Math: We have finished working on Chapter 4, which focuses on Multiplying Decimals. We will complete lesson 4.8 and the Chapter Review this week. On Wednesday, students will take the chapter 4 Test. On Thursday, we will begin working on Chapter 5, which focuses on dividing decimals. Go Math Animated Math Models are now available for extra help under the "Go Math Resources" tab. There will be one page of homework assigned nightly in addition to any work not completed during class. Some assignments will also be available on the Think Central website. For user name and password questions, contact Mrs. Brannock at [email protected].
Reading: We have finished reading the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. We will be working on integrating information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. Students have been assigned a research project in which they will have to select a topic from a list of choices, find out about their topic using multiple sources, and present an oral report to the class. The report may include illustrations. This report should be worked on at home. It will be due Tuesday, Oct. 29th.
Literacy Centers: On Monday, we will begin working on literacy centers. Students will work in these centers in their reading groups. They cover a variety of language arts skills. This week we will be working on the following: antonyms, alphabetical order, parts of speech, synonyms, combining sentences, analogies, kinds of sentences, and main ideas and supporting details. Students will be expected to turn in their work for each center and they will be graded.
Reading groups: I have revised reading groups. Each group will be reading a novel and working on various common core reading skills. The novels we will be reading are: My Life as a Fifth-Grade Comedian, The Hidden Girl, The Midnight Fox, and The Day the Fifth Grade Disappeared.
Reading homework: There will be one page of reading homework assigned nightly. This week we will be focusing on explaining how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem; compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
Reading Skill Practice: We will be working on the skill of making inferences. We will complete one activity each day relating to making inferences.
Spelling and Grammar: We will be working to spell grade-appropriate words correctly. Students will complete a packet practicing the week's spelling and grammar skills in class. They may take it home to study as well. Students will take a test on Friday over the week's spelling words as well as the grammar skill. This week we will be working on long a and u and coordinating conjunctions. The spelling words are: laid, raise, station, afraid, daybreak, able, beautiful, future, unusual, another, oxygen, journey.
Social Studies: We have started a unit on the American Revolution. We will be discussing the impact that the revolution had on society, particularly among families. We will be reading the historical fiction novel My Brother Sam is Dead as a read aloud.
Science: We are working on unit on fish. We will be having goldfish and guppies in the classroom. Students will be observing the fish, learning about the anatomy of fish, and completing an inquiry investigation involving fish. Students must have a signed permission slip in order to handle the classroom fish.
Writing and Grammar: Each day students will be completing a daily writing warm-up which focuses on many writing and language skills. They will also complete a quick write on a given prompt. We will be working on the steps of writer's workshop in which students will have the opportunity to revise and edit their writing. Our current set of writing prompts will focus on writing narratives to develop real or imagined events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. Students should be writing at least a paragraph each day.