In Honor of Labor Day

     I believe it's important to showcase America's holidays, so in honor of Labor Day we explored the history of Labor Day during class on Friday (8/29).  It was a great opportunity to integrate history, reading, and writing.  We kicked off this mini lesson with a KWL chart (image below).  It's an easy way to organize what students know, want to know, and learn about a topic.

     After we started the KWL chart the students independently read the TIME For Kids article "History of Labor Day: Americans set aside a day to honor the nation's workers."
    Then, I read aloud History.com's article "Labor Day."
    Next, we viewed the History.com's "Labor Day" video (same link, same page as above).  The students were most appalled by the fact that kindergarten aged workers were required to work under harsh conditions in extremely low paying factories.  This also helped them realize that not all children had the opportunity to receive an education.  One instance that makes me (and many others) particularly grateful that in current times American children have the right to receive a public education.
    Finally, the students engaged in 20 minutes of uninterrupted writing in which they were asked to respond to one of the following three prompts:

     I hope you've enjoyed your holiday weekend thus far.  If you took the time to read and watch the above articles and video then you know it's well deserved! I also hope you've enjoyed my bonus post :)

     Until next time, 

     Miss Grell

Walk a Day in Our Shoes

Do you wonder what it's like to be in fifth grade?  The days of the week vary, but below is what a typical day in our classroom looks like--c'mon, take a walk in our shoes:

8:30-8:40 Welcome & Morning Routine

8:40-9:40 Math

9:40-10:10 Math Intervention (small groups for extra practice and support)

10:10-10:40 Reading Intervention (small groups for extra practice and support)

10:40-10:50 Break & Restroom

10:50-11:20 Specials (Music or P.E.)

11:20-12:20 English Language Arts

12:20-12:25 Wash Hands for Lunch

12:25-1:05 Lunch/Recess

1:05-1:15 Restroom/Break

1:15-1:55 Technology Lab, Guidance, or Art

1:55-2:35 AR (Accelerated Reader/Read to Self)

2:35-3:20 Science/Social Studies

3:20-3:35 End of Day Routines

3:35 Dismissal


The students are held to rigorous standards to better ensure bright futures!
As we say, let's be awesome today!



SPECIAL NOTES:


1) We had our first random award drawing on Friday, August 29.  In my classroom students have the opportunity to earn rewards for positive behaviors (manners, following rules, challenging self, being positive, academic excellence, and etc.).  We have one drawing per month, one per trimester, and ten random drawings throughout the year.  I am excited to announce we had five winners who are the proud new owners of prize box items, snack box items, packs of gum, LRC reading time, and lunch in the classroom with friends.




2)  I was nominated by a student to take the Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Ice Bucket Challenge.  I am honored to have received the nomination, but I already completed the challenge earlier this month!  We had a brief discussion about how the challenge wasn't merely about dumping water on your head, but rather, helping those in need of support.  The students discussed different ways to support your fellow person (man, woman, and child).  The following are some of their ideas: make monetary donations to worthy causes, donate food to local food banks, and donate clothes that you've outgrown or aren't in need of.
     I also promised I would post my ice bucket video, so it is posted below.  My brother nominated me...without letting me know first, so watch for him hiding in the tree.  Either way--knowing or NOT knowing I was participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge--I was glad to be a part of this supportive movement.  Enjoy!

The Brown Bag Presentation

     This week my fifth grade students had the opportunity to teach their classmates (and me!) about themselves.  The opportunity was called: The Brown Bag Presentation.  The concept is simple; 1) take a brown lunch bag, 2) fill it with five items that represent you, and 3) present it to your class.  This was also a great opportunity for me to share a little bit about myself.  For those of you wondering...my bag was filled with a UNI emblem, an I love NYC magnet, an orange stress ball, a greeting card, and a museum brochure.  Your children should be able to describe the importance of the objects to you.
     Anyway, this project allowed the students to practice a variety of speaking, listening, and writing skills.  The project/presentation expectations were: 1) write two complete sentences per item, 2) speak confidently and clearly, and 3) record one fact about each classmate.  By the way, grades will be delivered on Monday (8/25)!
     It's not easy for most to stand before a group of people and deliver a speech.  Nerves existed for some, but as a whole they did really well!  Although they may be out of this world at times--I only joke!--fifth graders are like any person; they are proud of their families, hobbies, friends, skills, dreams, interests, and personalities.  And I was proud to watch and listen to them take pride in themselves.

     I think I'll need to retire the words opportunity and proud for the blog post next week...what do you think? :)

     Enjoy the summer temperatures this weekend!


     ANNOUNCEMENTS / SHOUT OUTS:

• ANNOUNCEMENT: Girl Scout sign ups at our elementary school on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 5:30.

• ANNOUNCEMENT: Boy Scout sign ups at our elementary school--times and dates to be announced because I can't recall them at this time.

• SHOUT OUT to my awesome students for teaching me about bracelet looms (thank you Brown Bag Presentations).  I'm from the string bracelet generation, so I had no idea that you could do this (see below) with rubber bands.  The big one is called "cobra."

   

Try Something New

This week I am hosting a variety of "Welcome Week" activities.  Today my theme was "Try Something New."  We discussed how school can be tough, sophisticated, and sweet.  The students made an impressive list of examples for each word.  They said school is tough because of the studying, teamwork, assessments, concentrating, and academic skills.  They said school is sophisticated because of class trips, school extracurriculars, reading harder books, raising money, and participating in challenges.  And finally, they said school is sweet because of ST Math, the new playground, projects, good & nice teachers, respect, and of course, recess.  (The complete lists are attached to this blog post!)  I couldn't agree more with what they had to say!

We acted upon trying something new by eating beef jerky (tough), coconut macaroons & lemon tea (sophisticated), and dried bananas, dried mangos, and chocolate covered raisins (sweet).  I am happy to say EVERYONE tried these new foods with a positive attitude.

Fifth grade will definitely present challenges to all of us--students, teachers, parents, and families.  I am hopeful that the challenges will create rewards.  The greatest reward of all would be a wholesome education; something I also like to call: opportunity.


Special Thanks:

First of all, I would like to give  SHOUT OUT to all families who were able to sign up to provide snacks for our future classroom celebrations--you all rock!

Second of all, I would like to give a SHOUT OUT to all of my students who have shown commitment and excitement for their first assignment: The Brown Bag Presentation.  I was pleased when nearly our entire class completed their weekend assignment--you all rock!  I can't wait to listen to your presentations and learn about you!

Finally, a SHOUT OUT to my supportive family & colleague!  Thank for the first day/good luck flowers.  You definitely all rock!

'Apparently' School Will Be Here Soon

In one week from tomorrow school will be back in session!  I am tirelessly preparing, while also trying to squeeze in my last days of summer fun.  I stumbled upon this video yesterday, and it's just too cute to not share.  'Apparently' I'll be seeing you all very soon!  Enjoy!