I am excited for another exciting week of 5th grade. There are several special activities and events happening this week: On Tuesday, Mr. Ryan (my replacement teacher) will be shadowing for the day. This will be a great opportunity for him to learn our classroom routines, procedures, and to get a feel for our classroom schedule. On Wednesday the children have their spring concerts; 2:15 at Glenmont and 7pm at the High School. This Friday we will visit the Middle School and then of course the much anticipated Pit Party.
On Friday, the children and I will visit the Middle School for the day. We will leave a little before 10am and return for around 2pm. When visiting we will take a middle school tour, visit several 6th grade classes, and of course eat lunch. The children will have an opportunity to meet several teachers from all the 6th grade houses and get a feel for the different classes they will be taking. We will visit a social studies, math, science, spanish, and a music class. The children will have an opportunity to ask questions during this visit. Please encourage your child to come ready with their questions on Friday. This visit will help prepare the children for their 6th grade experience and help make their middle school transition much smoother. I encourage the children to bring their lunch in a brown paper bag for time purposes. School lunches will be served but they will not have access to their accounts and will have to pay by cash. We will be eating lunch quite early so I encourage the children to bring a snack on Friday.
In writing we are working on an informative writing piece about the Westward Expansion. The children spent several days researching big topics during the Westward Expansion. This week they will take their research and fast draft an informative non-fiction book. Fast draft means they all take everything they know about the Westward Expansion and non-fiction writing and create a book within a sitting or two. After the children fast draft children they will spend several days revising their pieces and make their writing even better.
In reading we are of course working in reading workshop where the children are reading their literature circle and independent books. For the first part of reading the children are working on Latin America research. Last week I explained this project and helped the children get their research organized. This week they are going to research and find information on their chosen Latin America country. The children are working on this project with a partner.
In social studies we are finishing up our American History unit and will work on a quick Canada unit. The children will have a vocabulary quiz on Friday.
I hope you can join us for our last learning luncheon next Wednesday, May 21st. During this celebration the children will reflect upon their published pieces throughout the year. I will send the children's writing portfolios home with any families that attend and send any others home at the end of the day. These portfolios are great evidence on how your child has grown throughout the school year as a writer.
Our lip synch act was a huge success! The children did a fantastic job. Thank you for your support and have a great week!
Thanks,
Andrew
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