Show Not Tell

We jumped into narrative writing this week with a refresher of what it looks like to "Show Not Tell". We started with some fun examples:

Then made some generalizations about what good authors did to Show Not Tell in their writing:

Then we put these strategies to work using this prompt:

Here are some examples of our work!

We also practiced this strategy in a scenario in which we felt nervous, and in writing our own stories based on the Polacco books Thundercake (we wrote about a time we also felt afraid) and Some Birthday! (we wrote a story from a birthday we had experienced, either our own or someone else's). 

During the 1st quarter we will expand our narrative writing to historical fiction based on the work we are doing in Social Studies.

FPS

FIFTH GRADE FUTURE PROBLEM SOLVERS—WE WANT YOU!

Join Future Problem Solvers on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 as we meet to research and analyze the important and timely issues of food waste, drones, stress and space travel.  Learn to think creatively!  Learn the FPS method! Participate in competitions with students around the state!  Make new friends!  Applications are available NOW in the office and are due by Monday, September 17^th. 

Our first week

What a great first week we had in rooms 120 and 122! We spent time getting to know each other, learning routines, and helping build our classroom community.

In math we started right away on Day one with Number Corner. We worked on playing a game to reinforce our knowledge of factors, multiples, products, prime numbers and composite numbers. We also worked on our daily calendar, which is used to reinforce our math skills.  Each day there is a representation that we look at and discuss, and write expressions about.  On Thursday during number corner we used 3D units to move from student knowledge about Area to Volume, by adding a dimension, height. 

 During math class this week we learned about math vocabulary, expressions vs. equations, and worked on understanding what prime vs composite numbers, and played games to reinforce our understanding of factors and multiples.

 We also took some time to get to know one another through creative expression. Mrs. Shorette and Mrs. Godfrey put out a bunch of miscellaneous supplies for students to work with. The assignment was open ended, but students were asked to create something that would tell us who they are, would represent something they love, show us their likes/loves, or skills. It was amazing to see what they came up with. Then the next day students built a class slideshow to write about their creation to share with others. Here are some great examples of their creations.

Advanced Learning Information

Here is some information from Ms. Ishikawa of the advanced learning department.

Snack

Here is the information from the district about approved snacks for in class snack. We are bring your own snack classrooms, with a peanut allergy in Mrs. Shorette's class.

Academic Success Night!

Save the Date! 

Tuesday, October 2 is our first Academic Success Night for the year. Come hang out at school, and share in our learning around math. 

Strings

Soon Mr. Rickman will be coming to visit classes and talk about the students' opportunity to participate in Strings. After he visits classes this interest form will come home.  Please note that Bass is also an option, just list that separately. Please discuss Strings participation with your child and return this form by Monday, September 11th. 

A couple of things to keep in mind when considering Strings participation:

• If your child may want to do Orchestra at the middle school level, they need to have participated in Strings in 5th grade.
• Your child will not miss academic instruction during the Strings time.
• Students are encouraged to practice at home during the week, but the practice time is minimal and manageable!