Dear families,

Can you believe October is upon us? Wow, this year is flying by! We have a jam-packed week, so let's check it out.






School Events
Mon, 9/30 My homeroom starts Global Read Aloud! We're so excited! We'll be connecting with Mrs. Weiser's and Ms. Denly's classes as well as other classes around the world! We are reading Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
Tues, 10/1 FalCan Food Drive begins; My homeroom library visit
Wed, 10/2 Walk to School Day (meet at Rock Creek Park as usual)
Thurs, 10/3 Talent Show Tryouts during Activity (must have permission slip turned in); Mrs. May's Class "Changing Nation" test in Social Studies
Fri, 10/4 Chick-Fil-A $2.50; POW due (all language arts classes); Chapter 7 Shurley English test (my LA class only); Mrs. May's class presents their family trees

SOCIAL STUDIES
(Mrs. May's homeroom)
Check out the social studies website to view resources and download notes! www.5socialstudies.weebly.com

This is Mrs. May's homeroom's last week with me; next, my class comes back to learn about WWI!

We are finishing our Changing Nation unit. To read more about the standards, click the "Social Studies" page at the top and look for SS5H3.

BIG HOMEWORK PROJECT: Students will create a family tree to share with our classes THIS Friday. Students received the assignment last Monday. This is a great time to share with your child about your family's history. We'd like to know any countries from which your family originated. For instance, I have family history in Scotland and Germany, even in a Native American tribe! Every year, students enjoy learning these things about their families. Feel free to go back as far as you and your child can go. Your child should make his project as simple or elaborate as you see fit. We can't wait to see them on Friday!

Monday: CCRPI session with Mr. Williamson in computer lab (college and careers); SS5H3.c Explain how William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt expanded America's role in the world. Learn about the Spanish American War and the building of the Panama Canal (and the story of the teddy bear!)
Tuesday: SS5H3.b Describe the impact of inventors on American society. Learn about the Wright Brothers, George Washington Carver, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.
Wednesday: Play SPACE RACE to study for tomorrow's test! Work on study guide. We'll practice standards SS5H3.a, b, c, d, e.
Thursday: Changing Nation Test. 13 multiple choice questions on Socrative.com, plus 4 essay questions.
Friday: Students will present their family trees!

Test: THIS Thursday, October 3.

LANGUAGE ARTS
POW Topic: One food I really don't like...
Monday: Brainstorm. 
Tuesday: Detail sentences. 
Wednesday: Topic and concluding sentences. 
Thursday: Final Copy. 
Friday: Proofread

Shurley English: Chapter 7
Grammar: Direct Objects, Verb-transitives (Mom bakes cakes. Mom bakes what? Cakes (direct object). Makes (verb transitive). (Standard 5.L.c)
Skills: Past and present participles, principal verb parts, tenses of helping verbs (Standards 5.L.b and c)

Monday: Chapter 7, Lesson 1; begin Lesson 2
Tuesday: Finish Lesson 7; Classroom Practice #32 (finish for homework if needed)
Wednesday: Chapter 7, Lesson 3; Classroom Practice #33 (finish for homework if needed)
Thursday: Chapter 7, Lesson 4; Classroom Practice #34; Start Chapter Checkup #35 (definitely finish for homework)
Friday: Chapter 7 Test

READING
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes every day.

Essential Question
Why do we compare characters, settings, and events in fiction texts?

Common Core ELA Standards for Reading 1 and Reading 2
RL.5.3. Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL.5.2. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

Gifted Standards for Reading 1
ACS1. The student uses written, spoken, and technological media to convey new learning.
ACS2. The student produces written and/or oral work, including products and presentations, that is complex, purposeful, organized, and that synthesizes information appropriately.
ACS3. The student participates in small group discussions and supports and defends his/her own opinions while respecting the opinion of others.
HOCTS2. The student responds to questions with supporting information that reflects in-depth knowledge of a topic.
CPS2. The student uses brainstorming and other idea-generating techniques to solve problems or create new products.
CPS4. The student independently or through collaboration with classmates clarifies, illustrates, or elaborates on an idea.

Monday: Whole Group
Read text, "A Game is a Game - Or Is It?" Compare and contrast the protagonist and antagonist. Create a whole-class written response. 
*Reading 1: In small groups, use SCAMPER method to change the story.
Standards: RL.3, ACS1, ACS2, CPS2
*Reading 2: Independently, students will write about character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme.
Standards: RL.3, RL.2, W.5.9, W.5.4

Instructional Conversation, or IC
Read two literary (fiction) texts, "Becoming New Neighbors" and "The New Boy in Class." Compare and contrast the plot events and conflicts in the two texts. Write a written response. Then read two poems, "The Wind" and "The Storm." Compare and contrast the settings, then write a written response.
Standards: RL.3, W.5.4, W.5.9, ACS1, ACS3

Literature Circles
Finish the book. For students who have already finished, there are 3 project options:

• Turn the story into a play (drama)
• Turn the story into a comic strip (full color, full sentences)
• Rewrite the ending, and rewrite the last 2-3 chapters.

Standards: RL.2, CPS4, ACS2, ACS3

Computer
Assignment #1: Star Reading Test (find directions on Edmodo)
Assignment #2: Edmodo article - read to compare and contrast
Standards: RL.1, RL.3, ACS1, HOCTS2

Independent Work
Read a nonfiction article from Scholastic News and create a main idea table.
(Review of Standard RI.2)

Read & Respond
Learn how to write a letter to Mrs. Thompson about the book you're reading.
(Review of Standard RL.2)

Compare & Contrast Assessment
THIS Friday, October 4

Dear families,

This weekend was packed with lots of fun community events and even some rain, but I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. This week is our final week to support CURE for Childhood Cancer. Let's take a look at that and the rest of the week to come:




School Events
Mon, 9/23 My reading classes take EasyCBM test in computer lab
Tues, 9/24 My homeroom library visit
Wed, 9/25 Italian Ice $2 due (superhero flavor, so yummy!); Stuffed Animals for CURE ($1 or any donation) PLUS the class that raises the most money gets EXTRA RECESS with Mrs. Frierson! Don't forget to send in your donations! 
Fri, 9/27 POW due (all language arts classes); Chapter 6 Shurley English test (my LA class only); Italian Ice delivered

SOCIAL STUDIES
(Mrs. May's homeroom)
Check out the social studies website to view resources and download notes! www.5socialstudies.weebly.com

My class heads to Mrs. May for science, and her class comes to me for social studies!

We are beginning our Changing Nation unit. To read more about the standards, click the "Social Studies" page at the top and look for SS5H3.

BIG HOMEWORK PROJECT: Students will create a family tree to share with our classes next Friday. Students will receive the assignment on Monday, and it is due next Friday (10/3). This is a great time to share with your child about your family's history. We'd like to know any countries from which your family originated. For instance, I have family history in Scotland and Germany, even in a Native American tribe! Every year, students enjoy learning these things about their families. Feel free to go back as far as you and your child can go. Your child should make his project as simple or elaborate as you see fit. We can't wait to see them next week!

Monday: Supply & Demand with the cattle trails (lots of economic terms). What was the purpose of the cattle trails? Who were the Black Cowboys of Texas? We will also study the Battle of Little Big Horn.
Tuesday: Bring your art supplies! Research western movement. Make a collage about this time period. Must include: cowboys, cattle trails, railroads, Black Cowboys of Texas, Battle of Little Big Horn, plus one thing from their research
Wednesday: Mr. Bryan, our student teacher, is planning a VERY cool lesson on immigration and Ellis Island. Be prepared for an adventure this day!
Thursday: Notes on immigration; crossword puzzle and video
Friday: Watch History Channel's "Story of US"

Test: Next Thursday, October 3.

LANGUAGE ARTS
POW Topic: Something I'm Proud Of
Monday: Brainstorm. 
Tuesday: Detail sentences. 
Wednesday: Topic and concluding sentences. 
Thursday: Final Copy. 
Friday: Proofread

Shurley English: Chapter 6
Grammar: Interjections, Possessive Noun Adjectives (Bobby's dog - who's dog? Bobby's. Possessive Noun Adjective; PNA)
Skills: Complex sentences
*Essay from last week is due on WEDNESDAY. There will be no class time to work on it, so students should edit/revise and write a final copy at home.

Monday: Chapter 6, Lesson 1; begin Lesson 2
Tuesday: Finish Lesson 2; Classroom Practice (finish for homework if needed)
Wednesday: Chapter 6, Lesson 3; Classroom Practice (finish for homework if needed)
Thursday: Chapter 6, Lesson 4; Classroom Practice; Start Chapter Checkup (definitely finish for homework)
Friday: Chapter 6 Test

READING
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes every day.
*Reading 1 and Reading 2 are working on the same standards this week.

Essential Question
Why do we compare characters, settings, and events in fiction texts?

Standard
RL.5.3. Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).

Monday:
All students will take the EasyCBM reading assessment in the computer lab.

Instructional Conversation, or IC
Read Fiction Text, "Gone Camping." What is different about this text? Compare/contrast the characters in the story. What were the motivations for each character? Look at character traits. 

Literature Circles
Finish the book. For students who have already finished, there are 3 project options:

• Turn the story into a play (drama)
• Turn the story into a comic strip (full color, full sentences)
• Rewrite the ending, and rewrite the last 2-3 chapters.

Computer
Assignment #1: Study Island pretest

Independent Work
Read a nonfiction article from Scholastic News and create a main idea table.

Read & Respond
Learn how to write a letter to Mrs. Thompson about the book you're reading.

Assessment
Next Friday, October 4

Dear families,

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Our 9/11 care packages have been mailed off, and I am loading pictures to the website. A huge THANKS to everyone who sent in items! We had such an overflow of items that we were able to also bless local police and fire departments with snacks as a thank-you for their service to our community.

Here's a look at our week:

School Events
Mon, 9/16 My homeroom CCRPI session (see Social Studies below for more details)
Tues, 9/17 My homeroom library visit
Wed, 9/18 Crazy Sock Day for CURE ($1 or any donation)
Thurs, 9/19 PTA at 6
Fri, 9/20 POW due (all language arts classes); Essay due (my LA class only); Family Trees due (social studies classes only); Main Idea quiz (reading); Chick-Fil-A biscuits ($2.50); Fair Street Peace Parade at 9:30

SOCIAL STUDIES
(My homeroom)
Check out the social studies website to view resources and download notes! www.5socialstudies.weebly.com

We are wrapping up our Changing Nation unit. To read more about the standards, click the "Social Studies" page at the top and look for SS5H3.

Monday: CCRPI with Mr. Williamson, then learning about Spanish-American War (President William McKinley) and the Panama Canal (President Theodore Roosevelt)
*CCRPI stands for College & Career Readiness Performance Index. This basically means that students will begin looking at possible careers and college options. There will be six sessions total, and these will take place over the course of the school year. The first session will begin with a video and discussion facilitated by Mr. Williamson, our counselor.
Tuesday: Learn about inventors: Wright Brothers (flight, first airplane), George Washington Carver (science, farming innovations, 200+ inventions from the peanut), Thomas Edison (lightbulb, generating electricity), Alexander Graham Bell (communication, telephone); also discuss Carnegie Steel and Charles Lindbergh 
Wednesday: Be an innovator! Choose an invention from this time, use the SCAMPER method of critical thinking to improve it; work on study guide
Thursday: Changing Nation Test - multiple choice, map, essay questions
Friday: Present Family Trees in small groups

Test: Thursday, September 19.

LANGUAGE ARTS
POW Topic: A trip I've taken... *change from original plan*
Monday: Brainstorm. 
Tuesday: Detail sentences. 
Wednesday: Topic and concluding sentences. 
Thursday: Final Copy. 
Friday: Proofread
*POW time is from 7:25 - 7:45 each morning. If your child is not in homeroom during this time (or comes in later than 7:25), then he or she likely misses time to work on the POW. It is highly recommended that if a student misses work time on any day of the week, he or she should complete that particular day's assignment for homework. This ensures that those students don't have to complete the entire packet on Thursday night. (We know that's no fun!)

Shurley English: NO SHURLEY THIS WEEK - WORKING ON WRITING INSTEAD

Students will choose one of the POW topics from this year so far and turn it into an essay. Topics to choose from:

• My favorite subject in school
• The season I'd most like to have all year
• In school, I do my best when...
• Something I'm good at
• The best birthday gift

Essay is due this Friday, 9/20.

READING
HOMEWORK: Read 30 minutes every day.
*This week, Reading 1 and Reading 2 are working on the same standards this week.

Essential Question
How do I find the main idea of a nonfiction text?

Standard
RI.5.2. Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

Monday: Whole Group
What's the difference between fiction and nonfiction? What do they have in common?
What's the difference between the main idea and supporting details?
How are the main idea and supporting details of a nonfiction text like a table?
*Daily practice at the beginning of each class - read a short nonfiction text, determine the main idea

Instructional Conversation, or IC
Read nonfiction text, "Christopher Columbus." Create a main idea table for each section of the passage. Use Close Reading strategies for the text to determine significant details. 

Literature Circles
Create a 5-finger summary for the book

Computer
Assignment #1: Edmodo - main idea assignment (read an article, determine main idea and supporting details)
Assignment #2: Kidblog - read other students' blogs and comment on them (remember Mustache commenting guidelines - must ask a question or make a connection)

Independent Work
Read nonfiction text, "Urban Jungle," about zoos. Create main idea tables for paragraph 2 and paragraph 3.

Read & Respond
Complete a DEAR for their independent reading books

Assessment
Main idea quiz on Friday, 9/20