Our School Beginning

5th Grade

Scott's Crew: AKA "The Big Dogs"
We began the school year writing about our heroes. Students wrote about parents, grandparents, sisters, teachers, coaches, and animals. One touching paper was written by Marqal Johnson who explained how his dog “Buddy” prevented him from drowning.

On Thursdays and Fridays, we gather at the BIG DOG reading room for AR book presentations. Jazmynn Chalk presented “Keisha Discovers Harlem” and Kimberly Luensmann present “Jo and the Bandit.” The reading room is a big hit with the students. We have three volunteers waiting to present their books this week. We would like to congratulate Marqal Johnson and Tierra Bishop for being selected to visit England and France as student ambassadors representing the United States. Both students plan to participate in the program. Look for more exciting news from the BIG DOGS next six weeks.

Ward
We have made word folders that are beautifully decorated for vocabulary study. We have written about how 9–11-01 affected us and illustrated what we remembered on paper. The students have enjoyed playing the memory game, “Sparkle” to learn spelling words. We are learning Shurley Method jingles to learn parts of a sentence. The tape makes learning fun and easier. They have also enjoyed playing reading comprehension games to help enforce TAKS/TEKS skills.

Mrs. Briley’s
fifth grade class got off to a great start this year with 22 students ready to learn to become all they can be.

In science, we acquired some thinking tools called process skills that all scientists need. Some beautiful science activity journals emerged from these lessons. We then explored the basic foundation of all life: CELLS— their structure, function, processes, and interactions. Many science tools were introduced and used throughout our studies.

In social studies, we conducted an overview of America—its people, government, and land. Language arts led us into the development of good sentences and the writing process. In reading, guided reading groups were implemented with an emphasis on main idea, summary and supporting details.

Mrs. Small
Science: This six weeks has been filled with experiments. We have conducted various experiments while learning the scientific process. We have recorded our observations in our science journals. We have been learning the parts of cells and their functions. We made onion slides and viewed their cells under the microscope. We completed our study by making cell-o’s, which are cells made of Jell-O and fruit. After identifying the cell-o’s parts and functions the students got to eat them. We are also conducting an ongoing investigation of meal worms and their stages of metamorphosis.

Reading: We have read a variety of stories in reading and studied their literary elements. Our class has also started its own book club where the students have an opportunity each morning to share what they are reading, give its genre, author, and a reason that others might want to read it. Our class theme is...Books Fall Open and We Fall In.

Social Studies: We have been concentrating on map and globe skills with the use of atlases, globes, maps, and a variety of graphs.

Mrs. White’s
class enjoyed reading the novel SOUP, the story of a boy e who always seemed to find himself in mischief’s way. We also began our study of decimal numbers with PIGS WILL BE PIGS; we added up ”found” money, chose a meal from a Mexican restaurant menu, then enjoyed an art activity crafting our order with construction paper. We even learned how to properly set the table. Our bulletin board would make you hungry!

Remember the fundraiser — 20 items and you get to throw a pie in Mrs. Wilson’s face!

In the library…

The students have started off with a lot of enthusiasm for Accelerated Reader. They are watching their name appear on animal faces for the Accelerated Reader Wall of Fame. We are “Down on the Farm” and “Mooooooooving on with AR” this year!

All students have been introduced to and are actively using our online catalog system in the library. They have also been involved with the steps used for researching a particular subject. The fifth grade students have begun reading the “Bluebonnet” list of books, which introduces them to many different types of literature. READ, READ, READ11111

Big Dogs

We conducted an overview of America

Books Fall Open and We Fall In

Mexican Menu