Friday, October 14, 2011

Newsletter for the week of Oct. 17

Reading: This week in reading, we will read an exert from the story Dear Mrs. Parks.  We will focus on drawing conclusions, making inferences, and continue working on figurative language.  We will also start working on the extended response.  This week will be a mini extended response.  The requirements for the extended response are: TTQA, answer, evidence, interpretation, and reflection.  For the mini extended response we will not focus on the interpretation.  On Wednesday, I will model how to write one with the following question: What character traits does Mrs. Parks show?  Then on Thursday the students will work with a partner to answer the following question: Why do you think Mrs. Parks took the time out of her busy life to carry on correspondence with young people?  We will also continue to focus on vocabulary.  These words will be focused on during the story: ridiculed, dignity, counsel, potential, inspire, correspondence, and mentor.

Book Report: The next book report is due on October 31, and the students will present this to the class.  For this report, they will need to make a newspaper page.  The assignment has the requirements copied on the back.  If you have any questions about this report please let me know. 

Math: In math we started unit 3. The first two lessons focused on data collection, organization, and interpreting data. The third lesson focused on finding the measurements of angles inside a polygon without using a protractor. The students will use a circle to figure out these measurements.  This week we will work on the different types of angles and measuring them using a protractor.  The acute angle is less than 90 degrees.  An obtuse angle is greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.  A right angle is exactly 90 degrees, and a reflex angle is greater than 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees.  Then they will learn about the radius and the diameter of a circle.  They will also learn about the measurements of vertical and adjacent angles.  Adjacent angles form a straight angle so the sum of the angles equal 180 degrees.  Vertical angles have the same measurement.  They will also learn about the different types of triangles, and how to use a compass to copy them.  The next two lessons will focus on the properties of polygons and tessellations.

Writing: This week in writing, we will write the final copies to their memoirs. I will finish conferencing with students.  There will also be mini lessons on fluency, transitions, editing/revising, and using good word choice.  The students will also write a memoir from the point of view of their stuffed animal.  I hope to start these on Wednesday of this week.

Science: We will go back to science after finishing our social studies chapters for this quarter.

Social Studies: Chapter 4 was our first chapter in social studies, and this chapter focused on the Spanish building an empire in the Western hemisphere. The first lesson focused on Columbus's expeditions. The second lesson focused on longitude and latitude. The next lesson focused on the Spanish meeting the Aztec. This lesson also discussed how the Spanish defeated the Aztec empire. The last lesson for this chapter focused on how the Spanish built their new life in the Western hemisphere.  Last week we started chapter 5 which focused on other European nations starting to colonize in the Western hemisphere. The students learned about the lost colony of Roanoke and the first permanent colony Jamestown.  The test on Tuesday will be about the Spanish colonization, Columbus's expeditions, the lost colony of Roanoke, and Jamestown.  This week in groups, the students will also start to create their own colony and develop a vision of their colony 3 years out.  They will have to develop a political system, create a flag, name the colony, create a story of the discovery, map the location, figure out a 3 year plan to pay back their charter, and look at the economy.  Each group will then present their colony to the class.

Spelling Unit 7:
charged       spied       moving       trying       practicing       injured       carrying       tasted  
receiving       becoming       lying       dying       realized       provided       fried       created
tallied       carried       revising       wearing       approval       glimpse       braggart
sufficient       qualities       angered       sympathizing       whimpering       ricocheted      
crocheting       dyeing       murmured       panicking       identifying       resembling       tornado
cumulus       precipitation       evaporation       hurricane

HEALTHY SNACK LIST:
Due to life-threatening peanut/nuts/sesame allergies at every grade level and the fact that we change classes for math and flex groups, we are asking that no peanut/nut/sesame products be sent in for a nutritional snack. Also a list was sent home that stated the food items that will be allowed for snacks. The following items can be brought in: fruit, vegetable sticks, pretzels, cheese slices or cubes, raisins, cereal mix (i.e. Chex Mix), rice cakes, and crackers.

NEW READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
There is a new reading incentive program that Mrs. May is doing. To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes in a month. That is 20 minutes a night. To learn more about the program go to Mrs. May's blog at mwlmc.blogspot.com.

Important Dates:
Social Studies Test Tuesday, Oct. 18
Spelling Test Wednesday, October 19
Paw Print Redemption Thursday, October 20

Homework for Oct. 14

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Oct. 31

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5B Math - Test on Thursday

5V Math - Test Tuesday

Social Studies - Test on Tuesday

P.E. - Homework due on Monday

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Homework for Oct. 13

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Extra Credit Book Report due tomorrow

Spelling - Contract & Test due on Wednesday

5P Math - SL 3.3, Journal page 65 #s 1, 2, & 3

5B Math - SL 2.10, Test Thursday

5V Math - SL 2.10 #s 1-10, Test on Tuesday

P.E. Homework due on Monday

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Homework for Oct. 12

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Extra credit book report due on Friday

All Math Classes- If they did not finish their homework from yesterday they need to complete it for tomorrow.

Social Studies - Jamestown questions if they were not done.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Homework for Oct. 11

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Extra Credit Book Report due on Friday

Spelling - Contract & Test due on Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 3.2 #s 1, 2, and select 3 from the practice, Journal page 65 #s 2, 3 and select 1 from 6

5B Math - Study Link 2.9

5V Math - Study Link 2.9, Journal 2.9 #s 2, 3, & 5, Test

Market Day Order forms for pies are due on Oct. 19

Friday, October 7, 2011

Newsletter for the week of October 10

Reading: This week in reading, we will focus on poetry.  The students will read various poems with partners and work on their fluency skills.  We will also work on figurative language this week.  Students will learn about similes, metaphors, hyperboles, idioms, personification, and onomatopoeias.  Similes and metaphors compare two things.  The difference is that similes use like or as.  Onomatopoeias use words that actually sound like what it means.  For example, the words whack, bam, buzz, hiss are all onomatopoeias.  Hyperboles are exaggerations used for a dramatic effect.  Personification gives something human traits.  For example, the tulips bowed as we walked pass them.  An idiom is a common expression used to mean something else.  For example, it's raining cats and dogs.

Book Report:  The book report due on October 14 is an extra credit report.  The student have two options to select from.  Option #1: Write a letter to the main character in your book.  Tell him/her how you feel about him/her, and what he/she did in the book.  Would you have done anything differently?  Tell the main character your thoughts about the book.  Option #2: Make a book jacket for your book.  Be sure to include author, title, and illustration on the front cover.  On the inside flaps write a summary about the book.  Make sure you include the characters, setting, plot, conflict, and solution.

Math: In math we started unit 3.  The first two lessons focus on data collection, organization, and interpreting data.  The third lesson will focus on finding the measurements of angles inside a polygon without using a protractor.  The students will use a circle to figure out these measurements.

Writing: This week in writing, we will write the rough draft of their memoirs.  I will also conference with the students when they are finished writing their rough draft.  After they conference with me, they will write their final copy.  There will also be mini lessons on fluency, transitions, editing/revising, and using good word choice.  

Science: We will go back to science after finishing our social studies chapters for this quarter.

Social Studies: Chapter 4 was our first chapter in social studies, and this chapter focused on the Spanish building an empire in the Western hemisphere. The first lesson focused on Columbus's expeditions. The second lesson focused on longitude and latitude. The next lesson focused on the Spanish meeting the Aztec. This lesson also discussed how the Spanish defeated the Aztec empire. The last lesson for this chapter focused on how the Spanish built their new life in the Western hemisphere.  This week we will start chapter 5 which focuses on other European nations starting to colonize in the Western hemisphere.  The students will learn about the lost colony of Roanoke and the first permanent colony Jamestown.  They will also learn about the Dutch and the French starting colonies.  We have not taken a test because both of these chapters focus on the beginning of colonization in this hemisphere.

Spelling Unit 6:
treasure     capture     feature     pleasure     measure     creature     picture     adventure
mixture     structure     pasture     culture     literature     furniture     temperature    
legislature     immature     leisure     premature     signature     recruited     persistent
league     devastation     inspiration     caricature     assure     cashier     immeasurable
posture     overture     compromise     lethargic     beneficial     appreciative     vegetables
sentences     tolerate     debtor     elevation

HEALTHY SNACK LIST:
Due to life-threatening peanut/nuts/sesame allergies at every grade level and the fact that we change classes for math and flex groups, we are asking that no peanut/nut/sesame products be sent in for a nutritional snack. Also a list was sent home that stated the food items that will be allowed for snacks. The following items can be brought in: fruit, vegetable sticks, pretzels, cheese slices or cubes, raisins, cereal mix (i.e. Chex Mix), rice cakes, and crackers.

FAMILY READING NIGHT FOR GRADES 2-5: All the fifth grade teachers will be there.
Family Reading Night will take place on Tuesday, October 11 from 6:15 - 7:45 with the theme of Reading is for Meaning. The purpose of this evening is to be introduced to the different stages of reading and to understand that reading goes beyond word recognition. The primary focus will be on Newly Fluent and Truly Fluent readers through exploring text complexity in the various genres of literature. Matching readers to text that supports interactive and engaged reading is an important part of building student comprehension. Plan to come and attend 3 different breakout sessions. The registration form is due on Friday, October 7. You must register to attend.  If you still want to attend, you can send in the registration note on Tuesday.

NEW READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
There is a new reading incentive program that Mrs. May is doing. To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes in a month. That is 20 minutes a night. To learn more about the program go to Mrs. May's blog at mwlmc.blogspot.com.

Important Dates:
No School Monday, October 10
Fundraiser due on Tuesday, October 11
Spelling Test Wednesday, October 12
Family Reading Night Tuesday, October 11 from 6:00 - 8:00
Early Dismissal 12:15 on Wednesday, October 12

Homework for Oct. 7

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Extra Credit Book Report due on Oct. 14, Required Book Report due on Oct. 31

Spelling - Test & Contract due on Wednesday

Fundraiser due on Oct. 11

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Homework for Oct. 6

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Extra Credit book report due Oct. 14, TFK if they are not done

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday, Oct. 12

5P Math - Study Link 3.1

5B Math - Study Link 2.8

5V Math - Journal page 69 #s 3, 4, &5 2.8

Fundraiser due on Oct. 11

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Homework for Oct. 5

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Extra Credit book report due on Oct. 14

5B Math - Study Link 2.7 due Thursday

5V Math - Math boxes page 65 #s 3, 4, & 5

Picture Day tomorrow

Fundraiser due on Oct. 11

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Homework for October 4

Reading read 20 minutes, Extra Credit Book Report due on Oct. 14,

Spelling - Contract & Test due tomorrow

5P Math - Test tomorrow, Study Link 2.10 practice problems only

5B Math - Quiz tomorrow Review 2.3, 2.4, & 2.5, SMJ 2.7

5V Math - Pages 62 & 63, Mathboxes page 64 #s 1, 2, 3, & 4

Picture Day Thursday

Fundraiser due on Oct. 11

Monday, October 3, 2011

Homework for Oct. 3

Reading - Read 20 minutes

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 2.8, 2.9, Study Guide due tomorrow, Test on Wednesday

5B Math - Study Link 2.6

5V Math - Page 59 & 60, 61 # 1 & 4

Social Studies - Worksheet

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Newsletter for the week of October 3

Reading: This week in reading, we will finish the story Sees Behind Trees and read articles from Time for Kids.  On Monday, we will work on vocabulary and open ended responses from Sees Behind Trees.  With the TFK issue that focuses on Hurricane Irene, we will be making connections to our science unit.  Our focus skills for this week are making connections to real world situations before and during reading, making inferences while reading nonfiction texts, and using a combination of word analysis skills when attacking new words. With another TFK, which focuses on monarch butterflies, we will focus on the author's purpose for writing this article, and the students will have to find evidence to support their answer. 

Book Report:

Math: In math we are working on unit 2. The first lesson for unit 2 looked at developing strategies for estimating.  The second and third lessons focused on addition and subtraction.  We learned about open number sentences, and the students worked on interpreting data.  Last week the students learned about probability and estimating products.  They also worked on multiplying using partial product, lattice, and the traditional method.  This week we will finish this unit working on place value and reviewing multiplication.  The test is on Wednesday.

Writing: This week in writing, we will continue learning about memoirs.  The students will finish looking at different author's memoirs and analyzing the components that make up a memoir. After looking at these components, we will define what a memoir is and look at the structure of a memoir.  The memoir will be introduced to the students by making a special memory map and placing a X on the map marking an important image.  From there the students will give an oral telling of their special place to different students in the class.  After the oral telling, we will start planning out our memoir, and the students will start writing a rough draft.  There will also be a short lesson on using transitions in our writing.  On Friday, we will do another debate on using social-network sites.  One of our issues of Time for Kids poses the following question: Should kids use social-networking sites? 

Science: We will go back to science after finishing our social studies chapters for this quarter.

Social Studies: We started social studies last Thursday.  Chapter 4 will be our first chapter in social studies, and this chapter focuses on the Spanish building an empire in the Western hemisphere.  The first lesson will focus on Columbus's expeditions.  The second lesson will focus on longitude and latitude.  The next lesson will focus on the Spanish meeting the Aztec.  This lesson will also discuss on the Spanish defeated the Aztec empire.  The last lesson for this chapter will focus on how the Spanish built their new life in the Western hemisphere.

Spelling Unit 5:
percent     absence     years     refused     ancient     pressure     machine     notice     scene
station     social     special     parachute     specialty     detention      constitution    
advertisement     advise     cities     chalet     sincere     tissue     resident     magician     medicine
appreciate     atrocious     innocence     intercept     asymmetrical     symmetry     cemetery
ceremony     scenic     permission     Sachem     tentative     servant     cash crop     multiplication

HEALTHY SNACK LIST:
Due to life-threatening peanut/nuts/sesame allergies at every grade level and the fact that we change classes for math and flex groups, we are asking that no peanut/nut/sesame products be sent in for a nutritional snack.  Also a list was sent home that stated the food items that will be allowed for snacks.  The following items can be brought in: fruit, vegetable sticks, pretzels, cheese slices or cubes, raisins, cereal mix (i.e. Chex Mix), rice cakes, and crackers. 

FAMILY READING NIGHT FOR GRADES 2-5:
Family Reading Night will take place on Tuesday, October 11 from 6:15 - 7:45 with the theme of Readingis for Meaning.  The purpose of this evening is to be introduced to the different stages of reading and to understand that reading goes beyond word recognition.  The primary focus will be on  Newly Fluent and Truly Fluent readers through exploring text complexity in the various genres of literature.  Matching readers to text that supports interactive and engaged reading is an important part of building student comprehension.  Plan to come and attend 3 different breakout sessions.  The registration form is due on Friday, October 7.  You must register to attend.

NEW READING INCENTIVE PROGRAM:
There is a new reading incentive program that Mrs. May is doing.  To earn the prize, the fifth graders will need to read 400 minutes in a month.  That is 20 minutes a night.  To learn more about the program go to Mrs. May's blog at mwlmc.blogspot.com.

FAMILY SELF DEFENSE NIGHT (from Mrs. Andrews):
The safety of our children is of great importance to all of us.  We can do our best to keep them safe at home and school, but situations may arise that we cannot control.  These incidents can happen anywhere, at any time, and with anyone.  It is not just an issue in the big cities or always a "stranger danger" attack.  Parents are often unsure of what to say to their young children and how much information they should provide to them.  Mrs. Andrews will provide an age appropriate, hands om self-defense workshop in which you may participate with your family.  When parents are in attendance, they can see first hand what she plans to cover.  Your child can practice these techniques on their parents or adult family members.  Competence and confidence in self-defense techniques can relieve anxiety and is a good resource for your child.  The majority of self-defense is avoidance of dangerous situations and good information.   That will be her focus. They will be practicing physical defense, so please wear comfortable clothing and gym shoes.  Older siblings and all family members are encouraged to participate.  Permission slips were sent home, but Mrs. Keene has them in the office.  Mrs. Andrews also has extra permission slips.  The number of participates will be limited due to safety and space needs, so be sure to return the permission slip.  This event will be held on Wednesday, October 5 from 6:30 - 8:30 for K-5 students and parents.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Andrews at terri_andrews@ipsd.org or 428-6709.

PTA REFLECTIONS:  The Project turn in deadline for May Watts' students is October 7.  For more information, please go to http://www.wattspta.org/.  Also, information, rules, and entry forms can be downloaded at www.ptareflections.org/cs/rules and documents or contact the Reflections Chair, Amy Toepper, at amytoepper@hotmail.com
This years theme is "Diversity Means..."

Important Dates:
Track & Field Monday, October 3
Math Test Wednesday, October 5
Spelling Test Wednesday, October 5
Self-Defense Night Wednesday, October 5 from 6:30 - 8:30
Picture Day Thursday, October 6
Paw Print Redemption Day Thursday, October 6
No School Monday, October 10
Family Reading Night Tuesday, October 11 from 6:00 - 8:00
Early Dismissal 12:00 on Wednesday, October 12

Friday, September 30, 2011

Homework for Sept. 30

Reading - Read 20 minutes

Spelling - Test & Contract for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Guide due Tuesday, Test on Wednesday

5V Math - Need a compostion notebook

Picture Day on Thursday

Fundraiser Oct. 11

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Homework for Sept. 29

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due tomorrow

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Journal page 49 #s 1, 3, 4, & 5, Study Guide due on Tuesday, Test on Wednesday

5B Math - Mathboxes page 58

5V Math - Study Link 2.4, Mathboxes 2.4 #s 1 & 2

Book Order due tomorrow

Picture Day next Thursday

Fundraiser due on Oct. 11

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Homework for Sept. 28

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Friday

5P Math - Study Link 2.7

5B Math - Study Link 2.3

5V Math - Journal page 58 # 4, Study Link 2.2

Book Order due on Friday

Fundraiser due on October 11

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Homework for Sept. 27

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

Spelling - Test & Contract for Wednesday

5P Math - Journal pages 42 & 46 selected numbers

5V Math - SL 2.1, Journal pages 54 & 58 # 5 only

Science - Test & Crossword for tomorrow

Book Order due on Friday

Fundraiser due October 11

Monday, September 26, 2011

Homework for Sept. 26

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Friday

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 2.5, 2.6

5B Math - Mathboxes page 51, Test Tuesday & Study Guide due on Tuesday

Science - Crossword puzzle due on Wednesday, Test Wednesday

Book Order due on Friday 

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Newsletter for the week of Sept. 26

Reading: This week in reading, we will be reading the story Sees Behind Trees.  This story is about a Native American boy, Walnut, who overcomes his poor eyesight to show his community his unusual skill and earns his adult name.  The skills we will focus on are asking and answering open ended questions using evidence from the text to support their answer, and identifying main plot elements, conflicts, and themes in a variety of texts.  We will also focus on the vocabulary for the story to work on using context clues to define words.  The words for this sotry are: quiver, tread, moss, sternly, exaggerate, and compose.

Book Report:  Their first book report will be due on Friday, September 30.  The students need to read any award winning book.  Their assignment is to write an A to Z book report.  They will present this report to the class. 

Math: In math we are working on unit 2. The first lesson for unit 2 looked at developing strategies for estimating.  The second and third lessons focused on addition and subtraction.  We learned about open number sentences, and the students worked on interpreting data.  This week the students will learn about probability and estimating products.  They will also work on multiplying using partial product, lattice, and the traditional method.  We will finish this week working on place value.

Writing: This week in writing, we will finish up our argument about Sponge Bob.  We will be taking a district writing assessent to get a baseline on the students' abilities.  This will be a timed expository prompt.  We will also begin our unit on memoirs with immersion this week.  The students will start looking at different author's memoirs and analyzing the components that make up a memoir.

Science: We have been working on our weather unit. The students watched videos on storms, weather instruments, and hurricanes at the beginning of the unit. Then they learned about the layers of the atmosphere. The layers are troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.  The students have learned about three of the weather instruments. The wind vane tells the direction in which the wind is blowing, and the anemometer tells the speed of the wind.  The barometer measures the atmospheric pressure.  The students also learned about the three states of matter.  They are gases, solids, and liquids.  Through experiments, we looked at some of the properties of air.  The students learned that air takes up space and is lighter than water.  They also saw what happens when air molecules are heated and cooled.  Another experiment showed that hot air rises.  Last week the students learned about humidity and relative humidity.  We also did experiments showing how a cloud is made, the water cycle , and one that shows air pressure.  The students went to the computer lab and did research on the clouds.  This week, the students will learn about the four types of precipitation.  We will review for the test on Tuesday, and the test is on Wednesday.

Social Studies: We will start social studies on Thursday.  Chapter 4 will be our first chapter in social studies, and this chapter focuses on the Spanish building an empire in the Western hemisphere.  The first lesson will focus on Columbus's expeditions.  The second lesson will focus on longitude and latitude.

Spelling Unit 4:
parts     history     warning     declare     despair     shirt     learning     backward     border
prepared     harsh     research     carnival     particular     squirrel     harmful     charms
disorder     favored     remark     correspondence     discouraged     generations
constitution     literature     assurance     pressure     charisma     aerobic     archery    
boundary     architecture     familiar     pleasure     gesture     opinion     armada     quavered
barometer     Mayflower Compact

PTA REFLECTIONS:  The Project turn in deadline for May Watts' students is October 7.  For more information, please go to http://www.wattspta.org/.  Also, information, rules, and entry forms can be downloaded at www.ptareflections.org/cs/rules and documents or contact the Reflections Chair, Amy Toepper, at amytoepper@hotmail.com
This years theme is "Diversity Means..."

Band/Orchestra: Before school band/orchestra begins this week.

Important Dates:
Track & Field Monday, September 26 & if it rains it will be on Wednesday
Author Visit Tuesday, September 27
Spelling Test Wednesday, September 28
Science Test Wednesday, September 28
CogAT Testing Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday
Book Report due on Friday, September 30
Math Test Tuesday, October 4

Friday, September 23, 2011

Homework for Sept. 23

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Sept. 30

Spelling - Test & Contract due Wednesday

Science - Test Wednesday

5B Math - Test & Study Guide for Tuesday

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Homework for Sept. 22

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Language Arts - Fortunately Book due tomorrow

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 2.4

5B Math - Study Link 2.1, Test and study guide Tuesday

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Homework for Sept. 21

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Language Arts - Fortunately book due on Friday

5P Math - Study Link 2.3, Journal page 36

5B Math - Study Link 1.12, Study guide due Tuesday, Test on Tuesday

5V Math - Test Thursday, Mock Test for Thursday

Science - Test on Wednesday

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Homework for Sept. 20

Reading _ Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Language Arts - Fortunately Book due on Friday

Spelling - Test & Contract due tomorrow

5P Math - Study Link 2.2

5B Math - Journal page 39, Study guide, Test on Tues.

5V Math - Study Link 1.12, Test on Thursday

Monday, September 19, 2011

Homework for Sept. 19

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Journal page 31 all problems

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Newsletter for the week of Sept. 19

Reading: This week in reading, we will be working on the mini research project. This week they will be planning for their presentation.  The following are the questions they will be required to answer:  1.  What did the person develop/invent, and how was it used?  2.  What impact did this innovation have on society?  3. What was the legacy of this innovation?  Then during their presentation, they will need the following information: 1.  They will need an opening argument.  2.  They will need to prove/defend their person as the most innovative/influential.  This will be done through both an oral/visual presentation.  3. They will need a closing argument.  The focus skills being worked on this week are ask and respond to open ended questions, making connections to real world situations or related topics before and during reading, making inferences and drawing conclusions.  I will be using the following picture books to practice these skills: Ben's Dream and The Garden of Gasazi.  The students will also work on these skills with their independent reading book, and I will be conferencing with them.

Book Report:  Their first book report will be due on Friday, September 30.  The students need to read any award winning book.  Their assignment is to write an A to Z book report. 

Math: In math we are starting unit 2. The first lesson for unit 2 looks at developing strategies for estimating.  The second and third lessons will focus on addition and subtraction.  We will also learn about open number sentences.  On Friday, the students will work on interpreting data.

Writing: This week in writing, we will be doing a variety of activities.  During writer's workshop, the students will finish their own Fortunately book.  We will also be working on our mini research project during writing.  The students will have to prove that their person was the most influential/innovative person.  We will also be doing two quick write arguments.  One will focus on wearing school uniforms, and the other one will focus on the new research about the T.V. show Sponge Bob.  Researchers are saying that children under the age of 4 should not watch this show.

Science: We have been working on our weather unit. The students watched videos on storms, weather instruments, and hurricanes at the beginning of the unit. Then they learned about the layers of the atmosphere. The layers are troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.  The students have learned about three of the weather instruments. The wind vane tells the direction in which the wind is blowing, and the anemometer tells the speed of the wind.  The barometer measures the atmospheric pressure.  Last week the students learned about the three states of matter.  They are gases, solids, and liquids.  Through experiments, we looked at some of the properties of air.  The students learned that air takes up space and is lighter than water.  They also saw what happens when air molecules are heated and cooled.  Another experiment showed that hot air rises.  This week the students will learn about humidity and relative humidity.  We will also do experiments showing how a cloud is made, the water cycle , and one that shows air pressure.  The students will also go to the computer lab and do research on the clouds.

Social Studies: We will start social studies after we finish our science unit.

Spelling Unit 3:
soul     smoke     move     clue     fruits     lose     chose     stole     prove     produce     juice
drove     Tuesday     rescue     continue     issue     ego     argue     cruise     toll     forehead
include     rehearsal     fourth     course     conducive     ensue     turbulent     tombstone   
suitable     peculiar     acoustic     illusion     camouflage     surgeon     colony     encomienda
missionary     conquistador     atom

PTA REFLECTIONS:  The Project turn in deadline for May Watts' students is October 7.  For more information, please go to http://www.wattspta.org/.  Also, information, rules, and entry forms can be downloaded at www.ptareflections.org/cs/rules and documents or contact the Reflections Chair, Amy Toepper, at amytoepper@hotmail.com
This years theme is "Diversity Means..."

Band/Orchestra: The lessons for this week are only during the school day.  Before school band/orchestra begins the week of September 26th.

Important Dates:
PTA General Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Spelling Test Wednesday, September 21
Paw Print Redemption Thursday, September 22
Book Report due on Friday, September 30

Friday, September 16, 2011

Homework for Sept. 16

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Spelling - Test & Contract due on Wednesday

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Homework for Sept. 15

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Spelling - Test & Contract for Wednesday, Sept. 21

5B Math - Study Link 1.11, Page 38 optional

Chorus & Eco Club forms due tomorrow

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Homework for Sept. 14

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

5B Math - Study Link 1.9

5V Math - Study Link 1.9 only page 1

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Homework for Sept. 13

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Spelling - Sentences & Test for tomorrow

5P Math - Test tomorrow

5B Math - Study Link 1.8

5V Math - Study Link 1.8 & Mathboxes 1.9 #s 1, 2, 3

Monday, September 12, 2011

Homework for Monday, Sept. 12

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Spelling - Sentences & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 1.9, Study Guide due tomorrow, Test on Wednesday

5B Math - Study Link 1.7

Friday, September 9, 2011

Newsletter for the week of September 12

Reading: This week in reading, we will be working on the mini research project. This week they will be doing the research.  On Monday, the students will learn how to analyze an article and find the important information for their research.  The following are the questions they will be required to answer:  1.  What did the person develop/invent, and how was it used?  2.  What impact did this innovation have on society?  3. What was the legacy of this innovation?  Then during their presentation, they will need the following information: 1.  They will need an opening argument.  2.  They will need to prove/defend their person as the most innovative/influential.  This will be done through both an oral/visual presentation.  3. They will need a closing argument.  The focus skills being worked on this week are ask and respond to open ended questions, making connections to real world situations or related topics before and during reading, making inferences and drawing conclusions.  The students will also work on these skills with their independent reading book.

Book Report:  Their first book report will be due on Friday, September 30.  The students need to read any award winning book.  Their assignment is to write an A to Z book report. 

Math: In math we are on unit 1. The first lessons of this unit focused on number models and arrays.  We focused on finding all the factors of a number and the divisibility rules for 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10. This past week we learned about prime and composite numbers and square numbers. A prime number has exactly two factors and a composite number has more than two. The students also learned how to find the square root of a number.  Next week, we will work on prime factorization of a number.  Then on Tuesday, we will go over the study guide, and their test will be on Wednesday.  The first lesson for unit 2 looks at developing strategies for estimating.

Writing: This week in writing, we will be doing a variety of activities.  During writer's workshop, the students will continue working on their own Fortunately book.  We will also be working on a mini research project during writing.  The students will have to prove that their person was the most influential/innovative person.

Science: We have been working on our weather unit. The students watched videos on storms, weather instruments, and hurricanes at the beginning of the unit. Then they learned about the layers of the atmosphere. The layers are troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.  The students have learned about three of the weather instruments. The wind vane tells the direction in which the wind is blowing, and the anemometer tells the speed of the wind.  The barometer measures the atmospheric pressure.  This upcoming week the students will learn about the three states of matter.  They are gases, solids, and liquids.  Through experiments, we will also look at some of the properties of air.  The students will learn that air takes up space and is lighter than water.  They will also see what happens when air molecules are heated and cooled.  Another experiment will show that hot air rises.  At the end of the week they will learn about humidity and relative humidity.
We will do a discussion about 911.
Social Studies: We will start social studies after we finish our science unit.

Spelling Unit 2:
stayed     brain     thief     meat     flight     style     delighted     daily     breathe     meanwhile
believes     tonight     increased     explained     slightly     payment     brief     tray     byte
raise     tight     type     remain     chief     pleaded     accommodate     decrease     intermediate
league     decisive     indicate     propane     righteous     acquaintance     relieved     molecule
voyage     compensation     expedition     connotation

Important Dates:
Spelling Test Wednesday, September 14
5P Math Test Wednesday, September 14
Curriculum night Thursday, September 15
Book Report due on Friday, September 30

Homework for Sept. 9

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Sept. 30

Spelling - Sentences & Test for Wednesday, Sept. 14

5P Math - Study Links 1.7, 1.8 (if not finished), Study Guide due on Tuesday, Sept. 13, Test on Wednesday, Sept. 14

Book Order - If you are ordering online, Sunday is the last day to place an order.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Homework for Sept. 8

Reading - Read 20 minutes

Spelling - Sentences & Test due Wednesday, Sept. 14

5P Math - Mathboxes page 22, Study guide due Tuesday, Sept. 13, Test Wednesday, Sept. 14

5B Math - Study Link 1.6

5V Math - Study Link 1.7

Science - Worksheet

Book Order due tomorrow

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Homework for Sept. 7

Reading - Read 20 Minutes

5P Math- Study Link 1.6

5B Math - Study Link 1.5

5V Math - Finish Graph, Write Paragraph, Study Link 1.6

Science- Barometer Worksheet

Book Order due on Friday

Friday, September 2, 2011

Newsletter for the week of September 5

Reading: This week in reading, we will be doing a variety of activities. The students will continue working on their fluency through lessons focusing on the elements of fluency: accuracy, speed, comprehension, and expression. I will also be conducting formal reading conferences with each of the students to listen to their fluency, and the students will be writing reflections in their response journals.  We will also be starting a mini research project.  This week the students will learn about relevant and reliable information.  We look over the questions and discuss them.  Then on Friday they will select their groups and their topic.  The focus skills being taught this week are ask and respond to open ended questions, making connections to real world situations or related topics before and during reading, making inferences and drawing conclusions.  These skills will be taught with picture books this week and they will carry over to the research project.  The students will also work on these skills with their independent reading book.

Grammar: We will be focusing on nouns and verbs this week.

Math: In math we are on unit 1.  The first lessons of this unit focused on number models and arrays.  Last week we focused on finding all the factors of a number and the divisibility rules for 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10. This week we will learn about prime and composite numbers and square numbers.  A prime number has exactly two factors and a composite number has more than two.  The students will also learn how to find the square root of a number.

Writing: This week in writing, we will be doing a variety of activities. The students will look at the steps of the writing process and establish a writer's workshop routine. During writer's workshop, I will read the book Fortunately, and the students will create their own Fortunately book.  Lessons on revising and editing will be incorporated into their Fortunately book.
Science: We have been working on our weather unit.  The students watched videos on storms, weather instruments, and hurricanes at the beginning of the unit.  Then they learned about the layers of the atmosphere.  The layers are troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.  Last week we continued learning about the layers of the atmosphere and also learned about two of the weather instruments. The wind vane tells the direction in which the wind is blowing, and the anemometer tells the speed of the wind. This week the students will learn about the barometer.  The barometer measures the atmospheric pressure.

Social Studies: We will start social studies after we finish our science unit.

Spelling Unit 1:
master     ahead     build     front     meant     bread     ready     busy     quit     mother     above
does     advantage     business     sweater     plastic     balance     limit     among     dozen
activity     building     heavy     biscuit     purpose     astonish     symmetric     cyclical    
abandon     subsequent     expository     abundant     accomplish     mishap     extraordinary
atmosphere     exploration     weather     territory     troposphere

Important Dates:
No School Monday, September 5
No School Tuesday, September 6
Spelling Test Wednesday, September 7
Band & Orchestra Registration at Hill 4:00 - 8:00 on Friday, September 9
5P Math Test Wednesday, September 14
Curriculum night Thursday, September 15

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Homework for Sept. 1

Reading - Read 20 minutes

Spelling - Sentences due on Wednesday & Test Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 1.5 & Mathboxes page 11

5B Math - Quiz on Wednesday

5V Math - Quiz on Wednesday

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Newsletter for Wednesday, August 31

Reading - Read 20 minutes

5P Math - Mathboxes page 15 problems 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

5B Math - Study Link 1.4, Quiz on Friday

5V Math Accel. - Study Link 1.4, Quiz Friday

Science - Quiz over the layers tomorrow

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Homework for August 30

Reading - Read 20 minutes

Writing - What I have learned so far?

5P Math - Study Link 1.4, Mathboxes 1.4 problems 1, 3, 4

5B Math - Study Link 1.3

5V Math - Study Link 1.3 Mathboxes 1c, 2, 4

Science - Quiz over the layers of the atmosphere

Me in a bag due tomorrow

Monday, August 29, 2011

Homework for Monday, August 29

Reading - Read 20 minutes

5P Math - Study Link 1.3

5V Math - Study Link 1.2 & Mathboxes 2, 3, 5

5B Math - Study Link 1.2

Science - Quiz over the layers of the atmosphere on Thursday

Me in a Bag due on Wednesday

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Newsletter for the week of August 29

Reading: This week in reading, we will be doing a variety of activities.  The students will work on their fluency through lessons focusing on the elements of fluency: accuracy, speed, comprehension, and expression.  I will also be conducting formal reading conferences with each of the students to listen to their fluency.  The students will also be writing reflections in their response journals, and they will present their Me in a Bag.

Grammar:  We will be focusing on nouns and verbs this week.  

Math: In math we are on unit 1.  Last week we learned about number models and arrays.  This week we will focus on finding all the factors of a number and the divisibility rules for 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10.  We will  also learn about prime and composite numbers and square numbers.

Writing: This week in writing, we will be doing a variety of activities.  The students will learn why it is important to write about topics that are important to them.  They will also learn what makes a good writer, and why writing is crucial.  We will also look at the steps of the writing process and establish a writer's workshop routine.  During writer's workshop, I will read the book Fortunately, and the students will create their own Fortunately book.
Science: We started our weather unit last week.  On Wednesday and Thursday the students watched videos on storms, weather instruments, and hurricanes.  On Friday the students learned about the layers of the atmosphere.  The layers are troposphere, stratosphere, ozone layer, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.  They will have a quiz over the layers on Thursday.  This week we will continue learning about the layers of the atmosphere and also learn about the weather instruments.  The wind vane tells the direction in which the wind is blowing, and the anemometer tells the speed of the wind.  The barometer tells the pressure.

Social Studies: We will start social studies after we finish our science unit.

Spelling Unit:
There are no spelling words for this week.

Important Dates:
Market Day Pick Up Tuesday, August 30
Me in a Bag presentation due Wednesday, August 31
Quiz over the layers of the atmosphere Thursday, September 1
No School Monday, September 5
No School Tuesday, September 6
Band & Orchestra Registration at Hill 4:00 - 8:00 on Friday, September 9

Friday, August 26, 2011

Homework 8-26

Reading - Read 20 Minutes

5P Math - Study Link 1.2

Science - Quiz over layers of the atmosphere on Thursday, Sept. 1

Me in a bag due on Wednesday, August 31

Friday, August 19, 2011


Welcome Back to School!
Welcome to 5P. This BLOG serves as the 5P newsletter, updated each week. Here you will find information about what we have done, will be doing in the coming week, spelling lists, and even links to websites that will come in handy. It was nice seeing everyone at "Meet and Greet" on August 17th. If you need the supply list go to the following link:http://watts.ipsd.org/uploads/About/SupplyLists2010-2011.pdf There will be a lot more information posted here as the year gets started. I am looking foward to working with your son or daughter and I intend to make their fifth grade experience educational, challenging, and FUN!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Homework 6-1

Reading - Read 20 minutes

5P Math - Test tomorrow

5G Math - Study Link 10.3 , Journal pages 376 & 377, Test Friday

Wear blue tomorrow

Permission slip for Box Top reward

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Homework 5-31

Reading - Read 20 minutes

5P Math - Study guide due tomorrow, Study Link 12.6, Test on Thursday

5G Math - Test on Friday

Permission slip for winning the box top competition

Wear Green tomorrow

Citizenship Celebration is tomorrow afternoon

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Newsletter for the week of May 30

Reading: This week in reading, we will be reading from the Time for Kids magazines.  Many comprehension skills will be incorporated into the lessons.   

Book Report:  The next book report, which should be a multicultural book, is due on Tuesday, May 31.  The presentations for this report should focus around a T-shirt.  The design of the T-shirt should focus around the main character.  The students need to include at least 10 descriptive words about the character and an illustration.  They will use the T-shirt to give the class a summary of their book.  On a seperate piece of paper, they need to tell why each of those descriptive words relate to the character.  There should also be a summary included.  If they cannot use a real T-shirt, then they can make one out of construction paper.

Math: In math we started unit 12.  This unit will focus on probability, ratios, and rates.  We did the first lesson which focused on factor trees, factorization, the greatest common factor, and least common multiple.  Last week the students learned about the multiplication counting principle and tree diagrams.  The third skill they learned about last week was ratios.  This week we will review for the test and take the test on Thursday.

Writing:  We will work on variety of activities in writing this week.  We will write a letter to Mark Scott, who is a former student, and was deployed this month.  The students will design their own school and write about their new ideas/inventions.  They will also write welcome letters to the incoming fifth graders.
Science: We finished our unit on microscopes.

Social Studies: We started chapter 15.  The first lesson focuses on the early stages of the Civil War and the advantages and disadvantage of the North and South.  The second lesson will focus on life in both the North and South during the Civil War.  In the third lesson, we will look at how the North won the war.  Then lesson four will focus on the end of slavery.

Spelling - We are finished with spelling for this year. 

Important Dates:
No School Monday, May 30
Wear red on Tuesday, May 31
Permission slip for the box tops celebration due on Tuesday, May 31
Book Report due Tuesday, May 31
Citizenship Celebration Tuesday, May 31
Wear green on Wednesday, June 1
Math test Thursday, June 2
Read in on Thursday, June 2
Wear blue on Thursday, June 2
Wear white on Friday, June 3
Last day of school Tuesday, June 7 - Dismissal 10:10

Friday, May 27, 2011

Homework 5-27

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Tuesday

5P Math - Study Link 12.6, Study Guide due either Tuesday or Wednesday - This date depends on the weather and the Citizenship Celebration, Test is Thursday

5G Math - Study Links 10.1, 10.2, 10.4, Journal page 379

Wear Red on Tuesday

Library Books are due on Tuesday, May 31

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Homework 5-26

Reading- Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Tuesday, May 31

5P Math - Ratio Sheet, Test on Thursday, June 2, Study guide due on Wednesday, June 1

5G Math - SMJ 385, Quarter Activity

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Homework 5-25

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Tuesday, May 31

5P Math - Study Link 12.5

Social Studies - Ws & Test tomorrow

Monday, May 23, 2011

Homework 5-23

Reading- Read 20 minutes, Book Report 5-31

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 12.2

5G Math - Journal page372

Friday, May 20, 2011

Newsletter for the week of May 23

Reading: This week in reading, we will be reading the story The Fun They Had.  We will focus on open ended questions, point of view, drawing conclusions, and looking at good word choice.  The focus words for this story are: dispute, nonchalantly, loftily, sorrowfully, and adjusted  

Book Report:  The next book report, which should be a multicultural book, is due on Tuesday, May 31.  The presentations for this report should focus around a T-shirt.  The design of the T-shirt should focus around the main character.  The students need to include at least 10 descriptive words about the character and an illustration.  They will use the T-shirt to give the class a summary of their book.  On a seperate piece of paper, they need to tell why each of those descriptive words relate to the character.  There should also be a summary included.  If they cannot use a real T-shirt, then they can make one out of construction paper.

Math: In math we started unit 12.  This unit will focus on probability, ratios, and rates.  Last week we did the first lesson which focused on factor trees, factorization, the greatest common factor, and least common multiple.  This week the students will learn about the multiplication counting principle and tree diagrams.  The third skill they will learn about this week is ratios.

Writing: This week during writing the students will present their power points on either a famous person or event.
Science: We finished our unit on microscopes.

Social Studies: We started chapter 14.  The first lesson focuses on the Northern and Southern regions of our country and how they began to grow apart.  The second lesson will focus on the slaves resisting slavery and the Underground Railroad.  In the third lesson, we will look at the struggle over slavery and Abraham Lincoln getting elected.  The last lesson will focus on the beginning of the Civil War.

Spelling Unit 30 Words:
canyon     tornado     breeze     cafeteria     coyote     tomato     barbecue     mosquito     plaza
pueblo     chili     alligator     rodeo     patio     bonanza     avocado     mesa     burro     enchilada
burrito     yucca     hurricane     chaps      arroyo     matador     abalone     cargo     chocolate
guacamole     iguana     ranch     saguaro     sombrero     platinum     tenement     monopoly
corporation     sweatshop     assembly line
There are only 39 words because plaza is on both lists.  

Important Information:

If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.

Important Dates:
Presentations for the famous person/event this week
Spelling test Wednesday, May 25
Read In Wednesday, May 25
Social Studies Test Thursday, May 26
No School Monday, May 30
Book Report due Tuesday, May 31
Citizenship Celebration Tuesday, May 31

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Homework 5-19

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on May 31, Social studies worksheet which was done during reading

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 12.1

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Homework 5-18

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on May 31

5G Math - Palidrome Sheet

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Homework 5-17

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book report due May 31

Spelling - Contract & test due tomorrow

5P Math - Test tomorrow

Monday, May 16, 2011

Homework 5-16

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on May31

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Practice sheet, Test Wednesday

Bring towels and water bottles tomorrow also wear gym shoes

Friday, May 13, 2011

Newsletter for the week of May 16

Reading: This week in reading, we will be using the Time for Kids magazines and social studies.  We will focus on open ended questions, point of view, reading charts, and filling in charts.  

Book Report:  The next book report, which should be a multicultural book, is due on Tuesday, May 31.  The presentations for this report should focus around a T-shirt.  The design of the T-shirt should focus around the main character.  The students need to include at least 10 descriptive words about the character and an illustration.  They will use the T-shirt to give the class a summary of their book.  On a seperate piece of paper, they need to tell why each of those descriptive words relates to the character.  There should also be a summary included.  If they cannot use a real T-shirt, then they can make one out of construction paper.

Math: In math we are on unit 11.  We have focused on exploring characteristics of geometric solids, comparing geometric solids, and finding the volume of prisms and cylinders.  Last week we learned how to find the volume of pyramids, the volume of cones, surface area, capacity, and using displacement to find the volume of various objects.  On Monday, we will go over the study guide, and the test is scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.  If the weather is bad on Tuesday and the 5th grade farewell is postponed until Thursday then the test is Tuesday.  If the weather is great and we have the 5th grade farewell on Tuesday then the test is Wednesday.

Writing: This week in writing, we will continue making our final project for their famous person or event.  They can either make a power point or use another form of technology called the museumbox.  The students will also practice for their presentations.  Today they brought home a letter with the times and dates for the presentations.  Look it over and send it back as soon as possible with the dates that work best for you.
Science: We finished our unit on microscopes.

Social Studies: We started chapter 10.  Chapter 10 focuses on the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.  The test over chapter 10 will be Monday.  After chapter 10, we will be going into chapter 14.  The first lesson focuses on the Northern and Southern regions of our country and how they begin to grow apart.  The second lesson will focus on the slaves resisting slavery and the Underground Railroad.  The third lesson will focus on the struggle over slavery and Abraham Lincoln getting elected.  The last lesson will focus on the beginning of the Civil War.

Spelling Unit 29 Words:
industry     buffalo     exciting     terrible     electric     dangerous     exercise     horizon    
favorite     library     substitute     typical     dinosaur     curious     average     period     amazement
bicycle     conference     family     numerous     exhaustion     customary     hamburger     persistent
reunion     toboggan     editor     computer     practical     beverage     spaghetti     poetry
syllable     frequency     Leeuwenhoek     errands     pawnshop     international     obnoxious    

Important Information:


If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.
Make sure your child wears gym shoes for the fifth grade farewell.
Important Dates:
Social Studies test Monday, May 16
5th grade farewell Tuesday, May 17
Math test Tuesday, May 17
Spelling test Wednesday, May 18
Paw print redemption Thursday, May 19
No School Friday, May 20

Homework 5-13

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on 5-31

Spelling - Test & Contract for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Guide due Monday, Test Tuesday

5G Math - Journal pages 365 & 368, Study Links 9.12 & 9.13, Test on Monday

Social Studies test on Monday

Book Order due on Monday

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Homework 5-11

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

5P Math - Study Link 11.6, Journal page 385 1, 2, 3, 5, Study Guide due Friday, Test Monday

5G Math - Study Link 9.10

Social Studies - Ws, Test Monday

Book Order due Monday

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Homework 5-10

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Friday

Spelling - Test & Contract for tomorrow

5P Math - Journal page 385 problems 1, 2, 3, & 5 This is not due until Thursday.  Study Guide due Friday, Test on Monday, May 16

5G Math - Journal pages 353 & 358, Test on Thursday, May 12

Social Studies - Worksheet, Test on Thursday

Book Order due on Monday, May 16

Monday, May 9, 2011

Homework 5-9

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 11.4, Study Guide due Friday, Test on Monday

5G Math - Journal page 355

Social Studies - Test onThursday

Book Order due on Monday

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Newsletter for the week of 5-9

Reading: This week in reading, we will read the story "Name This American" which is a play.  We will focus on cause and effect and open ended questions.  This students will also perform this play after two days of practice.  The focus words for this story are interpreter, anthem, distinguished, guarantee, suffrage, misleading, stumps, and indebted.   

Book Report:  The next book report, which is a choice book, is due on Friday, May 13.  The following options for this book report are: fiction book bingo, A to Z of their book, or make a book jacket. 

Math: In math we are on unit 11.  Last week we focused on exploring characteristics of geometric solids, comparing geometric solids, and finding the volume of prisms and cylinders.  This week we will learn how to find the volume of pyramids, the volume of cones, surface area, capacity, and using displacement to find the volume of various objects.  

Writing: This week in writing, we will continue making our final project for their famous person or event.  They can either make a power point or use another form of technology called the museumbox.
Science: We finished our unit on microscopes.

Social Studies: We started chapter 10 last week.  Chapter 10 focuses on the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

Spelling Unit 28 Words:
describe     description     nature     natural     televise     television     apply     application
compete     competition     divide     division     beauty     beautiful     collide     collision
multiply     multiplication     bounty     bountiful     exception     explanation     ambassador
delegate     convention     adequate     categorize     strenuous     phobia     irritation     satisfied
symptom     distribution     excursion     joepardize     sodbuster     reservation     railhead
time zones     property rights

Important Information:
This is a request from Mrs. Keene.
Dear Parents,
You were recently requested to present three proofs of residency by April 18th.  To date we are still missing proofs for 38 fifth graders.  Please submit these forms as soon as possible.  The first 5th grade class to return all their forms will receive a freeze pop party on Mrs. Keene!  As a reminder...you will not be permitted to register at the middle school in June for 6th grade unless this information is on file.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Keene in the office, and she will be happy to help you.
If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.

Important Dates:
Jump Rope for Heart Monday, May 9
Spelling Test Wednesday, May 11
Paw print redemption Thursday, May 12
Social Studies test Thursday, May 12
Book Report due on May 13
Math test Monday, May 16

Friday, May 6, 2011

Homework 5-6

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report 5-13

Spelling - Test & Contract due Wednesday

5G Math - Study Link 9.9, Journal page 351

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Homework 5-5

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on May 13

5P Math - Study Link 11.2, Journal page 172 problems 1, 2, & 3

5G Math - Journal pages 349 & 352

Social Studies Worksheet

Caricature due tomorrow

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Homework 5-4

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due May 13

5P Math - Study Link 11.1, Journal page 371

Caricature due Friday

Culver's Night is tonight

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Homework 5-3

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on May 13

Spelling - Test & Contract due on Wednesday

5G Math - Division Worksheet, Study Link 9.8, Journal page 348

Caricature due Friday, May 6

Monday, May 2, 2011

Homework 5-2

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due May 13

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Study Guide due tomorrow, Test tomorrow

5G Math - Journal page 345

Caricature due Friday, May 6

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Newsletter for the week of 5-2

Reading: This week in reading, we will continue creating our own stories using the ideas of William Joyce.  We will also be reading Time for Kids to practice research.

Book Report:  The next book report, which is a choice book, is due on Friday, May 13.  The following options for this book report are: fiction book bingo, A to Z of their book, a book jacket, or take an AR test. 

Math: In math we are on unit 10.  The first two lessons focused on solving pan balance problems.  The third lesson focused on algebraic expressions.  We worked on developing representational forms for rates, interpreting graphs, and interpreting tables.  Last week we continued to interpret line graphs.  We also worked on getting the circumference of a circle and the area of a circle.  The formula for circumference is pi times diameter.  The formula for the area of a circle is radius squared times pi.  Chapter 11 will focus on exploring characteristics of geometric solids, comparing geometric solids, and finding the volume of prisms and cylinders.  

Writing: This week in writing, we will begin making our final project for their famous person or event.  They can either make a power point or use another form of technology called the museumbox.
Science: This quarter our unit in science focuses around using the microscope.  The students have learned about the parts of the microscope and how to prepare a slide.  The students also looked at their hair and thread, and they wrote down their observations.  They learned about the range of view and observed a penny.  They also observed the plant cell and used stains to highlight different parts of the cell.  The students also learned about the animal cell and observed their cheek cells, protists under the microscope, and brine shrimp. 

Social Studies: We will start social studies this week.  Chapter 10 focuses on the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

Spelling Unit 27 Words:
aren't     couldn't     doesn't     hadn't     he'd     he's     here's     how's     she'll     shouldn't     that's
there's     they'll     we'd     we'll     weren't     what's     where's     wouldn't     you'd     celebrities
congratulations     continue     astronomer     guarantee     restaurant     victory     delicious    
jewelry     amateur     athlete     bargain     bureau     license     interference     microscope
pastels     comparison     encouraged     charcoal

Important Information:
This is a request from Mrs. Keene.
Dear Parents,
You were recently requested to present three proofs of residency by April 18th.  To date we are still missing proofs for 38 fifth graders.  Please submit these forms as soon as possible.  The first 5th grade class to return all their forms will receive a freeze pop party on Mrs. Keene!  As a reminder...you will not be permitted to register at the middle school in June for 6th grade unless this information is on file.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Keene in the office, and she will be happy to help you.
If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.

Important Dates:
Science Test Monday, May 2
Math Test Tuesday, May 3
Spelling Test Wednesday, May 4
Field Trip to Hill Middle School Thursday, May 5
Paw print redemption Thursday, May 5
Last day to take AR tests Friday, May 6
Book Report due on May 13

Friday, April 29, 2011

Homework 4-29

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on May 13

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 10.9, Study Guide due on Monday, Test on Tuesday

5G Math - Study Link 9.7, Journal page 344

Science - Test on Monday

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Homework 4-28

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

Spelling - Test & Contract due on May 4

5P Math - Study Link 10.8, Study Guide due on Monday, Test Tuesday

5G Math - Study Link 9.6, Journal 342

Science - Test Monday

Baby Photo by tomorrow

Field Trip note due Tomorrow!!!!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Homework 2-27

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

5P Math - Journal page 363, Study guide due on Monday, Test on Tuesday

5G Math - Journal page 341

Science - Test Monday

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Homework 4-26

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on Friday

Spelling - Test & Contract due tomorrow

5P Math - Study Link & Mathboxes 10.7

5G Math - Journal page 340

Science - Test Monday

Field Trip permission slip

Baby Photo due 4-29

Friday, April 22, 2011

Newsletter for the week of 4-25

Reading: This week in reading, we will continue reading the story "The World of William Joyce Scrapbook".  The focus skill will be word analysis.  We will be working on synonyms, antonyms, and multiple meaning words.  We will also work on creating our own stories using the ideas of William Joyce.  Our focus words for this story are: encouraged, illustrating, series, charcoal, and pastels.

Book Report:  The next book report is due on Friday, April 29.  The genre for this book is a science fiction or fantasy book.  For this book report the students need to make a travel brochure.  The travel brochure should include the following: an illustrated cover, what a guest should bring, why someone should come and visit this place, directions on how to get there, any special features that a person may want to see, and anything else they would like to include.

Math: In math we started unit 10.  The first two lessons focused on solving pan balance problems.  The third lesson focused on algebraic expressions.  We worked on developing representational forms for rates, interpreting graphs, and interpreting tables.  This week we will continue to interpret line graphs.  We will also work on getting the circumference of a circle and the area of a circle. 

Writing: This week in writing we will continue our research.  We will use books and computers to research their topics.  We will review how to take notes from the different resources.

Science: This quarter our unit in science focuses around using the microscope.  The students have learned about the parts of the microscope and how to prepare a slide.  The students also looked at their hair and thread, and they wrote down their observations.  They learned about the range of view and observed a penny.  They also observed the plant cell and used stains to highlight different parts of the cell.  Last week we started learning about the animal cell.  The students observed their cheek cells, and protists under the microscope.  This week we will continue to observe the protists, and we will also observe brine shrimp.

Social Studies: We will go back to social studies after we finish the science unit.

Spelling Unit 26 Words:
quiet     trial     fuel     poem     diet     nucleus     cruel     Indian     fluid     violin     museum
dial     ruin     influence     triumph     violent     theater     liar     leotard     koala     journey
obstacle     accomplishment     desperate     calm     beneath     leisure     protein     receiver
pleasant     measures     appointment     weather     sweatshirt     journalist     Reconstruction
Gettysburg     Civil War     Appomattox     Amendment

Important Information:
This is a request from Mrs. Keene.
Dear Parents,
You were recently requested to present three proofs of residency by April 18th.  To date we are still missing proofs for 38 fifth graders.  Please submit these forms as soon as possible.  The first 5th grade class to return all their forms will receive a freeze pop party on Mrs. Keene!  As a reminder...you will not be permitted to register at the middle school in June for 6th grade unless this information is on file.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Keene in the office, and she will be happy to help you.
If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.
The last date to take AR tests is Friday, May 6th.

Important Dates:
No School Monday, April 25
Spelling Test Wednesday, April 27
Special Chorus Concert 9:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27
Paw print redemption Thursday, April 28
Book Report due Friday, April 29
Science Test Monday, May 2
Math Test Tuesday, May 3

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Homework 4-21

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on 4-29

Spelling - Test & Contract 4-27

5P Math - Study Link 10.6 due Tuesday

5G Math - None

Hill field trip permission slip due 4-26

Baby Photo due 4-29

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Homework 4-20

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report 4-29

5P Math - Study Link 10.5

5G Math - Journal page 329, Study Link 9.4

Baby Photo due 4-29

Book Order due 4-21

Permission slip for 5th grade farewell due 4-21

Hill field trip note due 4-25

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Homework 4-19

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on 4-29

Spelling - Contract & Test due tomorrow

5P Math - Study link 10.4

5G Math - Journal page 333, Study Link 9.3

Book Order due 4-21

Permission slip for the fifth grade farewell due 4-21

Baby photo due 4-29

Monday, April 18, 2011

Homework 4-18

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due 4-29

Spelling - Contract & Test for Wednesday

5P Math - Study Link 10.3, Journal page 344 problems 1, 2, & 3

5G Math - Study Link 9.2

Science - Quiz over animal and plant cells

Fifth grade farewell food note due 4-21

Baby Photo due 4-29

Book Order due 4-21

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Newsletter for the week of 4-18

Reading: This week in reading, we will be reading the story "The World of William Joyce Scrapbook".  The focus skill will be word analysis.  We will be working on synonyms, antonyms, and multiple meaning words.  We will also be working on comprehension skills and open ended questions.  Our focus words for this story are: encouraged, illustrating, series, charcoal, and pastels.

Book Report:  The next book report is due on Friday, April 29.  The genre for this book is a science fiction or fantasy book.  For this book report the students need to make a travel brochure.  The travel brochure should include the following: an illustrated cover, what a guest should bring, why someone should come and visit this place, directions on how to get there, any special features that a person may want to see, and anything else they would like to include.

Math: In math we started unit 10.  The first two lessons focused on solving pan balance problems.  The third lesson focused on algebraic expressions.  This week we will work on developing representational forms for rates, interpreting graphs, and interpreting tables. 

Writing: This week in writing we will continue our research.  We will use books and computers to research their topics.  We will review how to take notes from the different resources.

Science: This quarter our unit in science focuses around using the microscope.  The students have learned about the parts of the microscope and how to prepare a slide.  The students also looked at their hair and thread, and they wrote down their observations.  They learned about the range of view and observed a penny.  They also observed the plant cell and used stains to highlight different parts of the cell.  This week we will start learning about the animal cell.  The students will observe their cheek cells, and protists under the microscope.

Social Studies: We will go back to social studies after we finish the science unit.

Spelling Unit 25 Words:
slogan     radar     minutes     honest     second     virus     shadow     humor     salad     eleven
closet     model     volcano     private     balance     radio     basis     decent     fanatic     novel
diary     textbooks     calculated     superior     centuries     laser     module     miser     lotion
bouquet     resign     scenic     awesome     finance     promise     blockade     impeach
segregation     sharecropping     generalization

Important Information:
If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.

Important Dates:
Spelling Test Wednesday, April 20
Permission slip to eat the food at the 5th grade farewell due Thursday, April 21
Book Order due Thursday, April 21
No School Friday, April 22
No School Monday, April 25
Book Report due Friday, April 29
Math Test Monday, May 2

Friday, April 15, 2011



Everyday Math Apps

We just learned this information and wanted to share it with you. McGraw-Hill is offering the EDM Games Apps for iPads and iPhones/iPod touches FREE at the iTunes store from April 13-16, 2011. After April 16th, the apps will be available for $1.99.The games that will be available include:
  • Addition Top-it
  • Subtraction Top-it
  • Beat the Computer
  • Name that Number
  • Equivalent Fractions
  • Tric-Trac
  • Monster Squeeze
  • Baseball Multiplication 1-6 Facts
  • Baseball Multiplication 1-12 Facts
  • Divisibility Dash
Check them out!  Just go to your iTunes account, click on the App store, and search Everyday Math.

Homework 4-15

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due on 4-29

Spelling - Contract & Test due Wednesday

5G Math - Journal page 327, Study Link 9.1

Baby Photo due 4-29

Permission slip for the fifth grade farewell due 4-21

Book Order due 4-21

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Homework 4-14

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due tomorrow

Spelling - Contract and test due on 4-20

5P Math - Study Link 10.2

5G Math - Nothing written on the board

Baby photo due 4-49

Permission slip for 5th grade farewell's food due 4-21

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Homework 4-13

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book report due on Friday

5P Math - Study Link 10.1, Journal page 355 numbers 1, 2, & 3

5G Math - Journal pages 321 & 322, Study Link 8.12

Baby Photo due 4-29

Permission slip for fifth grade farewell food due 4-21

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Homework 4-12

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

Spelling - Test & Contract for Wednesday

5G Math - Study Link 8.11

Baby Photo due 4-29

Permission Slip for 5th Grade Farewell due 4-21

Monday, April 11, 2011

Homework 4-11

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due Friday

Spelling - Contract & Test due 4-13

5P Math - Test tomorrow, Study Link 8.12

5G Math - Study Link 8. 10, Journal pages 315 & 319

Culvers Drawing due tomorrow

Baby photo due 4-29

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Newsletter for the week of 4-11

Reading: This week in reading, we will use articles from Time for Kids to work on our focus skills.  We will work on making a timeline, answering open ended questions, and answering the research questions.  We will also work on using context clues to define unfamiliar words.  

Book Report:  The next book report is due on Friday, April 15.  The students may select from the following options: a book sandwich, a book quilt, an A to Z about the book, make a book jacket, or take an accelerated reader test.

Math: In math we started unit 8.  The first lesson of this unit focused on equivalent fractions.  The second lesson focused on adding mixed numbers with common denominators and uncommon denominators.  The students also learned about subtracting and multiplying fractions.  They learned how to find a product of a whole number and a fraction.  Last week they learned how to calculate the percent of a discount.  They also learned how to find the whole given a fraction or percent.  The last lesson in unit 8 was dividing fractions.  The test over unit 8 is Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we will start unit 10.  The first two lessons focus on solving pan balance problems.  The third lesson focuses on algebraic expressions. 

Writing: This week in writing the students will begin their research.  We will use books and computers to research their topics.  We will review how to take notes from the different resources.

Science: This quarter our unit in science focuses around using the microscope.  The students have learned about the parts of the microscope and how to prepare a slide.  The students also looked at their hair and thread, and they wrote down their observations.  They learned about the range of view.  This week they will observe a penny.  They will also start to learn about the parts of a plant cell and be able to observe one under the microscope.  We will also use stains to highlight different parts of the cell.

Social Studies: We will go back to social studies after we finish the science unit.

Spelling Unit 24 Words:
subtract      distract      contract      complex      distrust      extra      improve      instead      Congress
English      conflict      exchange      pumpkin      sandwich      Christmas      construction      luncheon
complaint      transform      although      cassette      devised      persuaded      deceive      dictionary
punctuation      unstressed      abbreviation      approve      substance      parsley      puncture
hatchet      laughter      purchase      nutrients      proteins       vitamins      calorie      carbohydrates

Important Information:
If your child submitted Read for Success, they will be getting the tickets in mid-May.

Important Dates:
Math test Tuesday, April 12
Spelling test Wednesday, April 13
Book report due Friday, April 15

Friday, April 8, 2011

Homework 4-8

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due 4-15

Spelling - Test & Contract due 4-13

5P Math - Study Link 8.10, Study Guide due on Monday, Test on Tuesday

5G Math - Journal page 313

Baby photos due 4-29

Bring a penny for science on Monday

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Homework 4-7

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due 4-15

Spelling - Contract & Test due 4-13

5P Math - Journal page 283, Study guide due Monday, Test Tuesday

5G Math - Journal pages 311 & 312

Baby Photo due 4-29

Hill Parent Night 7:00 - 8:30

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Homework 4-6

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due 4-15

5P Math - Study link 8.9, Study Guide due 4-11, Test 4-12

5G Math - Journal page 309, Study Link 8.8 both sides

5S Flex - Character Chart

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Homework 4-5

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report 4-15

5P Math - Journal page 279, Study guide due Monday, Test Tuesday

5G Math - Journal page 307

Science - Quiz over parts of the microscope

Monday, April 4, 2011

Homework 4-4

Reading - Read 20 minutes, Book Report due 4-15

5P Math - Problems on sheets, Study Guide due 4-11, Test 4-12

5G Math - Study Link 8.2 & 8.7

Science - Quiz Wednesday