Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Class Notes 12/15

Thank you to everyone who sent in supplies for our holiday crafts! They turned out beautifully.  We are still needing some more tissue paper if you have any to spare.
This week we are finishing our graphic novels and beginning our Native American presentations.  The home projects turned out fabulous!  Students will be sharing their home projects during their oral presentations.  I am very impressed with their hard work and creativity.  
Don’t forget that this week is late start and, of course, Winter Break begins on Friday! Yay! I hope you all enjoy vacation and please be sure to take photos of any fun activities that you would like to share with the class.  
**Reminder-- 5th Grade Family Breakfast this Thursday! Look for a reminder invite coming home tonight...

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Classroom Notes 12/7

It was great seeing many of you at the Holiday Bazaar. Thank you to everyone who helped support the 5th grade sock fundraiser!  
We are finally on to a new read aloud book.  We are reading “Middleworld” from the Jaguar Stones series.  The kids are very excited because it was recommended by one of our students AND it’s a mystery involving the Mayan Underworld.  Perfect timing since the kids are researching groups native to both North America and Latin America.  
Students are creating their Native American presentations this week and they will begin presenting their findings on Tuesday.  Presentations will continue through the end of the week.  Don’t forget that Native American Home Projects are due this next Tuesday, December 15th.
Make sure you’re getting enough vitamin c and lots of sleep! We’ve had a large number of absences this week :(

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Classroom Notes

Welcome to December! We have only 3 weeks until winter vacation and we’re trying to squeeze a lot in.  This week we begin a new art rotation with Ms. Gina, which will take place on Wednesdays.  Also Ms. Sarah and I are planning a 5th Grade Family Breakfast.  Stay tuned for a date and details.
Students started researching their chosen Native American groups.  Each student will create a google presentation to share their findings with the class.  During these presentations, they will also be sharing their home projects.  The home project should include the required 3 elements--A dwelling, artifact, and spirit animal.  These 3 elements should be displayed on a platform that is approximately 12” by 24”.  All elements should be labeled and explained.  I will post several examples on the blog.  The due date for this Native American project is Tuesday, December 15th. More details are coming home today.
Other Reminders-- Lewis Holiday Bazaar--Come support Lewis and 5th Grade Science Camp--this Saturday--*Also--Please check the blog, especially for math homework support.  
Watch the following video and then answer the questions on a google doc titled Native Americans

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Class Notes 11/23

I can’t believe it’s almost December! Our schedule has been packed here in 5th grade.  Between art rotations, Science Camp, gallery visits, Reed Science, and then Bike Safety, we’ve barely been in the classroom.  Even though this week is short we are attempting to get back to a regular schedule.  We are beginning our Native American unit but we may not send home the home project until after Thanksgiving break.

I mentioned last week that we are beginning a Native American unit. This unit will include an at home project that will involve building a dwelling representative of the group that your child is focusing on. More information will go home next week. This project will be due a week before winter vacation, giving students three weekends to work on it.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you parents that have been so involved this year.  It’s such a pleasure to work in a community with supportive parents and fabulous students.  Thank you for sharing your amazing children with me and I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Class Notes 11/18

I’m thankful that we have a full, five day school week because our schedule is jammed packed!  On Monday we began our bike safety class.  Bike safety takes place first thing in the morning and lasts approximately two hours.  The kids are learning proper bike etiquette and how to be safe on the road.  Our final class and community ride will take place this Friday at 9:40am.  Please feel free to join, just bring a bike and a helmet.  

Even though next week is a short week, I am hoping to begin our Native American unit. This unit will include an at home project that will involve building a dwelling representative of the group that your child is focusing on. More information will go home next week. This project will be due a week before winter vacation, giving students three weekends to work on it.  

The weather is frightful, so please be sure your child is coming to school with warm clothes and a rain jacket.  Don’t forget that this Friday is the Lewis Book Fair.  The fifth grade will be selling more of the cute ‘Sock It To Me’ socks.  Remember-- we still have money to fund-raise for Science Camp scholarships!  Please stop by, purchase a pair of socks, and support 5th grade!  

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Class Notes 10/26

It was great seeing all of you at conferences last week!  I always enjoy getting the chance to catch up with everyone and even meet a few of you for the first time.  We have another short week with this Friday off.  Apparently it’s a ‘no Friday October’.  I am going to take this opportunity to remind you of several upcoming events…
-Wednesday, Oct. 28th- Music with Blake Hausman (Maya’s dad)
AND...Harvest Art with our Buddies
-Thursday, Oct. 29th- 5th Grade Harvest Celebration- We posted a sign-up sheet for snacks outside of our room so stop by and sign up or just email me
-Monday, Nov. 2- We are walking over to Reed College to visit the Cooley Art Gallery
-Wednesday, November 4th - Friday, November 6th- SCIENCE CAMP! I sent home another copy of the supply list so please let me know if you have any questions.  Students need to come to school at the regular time on Wednesday.  Please do not send them to school early.  We will return on Friday by 3pm.  Don’t forget that all bags need to be labeled with your child’s name. (Masking tape and sharpie) You may not send any food or snacks with students!  All medications will need to be checked in to the office, do not send with your child.  If you have any questions please let me know before Wednesday.

*Permission Slips for Zenger Farm are due Thursday, October 29th*

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Class Notes

This week we begin an art rotation with our new art teacher, Ms. Gina.  For the next three Wednesdays Ms. Gina will spend an hour in our classroom teaching new art techniques.  We will have this rotation 3 times throughout the year. The art pieces we create with Ms. Gina will either be displayed in our hallway or at Art Night.  Don’t forget to check out our supermoon art posted outside our room.

Science Camp is less than a month away!  A big thanks to all parents that have turned in all forms and payments as close to the deadline as possible.  Ms. Sarah and I really appreciate it! We are still waiting on a few payments so please make sure you get those in asap.  Please make checks out to Lewis Elementary.  Camp tuition is $150.  Also, please review the Camp Supply List and let me know if you need anything and/or if you have any questions.  It’s just around the corner…

This Thursday is Run for the Arts.  Please send your children to school wearing comfortable clothes and running shoes.  Also we are trying to cut down on plastic waste so please send your child to school with a reusable water bottle.  Thanks for your support!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Classroom Notes

Next week is our only full week of school in October! We have this Friday off and then conferences begin in two weeks from today.  If you haven’t already signed up, please stop by the office or give Tracy a call.  

This week we begin a garden/research rotation with Ms. Kathleen and Ms. Cyndi Redmond.  For the next three Tuesdays, half of our students will experience the garden while the other half learns new research techniques and how to access credible, online sources. Half way through each session the class switches so everyone gets to experience both lessons.  This is perfect timing because we are currently researching and creating astronomy presentations in Science.  

We are continuing our work with graphic novels in writing and in math we are analyzing a variety of graphs & data sets.  Students are finding the mean, median, mode, and range for given sets of numbers.  They are also exploring negative coordinates with graphing.  You will see homework reflecting both of these areas.

State Floats are coming home this week, along with graded rubrics. Once all floats are cleared out we can hang our latest supermoon art.  We were planning to use the glass case this month but the office is waiting for a replacement key so our art will be featured right outside of our room.  Stop by and check it out!

Science Camp-- Camp is just around the corner and we are now accepting camp money! Please make checks out to Lewis Elementary.  Camp tuition is $150.  Also, please review the Camp Supply List and let me know if you need anything and/or if you have any questions.

Mean, Median, Mode

Practice

Practice # 2

Practice # 3

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Classroom Notes

I can’t believe it’s almost October! As we head into a new month, we are beginning a few new areas of focus.  We are wrapping up geography this week and switching into science.  We are starting with astronomy.  Thanks to the supermoon we have hit the ground running! Geography quizzes will continue through next week, with a final test on ALL states and capitals the following week.  I am so pleased with the State Floats.  They turned out great!!  Thank you for helping your children complete their first fifth grade home project :)

We are also beginning a new writing unit this week.  We are integrating visual arts, reading, and writing to create graphic novels.  Students will use the strategy of visualization and their understanding of story elements to create their own sequel to a mentor text that we will study together.  The kids are super excited and eager to begin!

Science Camp-- Camp is just around the corner and we are now accepting camp money! Please make checks out to Lewis Elementary.  Camp tuition is $150.  Also, please review the Camp Supply List and let me know if you need anything and/or if you have any questions.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Classroom Notes

We have a lot going on here in 5th grade!  We are cruising through our geography unit and I’m excited to see everyone’s State Float Projects on Monday.  We are almost finished with our first read aloud novel, The Hatchet.  It really warms my heart to see the kids connect with a novel that I loved reading with my own fifth grade teacher :)  We are taking a break from long division this week and exploring measurement.  Homework will be a mix of review and new content.  Students were asked to collect leaves from the neighborhood and now we are classifying leaves and creating some fall art.  Please stop by next week to check out our leaf art.

Reminders--
-Science Camp Packets are due Friday, September 25th
-Geography Quiz--Midwest--Friday, September 25th
-State Floats are due Monday, September 29th, no exceptions.  
* Sock it to me Sock Sale! Wednesday, September 23rd from 3-3:45
$10 per pair.  Bring cash or check.  They make excellent gifts!!!

Types of Leaves

Start Here

Plant Resources

Plant Identification Guide

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Happy Wednesday!  It was so great seeing all of you at Back-to-School Night!  If you were unable to make it, don’t forget to stop by the classroom to sign up for conferences.  Conferences are in October again this year so they’re just around the corner.  I’m still waiting on a few families to complete the Camp Survey.  We need this filled out ASAP and I promise it will only take few minutes.

S.S--Students are continuing to memorize U.S. States and Capitals so please make sure they are studying at home. This week students are memorizing the Southwest Region of the U.S.  Please reference their map located in the S.S. section of their binder.  *State Float Project is due in less than two weeks so if you have any questions please let me know.  You can find examples on our classroom blog.

Math--We are moving forward with long division this week.  Long division can be tricky for 5th graders but that’s usually because their multiplication facts aren’t fully memorized.  Please spend time at home practicing those facts with your children.  They need to be MEMORIZED!

Writing-- Students worked with a partner to create a Partner Poem.  These poems will be posted under their self portraits this week so stop by and check those out.  We are now working on State Reports.  Students are researching the same state that they are using to create their State Float.  Those notes are located in their binder.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @LewisRoom21 and visit our classroom blog for weekly updates http://lewisroom21.blogspot.com/.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Science Camp Survey

5th Grade Science Camp is in Fall this year! We will be attending Camp Magruder--November 4th through 6th.  More information will be sent home in a few weeks.  Please follow the link below to answer a few questions...

https://goo.gl/l4670N

Update from Room 21

Our first full week of school was a success! Students are settling into classroom routines and working harder than ever.  This week we begin homework!

Homework in a nutshell-- Weekly essays will be assigned every Monday and are due Friday.  Students are REQUIRED to turn in an outline AND a rough draft.  They should be stapled to the back of the final draft. All 3 essay elements are due on Fridays.  When math homework is assigned, it is due the following day.  We will correct the homework at the beginning of our math period and students will keep the corrected math sheet in their binder.  All math homework will be collected on Fridays.  Students should be reading for at least 30 minutes every night.  I do not require them to keep an at home reading log.  The reading log, found in the reading section of their binder, is for in class use only.  We are not starting the weekly essay for a few weeks.  

Math Update-- When teaching how to solve long division, I noticed that most students do not know their multiplication facts! Ahhh! A fifth grade teacher's nightmare :)  Students NEED to have multiplication facts MEMORIZED!!!  In order for students to be successful in long division, factoring, etc., those facts need to be completely memorized.  Please make sure your children are memorizing these facts at home!

S.S. Update-- Students are learning U.S. States and Capitals.
Students will have weekly quizzes dedicated to a particular region and then a final test on all 50!  This week students are memorizing the Western Region of the U.S.  Please reference their map, located in the S.S. section of their binder.  

Back-to-School Night is on Tuesday, Sep. 15 at 6:00 pm. I look forward to meeting those of you that I have not met and checking in with those of you that I have!  Don't forget to return the registration packets and please visit our classroom blog to view and fill out a survey regarding 5th Grade Science Camp http://lewisroom21.blogspot.com/.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Welcome to Fifth Grade

I am very excited for this school year and I look forward to getting to know all of you! Last week we spent time learning names, reflecting on the previous school year, and discussing hopes for fifth grade.  We also spent a great deal of time learning the ins and outs of our daily schedule and setting clear expectations for fifth grade academics and behavior.  I have no doubt that this is going to be an amazing school year!

This year you can follow us on Twitter @LewisRoom21 for weekly photos. Also, look for regular updates at http://lewisroom21.blogspot.com/. Here you will find our classroom calendar with important events.

Don't forget to return the registration packets and art money as soon as possible.  And most importantly, don't forget to mark your calendars for Back-to-School Night on Tuesday, Sep. 15 at 6:00 pm.  There will be a short 5th Grade Science Camp Meeting following the event.  Stay tuned for details.  Have a wonderful week and please let me know if you have any questions or wonderings.  Homework will begin next week!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

This is a test. This is only a test.