Thursday, Nov 1st

Announcements/Reminders 

• Monday, November 5th - School Closed
• Tuesday, November 6th - School Closed
• Wednesday, November 7th - School Opens 4 hours late (Conferences in the evening)
• Thursday, November 8th -  School Opens 4 hours late (Conferences in the evening)
• Friday, November 9th - School Closes 3 1/2 hours early (Conferences in the afternoon)

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RL.5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RL.5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

We have been working on identifying themes in literature or "finding the heart of the story".  For a look at how I am teaching theme, check out this video:  Teaching Theme

Writing

Focus Standards:

• L.5.2.b - Conventions of Standard English: Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.
• L.5.1.a - Conventions of Standard English: Explain the function of conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections in general and their function in particular sentences.
• W.5.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

The students are putting the final edits on their personal narratives.  We have been working on sentence structure and adding variety to our writing with more complex sentence structures.  We are also working on using proper punctuation, especially when using dialogue.

Thursday, October 24th

Announcements/Reminders 

• Monday, November 5th - School Closed
• Tuesday, November 6th - School Closed
• Wednesday, November 7th - Friday, November 9th -Fall Conferences (School is Open with Half Day Schedules) 
• Conference Sign Up Link:  Click Here

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RL.5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RL.5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

We are continuing to work with literary text.  Our discussions focus on identifying key events to summarize the text and on identifying signposts to determine what the author is trying to tell us about the character or plot.

Writing

Focus Standards:

• W.5.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
• W.5.3.b - Text Types and Purposes: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.

This week we are finalizing our story ideas making sure that we have a clear message for our readers and that the message is conveyed through the events and other elements in our writing.

Thursday, October 11th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Mid Term Progress Reports Home Today
• Please send a water bottle to school with your student.  We no longer have fountains in the classroom and the kids get thirsty after recess.  The line at the fountain in the hall is long.

Reading

Focus Standards

•  RL.5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
• RL.5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

We are continuing to identify key events in our narrative reading and explain the importance of those events by showing how they help us understand the characters, plot, or theme.  Reading Groups are now reading novels or anthologies.  As we read, we are practicing note taking skills to assist us in our comprehension and discussions.  

Writing

Focus Standards

• W.5.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
• W.5.10 - Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Monday through Thursday we are continuing to work on our narrative writing.  Next week we will continue to work on bringing out the heart of the story and bringing forth the story arc.

On Fridays we are writing to respond to reading.  The point of response writing is to help students learn how to communicate and support their thougths about their reading and to proficiently respond to a given prompt.  Some weeks we will write a traditional response paragraph or mini essay.  Other weeks we will respond more creatively.  Tomorrow we will try Black Out Poetry for the first time as a creative way to bring out a message or theme.

Thursday, October 4th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Tomorrow, Friday, October 5th - Mid Term and 2 Hour Early Dismissal
• Friday, October 12 - Mobile Dentist at SRES

If you missed picture day, don't worry.  All children's pictures were taken and you can order copies with this link:  Online Picture Order

Reading 

Focus Standards

• RL.5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RL.5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

We will be working with these two standards using novels in small group in addition to our class novel.  Mrs. Johnson's homeroom is working with the novel The Crossover by Kwame Alexander and Ms. Anzick's homeroom is working with Wonder.  We are focusing on understanding how to identify key events and why those events are so important using Sign Posts (see last week's blog for more on this).  As students are ready, we will also be looking at analyzing character and theme as well as author's craft.  For a look at author's craft see the reference below.

A look at Authors Craft with Kwame Alexander

Writing 

Focus Standard
W.5.5 - With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

This week we will approach another bend in our writing as we look at finding the heart of the story, the message or theme they want to share with their readers.  Our lessons will focus on how to develop a personal narrative that reads like a story and engages the reader by bringing them into the story.  You can take a look at your student's work by asking them to show you their working document.  At this point, we are NOT deleting anything.  While we may choose to start over, further down the document, as part of the revision process, I want students to keep all writing to refer back to for good parts or essential ideas.

Math Helpers

Some of you have requested references for the strategies we use to teach multiplication and division in math.  The Unit newsletters have helpful links, however, I have included two videos below that may help as well.

Box Method Multiplication

Area Method for Division

Thursday, September 27th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Wednesday, October 3rd - Picture Day
• Friday, October 5th - Mid Term and 2 Hour Early Dismissal
• Friday, October 12 - Mobile Dentist at SRES

Reading 

Focus Standard

• RL.5.10   By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

We will wrap up our studies of informational text for this quarter Friday the 28th and move on to literary text for the remainder of the quarter.  The students are refining thier ability to identify the  main idea of small chunks of text in order to get an overall understanding of the main idea for an entire piece.  We will continue to practice chunking text and taking notes to help with comprehension of informational text in Science classes.  As we move into Literary text, we will be working on understanding the signposts that show up in literary text and how they help with comprehension.  Click the resource to check out this handy reference for Literary Signposts:  PDF Resource.

Writing

Focus Standards

W.5.5 - With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

W.5.3.d - Text Types and Purposes: Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.

W.5.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

We will strengthen our skills as storytellers by working with writing partners.  Over the next week, we will work on both giving productive feedback and revising based on feedback.  If you are interested in seeing your student's writing or following their progress, you can have them log into Chrome and show you their work in Google Drive.  Note that we are still in the process of gathering ideas and revising for content.  We will be learning how to edit for grammar, punctuation, and capitalization as we get closer to publishing later in this writing unit.

Thursday, September 20th

Announcements/Reminders 

• Thursday, September 20th - Fluency Scores in Thursday Folder
• Friday, September 21st - Look for Graded Assignments in Homework Folder
• Wednesday, October 3rd - Picture Day
• Friday, October 5th - Mid Term and 2 Hour Early Dismissal

My number:  240-236-1513  My email:  melissa.anzick@fcps.org

Remind your student that homework is due on Fridays, unless otherwise announced.  For reading, they should continue to use the menu provided to choose an activity that will demonstrate their comprehension of the reading they did each night.  I have directed students to choose a different activity each night during the week.  They may start fresh the following week from the same menu.  Most students had their homework ready to turn in last week!  We are off to a good start.  A few are still struggling with this.  Please check with your student to make sure they are managing their assignments.  This week they had homework on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Explanation of Fluency Scores (click heading for overview)
You will see three scores sent home today on your Thursday Folder comment sheet:

1. Accuracy is taken as a percentage of correct words read divided by total words read.  Accurate reading is important, if students are able to read with 95% accuracy or better, they will be able to interpret the author's message.  Students with accuracy below 95% will need support to improve.
2. Words/Min is a measurement of your child's pace as they read.  We count the number of correct words read in one minute to get this rate.  Frederick County likes to see 5th graders reading around 121 words correctly per minute at this point in the year.  Expression and emphasis sometimes slow a reader down and that is okay.  If your child is reading within 10 words of the goal, I would not be too concerned.  Students who are more than 10 words away from the goal/benchmark, will be getting fluency practice added into their instruction.
3. Retell is a quick way for me to see how much your child understood about the text after a first reading.  Scores range from 1 to 5.  A socre of 1 indicates that the students was unable to recall anything significant from the text.  A score of 5 indicates a strong understanding of the text and includes a statement of the main idea along with a robust set of details quoted from the text in a logical order.  A score of 4 or 5 is proficient.  Students who are scoring a 1 or 2 will recieve extra instruction to improve their comprehension.  Students with a 3 will improve with regular comprehension instruction.

If you have questions about your child's fluency scores, please contact me.  

Reading 

Standards of Focus:

• Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

We will continue to work on strategies for comprehending informational text.  This Google Slide Presentation demonstrates the strategies we are using.  We have used Sketch in Chunks and will be moving on with Shrink a Text, and Read Cover Retell.  These simple strategies help students break down lengthy and more complicated text into understandable parts; next, they can use their understanding of the parts to identify the main idea of the whole article or text.

Writing

Standards of Focus:

• Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
• With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
• Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

We will continue working on our personal narrative writing skills.  This week we started looking at techniques for raising the level of our narrative writing.  We will continue to explore ways to bring our writing up to the expectations of 5th grade by using the county rubric to evaluate our current writing and set goals in areas that we need to improve.   I will use student work, published authors, and my own writing to model techniques to write a meaningful story that invites the reader inside.

Thursday, September 13th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Link for Back to School Night  - Click Here
• Friday, September 14th - Reading Homework Due
• Wednesday, September 19th - School Closed
• Friday, October 5th - Mid Term and 2 Hour Early Dismissal

I just want to take a moment to tell you how much I am enjoying teaching your children.  They are a pleasure.  Now for housekeeping...  On Thursdays you should get the regular Thursday Folder from your homeroom teacher and a comment sheet from your child's co teacher.  Please check each carefully.  Also, please note, my phone will be up and running by Monday and my class extension has changed.  My school phone number is 240-236-1513.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RI.5.1 - Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RI.5.2 - Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

We have been working on strategies to help us prepare before we read informational text.  We have also been working on chunking text and summarizing our understandings along the way.  We will continue to add strategies to our reading tool belts next week.

I am also meeting with students to check reading fluency and basic comprehension.  You can look for those results by Friday next week.  I will send them in the Homework Folder.

Writing

Focus Standards:

• W.5.3.d - Text Types and Purposes: Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
• W.5.3 - Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

We have been working on drafts of personal stories.  Our focus has been on ideas during this phase of the writing process.  We have been trying to raise our writing to the next level by adding descriptive language and dialogue to bring the reading into the story.  We will continue to work on techniques that help us really engage our audience during next week's writing lesson and practice as well.

Monday, June 11th

Our Final Week...

5th Grade S'more with all the news for our last week!  Click Here

This week will be full of celebrations and learning.  I am so proud of the growth that each of your children has made.  It has been a wonderful year!  

Please  read the 5th Grade S'more for great summer activities and places to visit.   I hope you have a safe, happy holiday.

My best wishes and love to you all!

Missy Anzick

Friday, June 1st

Announcements and Reminders 

• Tuesday, June 5th - Field Day
• Wednesday, June 6th - TJMS Visit (Permission Slip in Thursday Folder)
• Tuesday, June 12th - 5th Grade Success Celebration Ceremony 9:30-11:00
• Friday, June 15th - 5th Grade End of Year Party
• Friday, June 15th - 2 Hour Early Dismissal and Last Day of School

Please plan on attending our Success Celebration; it will be a special day with music, inspirational words, and recognition of accomplishments.

Also, thank you to all you wonderful parents who have volunteered to help with or donate to our 5th Grade End of Year Party!!  

Math 

Next week in math we will take Global Scholar to assess our progress overall this year.  We will also use an Escape Classroom to review skills taught.  Finally, students will use coordinate points to plot points for their own original design.

Writing 

We will have an author celebration to share our memoirs (by choice) with the class next week.  We will also work on creating invitations and our personal slides for the 5th Grade Success Celebration.

Reading 

Students will have an opportunity to share their Blood on the River final projects.  We will begin choosing short stories and plan ways to share them/present them to some children in the younger grades.

Social Studies

We will look at the development and foundations of our American government, particularly the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. 

Thursday, May 24th

Announcements and Reminders 

• Thursday, May 24th - The Jungle Book Performance
• Monday, May 28th - School Closed, Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 5th - Field Day
• Wednesday, June 6th - TJMS Visit (Permission Slip in Thursday Folder)
• Tuesday, June 12th - 5th Grade Success Celebration Ceremony 9:30-11:00
• Friday, June 15th - 5th Grade End of Year Party
• Friday, June 15th - 2 Hour Early Dismissal and Last Day of School

Math 

Focus Standards:

• 5.NBT.B.7- Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
• 5.NF.B.7b- Interpret division of a whole number by a unit fraction, and compute such quotients. For example, create a story context for 4 divided by (1/5), and use a visual fraction model to show the quotient. Use the relationship between multiplication and division to explain that 4 divided by (1/5) = 20 because 20 x (1/5) = 4.

This week we will wrap up Unit 9 by revisiting past standards and checking for mastery of operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.

Writing 

Focus Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5  With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 5 here.)
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.6  With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.

We will be finalizing our memoirs this week by editing for grammar, punctuation, verb tense, and spelling.  I am so excited about these writing pieces!  I cannot wait for you to read them.  

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.9  Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.5  Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6  Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.

We are finishing up Blood on the River.  This book has been a very interesting read.  The character makes a lot of growth from the beginning of the book to the end and learns valuable lessons about getting along with others and the importance of working with others.  There has also been great information on interactions between settlers and natives.  

Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• SS.500.50.03.a.1 Explain the viewpoints of Patriots and Loyalists regarding British colonial policy after the Seven Years’ War.
• SS.500.50.03.a.2 Identify and sequence key events between the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

We have started a new read aloud:  King George What Was His Problem.  This book is written by a former text book writer.  He saved all the juicy stories for a fun, informational book about the Revolutionary War.

Monday, May 14th

Announcements

•  First, a big THANK YOU to all the moms and dads who went to D.C. with us last week.  You were amazing chaperones and I appreciate you giving your time to help with the trip.  
• Wednesday, May 16th - Parent Volunteer Tea at SRES
• Wednesday, May 16th- 7-8 PM  Author Jewell Parker Rhodes will be at C Burr Artz library for a book talk and signing
• Thursday, May 17th - Mid Term Reports in Thursday Folder
• Monday, May 28th - Memorial Day:  School Closed

Math 

Focus Standard:
5.MD.1 - Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system (e.g., convert 5 cm to 0.05 m), and use these conversions in solving multi-step real world problems.

This week we will be revisiting converting between different units of measurement in both the metric and customary systems.

Writing 

Focus Standards:

• W.5.2.c - Text Types and Purposes: Link ideas within and across categories of information using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., in contrast, especially).
• W.5.10 - Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

This week we are, as Lucy Calkins says. "going deep" with our writing as we begin the revising process for our memoirs.  Students are looking for thoughtful messages in their experiences so that they can elaborate on important parts of their narrative to bring their message out in their writing.

Reading 

Focus Standard:
RL.5.2 - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

We are about half way through our novel study of Blood on the River.  The main character Samuel goes through quite a change as he makes the move to the new world.  Ask your student to tell you about some of the difficulties that Samuel has had to overcome.  As we read, we are looking for commonalities between Samuel and other character we have read about and between him and ourselves as well.

Social Studies

Focus Standard:

Describe/explain how early colonists lived and worked.  Understand how the Native Americans were affected by the settlers.

We will be wrapping up our simulation this week.  There have been more interactions with colonists and the natives and increased hostilities between rival colonies as well.  Making a life in the Americas was no easy task.

Friday, May 4th

Happy Star Wars Day; may the 4th be with you!

Announcements and Reminders 

We are finally back to regular schedules and activities this coming week!!  Homework will resume on Monday.  In addition, there are quite a few events coming up, including some author visits to our great city, so please mark the following dates on your calendar:

• Thursday, May 10th - Field Trip to the National Museum of the American Indian
• Friday, May 11th - Spring Fling!
• Saturday, May 12th  1 PM Authors Mark Barnett and Jon Klassen will be at C Burr Artz Library (Great for younger siblings; although, we really enjoyed a couple of these picture books for morning meeting too!)
• Wednesday, May 16th, Volunteer Luncheon
• Wednesday, May 16th, 7 PM Author Jewell Parker Rhodes will be at C Burr Artz Library to promote her newest book Ghost Boys.  Several students in our class read her last book, Towers Falling.

Regarding our field trip on Thursday:  We will need to leave before school starts to make our first group's scheduled tour.  Buses will pull out at 8:30.  We will meet here between 8 and 8:15, and breakfast will be provided for those who need it.  Eat a hearty breakfast; lunch will be at 2 at East Potomac Park on the way home.  Other attractions that we can visit are the National Air and Space Museum and the Botanical Gardens.

Donations Needed:  We are in need of gently used books for our school-wide spring book give away.  Thanks!

Volunteer Opportunity:  SRES is looking for volunteers for Spring Fling and to serve on next year's executive board.  Our PTA provides so much for the students, school, and staff; please consider helping out.

Math 

Focus Standards:

• 5.G.A.2 - Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.
• 5.G.B.3 - Understand that attributes belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category. For example, all rectangles have four right angles and squares are rectangles, so all squares have four right angles.
• 5.G.B.4 - Classify two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.

This coming week we will wrap up Unit 8.  We will look at graphing growth over time using coordinate grids and review classifying shapes.  The unit test will be Friday, May 11.

Writing 

Focus Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. 

We will continue using the skills we developed in narrative and informational writing to craft our memoirs.  Our lessons will also focus on sentence structure and how to punctuate the complex sentences we are using to add variety and interest to our pieces.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.5  Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.6  Describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.

We are focusing on chapters 11- 15 this week in our class novel, Blood on the River.  Students are studying the author's craft as we focus on the standards mentioned above.  We worked on the responses for chapters 1-4 together in Google Classroom; on Monday the students will respond to chapters 5-10 for a reading grade.

Social Studies

Our simulation is coming along very well.  I hope your student has been talking to you about it.  This activity helps students gain the understanding of how the early colonists lived as well as their impact on the neighboring native tribes.  We will be coming to the end of the activity in the next couple of weeks.  It has been a truly enriching experience.  

Thursday, April 19

Announcements and Reminders 

Friday, April 20th - Report Cards Issued and Thursday Folders coming home

Tuesday, April 24th through Thursday April 26th - PARCC ELA Testing (afternoons)

Monday, April 30th and Tuesday, May 1st - PARCC Math Testing (morning)

Tuesday, May 1st - Panoramic Picture of entire 5th Grade 

Thursday, May 10th - Field Trip to the National Museum of the American Indian

Permission slips will be coming home soon for our trip to Washington DC.  We will need to leave before school starts to make our first group's scheduled tour.  Buses will pull out at 8:30.  We will meet here between 8 and 8:15, and breakfast will be provided for those who need it.  We are also in need of chaperones; we 'd love to have you with us!  Other attractions that we can visit are the National Air and Space Museum and the Botanical Gardens.

We are in need of gently used books for our school-wide spring book give away.  Thanks!

Math

Focus Standards :

5.G.B.3 - Understand that attributes belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category. For example, all rectangles have four right angles and squares are rectangles, so all squares have four right angles.

5.G.B.4 - Classify two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.

We will begin to focus on the geometry standards for unit 8 as well as review essential skills and understandings for PARCC testing.

Writing 

We have read excerpts from some excellent memoirs and are starting to gather our own ideas for writing a memoir ourselves.  On the days we do not test, we will begin the memoir writing process.

Reading 

We will be reading and discussing Blood on the River, our class novel, on the days we do not have PARCC testing.  Ask your student about the book!  It is a really great story and is helping us have a deeper understanding of what life was like for the early colonists in America.

Social Studies

Our simulation is going well.  Most groups are getting close to landing in America.  This week we had some fierce storms and lost a ship.  We also saw some beautiful weather with strong breezes that helped others cover many miles.  Some crews are running low on food and have had to resort to using the livestock for meals; life is tough at sea!  Check in with your students and ask them how their journey is going.

Thursday, April 12th

Announcements and Reminders 

• Friday, April 13th - Shrek Permission Slips and Trip Fees Due for Shrek
• Wednesday, April 18th - Shrek, The Musical at OHS
• Friday, April 20th - Report Cards Issued
• Tuesday, April 24th through Wednesday April 26th - PARCC ELA Testing (afternoons)
• Monday, April 30th and Tuesday, May 1st - PARCC Math Testing (morning)

Math 

Focus Standards

• Use a pair perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin ) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the place located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates.
• Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

We have started working with plotting points on coordinate planes this week and will continue to work on this skill in the week to come.  We will also use the week to work through PARCC activities to prep for the testing to come.

Writing 

We have started studying Memoirs this week to get an understanding of characteristics of this new type of writing.  Next week we will continue analyzing memoirs for characteristics, and in addition we will do some comparing and contrasting of techniques used by the authors to share the message or theme of the memoir. 

Reading 

• RL1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RL4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
• RL5 Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem

We will be reading our novel Blood on the River and using text clues to determine the meaning of unknown words.  We will also be looking at character development and how the chapters are used to show us changes or growth in different characters.  If you want to engage your student about the book, try these discussion starters:  https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/blood-river-discussion-guide/

In reading, we will also be looking at the online PARCC practice to help us understand tools and options to use during testing.

Social Studies

Our boats are loaded and we will prepare to set sail tomorrow.  Today the students began a journal to document their experiences.  Ask your student what character they decided  to become for the simulation and what their fears/expectations are for the journey.

Welcome April!! Thursday, April 5th

Reminders and Announcements

Important Dates

• Monday, April 9th - Last Day of Quarter 3
• Tuesday, April 10th - School Closed for Students
• Friday, April 13th - Shrek Permission Slips Due
• Wednesday, April 18th - Shrek, The Musical at OHS
• Friday, April 20th - Report Cards Issued 
• Tuesday, April 24th through Wednesday April 26th - PARCC ELA Testing (afternoons)
• Monday, April 30th and Tuesday, May 1st  - PARCC Math Testing (morning)

Thursday folders will come home tomorrow with the permission slips for Shrek.  Please let me know as soon as possible (Monday at the latest) if you are interested in attending the play.  We have limited seating and may need to do a lottery.

Writing 

We will be working on short constructed responses to our reading next week and will begin to learn about Memoirs the following week so the students can plan what to include in their own memoir writing.

  

Math 

Focus Standards:

• 5.G.A.1 - Use a pair perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin ) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the place located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).
• 5.G.A.2 - Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

We will begin Unit 8 next week which focuses on Geometry.  In addition to prepare for PARCC testing, we will begin to look at test release items and review our math understandings and problem solving skills.

Reading 

Focus Standard:

RL10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

We have just begun our next class novel, Blood on the River.  I will be reading the first four chapters aloud and we will have guided discussions together.  The remaining chapters will be read independently and  we will have group discussions centered on character, plot, theme, and determining the meaning of new vocabulary.

Social Studies

Tomorrow we begin packing our boats to sail to America!!  On our journey over seas, we will learn about the hardships and trials of the first colonists.  We are all looking forward to the journey.  

Spring Break!! March 29th

Reminders and Announcements 

Spring Break is Friday, March 30th and Monday, April 2nd

• April 9th - End of the quarter
• April 10th - School Closed
• April 18th - Shrek, the Musical field trip (Look for a permission slip to come home in the Thursday Folder after break.)

Math 

We are finishing up Unit 7 in math by taking the assessment on the Tuesday we return.  The remainder of the week we will be reviewing concepts from Units 5-7 to check for mastery.  We will take the quarterly assessment on Monday, April 9th.

Unit 7 Pre Test/Study Helper

Standards of Focus From Quarter 3:

• Students will use parentheses and brackets to write simple expressions that record calculations. (OA.A.1, OA.A.2)
• Students will recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and understand that a cubic unit is used to measure volume (MD.C.3, MD.C.3a). 
• Students will add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions as fractions greater than one (improper fractions) to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators..  (NF.A.1)
• Students will solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators. (NF.A.2)
• Students will make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (½, ¼, ⅛) and use add/ sub fractions for this grade to solve problems involving information presented in plots. (MD.B.2)
• Students will apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction or a whole number by a fraction. (NF.B.4a)
• Students will find the area of a rectangle with fractional side lengths. (NF.B.4b)
• Students will reason about the product in relationship to the factors when multiplying fractions greater than and less than 1 by comparing the size of the product to the size of one factor on the basis of size of the other factor, without performing the indicated multiplication. (NF.B.5a)
• Students will solve problems where they need to interpret a fraction as division of a numerator by the denominator. (NF.B.3)
• Students will explore dividing a unit fraction by a whole number or a whole number by a unit fraction and create a story context to model the expression. (Students must create their own visual model). (NF.B.7abc)

Writing 

Focus Standards:

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.

Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).

Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

We will be finishing up our opinion writing unit this week.  To show our understanding, the students will be writing an opinion essay independently about a topic that is of interest to them.  Students are welcome to bring notes to help support their opinions for the assignment on Wednesday. 

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
• Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

We will continue comparing and contrasting texts both informational and literary using specific facts/events from the article or story to support conclusions we draw about the texts.

Social Studies

Unit Focus Standards:

• Describe the major settlements in pre-colonial America.
• Explain how geographic characteristics affect how people live, work, and the population distribution of a place or region.
• Analyze how native societies were influenced by the diverse cultures of the explorers and settlers.    

We will prepare to "set sail" for America when we return from Spring Break.  Students will be working in groups to choose their sailing routes and pick their landing destinations.  As we sail, students will learn about early America to prepare them for the decisions they will need to make as colonists.

Thursday, March 15th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Math homework is due on Friday.  
• Spring Break is coming up on Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2

Math 

Focus Standard:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.B.7.C
Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, how much chocolate will each person get if 3 people share 1/2 lb of chocolate equally? How many 1/3-cup servings are in 2 cups of raisins?

Dividing a Whole Number by a Fraction (Video)

Dividing a Fraction by a Whole Number (Video)

Writing 

We will continue to work on opinion responses to informational and literary text while supporting our thoughts and ideas with text examples.

Reading 

Focus Standard:

• RL9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
• RI9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

We are continuing to compare texts and stories with similar topics or themes and learning how to provide evidence of the similarities using specific text examples.

Science/Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• SS.500.50.01.b.1 Describe the major settlements in pre-colonial America.
• SS.500.30.02.a.3 Explain how geographic characteristics affect how people live, work, and the population distribution of a place or region.
• SS.500.50.01.a.2 Explain the results of the interactions between European explorers and North American natives.

We have wrapped up our chemistry unit in science and are switching our focus to social studies once again.  In this unit students will be studying the colonization of America through a simulation activity.  As students begin to plan their journey and decide where to settle, we will focus on the factors that American colonists considered when planing their own journeys and settlements.  We will also weave in some map skills practice over the next week as well.

Thursday, March 8th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Friday, March 9th  MISA Testing wraps up
• Friday, March 9th  International Night at SRES

Recorders will be needed for music instruction over the next few weeks.  Please note that being prepared is part of the music grade.

Math homework comes home on Monday and is due on Friday.  Completed work is worth 10 points.  Please remind your student to complete their homework weekly.  There was no work this week due to testing; however, a couple of students have missing assignments still out.  

Progress Reports came home today.  If your student is receiving less than a C, I will be following up with an Interim next week to detail what needs to be done to bring the grade up.  Students met with me today to review their progress and have an understanding of how to continue making good progress or how to bring up any grades they are not satisfied with.  Of course, if you have any questions about your student's performance, you may contact me, and we can schedule to meet.  Email or a note would be the best way to contact me.  (melissa.anzick@fcps.org)  Also, please know that students are always welcome to redo any assignment for a better grade.  If they are willing to put effort forth to fix their mistakes, they will get full credit, and I will update the grade book to reflect the new score.

Math 

Focus Standard:  

5.NF.7.c - Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, how much chocolate will each person get if 3 people share 1/2 lb of chocolate equally? How many 1/3-cup servings are in 2 cups of raisins?

Video Help

Writing 

Focus Standard:

W.5.1.a - Text Types and Purposes: Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose.

We have finished up our Columbus Opinion Essays.  I will be grading them this weekend and students will be able to go into Google Classroom to view their feedback.  Next week we will focus on short opinion responses to both literary and informational texts.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RL.5.9 - Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
• RI.5.6 - Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.

We will be comparing both informational and narrative texts about the same topic or theme and discussing choices the author made to share their message or theme with the reader.  To see what that looks like, check out this video.

Science/Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• 5-PS1-2 Matter and Its Interactions - Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved.

• 5-PS1-3 Matter and Its Interactions - Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

Next week, we will experiment with mystery substances to understand the properties of matter and how they can be used to identify different types of matter.  We will also be preparing to wrap up the unit by making our own play dough!  Lots of fun learning going on in Science next week!! 

March 1st - Happy March!!

Announcements and Reminders

• Friday, March 2nd - Guest Scientist from National Geographic
• Friday, March 2nd - 2 Hour Early Dismissal and Mid Term
• Week of March 5th - State Science Testing in morning (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
• Week of March 5th - Spring Book Fair
• Thursday, March 8th - Mid Term Reports home in Thursday Folder
 

Math

We are continuing to work with fractions and using them to find area of figures with fractional sides.  We are also looking at increasing or decreasing areas by fractional amounts.  Mrs. Barnes visited our room this week while students were working and was impressed with their use of math vocabulary as they discussed the problems and situations they were trying to solve using fractions.

Writing 

We are finishing up our opinion pieces on Columbus Day.  The students are also applying their knowledge of opinion writing as they respond to writing.  Overall, I am very pleased with their ability to state an opinion and support it with facts and elaboration.  Check out the Weeds reading packet that was returned in today's Thursday Folder.  The back page has a recent opinion piece written by your student. 

Reading 

We are looking closely at science texts this week and reviewing main idea/detail.  Check out the comprehension questions in the Weeds reading packet to see how your student is doing with this skill.  

Science/Social Studies

We are having fun with experiments and activities to help us understand properties and states of matter.  Ask your student about the balloon in the bottle experiment!

Thursday, February 22nd

Announcements and Reminders

• Friday, February 23  Thursday Folders will be sent home.  (Sorry!)
• Friday, March 2        Classroom Visit from a National Geographic Explorer!
• Friday, March 2        2 Hour Early Dismissal/ Quarter 3 Mid Term
• Week of March 5      State Science Testing (MISA) in the morning on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

 Math

Focus Standards:

• 5.NF.B.4a - Interpret the product (a/b) x q as a parts of a partition of q into b equal parts; equivalently, as the result of a sequence of operations a x q / b. (In general, (a/b) x (c/d) = ac/bd)
• 5.NF.B.4b - Find the area of a rectangle with fractional side lengths by tiling it with unit squares of the appropriate unit fraction side lengths, and show that the area is the same as would be multiplying the side lengths. Multiply fractional side lengths to find areas of rectangles, and represent fraction products as rectangular areas.

Multiplying Fractions by Fractions

Area of a Rectangle with Fractional Sides

 Writing

Focus Standards:

• Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details
• Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).

We have written our introductions to share our opinions about whether the United States should continue to celebrate Columbus Day.  We will move forward with our writing as we work on our reasoning to support our opinions.

 

Reading

Focus Standards in Informational Reading:

• RI1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RI2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
• RI4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
• RI8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
• RI9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
• RI2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

Small Group directed Instruction will focus on short informational text. We are also starting a new round of book clubs featuring the following books:

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Eliljah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Brethed

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica

Becoming Naomi Le'on by Pam Munoz Ryan

A Strong Right Arm by Michelle Y. Green

Ask your child which book they selected!  Talk to them about it.  

 

Science/Social Studies

We are busy with our new Chemistry unit in Science.  Our end objective is to create a strong, pliable play-dough that conducts electricity.  Today we generated questions that we will need to answer in order to complete the end task.  We will begin instruction by learning about matter and the properties of matter.  Look for some fun Tweets from our class in the next week!

Friday, February 16th

Announcements and Reminders 

• 2/19  School Closed for President's Day
• 2/20  Registration Cards Due for TJMS
• 3/2    Classroom Visit from a National Geographic Explorer!
• 3/2    2 Hour Early Dismissal

Thank you for the wonderful donations for our Valentine's Day Party!  I really appreciate the parents who came in to help things run smoothly.   The kids had an enjoyable afternoon snacking, exchanging cards, and chatting.

Grading Change:  In an effort to increase responsibility and prepare for middle school, Math homework will be collected on Friday and will be worth 10 points.  Late work will go down 2 points per day.  The lowest score for worked turned in will be 5 points.

Reason to celebrate:  Both our Quarter 2 Math Assessment and our Unit 6 Math Assessment averages were above the district average!!!

Math 

Focus Standards:

• 5.NF.B.3- Interpret a fraction as division of the numerator by the denominator (a/b = a ÷ b). Solve word problems involving division of whole numbers leading to answer in the form of fractions or mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. For example, interpret 3/4 as the result of dividing 3 by 4, noting that 3/4 multiplied by 4 equals 4, and that when 3 wholes are shared equally among 4 people each person has a share of size 3/4. If 9 people want to share a 50-pound sack of rice equally by weight, how many pounds of rice should each person get? Between what two whole numbers does your answer lie?
• 5.NF.B.4a - Interpret the product (a/b) x q as a parts of a partition of q into b equal parts; equivalently, as the result of a sequence of operations a x q / b. (In general, (a/b) x (c/d) = ac/bd)

Explanation of 5.NF.B.3 and Sample Problems

Multiplying a Fraction by a Fraction

Writing 

We are writing opinion pieces about celebrating Columbus Day.  So far we have researched to understand both sides of this debate.  We will be evaluating our research this week and determining our own opinion.  We will learn how to introduce that opinion and lay out our argument for our feelings to explain how we came to our conclusion about the issue.

Reading 

We will continue to focus on comparing texts to discuss similar themes, messages, and/or author techniques.  We will also work on expressing our opinion about these similarities and differences in short responses.

Social Studies/Science

All hail science!!  This week we will begin our Chemistry Unit.  As part of the unit students will be learning the difference between physical and chemical changes and how mass is affected when substances interact.

Thursday, February 1st

Reminders and Announcements

• Friday, February 2nd - Outdoor School (Dress warmly! Bring/buy a bag lunch.)

• Thursday, February 8th - Family Life Lessons

• Friday, February 9th - Report Cards Issued

• Friday, February 16th - 2 hour early dismissal

• Monday, February 19th - School Closed for Presidents' Day

Today Mrs. Barnes, Mrs, Hart, and Mr. Brown (a school therapist) came to speak with the class about the loss of Mrs. Johnson's son, Tyler.  A note is coming home in the Thursday Folder with details.  Please talk with your child to make sure they are dealing with the issue in a healthy way.  If you have concerns, you may contact the school.  Mrs. Hart and our other counselors are available to talk with the students as needed.

Students still need empty egg cartons to house their rock and mineral collections.  Send those in ASAP.  Thanks!

Math

Focus Standards:

• Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. For example, 2/3 + 5/4 = 8/12 + 15/12 = 23/12. (In general, a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd.)

• Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers. For example, recognize an incorrect result 2/5 + 1/2 = 3/7, by observing that 3/7 < 1/2.

In the week coming up we will be solving problems that involve adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  The video below will show you how we will first find a common denominator and then perform the operation.

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Writing 

Unit Focus Standards:

• Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

• Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.

• Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

• Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).

• Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

We will be practicing writing to argue an opinion this week using current debates from Scholastic Magazine.  The focus will be on organization and support of an opinion.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RL4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.

• RL9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.

In the week to come we will be continuing with our book clubs focused on narrative text.  We will also begin to look at poetry in whole group and compare/contrast themes and author choices.

Science and Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• Explain the results of the interactions between European explorers and North American natives.

• Analyze how native societies were influenced by the diverse cultures of the explorers and settlers.

We will be researching and taking notes about the different explorers who came to the Americas and their interactions with the native peoples.

Friday, January 26th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Monday, January 29th - Schools Closed

• Tuesday, January 30th - Math Global Scholar

• Wednesday, January 31st - Outdoor School

• Thursday, February 1st - Language Arts Global Scholar 

• Friday, February 2nd - Outdoor School

• Thursday, February 8th - Family Life Lessons

• Friday, February 9th - Report Cards Issued

Please make sure to return permission slips for Family Life, and Outdoor School as soon as possible. 

Also, each child will need an empty egg carton for outdoor school next week; please send one in for your child soon.  Thanks!

This Week's Studies

As you can see from our schedule, we have a lot going on this week.  During class time, we will be revisiting standards that need refreshing or enriching in each of the subject areas.  We will also continue with our novel book clubs.  Our groups are finishing up their second novel round and will be choosing a new book soon.  By the way, we already have about 1/3 of the class finished with 40 books!!  That is something to celebrate!  

Have a wonderful long weekend!!

Friday, January 19th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Monday, January 22nd - Weinberg Center Trip

• Friday, January 26th - End of Quarter

• Friday, January 26th - 2 Hour Early Dismissal

• Monday, January 29th - Schools Closed

• Wednesday, January 31st - Outdoor School

• Friday, February 2nd - Outdoor School

• Thursday, February 8th - Family Life Lessons
• 
  

Please make sure to return permission slips for Family Life, the Weinberg, and Outdoor School.  Also, each child will need an empty egg carton for outdoor school; please send one in for your child soon.  Thanks!

Math 

We will be taking the unit 5 math assessment Tuesday, January 23 and the quarterly assessment on Thursday, January 25th.  The remainder of the week we will be reviewing with both small group and individual reteaching and extension.

Writing 

We will be making our final revisions on our informational essay.  This week we began to revise looking through the eyes of a scientist since we are writing about science topics.  Our informational writing will not just be reporting on research we have made, but will also include cross cutting concepts and/or science practices to make connections between ideas and facts we are sharing.

Reading 

Book Clubs are going well.  Ask your student about the book they are reading.  Our Alex Rider readers are storming through their book at breakneck speeds.  We are finishing up 2 weeks early with Point Blank and will be moving on to Skeleton Key.  I think we have an Alex Rider fan club in the making!

In small group, we are continuing to look at informational texts presenting the same or similar information and making comparisons between the two texts.  Some of the comparisons include text structure, author's point of view, and use of text features.

Social Studies/ Science

We are still looking at patterns made in the sky.  Next week we will look at constellations and moon phases and the patterns associated with them.

Friday, January 12

Announcements and Reminders

• Monday, January 15 - No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Monday, January 22 - Weinburg Field Trip 
• Friday, January 26 - End of Quarter 2 and 2 hour early dismissal
• Monday, January 29 - No School for Students
• Thursday, February 8 - Family Life Lesson (rescheduled from 1/12)

Both permission slips for the Weinburg and Family Life need to be returned as soon as possible.  Thank you.

 Math 

Focus Standards:

• 5.OA.2 - Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.
• 5.MD.5.c - Recognize volume as additive. Find volumes of solid figures composed of two non-overlapping right rectangular prisms by adding the volumes of the non-overlapping parts, applying this technique to solve real world problems.

In our warm ups we have been focusing on interpreting word problems and writing expressions to represent what is happening in the given situation.  We have also looked at expressions and created situations to match what the expression states.  We will continue to review this standard during math warm up time next week as well.

Our instruction this week has focused on finding volume of rectangular prisms using the formula length x width x height.  We will take that a step further next week as we look at complex shapes comprised of two rectangular prisms and learn how to break the shape into the two rectangular prisms to find a total volume.  Some groups will move on to finding unknown lengths and solving for volumes as well.

Resources:

Simple Expressions

Volume of Rectilinear Shapes

Writing 

Focus Standard:
W.5.2 - Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Students have been researching space concepts and topics and will be revising and editing the essay they created after researching their topics.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RI.5.6 - Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.
• RL.5.5 - Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.

In small groups we will continue to look at informational text.  This week we will be making comparisons between two texts about the same subject.  

Book Clubs are into round two. Ask your student which book they are reading and what is happening in their story.  Current book club books are:

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin

The Rescue by Nicholas Edwards

Social Studies and Science

We will continue to look at patterns of the Earth and Moon and how they reflect days, months, and seasons.