1-29-2020 Update
We are finishing up our second bend in our Argumentative unit. Throughout this second bend, we explored new topics. Students had the opportunity to research on one of the following topics: competitive sports, green energy and year round schooling. Each block, collectively gathered evidence on sticky notes and stored them on their anchor topic T-chart. Later, students met with others in their topic group and categorize their sticky notes into reasons for each side of their argument.
They are concluding the bend by using their claim, reason evidence outline to flash draft their opinion essay on their topic. Next bend, they will be doing some revising, editing, incorporation of direct quotes and typing their final draft. Bend III will conclude with the students taking their post on-demand where they will use their reading topic to write an opinion essay.
Spelling Sort 43 test is tomorrow, Thursday, January 30th.
Mrs. Scharff will be filling in for me while I am on maternity leave and I am confident that she will continue implementing the next writing units with the same intention that I have thus far. Please know that she plans to incorporate some new items in writing too such as Tween Tribune (which the students have some experience with), Typing.com (for students to practice their typing skills), and grammar/spelling.
They are concluding the bend by using their claim, reason evidence outline to flash draft their opinion essay on their topic. Next bend, they will be doing some revising, editing, incorporation of direct quotes and typing their final draft. Bend III will conclude with the students taking their post on-demand where they will use their reading topic to write an opinion essay.
Spelling Sort 43 test is tomorrow, Thursday, January 30th.
Mrs. Scharff will be filling in for me while I am on maternity leave and I am confident that she will continue implementing the next writing units with the same intention that I have thus far. Please know that she plans to incorporate some new items in writing too such as Tween Tribune (which the students have some experience with), Typing.com (for students to practice their typing skills), and grammar/spelling.
1-8-2020 Update
We just concluded on first bend in our Argumentative unit. Throughout this first bend, students explored whether or not chocolate milk should be served in schools. Together, we research both sides of the argument and made a T-chart to support our findings. Afterwards, we learned about "How Essays Often Go" and used that template to create a five paragraph essay indicating that we support having chocolate milk in schools.
It is during bend II where students will explore the following topics:
It is during bend II where students will explore the following topics:
- Competitive Sports (Should competitive sports be in schools?)
- Green Energy (Should people use solar energy?)
- Year Round School (Should schools adopt year-round schooling?
12/5/19 Update
We are currently in our reading bend. However, when we return to writing, we will be in our Argumentative Writing unit!! During this unit, students will be able to research one of the following topics:
- Competitive Sports (Should competitive sports be in schools?)
- Green Energy (Should people use solar energy?)
- Year Round School (Should schools adopt year-round schooling?)
11/15/19 Update
We have entered the final bend (bend III) for our Personal Narrative writing unit. I am very impressed by the growth that has happened over this unit and look forward to the gains that students will make on the post on-demand.
Below is a schedule showcasing the upcoming "events" happening in writing:
11/14: Minor- Interactive Read Aloud (A Different Pond), Major- Partner editing/revising with 5th grade narrative checklist
11/15: Minor- Sort THREE TEST, Major- Final drafting
11/18: Minor- Sort 4 (place new words in quick word book), Major- Final draft DUE (this will be on the story that they wrote during the last two bends)
11/19: Minor- Sort 4 (discuss pattern and identify categories), Major- Bump it Up Wall and prepare for Post
11/20: Minor- None, Major- POST ON-DEMAND (They will take all that they learned throughout the unit and apply it during one writing period)
11/21: Minor- Transitions, Major- I'm Thankful Letter
11/22: Minor- Sort 4 TEST, Major- Thanksgiving Telephone writing
Below is a schedule showcasing the upcoming "events" happening in writing:
11/14: Minor- Interactive Read Aloud (A Different Pond), Major- Partner editing/revising with 5th grade narrative checklist
11/15: Minor- Sort THREE TEST, Major- Final drafting
11/18: Minor- Sort 4 (place new words in quick word book), Major- Final draft DUE (this will be on the story that they wrote during the last two bends)
11/19: Minor- Sort 4 (discuss pattern and identify categories), Major- Bump it Up Wall and prepare for Post
11/20: Minor- None, Major- POST ON-DEMAND (They will take all that they learned throughout the unit and apply it during one writing period)
11/21: Minor- Transitions, Major- I'm Thankful Letter
11/22: Minor- Sort 4 TEST, Major- Thanksgiving Telephone writing
10-30-19 Update (Happy Halloween)
Today concluded our time in Bend II of Narrative Craft writing. Bend II has really allowed students to flourish as narrative writing. It has been really neat to see.
Our focus during the last week and a half was on revision. Students received mini-lessons on the following topics: how to show the heart of the story, when to speed up and slow down parts of the story, how to format a story on lined-paper, when to have paragraphs, how to incorporate dialogue, and how to write an ending with a sense of closure. These mini-lessons were taught on separate days and allowed students to focus on that particular revision skill one at a time.
During Bend III, which will occur in about a week and a half, students will take their final flash-draft and begin the process of revising/editing with partners. At the end of the Bend III, they will submit their first FINAL DRAFT. Once Bend III concludes, students will take their post-on-demand which is tentatively scheduled for November 21st. After that, we will take the time to celebrate our hard work as writers.
Our focus during the last week and a half was on revision. Students received mini-lessons on the following topics: how to show the heart of the story, when to speed up and slow down parts of the story, how to format a story on lined-paper, when to have paragraphs, how to incorporate dialogue, and how to write an ending with a sense of closure. These mini-lessons were taught on separate days and allowed students to focus on that particular revision skill one at a time.
During Bend III, which will occur in about a week and a half, students will take their final flash-draft and begin the process of revising/editing with partners. At the end of the Bend III, they will submit their first FINAL DRAFT. Once Bend III concludes, students will take their post-on-demand which is tentatively scheduled for November 21st. After that, we will take the time to celebrate our hard work as writers.
10-16-19 Update
Bend II for writing will begin on Tuesday, October 22nd. Students will begin to choose one of their story seed ideas and draft it from start to finish. After drafting has occurred, students will then use their revising and editing skills to focus on elaboration (dialogue, heart of the story, details, etc.) as well as punctuation and craft. It is my goal to have their final draft finished by the week of October 18th. Once that is finalized, students will then have their POST on-demand which will occur prior to Thanksgiving Break, specific date to be determined.
Word Study: Students will receive their Word Sort 2 on October 22nd. Their spelling test will be on MONDAY, OCTOBER 28th! Please encourage them to study at home!
Word Study: Students will receive their Word Sort 2 on October 22nd. Their spelling test will be on MONDAY, OCTOBER 28th! Please encourage them to study at home!
10-1-19 Update
Narrative Craft: This week the students have started their first writing bend which is called Narrative Craft (unit 1). Today the students took their first pre on-demand to show what they already know about personal narrative writing. I look forward to reflecting on the students' growth at the end of the unit!
Bend 1 Mini Lessons: Tomorrow, the students will receive their first official mini lesson! I'm excited!! Over the next couple of days, students will learn about ways to generate ideas for narrative writing and set goals specific to their own narrative writing This first bend is seven days which means we will transition to reading bend II next week Wednesday. Word Study: Now onto Spelling, or also known as Word Study. In writing, Writing Minors will be incorporated prior to the mini lesson which are from our curriculum, Lucy Calkins Writer's Workshop. These Writing Minor include: Word Study, Writing About Reading and Grammar. Since 5th grade doesn't have a designated curriculum for word study/spelling/phonics, I am using Words Their Way and adapting those lessons to fit the needs of 5th grade continuum standards. When students have Writing, they will have Writing Minors. As for Word Study, students will only receive Word Study words during a full week of Writing. For example, we have writing all this week so Word Study will place on Monday and Tuesday, with a test on Friday. However, next week, we only have two days left of our first writing bend so I will do Writing About Reading, and there will not be words next week. Please let me know if you have clarifying questions! Thank you for supporting your child's writing! -Mrs. Judas |
Week 9-20-19 Update
During this week, we have been working in our reading bend. Our writing bend will start September 30th. Once students are in their writing bend, they will work on writing story seeds and writing fast and furious. In addition to that, students will take their first pre on-demand. Prior to their on-demand, we will learn about the personal narrative Bump It Up Wall.
Also, during the week of September 30th, we will begin our writing minors which include Writing About Reading, Grammar, and Spelling. The first set of spelling words will be sent home during the week of September 30th as well. The spelling test is to be determined, but I will be sure to notify parents.
Also, during the week of September 30th, we will begin our writing minors which include Writing About Reading, Grammar, and Spelling. The first set of spelling words will be sent home during the week of September 30th as well. The spelling test is to be determined, but I will be sure to notify parents.
Week of 9-9-19 Update
This week is meant for establishing Writer's Workshop Expectations. Students will be learning about their role(s) during mini lessons, independent writing, partner time and share time. In addition to that, students will learn about how they are to ONLY use pen! This will be a mind shift change for many, but writing with pen provides me with insight as to how they are developing as a writer as they write a story/writing piece. Students will be assembling their writing binders which include tabs labeled as Units of Study, Story Seeds, Drafts, Writing Minors and Free Write.
In literacy, we will be switching back and forth between reading and writing. We will be remaining focused in Bend I of Unit 1 for Reading first and once that Bend is completed then we will switch into Bend I of Unit 1 for Writing. This provides students with an 80 minute block for 5-8 days at a time, versus 40 minutes each day.
In writing not only will we be focusing on the Lucy Calkins Writing Units, but we'll also focus on what I call Writing Minors which include Writing about Reading, Grammar, and Spelling. Spelling will occur on a monthly basis where students will have to master a small amount of words prior to the next month. More details to come!
-Mrs. Judas
In literacy, we will be switching back and forth between reading and writing. We will be remaining focused in Bend I of Unit 1 for Reading first and once that Bend is completed then we will switch into Bend I of Unit 1 for Writing. This provides students with an 80 minute block for 5-8 days at a time, versus 40 minutes each day.
In writing not only will we be focusing on the Lucy Calkins Writing Units, but we'll also focus on what I call Writing Minors which include Writing about Reading, Grammar, and Spelling. Spelling will occur on a monthly basis where students will have to master a small amount of words prior to the next month. More details to come!
-Mrs. Judas