September is a busy birthday month.
Today, we got to celebrate the gift of Habiba!
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Faye for bringing in some delicious treats.
It was nice to hear all the expressions of gratitude from Habiba’s peers as they partook of the cake.
**Check back later in the week for additional homework related to in class discussions and activities
According to Gretchen Bernabei, “Writers describe what they see, think, do, AND say to tell a story. They describe what other characters do AND say, too.”
In an effort to HIGHLIGHT the power of varied description, we analyzed a piece by Elizabeth featured in Bernabei’s book Fun-Size Academic Writing for Serious Learning.
We then colored up our “dull” drafts, focusing on the following four specific types of descriptions that could be added to or altered in our writing:
This exercise caused us to notice the monochromatic nature of our writing. How much more potent would our writing be if we made a few adjustments? Could we change some of the actions into dialogue? Or, could we change something seen into a thought?
In addition to color, we associated each of the four descriptions and colors with a symbol. Below is a link to Bernabei’s Icon Glossary, a mini dictionary of symbols that we will explore this year as we work to grow as writers.
Ultimately, our goal is to paint a vivid picture in the minds of readers. In order to do that, we need to add “color” by CRAFTing our sentences and paragraphs carefully and taking time to REFLECT and REVISE when we get into the rut of seeing or doing descriptions.
Come back soon to see some examples of writing transformed by time and tints.
We have learned this week that the earth is constantly changing through a variety of natural processes.
Sometimes changes occur quickly, while other times changes occur VERY slowly. In addition to different rates of change, there are different causes of change. Explore the following resources to learn more about the causes and effects of weathering and erosion.
Use the following Secret Agent Code to access the PBS Learning Assignment: happy2689
PBS Learning: Erosion & Weathering
Curriculum Connection: How are weathering and erosion connected to the formation of landforms? Think about the rate at which they form.
Compare & Contrast
How is the weathering evidenced in these images the same? How is it different?
In our pursuit to better understand place value, we have been adding a number of tools and strategies to our repertoire – the place value chart, the place value flip chart, base ten blocks, expanded form, expanded notation, and word form.
For extra practice at home, you might want to try to create this DIY place value cup set.
As you use these at home, don’t forget to think about how each PLACE relates to each other PLACE. Think, too, about how VALUES change, even when digits don’t.
Place Value Challenge
7,463, 742, 632
As we strive to become fifth grade writers, one of the biggest obstacles we have to overcome is repetition. While, when used intentionally, repetition can be a powerful craft move, more often than not, reckless repetition lulls our readers to sleep. In an effort to move us beyond our comfort zone, we used a strategy suggested by Gretchen Bernabei in her book Fun-Size Academic Writing for Serious Learning – Naming and Renaming.
To help us reduce repetition, we examined a mentor text written by Savannah. In her essay about her favorite possession, she avoided repeating “Barbie” by RENAMING. Terms like “My favorite possession,” “Miss Prissy Princess,” “my bodacious barbie,” “my little plastic princess,” “my crosseyed plastic figure,” “my rinkly (sic) melted toy!” not only added variety, but they also added detail and voice.
As we continue adding to and drafting stories, we will keep our eyes open for key words that can be renamed. Even as we look at another of Chris Van Allsburg’s images, there is a risk of repeating words like “boat” or “ship.” How could these common terms be renamed?
What other words or phrases can you come up with?
Missing in Venice
Even with her mighty engines in reverse, the ocean liner was pulled further and and further into the canal.
Look through your other pieces of writing. What key word did you repeat? How can that word be renamed into something more interesting and informative?
**Check back later in the week for additional homework related to in class discussions and activities
