September 30, 2010

Assignments:
reading - Grandpa's Rail Tales
English - pg 56 (students are allowed to use the computer on this assignment if they would like to)
spelling - test
math - lesson 21
journal - Which tall tales and exaggerations do you like?
Have a great 3 day weekend!!!

September 29, 2010

Assignments:
reading - Johnny Appleseed story
English - page 55
spelling - test tomorrow
math - investigation 2
science - We watched The Ring of Fire
social studies - We watched American Legends since we have been studying tall tales.
journal - What books have you been reading lately?

September 28, 2010

Assignments:
reading - more tall tales (Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, and February)
English - Unit 1 test
math - Test 3 & test day activity master 7
activity - we watched Mulan
journal - What do you know about volcanoes?
The activity was great!  So many students brought treats to share.  I had never seen that much generosity in a class.  Thank you!

September 27, 2010

Assignments:
reading - We are reading Tall Tales this week.
English - Unit 1 review (completed in class)  test tomorrow!
math - lesson 20; test tomorrow!
science - We have been studying volcanoes.
social studies - We talked about the census today and the seven regions of the continental U.S.
journal - What toppings do you like with your ice cream?
Tomorrow is the activity that students earned in sinking all of the battleships.  I am allowing them to bring a treat to eat while they watch a movie.  Have a great day!

September 24, 2010

Assignments:
English - Unit 1 review lessons 1-4 (we did it as a class, so if your child was at school they probably got it done)
math - lesson 19
science - draw, label, and color the map of the Great Rift Valley on page B108
journal - How well do you know your times tables?
The students were able to sink all five ships in battleship again!  Monday I will send a note home to inform all parents that we will be watching a movie on Tuesday afternoon as a reward for their excellent behavior. Students wanted ice cream too . . we'll see.

Oh no! I just realized that I forgot to send home notes informing parents of the times I was able to schedule parent teacher conference appointments.  Please watch for them Monday.

September 23, 2010

Assignments:
English - lesson 8
math - lesson 18
social studies - Jefferson pages
journal - What do you think Parent Teacher Conference will be like?
Parents, watch for Parent Teacher Conference notes coming home tomorrow.  Have a great day!

September 22, 2010

Assignments: journal - DORA test; English - worksheet 8; math - lesson 17; science - worksheet on volcanoes; social studies- map page (12 questions)
We are having several birthdays this week so students have spent quite a bit of time making birthday notes for classmates.  Ask your child about his/her cards. 

September 21, 2010

Assignments: journal - Magellan; English - Writing Good Sentences Worksheet; math - lesson 16

September 20, 2010

Assignments: math- test 2; journal - walk a thon or weekend; science - draw, color and label 3 types of volcanoes found on B86 and B87 of the science text book.

September 16, 2010

Great day.  Thursday's are favorites at our school for students and teachers alike.  We had a fun activity with Miss Taylor.  She brought in a long rope with four knots in it.  Students were spaced evenly along the rope holding it with only their right hand.  She gave two rules: Don't let go of the rope (keep your right hand in the same place) and Don't talk.  The instruction was, "untie the knots."  Ask your children about it, it was a lot of fun.
Assignments: math - lesson 14; English - worksheet 7; journal - crazy hair and socks; writing - rough draft - favorite thing about fifth grade.

September 15, 2010

Crazy hair and sock day!!!  How fun.  Tomorrow wear jerseys.  Parents, I sent home a form asking you to give the best times for you to have PTC on September 29 or 30.  Please return those forms as soon as possible.  I am putting in a book order pretty soon, I told the students it is due tomorrow, if you need more time let me know.  I will not be showing the Presidential address in class.  The walk-a-thon is coming up on Friday, we are all excited about that.
Assignments: math - lesson 13; English - lesson 6; journal - geometry

September 13, 2010

Tomorrow is the big day.  Parents, a note came home today letting you know that the students earned their battleship reward for great behavior and they get to wear modest PJ s to school tomorrow if they would like.  We will also be watching a video in the afternoon.  I'm so impressed with these well behaved students!
Assignments: journal - P.E.; English - worksheet 5; math - lesson 11; science - draw, label, and color the Pacific plate; social studies - know that capitals of SC, NC, MD, VA, KY, TN, and AL or page 123 problems 1-3 (write the question and the answer). 

September 10, 2010

Yeah!!! The Ships have all been sunk and it is time for another reward.  The first math test went really well.  Every student had great scores.
Assignments: math - investigation 1; spelling - test: English - lesson 5.
Have a great weekend!

September 9, 2010

Early out day comes at just the right time each week doesn't it?  This morning we read a story about Hurricane Opal.  We enjoyed our first math test after recess.  Tomorrow, many students will be participating in the "Above and Beyond" activities.
Assignments: math - test; english - lesson 4; journal - mountains or hiking; spelling - word sort (test tomorrow).

September 8, 2010

My favorite part of the day was P.E. when we had two sets of two ball poison (or lightning) going.  Being good sports and having fun was the best part.  The behavior was so great that I was even able to step in and play a little. 
Assignments: journal - Iceland; math - lesson 10 (test tomorrow); english - worksheet 4; science - four mountains, labeled and colored. 

September 7, 2010

We have almost finished up the unit on explorers in social studies.  Today we talked about John Cabot, Amerigo Vespucci, and Balboa.  We also got our planners today.  Each student should have a planner that will record what homework they have and will give parents an indication of what is being discussed in their school subjects.  Students please remember to record your reading minutes and have your parents sign your planner.
Assignments: math-lesson 9; english - lesson 3; journal - what did you really do over Labor Day weekend.

September 3, 2010

We rearranged desks today.  It was noisy and crazy, but we still got it done. Yeah!!  We had several students absent, probably because of the three day weekend.  I hope everyone enjoys their long weekend.
Assignments: math - lesson 8; journal - this weekend; english - worksheet 3; social studies - George and Martha Washington pages; science - plate tectonics drawing.
I'll see you Tuesday!

September 2, 2010

We read a story called "Riding Out the Storm" today, about a young girl who was left alone during a hurricane.  She was able to "ride out the storm" and then be rescued.  We have also been talking about earthquakes in science, so major storms or disasters might be a topic that comes up at home.
Assignments: math - lesson 7; journal - Christopher Columbus; english - lesson 2.
Have a great early out day!!!

September 1, 2010

We had so much fun playing kickball this afternoon.  Some students felt like the teams were unevenly matched (it was randomly determined) but I think everyone preferred being outside playing to sitting in the classroom.  The students have already chosen the activity for their next battleship win.  They want to wear pajamas and watch a movie.  When they earn that reward I will send a note home informing parents of the date for that activity. 
Assignments: math - lesson 6; english - types of sentences worksheet; journal - last year's walk-a-thon; science - earthquake map.  I am hoping to have planners for the students by the beginning of next week.  That will be a great way for students to keep track of their assignments and proof of their completion.