4th Grade News...

In Reading, we are working on the skill of Compare/Contrast. We are reading two selections and this next week we will be discussing how they are "Alike" (compare) and "Different" (contrast). We are also working on improving our written responses in reading, social studies, and science.

In Writing, Mrs. Peck and Mrs. Ross "entertained" us with a skit called "Simile City" and the book, "The Cowboy and the Blackeyed Pea". We laughed a lot...but we sure know what a "Simile" is now. Then we went on a "Simile Search" with a partner. Now we are ready to put those similes to work in our writing. Simile City... here we come!!!

We're going on a "Simile Search"!

5th Grade News...

Well, can you believe it?? We finished "Crash". So many of the characters changed over the course of the story. Do you like Crash NOW! I do. But still not as much as Maniac Macgee. He is still my all time favorite Spinelli character.

We are continuing with our next story in our reading series, "La Bamba". Our skill this week will be Story Structure. Mr. G. will also start his Genre Study of World War I, World War II, and the Holocaust. You will be writing a report and we will be reading novels that relate to this period in time. Get ready for a roller coaster ride through this time in our history. Mr. G. and I will share some of the experiences we had this summer when we met some suvivors of the Holocaust.

Rumor has it that Mr. G. has a birthday this week. Do you know anything about that???? I'm SURE it will just be another day at school.
See you Monday... Mrs P

Could that be Karson and Bryan saying "Mrs. Peck" is #1?????

"Cindy" is in heaven with all her new friends!

I'm proud of JT....he won 3 national medals....way to go JT!

Jennifer, Rashod, Edwin & Grace read to their Kindergarten "adoptees" every Friday. I'm proud of you......

4th Grade News

This week we finished our Laura Ingalls Wilder story. Now that we are "tuned in" to many different writers crafts, we could appreciate this author's ability to keep the reader engaged with her many writing talents. We are filling our writing toolbelt so we, too, can be that kind of writer. We should have another "published" piece by the end of this week.

Also in reading we started our literacy centers. It is a great way to improve our reading and have some fun group work.

I have no new pictures....will take some this week.

Love ya Mrs. P

5th Grade News

We have been busy this week talking about Fact & Opionion. We are almost finished with "Crash"....this week we came to the turning point of Crash's "life" journey. Crash has really developed as a character in this novel. Because of a family crisis and an act of kindness from Penn, he is becoming a person we can really like. Did you ever think you would feel this way about Crash???

Our "Faceless" pumpkin has a very attractive friend.....where did she get those earings??? Mrs. Peck wants to know.

Looking forward to another great week.
Love ya Mrs. P

Looks like "Faceless" finally has a friend. The class named her Keke, but I think she looks more like a "Cindy"!!!!! I love the earings...you know me and jewelry!

We love our partner reading.....but we hate to finish "Crash"

What's with the socks in Rm 71????

4th Grade News

In Reading we have been working on Main Idea and Supporting Details. We are practicing our short and extended written responses. We know that those "supporting details" are what make our written responses complete. Mrs. Peck introduced the strategy of "Visualizing" with her FAVORITE picture book ... "The Runaway Bunny". Rumor has it she read it to her own children every night when they were little.

In Writing we are continue to work on making our "weak" verb "STRONG". We have also been working on putting dialogue in our writing and the correct conventions when using dialogue. Every day we are "growing" as writers. Ms. Hartley came in and observed our writing lesson on Friday. She told us she loves to come in and see us write. Thank you Ms. Hartley.

We Love Reading and Writing

We Love Math

5th Grade News

We have been very busy in both reading and writing. We have finished our first theme in our reading series, and will soon start Theme 2. We are almost half way through our second Jerry Spinelli novel, "Crash". As Crash's "Ego" continues to grow and Penn continues to be true to himself, we meet a new character.... Scooter. He, too, will steal our heart with his humor and love for Abby and Crash. Which direction will our story take this week???

We are continuing to work on our "Embarassing" Stories. I am impressed how much you 5th graders love to write. The hard part is getting you to put your pencils down when the writing period is over.

Rumor has is that our "Faceless" pumpkin is lonely..... will there be a companion for him this week????

We are busy...Planning,..Revising...Editing our "Embarassing" Stories. Mr. G and I think these 5th graders may be the BEST writers we have ever had. What's even better they LOVE to share their writing!!!

Evan and Josh think our "Faceless" pumpkin needs a friend...

4th Grade News

4th Graders have been very busy. We loved the October Flag Raising. Thanks Mr. Sofferin and Mrs. Hartless for adding some excitement!

We finally finished measuring the length of the Titanic in centimeters. It was larger than the circumference of the playground. We literally ran out of room!

In reading we are moving along with our skills and strategies. We enjoyed "Grandfather's Journey" and have a better understanding of Author's Viewpoint...biased and unbiased!!

In writing, the Ry's and the Ro's were chosen to be this week's class for the 4th Grade Teachers Writing Coaching Cycle observation lesson. We loved having the 4th Grade teachers, Ms. Hartley, and Mrs. Kornblum visit us.

I was soooo proud of your performance. I will be bringing back your writing with teacher "compliments" on them for you to read. Great job...Ry's and Ro's!

Love ya Mrs. P

Best Flag Raising ever! Thanks Student Council!!

Learning Reading Strategies and Skills through our Guided Reading Groups...

How long is the Titanic??? Bigger than the circumference of our Playground!!!

5th Grade News

5th graders have started on their next writing adventure...."Their most embarassing moment!" With Engaging Beginnings in their writing "toolbelt" they are now trying to keep their reader engaged with the use of sensory details. We want the reader to experience our stories with their senses.... Considering how awesome their first published piece was, I can't wait to read this one!!!!

In reading we are beginning our Genre Study of "Tall Tales". What kind of exaggerations will we encounter this week? We are also well into our next Jerry Spinelli novel, "Crash". With this novel, we will not only practice our reading strategies and skills but will also meet a character that is "different". Penn Webb marches to the tune of a different drummer, but he will steal our heart and teach us that being different is OK!

Rumor has it that there was some "Wig" wearing on Friday! Where's the Garnet and Gold Wig?

Congratulations to the Gibbo's for their participation in the PTA Skate Station Night.

What about those wigs!!!!!

Skating the afternoon away...