Effort = Results

Learning is not a spectator sport. ~ Anonymous

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, therefore is not an act, but a habit. ~ Aristotle



I tell the students often that effort = results...that the work you put in will determine the outcome.  I have spent the year walking students through every activity and procedure.  I have never assigned anything that I have not modeled MULTIPLE times, given many examples, and answered all questions.

You will notice that the final exam for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has a multiple choice portion worth 100 points and an essay portion worth 50 points.  The students were allowed to use the book on all portions of the test.  The multiple choice averages were nothing to write home about, but the essays...well, I really have no words.

That being said, we WILL redo the essay portion of the test.  I am going to spend this week and next re-teaching point of view and how to write essays.  After the re-teach, they will re-write to the same essay question for the remaining portion of their final grade.

 We are going to spend the remainder of the nine weeks reviewing all skills that we have "learned".  In case I suddenly become very unpopular in the eyes of your child, I want you to know what is happening in the classroom.  Mediocrity will NOT be accepted.  I will require them to go back and redo until they get these skills right.  They CAN do this!

I know that the kids are just being kids.  If I was a 5th grader, I wouldn't want to have to think so hard either.  However, it is the world we live in and these are the skills that are necessary for success.  Please understand that I am only trying to provide your child with the skills and strategies necessary for future success.

Let me know if you have any concerns or questions. christy.tipton@viloniaschools.org

Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

ATTENTION, PLEASE!!!!

Please notice the new tab for word study.  I have added this week's review already.  Also, I will be adding some student work to the "Student work" tab soon!  Stay tuned!!!
Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

Its all Greek to me!

We have begun to really look at Greek and Latin roots and how they apply to our knowledge of word meanings and spelling.  We started off last week with the roots vis/vid (which means to see or view), aud (means to hear), phon (means to make a sound).  Below is a picture of a study guide for the test tomorrow.  We have been practicing these everyday, so it should be an easy assessment.  This week we will study the roots temp and chron (meaning time) and loc (meaning place).  I have also posted a study guide to use for that quiz (next week).

Students are writing essays in class.  I am specifically emphasizing the three components of an essay: introduction, body, conclusion.  I am reading over these and giving feedback to all students.  These essays must be completed by March 11.

Don't forget about our project that is due on February 27.  I hope the students are working hard to give me some good information from their fantasy novels.

Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

Week 1 study guide

Week 2 Study guide