Map It out Monday

The students are starting to receive an information paper about a new state each Monday.  They then read and find the information related to the different categories shown in the picture.  Next, the students write this information in their blue state folders booklets. They already had about an hour to work on this and any unfinished work is due on Friday.

Science Poster information

This is a picture of the Science Thinking Map poster that we have been working on for awhile now. This poster is due on Friday along with the study guide that most of the students have finished. The information for this poster is from Chapter 4 and this will also help them study for the Science test which is next Tuesday, October 7th. 

September 29th

See Homework for information about the Science Study Guide and Test as well as other work for this week. 

I do give the students a lot of time to complete most of their work in class so they should not have a lot of homework if they are using their class time wisely.

The Pasta Night is next Thursday,October 9th.  This is an Astrocamp fundraiser and it is a lot of fun.
Please turn in your order forms ASAP. 

Friday, September 26th

We had a busy week.  The students finished the Science Chapter and will receive a study guide on Monday.  That Study guide will be due on Friday and we will have a test on October 7th.  We will review and play a Jeopardy Game to practice for the test.  
   The students continued working on  their FSEA Straw Towers and we are gradually working on Explorer Commercials.  It is fun seeing the student progress in both of these areas. 

 We did not have a chance to write in our Friday journals today.  We will continue that next week.

Have a great weekend.

Picture Day was today and all of the students looked so nice.  If you still want to purchase pictures your child received a yellow paper with information about this. We started TenMarks in the computer lab today so they all know how to access their accounts. Please look at the login information paper that the students are bringing home today.   They will have TenMarks homework online, at home, on Wednesday. 
   Check out the new pictures of their reading buddies on the tab above.

Next week will be busy!  Picture day is Tuesday, a school-wide behavior assembly will be on Wednesday and Thursday we will have a special presentation by author, Jennifer L. Alvarez.  

TenMarks online math program

I am happy to inform you that we will be using a new online supplemental math program called TenMarks, which will provide your students will additional math practice.  TenMarks is an online program that enables students to practice and master math concepts.  I have set up each student with their own individual account, and will be assigning online math work to enhance their daily math lessons.  This week I will teach the students how to log onto their accounts and practice in the computer lab.  I will be sending home a letter with the student login information and the students will have a home assignment to practice this week.

Blood on the River fun interactive games

 Here is a fun link to build a Palisade and learn more about Captain John Smith from our book Blood on the River =  click here

September 17th Post

      Students should be reading at home at least 20 minutes every night. We also have Super Quiet Reading Time  at least 3 times a week, in class, too.  The more a child reads, the more their vocabulary and comprehension will develop. 
      I am excited that we are starting the AR (Accelerated Reading) program soon! Students will start taking quizzes on all of the books that they read independently throughout the year.  Students can go to   http://www.arbookfind.com  to find out how many points it is worth.  Our goal for 5th grade GATE students is to read at least 100 points worth of books by the end of the year.   A letter will be coming home very soon to clarify how AR works.  This is the reading incentive program that will be replacing Read to the Stars.


We started typing letters to our  Pen Pals in Vietnam today.  We will finish them, in the computer lab, next week and send them off.  We look forward to starting this great communication with students who live in Vietnam.


We had buddies today with 2nd graders and our class did an amazing job reading with their buddies and helping them with vocabulary.  

September 16th

We started chapter 4 in science today.  It is all about water.  If your child would like to practice what we are learning or would like to preview some things please click on the picture below.

Please don't let the math homework do this to your child!  We are all adjusting to this new math program.  A lesson that we will be learning soon on measurement may be frustrating.  Here is a video to preview what we will be learning soon.   Here is a video that I will show to help!

September 15th

 Don't forget to check out the homework tab for daily homework updates.  

Today we had our first art lesson from our fabulous Art Explorers program.  We learned about Zentangle as well as reviewed landscape terms. On Friday the children will create Zentangle Landscapes.

Latitude and Longitude Song

If your child needs to review longitude and latitude click here :)

September 11th Post

 It was great meeting you all at Back to School Night.  I am very lucky to have such a wonderful class of students and parents.  I will now  post the homework, on  the homework tab, on a daily basis.  Please scroll down on the homework tab to the correct date to see what is for homework. The students are given a lot of time to do work in class and they should not usually have much homework unless they don't use their time wisely.   Don't hesitate to email if you have questions. 

The students started learning all about our new book called Blood on the River.  We wrote about our 5th grade Expectations and Responsibilities.  We have started our new Math program as well as to learn all about Longitude, Latitude and other Geographical Terms.  The students also completed their GATE Icon posters with their groups.   We got a lot accomplished in 2 days.

Don't forget the Back To School Night is tomorrow night.  It will start at 6:00 in the MPR and then their will be 2 times that you can listen to my classroom presentation.  One from 6:00 to 6:30 and the other from 6:30 to 7:00.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night.

Click on the picture tab at the top of this blog to see some of the pictures that I took during the first 3 days of school.  I will add different tabs throughout the year of different activities and events.    I will also update the homework tab on a daily basis.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  I know it will be a great school year.

The first day was wonderful. I had a fun day getting to know your children. They are all great kids and I know this is going to be an amazing school year.