5th Grade ELA - Ms. Antoinette Chavis
Notes For Parents
Dear Parents,
Study Island is back!!!!!! Students will receive Study Island homework assignments to do on the computer starting on Monday, November 28, 2011.... All students have been given their user name and password so that they are able to log on. If your child is having an issue signing on please contact Mrs. Allen fo assistance.
If the student does not have computer access at home please make me (Ms. Chavis) aware of it and I will be able to print out the assignment for them to complete. Have your child log-on and work on Study Island as much as possible to strengthen their academic skills in Math and ELA.Thanks....
Please check your students ELA notebook and ensure that they have three sections: Reading, Writing and English. Their vocabulary words (List #'s 1,2, 3, and 4) should be in the English section along with Vocabulary review work that we have been completed since the first list. Also look at their journal entry book to ensure that they have been keeping up with their journal entries since the beginning of school I will be doing a notebook and journal check in about 2 weeks and it will count as a test grade. Thanks.
Also, check the Class news sections for all of the journal entries that students should have in their journal entry books. (From August to the present). JOURNAL ENTRY RE-CHECK WILL BE DURING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 28, 2011!!!!
Soon we will be ending our Reading theme of Nature's Fury by the end of December. We will begin reading Blizzard by the end of the week as our final book in our theme. The culminating project for Nature's Fury will be a diorama (Dioramas are made in many forms for many reasons. They are useful projects for students in literature and history classes because they encourage students to be creative while they demonstrate their understanding of the subject. Dioramas can also help students to develop a better understanding of a subject through the creation of a three dimensional model. A diorama projects can be a powerful educational tool once students learn the basics of how to building one. One of the most common forms for school age children is the shoe box diorama.) from one of the stories we have read in our theme. Details will follow shortly......
Theme Related Activities to Do Together
- Helping Hands: You may hear or read news reports of natural disasters and the relief efforts that follow them. Discuss these events with your child. Mention how volunteers and rescue personnel save people, donate food or clothing, and rebuild homes. sk your child how he or she may help.
- Shaking Up Facts: To test your knowledge of earthquakes, see if you and your child can answer the following questions: What causes earthquakes? Where are they most likely to occur? How often do they usually occur? For answers, visit the library to learn more about this natural phenomenon.
- A Disaster Plan: Are you prepared in case of a natural disaster? Discuss the types of disaster that could happen and ways to prepare for them. Identify items to include in a home disaster kit, important phone numbers to know, and safety procedures to practice. To learn more, visit the library.
Students are required to keep all of their vocabulary words from List #1 until the last List given in May so that they can use all of their vocabulary words for the year in a culminating project in May.
*****I made a correction the author of the book it is Jim Murphy and not Jeff Murphy. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thanks.
Students are required to have the book Blizzard! by Jim Murphy by November 1, 2011. I will send a letter out on Monday, September 26, 2011 (that must be signed and returned to me by Wednesday, September 28, 2011, the bottom portion of the letter only). I have seen the book on www.barnesandnoble.com for $11.10 or visit your local library.
A parent recently told me that they purchased the book on amazon.com for seven dollars and some change......
About the Teacher
Biography of
Antionette Chavis
Antionette Chavis has been in education since graduating from Lincoln University in 1998. Her passion is in educating our children and helping them to become independent and critical thinkers. As a dedicated educator, she is a fair but firm disciplinarian who believes that ALL students can learn if given the appropriate materials and opportunities.
Antionette is a certified educator who has a Master of Education Degree (Elementary Education) and a Master of Science Degree in Reading all degrees coming from the world's oldest and prestigious HBCU, Lincoln University.
In January, 2011, Antionette will begin a Doctorate program in Curriculum and Instruction at Immaculata University.
Ms. Chavis will be returning to Family Foundations Academy as a 5th grade teacher in the fall. She's looking forward to another great year. YAY!
Classroom Rules and Expectations
Classroom Rules
1. When the teacher raises her hand, you are to be quiet and listen for future instructions.
2. Raise your hand before you move or speak.
3. If the teacher is talking or a classmate is talking, you are to be quiet and listen.
4. Respect yourself, teachers, staff, and classmates.
5. DO YOUR BEST AT ALL TIMES.
6. Be prepared for class (i.e. Pen, pencils, paper, books, etc.)
7. When an announcement comes on, you are to stop what you are doing and listen.
Morning Routine
1. Come into to class quietly and unpack.
2. Get all materials that you need for the day.
3. Take out your homework or any communications that you need to give to me.
4. Do your Morning Work that is on the board (usually the daily journal entry and vocabulary and/or vocabulary review).
5. Stay seated, quiet and read.
Heading
All papers must have the proper heading on them or they will be returned (or points deducted). I will return any papers that do not have the proper heading on the top right starting on the blue horizontal line. Students are not permitted to write before or after the red vertical lines on the paper. The heading is as follows (DO NOT SKIP A LINE BETWEEN THE ITEMS IN THE HEADING):
Name
Date
E.L.A./ Period (Whichever period they have me: 1st, 3rd, 4th or 6th)
Assignment (The title of the assignment)
SKIP ONE LINE UNDERNEATH THE ASSIGNMENT AND BEGIN ON THE ASSIGNMENT ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE PAPER........)
Class Participation
Students are required to be prepared for class with 3 sharpened #2 pencils, their notebook with looseleaf paper in them, a journal for their daily journal entries and a novel to read in case they finish their assigned work. Points will be deducted daily if students are not prepared for class.
Students are also required to participate in all classroom discussions. Everyone has a voice and we want everyone to be heard.
Binders should have the following sections: Reading, Writing and English. Journals should only contain journal entries. Journal entries should be dated, written as seen on the board and answered in complete sentences.
Classroom discussions:
PLEASE participate
We want to hear what you have to say.
Make all questions and comments relevant to the current discussion.
If your question is off the topic, write it down and ask later.
If you have to use the bathroom:
Raise three fingers for the restroom and wait for me to acknowledge you.
Raise two fingers for a tissue and wait for me to acknowledge you.
Moving around the room:
You MUST ask permission.
Do not ask during a classroom discussion unless it is an emergency.
Pass to another teacher’s room:
You are allowed to go to another teacher’s room with a pass or note signed by that teacher.
Coming to my desk:
You MUST ask permission to come to my desk or to me for any reason.
During an Assembly:
Walk quietly with your classmates to the assembly. We sit/stand together. Be active listeners during the assembly.
If absent:
Please return with a note in reference to your absence(s). You will be given a packet of missed work that must be returned two days after the absence. It is your responsibility to return any missed work to me within the two days.
IF you are unprepared for class:
Ask for materials AS SOON as you enter our class. DO NOT ask when class begins. (You are required to have 3 sharpened #2 pencils at the start of each day. Students are only allowed to use pencils for work being turned in to the teacher.
Guidelines
· Be in your assigned seat and working on your morning work at 8:00am.
· Bring all books and materials to school with you. Have folders for each subject to store returned papers (class work, homework, etc.)
· Treat each person in the building with dignity and respect.
· Follow all directions the first time they are given. (That means you must pay attention and listen.)
· Follow all procedures and policy’s as outlined in the Family Foundations Academy Charter School code of conduct book.
· There is absolutely NO talking while I am talking or while your classmate is talking. (We would love to hear your thoughts or opinions but it must be heard in turn.)
Special Note
Everything I do is in your best interest so please do not complain by saying, “This is too much” or "that you didn’t have to do that before" or "you don't have time to do this" etc.
Let’s have a great year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goals for the Year
Reading! Reading! Reading!
We will follow the standards designed by the Delaware Department of Education for Reading.
Throughout the year we will be reading many different types of reading genre's. Below you will find the different genre's and its definition.
***Students will be required to have a novel to read in class everyday.***
There are two main types of reading material --
fiction and non-fiction. Both types may be further divided into
genres. A genre is simply a fancy name for a group of books which
share style, form, or content.
Non-fiction
All of the information in a non-fiction book is based on the known true
facts. Nothing can be made up. Non-fiction books include how-to
books, science books, history books, biographies, autobiographies
and much more. Non-fiction books can be about any subject.
Biography
A biography is the story of a real person's life, written or told by
another person. Biographies may be located in a section of their own
in some libraries and may be labeled B for biography or use the Dewy
Decimal System Classification number of 92 and then are listed in
alphabetical order by who the book is about. Biographies of 2 or more
people in the same book use the Dewey Classification number of 920.
Other libraries prefer to place biographies in the Dewey Decimal
Classification according to the subject of what the person did -- for
example biographies of artists would be located in the art section,
biographies of sports stars in the sports section. Ask your librarian for
help if you can't find the biographies in your library.
Autobiography
An autobiography is the story of a real person's life, written or told by
that person. Autobiographies are found in the same place as the
biographies in the library. See biographies for the different places you
might find autobiographies in your library and then check with your
librarian if you can't find them in your library.
Fiction
Fictional stories may be based on actual events or people or may be
based entirely on the author's imagination, but fictional stories all
contain elements that are made-up or created by the author.
Realistic Fiction
Fictional stories that take place in modern time, right here and now.
The characters are involved in events that could really happen.
Mystery/Suspense
Fictional stories, usually realistic, about a mysterious event which is
not explained or a crime that is not solved until the end of the story to
keep the reader in suspense.
Fantasy
Fiction that contains elements that are NOT realistic, such as talking
animals, magical powers, etc. Make-believe is what this genre is all
about.
Science Fiction
Stories which include futuristic technology; a blend of scientific fact and
fictional elements.
Historical Fiction
Stories which take place in a particular time period in the past. Often
the basic setting is real, but the characters are fictional.
Folk Tales, Tall Tales, and Fairy Tales
Folk tales are stories with no known creator. They were originally
passed down from one generation to another by word of mouth. The
authors on folk tale books today are retelling these stories. Although,
folk tales are sometimes based on real historical figures, there are
fictional elements to the story. Tall tales are generally folk tales in
which the main character is bigger than life in some way -- examples
would be Paul Bunyan, Mike Fink, Swamp Angel, etc. Fairy tales
were often created to teach children behavior in an entertaining way.
Folk tales, tall tales, and fairy tales are found in most libraries in the
non-fiction section with a Dewey Decimal Classification of 398. Some
libraries place picture book versions of folk tales in the easy book
section. Check with your librarian.
Myths
Myths are stories that usually explain something about the world and
involve gods and other supernatural beings. Although, myths are
fictional stories, in most libraries they are found in the non-fiction
section of the library in the 290s.
Poetry
Poetry is verse written to create a response of thought and feeling
from the reader. It often uses rhythm and rhyme to help convey its
meaning. Poetry collections are usually found in the non-fiction
section of the library under the Dewey Decimal Classification numbers
808 - 811. Occasionally a novel may be written in free verse form and
is found in the fiction section of the library, or a picture book of a poem
may be found in the easy section. Check with your librarian.
Writing! Writing! Writing!
We will follow the standards designed by the Delaware Department of Education for Writing.
Writing Skills
Good writing skills are essential for effective communication.
Learning to write well takes time and practice. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to finish your work.
Tips for Writing Essays
First, choose a subject that interests you. Ex. Let's say you like dogs.
Then try to narrow the subject down to something you can write about knowledgeably. Ex. Let's say you have a beagle and you know a lot about beagles based on your experience of owning one.
Now come up with a statement about your topic. Ex. "Beagles are the best breed of dog." This will be your thesis statement or "hook."
To write your paper, answer the question "why" at least five times. Ex. A beagle is the best because "beagles are smart" or "beagles are neither too small nor too big — they're just right."
Wrap it up. Write a brief conclusion that summarizes the points you have made. Ex. "Clearly, beagles are best because they're smart and they're just the right size."
A Five Paragraph Essay
While the classic five paragraph essay is a form seldom if ever used by professional writers, it is commonly assigned to students to help them organize and develop their ideas in writing. It can also be a very useful way to write a complete and clear response to an essay question on an exam. It has, not surprisingly, five paragraphs:
- an introduction
- three main body paragraphs
- a conclusion
Students will also work on the following types of essays/writing (including but not limited to):
- Descriptive Essays
- Narrative Essays
- Personal Narrative Essays
- Persuasive Essays
- Cause and Effect Essays
- Comparison and Contrast Essays
- Biographies
- Book Reports
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Language: Usage, mechanics, spelling, definition, pronunciation, sentence structure
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Communication: Listening skills, basic speaking skills
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Writing: Write for a variety of purposes to different audiences, write in various modes and genres, resources for the six steps of the writing process
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Research: Identify and narrow a topic, gather information from a variety of sources, present research results in a written report
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Logic: Enhance thoughtful reasoning and facilitate learning, make inferences and draw conclusions, apply logic skills
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Informational Text: Comprehend informational text, recognize the different features of informational texts (e.g., separate text boxes, diagrams, captions, charts, graphs)
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Media: Recognize that media can be a source of information and/or entertainment, use media to publish and present information
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Literature: Comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading, various literary genres and their characteristics, basic literary terms (e.g., setting, point of view, simile, metaphor, rhythm)
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Review Help: Grade level resources for practice tests, interactive activities, tests to print
Contact the Teacher
Please feel free to contact me at time regarding your child. If you have any questions or concerns. Thank you very much.
302-324-8901 Ext. 303 (Please ask to be transferred by the operator.) Thanks.
Links
Students will begin to have homework on study island on Friday. All students should have their log on names and once they log on for the first time then they will need to change their password and email their new passwords to their homeroom teachers. Thanks.
www.brainbop.com