Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Welcome to September 22-26!


  • 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 

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