Wonder Book Club Update

Quick and Dirty Research

When I announced to the class that we would be doing some "quick and dirty" research during Reading Workshop, they were clearly surprised by the name of the task!  However, they soon caught on what I meant!  The students had two days to work with their reading partners to research and create an informative poster about an assigned topic from our new shared text, All the Way Home by Patricia Reilly Giff.

The story is set in 1941 and centers around two children, Brick and Mariel who are struggling with growing up and learning more about who they are to themselves and to those they call family.  The historical topics include FDR, polio, Dr. Jonas Salk, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pete Reiser, and many others.  The kids are always fascinated by the information they find and love when their topic gets mentioned in the story.  The posters also serve as a reference for all of us when the topics come up.

This was also our first time presenting in front or class and all of the skills that come with that sometimes stressful task.  Everyone is doing great!  If your child isn't pictured in the slideshow, they probably haven't presented yet so check back for more pictures this week.

Dividing Decimals Video

Our Math class learned an interesting way of proving the various steps of division...especially as we are learning about dividing decimals.  This is a new concept for our students this year and it can be challenging.  Not only do they need to know the steps of division, they need to understand why they are doing a particular step.  Hopefully, this video will help with tonight and tomorrow night's homework...Lesson 14 and 15.  Happy dividing!

Scholastic Book Orders

One of the best parts about my job is talking about books and reading with my 5th graders.  There are so many amazing books out there for middle readers.  Reading is one of my passions and I'm constantly on the look out for more titles to read and add to my classroom collection.  Here are a few of my favorite.

A fantastic books with life lessons for adults and kids. More to come on this book!

An excellent intro. to Sci Fi while giving us something to think about.

Action, adventure, magic, relationships...this series has it all!

Makes us all think about the role of animals in our world.  Told from a gorilla's perspective!

An amazing story about the fairy world that you didn't know anything about!

Fantastic historical fiction book about a boy who gets to hang out with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris!

If your child is in need of some great new reads, the Scholastic ordering catalog is open!  Simply click on the Scholastic Reading Club icon on the right side of our blog.  This will take you to our class ordering page.  Shop any catalog you choose and pay online!  Paper catalogs will be going home next week.  Our first order will be placed on Monday, September 15th.  Happy reading!

First Day of School!

The backpacks were lightened, the desks were filled and hopefully, happy smiles greeted you this afternoon after our first day of 5th grade.  What a fantastic group of children I have this year!  They listened intently and worked hard.  We talked a little about our summers, played some group teamwork games and spent a lot of time learning what 5th grade will be like this year.

You will see your child arrive home with a S.T.A.R (Students Take Academic Responsibility) binder tonight.  In it, you will find sections (please notice the Notes Home section meant for you!) and labeled folders.  More directions will be coming along with more labeled areas in hopes to make the binder a place where all papers will be kept and stored for each subject.  This is an effort to minimize confusion about folders and papers.  It will also be a great way for your child to transition to managing his/her materials more independently.  The binder should be taken home each night and brought to school each day.

There should have been an additional note home sent home regarding a tree nut allergy in our classroom.  Look for that one tomorrow.  Get a great night of sleep and we'll do it again tomorrow! Enjoy some photos from our adventures today.

Working on morning work at arrival.

Class scavenger hunt

Teamwork!

Checking out the library.

Playing the dot game.

Human knots!

Successfully free from the knot.

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Welcome to our website for the 2015-2016 school year.  This is the spot to find information, notes about upcoming events, assignments, important announcements, photos and anything else about our days at Westmere.  

Parents, please take a moment to fill out the following parent questionnaire as soon as possible.


  

Please come and drop off your supplies in your locker at the walk through night, Wednesday, September 2nd from 5-6:30. See you Tuesday, September 8th for your first day of 5th grade!