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!