independent reading book that they are reading for their book report. Students will be given a portion of each class time to read that book. They are keeping track of their reading on a reading log. They will also need to read at home. The will be required to read a total of 2 hours each week, that averages to about 20 minutes each day including once on the weekend. This will be part of their grade. The book report for 6th grade is due February 22 or 23rd. Directions will come out this week and be posted.
We will move on to historical fiction and after reading a wonderful story from our book we will be reading Number the Stars, which is an excellent historical fiction book.
We have lots going on, and I am very excited about the units ahead this quarter. They are some of my favorite to teach! Make sure to stay on top of your work and turn everything in on time!!
Blessings on your week,
Mrs. Brown
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