We honed our research skills during library and language arts. Each student researched a topic of his/her choice and created a filmstrip report. Then, they completed bibliographies. We've worked hard on essay writing skills this year. We played a game called "Writing Ninjas" where we focused on:
1. Using all words in a question to answer the question 2. Writing a 3-part thesis 3. Writing 3 topic sentences based on the thesis statement 4. Adding specific details that match each topic sentence 5. Writing conclusion sentences 6. Adding a hook and background information at the very beginning of an essay, so the reader knows what you're about to write about 7. Drafting a conclusion paragraph - restating the thesis and then explaining briefly why what you're talking about matters For December's monthly book report, we made our own games. The game had to show the title, author, theme, protagonist/antagonist, and events from the story. Other than that, games had to be complete, colorful, neat, and creative. We had a great day playing the games students made. I'm almost looking forward to our next indoor recess when we can play again. Here are just a few of our awesome creations! For our November book report, we wrote 16-24 line poems using a rhyme scheme. It was a bit tricky trying to describe our books and rhyme at the same time, but we did well. Here are some samples:
Our second book report was a map. We had to illustrate and explain the beginning, rising action, climax, and falling action of a book we read independently this month. We even used the map key.
We just completed our first monthly book report of the year-- neckties! In the novel we read as a class, called Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli, the main character collects porcupine neckties. So, we started a tie collection of our own! Here are a few examples: For their last book report, students read historical fiction books. Then, they came to school as their character prepared to introduce "themselves" and give us a bit of information about their lives. It was exciting to see some of the students really get into character! This month our 5th graders made plot maps showing the storyline of their independent reading books. I made 11X17 copies for each student to fill in. Students had to write paragraphs explaining the beginning (exposition), rising action, climax, and falling action. Then, they filled in the map key and decorated the map with scenes from the book. I loved seeing students' creativity! |
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May 2017
AuthorKaren Redmon originally migrated to SLC from Memphis, TN. She has a Bachelor's in International Relations from BYU and a Master's in Teaching from Westminster. She's taught 4th, 1st, and 5th grades. Her interests include: camping, hiking, swimming, dancing, singing, pottery, sewing, theater, music, reading, and most of all-- learning. Categories
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