Librarything.com

Hi Everyone! 

There is a COOL website called: librarything.com.  You must check it out!  The site allows you to post all of the books you are reading so you can have an online library. It comes complete with the covers of the books.  There is a spot to write a review as well.  

Once we get the internet in the classroom, I'll show it to the class. I thought you might want to get started playing with it now.  Your parents will love it as well!!!

Ms. H.

25 Books Project

25 Books Project 

According to Georgia Standards, each fifth grader is required to read 25 books during the fifth grade year.   To accomplish this task, we are going to breakdown the requirement into at least 3 books per month - August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April. 

During the year you must read from the following categories.

At least:

2 books of historical fiction _ war related

1 book historical fiction – outside the United States

1 book that is a biography or autobiography

1 book of science fiction

1 book of nonfiction

1 book of poetry

1 book of fantasy

1 books of mystery

1 book of realistic fiction

1 book of folk tale

This totals to 11 books. The other 14 books can be from any genre.  

Reading Level : Each book chosen should be at your reading level. If you need help finding books, I am always willing to help you.

Grading : You will be graded each month on if you completed reading your three books.  The project will run from August through April.  On the last day of each month, the class will have an opportunity to present the books read during the month.  These oral presentations will help others find books as well as give you an opportunity to practice speaking in front of a group.

3 books read per month = A/95; 2 books read= B/85; 1 book read = C-/70; more than 3 books read = 100.

Written Presentation: A short written review of the book must accompany each oral presentation.  The review should include:

Book Title

Author

Publishing Date

Publishing Company

Main Characters

Brief plot summary that includes your opinion of the book. 

(The picture is of Esther and Brenda in Malawi reading a book that was written by third grade students from Morris Brandon!)

Welcome to Fifth Grade!

Greetings!  I am excited that we will be learning together throughout this year.  The beginning of the year is right around the corner.  I know that many of you will sob as you say "good-bye" to summer, but I know you'll love this last year of elementary school.  Let's see if we can learn a bit about each other!  

Let me tell you a bit about myself.  I have been in school forever! Sometimes I wonder if I will ever graduate.  Sigh.  I love to learn new things.  As a matter of fact I just bought a book about computer programming.  I am not sure I will ever really learn much about it, but I am always interested in finding out things I know nothing about.  Maybe you'd like to borrow my book sometime! 

I am so old that I have 5 grandchildren.  Do you believe it?  The other fifth grade teachers are young, but YOU got stuck with a grandmother!  (I'll try to make it up to you by making learning fun. I can't take you on a camel ride, but I'll think of something.) My oldest grandson begins kindergarten this year.  The youngest is only 3 months old.  

I love traveling, reading, music, art, traveling, gardening, traveling, poetry, traveling, my old english sheepdog, traveling, and hanging out with interesting people. 

Now let's hear about you!  What do you like to do?  Tell me a bit about yourself. WARNING: DO NOT USE YOUR FULL NAME in your post.  Just sign your entry with your first name.  NO LAST NAMES, please!  Parents are welcome to jump in and join the fun as well.

Ms. H. 

(The picture is of Ms. Monne and I in Bamako, Mali this summer. )