Whenever we begin writing focused descriptive segments, my students become so frustrated that the masterpiece they think they have created needs to be molded, revisited, transformed, and changed.  I love this time.  I don't want them to feel frustrated, of course, but writing is frustrating.  The part I love about this time is overcoming these frustrations!  Once the students realize that all of the books on our classroom library shelves have been revised numerous times before they were published, they soon understand they are like real writers.  They are real writers.  They are writers, and part of the writing process is to change, tweak, and improve.  Daily we learn new strategies to make our writing better, we review strategies that we have learned previously, then we practice, we share, we discuss what was great, and ways a piece of writing could be improved.  Oftentimes we refer to improvements based on previous lessons.  Sometimes an opportunity presents itself to learn something new, and the kids soak it up like sponges.  Students welcome new strategies and are eager to make their writing better, but we all must start somewhere! 

We have been reading Shades of Gray while studying the Civil War and Reconstruction.  This book has given us some insight as to how people felt during Reconstruction.  Will, the orphaned Confederate boy, goes to live with his mom's sister and her family who did not participate in the war.  Although he is not happy to be living with pacifists, he learns that they paid a hefty price for their beliefs and comes to respect them.

Don't forget that Civil War Scrapbooks are due October 1st!

For the Heroes: A Pep Talk From Kid President

It's Friday....

and it's a long weekend with beautiful weather in store!  Who could ask for anything more?

What's coming up next week?

We are finishing up the causes of the Civil War and heading into the some of the major events.

     SS5H1 The student will explain the causes, major events, and                   consequences of the Civil War.

       a.Identify Uncle Tom’s Cabin and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry,

and explain how each of these events was related to the Civil War.

b. Discuss how the issues of states’ rights and slavery increased tensions between the North and South.
c.Identify major battles and campaigns: Fort Sumter

 

Reader's Theater in Social Studies 

Constructed Responses will be expected on ALL tests.  

R-Restate the question
A-Answer the question simply
C-Cite evidence and Examples to support your answer
E-Explain how the evidence supports your answer

 

According to Ralph Fletcher, "a writer's notebook should reflect your personality."  Because of this, we take a short period, on the first Friday of every new year, to decorate our writer's notebooks.  I have been doing this same activity for years and have come to find out students treasure their personalized notebooks and keep them to look back on years later.  Below are a few photos of students working on personalizing their writer's notebooks.

Some 5th graders showing off their decorated Writer's Notebooks!

It has been a great first few weeks of school.  In SS, we have learned about the SS Themes, the Bill of Rights, and are now currently learning about the causes of the Civil War. 
In ELA, Reading Genres and poetry terms have been studied.  We have worked with Greek and Latin roots, homophones, and types of sentences.  The students have written poetry booklets, and we are currently studying figurative language. 
Needless to say, our days are busy!

Letters from Little Turkeys

 Dear Mr. Hunter,

   People think turkeys are healthy, but we’re actually very unhealthy. Our skin is full of fat and cholesterol. Yuck! Even though we are unhealthy, we are still being eaten! Everybody is eating turkey for Thanksgiving. So, why can’t you lead them to eating other things? Why settle for turkey, when you can eat chicken or ham?

    Don’t you know that I’m a part of history? I was Ben Franklin’s choice for the U.S. national bird. Ben respected us for our looks and agility.  Abe Lincoln even saved my great, great grandmother from being eaten.

   You have other options, you know! I know a great recipe for squid! Everyone likes it! Also, I could make you some country- fried chicken. Its crunchy, crispy skin is delicious! Why not eat some tender, juicy ham? It is very good. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to turkey!

   I also have a family to take care of! I have 18 poults that just hatched! Who is going to teach them to hunt for acorns, nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and salamanders? I’m the best hunter in the family! I also promised them that I would take them to Six Flags if they were good! They have been pretty good lately. They are going to be so upset!

   So, why settle for turkey when you can have something else? I’m a part of history and you have other options! Besides, I have a big family to take care of! Don’t you think you should try something else, besides turkey? Psst…I have a secret recipe for ham that is sooo good!

                                                                    Sincerely, 

                                                                    Your turkey buddy!

                                                                                                      (Brianna G.)

Dear Turkey Hunter,

    Every Thanksgiving people want to eat me.  Try something different.  Why would you want a poor turkey  instead of a big, juicy ham for Thanksgiving?  Eat ham!  Ham is a better choice.    I guarantee you would not go back to turkey.  Please don't eat me! 

    I'm no good for you.  I'm really tough.  I am as tough as a rock.  I really stink like a skunk because I do not take baths.  I also have a disease called turkey-itis.

    Do you really want to eat me?  I have a family.  Please do not eat me!  I have to teach my kids how to fly.  I have to teach my kids how to hunt.  Please do not eat me because if I die, who will teach my kids all these things?

    Finally, I'm a big pain to cook.  Can you imagine having to pluck all of my feathers?  It would take all day for me to cook in the oven.  Would you really want to spend that much time on lunch? 

    So, please don't eat me!  I'm no good for you,  I have a family, and I'm a big pain to cook.  Try ham!  Once you try ham, you'll never go back to turkey.  Ham is really good.

                                                                   Sincerely,

                                                                   Tom the Turkey
                                                                   (Taylor B.)