Mrs. Zawodniak

5th Grade Language Arts and Reading

   

“It is your mind that creates this world.” – BUDDHA

 

All About Me:

Hello, I am Ryley Khristine Zawodniak and I am very excited to be teaching 5th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at Mansfield Middle School this year.  I moved to Connecticut 4 years ago after having lived in Los Angeles, California for 9 years.  I attended Keene State College for my undergraduate degree, majoring in Theater Arts with an acting and directing concentration.  After college I worked for 7 years with a nationally touring children’s theater company. First, as an actress performing in elementary and middle schools across the country, and later as a writer, director, and artistic director.  When I moved to California I decided what I REALLY wanted to do was teach, so I attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, and received my Teacher’s Certification and Master’s of Education in 2001.  Since then I have taught a 1st/2nd ESL combination class, a 4th/5th combination class, as well as 5th grade only for 7 years.  In my free time my husband, who has been a middle school teacher for 13 years, my 1 year old daughter Zoey Scout, and I enjoy hiking around New England, or trying out new restaurants.  Barnes and Noble or Borders are my favorite stores as I LOVE reading and buying new books.  I am looking forward to working with all of my new 5th grade students this year!!

 

 

You can leave me a voicemail at Ext. 103 or an email message at

 zawodniakrk@mansfieldCT.org

My Homework Hotline number is 6103, but please do not leave messages there

 

You can visit our school homepage at http://www.mansfieldct.org/schools/mms.

 

Here are a few of my favorite websites to check out:

1)    www.quia.com – This website has online quizzes that we sometimes use for class

2)  www.puzzlemaker.com- Aids students in word puzzle making for spelling homework

3)  www.edhelper.com- Word puzzle maker as well as worksheet practice for grammar

4)  www.funbrain.com- Educational games in all content areas including grammar and reading

5)  http://search.epnet.com- Finding fiction: NoveList K-8- great website for finding literature

6)  http://students.renzullilearning.com- Registered students have activities, games, and websites tailored to their interests and learning styles here

7)  States, Capitals, Postal Abbreviations, and Locations Web Page This is a great website to learn more about states and their capitals

 

Spelling Activity Choice for Language Arts

(You MUST use ALL of your spelling words)

1)    Use all the words to create as few sentences as possible.  The sentences must make sense.

2)   Create a word unscramble.  Include an answer key.

Ex: hceatre= teacher

3)   Group the words into categories you create.

Ex: Nouns, Adjectives, Words That Start With “H”, Words With 5 Letters, Cooking Words, etc…

4)   Create your own riddles with the words as the answers.

5)   Create limericks using the words.

6)   Use all the words in an original story.

7)   Create newspaper headlines using the words.  Each one must be a complete idea.

8)   Create a greeting card using your words on the front and/or for the message inside.  Be sure to include a picture.

9)   Write a friendly letter to someone using all your words.

 

How to Take a Spelling Pretest for Language Arts

This homework assignment will be completed the night before a spelling test.  It is a great way for you to find out which words you really need to focus on for the test.  It is also a great way for you to share with a parent or guardian some of what we are doing in classJ

 

1.      Get out your list of spelling words, a pencil, and a piece of notebook paper.

 

2.    Ask an adult in your home to please read the list of words to you.  You will number on the notebook paper, and try to spell all the words by writing them out.

 

3.    At the end, ask your adult to check your work and mark missed words.

 

4.    Then, the adult MUST sign your notebook paper.

 

5.    Then, look for any patterns in missed words.  Try to make a connection that will help you remember how to spell the word.  Are there words in the words?  Ex: together= to+get+her

Is the word part of a word family with a similar sound or spelling pattern? Ex: crooked= book

 

6.    Finally, any words you missed must be written out 5 times each. 

                         

7.    GOOD LUCKJ