Daily Reading Homework

Reading is a very important part of the fifth grade curriculum.  John Hancock has established 20 minutes as reading homework for the fifth grade.  Every night, students should be reading at home for pleasure.  I have created a reading blog for our class to help motivate the students to not only read, but share with others the books they are reading.

Students who participate and choose to use the blog as part of their reading homework will earn an extra reward at school.  Every month a different award will be given for those who participate for that month.   Again, this reading homework blog is not mandatory but a choice.

WinkI think reading should be fun and interactive.  The reading blog will be a great way for me to interact with the students at home.  I will respond to their comments, the class will share with each other their reading adventures and overall, reading just might be more than just mundane homework.  It is my hope that we will have an online book club for our fifth grade readers. 

After a student has read, just Click on the link in bookmarks called 'Mrs. Short's Super Readers' to get blogging!  The directions are on the top of the blog page!  Have fun.Laughing


Daily News Reporter

The Daily News is an activity that teaches essential writing skills, grammar and editing, and builds vocabulary.  Each student will take turns following one news story for a week.

When it is your turn to report:

  1. Bring a new article on the same story every day and be able to tell what is happening in a few (3-5) sentences.
  2. The class will then write the news in our own daily newspapers.
  3. Please bring  a copy of the article to class when you are reporting.
  4. Remember to have your parents sign the report assignment.  This is part of your language arts grade.
  5. I would like you to use an actual newspaper when looking for your story.  But if that is not available I have links to several newspaper sites (feeds) on the 'RSS' tab to assist you. 

Reading Website Bookmarks
Term Book Reports

We have a book report due every term.  This is how I assess reading at home and reading logs.  Every term I assign a new genre for you to choose your book from.  Then, I post a book report activity on our web page in "Documents".  It is a great idea to read your book early in the term and turn in the book report.  The book report is always due near the end of the term.  The following is the genre you will be required to read for each term.

Term 1: Mystery

Term 2: Science Fiction

Term 3: Biography

Term 4: Research paper


Dictionary Dictionary
Lexia Reading

Join us in welcoming your son or daughter to Lexia Reading v5 - an exciting fun software that provides the individualized, targeted practice students need to master their reading skills!  our school has implemented the Lexia Reading v5 software program to support our core curriculum in reading and language arts.

Here is how the computer based reading program works:

  • Your son or daughter was prescribed a selected series of activities based on their individual reading needs.
  • Students will spend time on a Lexia Reading v5 program at school and you have access to the program for home use.
  • The program automatically paces each student by providing reinforcement activities.
  • The program focuses on critical reading skills that have been identified by national reading experts
  • Various levels of activities include phonological awareness to advanced word-attack strategies and vocabulary development
  • As your son or daughter progresses, he or she will gain a sense of achievement, confidence, and independence.

School - to - Home Set-up: In the 'Bookmarks tab', click on the link for Lexia Reading v5.  Download the home version by following the installation and configuration guides at this site .  You can print the directions for download from the Documents tab.  When asked the customer codes you enter:

1245 6805 3078 2129

Your childs login is the first three letters of their given first name then their entire last name.  There is no password assigned. (ex. John Doe=JohDoe; Susan Little=SusLittle)