Social Studies

We will be concluding our study of Geography this week. Please look for a review/study sheet to come home on Monday. Please invest some time in studying with your child. The test will be on Tuesday.

40 Book Challenge!

I have challenged all students to read 40 books this year!! Every day we have some time set aside to read, so please help your child work toward this goal by providing time at home as well. Many students also need help developing the skill of finding books that are in the "just right" category. Here is a web site that you may just find helpful! http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com

Math

We have been spending a fair amount of time reviewing multiplication and division facts. Students must be able to do 25 problems in a minute in order to be considered fluent in this area. I am very pleased with their progress so far! Many have demonstrated mastery and others are making excellent progress!!

Outdoor Discovery Center

Our first field trip of the year will be to the Outdoor Discovery Center on Friday, October 12. We will leave school around 9:00 and arrive back at Hamilton Elementary at approximately 2:00 p.m. We will be learning about how the Native Americans lived in Michigan. The admission cost per child is $4.00. Please send either a check made out to Hamilton 5th grade or cash no later than Wednesday, October 10. If this presents a financial burden on your family, please contact me as soon as possible. We do have "scholarship" money available.

Read-a-thon

On Friday, October 5, all 4th and 5th graders will be participating in a two hour read-a-thon. The purpose of this event is to raise money to help pay for field trip transportation. Look for more information coming home on Thursday, Septeber 27. Your support is appreciated!!

Constitution Day

Thank you all for wearing red, white and blue on Constitution Day! We devoured the delicious cake!

Supply List

The following is a list of recommended items you may wish to purchase prior to the beginning of school:

*  Single subject wide ruled notebooks (4)

 * Single subject folders (4)

* Handheld pencil sharpener
• A pencil bag or box – (not too large)
• A backpack to transport items to and from school daily (No wheels)
• 1 or 2 Post-it pads
• Colored pencils (We use these most often!)
• Highlighter
• 2 dry erase markers
• Sharpie markers - whatever you want - wide, fine point

* Water Bottle
• Hand held pencil sharpener
• Hand Sanitizer

Please do not bring the following:
*Trapper keeper

*Toys of any Kind!!

*Mechanical pencils

 If you would like to make a donation to our classroom supplies, please consider the following suggestions:

* A box of tissues
* Paper plates
* Napkins
* Plastic Cups
* Plastic Silverware
* Baggies
Now for the fun part. I would like you to think about a kind of candy that represents YOU and have you bring it to school for a snack on the first day. An example might be a RECESS peanut butter cup because recess is your favorite part of school. Or you might bring a LAFFY TAFFY because you are always laughing. How about a MARS bar because some people think you came from outer space! Be creative, grab some candy that represents you and be prepared to share with the class why you chose what you did. (Hint: If you get to the Peanut Store in downtown Holland, you have a lot more to choose from than the grocery stores offer.)

Happy Shopping!
Mrs. Maxson