Winter Wonderland Wednesday

Only 2 more days to go.... The kids are very excited about the winter holidays.

Language Arts
Thank you parent volunteers for coming in today and helping with our 3-d snow flakes. Your help is going to help us turn our ELA into a winter wonderland when we get back from break. We also worked on reviewing grammar and in our handwriting books. We got to read with our reading buddies today as well.

Math
We reviewed for tomorrow's test. The whole test is based on equivalent fractions. The students seemed very prepared today. Please look over their review tonight for the test tomorrow.

Art Smart
We have the best Art Smart parents around!! Today we learned all about Rene Magritte. He was a surrealist who liked to paint unexpected things. A boulder floating over the ocean and an apple the size of a room are 2 examples. Today we painted bottles and tried to add something unexpected to them. They look great! Thank you, Moms for helping us!

Mini-Mall
Tomorrow is the mini-mall. We will be shopping tomorrow after lunch.

Terrific Tuesday

Language Arts
Today we finished up our book boxes. What a great group of projects. It was great to see what all the kids put into the boxes to represent their books. It was even better to hear kids say: "I picked this book because of so and so's book project last year." We also practiced our grammar skills using a mad-lib. This is a fun way to practice skills and makes a great stocking stuffer or game for long trips on the road. We also went to music and PE.

Don't forget the camp under tomorrow. You can bring in blankets, pillows, and books to spend some time reading under the tables.

Math
We practiced the skills that will be on Thursday's test. We will continue to practice those skills tomorrow.

Science
We took our test today. It has been a pleasure working with Mrs. Suddarth's class again. When we come back after break we will restart rotations.

Art Smart Tomorrow
We will be painting. Wear clothes that can get dirty!

Magical Monday

I hope everyone's weekend was wonderful. One more week to go!

Language Arts:
We continued working on our handwriting today. The day of all cursive, all the time is swiftly approaching. We also heard more reading box presentations. There were many interesting books read over the last quarter. We also did a writer's marathon on TV. This is a subject that the students seem to be pretty passionate about! Students also went to the library.
No homework this week.

Math
Today we worked on how to construct a circle graph. Tomorrow we will review for the unit 5 test. The test will be on Thursday. No homework today!

Science
We reviewed for the science test tomorrow.

5th Grade Girl's and Boy's Basketball
It's not too late to sign up for basketball. Ms. Brown is accepting registrations through Friday.

We Need Your Help! (Language Arts Parents)

Attention all Language Arts Parents:
Can you lend us an hour or two next Wednesday morning from 8:00-9:30? We need your help! We've seen the snow falling, we've played in it, we've written about it, now we're going to create some of our own! We need some volunteers to come in and help us make 3-D snowflakes for our bulletin boards! It's not a hard project, it will just be easier with more adults helping out! Look for a form to fill out in your child's take home folder today!!

Language Arts
Today was assessment day. We took assessments. Then we began box presentations! Wow, I am impressed with the quality of work. Great job, kids!

Math
We practiced math skills today. Mental math, fractions, decimals, place value, and computation were all reviewed. There will be a math test Thursday!

Science
We discovered what would happen if we turned a compass into an electromagnet. Don't forget the science test is next Tuesday!

A Thursday.....

Good Afternoon! Don't Forget the following reminders.

Reminders
-Donations for our sponsor a family event are due tomorrow.
-Science Expo proposal is due on Wednesday, January 7
-Science Expo project is due on Friday, January 30
-Science Expo is Wednesday, February 4th

Language Arts
Today we practiced handwriting: c and q. We learned about ex- and an-. We practiced answering questions for ISTEP and reading assessments. We proofread a paragraph and looked for verb usage mistakes. We also had music and gym. Don't forget fluency and flow is due tomorrow. So is the 2nd quarter reading projects.

Math
We practiced division and using percent circles. Study link 5.10 was assigned. It has two sides.

Science
We used an electromagnet to make a telegraph. Tomorrow we will see how an electromagnet effects a compass.

Dare to be Drug Free!

Thank you to all of the parents who came out for our DARE graduation. I am so proud of the work that the students did in this very important program.

Reminders
-Mini Mall papers are due tomorrow
-Donations for our sponsor a family event are due tomorrow.
-Science Expo proposal is due on Wednesday, January 7
-Science Expo project is due on Friday, January 30
-Science Expo is Wednesday, February 4th

Language Arts
We worked in small groups on a variety of skills today. We practiced adding endings to verbs, we wrote about a job we could have, we read independently and in small groups with a teacher. We also worked on helping verbs and main verbs and practiced our handwriting: a,d,g, and o. We also met with our 1st grade reading buddies.

Math
We worked on graphs today. We introduced circle graphs. We practiced double digit multiplication, prime and composite numbers, finding missing numbers in a sequence, and drawing circles with a specific radius. Our studylink is 5.9

Science
Today we tried to make our electromagnets stronger. We found out that having more coils around a core is one strategy. Another strategy is to make sure that the coils are tight. We added another d-cell and that worked too. We also tried thicker wire and that also worked. Tomorrow we are going to use the discoveries that we made about electromagnets to help us build a piece of technology that will help us communicate. What could it be?

Totally Tuesday

What's worse rain or snow? As another teacher's said, "It's rather ducky out there!"

*****News Alert *******
Science Expo papers went home today! Every child in 4th and 5th grade received a packet that explains science expo today. All 4th and 5th graders need to participate in this event!
Here are some important dates to remember:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 - Science Expo Proposal is due! (You can always turn it in early)
Friday, January 30, 2009 - Science Expo Project is due!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - Science Expo in the gym.

If you have any questions about the expo after reading the packet, please contact me.

Language Arts
Today we learned 3 new roots for our vocabulary vine. They are contra - Which means opposite or against, re- (actually it's a prefix) that means back or again and able (ible) which means able to. We reviewed our story by comparing and contrasting the organizations in the story using a venn diagram. We also looked at words that give us clues to comparing and contrasting. Words like on the other hand and similarly. We also sorted our spelling words and wrote them in sentences. Keep working on fluency and flow.

Math
We practiced putting fractions in lowest terms and also did a brief check-up to see how we were retaining what we have learned in this unit. No homework tonight.

Science
We built an electormagnet today. We learned that the wire is coiled around the core (rivit) and then attached to a power source (in this case a d-cell) and switch. This allowed us to make a magnet that turns on and off. Tomorrow we will see how we can make the electromagnet stronger. Looking ahead: Our final science test will be on Tuesday of next week.

Marvelous Monday

I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.

Language Arts
Today we read the story "Kid Reporters at Work." This is a Time for Kids article about the work that kid reporters due for the magazine. Our vocabulary words are identified, enterprising, persistence, and venture. Our comprehension skill is summarizing and compare and contrasting.
Our grammar skill is main and helping verbs. Everyone will be taking the on-level spelling test this week. Fluency and Flow went home as homework. Here are the expectations:
1. Read the story to an adult and have the adult sign.
2. Answer the 4 questions on page 337.
3. Match the vocabulary words to the synonyms.
4. Draw two posters (one on each side of the page) according to the paper.

Math
Today we practiced converting fractions to decimals to percents. We also worked on finding the percents of numbers and what percents mean. Study Link 5.8 was assigned as homework.

Science
We reviewed parallel and series circuits today. Tomorrow we will build an electromagnet.

Frightfully Cold Friday

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Don't forget DARE graduation next week

Language Arts
We took our normal weekly assessments this week. As I've looked them over, I've noticed that we need to slow down and read all directions very carefully! Look for them to come home with your student on Monday. We also worked on a writing project about a snowy day. These projects are going to eventually be hanging in our ELA.

Book orders are coming home today. They are due on Monday. No exceptions. I have to get the order in on Monday in order to get the books home to you by winter break.

Math
Today was game day. We practiced mental math strategies, math facts, place value concepts, and converting fractions to decimals.

Science
We applied what we know about series and paralles circuits to a real life problem: What kind of circuit makes the best string of lights and why? If you have stringed lights around your house have your child try to figure out if they are parallel circuits or series circuits.

McDonald's Night was a Success!!!

The school raised over $500.00 at McDonald's last night. Way to go!

Toy/Clothing Drive
Another teacher was in my room today commenting on the amount of things piled in front of the white board. You are all so generous. Thank you! We will be accepting donations until next Thursday!

Dare essays are due on Monday! Graduation is on Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 in the cafeteria

Language Arts
Today we practiced handwriting. Be aware that after the winter holidays we will be shifting to all cursive, all the time. We also worked on verb tenses and reread our story. Tomorrow is assessment day! Fluency and Flow is also due!
We had specials today. A note from the music teacher: All students are expected to practice their recorders at home. :)

Math
We continued working on converting fractions to decimals. We decided that using a calculator produces the most accurate results. We also learned what to do with repeating decimals. Study Link 5.7 is due tomorrow. Students may use a calculator to help.

Science
Today we learned how to light two light-bulbs with one d-cell. The trick is to use a parallel circuit. In a parallel circuit, the electricity has two pathways to follow. This lights up more than one electrical receiver. As an added bonus, if one light bulb burns out the other light bulb will keep working. Tomorrow there will be a written assignment about parallel and series circuit.

Do you want fries with that?

Thank you for your generous gifts to our families in need. More toys and clothes came in today. I know that the families we are helping are going to be so thankful! All donations are due by December 11.

Dates to remember:
Tonight - McTeacher night at the Granger McDonald's restaurant. Do you want fries with that? This is a fundraiser as well as a fun night. McDonald's donates part of the money spent tonight back to the school.

Next Wednesday, December 10 - Dare Graduation! Our 5th grade will graduate from drug resistance classes. The graduation will be from 9:00-10:00 in the school cafeteria.

Language Arts
Today we wrote about what we would do on a snowy day. This writing will be displayed in our ELA soon. We read with our reading buddies today. We also did Language Arts Centers. We did some word work with dictionaries and prefixes, wrote about an inspiring person, had some independent reading practice and met in small groups to read leveled readers. In small groups we discussed biographies, the stories, and what the author's purpose was in writing the story. If a student didn't finish his center paper, it is homework!

Math
Today we worked on converting fractions to decimals. To help us we used fraction sticks. We also reviewed measurements and worked on various skills in our math boxes. Study link 5.6 was assigned.

Science
It was great to work with Mrs Suddarth's class today. We reviewed what we knew about electricity. We then took things one step further. We built a series circuit today that used two light bulbs. The lights were very weak so we added another battery. That made the lights brighter. Tomorrow students will get the notes for the entire unit. Some of the things that are on the notes we won't have covered yet. The final test for electricity will be on or about December 16.

Thanks for sharing your kids with me.

Brrrr! It's cold out there!

The kids went outside for recess today. I hope that they were prepared!

Service Project
More items came in today! Thank you so much for your generous donations. Our family is going to have a very happy holiday season. Please remember to turn all donations in by Thursday, December 11.

DARE Graduation
DARE graduation is Wednesday, December 10th from 9:00-10:00 in the school cafeteria. We hope to see you there.

Mini-Mall
We are having a mini-mall on Thursday December 18th in the afternoon. All business proposal forms are due on Wednesday, December 10th. Please remember that business can only have 2 people in them.

Language Arts
Today was a typical Tuesday. We learned two new Greek and Latin roots. Tday our focus was on fer which means to bring, carry, or bear. Our second word root was Sub- which means underneath. Be on the lookout for these roots in your reading. We also sorted our spelling words by silent letter and matched words with definitions. We then read the story "My Brother Martin" with a partner. Next, we wrote down all the words we think of when we think of snow. Tomorrow we will use the words in a writing project. Finally we went to music and gym.

Math
We continued to look into equivalent fractions. Today we used equivalent fractions to change a fraction into a decimal. For example 3/4 =75/100=0.75. We also looked quickly at rounding decimals. Our study link was 5.5

Science
Today was the day where they got to show what they know! We tested over electricity today. Today also ended our science rotation. When they come back next time we will be talking about different landforms. I am looking forward to starting the rotation with Mrs. Suddarth's class tomorrow.

It's beginning to look a lot like ......

Winter! The weather has turned colder and the snow is flying. Please make sure that your child comes prepared for the elements outside. We usually go outside in winter unless the windchill is below zero. Hats, gloves, scarfs, an boots are necessary items now.

Our service project
Thanks to everyone who brought in things for our family today. We have some toys, books, and clothes. Thank you so much for your generosity. Please make sure that you have all your items that you will be donating to school by December 11. That will allow us to make sure that all of the children have something to open and to fill any gaps.

Language Arts
Our story this week is My Brother Martin. It is a story about Martin Luther King's childhood and was written by his sister. Our vocabulary words are: unfair, ancestors, numerous, segregation, unsuspecting, avoided and injustice. Our vocabulary skill is word parts, prefixes in particular. Our comprehension skill is evaluation and author's purpose. Our spelling sill is words with silent letters. We are not differentiating spelling this week. All children will be ont he on-level test. Our grammar skill this week is verb tenses.

Fluency and Flow went home today. Here are the expectations.
1. Read the story to an adult and have the adult sign.
2. Answer the questions at the end of the story.
3. Do the word workout with an adult and have the adult sign.
4. Pick a person on the skill sheet and write a letter from that person's point of view.

Math
Today we continued working with fractions. Our focus today was finding equivalent fractions. We discovered that if you multiply both parts of the fraction by the same number you will get equivalent fractions. Homework: Study Link 5.4

Science
Today we reviewed the worksheets from last week and discussed tomorrow's test. The kids asked if it would be open note. I told them that it must likely would be but that I still expected them to study!

Enjoy the weather.