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.