I hope you all enjoy the weekend with all the sunshine and perfect temps! :)
It came to our attention this week that some fifth graders were poking fun at some younger students and laughing at a student who needed some special accommodations in the lunchroom. Some fifth graders also were becoming very unsportsmanlike with some pretty negative comments. We take these things very seriously in the fifth grade and addressed these items with the students. I decided it was time for the "right shoe" talk. I ask students with very obviously different shoe sizes to switch shoes. They of course look at me like I am crazy, and they tell me that just can't happen. When I ask them why not, and what would happen if I forced them to anyways they respond with, "they could trip," "it could hurt their feet," "it would be uncomfortable," "they would look very silly." I then ask them to think about any time they have needed something different in learning, sports, or with friends to feel comfortable or successful. Of course every child in the room knows at some point they have needed extra explanation, extra help, or have needed some extra challenge. We connect the shoes to these general needs in life. Everyone needs the right size shoe to make it through their day and feel good about it, just like everyone might need something different in their day to feel successful and good about it. I hope this sinks in. On a more fun and positive note, we had an amazing field trip to Naper Settlement today! We had PERFECT weather, saw most of the best attractions, and learned so much! Be sure to talk with your child about what they liked (don't be surprised if they say Blacksmith!), learned, and were surprised about. We saw the Blacksmith, post office, Martin-Mitchell Mansion, firetruck, print shop, chapel, one room schoolhouse, and stone-carving shop! Here are a few pictures: We will be switching over to science and studying Energy beginning next week!
I hope you all enjoy the weekend with all the sunshine and perfect temps! :)
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We certainly had another busy, busy week here in fifth grade! We took our first retake quizzes/tests this week for those students who filled out the retake request form and completed the required practice/studying. Here is the link to the form, in case you need it: Retake Requests One of the highlights from this week was going down to Mrs. Schmidt's Kindergarten class. They are our buddy class and we met for the first time on Friday. The fifth graders read picture books to students and talked with them about where the title was, how to flip through pages, and about the stories they were reading. The fifth graders were so incredibly patient, kind, and downright cute with the kindergarteners! Coming back to the room they were just bubbling with excitement. I heard things like, "I miss my buddy already! Can we go back?" "They are so cute!! I might be allergic to the cuteness." "Can we just spend all day with them?" We also held our highly anticipated Historical Debate between the Loyalists and Patriots! I was very impressed by the content of the questions and responses on both sides throughout the debate. The kids really did a nice job using their knowledge to portray their assigned character and their beliefs about independence. A quick reminder that all students should be practicing their math multiplication facts daily. Automaticity of these facts is important for success in so many of the other skills we learn and practice in 5th grades. Ms. Driscoll did a quick search on the iTunes store and found a few great apps (FREE!) that the kids could use at home. One last reminder: We have our Naper Settlement Field Trip on Friday (9/26). Please be sure your child brings a sack lunch and disposable water bottle for the field. They should also wear weather appropriate clothing (it's supposed to be beautiful-yay!!).
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! It has been a bit chilly, but otherwise quite beautiful. I took a long bike ride down the Fox River Trail yesterday for the first time, and it was such a pretty ride! If you like to bike or run, I highly recommend that scenery. :)
This past week the class worked hard on MAP tests and finishing up Fountas & Pinnell testing. We did experience the power outage during our Reading MAP test, so those who were still working on their test had their test paused and will pick right up where they left off this upcoming week to complete their test. The students also worked very hard on making progress with their 40 Book Challenge. I am loving looking through their electronic reading logs and reading their responses/reflections. The range of books and interests in our room is fascinating to me! I think my own personal reading list has grown by a mile just by the books the kids have recommend or shown interest in (which is saying a lot since the list is already infinitely long!). We had our first social studies test on Monday, and are now continuing our studies leading to the Rev War by digging into the lives of three prominent Loyalists and three prominent Patriots. At the end of the week we will hold a debate between the two sides! Thank you so much for making sure all Curriculum Night forms were turned in to me! We are finishing collecting slips and money for the Naper Settlement field trip on Friday, September 26th, and are now collecting permissions slips and money for the annual trip to Camp Duncan in October. This is the trip where we will return to school around 5:15/5:30pm. Please read the permission slip closely for details. Lastly, I would like to introduce you to a volunteer who will be joining our class most Friday mornings throughout the school year. Her name is Miss Molly Driscoll. She first spent time in 5th grade when taking part in Prospect's Education Academy 2 years ago. Her passion for teaching and learning to become a great teacher has led her to volunteer her time in my classroom in addition to taking college classes and working! We are lucky to have her helping out and working with the students every week! Here is a little introduction from her: Hi, Ms. Driscoll here! Hope the beginning of the school year is going great for all of you! Here are some things that I think you should know about me. I am 19 years old and I am currently a sophomore in college. I’m attending Harper College in Palatine and I plan on transferring to Northeastern Illinois University next fall where I plan on becoming an elementary school teacher just like Ms. Feck! I went to Prospect High School, go Knights, where I was on the cheerleading and poms squad. I really enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and little puppy, Phoebe. The reason I am here at Dryden Elementary School is to help all the students learn as much as possible, but to also help myself become a teacher. I plan on assisting and helping out as much in Ms. Feck’s classroom as I can. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me anytime! I am so very excited to be in class every Friday! I look forward to an eventful 5th grade year with all of you! Thanks, Ms. Driscoll Happy Sunday! This week the students participated in another simulation to help them understand what the colonists were going through in the 1770s that led to the American Revolution. The students played roles such as King, colonist, tax collector, and Parliament. "Acts" were passed that taxed the students on their skittle allotment for various things such as pencils, wearing jeans, wearing jewelry, etc. The students saw how quickly everyday objects cost them as each "Act" was passed. Hopefully these experiences, along with all of our studying resources (both print and posted to Edmodo), will lay a solid foundation for the students as we move into studying the actual war and the Declaration of Independence. Our first test is tomorrow (Monday) morning!
We have been reviewing some reading Signposts during whole group reading. Students learned these "signs" that authors leave in their writing that help build comprehension last year. We using new texts to review these skills, as we will be using them throughout the year. So far we reviewed, "Contrast and Contradiction" and "Aha! Moments." This week we will review "Tough Questions" "Words of the Wiser" and "Again and Again." Be sure to ask your child about these important sign posts in reading! We are in the middle of Fountas & Pinnell benchmark testing all fifth grade students to help pinpoint "just right" reading levels and gain further insights into which skills each student has mastered and which can be areas to focus on. Thank you again for all those who came to Curriculum Night or who have taken the time to view my presentation/look through the folder I sent home. A gentle reminder to please send in your Handbook forms, parent survey, and liability forms as soon as possible! Thank you!! :) MAP testing will take place next week. Our class is scheduled for our Math MAP at 9:10 on Thursday morning and our Reading test at 1:00 on Friday afternoon. Please help remind the kids to get a good night's rest and have a healthy breakfast and lunch so they can show us all they know! Have a great week! :) |
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