December 16 - 20

We've finally had our first snowstorm!  I hope that everyone was able to stay warm and safe over the weekend.  We have one more week to go until Winter Break.

Writing Assignment due Wednesday!

We have a few things that need to be completed this week.  Students have an essay, My Favorite Colony, that they have been working on for a couple of weeks.  This is due on Wednesday, December 18.  We have had a lot of time to work on this in class and the students have been encouraged to take it home if they felt necessary.  Fifth graders need to begin to make these decisions about their work at this point.  

Math

We are continuing to work on Unit 5.  Part of this is converting fractions to decimals to percentages.  This can be tricky work at times.  Luckily, many of the students have been putting in daily time on their Xtramath work.  This multiplication work will help this to go much more smoothly.  

Class Party

The class voted and decided to have a party on Friday, December 20.  We will have a short discussion in class about this.  I will be sending home a note about this.  It would be much appreciated if you could donate something.  

Over Break...

It is important that your child continue to work on Xtramath, reading, coolmath.com, and any other work that will help your child come back to school ready in January.  Have a safe and wonderful break!!

December 2 - 6

Math: We are starting Unit 5 this week.  Our focus will be on fractions, decimals, and percentages.  Remember that your child should be working on Xtramath.com at least 3 times per week.  If this can not be done at home, I will give your child time do this at school.

Reading: Our new focus in reading is going to be non-fiction text.  We will be analyzing the structure of the texts as well as identifying main ideas and details.

Writing: Our writing focus is similar to what we will be working on in reading.  Students will be writing an essay that has them choose a colony from the original 13.  The essay will state why they think that the colony would be the best.

Science: We are continuing to work on our energy unit.  This week we will be learning about conductors and insulators.  Check out the class pictures page for photos of our last temperature experiment.


Book Fair!! The book fair is coming soon.  Our class will visit the book fair next Monday afternoon (December 9).  The book fair will run from Dec. 10 - 13.  Family night will be December 11th beginning at 6:30 pm.

Click on the class pictures and check out a few from camp.  Having wi-fi trouble so I'll load them on when I can get it!!

The class is having a great time!!!

November 4 - November 8
IT'S HERE!!!  Camp Time!!
It's hard to believe that we have made it.  Time to go to camp on Wednesday.  Students will be getting their bunk and travel group assignments on Monday, November 4th.  Because there is no school on Tuesday, if you have questions about camp feel free to email me or call me.

Please be sure to check the weather for the Howell Nature Center Area.  The zip code is 48843. When I last checked, the prediction was 100% chance of rain on Wednesday.  Your child will need a hooded rain poncho that can be worn over a warm coat.  Don't forget thick socks and gloves!

I will be updating the blog with pictures from camp.  Check there to see the fun that your child is having!

New News....
Please be sure to check the link for the Class Newsletter.  The students are creating newsletters that are informational and will help you know what we are doing in class as well as any needs we may have.  Thank you to Rina, Renee, Berk, Nathaniel, Keely, and Brian for their hard work on this first one!

October 28 - November 1

Math
We have been working on recognizing and naming polygons as well as measuring angles.  The students will be taking a practice test by mid-week and a final test on Monday, November 4th.  

Science
We are underway with our Energy science unit.  Be sure to ask your child about the 8 different types of energy that we will be studying.

Coming Soon
The students are now working on a class newsletter.  This will be added to a tab on the class blog.  They will write short articles about what we have done or upcoming events.  Each student will have an opportunity to be an editor or a contributor throughout the year.

Camp!!!
It's hard to believe that it is almost here!!  Be sure to check the zip code for Howell Nature Center (48843) when you check what to pack. Please email me if you have further questions.  Students will learn their cabin and travel groups on Monday, November 4th.

NO SCHOOL ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5th

Just a reminder that we do not wear costumes to school for Halloween.

October 14 - 18

MEAP testing - Please be sure that your child gets a good night's sleep and a good breakfast in the morning.  If you want to send in a snack (for your child or the class) please be sure to remember our no nuts policy.

Math: Tuesday, October 15

Science: Wednesday, October 16

Parent Camp Meeting

Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00 pm will be the parent meeting for camp.  Come join us in the cafeteria to learn more about what to expect from camp and ask your questions.

Math

This week we will be working on measuring angles, using a compass, and a protractor.  We will not have math homework on Tuesday but should on the other days.  Please remember that your child should be working on Xtramath at least 3 days a week.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Conferences begin Monday, October 14th.  I will be sending reminders home with your conference time.  Please be sure to be on time.  Please have your child attend the conference if possible.

Movie Night at Bryant

Friday, October 18th is this year's first movie night at Bryant.  The time is 5:30 - 8:00pm.  The movie is Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked!

September 30 - October 4

Wednesday, October 2 - Student Count Day
Please make every effort to have your child be at school on this important day.

Thursday, October 3 - School Picture Day!
Pictures can be ordered online.  It's easy and you don't have to worry about sending in money or forms to school.

Book Orders due  - October 5th
Click on the link to the right to order on line or send in cash or checks (made out to Scholastic Books) and the order form

Friday Spirit Day - 3rd Annual Spirit Day
Show your school spirit (UM, Pattengill or any of your choice).  Help bring the trophy back to Room A-8!!  Dress up in your wildest gear, face tattoos, or hair paint.  Be creative and bring a good sportsman attitude to cheer our class on!

Can you estimate?

Students were given the challenge to estimate the number of M & Ms in a plastic container.  They had to explain the mathematical reasoning behind their guess.  Congratulations Rina on using what you know about finding the volume of a container in order to get the closest guess!  The total?  1033.  Thank you Ms. Lock for counting all of those M & Ms!

Winter Survival Date!

January 24, 2014 is the date we were given for Winter Survival.  We will be at Frains Lake, leaving the school around 9:30 and returning around 2:30.  Please consider being a chaperone for this trip!  Let me know if you will be available.  We will need about 5 adults.  

September 23 - 27

Math 

The students took their test for Unit 1 in math.  They have seen their scores so be sure to ask about this. I will send the test home as soon as I have access to the report cards and can input their scores.  The Parent Letter for Unit 2 came home last week.  We are working on adding and subtracting decimals as well as making accurate and reasonable estimations.  The following link will take you to the report card.  You can look at the math page to see what your child should know by the end of each unit.

Fifth Grade Report Form

Reading 

The fifth grade students have started working with their reading teacher.  There is a general expectation that the students will all be reading for 30 minutes each night.  This could be an independent book from school or home.  Your child may also need to read in a guided reading book.  You can help your child out by asking questions about what they have read.  

Science 

We are continuing to review in science in preparation for the MEAP.  

Social Studies 

The students will soon be studying the 50 states and capitals.  They will get 5 new states at a time.  Look for this to come home soon.

Charleston Wrap Fundraiser 

The fundraiser came home last week.  Students have an opportunity to help raise money for the school as well as win prizes for themselves.  This is due back to school on October 7

Block out Bullying Field Trip

The kids had a great time at the field trip.  We got a chance to see a great game of volleyball and get a look at the new Crisler arena.

September 16 - 20

When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.

Each month the class will be given a precept (general rule about behavior or thoughts) about which to write.  I will post them on the blog.  We will also talk about them in class.

The class has been working on learning about PBIS.  We will be taking a field trip on Friday to Crisler for the Women's Volleyball "Block Out Bullying" field trip.  Look for the permission slip to come home on Monday.  Please pack a lunch that day or let me know if you need one from the cafeteria.

Math
The students have been learning about prime and composite numbers as well as factors and pairs.  They will be having a quiz on Tuesday about this.  Be sure to ask them about this!

Reading
Reading classes will be starting on Tuesday.  Due to the NWEA testing we will only have reading on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  The fifth grade team is hoping that we will have a more regular schedule starting next week.

Anyone who was unable to attend Curriculum Night can still sign up for a conference.  If you did not receive a note from me, please let me know!  I look forward to meeting with all of you.

NWEA cancelled until further notice!
As soon as this is rescheduled I will post our new dates.

September 9 - 13

We have made it through the first week!  Everything seems to be going smoothly.  I'm really enjoying getting to know your children.

Curriculum Night: Tuesday, September 10
Come to the auditorium at 6:30.  Meet all of the teachers and hear about the great things going on at school this year.  At 7:00 come to room A8 and hear about what will happen in 5th grade this year.  At 7:30 you will have an opportunity to meet the special area teachers.

Planners
Please be sure that you are checking your child's planner every evening.  The homework assignments should be written in there.  It is important that you sign the planner nightly and that your child returns it to school the next day.

NWEA
Our first round of testing is upon us.  We will be taking the reading portion on Tuesday, September 10 at 2:15.  We will be taking the math portion on Wednesday, September 19 at 1pm.  If possible, please be sure that your child is at school at that time.

Here is a link to the class pictures.

Chaperones Needed!

DIA Field Trip
On Tuesday, April 30, we will be taking a trip to the Detroit Institute of Art.  We are in need of chaperones to attend this trip with our class.  If you are able to join us, please send in a note or email me letting me know.  The trip is from 9:15 - 1:30.

Math Test
We are anticipating the math test for Unit 8 to be next Friday.  Students should be able to add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators, find fractions of a whole set, and convert from fractions to decimals to percentages.  If your child is having any difficulty with these types of problems, he or she should be sure to speak with Ms. Declercq or Mrs. Embry.

DIA Trip 

We will be taking a field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts on Tuesday, April 30th.  Look for the field trip forms next week.  The admission is $4 and each student will also need to bring a sack lunch.  It should be in a paper bag that can be disposed of when done.

MATH TEST

It looks like our Unit 7 practice test will be Friday, March 15.  That will give you the weekend to review or practice anything you are still having difficulty with.  The actual test will be Monday, March 18th.  Be sure to ask any questions you may have.  Those positive and negative numbers can be tricky!!

March is Reading Month

The Read - A - Thon is on!  Be sure that you are reading for at least 30 minutes every night.  Get a ticket filled out, signed, and brought back in to school.  Add to our class minutes!  Read A Thon runs from March 1-13.