Language Arts News
Reading
To say that the students are enjoying the book Wonder might just be the understatement of the year! We have been enjoying the journey through August's first month of grade five and the discussions that occur after we finish reading each day. One of the reoccurring themes in the book is about precepts.
PRECEPT = RULES ABOUT REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS!
In the book, Mr. Browne discusses with the students what is important.
"Who we are," he said, underlining each word as he said it. "Who we are! Us! Right? What kind of people are we? What kind of person are you? Isn't that the most important thing of all? Isn't that the kind of question we should be asking ourselves all the time? What kind of person am I?"
Each month, Mr. Browne, August's English teacher, introduces the class to a new precept. They discuss the precept and then the students are asked to write a paragraph about the importance of that precept and what it means to them.
MR. BROWNE'S SEPTEMBER PRECEPT:
WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING
RIGHT AND BEING KIND, CHOOSE KIND.
The students and I discussed this precept and came up with many examples of when we should choose kind. I let them think about it for a couple of days and then I asked them to write a few sentences about what it meant to them or why it was important. Here are a few of the responses:
Choosing kind is good, it brings people together. (Logan)
When you're being kind it makes you happy and everyone else happy. The world wants peace and harmony. When you are being kind you get friends. (Cheyenne)
You choose kind so that they don't get sad. Choose kind so that you don't get into a fight. Choose kind so that the place will get better. Always be kind to people. (Belle)
Choose kind because it makes people happy. If we don't choose kind it will empty people's buckets. (Vanessa)
If you choose kind and not right you will have lots of friends. And then, if you are kind for the rest of your life you will be happy! (Olivia)
For me, I think to choose kind, to not make your friend feel bad. But choosing right just makes your friends feel horrible about themselves. Always choose kind not right. (Tristen)
The students have become very attached to the main character August. Today they were expressing how proud they were of him for taking the risk of inviting everyone in his homeroom class to his birthday party. I asked them why they thought he would take such a chance and they were quick to point out the support that he has now with his friends Jack, Summer and Charlotte and the increased confidence that he has after a month in school. Not everyone from his class came to the party...actually only five did. Julian's mom didn't even have the courtesy to RSVP. August's mom says, "I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." The students and I discussed what this phrase means. They all recognized it but no one could tell me what it meant. I love when these opportunities present themselves! Please ask your child to explain what it means tonight.
Words Their Way
The students are all adjusting well to their new sort levels. The white and yellow groups continue to work on vowel sound discrimination. Please continue to sort blind initially (you read the word to your child without them seeing it), have them listen for the vowel sound and then tell you where the word belongs.
Thank you to all parents for taking the time to work through the sorts with their children. The home practice helps the students master these important spelling rules.
Writing
This week we are going to plan and start writing our next stuck story! Stay tuned for more details!
Math News
The students have been eagerly learning all there is to know about multiplication and division! Wow! They sure are an enthusiastic bunch! After looking at multiplication in three ways, equal groups, repeated addition and arrays, we looked at comparing multiplication sentences. Multiplication sentences, like addition sentences, can follow the commutative property. This means that 3 x 4 = 12 and 4 x 3 = 12. There is no need to learn these facts separately, you just need to know that you can switch the front numbers around and come up with the same product or answer.
Turning our focus to division was so much fun! It was neat to see the wonder on the students' faces as we dove into this unknown territory! We started out by looking at division as grouping. By this I mean, dividing a large set, into groups of a predetermined number.
For example, the students would read this division question like this:
12 ÷ 3 = 4
"12 divided into groups of 3 equals 4 groups"
Today we started looking at division as sharing. I explain this to the students by demonstrating dealing out cards to play Go Fish. The "one for you, one for you, one for me, one for you, one for you, one for me" approach to dividing a set of objects into a certain number of groups.
For example, the students would read this division question like this:
10 ÷ 2 = 5
"10 divided into 2 groups equals 5 in each group"
This week, we will be looking at division as repeated subtraction and we will be looking at how multiplication and division facts are related.
Students are also working on mastering their basic multiplication and division facts up to 5 x 5. We have worked on tricks for x0, x1, x2 and x5. The only facts left remaining to master are 3x3=9, 3x4=12 and 4x4=16. A few of our students have mastered these facts and are now challenging multiplication facts up to 10x10!
I am in full time this week to cover for Mrs Ferguson while she is on a family vacation. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.
Take care and have a great week!
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