Review for Story Elements 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


Students will also be required to apply their knowledge of these terms using a story.  For example: Who is the protagonist in the story?

May Update

We are getting down to last few weeks of school.  Here are a couple of important dates:


May 15-Reading Performance Task (in class)
May 21- Independent Reading Presentations

May 22- 8:45 5^th grade Awards Assembly 

May 23- Fishing Derby @ CSMS Pond for 5^th grade

May 26- No school (Memorial Day)

May 29- School-wide Talent Show

May 30- Yearbook Distribution and Signing Party

June 2- Homework Bash

June 4- Last Day of School

Here are a list of websites we've used in class during Unit 4.

http://www.fordstheatre.org

http://www.history.com/interactives/civil-war-150#/home

http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/

http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/

Field Trip News

Fifth Grade Field Trip to Alice in Wonderland!

What?                   Field trip to see a ballet production of Alice in Wonderland

When?                  Friday, February 14^th

Where?                UCA Reynolds Performance Hall

How?                    Bus will depart by 8:45 and return to CSMS by 1:00

Cost?                     Free! 

Lunch?                  Students will need to bring a lunch (no glass, please) or order a lunch in advance from                                                                    the cafeteria. 

 

Cut and return the slip below by Feb. 11^th ONLY IF you need a lunch from the cafeteria the day of the field trip:

____________________________________________________________________________

My child, ____________________________, will need a lunch from the cafeteria on Friday, Feb. 14^th. 

First Period Teacher:  _________________________________________________

Parent Signature: ____________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Independent Reading Presentations due February 13th

For the most part- the project directions are the same.  I have noted the changes in blue.  Students may choose any presentation style they prefer.  If your child is tech savy, encourage him/her to make a Powerpoint.  If your child is artistic, encourage him/her to create a book mobile or movie poster.  If your child needs posterboard, let me know. 

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:

·         title and author

·         main character(s)

·         compare how two characters from the story are different and/or similar

·         short summary of the story without giving away the ending

·         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 (main idea of the story)

 

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

·         two or three PowerPoint slides with pictures that relate to the story- you must explain how the pictures relate to the story (PowerPoint must be saved to a flash drive and brought to class) A Prezi or Glogster is also acceptable.

·         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.

January Update

The first few weeks of January will be dedicated to Module review and Module testing. We will start our third unit on Friday, January 24. Below is a quick overview.

Brief Summary of Unit: In this unit students will read historical fiction and informational texts about the Great Depression with the underlying theme of Coming of age. Coming of Age is a learning process that can be understood through the study of fictional characters and historical figures. Students will study the historical context through the novels of Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis and The Trial by Jen Bryant. The informational text for this unit of study will be Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman. Students will use multiple sources to form an opinion and write an essay expressing their thoughts about whether or not they think life was more difficult for kids during the Great Depression Era or for kids in today’s society.

The next Independent Reading Presentation will be due February 13th.  Students will receive the directions for this assignment on Wednesday, January 29th.  Generally speaking, the directions will be the same.  Students will be required to give a character trait for a main character along with evidence from the book that supports the trait.  It will be much easier for students if they physically have the book while working on the presentation. 

Here are some examples of Exemplary Work completed by some of the students:

 

 

Update for October 4th

It's hard to believe we've been in school for almost eight weeks! 

In Reading:
We finished Crash and started reading The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare.  Students should be reading from their self-selected novel outside of class (study hall and at home).  We are discussing how characters react to challenges.  Independent Reading Presentations will be on October 18th.

In Writing:
We are creating a Personal Narrative about a time we were hurt.  We are focusing on writing in first person, creating a strong lead and conclusion, dialogue, and word choice.

Our first quarter is winding down, and parent-teacher conferences will soon be held.  The first quarter grades in Literacy are often the best grades.  During our first quarter, students do not have any Module Tests or major writing pieces.  So the first quarter is like a "Honeymoon" period.  With that being said, the Second Quarter will start off with a bang.  Here are some important upcoming dates for Literacy:

• October 14- No school for students (Teacher Work Day)
• October 16- End of First Quarter
• October 18- Independent Reading Presentations due (35 points)
• October 21-25 Writing Performance Task (will be completed in class; 100 points)
• October 22-23 Parent-Teacher Conferences
• October 29- Reading Module (50 points)
• October 30- Writing Module (50 points)

Yesterday, students were assigned their second Independent Reading Presentation (IRP).  The requirements are exactly the same as the first IRP completed in September.  I've added an additional option for presenting.  Students may choose to create a CD Cover for the book they choose to present.  Along with creating a colorful cover, the students will also write the title of three songs that relate to the book.  Students must explain how the song relates to the story.  Students DO NOT need to download any music or bring an actual CD.  I have a template the students should use.  They may glue or tape the template to an empty CD case.  I've attached an example below:

Front of CD:

 

 

Back of CD:

 

 

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  

 

Independent Reading Presentations

Independent Reading Presentation due September 19th

Independent Reading Presentation

Project is due ___________. You must present your project on a book you have finished between the dates of __________________. 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:

· title and author

· main character(s)

· compare how two characters from the story are different and/or similar

· short summary of the story without giving away the ending

· one challenge the main character(s) face

· how the main character responds to the challenge

· theme (main idea of the story)

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

· two or three PowerPoint slides with pictures that relate to the story-you must explain how the pictures relate to the story (PowerPoint must be saved to a flash drive and brought to class)

· 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

Below is an example of a book mobile:

I would like to keep the book mobiles to hang in the classroom. Please do not attach anything to the book mobiles that is of personal value.

 

 

 

Example of a movie poster

 

 

Example of a PowerPoint