Happy New Year!!!!

      The students returned to school ready to work and ready to learn.  We are wrapping up two novels in Language Arts.  My morning block students are completing the novel Night of the Twisters  and the afternoon block is completing the novel Letters from Rifka.   I have been pleased with their fluency and comprehension during the novel studies.  Their assessment will be a one-pager for their novel.  The rubric will be sent home on Monday, January 12, 2015 so that parents will know the expectations. I have a few examples below that students can refer to as they complete this activity.  Students will begin their one-pager in class and complete the remainder at home.  The one-pager is due: Tuesday, January 20, 2015. 

Examples of One-Pagers

Novel One-Pager Rubric

Novel Title:________________________________________________________

(Copy Neatly on the One- Pager )

Author: __________________________________________________________

(Copy Neatly on the One-Pager)

• Novel Theme around the border 5 ___________
• Literary Connections (3) 15 ___________
• 3 Visual Images or illustrations (There must 15 ___________

be one illustration of a main character.)

5 Character Traits 10 ___________

• I believe statement 5 ___________
• Three questions using the words below 30 ___________

with the correct answers given.

• Colorful and neat 10 ___________
• Correct grammar 10 ___________
• Extra Credit:

A poem about the theme 7 ___________

Final Grade___________________

**********************************************************************************************

Use one of the following words correctly in each of your questions.  

explain compare predict tell

use infer justify describe

pretend conclude find choose

change why why not how

Let's have a great week!

Science Safari Day

Mrs. Morgan's, Mrs. Hixenbaugh's, and Mr. Swick's  classes really enjoyed Science Safari Day.

Industrial Revolution Activities

The Dinner Party

The students really enjoyed our "dinner party" review.  They were very well prepared to step into character. I was impressed by the costumes (which were not a requirement).   The students appeared to enjoy the activity and their performances were outstanding. Their conversations showed me they were ready for the review.   Just imagine if they really had a meal!  We will definitely have another "dinner party!"

"Wax Museum"

The students in my class presented information about famous immigrants for our grade level "wax museum." This was a great opportunity for them to practice their research and speaking skills.  They really did a great job. This group loves to perform for one another and others. They were so excited about this project! They did a great job today!

There is so much to learn about the Industrial Revolution!

This week the students enjoyed acting out the conflict between the Native Americans and the Pioneers.  This activity helped us review for an assessment on Westward Expansion.  Take a look!

Mrs. Morgan has a great bunch of talented 5th graders!

 

 

This has been a short but busy week.  We have been reading the novel The Lemonade War.  Students wrote summaries for the various chapters of the book and charted figurative language (onomatopoeia, metaphor, simile, and personification).  We are trying to complete the novel by the end of next week. 

 

As a follow up to our trip to USC, students have written about the sites on the university campus.  Many of them appeared to be surprised that many of the students were completing assignments independently on outside benches and in the school's horseshoe (park area).  Their writings are both interesting and informative.  If you get a chance, ask your child to share his/ her selection with you. 

 

 

 

We are still discussing the "move west" in social studies. On this week, we discussed the technological advances during the expand west. The students really enjoyed learning about the pony express and it's link to Wells Fargo bank. Ask your child about the relationship. We read about the qualifications for becoming a rider for the pony express and the type of employees preferred. Ask your child about these items at home. It helps he/she remember the content.

My afternoon block met with their writing buddies in Mrs. Williams'' second grade class on Tuesday. They completed writing surveys and became more familiar with their buddies.  They were so excited about becoming mentors!  We will meet with their mentee at least once a month and work on writing content!

 

 

I look forward to seeing your child on Monday!!!!

 



 

 

We are ready to begin!

USC

I would like to thank all of the parents who were able to assist with our field trip on last Thursday.  The weather was beautiful and the students were well behaved.  Please ask your child about the various landmarks he/she saw on the USC campus.  The students really got a feel of what is expected of college students.  They received a special treat when our campus tour lead us to Cocky.  It was a great day!  Enjoy the pictures below.  

 Pontiac Elementary Fifth Grade Class  

2014-2015
 



Students listened as Mrs. Hixenbaugh shared USC history.


                                                    

                                                    Students enjoyed eating lunch on USC campus.

 

We visited the various colleges on the campus.



                                                   

                                                        This is the first free standing library on a university campus. Wow!   

     

We found out that firemen are constantly studying to become better at their job.




 A visit with Cocky!