October 23 Week

Here's a look at what we've been doing at school:

Writing:  We started our Myth writing unit this week.  Students began by performing various Native American Reader's Theater. We talked about characteristics of a myth and then students read a myth and began to brainstorm ideas they would like to focus their myths on.  Completed myths will become picture books for younger students.

Reading: Students are developing vocabulary skills through Quizlet Live using their vocabulary words from Wonder, as well as responding to journal and reading prompts. Students are working on Daily 3 on Tuesday and Thursday, reading their own books, working on writing and word work, using either IXL or vocabulary word wall.  I meet with small groups regularly to work on specific skills during the rotations.

Science: We started our new unit and students have been involved in a variety of activities.  They "planted" seeds in a glass jar without dirt, experimenting with hydroponics, next they presented a Reader's Theater about plants to the 2nd graders.  Finally, they created documents to store all the new vocabulary words that are related to ecosystems and biomes.

Students were able to cash in their Class Dojo points on Thursday and will be able to enjoy them throughout the month.

Book Fair is this week! Our class will go on Monday afternoon to check out what they have.  Students will be able to go before school, at lunch and after school.  Family night is Thursday Nov. 2nd so plan to come and bring the family.

Oct. 16th week

What an exciting week we had!  It was so good to see most of you able to come and see your child's presenting skills on Wednesday.  Students were able to present and show their artifacts and information they learned from their research of their tribes, along with using their voice to try and be heard. :) Thank you for coming, students look forward to seeing their parents.

We will be wrapping up our narratives on Monday.  The final version, along with an illustration will be posted in the hall later this week.  Stop by and take a look! 

In reading, students are working on different strategies through group work as well as word work and journal writing.  We are all enjoying our class book, "Wonder" that we read and Mondays and Wednesdays. Students are learning how to predict, infer and respond with evidence from the text.  They are also building their empathy skills and vocabulary. 

Another highlight of the week was going to see Mr. Kelly and experience a virtual experience with "Google Expeditions."  Students loved being able to feel like you are right there in the middle of an international Pow-Wow.  Although they had to take breaks, they all seemed to really enjoy the experience. Students did a deep clean of the room to pick up all the beads, feathers and leaves left behind from artifact building and enjoyed a Halloween sugar cookie to end our week. 

Reminders: 

• A big thank you to all of you for coming on Wednesday!  Thank you also to the Gusewelle and Carroll families for providing jars for the class for our upcoming project. 
• Halloween is coming up and students are able to wear costumes on the 31st.  There will be a school wide parade so students can check out everyone's costumes and we will be having a Halloween party that afternoon.  Thank you to those who volunteered to help! 
• Please call the office by 9:00 if your child is going to be absent. 

Week of October 9

Students have been working hard this week to get read for their presentations. Students paired off with the other 5th grade class and were able to give and receive feedback.  Please come and see their presentations on Wednesday October 18th 2:30-3:30 in the cafeteria.  If you receive a separate email from me tomorrow, your students will be in the classroom.  We are excited to be doing our first big presentation.

Writing: Students are in the final revision stages of their personal narratives and will be adding illustrations this week. They have worked hard through the process of revising after mini lessons and will be finished by the end of this week.

Reading:  "Wonder" has been a highlight of the students week. We have all enjoyed the humor, developing empathy toward Auggie, the main character, and having a greater understanding of what it is like to be bullied. We will continue reading "Wonder" and doing Daily 3, working on reading, writing and doing vocabulary word work.

Oct 2 Week

Students are continuing work on their Native American Tribe project!  They have fully immersed themselves in creating their artifacts and presentations after researching their specific tribe. They have taken their information they researched and created presentations via presentation boards, skits, murals, puppet shows and through power points.  I hope you will be able to join us the week of October 16th. I will send more information next week.

This week students were introduced to a weaving project and learned the importance of woven baskets within tribal life.  Students loved watching their creation take shape and form.  They have also taken their information in this social studies unit and used it to write journal entries taking on the perspective of a tribal member.  Within a few weeks we will also be writing Native American myths to share with younger students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Special thank to Mrs. Arends and Mrs. Pell for helping with our weaving project and to all of you who helped provide materials for our weaving and social studies projects!  I really appreciate everything! 
• Monday folders, reading logs and family journals are due back on Monday.  Thanks for taking the time to respond in your child's journal- they appreciate it! 
• October book order will be in Mondays folder, please take a moment and order some books for your child at home and help it benefit the classroom!  Last month's books should be here Monday or Tuesday! Thank you for your support! 
• Plan to join us for our Native American Tribe Project presentations the week of October 16th.
• Please feel free to email me for any reason. nhyde@oasisacademyfallon.us