Struggling with Theme?

Here is what we have used in class to help.

Here is a YouTube video for extra help:

Example of Google Slide for Independent Reading Presentations

Here is an example of a Google Slide Presentation. Students should make a title slide and three slides with one picture on each slide. Do not use text to describe the slide. Students will explain how the slide relates to the story when they give the presentation in class. (Students may use notecards to remember the descriptions)

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1il9BZC11y2kh5-WzBWz6HnWGvlBJv485hbsZkP5vT2k/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

Independent Reading Presentations 2015-2016

Independent Reading Presentation

Project is due ___________.  If you have not finished a book by the project due date, you will receive a POW, and 10% will be deducted from your score.  You will still be required to present your project even if it is late. 

Every presentation must include the following in this order:

·         title and author

·         main character(s)

·         summary of the story without giving away the ending

·         compare how two characters from the story are different and similar (do not use appearances)

·         choose a character trait that describes one of the main characters

·         use specific evidence from the book to support your character trait (must include the page number)

·         theme (lesson you learned from the story) including an explanation of why you think this is the theme

Information must be written on note cards.  Be sure to practice reading in front of someone before presenting.  Try not to read straight from the cards.  Practice and then practice some more.

Choose ONE of the following to include in your presentation:

·          three items in a bag that relate to the story- you must explain how the objects relate to your book

·          movie poster you create that represents an event from the story- you must explain how the movie poster relates to your story. All artwork must be original-do not copy from the book or movie

·          three Google slides with pictures that relate to the story- you must explain how the pictures relate to the story (You may include a title slide) Do not use images from the book or movie.

·          create a book mobile using a wire clothes hanger- attach at least five pictures (hand drawn or printed from computer) or items that represent the book.  Be prepared to explain how each picture or item relates to the book

·          create a CD cover for the book.  On the back, think of three popular songs that relate to the book.  Be sure to explain how the songs relate to the book.

Visit http://mastersliteracyclass.blogspot.com/ for examples

Week of August 31-September 4

We have a QUIZ on Friday, September 4th over Literary Elements. We made flash cards in class today. Students should use the flash cards to help study the terms and their definitions. Students will also need to be able to identify the main character and setting of a story that is read to them. If your child has misplaced the flash cards, the information below can also help them prepare for the quiz.

Characters- the people (or animals) in the story

Setting- when and where the story takes place

Plot- what happens in the story; the problem and solution

Protagonist- the person the story is mostly about who faces a challenge or problem

Antagonist- the person who opposes (or causes) the problem in the story

Theme- a life lesson learned in the story

Summary- the main ideas or details from the story

Character Trait- a word that describes a character based on what he/she does, says, thinks, or feels

Scholastic Book Orders were sent home today. Orders are due by September 15th. If you would like to order online, be sure to use the following link:
https://orders.scholastic.com/GLWM2

When you order online, you can choose from any of the books Scholastic has to offer instead of just the titles in the paper flyer.

If you would prefer to use a check or cash, please make sure your child fills out the the order form and please send correct change.

Unit 4 America in Conflict

We have started our last unit of study for this year. Students will read Assassin by Anna Myers and Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. For the next several weeks, Literacy class will seem more like Social Studies. We will focus on how author's use point of view to influence events in a text.

Students will conduct research to write a multi-paragraph essay from the following topics:
1. The Great Depression
2. The Civil War
3. The History of Toys

Research and drafting will take place during class. Students can choose to conduct research outside of class. Students will receive a link to websites with approved content through Google Classroom.

Students will have one final Independent Reading Presentation in May. I will send out a Remind 101 when the due date is decided.

Currently we have 32 members of the 25 Book Club. Those students have read at least 25 books and completed a summary or test. I am incredibly proud of these students!!! Students have until the end of April to finish any summaries to become members. Teachers are working on the details for a end of the year reward party for Book Club Members.

January News-

We've finished The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We are looking at figurative language this week. Students will take a Quiz on Friday, January 16th. Students will make flash cards on Tuesday to help prepare. Next week, we will have a Performance Task that is practice for the PARCC assessment at the end of March. Students will be completing the Performance Task in class Monday through Wednesday.

Our class has 15 Members of the Strive for 25 Book Club!!! These students have read over 2500 pages this year (and completed One Page Reports). Students are not required to complete the reports unless they are trying to get in the club. It is not too late if your child still wants to join.


I encourage you to visit the PARCC website to see what the test looks like. I've included a link to take a practice test for 5th grade Literacy. I think you'll be amazed at what the students will be required to do. Long gone are the paper-pencil tests and bubble sheets. Please keep in mind that this is the first year of the test for everyone (test makers, administrators, teachers, as well as students).
http://epat-parcc.testnav.com/client/index.html#tests

Now you're probably wondering how you can help prepare your child at home, RIGHT???? Our Performance Tasks are designed to be similar to the PARCC questions and require students to answer multiple point questions. In other words, the students are not just asked to determine which character trait describes a certain person, but also determine which detail supports the answer. So at home, try asking your child about the book he/she is reading. Here are a couple of questions to ask:

What is the name of one of the main characters?
Describe a conflict or problem this character faces.
How do you think the character will respond (or how DID the character respond)?
--------the answer here should be some kind of action
What does the character's reaction tell you about him/her as a person?
--------the answer here should be some type of adjective or character trait
What is the theme of book (or even movie)?
How do you know?


You'll also notice the PARCC assessment includes a great deal of vocabulary. How we've been preparing at school (and at my personal home) is by asking "What is another way of saying that?" For instance, students might hear the word sympathetic in a story. By asking them another word for it, students must go back and use context to figure out what sympathetic means in the text. I often ask, "What word would a typical fifth grader use instead?" To avoid sounding like a "typical fifth grader", the students challenge themselves to use the new word.

Here is a link regarding modifications that will be available to all students. Our school is working as a team to help the students know how to navigate through all the tools available.


http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/Parent%20PARCC%20Accessibility%20Brochure.pdf



This is just the tiny tip of the iceberg that is PARCC. I will try to pass more information along to you as it travels down to me. Please let me know if you have questions.