5th Grade News.....

We started our next novel today...."The "Great Gilly Hopkins". The main character is quite complex. What you see on the outside is not always what is on the inside. Just like Maniac you will come to understand "HOW" and "WHY" Gilly is the way she is. Don't you love her spunk! What other two characters have we met in our novels that are like that? Can't wait to read some more Gilly!!!!!

In writing we are well on our way to finishing our Response to "Up the Learning Tree". Some are already PUBLISHED! I have been so impressed with the way everyone has truly grasped the underlying message in this book. I'm sure Mr. G's background info helped a lot. Bryon, you blew me away with you engaging beginning. You're awesome!

Looking forward to next week together. Do you realize we only have 5 weeks left??? (sniff...sniff)

Love you.... Mrs. P

Our next and probably our LAST novel together.....
"The Great Gilly Hopkins"


Today we started the "Great Gilly Hopkins".....


Gilly is quite a character, isn't she?????

Working on our Response to
"Up the Learning Tree".....


Leanna is soooo into her response, she doesn't even know I'm taking her picture.....you, too Octavia.....


Ashely and Karson working on their first draft.....


Matt looks back in the book to get a quote.....


Keke using the book to help her support her judgments.....


Gary following his plan for his response to literature.....

5th Grade News.....

It's been a special week for two of the "Ape" teachers. First it was Mrs. Gay's birthday. She sure liked those Symphony Brownies... Happy Birthday Mrs. Gay.....We LOVE you.....

Then Mrs. Whitelaw was recognized at Deercreek Country Club for being a CEC nominee for Inclusion Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Whitelaw is an awesome teacher....she is always willing to work extra hard to help her students learn. She won't give up on them....so they don't give up on themselves.

We LOVE you Mrs. Whitelaw.....

Didn't Mrs. Trueblood used to be a 5th Grade teacher???


Waiting for dinner.....


Thanks for taking the picture, Mr. Sofferin.....

Mrs. Kornblum is proud of Mrs. Whitelaw.....


Mrs. Whitelaw, getting her award.....


Great Job, Mrs. Whitelaw.....


The WHOLE Group.....


Happy Birthday, Mrs. Gay....are those brownies good?????

4th Grade News...

The Ry/Ro's are the "main attraction" tomorrow at the 4th Grade Arbor Day Celebration. Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Shedd have done a great job putting together and practicing for the event. Can't wait to see the REAL thing!!!!!

What an "awesome" Novel.....

"Boy in the Striped Pajamas"

We finished "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" today......what did you think of the ending?????? I listened to your predictions and watched your reactions, and I really don't think anyone expected our novel to end the way it did. Everyone always wants a "happy" ending but the reality of the Holocaust was that there were not that many happy endings.

Can you believe how naive Bruno remained till the very end? Even Misha in "Milkweed" became savvy to what was going on after a while. But rather than dwell on the ending.....really focus on the bond that developed between the two main characters. I think Bruno and Shmuel really demonstrated the epitome of TRUE friendship. As you go through life, you will only have a few truly good friends. Cherish them.....

Our next novel "The Great Gilly Hopkins" is on the "lighter" side. Again Mr. G has chosen a novel with a complex main character. Gilly is quite a handful, but I LOVE her! You probably won't like her too much at the beginning.....but just wait.....that will change!

Looking forward to starting our new novel....

Love you... Mrs. P

5th Grade News.....

It has been a busy week. These last few weeks in 5th grade will just seem to "fly" by. Things are really getting more tense in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". Bruno is struggling with his decision NOT to stand up for Shmuel. Have you ever done that with a friend????? Wasn't Shmuel "gracious" to accept Bruno's apology? Would you have done that or would you hold a grudge. This is another novel full of "life" lessons you can apply to your own life and relationships. Mr. G picks such awesome novels to both teach reading and about LIFE!!!!!

In writing we are working on our third response to literature. This time we have rolled back the history clock and are responding to a book about slavery. This is another time in history we need to scrutinize and learn from. Those of us who are "older" can remember "segregation" and how it made us feel. I am soooooo glad that your generation can look at differences in a more positive way.

Have a great weekend....Love you.....Mrs. P

Starting our Response to "Up the Learning Tree".....

Jamie is an awesome writer......wonder who her 4th grade writing teacher was?????


Lauren "hooks" her readers.....


Matilda always has a "special" way to express herself.....

Noah.....you've got ME hooked.....


Gary used a wonderful Onomatopoeia lead.....


Keke shares her engaging beginning and short summary.....


Kiet has become an awesome writer.....6th grade here I come.....


Antonio shares his first paragraph....engaging and full of his "Voice".....

4th Grade News.....

The Ry(Shedd)/Ro's have had a phenomenal week. They are experts on the Compare/Contrast Skill!!!!! It was really fun to compare/contrast the stories of "Cinderella" and "Cendrillon". We have decided to use the Cinderella story to do our "Point of View" writing assignment.

In writing we have finished our Response to "Up the Learning Tree". Next week we go on to report writing. I was so proud of your responses that I took them to my 5th graders to share some samples of great writing.

Have a great weekend.....Love you....Mrs. P

Responding to..... "Up the Learning Tree"

Mrs. Shedd is awesome at conferencing.....she is filling in while Mrs. Ryan is out.....

Nicholas is putting the finishing touches on his Response to "Up the Learning Tree".....


Jose does some "rereading" & "revising".....


Tyler "smiles" at his finished piece.....


That's another grrrreat writing piece Alanya.....


Van shows off his "PUBLISHED" Response to "Up the Learning Tree".....

Celebrate......Celebrate......

The Apes are so proud of Grace. She has designed a bookmark for the Duval County Public Libraries and guess what......She won 1st place for 4th & 5th Grade !!!!!!!! Way to go Grace....

Grace..... we're sooooooo proud of you!!!!!!

Grace is "always" and "all ways" a winner with Mr. G and Mrs. P.....

Did you know Grace is an "Artist".....

5th Grade News.....

Our next two Responses to Literature will be on books about slavery (Up the Learning Tree) and the Civil War (Pink and Say). Most children today have trouble relating to what went on during this time period, so Mr. G is giving us some background knowledge on both subjects. This will help us when we write our Responses.... great idea Mr. G!!!!!

We are also working on finishing our current novel, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". I can't wait to see your reaction to the ending.

Girls Grandstand Practice started yesterday. Thank you Mrs. Harris for all the time and hard work you put into this wonderful production. Thank you Mrs. Whitelaw for working with the girls.....

Building our "Schema" on slavery and the Civil War...

What and When......The Civil War.....


Mr. G builds a little background on slavery and the Civil War.....


Mr. G helps us put ourselves into that time period.....


Taking notes.....

Girl's "Grandstand" practice has started.....

Smile for the camera, girls.....soon you'll be on stage.....


These girls were a good audience, while other groups practice.....


Natalee, Savanna, and Keke "practice" a little dancing....


Let's get the music playing.....

4th Grade News.....

We were really disappointed when our St. Augustine field trip had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. But we found lots to fill in the time....

We read "Cinderella" because our selection we will read tomorrow is "Cendrillon" a take off on the old fairy tale. Our skill this week is Compare/Contrast, and we will do a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the two stories.

In writing, we are winding up our Response to "Up the Learning Tree". Then next week we will move on to report writing.

We worked on our poster for the Volunteer Brunch and relaxed with some "fun" Spring Time activities. We also ate lunch together in the classroom.

Not quite the same as going to St. Augustine, but we still enjoyed each others company.....

What can you do when your Field Trip is cancelled.....


Jennifer holds up the "original" fairy tale.....


We love our "VOLUNTEERS" and we want to show them...


Spring Time Activities.....


Can you find the "hidden" letters......


I think Mackenzie and Kristen found one.....