Reading Workshop

          The class has just finished reading Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo.  We used an interactive reading approach, and stopped and discussed the book after each chapter.   The children used a variety of reading strategies to deepen their understanding of the text, and learned how to use direct quotes from the book when responding to the text in writing.  They watched how the character changed over the course of the book, and wrote well developed essays including specific details from the text as a culminating activity.  Finally, we will be watching the movie and making comparisons between the two.
          In the coming weeks we will be working on the determining importance unit.  We will be scrutinizing text structure and text features in non-fiction text, and examining how an author uses those to explain things to the reader.  Here is a great poster which explains text structure, and another outlining text features.  Your child will have both of these in their literacy binder at school, however you may wish to print them out to have a copy at home.  We will be working towards a goal of having the children create informational writing pieces using strategies learned in reading workshop.
          Although I do not assign a specific amount of reading each evening, I want to remind families of the importance of reading daily.  Look for as many fun opportunities to read as you can.  Here is a list of suggestions from Scholastic.  Although it is geared for middle schoolers, the ideas are perfect for fifth graders, as well.
          Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Partial product division

          In math we have recently started learning a new way to divide called partial products division. Although this method may appear quite different and more challenging that the traditional way many of us learned, the research indicates that this method reinforces the concept of place value when dividing. Here is a terrific link that breaks this method down into easy to follow steps. 

Inca Posters

Last week the students worked hard researching various aspects of Incan culture.  They then created posters to share their new knowledge with their peers.  Here is what it looked like:

Courtney, Jake, Ben and Yukthi researched Cities of the Incas

Molly, Cloey, Nate, John and Molly researched Incan Agriculture

Lindsey, AJ, Tyler, Will and Sam researched the Inca and his Government

Anthony, Chloe, Camden and Brianna researched the Incan Religion

Tyler, Michael, Kelli and Jacqueline researched Incan Roads and Bridges

Alex, Jalismarie, Trip and William researched the Incas and the Spanish Conquest

They all did a fabulous job working together to research, present and study the information.

Just a reminder that this Thursday we invite all parents to the Living Wax Museum at 9:00 in the cafeteria.  We hope as many of you as possible will join us.