Newsletter 9-24-11

We had a great week and enjoyed our retreat day and BTT party on Friday. I’m ready for another week! We are pumped for the study trip on Thursday to NBC Action News to see Brett Anthony at work!

The Week Ahead:

Religion:

We will finish up chapter 2 on Tuesday. Please have your child take the online test on Tuesday or Wednesday evening and send me the results. I will email you back to ensure that I received the results.

We will start chapter three, The Mystery of the Holy Trinity, on Thursday.

Math:

We will continue with chapter two this week. We will be focusing on addition and subtraction number stories and estimation.  We will tentatively complete lessons 2.4-2.7.

Reading:

We finished our first novel, Bridge to Terabithia. It was a hit!!! Check out these videos of the kids talking about their favorite parts of the novel:

The kids loved the book and loved comparing it to the movie. There may have been a few tears yesterday during the movie! If you haven’t read it, I highly suggest it! These kids are readers and I love it!

Watching the  movie, Bridge to Terabithia

Anna working on comparing the novel. to the movie in her Reading Log

Luke making some comparisons in his Reding Log.

 We will be completing some cumulative projects to wrap up the novel. They will complete a group Venn Diagram to compare the book to the movie. They will also be designing a unique book cover for BTT. I will submit these to Price Chopper for a book cover contest. We could win a classroom party and $500 in books for our library!

The kids took the 6 point AR test on Friday. Their results will be put into their Reading Logs. I am also going to have the kids post their STAR results (online reading assessment) results into their Reading Logs. I am going to ask them to take them home on Monday so you can look at their STAR results. Please read all of the information and sign the STAR test. Have the kids return the Reading Logs to school on Tuesday.

September book reports are due on Friday, September 30^th. The kids should have a paragraph for every section on the rubric: character, conflict, resolution, and setting. I would prefer it be typed. Then they can draw the illustration on plain white computer paper.

Our next novel is…… Where the Red Fern Grows!!! It is my favorite! Feel free to read along with us at home so you can have book conversations with your child.  

Social Studies:

WE DID IT!!!!! The kiddos have learned their 50 states and capitals!

Next week we will start using our text book for social studies. We will start up with chapter two. We will be learning about early America and the Native Americans.

Science:

We have been discussing the water cycle. We will do some fun experiments this week to witness water moving through the water cycle and changing from one state to another.

On Thursday, we are going on our first study trip to the NBC Action News Weather Station! You are more than welcome to come with us!
Mrs. Latteman and I thought Thursday would be a great day to have a pizza party. If you send in $1.50 we can order pizza for the kids to eat after the study trip. Please send in your money by Wednesday.

Next week we are starting our weather unit and will examine weather instruments. Please send in an empty can (soup, green bean, etc) in with your child so we can make homemade barometers!

Vocabulary:

Unit three will be checked on Monday. They will have the week to study for their test on Friday.

FYI:

• Pizza Money by Wednesday
• If you haven’t already, please send in your Grandparent’s Day Permission Form by Friday. I printed off the form and sent it home with the families that haven’t sent one in yet. It should be in your child’s binder.
• McTeacher Night is Tuesday from 4-8

Table Talk Questions of the Week:

1. What did you find interesting about the NBC Action News Weather Station?
2. What are the three phases of the water cycle? Have them explain what happens in each phase.
3. What stories are in the Old Testament of the Bible? What stories are in the New Testament? What are the first five books of the Bible?
4. How did they design the cover of BTT for the Price Chopper Book Cover Contest?

Have a great week!

Ms. Alley

Christian and Aiden scrubbing the slide for "Go Green For God's Creation" Clean-Up Day

Anna is working hard!

Scrub, Kevin, scrub!

Sarah and Gurman working.... or playing?? Just Kidding! They worked hard!

Brayden, Tony, Noah, AJ, and Andrew pulling weeds!

Newsletter 9-17-11

We had a great long week of learning in Ms. Alley’s class! These kiddos are AWESOME! They are so ready to learn and discover! We have a lot of exciting opportunities coming up the next week couple of weeks!

The Week Ahead:

Religion:

I hope your child took the online religion test over chapter 1. Please email me the results when they are finished with the test.

We will be starting chapter 2 on Monday, The Word of God.

***Friday is our annual Go Green For God’s Creation Day. It is an O.O.U. day if they bring a donation. Make sure they are wearing work clothes as we will be working outside. We will have Mass, Family Groups, and a “green” service project. The kids can bring an “Earth-Friendly” lunch for that day or they may eat hot lunch.

English:

We did not get to start the “secret knowledge of grown-ups” story last week. We will start them this week. We will read a book about the “real” reason that parents tell kids to do things such as eat your vegetables, brush your hair, etc… We will present our stories in Top Secret decorated manila envelopes! You can see these stories at Parent Teacher conferences later on in the year.

Math:

I will accept corrections on any chapter 1 SMJ, Study Link, or test until Tuesday.

On Monday we will keep on rolling along and start chapter 2, Estimation and Computation. We will complete lessons 2.1-2.4. Expect a Study Link Monday-Thursday.

Keep your finger on those kids to keep up with their corrections in their SMJ and SL. I am always advising them to make corrections and I need your help too!

Reading:

We will be finishing up Bridge to Terabithia this week. The kids really love this novel! They begged to read another chapter on Friday! We will continue to read the novel in literature circles and record information into their reading logs.

We will celebrate finishing the novel by watching the movie, Bridge to Terabithia, on Friday. If you would like to send in snacks, drinks, etc for our party, please email me. This will be our Bridge to Terabithia AND mastering the 50 states and capitals celebration! They definitely have a reason to party on Friday! J

Tony's Reading Log

Kevin's Reading Log

Brayden's Reading Log

Remember that the September book report is due on Friday, September 30^th. This gives the kids 2 more weeks to finish up their projects.

The kids should be almost to their AR goal of 15 points. We have been in school for 5 weeks and have 30 minutes of DEAR time each day. Think of all that reading time- that’s 12 hours and 30 minutes of DEAR time!

Social Studies:

Can you feel it???? It’s approaching… the end to the States and Capitals Unit!!! Tuesday is the LAST regional test over the Southeast.

Thursday will be the final test over all 50 states and capitals. On the test, the kids will be matching the state to its capital. They have been studying all 50 flash cards everyday at school and we will play some fun games to review on Tuesday and Wednesday. The final test will be worth 50 points, so it is very important that they are studying all 50 states and capitals.

Kevin and Annie playing "Capital Penguin"

Tony and Sarah playing "Capital Penguin"

Brett Anthony

Science:

Do I have some gooooooood news for you!!!! Brett Anthony agreed to have us visit the NBC Action News Station again this year! We decided on September 29^th. We will be getting there at 9 AM and leaving around 10 AM. Shoot me an email ASAP if you are interested in visiting NBC Action News with us.

This week we will start discussing the water cycle. When we are finished, we are starting off the weather unit by examining different weather instruments and making our own barometers! Please send in an empty soup can/vegetable can etc. in with your child this week.

Vocabulary:

We will be completing unit 3 next week. It will be checked on Friday.

Spanish:

Remember that Senor Walton assigned a comic strip activity that is due on Tuesday the 20th.

FYI:

Grandparent’s Day is October 14^th. I have not received any Grandparent’s Day forms yet. Please check the school newsletter and send back the RSVP by September 30^th. You need to fill out an RSVP for each child.

TABLE TALK QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:

1. Have them tell you how Bridge to Terabithia ended. How would you deal with this tragic situation if you were the main character, Jess Aarons?  

2. We will NEVER have new water on the Earth. How is this possible?

3. Have them sing “The 50 Nifty” song to you! They love it!  

Have a great weekend and enjoy some fall weather family fun!

-Julie Alley

Little Buddies on Tuesday



Noah and Christian with their buddies!





Rainy Day=Indoor Recess



Can you tell who knocked it over??? :)

Newsletter 9-9-11

 

J What a great week we have had! My fifth graders are AMAZING kids!

The Week Ahead:

Religion:

We will finish up chapter 1 on Tuesday and will be starting chapter 2 on Wednesday. Chapter 2 is called, The Word of God.

English:

We will start writing “Top Secret Stories” after reading the children’s book, The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups. This book is about the “real” reason that parents tell kids to do things such as eat your vegetables, brush your hair, etc… We will present our stories in Top Secret decorated manila envelopes! You can see these stories at Parent Teacher conferences later on in the year.

Math:

We will finish chapter 1 on Monday. We will review for the test on Tuesday and Wednesday. The kids will be completing extra practice activities in class and they will also be completing a study guide.  I will send home an extra practice worksheet if you want to work with your child at home before the test. The test will be on Thursday.  

I will accept corrections on any chapter 1 SMJ and Study Links until Thursday.

Reading:

I hope your child has started reading the free-choice book that they are going to use for their book report. The book report is due on Friday, September 30^th. The requirements for the book report is in their binder (it is on blue paper).

The kids are loving the book, Bridge to Terabithia. We are about half way through the novel. I will be grading their reading logs on Monday. I will grade the reading logs one more time when we finish the book. 

Remember, the kids need 15 AR points for the first quarter!

Social Studies:

The kids were assigned the NE states last Tuesday. That test will be on Tuesday. They should be studying these states and capitals over the weekend during any free time. I will assign the last region, the Southeast, on Tuesday (yeah!!!). That test will be on Tuesday, September 20th.

Please be studying all of the old states and new states when you study with your child! The kids will need to turn in all 50 flashcards for a grade at the end of the states/capitals unit.

I say we have a USA party when we are finished learning all 50 states and capitals!?!?! Any ideas or volunteers?????

Science:

We are finished studying the brain.

We are starting our next unit, the water cycle and weather. We will first focus on the water cycle. We will be doing some fun activities including videos, posters, and experiments!

I am communicating with Brett Anthony trying to find a date to visit NBC Action News Weather Station for our first “being there experience.” It was a BLAST the last 2 years so I am saying a little prayer that it works out that we can go again this year. J

Vocabulary:

Vocabulary Unit 2 was checked today and put in the grade book.

We will be studying unit 2 words with an activity on Monday.

Vocabulary test over unit 2 is on Friday.

FYI:

Please read the school newsletter to find out about Grandparent’s Day. I need the form from the newsletter by Friday, September 30^th.

Please pencil in September 17th into your calendars for the KOC Spaghetti Dinner and St. James Cake and Pie Auction. Read the school newsletter for more details.

Send in your spare change! If we fill the tank, we get OOU for an entire week!!!!

This is the last call for getting tickets to go to A Christmas Carol at the KC Rep on December 15^th. Tickets are only 15 dollars. If you want to go, email me and tell me how many tickets you want.

Table Talk Questions:
1. Have your child fill you in on Bridge to Terabithia. Make predicitons with them!
2.List all of the square numbers from 1-100.
3.Ask them about the new story that they will be writing. Help them brainstorm some details to add.

Alaina's amazing locker... Can you say future interior decorator????

Our new class pet! Our GIANT spider friend. Name coming soon!!!



Friends! Anna, Olivia, and Sydney!



Study those states and capitals, Christian and Andrew!

Luke and Brayden studying hard!

Sarah and Alaina locating the states.

We made neurons out of wax sticks! AJ, Alaina, Brayden, Aiden

Smart Club Assembly today: choices, choices, choices...

Have a great weekend!
-Ms. Alley

Newsletter 9-2-11

Happy Labor Day Weekend! I hope you get to spend some quality time with your family in this AMAZING weather!

It’s been a great week in Ms. Alley’s class and I am expecting another great week after the long Labor Day weekend.

The Week Ahead:

Religion:

We will work on chapter 1. You can have your child take the practice quizzes each night to help them learn the material and prepare for the test. The test will be next week.

Writing:

We have been talking about how we are all individuals but fit together to make one team. So the fifth graders have been reflecting on themselves and their differences. They have written an autobiographical poem that describes their personality and things that are important to them. They also expressed their artistic side by creating an illustration that shows them “taking a good look of themselves” in the mirror. Take a look at a few of the masterpieces!

Angelina's Autobiographical Poem

AJ's Autobiographical Poem

Tony's Autobiographical Poem

Sarah's Autobiographical Poem

Christian's Autobiographical Poem

Reading:

The kids are loving Bridge to Terabithia. They did not want to stop reading on Thursday! We have made it to half-way through chapter four. The kids are doing a fantastic job participating in literature circles. So far they have done two “roles” in literature circles, Discussion Leader and Word Wizard.

Math:

I sent home the Study Link answers last week, so check your child’s binder if you haven’t already.

We will continue to work on chapter one throughout the week. We will be working with prime/composite numbers and square numbers.

Please ask your child if they are correcting their math boxes and study links. If they are not correcting errors in their work, their math grade will be low.

Social Studies:

The kids were assigned the Mid West states on Monday. The kids will be taking their test on Tuesday. They should probably be studying these states and capitals over the weekend during any free time. I will assign the northeast region on Tuesday. The test over the northeast region will be on Monday, September 12^th.  

Please be studying all of the old states and new states when you help your child study. There will be a matching test of all 50 states and capitals when we are finished with all of the regions.

Science:

We made brains out of playdough on Thursday. They look GREAT! We will make a neuron on Tuesday out of wax sticks. We will continue to review the information on the brain and have a study guide to complete on Wednesday. The small test over the brain is on Friday.

Olivia's Brain!

Annie's Brain!

 

Vocabulary:

The kids took their vocabulary test today. I will get the scores into the grade book this weekend. The kids are not allowed to make corrections on vocabulary tests. I will assign Unit 2 on Tuesday. Unit 2 will be graded on Friday.

FYI:

• No school on Monday!
• Smart Club Choice Assembly is on Friday.
• We are going to the play, A Christmas Carol, at the KC Rep Theater on December 15^th. Let me know ASAP if you want to come with us on the study trip! Parent tickets are 15 dollars, which is AWESOME because they are normally 40 dollars! It is such an amazing production. The kids love it every year. Feel free to invite grandparents or anyone else that may want to attend. Just email me how many tickets that you want.
• Send in your spare change with your child. If they fill the tank, they get to be out of uniform during the auction week!

Table Talk Questions:

1.     Ask your child about what has happened so far in Bridge to Terabithia.

2.    Leslie Burke (a main character in BTT) doesn’t have a TV. How would your life change if you didn’t have a TV?

3.    Ask your child about the two roles that they have practiced so far in our literature circles- Discussion Leader and Word Wizard.

4.    Discuss prime and composite numbers.

Have a GREAT weekend

Noah's Brain!