October 13, 2013

October 14, 2013

Due to the fact that I have been ill this weekend and need to be out of the classroom on Monday, things will be a bit different than what the kids were thinking.  

Math:  In math we will be taking the MEAP test on Tuesday.  Please make sure your child is well rested and has a healthy breakfast.  The test covering tables and coordinate graphing will be given on Wednesday.

Writing:  This week we will begin writing an information piece.  All students will be expected to chose an American Indian Tribe to write about.  

Reading:  We will be finishing the book “Guests” this week and complete additional activities that go along with it.  

Social Studies:  Students will be concluding the unit about American Indians this week.  Once again, I have enjoyed teaching it and I believe the students have all enjoyed learning about the cultures of the various regions.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In honor of this, I would like to promote Breast Cancer Awareness with 5th graders. PLEASE WEAR PINK ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15!!

Monday, October 7, 2013

Monday, October 7, 2013

MEAP Mania begins tomorrow!   You should have received a note home today regarding the MEAP test.  Please read it through carefully and let me know if you have questions.

Conference Slips – conferences have been scheduled and confirmation notices were sent home on Friday.  Please return them as soon as possible.

Writing – In writing, students are working on persuasive pieces, which will also be used as a speaking assignment.  Each child has chosen a fruit or vegetable to try to get their classmates to vote for.  I am hoping these speeches and the voting will all take place on Thursday of this week.  Some students have asked if they may bring in their fruit/veggie for classmates to try and the answer is YES!!

Math – Please, please, please keep practicing the multiplication and division facts at home!  During our RTI time our goal is to get everyone to fluently multiply two digit by two digit numbers and divide a triple digit by a single digit.  Our fifth grade math lessons are about reading charts, tables, and graphs.

Reading – Together we are reading the book titled “Guests” by Michael Dorris.

Social Studies – We are learning about the American Indian Cultures on the North American continent prior to the Europeans arrival. 

Have  a great week!

September 22, 2013

September 22, 2013

Greeting everyone!  Here is a peek at what the class of 2013-2104 will be up to this week.

Writing – We will be working on opinion pieces of writing, focusing on supporting our opinion with details and also using linking words to keep the piece flowing.

Math – This week we will continue reviewing 4^th grade skills and also start our first unit. 

Reading – In our reading lessons we will focus on themes and making connections to what we read.

Social Studies – Chapter two will teach us more about how the natives came to the North and South American continents and how the natives adapted to their environment.  A test will be given on Friday.

Conferences – You should have received a letter regarding conferences.  It is a blue paper that was sent home on Friday.  Please know that the conferences will be student led, so your child needs to be available as well. 

Looking Ahead

Next week is sure to be a busy one!  In writing we will be writing bio poems.  Math lessons will continue to be preparing us for the MEAP test.  This week will will be focusing on multiplication, division and fraction review.  We will be reading some awesome books by Patricia Polacco and responding to them in our reading journals.  In our Social Studies lessons, we will be learning about geography.

Students will be taking the SRI test on Friday morning. 

Wednesday is 9/11.  All students are asked to wear red, white and blue!

On Friday, we will have sit and sip.  Each child may bring one can or bottle of pop.  Please do not send RED beverages or beverages that are known to have lots of caffine.  Students are not allowed to call home or use the pop machine in the teacher's lounge if they forget.  It is always wise to plan ahead!

Bloopers!

Sidewalk Chalk Math!

First Day

September 3, 2013 Today was a day filled with getting to know each other, creating our class rules, learning classroom and lunchroom procedures and doing some reading. I began reading aloud a book titled “Wonder.” Please ask your child what they know about it thus far. In addition, each child has accepted the “40 Book Challenge!” All of us have set a goal of reading 40 books this year! I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm the kids had as they chose books to read. Many of the students brought their book home, so please make sure it comes back to school every day. How about setting a great example and making the “40 Book Challenge” your personal challenge as well?! We did do a little bit of math and will continue with MEAP review. The best way for you to help at home at this point is reviewing 4 digit adding, subtracting with borrowing, multiplication (4 digit by 1 digit and 2 digit by 2 digit) with your child. On Wednesday we will begin our switches with both Mrs. Blowers and Miss Michell. Our class will be in Mrs. Blower’s room daily between 12:55 and 1:25 for science instruction. They be in Miss Michell’s room daily from 2:50 – 3:20 for word study instruction (which is spelling and other activities). Check back soon for further updates