5th grade read alouds and time capsule ideas

[nightandday]

I'll be teaching 5th grade ICT this year and was looking for some new books to read aloud with my class. I always try to find 5 or 10 minutes during the day to read a chapter of a book just for fun and maybe for discussion. I was hoping to read Wonder with them this year, but my colleagues want to do an ELA unit on it. So far, I thought of Freak the Mighty, and No Talking by Andrew Clements (an author they love!) which is about the power of words, spoken and unspoken. I'd appreciate any suggestions you have.

Also, I wanted to find sort of a time capsule idea to start at the beginning of the year in anticipation of graduation. I looked on Teachers Pay Teachers, but didn't see anything I liked. Any ideas would be great!

Edited to add class info- I am looping this year with about half of my class from last year. There are general ed kids on and above grade level, special ed students up to 3 grades below level, and a few ENL students one of whom speaks very little English.

[katfco]

Have they read Frindle? I love that Andrew Clements book, and it can lead to some great discussions on not only the power of words, but also in the power of the protest.

[nightandday]

Aug 20, 2017 12:37:43 GMT -5 katfco said:

Have they read Frindle? I love that Andrew Clements book, and it can lead to some great discussions on not only the power of words, but also in the power of the protest.

Yes, they LOVED Frindle!

[sarahswim]

Freak the Mighty is my favorite, favorite novel to teach. You might also check out Walk Two Moons (Sharon Creech) or The BFG (amazing for figurative language & characterization).

[nightandday]

Aug 20, 2017 18:59:32 GMT -5 sarahswim said:

Freak the Mighty is my favorite, favorite novel to teach. You might also check out Walk Two Moons (Sharon Creech) or The BFG (amazing for figurative language & characterization).

My co-teacher and I read Walk Two Moons and The BFG last year. Both great books!

[katfco]

Esperanza Rising is a good one, too.
One Crazy Summer and P.S. Be Eleven.

[njw]

Freak the Mighty
Rules
Because of Mr. Terupt*
Among the Hidden*
The Thief of Always
Harry Potter
Out of My Mind*
Walk Two Moons
Hatchet
Maniac Magee
I Am Malala (Young Person's Addition)

My faves have the *. Aside from Wonder, which is always my first read aloud.
I teach 5th.

[nightandday]

Aug 21, 2017 14:18:09 GMT -5 njw said:

Freak the Mighty
Rules
Because of Mr. Terupt*
Among the Hidden*
The Thief of Always
Harry Potter
Out of My Mind*
Walk Two Moons
Hatchet
Maniac Magee
I Am Malala (Young Person's Addition)

My faves have the *. Aside from Wonder, which is always my first read aloud.
I teach 5th.

Thank you!

[nachos]

In sixth grade last year, I did:

A Dog Called Kitty
Freak
Tuck Everlasting

They loved all of them - Freak most of all.

I'd also suggest anything by Gordon Korman.

The grade four/five class did a time capsule in my school last year. The teacher had them write letters to themselves, and put in something small, yet significant to them (but something they wouldn't miss too much). It could be anything from a small object to a drawing or picture. She placed all items in a cardboard tube that they decorated, and stored it in my office.

Maybe something similar, and include letters to their future self, a fill-in sheet about who they are now, and a small trinket?

[nightandday]

Aug 23, 2017 8:12:27 GMT -5 nachos said:

In sixth grade last year, I did:

A Dog Called Kitty
Freak
Tuck Everlasting

They loved all of them - Freak most of all.

I'd also suggest anything by Gordon Korman.

The grade four/five class did a time capsule in my school last year. The teacher had them write letters to themselves, and put in something small, yet significant to them (but something they wouldn't miss too much). It could be anything from a small object to a drawing or picture. She placed all items in a cardboard tube that they decorated, and stored it in my office.

Maybe something similar, and include letters to their future self, a fill-in sheet about who they are now, and a small trinket?

I'm sorry, I was away and just saw this now. Thank you for the suggestions!