Building our Reading Stamina (9/30/16)
As part of our Launching the Readers' Workshop unit, students discussed what stamina is. We discussed how they felt when they ran the mile in Phys. Ed., and what they noticed about their bodies. Some said they felt out of breath while others shared how they started out strong but felt tired at the end. We explained that most mentally draining activities, like reading, will do the exact same thing to our bodies. As a result, like any runners will tell you, we have to build up our stamina. To practice building up our reading stamina, 5C students set personal goals and team goals. From there we started a healthy competition within our House to see which team can reach their goal of 30 minutes within the next five days. Below are some photos from our first day of competition. Please forgive the shadowy photos. I had the flash off so as not to create additional noise that may distract students' hard work! We'll keep you posted on our progress.
Writing Partnerships (10/13/16)
In our mini-lesson, the students and I brainstormed what good partners do and say to each other. We discussed that physically, partners need to remember to face each other - E.E.K.K. (eyes to eyes, knees to knees).
Good Listeners:
How to Respond/Speak to Partners:
Below are some pictures of our Yellow Team writers working on their drafts in their notebooks and then with their writing partner. We summed up this lesson by promising that we will ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR PARTNERS ARE THERE TO HELP.
Good Listeners:
- Look at speakers
- Practice active listening (nodding their head, not speaking, using sign language to say "me, too")
- Take in what they're hearing
- Think about what the speaker is saying in order to offer constructive feedback.
How to Respond/Speak to Partners:
- Point out something they did well (sandwich the feedback)
- Offer 1-2 very helpful tips to work on
- Ask clarifying questions
- Offer support
- Be polite and kind, not bossy or grouchy
Below are some pictures of our Yellow Team writers working on their drafts in their notebooks and then with their writing partner. We summed up this lesson by promising that we will ALWAYS REMEMBER OUR PARTNERS ARE THERE TO HELP.
Read Across America (3/10/17)
What a fun day we had celebrating Dr. Seuss! From guest readers to oobleck experiments, it's obvious that the 5th graders at the Ahern love to read!
Functional Texts (3/20/17) &
Historical Perspectives (3/24/17)
We wrapped our Non-fiction unit up by learning about functional texts which include "how to" directions. Students had a blast making origami cups and actually seeing if they worked.
At the end of the week (last two photos), the blue team wrapped up their Historical Perspectives assignment. The "English Adventurers" met as a colony to summarize what was happening with their group of settlers here in Jamestown. The "Powhatan Tribe" shared their struggles and expressed their concerns to these foreigners.
At the end of the week (last two photos), the blue team wrapped up their Historical Perspectives assignment. The "English Adventurers" met as a colony to summarize what was happening with their group of settlers here in Jamestown. The "Powhatan Tribe" shared their struggles and expressed their concerns to these foreigners.