Reader Response Questions for the week of October 4, 2010

Please answer both response questions in complete sentences!

1. What were 2 reasons why Claudia wanted to run away?

2. What were 2 reasons why Claudia chose Jamie to run away with her?

FYI!!

Thank you to all who participated and helped to make last week so successful! AR is now officially "kicked-off", and we are encouraging each 5th grader to set a goal for AR points and number of books read. GA Standards require that each student in 5th grade reads a total of 25 books this year (approx. 1,000,000 words). This means that each student should strive to read at least 6-7 books per 9 weeks, at his/her appropriate level. Our AR reward will be this Friday, recognizing students who have reached the first 9 week goal of 8 points. Our goal for the next marking period will be higher and I will post this information next week!

Also...be on the lookout for reading response questions listed on my blog! Students will be required to answer one question each week during computer lab or at home, if they have access to a computer.

Conferences begin at the end of this week. Please look for letters from your child's homeroom teacher to set up a meeting and discuss progress or any areas of concern.

October 7th will be our PTO/Open House at 6PM...please join us!!!

READING ROCKS!

We've had a fabulous start to our "Reading Rocks" week, rockin' the 50's on Monday and the 70's on Tuesday! We're gearing up for our read-a-thon tomorrow, then we're on to country rock Thursday and our favorite rock stars on Friday! Friday is also our kick-off celebration with Do-Good DJ's !! What a fun way to celebrate Accelerated Reader and promote reading in all grade levels! Thanks to all who have participated and to the committee who has helped to make this event unforgettable! Here are a few pictures that we've taken so far this week!!

Reminders!

**Keep sending those pop-can tabs for our 4H community service project: The Ronald McDonald House!! Our class is working hard to become Club of the Month!**

**We're excited for the upcoming reading events this month! Please read the letter sent home in Tuesday folders about "Reading Rocks" week, Sept. 20th-24th! There is a different activity or theme for each day of the week, with a kickoff assembly on Friday the 24th! Students may dress up to celebrate the daily themes and we ask that they are dressed appropriately, according to school dress code. **

**New packets are due September 24th. Please make sure your child is completing all 5 assignments before turning in the packet; this is counted as a test grade and the packets will not be accepted after the due date.**

**Please remember to sign Tuesday folders each week after reviewing your child's test grades.**

**A weekly behavior sheet will come home in folders each Tuesday, starting next week, showing students' daily behavior. These will need to be signed and returned each week.**

Thank you for your continuing support of our 5th grade team!

The Tale Of Mr Morton(Skee-lo).m4v

Week of August 30th

Hello everyone!
Things seem to be falling into place in our new/temporary home at Mattie Lively! The students have been working hard to become familiar with the new surroundings, new teachers, and new classmates!
In Language Arts this week, we'll be focusing on several different skills and concepts: In Reading Workshop, we'll look at themes in stories, as well as review what types of information we find in dictionaries and glossaries. Our guided reading story is "Island of the Blue Dolphins", a story that forces the reader to think about survival.
During our Writing Workshop, we'll begin our week by finishing our Tall Tale stories and pictures. Then we'll use our imaginations to create a story called "Nothing Ever Happens at Mattie Lively"! Using picture books, I'll be teaching the 6 + 1 Writing Traits throughout the year. This week, our picture book is "Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street", by Roni Schotter. We'll review and focus on "Ideas" and how to get our thoughts on paper while asking ourselves "What if?" while we write. That one question can open up a number of fabulous ideas to help us develop interesting, attention-grabbing stories! My hope is that the students will use their writing notebooks continuously throughout the year to write down new ideas from which they can build original stories!
We will continue daily grammar lessons, as we explore Independent and Dependent clauses in writing.

We are busy in 5th grade, that's for sure! Here are a few reminders:

• Scholastic Book Orders are due by Wednesday, September 1st.
• Spelling packets are due on Friday, September 3rd. There are 5 assignments, which the students have had 2 weeks to complete. Each activity is worth 20 points. Not turning in the assignment results in a zero spelling grade.
• There is no school on Monday, September 6th. Happy Labor Day!

Enjoy your week! Fall is right around the corner! :)

Welcome to 5th grade!

Wow! We are off to a great start this year! I was excited to meet my 3 Reading/Language Arts classes, and we spent a great deal of time getting used to 5th grade routines and procedures. We're working hard on our All About Me newspapers, and next week we'll get to know each other by interviewing friends in the classroom! Be sure to check planners EVERY day for homework assignments and behavior notes. Be sure to check out the websites I've listed for educational games and practice, and to look at the fifth grade standards we'll be covering this year in all subject areas!

SchoolTube - Do You Believe ...Dalton Sherman

SchoolTube - Do You Believe ...Dalton Sherman

Rockin' Into A New Year!

For anyone who hasn't heard, I've been asked to teach 5th grade this year, after teaching 1st grade for two wonderful years at Mattie Lively! My first four years as a teacher in New York were spent in 5th grade, so I was excited for the opportunity to return to this grade level!

I will update throughout the summer, listing dates to remember and any links or information that will be helpful to parents and students during our year together!