What's happening this week in room 34? Aug. 31-Sept. 4

This week in 5th grade....

Science: This week we are discussing tools that scientists use and  participating in several activities where students will classify, compare, contrast, and think like a scientist.

Writing: This week will begin our first writing unit on personal narratives. We have been busy the last week brainstorming ideas to write about and building our stamina in our "home journal". This composition notebook will go home every Tuesday and Thursday for their writing homework. They are to free write for 10 minutes.  This is a great opportunity for them to write about a topic they are passionate about, and I get a chance to get to know them even more through their writing:)

Reading: This year, 5th graders will be pushed and encouraged to read more than ever!! We will be tracking our reading by completion of books, as well as minutes read. Each student has a goal to finish up to 40 books. This is a very BIG challenge, and I  am going to cheer them on every step of the way. The entire school also has a goal, to read 1,000,000 minutes by the end of the school year. We will track the 40 book challenge in our student data binders, and the minutes in their planners. They will use the monthly view to record at least 20 minutes of reading Monday-Thursday. Parents, please sign their planner at the end of the month. They will tear this out and turn into me.

Math: We will begin our first unit on place value this week. We will focus on whole numbers through the millions.  Students will be asked to work on ALEKS ( our individual online program) every Monday and Wednesday night for 10 minutes as part of their homework.

Social Studies: We are excited this year to extend our workshop model, that we use for every other subject, into social studies. Students will collaborate in stations and small group instruction with me each week. This week we will dive into navigating our textbook, defining and understanding geography, political maps, and our states and capitals.

Curriculum Night: I hope to see you all this Thursday night from 7:00-7:30 in our classroom. I am looking forward to sharing with you the ins and outs of our classroom and what your child will experience in 5th grade!! We are going to have an amazing year!!!

Be sure to scroll down and view last weeks posts from our fabulous blog leaders, Ethan and Althea. Blog leader is just one of the many jobs applied for, by students. Everyone was hired, and each student is actively involved with our classroom running smoothly. I am simply amazed by the leaders in room 34!!!!!