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.

October News

Important Dates-

10-24   Book orders go home

10-27   Crazy Hair/Hat Day - "Put a Cap on Drugs"

10-28   Pajama Day - "Follow Your Dreams and Don't Do Drugs"
10-29   Twinkies (dress alike) - "Team up Against Drugs"
10-30   Camo Day - "Join the Fight Against Drugs"10-30   Independent Reading Presentations Due (IRPs)

10-31   Wampus Cat (wear blue and white)- "PAWs-itively Drug Free"

10-31   Book orders due

Candy grams will be sold Tuesday (10-28)and Wednesday (10-29) during lunch for 25 cents. Send them to your friends or someone you admire. They will be delivered on Friday, October 31st during 8th period.

Independent Reading Presentations Information

Students will give presentations on September 25th. Today, we went over the requirements for the presentation. The students received a green half sheet of paper with the step by step directions. I've had two personal 5th graders of my own, so I know 5th graders are not the most organized of species. Therefor,  I've attached the Google Slides document I presented in class. It should help you understand what your child is required to do for the project. The project must be on a book the student has read since school has started....not from previous years. If you have further questions, please email me. You can also browse through posts from last year to see examples.


Link to the Google Slides Document:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-A4GhLlmBMUx7isOFAYm_lxtIFCdGVnOn0NIV1kX-rQ/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

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)

·         short summary of the story without giving away the ending

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

·         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) 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

·         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.

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

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.