Mrs. Shedd's Fabulous Fifth Grade Classroom: Week of September 7th

Mrs. Shedd’s Newsletter

Week of Sept. 7, 2018

Although our second week was short, it was quite busy. Despite the extreme heat this week, the students worked really hard. We have completed several beginning of year district assessments including the DSA (developmental spelling assessment), a math assessment, and one of the upper grade reading assessments.

This year students are going to have a chance to be Big Buddies for Mrs. Gariboldi’s kindergarten class. Last Friday, we got a chance to meet our buddies and spend a short time playing with them.

In our Literacy block we will be working on a variety of meaningful tasks such as reading to self, reading to someone, working on writing, and word work. Throughout the year you may hear your child refer to the acronym “CAFÉ.” CAFÉ stands for

C - Comprehension (understanding what you read)

A - Accuracy (reading the words correctly)

F - Fluency (reading accurately with expression)

E - Expand Vocabulary (knowing, finding, and using interesting

words)

We will be using the CAFE menu to learn reading strategies based on the Common Core standards that will help us become better readers. This week we began work on Check for Understanding.

Last week, students completed a “Reading Interest Inventory.” Students were asked to record thoughts about reading. Below are some of the responses.

- I love to read. You can learn new things about the world.

- I think reading is fun because you learn new things. It also can help you calm down.

- I like reading because anything can happen in a book. There are so many to choose from!

- I like reading because it relaxes me.

- I absolutely love to read!

Most students completed their first watercolor and began working on their first piece of poetry – a list poem, Autumn Is… I have been impressed with the pieces that I have read so far.

We continue our work with bubbles. Here are a few highlights from Thursday’s activity.