Christmas is just around the corner, can you believe it? Where has the time gone? Just a few things about our Christmas party and science class. We will be having a quiz in science class this Thursday, December 20 over renewable and nonrenewable resources so that I can see if the kids understand the difference between the two. We made a foldable in our science journals that they can study from and they can also use their blue science book to study from, which we've read the section on this as well.
As for our Christmas party, Jeanette Johnson is organizing it. I sent home a letter on December 10 about our party and donating for Ronald McDonald house. I've been asked to ask the kids to bring in candy to put in their goody bags by Mrs. Johnson. If it is here by Friday, she said she can make them that morning. We are collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald house this year instead of doing a gift exchange.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Test possibly postponed...
I may not be here tomorrow, Friday, November 30. I've told the kids today, that if I am not here tomorrow, that their science test will be postponed until Monday, December 3. I told them there's a 50% chance they'll have their test tomorrow (if I'm here) and 50% chance they will have their test Monday (if I'm NOT here). I do not want to leave a unit test for a sub to give to the kids. The kids always have questions to ask me throughout a test and I do not want to absent for that and not get their questions answered. I told the kids to study and be prepared for tomorrow in case they have their test. It is also their responsibility to study over the weekend if it is moved to Monday.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Science TEST and homework
Test
We will be having a Life Science Unit test this Friday, November 28. I gave your children a study guide and we went over it one piece at a time the day before Thanksgiving break, November 20. I told them I was giving their study guide to them ahead of time in case they wanted to get a head start on their studies.
Homework
Today in class we are reading lesson 10 in our blue science book on pgs. 103-115. We are completing the "Applying What You Have Learned" boxes along the way. At the end, we are completing the two "Check Your Understanding" quizzes using the answers in lesson 10 as our "cheat sheet!" Can you believe it, the answers to the quizzes are actually in the lesson! These quizzes are on pgs. 116-118 and pgs. 120-122. All of lesson 10 that wasn't finished in class turns into homework tonight and is due tomorrow. This is a review for our test on Friday and covers material that we've already learned. We will be checking our answers tomorrow to add another tool to our study materials for Friday's test.
***Each class had 45 minutes of class time to work on and complete lesson 10 in class today.
We will be having a Life Science Unit test this Friday, November 28. I gave your children a study guide and we went over it one piece at a time the day before Thanksgiving break, November 20. I told them I was giving their study guide to them ahead of time in case they wanted to get a head start on their studies.
Homework
Today in class we are reading lesson 10 in our blue science book on pgs. 103-115. We are completing the "Applying What You Have Learned" boxes along the way. At the end, we are completing the two "Check Your Understanding" quizzes using the answers in lesson 10 as our "cheat sheet!" Can you believe it, the answers to the quizzes are actually in the lesson! These quizzes are on pgs. 116-118 and pgs. 120-122. All of lesson 10 that wasn't finished in class turns into homework tonight and is due tomorrow. This is a review for our test on Friday and covers material that we've already learned. We will be checking our answers tomorrow to add another tool to our study materials for Friday's test.
***Each class had 45 minutes of class time to work on and complete lesson 10 in class today.
Monday, November 19, 2012
November 19-20, 2012
It sure is nice to be back to a normal schedule this week after last week's Stanford testing. Here's to a short two day week!
In Science we will be wrapping up our Life Science unit. I will be giving the students their Life Science unit test after Thanksgiving break, at the earliest November 28. I'm making my decision based on the pace of the classes. Be on the look out for a study guide to come home Tuesday before Thanksgiving break (Nov. 20). This will give the kids a head start of what to begin studying over break.
Your children will also be receiving a food diary to keep for science over break, it will be due November 26 when we return from break. They will be writing down what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner over a four day period.
In Social Studies we are starting our studies of the three branches of government and will be learning them in chunks, one branch at a time.
Our Halloween rotting apples are rotting nicely as we speak. See the updated photos below. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Here's to coming back full from all of the delicious food, relaxed and ready to get back to learning.
In Science we will be wrapping up our Life Science unit. I will be giving the students their Life Science unit test after Thanksgiving break, at the earliest November 28. I'm making my decision based on the pace of the classes. Be on the look out for a study guide to come home Tuesday before Thanksgiving break (Nov. 20). This will give the kids a head start of what to begin studying over break.
Your children will also be receiving a food diary to keep for science over break, it will be due November 26 when we return from break. They will be writing down what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner over a four day period.
In Social Studies we are starting our studies of the three branches of government and will be learning them in chunks, one branch at a time.
Our Halloween rotting apples are rotting nicely as we speak. See the updated photos below. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break. Here's to coming back full from all of the delicious food, relaxed and ready to get back to learning.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Progress Book ...False alerts today, 11/8
I just wanted to let you all know to ignore any alerts that you may have received today from Progress Book about your child's progress or lack there of. We were told by Matt Prichard, our district's technology leader, to safely ignore any alerts that parents may have received today, Thursday, 11/8. Alerts will begin correctly tomorrow, Friday, 11/9 according to Matt Prichard. Sorry for any confusion that this may have caused.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
A Few Reminders....
Don't forget to wear red, white and blue tomorrow to show support for our veterans. We are holding our Veteran's Breakfast tomorrow morning before school.
Social Studies - your presidential election map is due Friday, don't forget to color democratic states blue and republican states red.
COSI - next Tuesday, COSI on Wheels is coming to Monroe!!!
Next Thursday - the fifth graders will be taking a trip to New Richmond High School to see the high school students perform their musical for us! We will be at the high school from 9:30-11:30! Can't wait!!!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Election Day!
Today was a big day in 5th grade Social Studies...your children cast their ballots for the Presidential Election! We had early voters in Room B170! We learned about popular votes, electoral college votes and background information about each candidate so that we could be informed voters. Below are pictures of our ballots being turned into the voting box. We will be color coding our maps of the U.S. this week while we keep up with the election to see which states end up being Republican (red) and which states end up being Democrat (blue). Fifth grade voting results to come... I told the kids to check out the website: 270towin.com for map updates.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Halloween rotting activity pictures to come...
Thanks to one of my students, each science class did a really cool science rotting activity with an apple. We created one apple monster per class that we will be watching each day as it slowly begins to rot. Hopefully by the end of a few weeks, we will have a magnificent monster as a result from nature's rotting process. Pictures to come...
Social Studies grades to come...
Your children and I went through some clozed notes (yes with a "z") to learn about the U.S. Constitution. They turned these into me this week and we worked on them for a week in class. I will be giving three grades on this packet, one grade per page. Be looking for these grades to be entered soon. If your child receives a zero, that means that they did not complete that page. If your child has a blank for the grade, that just means I haven't finished grading their's and it will be updated as I finish them. I'll be posting these as I get them graded, thank you ahead of time for your patience and understanding!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wetlands ecosystem food web
Thursday, October 25, 2012
School Mall, report card notes and a few other reminders
- School Mall is due back by tomorrow!
- Tomorrow is the deadline to turn in notes to me stating that you've seen your child's report card that came home last Friday.
- Next Tuesday, October 30, Mrs. Greeson has asked that anyone that has a burnt orange reading shirt that they earned should wear it on that day.
- Next Wednesday, October 31, Mrs. Greeson has asked that you dress up as your favorite book character for that day.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
October 22-28,2012
Science
This week in science, the kids will be learning how to make a food web using the animals and information that we discovered from our owl pellet dissecting last week. We will also be using a wetlands ecosystem to make food chains and one big food web from.
Social Studies
We are continuing our studies into the Constitution this week. We are learning about how the Framers met and had to come up with a new government that was just right, with some adjustments along the way. We will be reading more background knowledge about the Constitution as well.
Report cards - homeroom
Please write a note to me stating that you saw your child's report card that came home last Friday, Oct. 19.
Intervention Block
The fifth grade teachers have made some adjustments to our Intervention Block that we as a team just felt weren't working for our fifth grade family. We hope this helps put our students at ease, as I am already witnessing it fall into place as we like.
Agendas and Friday Folders
Continue checking your child's agenda nightly to go over their homework with them and help them learn to use it as a personal "to do list" for themselves. This is an important organization and communication tool not only for the students, but for the teachers and parents as well. Be watching for graded assignments and tests to come home in your child's Friday Folder on a weekly basis.
This week in science, the kids will be learning how to make a food web using the animals and information that we discovered from our owl pellet dissecting last week. We will also be using a wetlands ecosystem to make food chains and one big food web from.
Social Studies
We are continuing our studies into the Constitution this week. We are learning about how the Framers met and had to come up with a new government that was just right, with some adjustments along the way. We will be reading more background knowledge about the Constitution as well.
Report cards - homeroom
Please write a note to me stating that you saw your child's report card that came home last Friday, Oct. 19.
Intervention Block
The fifth grade teachers have made some adjustments to our Intervention Block that we as a team just felt weren't working for our fifth grade family. We hope this helps put our students at ease, as I am already witnessing it fall into place as we like.
Agendas and Friday Folders
Continue checking your child's agenda nightly to go over their homework with them and help them learn to use it as a personal "to do list" for themselves. This is an important organization and communication tool not only for the students, but for the teachers and parents as well. Be watching for graded assignments and tests to come home in your child's Friday Folder on a weekly basis.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Don't Forget!
Tomorrow! (Thursday, Oct. 11) Be ready to go outside to play our "Catch Me If You Can" food chain game. Bring your coats and wear shoes you don't mind wearing in wet, dewy grass.
Secondly, you need to bring in an empty egg carton by next Tuesday, October 16 for Science. We need it for our experiment!
Finally, we will be having a quiz this Friday, Oct. 12 on our North America maps. Your child will need to be able to label the following: Mississippi River, Ohio River, St. Lawrence River, Rio Grande River, The Great Lakes, Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains, U.S.A., Canada, and lastly Mexico. I told the kids I will be giving them a blank map, the same one that's in their Social Studies journal, and they will have to label all of those geographic points.
Secondly, you need to bring in an empty egg carton by next Tuesday, October 16 for Science. We need it for our experiment!
Finally, we will be having a quiz this Friday, Oct. 12 on our North America maps. Your child will need to be able to label the following: Mississippi River, Ohio River, St. Lawrence River, Rio Grande River, The Great Lakes, Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains, U.S.A., Canada, and lastly Mexico. I told the kids I will be giving them a blank map, the same one that's in their Social Studies journal, and they will have to label all of those geographic points.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Still grading...and due Monday
Social Studies
I'm almost finished grading all of the salt dough maps. Boy, was that a huge project for me to undertake - grading!!! It's like a grading marathon and I can finally see the finish line in the distance!!! Yey!!! Remember, if you don't see a grade appearing for your child, then I haven't graded their's yet. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Science
We spent all this week researching and working on our Food Chain Research Projects in class. We used the IPads all week and found out some fantastic information! Today (Friday, 10/5) was the last day to work on the project in class. I told the kids that their finished projects are due MONDAY, 10/8. Be looking for those grades to come as well.
Zeros
If you see any zeros on any grades for science or social studies, that means your child did not turn in the assignment, or they forgot their name and did not claim the paper off of the whiteboard yet.
Mrs. George letter - S. Studies
If your child received a 6/10 or lower on this assignment, I told them to REDO this assignment for a chance to earn a better grade. They were told to turn their new letter and their old letter back into this coming Monday, 10/8.
I think the directions were misunderstood that were given by Mrs. Walmsley, my sub. However, if your child fails to turn this REDO assignment into me, their grade will remain the same one that is on top of the paper that came home.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Science and Social Studies grades
I have posted some grades for things for both science and social studies. If your child doesn't have a grade showing up for a project or assignment yet, I'm still in the grading process so be looking for it to be updated. I wanted to get things posted though, so just be watching for things to change as I keep adding things as I finish them. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you, but I'm working as fast as I can to get everything graded for everyone. Thank you for your understanding. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions: yaden_j@nrschools.org
Monday, October 1, 2012
October 1-5, 2012
Science
We will be starting our food chain research projects this week in class. We will using IPads in class as well as books to complete our research. Your child received a checklist on Monday that includes everything that is required for the project. The research project will end up being a sun mobile with 4 food chains hanging down from it. Your child will be required to research at least 2 food chains on their own. I gave them a general list of animals Monday to chose from for their research.
Social Studies
We are still learning about the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War, also known as the American Revolution and U.S. Constitution.
Agendas and conferences
Continue checking your child's agenda daily and keeping up with our blogs weekly. This is the fastest, most efficient way for us to keep you as parents updated. We're looking forward to seeing everyone at our last evening of conferences Tuesday evening.
We will be starting our food chain research projects this week in class. We will using IPads in class as well as books to complete our research. Your child received a checklist on Monday that includes everything that is required for the project. The research project will end up being a sun mobile with 4 food chains hanging down from it. Your child will be required to research at least 2 food chains on their own. I gave them a general list of animals Monday to chose from for their research.
Social Studies
We are still learning about the Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War, also known as the American Revolution and U.S. Constitution.
Agendas and conferences
Continue checking your child's agenda daily and keeping up with our blogs weekly. This is the fastest, most efficient way for us to keep you as parents updated. We're looking forward to seeing everyone at our last evening of conferences Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
September 24-28,2012
Science
Finally back to a normal week! We will be getting to all of the things I discussed in last week's science blog that we didn't get to due to Pro Ohio testing last week. Please refer to last week's blog posting for information.
Social Studies
We finished our North America salt dough maps on Monday. We worked on them all last week and two other days in class. This should have been enough time to complete our fantastic maps. We sure learned where things are located in North America and how to use an atlas correctly! Be looking for grades to be posted within the next week or two.
We will be learning about two very important documents this week, The Declaration of Independence and The U.S. Constituion. We'll be learning just how our government started and then will lead into learning about our current government.
Parent Volunteers and Intervention Block
We will begin our Intervention Block schedule this week. This is when we will utilize our parent volunteers to help us work in small groups. Each child has their own daily Intervention Block schedule and will be going different places, working with different teachers and parents each day. They will also be going to Success Lab during this block throughout the week.
Agendas, Friday Folders, Progress Book
Continue checking your child's agenda daily for their homework and notes from teachers. Your child should be bringing home weekly papers in their Friday Folder. These are due back to me signed every Monday, this signals me that you've seen your child's papers and have taken them out. Keep checking for weekly grade updates on Progress Book. Anytime you see a zero for a grade, that is your cue that your child didn't turn in an assignment. All three fifth grade teachers have the same policy: we give full credit to work turned in on time. We give half credit to work turned in one day late. We do not give any credit to work turned in later than one day late. Thank you for helping us teach and support your child learning early on in school the necessity of turning in their work on time. This is a life skill they need to be successful in their world, and we all want successful children!
Finally back to a normal week! We will be getting to all of the things I discussed in last week's science blog that we didn't get to due to Pro Ohio testing last week. Please refer to last week's blog posting for information.
Social Studies
We finished our North America salt dough maps on Monday. We worked on them all last week and two other days in class. This should have been enough time to complete our fantastic maps. We sure learned where things are located in North America and how to use an atlas correctly! Be looking for grades to be posted within the next week or two.
We will be learning about two very important documents this week, The Declaration of Independence and The U.S. Constituion. We'll be learning just how our government started and then will lead into learning about our current government.
Parent Volunteers and Intervention Block
We will begin our Intervention Block schedule this week. This is when we will utilize our parent volunteers to help us work in small groups. Each child has their own daily Intervention Block schedule and will be going different places, working with different teachers and parents each day. They will also be going to Success Lab during this block throughout the week.
Agendas, Friday Folders, Progress Book
Continue checking your child's agenda daily for their homework and notes from teachers. Your child should be bringing home weekly papers in their Friday Folder. These are due back to me signed every Monday, this signals me that you've seen your child's papers and have taken them out. Keep checking for weekly grade updates on Progress Book. Anytime you see a zero for a grade, that is your cue that your child didn't turn in an assignment. All three fifth grade teachers have the same policy: we give full credit to work turned in on time. We give half credit to work turned in one day late. We do not give any credit to work turned in later than one day late. Thank you for helping us teach and support your child learning early on in school the necessity of turning in their work on time. This is a life skill they need to be successful in their world, and we all want successful children!
Monday, September 17, 2012
September 17-21, 2012
Grandparents' Day
A great time was had by all in Social Studies class on Grandparents' Day! We got down right messy making our salt dough with our grandparents and boy was it fun! A huge thanks to all of the grandparents who helped out with their dough making expertise, it turned out great!
Pro Ohio
We will be taking the rest of our Pro Ohio tests this week, please make sure your child comes prepared with at least two number 2 pencils and good erasers that don't streak! Streaking erasers are a nightmare on scan tron answer sheets! The tests are as follows: Monday - Math, Wednesday - Science, Friday - Social Studies
Volunteers
We will start having our parent volunteers come in starting next week, September 24-28. With our wacky schedule this week due to Pro Ohio, we didn't see the need to even attempt our new volunteer schedule this week. Be on the look out for your volunteer schedule to come home sometime this week. Thank you again for all of the parents who are volunteering their time to help out the fifth grade.
Science and journals
This week we will be discussing the basics of Life Science: what are producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, and scavengers? We'll be taking notes in our science journal on these basics and taking notes on how to correctly make food chains. Be on the lookout for some of your child's grades to come from things that are in their science journals. I will be collecting their journals every now and then to see if they've kept up with them correctly. Feel free to take a look at them as well to see any grades that are in them. I will be writing "Journal" at the end of any assignment that you see on Progress Book. This will be your cue that the assignment is in their journal and has been graded in the journal.
Social Studies and journals
This week our goal is to finish our salt dough maps, painted and all. This is a great way to learn about some basic geographic points on the North America map. Be on the lookout for some of your child's grades to come from things that are in their social studies journals, such as their North America map and Focus Chapter 2 foldables that were both on their interim reports. I will be collecting their journals every now and then to see if they've kept up with them correctly. Feel free to take a look at them as well to see any grades that are in them. I will be writing "Journal" at the end of any assignment that you see on Progress Book. This will be your cue that the assignment is in their journal and has been graded in the journal.
Interims
I'd like to make sure that you've seen your child's interim report. I've asked the kids to have them return their interim reports signed by this Friday, September 21. I've also told them that their parents can write a note to me letting me know that their interim was seen if you'd prefer not to sign the actual interim report. I'll be sending these interims back home to you this Friday, September 21 in your child's Friday Folders. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this matter.
A great time was had by all in Social Studies class on Grandparents' Day! We got down right messy making our salt dough with our grandparents and boy was it fun! A huge thanks to all of the grandparents who helped out with their dough making expertise, it turned out great!
Pro Ohio
We will be taking the rest of our Pro Ohio tests this week, please make sure your child comes prepared with at least two number 2 pencils and good erasers that don't streak! Streaking erasers are a nightmare on scan tron answer sheets! The tests are as follows: Monday - Math, Wednesday - Science, Friday - Social Studies
Volunteers
We will start having our parent volunteers come in starting next week, September 24-28. With our wacky schedule this week due to Pro Ohio, we didn't see the need to even attempt our new volunteer schedule this week. Be on the look out for your volunteer schedule to come home sometime this week. Thank you again for all of the parents who are volunteering their time to help out the fifth grade.
Science and journals
This week we will be discussing the basics of Life Science: what are producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, and scavengers? We'll be taking notes in our science journal on these basics and taking notes on how to correctly make food chains. Be on the lookout for some of your child's grades to come from things that are in their science journals. I will be collecting their journals every now and then to see if they've kept up with them correctly. Feel free to take a look at them as well to see any grades that are in them. I will be writing "Journal" at the end of any assignment that you see on Progress Book. This will be your cue that the assignment is in their journal and has been graded in the journal.
Social Studies and journals
This week our goal is to finish our salt dough maps, painted and all. This is a great way to learn about some basic geographic points on the North America map. Be on the lookout for some of your child's grades to come from things that are in their social studies journals, such as their North America map and Focus Chapter 2 foldables that were both on their interim reports. I will be collecting their journals every now and then to see if they've kept up with them correctly. Feel free to take a look at them as well to see any grades that are in them. I will be writing "Journal" at the end of any assignment that you see on Progress Book. This will be your cue that the assignment is in their journal and has been graded in the journal.
Interims
I'd like to make sure that you've seen your child's interim report. I've asked the kids to have them return their interim reports signed by this Friday, September 21. I've also told them that their parents can write a note to me letting me know that their interim was seen if you'd prefer not to sign the actual interim report. I'll be sending these interims back home to you this Friday, September 21 in your child's Friday Folders. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding with this matter.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Science homework
Don't forget that you need to finish your lab questions from class today. It is due tomorrow. If you were doing Pro Ohio testing with Miss Allen at this time today, you do not have that homework.
September 10-14, 2012
Science and Social Studies
Well, we are still plugging away in science and social studies on the material I blogged about last week. Sometimes I plan more than we can cover in a week' s time, so we will just simply finish it the following week. We are wrapping up our week in science completing our lab that tests and controls variables with Epsom salt and warm water. Ask your young, budding scientists about their goggles they wore this week, they all looked stunning! Safety first in science! In social studies we are just getting to our salt dough map sat the end of this week. Please send your child in with 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of all purpose flour to make their dough, these should be sealed in Ziploc baggies and labeled with their names, home rooms, and social studies period. We will need these by Friday!
Pro Ohio
We will also be taking our Pro Ohio tests this week and next week for reading, math, science and social studies. These tests are to see where your child is academically right now in the school year. We will take them again in the winter. Your children will need to bring number two pencils With them on the following days: September 12, 17, 19, 21. These are the days we will be taking the Pro Ohio tests.
Parent Volunteers
Parent volunteers who returned the volunteer form to us have been scheduled and will be receiving a note home within the next few days letting yu know when to start coming in and what days we've scheduled you for.We will not be starting this next week due to Pro Ohio testing. A big thank you to all of our parents that will be volunteering your time for us and your children.
Well, we are still plugging away in science and social studies on the material I blogged about last week. Sometimes I plan more than we can cover in a week' s time, so we will just simply finish it the following week. We are wrapping up our week in science completing our lab that tests and controls variables with Epsom salt and warm water. Ask your young, budding scientists about their goggles they wore this week, they all looked stunning! Safety first in science! In social studies we are just getting to our salt dough map sat the end of this week. Please send your child in with 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of all purpose flour to make their dough, these should be sealed in Ziploc baggies and labeled with their names, home rooms, and social studies period. We will need these by Friday!
Pro Ohio
We will also be taking our Pro Ohio tests this week and next week for reading, math, science and social studies. These tests are to see where your child is academically right now in the school year. We will take them again in the winter. Your children will need to bring number two pencils With them on the following days: September 12, 17, 19, 21. These are the days we will be taking the Pro Ohio tests.
Parent Volunteers
Parent volunteers who returned the volunteer form to us have been scheduled and will be receiving a note home within the next few days letting yu know when to start coming in and what days we've scheduled you for.We will not be starting this next week due to Pro Ohio testing. A big thank you to all of our parents that will be volunteering your time for us and your children.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
September 4-7 Week 3 Already!
Wow! We're in the third week of school already, where has the time gone? Routines are starting to become second nature, and things are starting to work like clockwork, which is a good thing!
Science
We will be detectives this week trying to figure out maps that have mystery footprints left behind and clues to figure out. We'll be making inferences to make our hypotheses and try to crack open the cases. We will also be fine tuning our predicting skills by getting to do some hands on activities to help us. Hopefully we'll be closing our week learning how to control variables in experiments. We're definitely busy scientists at work!
Social Studies
We are trying to finish up learning our latitude and longitude skills this week. Our goal is to become latitude and longitude experts by the end of this week. If your child forgot their cardboard for their map project, there is still time to bring it in. My goal is to begin making our maps of our continent North America out of salt dough at the end of this week.
Science
We will be detectives this week trying to figure out maps that have mystery footprints left behind and clues to figure out. We'll be making inferences to make our hypotheses and try to crack open the cases. We will also be fine tuning our predicting skills by getting to do some hands on activities to help us. Hopefully we'll be closing our week learning how to control variables in experiments. We're definitely busy scientists at work!
Social Studies
We are trying to finish up learning our latitude and longitude skills this week. Our goal is to become latitude and longitude experts by the end of this week. If your child forgot their cardboard for their map project, there is still time to bring it in. My goal is to begin making our maps of our continent North America out of salt dough at the end of this week.
Monday, August 27, 2012
District calendars
District calendars will be sent home tomorrow with your children. I forgot to send them home today so be looking for them to come home Tuesday. Friday folders should have made it home on Friday with papers in them. Please sign on Friday's date letting me know that you saw the papers come home and have your child return this no later than Tuesday. If Friday folders are not back to me by Tuesday, they count as a highlight for the week.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Welcome to Fifth Grade!
Wow! I can't believe our first week of school is almost finished, it has flown by! I've enjoyed meeting your fantastic children and cannot wait to get to know them even more as we work together. I will be teaching Science and Social Studies this year. We will be doing lots of experiments and hands on projects. These will both involve a lot of partner work, group work and cooperative learning. Your children will be working with everyone in the classroom throughout the year. Cooperation will be a huge componant to our classroom running smoothly and effectively.
In Science we are beginning the year learning safety procedures and the appropriate use of tools in the classroom. This will prepare us for future success in our lab settings and projects. We are beginning our year in Social Studies with geography and will then be going into government. I will be requesting that your child bring in a piece of cardboard for a project next week. Please start saving some, a pizza box top will be a sufficient size. It needs to be a sturdy piece as we will be making maps on top of these cardboard pieces.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have:
yaden_j@nrschools.org
553-3183 ext. 14172
I look forward to a fantastic school year with your children!
Mrs. Yaden
In Science we are beginning the year learning safety procedures and the appropriate use of tools in the classroom. This will prepare us for future success in our lab settings and projects. We are beginning our year in Social Studies with geography and will then be going into government. I will be requesting that your child bring in a piece of cardboard for a project next week. Please start saving some, a pizza box top will be a sufficient size. It needs to be a sturdy piece as we will be making maps on top of these cardboard pieces.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have:
yaden_j@nrschools.org
553-3183 ext. 14172
I look forward to a fantastic school year with your children!
Mrs. Yaden
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Wrapping things up
This week in reading, we're watching a documentary on the PBS website called "Through a Dog's Eyes." This documentary shows service dogs & how they're trained, raised & are paired with their owners. Feel free to watch this touching film. We'll be working on a writing assignment based on this eye opening documentary. We will have our last vocabulary packet and test this Friday.
In science, we are finishing our fabulous circuit boards, making our own flashlights & building our own solar cookers/ovens. Please send your student in with a flashlight bulb to make their own flashlight from scratch. I will supply them with the remaining materials, except the 2 D cell batteries that they already came with from home. I've also asked that the students bring in empty, unused pizza boxes for our solar cookers/ovens. We will be cooking S'mores in them, so we'll also need the goodies! We still need some chocolate bars & a box of graham crackers. Thank you for all of the donations and supplies you've sent your children in with already. Our cool end of the year projects wouldn't be possible without your generous donations & participation, so thank you!
HOMEROOM: don't forget to bring your bookfair money for WEDNESDAY!!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
3 D Cell Batteries & a TP tube!
Each child will need to bring in 3 D cell batteries and an empty toilet paper roll for 2 science projects that they'll be making. These projects will come back home, so your batteries will be coming back home. Please see that your children bring in their batteries and tp roll by May 2nd!
Monday, April 16, 2012
April15-19,2012
Reading
This week we're reading our nonfiction story in our Storyworks magazine, How to Save a Baby Elephant. We fell in love with baby Ishanga and her rescue story. Elephants are truly amazing animals as we read. We will be having our weekly reading test this Thursday over our elephant story, so be sure to reread the story nightly & bring your Storyworks every day. Your new, self choosen lit circle book & lit circle journal are due this Thursday for week 1. Make sure to bring your book & journal to school each day to work on & on Thursday to discuss. Friday will bring us our weekly vocab. test & our weekly packet will be do as well.
Science
We are wrapping up electromagnets this week. Finding the north & south poles of our electromagnets had our brains spinning just like our compass needles! The rest of the week will have us studying the transmission, reflection & refraction of light energy. Ask your children about their light stations, we'll have tons of fun with our hands on learning this week!
This week we're reading our nonfiction story in our Storyworks magazine, How to Save a Baby Elephant. We fell in love with baby Ishanga and her rescue story. Elephants are truly amazing animals as we read. We will be having our weekly reading test this Thursday over our elephant story, so be sure to reread the story nightly & bring your Storyworks every day. Your new, self choosen lit circle book & lit circle journal are due this Thursday for week 1. Make sure to bring your book & journal to school each day to work on & on Thursday to discuss. Friday will bring us our weekly vocab. test & our weekly packet will be do as well.
Science
We are wrapping up electromagnets this week. Finding the north & south poles of our electromagnets had our brains spinning just like our compass needles! The rest of the week will have us studying the transmission, reflection & refraction of light energy. Ask your children about their light stations, we'll have tons of fun with our hands on learning this week!
OAA - we are shining stars!!!!
Our chance to show what we know begins next week with our Reading OAA on Wednesday. Then we'll continue with our Math & Science OAA's. Keep an eye out for a letter home about testing this week from Mr. Bailey. Make sure your child starts gathering their trusty number 2 pencils, pink erasers, water bottles to hydrate our brains, healthy snacks, comfy clothes, and a good silent reading book!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Week of April 9-13
We're finally back to a normal week! I hope that you and your family enjoyed a restful Easter weekend. I know I did!
Reading
We have our new Storyworks magazine now & are diving right in with this week's story, "Roy's Secret." Fairy tales are fantastic & Roy is taken away into that world through his reading! Your child should be rereading our story each night to familiarize themselves with the layout & story line. Our weekly reading test over it will be this Thursday & we'll be using our Storyworks magazine daily in class. Along with our story, we are completing our vocabulary 24 packet using math words that we're already familiar with. This is due completed by Friday & we'll have our normal test then as well. My new lit circle books didn't pan out as I had hoped. I was going to wait until our final lit circle book to do this, but have decided to do it now so that no more time is wasted. I've told the kids to come to me Thursday with a novel in mind that they'd like to read on their own for lit circles this time around. It has to be school appropriate & on their reading level. I told them to be ready to let me know by Thursday what they're choosing (with my approval).
We have light!
In science we're intrigued with electricity & figuring out how simple circuits work! We've been figuring out what makes them work & how to fix circuits that do not light! It's been awesome! Ever wonder how Christmas lights work? Well, we'll be getting into that this week, along with a fabulous invention, the electromagnet!
2nd & 3rd Period Science Grades
I have a few missing grades that were not collected when I was out and had a sub. I have collected the following assignments & will have them posted in the near future: Pasta Parallels, Round & Round. If your child has an * as their grade, most likely I have the assignment in my hands & it will change when I update things again. If they did not turn it in you will see a zero for the grade. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.
Reading
We have our new Storyworks magazine now & are diving right in with this week's story, "Roy's Secret." Fairy tales are fantastic & Roy is taken away into that world through his reading! Your child should be rereading our story each night to familiarize themselves with the layout & story line. Our weekly reading test over it will be this Thursday & we'll be using our Storyworks magazine daily in class. Along with our story, we are completing our vocabulary 24 packet using math words that we're already familiar with. This is due completed by Friday & we'll have our normal test then as well. My new lit circle books didn't pan out as I had hoped. I was going to wait until our final lit circle book to do this, but have decided to do it now so that no more time is wasted. I've told the kids to come to me Thursday with a novel in mind that they'd like to read on their own for lit circles this time around. It has to be school appropriate & on their reading level. I told them to be ready to let me know by Thursday what they're choosing (with my approval).
We have light!
In science we're intrigued with electricity & figuring out how simple circuits work! We've been figuring out what makes them work & how to fix circuits that do not light! It's been awesome! Ever wonder how Christmas lights work? Well, we'll be getting into that this week, along with a fabulous invention, the electromagnet!
2nd & 3rd Period Science Grades
I have a few missing grades that were not collected when I was out and had a sub. I have collected the following assignments & will have them posted in the near future: Pasta Parallels, Round & Round. If your child has an * as their grade, most likely I have the assignment in my hands & it will change when I update things again. If they did not turn it in you will see a zero for the grade. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Reading
Next week in reading class, we will be doing our weekly vocabulary lesson, which will be lesson 23. We'll have our usual vocab. test on Friday.
The rest of the reading class will be devoted to taking a practice reading achievement test & a practice math achievement test. After Spring Break, we'll have three weeks left before 5th grade begins taking their OAA tests. This will be our last practice test before our big game!
The rest of the reading class will be devoted to taking a practice reading achievement test & a practice math achievement test. After Spring Break, we'll have three weeks left before 5th grade begins taking their OAA tests. This will be our last practice test before our big game!
SCIENCE - EARTH & SPACE TEST FRIDAY!!!!
We will be wrapping up our Earth & Space unit next week. We will be taking our unit test on Friday, March 23. I will be giving the students study guides to lead them through the material that needs to be reviewed & studied. We will be reviewing in class as well on Thursday as we play Jeopardy to test our knowledge before test day. Be looking for the study guide to come home. Your children also have multiple rubberband books that were made in class, their blue science book & their science journal to help them study throughout the week.
After Spring Break we'll be moving ahead with physical science - light, heat, and sound!
After Spring Break we'll be moving ahead with physical science - light, heat, and sound!
Monday, February 27, 2012
February 27 - March 2, 2012 WOW! March already???
We will be learning more about autism through our story this week when we read The Sound of Annie's Silence. Our video clip this week deals with three teenage boys & their stories of going through life with some degree of autism. Thursday we will have a weekly reading test over this story. Vocabulary has us learning words that describe our personalities. Vocab. lesson 19 will be due Friday & the test will take place then as well.
We're rounding our third week in our lit circle books. I'm behind in my grading of week 2 due to my absence for half of last week. I will be grading these when week 3 is turned in.
In science we'll be continuing to learn about our solar system. We are finishing reading lesson 14 in our books at the beginning of the week as well as checking over our work in the book. There is a pneumonic device that we'll be discussing & learning in order to remember the order of our planets. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos - yum!!! Ask your child what this stands for by the end of the week! We will be reading over informational charts about the planets & gathering data from them in our "Can You Planet?" packet. Hopefully our week will close by making a scaled model of our solar system on paper.
In science we'll be continuing to learn about our solar system. We are finishing reading lesson 14 in our books at the beginning of the week as well as checking over our work in the book. There is a pneumonic device that we'll be discussing & learning in order to remember the order of our planets. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos - yum!!! Ask your child what this stands for by the end of the week! We will be reading over informational charts about the planets & gathering data from them in our "Can You Planet?" packet. Hopefully our week will close by making a scaled model of our solar system on paper.
We'll be busy, busy, busy!!!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Storyworks - don't leave home without it!
Don't forget, you'll need your Storyworks magazine ALL week for reading!
NASA kids website
Check out this cool website for kids from NASA!
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/ forkids/kidsclub/text/index. html
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/
What's happening this week?
Now that we've had a restful weekend, we're back into the groove of things. We will not be having our weekly reading test this week. We will however still be doing our Vocabulary Lesson 18: Famous United States Words. Our packet will be due on Friday as well as having our test on Friday. We will be working on activities in our Storyworks magazine all week, so make sure you bring it each day! Hyperboles, tall tales, the greatest invention , and cats vs. dogs will all be topics in this week's reading class.
We are taking off into outer space in science this week! We'll be finishing up day & night, discussing time zones, and starting to learn about our 8 planets in our solar system. Check out Google Earth & see outer space, the moon, Mars, constellations & even your home on Earth! It's amazing what satellites have done for us.
We are taking off into outer space in science this week! We'll be finishing up day & night, discussing time zones, and starting to learn about our 8 planets in our solar system. Check out Google Earth & see outer space, the moon, Mars, constellations & even your home on Earth! It's amazing what satellites have done for us.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Back to blogging!
This week we will take our last Pro Ohio test for Science. Last week's Reading & Math proved to be good practice for us. As many of you know, we will not be having Valentine's Day parties, as this is a district wide decision. Feel free to still come with Valentine's cards for classmates. The kids were asked to write down names of their classmates if they were interested in handing out cards.
Our reading story this week is Dolphin Tale, which many of the kids have seen the movie for. What a great story! Feel free to check out Winter on a live webcam as she swims with her tank mate & other friends. We watched her today & really enjoyed seeing her in action! Our test will be this Thursday as well as our new lit circles. Make sure you come prepared with your Storyworks, lit circle book & lit circle journal on Thursday.
In science this week we are learning about what causes day & night. We will do some activities to prove what is behind this daily occurance, as well as discussing time zones along with this to see why different parts of the world are sleeping when we're awake. Our water pollution lab is proceeding along very nicely! This week we'll be wrapping things up in our water pollution lab. Seeing firsthand the effects of groundwater pollution really helps us imagine a leaky landfill, yuck!
Our reading story this week is Dolphin Tale, which many of the kids have seen the movie for. What a great story! Feel free to check out Winter on a live webcam as she swims with her tank mate & other friends. We watched her today & really enjoyed seeing her in action! Our test will be this Thursday as well as our new lit circles. Make sure you come prepared with your Storyworks, lit circle book & lit circle journal on Thursday.
In science this week we are learning about what causes day & night. We will do some activities to prove what is behind this daily occurance, as well as discussing time zones along with this to see why different parts of the world are sleeping when we're awake. Our water pollution lab is proceeding along very nicely! This week we'll be wrapping things up in our water pollution lab. Seeing firsthand the effects of groundwater pollution really helps us imagine a leaky landfill, yuck!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Grades now updated
My apologies...grades are now updated, it sure took awhile to get caught back up. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. Make sure that you are looking at TERM 3 because term 1 & term 2 grades are posted as well.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Grades to come
This past week's been hectic around here. Grades will be posted as soon as I can get them online. Sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause you.
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