A brief description of what are working on in class right now.
Reading: Close reading strategies and text annotation; seeking evidence that will support open ended literary discussion and written response. Engaging in evidenced based discussion through Socratic Seminar.
Writing: Building a writing life with the writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing), building writing, stamina, examining the purpose of writing to communicate who we are through poetry
Math: We are working with rates and unit rates and identifying constant relationships through tables, graphs, and multiplication strategies.
Science: We are defining matter as anything that takes up space, is made of particles, and has mass. We will also look at molecules and how atoms bond to create everything around us.
Social Studies- In preparation for young Ameritowne, we have held elections, are applying for jobs, learned two ways to make money (jobs and investment), and are learning to use a checking account.
Heartland Heroes Essay Contest: In recognition of Patriots Day (9/11), and local hero Captain Jason Dahl, who piloted Flight 93 on that day, 5th grade students will be participating in the John Dahl Heartland Hero essay project. This project asks students to reflect on those who are heroes in their own lives. 5th graders will write an essay, no longer than 400 words, and share about someone who has made a positive impact on their life. A selection committee will choose three winners; the winning students will be presented with a certificate in October. The winners, along with parents/guardians and their heroes, will be invited to attend the awards ceremony. While we will do some planning in class, the writing will be completed as homework due on September 22. Students who want help with editing and revising should have their essay completed no later than September 20. Students will learn about the assignment on September 12.
Young Ameritowne Interviews: Students will interview for their young Ameritowne jobs on Tuesday, September 12. Students have been encouraged to dress nicely and have been taught interview etiquette. students in Ms. Rogstad’s class are creating resumes as a part of homework tonight. We will inform students about their job assignments on Friday of this week or Monday of next, because 5th grade teachers need time to go over interview responses and place students. Students were asked to choose 6 possible job options as we cannot guarantee first, second or even third choices when finding positions for an entire grade.. Students are guaranteed to have a great time, no matter their job, when we are at Young Ameritowne.
Seating for Success: Gifted students often experience heightened perceptions of the world around them through intensities, One instance of this is a psychomotor intensity which is a capacity for being active and energetic. These students are better able to engage in learning with the opportunity for some movement, muscle activation., or sensory input. In years past, some students in my classroom have chosen to bring in an exercise ball or a wiggle seat/ sensory cushion. While in truth most students are able to work just fine in a traditional seat, many students enjoy this option as a way to make the learning environment their own., and a bit of movement is good for all bodies. If your child would benefit from this accommodation, for whatever reason, I have told students I am happy to continue the practice provided that students follow these guidelines:
- It must be OK with your parents
- Students must provide their own ball, cushion, etc.
- No sharing- it is for the owner’s use only
- The alternative seating is used as a chair not a toy. Should it be a distraction, it will be sent home.
May Box: Along with our discussion of seating and fidgets, students learned about my May Box. Any object that distracts students from learning can be confiscated. Items will go in my May box, and students may or may not receive their confiscated loot at the end of May. If students choose to lose objects of particular value by playing instead of learning, I am happy to return them sooner if they bring a parent to collect the object.