- We have just finished up our ELF Camp where we spent 2 weeks learning about the efficacious learner traits!
1. Problem Solver
2. Resourceful
3. Skilled Communicator
4. Self-directed
5. Responsible
We will be recognizing and expecting these traits throughout the year!
- We are now embarking on learning our routines for our reading and math workshops; in addition to, our writing process time.
- Tuesday the 23rd, will be the first time the students switch classrooms for their math workshop Students stay with their homeroom for their core lesson of the day, but then they will switch classrooms for their workshop time. Their workshop time is a time we differentiate the activities to meet the needs of all students. The classroom they go to will vary from unit to unit based on the knowledge they show of a particular skill. Please let me know if you have any questions!
- Social Studies will be starting this week! We are starting on the study of
Ancient American Indians!
- 40 book challenge is officially starting! I sent home a parent letter to explain the challenge for the year. In case you did not see it, here it is:
40
Book Challenge
September
22 , 2014
Dear
5th grade Parents,
Our
40 Book Challenge starts today! I am
challenging your fifth grader to read 40 books by the end of the school year. I
believe they will do it!
The
goal of the 40 Book Challenge for young readers is to get students to leave
their reading comfort zone and explore new reading genres. Ultimately, I would
love to see the students’ love of reading flourish, as well as for students to
make big academic gains in reading. Let’s face it; the best way to become a
better reader is to read… VORACIOUSLY. The 40 Book Challenge helps with this!
Although
40 books sounds like a lot, it works out to about one book a week. This can be accomplished by reading during
our independent reading time at school and spending time reading daily at home.
Some books, like shorter non-fiction books, can possibly be read in a day or
two. Other books will obviously take longer to finish. By making the right book
choices, I am confident that all students will be able to achieve the goal of
reading 40 books in class and at home this year.
In
their 40 book challenge notebook, the students will be keeping track of the
books they read. Please make sure your child is reading each evening. This is their
homework. Check in with your child often, and ask about the books
they are reading.
More
information:
*Each
book must be read by your fifth grader. No picture books will count
toward their goal. Books they read in class/at home and books that are
read aloud by a teacher count in their 40 book total. Students may not count books
that they have previously read (although I know it is fun and rewarding to
reread favorites).
*Students
will keep track of the genres they read in their 40 book challenge notebook. However,
the books don’t have to be read in any order. We will be talking about the
different genres in class.
*For
each book read, the students will write down the title, author, genre, and
number of pages. They will track their progress through each book by writing a
reading response about the part they just read.
*Books
must be a minimum of 100 pages. Students have information regarding
longer books or combining shorter books to equal one book. Check with me if you are unsure of a specific
book.
The purpose of this challenge is to get
your fifth grader reading books they might not normally choose and to increase
their love of reading. Thank you for your support at home!
Ms. Tollas
