Week 16

It's hard to believe that 2014 is almost over. I had a few issues with the blog but I'm hoping that everything is worked out now. I'm hoping to make this useful for you as a form of getting information about the class and upcoming events. I'll continue to post pictures and videos when we make them. Be sure to check out the video below. There are many pictures from Howell Nature Center camp.

We are planning on having a class party on Friday. Students have made suggestions as to what they would like to have. We have limited timing due to science, social studies, and an assembly but we will get in the fun with each other while we can!

The students are actively using their gmail accounts. They are learning to create many of their assignments in this way and share them with me. They are also learning to share documents with one another and work on a shared document.

All students have submitted their ideas for science fair. I will help out anyone who needs it. Students should always be prepared to work on this at school if they need help. It will happen during lunch recess for the most part.

Winter Survival is January 16th. This is a full day trip (9:30 - 2:30). If you are interested in  coming with us, please email me or send in a note. The role of a chaperone on this trip is to monitor the group(s) that you are assigned to. Students are encouraged to do all of the work themselves. You will get more information about this when we return from break.

In the spring, students will be taking the M-Step. This is a standardized test that is replacing the MEAP. There is a practice site that students can go to. I highly encourage you to have your child practice this test. It will be very different than what they have experienced in the past. We will have some opportunities to work on this in school but anything additional will be helpful. Here is the link to the practice site:  M-Step practice site

Fifth grade camp

Week 11

I hope everyone found out lots of details about camp. I will be posting some pictures on the class picture link. The kids all did a great job and we had a lot of fun!

Math - The students will be taking their Unit 3 math test on Wednesday. They need to be able to measure angles, name them, and find missing measurements.

Reading - We will be starting a unit on non-fiction text and biographies. The students will be learning about the different types of text structures.

Science - We will be making containers that will keep an ice cube from melting. Students will need to come up with items that they think will make good insulators.

Dates to know:
11/13/14 - Picture retakes
11/24/14 - Report letters go home
11/26/14 - 11/28/14 - No School - Thanksgiving break

Week 9

Conferences- These will continue this week. My last day of conferences is Wednesday. Please look for your reminder. If you are unable to make your time, email or send in a note.

Camp - If there is anything you need to be ready for camp, please let us know at school. We want to be sure that everyone is prepared. It has been very cold in the mornings and the evenings. The students need to be prepared to be outside in the cool mornings and nights. If you have an extra older large duffle bag or smaller suitcase that a student could use, please let me know.

Halloween - We will not be having a Halloween party on Friday. We will though, following the 5th grade tradition, have spirit day. It always falls on the Friday before UM homecoming. All students are encouraged to dress up in spirit wear to support whatever school they wish. Students are allowed to be creative as long as their gear does not interfere with being able to participate appropriately during class time. At lunch time the classes will be judged on their gear and the winning class will take the trophy to their classroom! Let's get that trophy back!!!! Check out the class pictures link for photos from last year...

Week 8

Conferences - These are beginning this week. Look out for your reminder to come home if your conference is Tuesday or Thursday of this week. Conferences are 25 minutes long. Please be one time. I will do everything I can to start and end these on time. If your child is able to come to the conference that would be great. We will be looking over and setting goals.

Math - Unit 3 is the geometry unit. In order to be secure students need to be able to measure accurately with a protractor, solve problems with unknown angles, and know the different types of angle measurements and names. The students also need to have an understanding that the interior angles of a triangle equal 180 degrees and the interior angles of a quadrilateral equal 360 degrees.

For some students this can be a tricky unit. Please reinforce these ideas at home as well as encourage your child to explain the accurate way of measuring an angle. If he or she is able to explain this, they are more likely to be able to do this accurately.

Reading - We are continuing to work on understanding the difference between character traits and emotions. We are also working with the students on the different types of conflicts that can be found in realistic fiction texts. Your child should be able to talk to you about person vs. person, self, nature, and society.

Writing - Students had an opportunity to log on to their google accounts last week. I had them work in small groups on the a document in the google drive. We had an interesting start with this and hope to continue to use this throughout the year.

Science - The energy unit is continuing. The students are working on understanding the big ideas of energy. Ask about this! Check out the pictures page to see what it looked like when we "raced" our boats.

Camp - As I'm sure you know by now, camp is on! If you need another copy of the packing list, please send me an email. I will forward it to you. Remember, camp is November 5-7. There is no school on November 4. You should make arrangements to pick your child up from school when we get back from camp on Nov. 7. If you are unable to pick up your child but have someone else who can, please send in a note letting us know. We can not release your child to someone unless we have this.

Week 7

Math - On Monday we took the Unit 2 test. Most of the students finished although some will need to finish on Tuesday morning. Look at an earlier post for the outcomes for Unit 2.

Reading - Students are working on learning about character traits and how characters change in a story. This is something that you can ask your child about when he or she does 30 minutes of reading every night.

Camp Update - It looks like we are a go for camp. Please be sure to check your camp packing list for the items that you need to be prepared. We will keep families updated as we receive more information.

Family Movie Night - This Friday at the Bryant Gym from 5:30 - 8pm. Students must be accompanied by a parent or other adult.

Conferences are beginning next week. I will be sending home reminders. Please bring your child with you to the conference if this is possible. It is helpful for goal setting purposes. 

Week 6
Charleston Wrap Fundraiser due October 6. 
If you forgot to send it in, please send it in on Tuesday.

The Unit 2 math test will be given by the end of the week. Last week's post has the outcomes listed. Many students are still struggling with place value and rounding numbers. There are free online resources that your child can use to practice these areas.

We are continuing to study different types of energy in science class. Ask your child to name the 8 types of energy and give an example of each.

Thank you to everyone who turned in the camp packets. If any information is missing, you will get the paper back with a note. Be sure to look over the packing list with your child. If there are any items that you are unable to get, let me know and we will figure it out! The weather is constantly changing so you should start looking at the Howell area near the end of the month. Warm gloves, a hat, and boots are almost always a must!

Looking ahead...
Family Movie Night at Bryant - October 17 from 5:30 - 8:00 pm
No school for students - Tuesday, November 4
Fifth grade camp - Wednesday, November 5 - Friday, November 7
Pattengill picture retakes - November 13
Report cards go home - Tuesday, November 25