5th grade is in the middle of a social studies unit on Native Americans. Today we read Native American Art to support their study. The students saw lots of familiar words and were able to make great connections with this book. We realized that most Native American art is not only beautiful, but also useful.
Read on to find out what our favorite art pieces were:
* I liked the basket because it was beautiful and they could use it like a suitcase to carry things as they traveled following the buffalo. - Shanel
* I think it's amazing how they can make art, tools, arrowheads and so many other things from bison!! - CJ
* I like the sand art paintings they used to help people when they were sick. - Tyreesha
* My favorite was the Wampum Belt of 1794 because it has things to represent the 13 US colonies. - Brian
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Spider Folktales
We just finished an anthology on the mythical character, Spider. We really enjoyed these stories and the morals we learned through reading. Keep reading to find out some of our favorites:
* CJ: My favorite was How the World Got Wisdom because at the beginning Spider wanted all the wisdom for himself. At the end of the story, he finally learned to share. He figured out that you can't always be selfish if you're going to be a good friend and family member.
* Juwan: I also liked How the World Got Wisdom because people came from everywhere to help Spider when he needed it.
* Equasha: I liked Why Spiders Live in Corners because I made a connection to it. It reminded me of a time I was in 4th grade and I got embarrassed, all I wanted to do was hide in the corner too!
* Tyreesha: I liked How Spider Got a Thin Waist because I thought it was funny.
* Brian: I liked Why Spiders Live in Corners because it teaches how being sneaky gets you into trouble.
* Shanel: I also liked How Spider Got a Thin Waist because I thought it was funny and it taught a good lesson about why people shouldn't be greedy. If they are, they might end up with nothing at all!
* CJ: My favorite was How the World Got Wisdom because at the beginning Spider wanted all the wisdom for himself. At the end of the story, he finally learned to share. He figured out that you can't always be selfish if you're going to be a good friend and family member.
* Juwan: I also liked How the World Got Wisdom because people came from everywhere to help Spider when he needed it.
* Equasha: I liked Why Spiders Live in Corners because I made a connection to it. It reminded me of a time I was in 4th grade and I got embarrassed, all I wanted to do was hide in the corner too!
* Tyreesha: I liked How Spider Got a Thin Waist because I thought it was funny.
* Brian: I liked Why Spiders Live in Corners because it teaches how being sneaky gets you into trouble.
* Shanel: I also liked How Spider Got a Thin Waist because I thought it was funny and it taught a good lesson about why people shouldn't be greedy. If they are, they might end up with nothing at all!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Draw Me A Story
Today we read Draw Me A Story by Max Winter. It is the story of a mother and son who are both authors and illustrators and sometimes collaborate to write a book together.
In our group today, we thought about this question....
If you were going to work with one family member to write a book together, who would you work with and what would your roles be?
* Tyreesha: I would work with my brother. He would be the illustrator and I would be the author.
* CJ: I would work with my mom. She would be the author and I would be the illustrator. I'd like us to write a comic book together.
* Juwan: I would work with my younger sister. She would be the illustrator and I would be the author.
* Shanel: I would work with my cousin. He would be the illustrator and I would be the author.
* Equasha: : I would work with my brother. He would be the illustrator and I would write the story.
In our group today, we thought about this question....
If you were going to work with one family member to write a book together, who would you work with and what would your roles be?
* Tyreesha: I would work with my brother. He would be the illustrator and I would be the author.
* CJ: I would work with my mom. She would be the author and I would be the illustrator. I'd like us to write a comic book together.
* Juwan: I would work with my younger sister. She would be the illustrator and I would be the author.
* Shanel: I would work with my cousin. He would be the illustrator and I would be the author.
* Equasha: : I would work with my brother. He would be the illustrator and I would write the story.
Friday, January 16, 2009
26 Fairmount Avenue
Today we finished reading the book 26 Fairmount Avenue. Below are our thoughts and reflections on the story:
* I liked the part of the book when they had the Christmas party. I really didn't like it when the tornado came because that was so dangerous and scary. - Tyreesha
* I liked the part in Chapter 3 when Tomie when to the movies and he got angry because it wasn't the real version of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. - Shanel
* I think Chapter 4 was the most interesting. In that chapter, Tomie's mom was like a hero because she saved the house from being burned in the fire. - CJ
* This book reminds me of when my house was built. I know how long it takes because it was a long time before my house was finished. When you move, I know that you can get things like a bed or a dresser, just like they did in the story. - Juwan
* While reading this book, I learned that when you know something bad is about to happen, you should tell an adult so they can keep you safe. I liked Chapter 2 best because it shows Tomie really cared about his grandmother. Whatever she did, he would do with her so that she wouldn't feel bad or lonely. I liked how the characters in this book cared about each other. - Equasha
* I liked the part of the book when they had the Christmas party. I really didn't like it when the tornado came because that was so dangerous and scary. - Tyreesha
* I liked the part in Chapter 3 when Tomie when to the movies and he got angry because it wasn't the real version of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. - Shanel
* I think Chapter 4 was the most interesting. In that chapter, Tomie's mom was like a hero because she saved the house from being burned in the fire. - CJ
* This book reminds me of when my house was built. I know how long it takes because it was a long time before my house was finished. When you move, I know that you can get things like a bed or a dresser, just like they did in the story. - Juwan
* While reading this book, I learned that when you know something bad is about to happen, you should tell an adult so they can keep you safe. I liked Chapter 2 best because it shows Tomie really cared about his grandmother. Whatever she did, he would do with her so that she wouldn't feel bad or lonely. I liked how the characters in this book cared about each other. - Equasha
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Series of Unfortunate Events
We are almost halfway through reading A Series of Unfortunate Events. Although the book has lots of horrible things happen, the most horrible thing I've read so far is:
* That the children's parents both died and now they are orphans. - CJ
* That Klaus was taken to the doctor and something terrible happened to him there. - Shanel
* The children's guardian won't even tell them his name and makes them work in a lumber mill every day. - Equasha
* Their brother had an awful experience and won't respond to his sisters anymore. - Tyreesha
* They have to eat bubblegum for two meals every day! - Juwan
* That the children's parents both died and now they are orphans. - CJ
* That Klaus was taken to the doctor and something terrible happened to him there. - Shanel
* The children's guardian won't even tell them his name and makes them work in a lumber mill every day. - Equasha
* Their brother had an awful experience and won't respond to his sisters anymore. - Tyreesha
* They have to eat bubblegum for two meals every day! - Juwan
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A Series of Unfortunate Events
We are currently reading the novel, A Series of Unfortunate Events. So far we've learned a great deal of new things and had a lot fun reading this story. Here are some new words we've learned:
Equasha - I learned that assiduous means hardworking.
CJ - I learned that diligent means hardworking.
Juwan - I learned that a veteran is a person who has lots of experience doing something. They are different from someone just starting out, they know lots because they have done it for a long time.
Tyreesha - I learned that a lumber mill is a place where people work with lumber or wood.
Shanel - I learned that various means lots of different things or features.
Equasha - I learned that assiduous means hardworking.
CJ - I learned that diligent means hardworking.
Juwan - I learned that a veteran is a person who has lots of experience doing something. They are different from someone just starting out, they know lots because they have done it for a long time.
Tyreesha - I learned that a lumber mill is a place where people work with lumber or wood.
Shanel - I learned that various means lots of different things or features.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Shanel's Thoughts on Harriet Tubman
Today I read about Harriet Tubman and Mrs.Tubman worked all the time on the Underground Railroad. Also she tried to stop segregation. I want to read more about heroes of our country!
By Shanel
By Shanel
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