Main Idea Unit

We are kicking off our main idea unit in reading.  We won't just be reading random articles, but we're going to be focusing on ancient Egypt!  I think everyone will really enjoy reading and learning about the Egyptians while working our way through main idea!

Today, Reading 1 worked with me to create their Success Criteria.  Success Criteria is a list of things students need to be able to do in order to be successful!  We started by looking at the main idea Common Core standard- 5.RI.2.  In order to be successful and master this standard, they decided that you must do these things: read the text, find 2 or more main ideas, find key words or details, and write a summary.

We also looked at their pre-test results.  For the pre-test, students read the article on NewsELA.com, Kids Love Their Robohands.  Most students were able to pick out one main idea and one detail, but they had no idea that 5th grade required them to find TWO or MORE main ideas and several details!

We are starting small to grow big.  Today's article just required them to find one main idea.  I want every student to be able to master finding one main idea before they are asked to find two or more.  I also had them work on finding two details. The level of difficulty will continue to increase until everyone has made progress on this standard!

The Hungry Caterpillar Play

Today we went to a first grade and a kindergarten program they sang about food and played out the hungry caterpillar. They were so cute they sang about 6 songs.  

By, Kaydynce

Yesterday we took a math test these are the people who got a A on the test. We are holding Sonic drinks. We got a choice of what drink we wanted. We were all very happy we got a sonic drink. We get to drink them in class to! We have a test every month. If you got a A you get Sonic drink. Hopefuly by the end of the year everyone can get a Sonic drink.

By: Noah

1,000 Minute Challenge

On October 1, I challenged every 5th grader to read 1,000 minutes by Halloween.  I've promised a 1,000 Minute Challenge Party to every student who reaches that goal.  So far, we only have two people who have read 1,000 minutes, but we have several who are getting close!

Right now, here are our top 10 readers this month (according to BiblioNasium):

1. Elise (1242 minutes)
2. Zach (1082 minutes)
3. Nolan (843 minutes)
4. William B. (744 minutes)
5. Shawn (684 minutes)
6. Sydney (645 minutes)
7. Alex (603 minutes)
8. Noah (601 minutes)
9. Adyson (595 minutes)
10. Jonah (560 minutes)

As an entire 5th grade group, students have read:

14,290 minutes

27,686 pages

and completed 109 books

Wow!  Way to go, 5th grade!!!! Keep up the hard work!

Remember to keep reading and working on the 40 Book Challenge.  If every student completes the 40 book challenge, we will need to have 1,880 books.  We still have quite a ways to go, but I know we can do it!

Hatchet

We've been reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen for the past few weeks.  Each day, students are asked to respond to their reading in their Read Aloud Log.  These will be kept in a folder until we are finished with the book, then they will be stapled and turned in.

So far, the majority of students are enjoying this book, and whine when we have to stop reading each day!  It is a great book to get kids interested in read, since it starts with a bang, quite literally.  Ask your child about the book, and I'm sure you'll get a lengthy retelling!