Mrs. Lehane's Blog
English Language Arts Fifth Grade
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Poetry
Whether You Think You Can, Or Think You Can't, You're Probably Right
By Anonymous
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think that you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but you think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you wont.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost;
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow’s will.
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don’t always go
to the stronger or faster man;
but sooner or later the man who wins
is the man who thinks he can.
Our classes are reading and studying poetry. We are seeing how to think through a poem and understand the meaning. Sometimes the meaning is obvious, and sometimes the meaning is understated or implied.
The students at first want to say, "I do not get poetry." That is the easy way out. Which brings me to the poem that introduces out poetry unit. I read this poem and it rang so clear. I think everyone can relate to this at one time or another.
Attitude is everything. It can help us through any challenge if we just believe in ourselves. Sometimes we are our worst enemies. If we took just one moment to tell our self why we can do something, instead of why we can't, our triumphs would have no boundaries.
So the next time you want to say, " I can't", find a reason to say. "I can!"
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Marine Science Center
Marine Science Center is by far one if the best field trips! It is a tradition that the fifth grade go on this trip. I coordinates with the fifth grade curriculum. What I love most is the kids get to do hands on work the entire time. From working microscopes, touching fish in the water tank, and collecting shells while walking the beach the kids are learning every minute while having more fun than they ever dreamed. It is a great experience for all who attend.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Fifth Grade Spelling Bee
Fifth grade was proud to announce the winner of the spelling bee yesterday, Dec. 16th. Our winner this year is Camila Jimenez from Mrs. Swidorsky's homeroom. It is a tradition for the fifth grade students to compete each year in the spelling bee, and it is always held right before the holiday season. Camila received an early holiday gift.
In our classes this year we had five students qualify from each homeroom. The following students represented our classes proudly. They all did a great job!
Lehane Class
Amanda Joswick
Jacob Metcalf
Rachel Robbins
Kennedy Tribble
Ethan Schaefer
Swidorsky Class
Layney Giles
Adrena Forrest
Hannah Choi
James Demps
Camila Jimenez
Ruark Class
Hal Olson
Daniel Reyes-Rivera
Colbi Appleby
Morgan Yaffee
Johnna Noel
Students were given lists to study. They did all their preparation on their own time. The students dedication to the effort was evident the day of the bee. I could not imagine how nerve racking it was for the kids as they stood in front of the microphone to spell. I certainly would not have been able to handle the pressure, but they took each word in stride and never broke a sweat!
One again we would like to celebrate all these students and especially our winner Camila Jimenez for all their hard work! We will all be supporting Camila when she advances to the county finals! Way to Go CAMILA! We are proud of you!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Historical Fiction
We then talked about slavery. We read More Than Anything Else, a time after slavery, but not a time that was much better. We talked about the power of an education and how that would lead to a better life. Why Booker, in the story wanted to read more than anything else. He saw the promise an education would give to him.
That lead us ultimately to the discussion of slavery. I have to say I was surprised how little the students knew about such a vast time period in history. Trying to answer all their questions made me realize how limited their understanding was. They asked, " Why didn't they run away?, Why didn't they fight back?. Why didn't they just say, No!"
This made me search to help my students understand this horrible time in our history. This is when I came across this video. In four minutes the students were able to grasp what I had been trying to explain. A picture is worth more than a thousand words. That statement was never so true as the moments when my students watched and learned. It made our discussions deeper and their understanding more real. It was apowerful moment for all of us!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Making Time to READ!
As teachers, sometimes we think we have to be talking or in front of the room for kids to learn. I know we also think that we need proof of work from students to show they are doing what they say.
Well I am going out on a limb and have decided to go on the honor system. No proof, no daily logs, no responses. I came to this decision after two experiences I had with students in my class. Both are avid readers, there is never a time they are not reading. They both are excellent students. I was doing my weekly check on reading logs. I called one of my fabulous readers to come over. I asked for the log, he burst out in tears. I was taken off guard, I said "What is wrong?", he said "I forgot to log in everyday. I start reading and then I forget!" I found my self calming down one of my best students because he was upset he did not write down all the times and days he read. Yet, he could sit and discuss each and every book, and you can see his face light up when he tells you about what he is reading.
The next "Ah ha" moment, was when I read a sentence on one of the language tests I had given. One of my students had written a sentence for the word "automatic." The sentence stated, " I wish I had an automatic response writter, so I could read. Enough said right there!
Then I consulted the parent in me. I hate when my children were given busy work that meant nothing. I said to a teacher once, "I can keep my child busy on my own, he does not need homework to keep him busy." I also know people think that homework teaches responsiblity. Homework that one is learning from, yes! Homework to prove you are doing your homework, no! I know my own son had a log to fill in to prove he studied each night. I have to say, I signed it on Sunday night at 9:00pm, and my son studied when he needed. So while I realize being responsible is part of being a good student, I also believe that comes from giving responsibility to those students!
I have chosen to take this plunge and I believe I will see my students exceed my expectations!
Most students have welcomed the change with smiles, and "Can I find a place to read?"