One down...3 to go!

Can you believe we've already been in school for a whole nine weeks?  Friday marks the last day of the quarter.  It has gone by like a whirlwind!!  I guess time flies when you are having fun.

It has certainly been a busy nine weeks.  We have read 2 novels, completed a project, increased our vocabulary, and learned to identify eight different types of figurative language.

I was pleased to see that, so far, the majority of the projects have been very well done.  I have had more A's and B's on these than I have in the past.  I hope that continues to be the trend.  I'm glad that most of the students took this assignment seriously, listened to my instruction in class and applied it to their work.

We will be jumping into a non-fiction unit next month.  I hope to be able to do some really interesting things in class that will engage the students and get them excited about our study.

If you have not purchased a copy of Tuck Everlasting and would like to do so, you have until October 26.  I will send off the book orders then.  It would be very beneficial for your child to have a copy of the book.  The project that goes with that nine weeks will be a lot easier for them if they can highlight or mark pages and specific evidence in their book.  Of course, this is NOT a requirement.  It is just a suggestion to help make things a little easier on the kids.  This month I can purchase the text for $1.

And some FANTASTIC news to report....ACCELERATED READER IS NOW WORKING AT FMIS!!!!!  Students have taken their STAR test in my class.  I will add this assessment to the others that I have done so that I have a better understanding of where students are in their reading abilities.  Students are now REQUIRED to take AR tests over books that they read and finish.  By Friday, students must take a quiz over Holes and their fantasy novels.  We will take an AR quiz over The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe after we discuss and review next week.

Again, thanks for all the support you give me.  It won't be long...this year will be over in the blink of an eye.

Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

Responsiblility or Accountability?

"Accountability is something that is left when responsibility has been subtracted." -Pasi Sahlberg

I think this quote is amazingly accurate.  When one is responsible, accountability is not necessary.  It is almost the end of the first quarter.  Many students have acclimated themselves to the "5th grade lifestyle" so to speak.  They remember to follow procedures, do their assignments, and participate in class.  These students understand that the bar is high and they are rising to the occasion.  These children are being responsible for their education.  They do not need to me to continually remind them to do what is necessary.  Accountability is not required.

Unfortunately, this is not a unanimous occurrence.    There are a few students who are behaving in an irresponsible manner.  They come to class without their materials...OFTEN.  They "forget" to do their assignments.  These children even fail to follow the procedures (example:  completing their agenda) that are repeated in ALL THREE CLASSES.  This is when I have to hold them accountable.

As of today, I have a total of 12 grades in the grade book.  I have another 5 or 6 coming before the end of the quarter.  Students have been given several opportunities to correct or override some mistakes or poor scores.  One of these opportunities was the reading log.  This was worth 100 points. It is the EASIEST assignment I will ever give.  Students just have to read and write down what they read on 20 different dates.  I want them to read EVERYDAY, but they only have to write down 20 of those days.  That's it.  They can read a book, a bible study, a magazine, newspaper, Internet article...anything with words!  Even studying for another test is reading...IT COUNTS!  When students are not responsible and fail to complete or turn this in, it results in a traumatic decline in their overall score.  For example....one student had a 55% because he/she failed to turn in his/her reading log.  Had he/she turned it in, his/her score would have been a 71%.  A reading log could be the difference in passing or failing a nine weeks.  Please encourage your child to do this assignment.  Hold them accountable if they are not responsible.  I promise it is an important assignment.

Back to classroom responsibilities:

I have added independent work centers to my daily routine.  In these centers, students are expected to complete their word study practice, check over it, and ask me any questions for clarification.  We do a "check point" on Wednesdays because we do not have work centers on that day since it is our library day.  After word study is completed, students move on to writers' workshop.  In writing workshop, students choose a prompt or topic and write according to the directions given.  Students are generally given a full 5 days to 1.) write a rough draft, 2.) self-revise and edit, 3.) peer revise and edit, 4.) write a corrected final draft.  At this time, these are the only work centers we are implementing.  The goal is to make sure students understand the procedures for these two centers so that they are independent of me.  My role during this 30 minutes will eventually be to meet with small groups to work on skills that those students need to improve.  The rest of the class will need to be responsible for their own work so that I can work with these students for an uninterrupted amount of time.

I know 5th grade is an adjustment for kids.  We work with them, remind them, encourage them...we want them to be successful.  However, at some point, they have to take responsibility for their education.  They have to decide whether or not it is important.  They have to see the value in it.  You and I can hold them accountable because they are minors and are not mature enough to make every decision on their own. We just need to work together so that they understand that it is their responsibility to take advantage of this educational opportunity that is available to them.

As the gang at East High would say, "We're all in this together!" (It's a High School Musical reference-just in case you didn't have a daughter who was obsessed with the movies)

Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

I'll worry about it tomorrow...

PROCRASTINATION....I think at one point or another, everyone has procrastinated.  I'm really bad about putting off grocery shopping until we are literally out of food in the house...I hate it!

However, procrastination on school projects can cause undesired grades.  I have seen it time and time again.  In the past, parents have spoken to me at P/T conferences to tell me how their child stayed up until midnight the night before some project was due and threw something together so that they wouldn't get a zero.   I promise those students NEVER made an A on the assignment.  The work just wasn't quality.

I am a deadline person.  If I have a project or assignment that is not due for several weeks or months, I set deadlines for portions of it in my calendar.  This keeps me on track and allows me to handle the assignment in managable chunks.  I tried to help the kids create deadlines for this first assignment.  I posted them on the board, had them write it in their agendas, and posted it to our blog calendar.

I want my students to succeed.  My expectations are high.  I only want their very BEST work and anything less will result in poorer scores.  Waiting until the last minute will not provide me with the students' best work.

Even though Scarlett O'Hara told us that, "Tomorrow is another day," we don't need to put our assignments and projects off too long...set deadlines and keep them.  It will pay off in the end.

Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

Time Flies When Your Having Fun!

Can you believe half of the first quarter is already over?!  It has been a whirlwind so far!!!  We are really getting to the heart of literacy.  We are reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  There are many skills that we are picking up as we read this novel.  We are also learning how to use Greek and Latin roots to figure out unknown words within our texts.  I have explained to the students that these word study units are not about memorization...I want them to understand and apply their knowledge of these words.

I have really been trying to focus on growth mindsets in class.  For many children this is the first time that school work has been a challenge.  Some students may be receiving the first C, D, or F in their school career.  It is traumatic for them.  I do understand this.  Because 5th grade is such a challenge and expectations are high,  I am trying to remind them that mistakes are opportunities to grow.  I am trying to explain to them that facing challenges allow us to have those "WOW! I did it!" moments.

I am wanting to post this bulletin board somewhere in the room.  These are phrases that you can use or remind your child to use to help their mindset.  THEY CAN DO THE WORK!!!!  Fifth grade is a challenge, but I know they can rise to it!!

Please...if you have any concerns at all, contact me....I only want the best for my students.

Until then-
Happy reading,
Mrs. Tipton

Why Reading Logs?

I am often asked why I insist on reading logs in my class.  The reason is simple....the more you read, the better you become at it.  There is only one way to improve vocabulary, fluency and comprehension...READ!  Reading logs are a tool that remind students that they should be reading.  It keeps them accountable.  I know how busy life can be.  Without a reading log, my own children wouldn't read.  I have included a chart to show the benefits of daily reading.

You can see from the infographic that the benefits of reading just 20 minutes can greatly increase your child's chances for academic success.  

On another note...students should be working on their independent projects at home.  Students were given a timeline to follow so that things would be done in an orderly and timely manner.  These deadlines are just suggestions.  I wanted the students to have a guide so that they do not wait until the night before to finish their activity.  

Please remember, if you have any questions, you can email me or even comment below.  

Happy reading-

Mrs. Tipton

Filling in the "Holes"

Well, I hope your child has enjoyed our introductory novel Holes.  It is absolutely one of my favorites.  I almost didn't include it in my curriculum this year, but just couldn't part with it!

So far, the year has been going very well.  Students are getting used to the groove of things and becoming more responsible about their actions.  I am enjoying this group of kids very much.

This week we will begin our new novel study.  We are going to read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Again, this is another of my favorites.  In Holes, I read the story to the students as they followed along.  I stopped to have discussion along the way and check for comprehension.  I was basically the "sage on the stage".  This novel will be different.  I am going to step back on the reading part.  Students will be reading the majority of this novel on their own in class.  My job now is more of a guide.  I plan to stop occasionally to make sure everyone is on the same path.  We will have class discussions and do activities together, but students will be required to read this text on their own.

This week, students will also be assigned their first independent project.  This project is due at the end of the nine weeks on October 9.  Students will have exactly one month to complete this project.  They are required to work on this project at home.  Time management and organization will be a key component in completing this activity on time.  I will help students create some goals and deadlines so that they stay on track.  You will be receiving a copy of the project requirements as well as all the required handouts.  It will also be located on this blog under the "project" link.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

You should also receive a book order catalog this week.  You can order by check (Please make to SCHOLASTIC), cash, or online at Scholastic.com (class code HWMQW ).  You will only need this class code the first time you set up your child's account.  From that point forward, you should be able to use your personal username and password.

Until next time...happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton

And the countdown is on...

Well, it is really almost time to begin. As far as my summer goes, I have have exactly one week left. On August 10, teachers return to work. There is always such a bittersweetness (is that a word?) to this time of year. I thoroughly enjoy my summers. I like to stay up late reading or binge watching Netflix, sleeping late the next morning, lazily enjoying a cup (or three) of coffee before getting into the swing of things. The kids and I can do whatever we want. We can go to town and shop or we can just hang out by the pool. I love summer time.

 However, whenever school time approaches, I get a little excited. I love going into my classroom and setting it up for the new year. I get anxious waiting to see my roster of new kids. I start pinning lots of school ideas on Pinterest. I always end up at Hobby Lobby purchasing more things to make my classroom feel like home - well, let's face it, it should feel homey. (It is still a work in progress, but you can see some of my pics below.)  The kids and I spend most of our time there once the new year begins. I can't wait to see my co-workers again on a daily basis. I miss them in the summer-time. They are my extended family!

 So, in one week its goodbye summer, hello real-life. I have to say that I am especially excited about this new year. I am in a BRAND NEW BUILDING!!!! After waiting an extra year (after a tornado took out our new building and most of our downtown) the 4th, 5th and 6th grades are finally moving into our new intermediate school! We have new admins (who are as excited as we are) and new staff to welcome. Of course, with a newborn school, things are not perfect. I have to wait on bookshelves because ALL the teachers need shelving. We don't have Internet service yet because...well, I really don't know why. There will be new procedures and new adjustments made. Change is a difficult thing. Change is necessary. Change can be, and will be in this case, a good thing.

 Speaking of change and a new year, I wanted to briefly discuss the mindset that I would like to instill into my students this year. It is called a "growth mindset". I will explain.  There are two types of mindsets-fixed and growth.  A fixed mindset is one that belongs to those who think intelligence and skills are fixed/unchanging.  A fixed mindset thinks that he/she is either good or bad at something and there is nothing that he/she can do to change it.  Children who live in a fixed mindset are less likely to engage in challenging or difficult work because they think it is just too hard and they can't do it.  On the other hand, there are those with a growth mindset.  A growth mindset believes that intelligence and skills can be developed and honed through hard work and perseverance.  A growth mindset is not limited to only doing what one is "good at" or has a talent for.  A growth mindset understands that if one works hard eventually a desired outcome will occur.  This is the mindset I want my students to have.  I want to encourage them to work hard and to feel success based on their accomplishments through their hard work...not necessarily success based on a "grade". In order to do this, I need parents to adopt this mindset, too.  Below are some inspirational posters that promote growth mindset, as well as a list of phrases that can be used to promote growth mindset at home. This research is all new to me, too, but I will be happy to discuss it with you or give you links to information if you are interesting in knowing more (here is just one I've found. Parenting with a growth mindset).  I hope to meet you at open house on August 11.  Until then....

Happy reading-
Mrs. Tipton