Fifth Grade English Essays

Click on the comments to this post (lower right) to read English essays submitted by fifth grade students. These poems were written for English class. (Writing Assignment 8)

December Book It Results

Our Book It participation for December took a dip, down from 80% to 64%. As much as we know about the continued practice of reading and how it improves our vocabulary, imagination, general knowledge, and over-all intelligence, let's set our goal at 100%. Parents, do you want your child to do better in school, learn more, and get more out of reading? Just encourage and set aside time for MORE reading!

Upcoming Unit B Chapter 2 Science Test

If all goes according to my plan, fifth graders will have a Unit B Chapter 2 science test (take home) on Thursday, January 14. (As you well know, my plans don't always turn into reality as scheduled.) Yes, students should be using their notes, handouts, and textbooks to help them with the test.

forensics

As you know, I teach music in fifth grade. I am also in the process of taking over the forensics program at St. Jacobi. In the past, fifth grade has not done forensics. We are not taking part in an actual competition, but I am trying to bridge them to sixth grade, when they will be competing for the first time. Last year, in fourth grade, we touched on it a little bit when they read a picture book to the class. This year I am taking a little time from music to help them get closer to the real thing. Yesterday I gave them an assignment. They are to choose a book that they have read and enjoyed, and prepare a section of it, about 3 minutes long, to read to the class. They also must prepare an introduction that needs to be memorized. Next year, the selections need to be between 3:30 and 4:30 in length, but I don't have that much time with them. This will give them practice choosing a selection, timing themselves, reading with expression, and writing an introduction, which can be one of the most difficult parts. For the month of January, Mrs. Flanagan, from Wisco, will be teaching music on Wednesdays, and I will be using Fridays for the forensics. In addition, Mr. Scharf has giving me permission to submit a reading grade for this, so doing a good job on it will be worthwhile for the students. I am posting this as a reminder to the students and to inform the parents.

Fifth Grade Poetry

Click on the comments to this post (lower right) to read poems submitted by fifth grade students. These poems were written for reading class.

Social Studies Ch 6 Test This Week

The chapter 6 social studies test is scheduled for Thursday, January 7. To help your child prepare for this test, he or she should take the Internet tutorial (Click here for this tutorial.) Printing out and returning or emailing the results page prior to the test will earn students bonus points. Students should also review the work they did in their Interactive Student Notebooks and class handouts to help prepare for the test.

Christmas Collection for the Almoner's Fund

Our class collected $174.15 for the Almoner's Fund. Thank you so very much!