Happy Halloween!

Chalk Talk and our I.B. Stars!

This week we addressed the debatable question for our "What's the Point" planner- How does adversity shape a person or group's identity? Students read articles on Malala Yousafzai, Ceasar Chavez, Title IX, and Women's Rights in the 1800's. As we read, students annotated for evidence of theme, tone, and important ideas (summarizing). Today, Mrs. Finke's homeroom participated in a "Chalk Talk" in which they could only communicate through writing. Students discussed how each person or group responded to the challenges they faced. The discussion was awesome! Students also had the opportunity to explore the debatable question with a topic of their choice. The connections were insightful, deep, and powerful! Mrs. Carr's homeroom will have their "Chalk Talk" next week!

We are a bit behind on posting our I.B. Stars! Last week's stars were Lyric Elmer and Hailey Cooper. This week's stars are Drew O'Buck and Nick Costa! Keep up the great work everyone!!

Flip Grid, Individuals & Society, and I.B. Stars!

Students used Flip Grid on their Chromebooks for the first time on Friday as a way to demonstrate what they had learned about theme. Flip Grid involves students recording a 90 second video response to a question the teacher presents. The video can be used as an assessment; or the teacher can change the settings to allow students to listen to each other's videos allowing for peer learning. I loved listening to each video...what a wonderful way for students to shine!

You have read in our Weekly News that students are becoming experts in the ancient civilization of their choice (Maya, Aztec, or Inca) during Individuals & Society. Students are focusing on different aspects of culture each day (food, homes, clothing, family structures, customs, etc.). Today, students participated in a jigsaw activity in which they were grouped with students from all three ancient civilizations. Students shared their research and groups discussed similarities and differences between the civilizations. This activity hit multiple ATL skills....collaboration/communication, critical thinking, and research! 

Finally, a big CONGRATULATIONS to our I.B. Stars of the Week!

Adam Root from Mrs. Carr's Class and Brandon Bartek from Mrs. Finke's Class. Keep up the great work...we are so proud! 

Informational Writing, Research Strategies, and Our Most Recent I.B. Stars!

We have begun our first writing genre of the year-informational! Our first step with any genre is to "unpack" the rubric to understand what the expectations will be when we actually write our essays. Students worked in small groups to analyze the rubric and to put each section into their own words. We then came together and discussed our notes. The students reported that they felt more confident about the genre and had a good idea of what they would need to do in order to meet our target!

After unpacking the informational rubric, students set two goals to focus on for the genre. Goals could be something that is new in fifth grade, or something they want to improve from last year. Students completed a Google form and the results are posted in our "Writing Corner" for reference!

Our ATL focus for our first Individuals and Society planner is researching. Students are working on becoming an expert in the early civilization of their choice (Maya, Inca, or Aztec). In order for students to efficiently and accurately collect information, we discussed the research strategies below. These strategies can be applied across all subject areas!

Finally, congratulations to our I.B. Stars from Thursday! Mari Griggs from Mrs. Carr's class and Mason Suro from Mrs. Finke's Class! Keep up the great work kiddos! 

I.B. Stars from Friday and D.A.R.E.

Our I.B. Stars of the Week are......

Sarah Haynes from Mrs. Finke's Class and Jakob Babitch from Mrs. Carr's Class! Keep up the great work!!



Deputy Laura was here Wednesday for our second week of D.A.R.E.! Students learned about making safe and responsible choices and how their actions could have negative consequences. The students were extremely respectful to our guest and had great participation!