12-19-12

What a terrific day.  The kids had such a good time today, and were so well behaved.  I hope you all have a very happy, healthy, and fun break!  Teachers have training today, tomorrow, and Friday.  I'll be learning lots of terrific things to start out the new year with the kids.

No homework for the break, BUT they do need to be reading!  Next RC quiz is due January 15.

12-17-12

Vocabulary test tomorrow!

Persuasive paragraph part 2

Science notes due tomorrow



We will be reading for 20 minutes tomorrow to end our stamina in reading practice.  The kids asked if they could bring pillows for that.  That would be fine.  They will need to bring snacks/drink for our movie party on Wednesday as well.

AWESOME cells

We began our unit on the body systems on Thursday.  The kids had a lot of fun learning about cells on Friday.  We made cells using baggies.  We put various items inside the cells and then took notes on what each item stood for.  So, if a gooey cell made its way home this weekend, you now know what it is!

Baggy: cell membrane
Mint: nucleus, the white inside was the nucleous
Mike and Ike: mitochondria
Yarn: chromosomes
Red hot: lysosomes
Gushers: golgi bodies
Noodles: vacuoles
Hair gel: cytoplasm

They really enjoyed this project!

12-14-12

Rewrites and late work due!

All other work was done in class today!  Have a great weekend!

12-13-12

Homework for tonight:
*yes/ no persuasive chart
*spelling rewrites for people who got a D or F on their test
*finish science notes

12-12-12

No homework tonight! The kids had a pretty light day today with bowling and the program dress rehearsal (we got to watch). 

Remember there is an RC quiz due on Monday!

12-11-12

We put on our second planet play today.  The kids did a terrific job both days.  They used the information they gathered in our planet unit to write the play themselves.  The kindergarteners really enjoyed it.  We have one more group to perform in front of on Friday. 

The next RC quiz is due on Monday.  There will not be one due at the end of December.  After Monday, our next quiz will be due January 15.  This should give some kids, who have fallen behind, a chance to catch up.

No homework tonight!

Vocabulary words on the wiki are the new ones.  We are testing over these on Tuesday.

12-10-12

Finish your capitalization packet
Science crossword due!

12-9-12

Homework for Monday.....
2 pages in capitalization packet

We will be keeping the same vocabulary words this week, too!  Too hard and too little time to work on them.  We will not be getting new spelling words until after break.  We are going to be working on prefixes and suffixes during spelling time for the next couple of weeks.

Bowling Monday/Wednesday/Friday this week during our specials time.  The kids are allowed to bring a little spending money if they'd like.

No band or chorus this week on Wednesday or Thursday due to concert practices.

Plays:  The kids wrote plays with the information they learned during our planet unit in science.  They will be presenting them to the Kng and one Preschool group this week.

12-5-12

Homework:
Spelling worksheet
2 capitalization worksheets
pb148-149 Bram's room

Inservice:
Our inservice meeting today dealt with bullying and harassment.  It was very informative.  There were a couple of things that I wanted to share with all of you regarding these topics.


One of the big topics was cyberbullying.  The link below is a helpful resource for parents of kids using Facebook.
A parent's guide to Facebook

Another thing I wanted to share with you is our procedure checklist that students use when deciding if they are being bullied.  This is hanging in various places around our building.

If all 5 of these items are happening, you need to tell your teacher or Counselor Johnson.
- the issue has happened over and over again over a period of time
-the same people are involved
-what happened to you was done on purpose
- it hurt your body, feelings, or both
- i have told an adult at school

12-4-12

Spelling word families: write a word that is in the same word family as your spelling words
ex: believes- believe

Capitalization packet: Holiday and Countries pages
We are beginning a grammar review unit on capitalization. The students are familiar with most of these rules, but sometimes need to practice them again!

Haugen's group: main idea sheet
pb148-149

READ 30 minutes.  Students who are behind in RC quizzes need to read at least 15 pages tonight in order to get caught up.

Remember to bring your bowling money this week.

12-3-12

Mae Jemison Character card is today's only assignment!

Students who have not passes RC #6 need to read at least 15 pages of their books tonight!

5-30-12

Small but mighty: story and questions
Fact and Opinion worksheet

RC quiz #6 is due on Monday.

Vocabulary test on Monday.

Book orders due on Monday!  Wow...Monday is busy :)

11-28-12

3 page science packet due tomorrow: Students had some time to work with a partner on this, the rest is homework. 

RC quiz #6 Due on MONDAY!

Haugen's homeroom: Book orders are coming home today.  DUE Monday at the latest in order to get them back before winter break.  If you'd like to order something and have me hold it for you to use as a Christmas gift, just let me know.

11-27-12

I'm back! I've been sick with the stomach flu since Tuesday night of last week!  I'm sorry to have been slacking on the blog posts, but I was definitely in survivor mode!  I had to leave at noon today for an appointment, but all is well! I'll get the spelling and vocab words for the week up by the end of the day.  The test for spelling will be Friday and the vocab test will be Monday.  Some students, who failed the Fear Place vocabulary, will have 2 sets of words for the week.  They will be taking  2 vocab tests on Monday. 

Homework for the night:
pb151
Read: Next RC quiz is due on Monday as well

11-19-12

Homework:
Study your spelling and vocabulary words for tomorrow's TESTS!

3 spelling activities completed

11-16-12

Homework:
We spent a lot of our day today working on our Thanksgiving/turkey point of view essay.  The kids had to plan it and then produce a final product on the computer.  Then they were able to make a turkey to go with it.  They had to work hard!

Our only homework is to study spelling and vocabulary words for Tuesday's test.  Not much time has been spent on these words during the week, so STUDY at home!  Choose 3 activities off of the activity choice list to do by Tuesday.

p202 for anyone who didn't pass the Fear Place test.

Power Team show:  A group of strong men came to the school today.  They were amazing.  They bent steel, blew up hot water bottles, broke bats over their backs, and lifted Kayla and Jesse.  They taught the kids to hold on to their goals and dreams and stay away from drugs and alcohol.  AMAZING!  They will be performing at Hampton tonight and tomorrow night if any of you want to see them.

11-15-12

Tomorrow we will be going to watch "The Power Show" at the high school.  Stayed tuned tomorrow for more details.

Homework:
Read 30 minutes (RC quiz #5 is due today)
Being verb worksheet: both sides
Begin your point of view paper: Turkey
Choice spelling activities: 3 due by Tuesday

Spelling and vocab tests will be Tuesday!

Lip Sync contest on Tuesday, if you are participating!

Spelling and vocabulary test

We got our new spelling words today, vocabulary words will be coming out tomorrow.  Due to Thanksgiving break, we will need to have both tests next Tuesday.  That shorts us a couple of days, so please remind the kids to study over the weekend.  Check the wiki for your words!

11-14-12

Both classes earned behavior rewards today!  We have now switched our classwide goal because they have been reaching their old goal easily. Our new goal is a reading related one.  I am encouraging picking up some new books instead of the same old ones (Captain Underpants).

Homework:
Finish your book jacket
Skills tests fixed if you had a D or F
Sunset graph questions

Reading Counts quiz due tomorrow!

12-13-12

Notice: Late work that is over 3 days late will now become a 0....the kids are getting too comfortable not turning in their work.  I had 20 late assignments between Monday and Tuesday of this week!  NO good!

Homework
Sunrise and sunset charts

Oreos

Our moon phases activity was terrific.  The kids were each given 8 oreos to divide.  It was funny to see how many of them had never pulled their Oreos apart.  That was one of my favorite things when I ate them as a child.  They then had to carve out the different phases of the moon. We had a terrific discussion about what the terms waning and waxing meant and if the moons for gibbous or crescent.  It is amazing to me how they think during science time.  They are so inquisitive!  I only wish I could get that excitement during language arts :)

11-12-12

We attended the Veteran's Day assembly this morning.  The kids were so good and respectful!  I was very proud of them.

Verb tense worksheet due tomorrow.

Bram's homeroom needs to have their sunrise and sunset charts ready to go.

Book orders due Wednesday for Haugen's homeroom.

11-9-12

WHOO EEEE!  What a day!  I can't wait to share our pictures and the things that we learned from our OREO project today.  Stay tuned!

Homework for the weekend:
Read, RC quiz #5 is coming up soon
3-5 sentence summary of your favorite chapter book
Pic/definition of a vocabulary word
pb119

Although that seems like a lot, the kids had a 45 min- 1 hour study hall today to work on it.  SOME of them used it wisely...others, not so much :)

11-8-12

Homework for tonight:

Read 30 minutes
Finish Veteran's Day essay
Action verb recipe card
Bram- word families


Book orders due Wed.

Spelling test Monday
Vocabulary test Tuesday

11-7-12

Veteran's Day essay is due Friday, so continue to work on that tonight.

Moon and Earth sheets are due tomorrow for science.

Haugen's homeroom: word families worksheet


The kids had guidance today and learned about the importance of empathy.  Ask them to tell you about it!

Weekly objectives 11-4

Reading:
Learn to summarize using 3-5 sentences
Make a timeline using information in a text
Recognize story elements using a story map

Vocabulary:
Use a dictionary with multiple meaning words

Spelling:
Use the word family strategy

Grammar:
Finish noun study

Writing:
Write an essay with a topic sentence

Science:
Earth and Moon in our planet study

La Bamba 2 Spelling words

This week's spelling words: Test Monday

La Bamba II

Spelling Words

would

wouldn't
clothes
happened
someone
sometimes
different
another
weird
eighth
coming
getting
going
stopped
here
irresponsible
affectionate
brilliance
audible
menace

Vocabular words

These new words have been posted on the wiki. Our vocabulary test will be on Tuesday.  These words a a little challenging, so STUDY!

1. extract: to remove or pull out
2. pretentious: fancy, done for show
3. sullen: gloomy, sad
4. tranquil: peaceful, calm
5. horrific: terrible, awful
6. vessel: ship
7. perilous: dangerous
8. savory: delicious, tasty

9. dynamic: energetic

10. cordial: friendly

11. valiant: courageous and brave

12. tremulous: fearful, nervous

11-6-12

Read 30 minutes

Veteran's Day essay is due Friday: It needs to have 100-150 words.  It can be printed or typed. The title of the essay is.... My Definition of Patriotism is....

Moon and earth reading/science sheets are due Thursday.

Tomorrow is an early out.

OREO cookies: The kids took a note home today about an activity that we are doing on Friday.  I would like to ask your help.  If you could send a small package of Oreos to school on Thursday that would be great. If it is a hardship, AT ALL, please don't worry about it.  I will look at how many we have on Thursday night when I go home, and buy what is needed for the activity.

11-5-12

No homework tonight!

Noun test tomorrow.

11-2-12

What a fun trip, yesterday.  Our science center adventure was great.  The only thing that wasn't perfect was the time frame.  We could have spent days in there instead of hours.  A big thanks to everyone that came with us.  That really added an extra layer to our experience.  My favorite comment from a student was, "Don't be offended, Mrs. Haugen, but this is so much better than class.".  My favorite comment from a parent was, "How did I lose one, I only had three to watch."

Homework for the weekend:Abstract noun worksheet and late work make up

10-31-12

No homework tonight!  Enjoy your tricks and treats!

Remember to bring a sack lunch tomorrow for the field trip. Parents that are attending, please come to school by 8:15.  We will boarding the bus around 8:20.  We will return around 3:00.  If you are coming with your child, they may leave with you when we return.  The rest of the students will just have a study hall until 3:15.

Friday:
Tests in vocabulary, spelling, and science.
Abstract noun worksheet due

OOPS!

If you printed off the words from the spelling/vocab list (wiki) before today.  They were incorrect.  Hopefully your child has been paying attention enough to know they were last week's words!  They have now been updated.

10-30-12

Homework for tonight:

pb122 front side only
pen pal letter
ABC abstract book page

Bring a small snack and drink for tomorrow's movie party!

Science study guide for Friday's test

Students have a copy of the study guide for Friday's test, but just in case they lose it....

Natural resources,  Fossil fuel, atmosphere, and air pressure  study guide             

A natural resource is something that is helpful and taken from the earth.

A nonrenewable resource is takes thousands of years to replace.

An example would be a _rocks or minerals.

A renewable resource is a resource that is replaced as it is used.

An example would be _forest_.

A reusable resource is one that can be used more than once.

An example would be water .

Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are formed by the remains  of once living animals.

Burning fossil fuels creates _energy.

Petroleum  is the fossil fuel that is used for transportation.

Methane  is the fossil fuel that is used for heating and cooking.

Methane is another word for natural  gas.

The 4 steps in coal formation (in order) are: peat, lignite bitumen, anthracite

Peat  is the cheapest stage of coal to retrieve because it is closest to the surface.

The rarest stage of coal is anthracite.

Atmosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that weather occurs in is troposhere

The layer of the atmosphere that is the hottest is thermosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that planes fly in is stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere that is cold is mesosphere

Air pressure

There are 3 things that affect air pressure: the acronym for these three things is HAT.

H:humidity

As humidity increases air pressure decreases.

A:_altitude

As _altitude  increases air pressure decreases_____.  That means that at the top of a mountain there is  less air pressure than at the bottom.

T: temperature

Warm air has less pressure than cool air.

Hot = high  pressure

Cold= low  pressure                     

High pressure = cool temperature and clear skies.

Low pressure =precipitation and warm temperatures

A meteorologist is the scientific name for a weatherman/woman.

A baramoter  measures air pressure.

10-29-12

Monday:
ABC abstract noun chart
Word web

Tuesday:
pb122 (they have this, but it isn't due until Wed.)

Wednesday: Halloween party in the afternoon
Remember to bring a drink and a snack for yourself

Thursday: Field trip
You need a sack lunch
Students fees are paid, but any chaperones need to bring their money to pay for their entrance.

Tests on Friday:
Spelling
Vocabulary
Science

10-25-12

What an amazingly, busy week!  It looks like next week will be just as exciting!  First, I'd like to thank all of you who came to conferences.  I appreciate being able to work with all of you in your child's educational journey!

Taylor Swift: Today we watched a webcast put on by Scholastic Book Club.  They interviewed Taylor Swift about the importance that reading and writing has played in her life.  It was a really neat experience and led to some terrific discussions in our classroom.

Science: We will be postponing the science test that was going to be on Monday.  We will not be taking it until Friday.  The kids just really aren't ready.  We need a couple more days to review the material.

Reading: Read your 30 minutes OR more :)

Language arts:
practice book pages over our spelling and vocabulary words are due on Monday
paragraph on Iowa (postcard project) is due Monday

10-24-12

No homework tonight!  JUST READ!

The kids got a study guide for the next science test.  The test will be Monday.  It is over a few topics we've covered the last couple of weeks.

Spelling and vocabulary words were handed out today.  I'll update the wiki as soon as I can.  I am leaving early today.  I have taken half a personal day.

Thanks to those of you who came to conferences last night!  Those of you who didn't make it...you still have tomorrow night 4-8 :)

10-22-12

No homework due tomorrow because we will be MAP testing during my language classes. 

Due Wednesday:
possessive noun worksheet both sides

Don't forgot... Conferences tomorrow.  Stop by any time!  I'm looking forward to seeing you all!

10-19-12

Homework for the weekend: Read 30 minutes
     Skills test: NO help
     Michelle Kwan quiz: You can't use the book
     Monday: Vocabulary test

Tuesday is an early out for conferences.  Conferences are from 2-6....stop by any time!
Thursday conferences 4-8!
Friday- no school

10-18-12

Absolutely NO homework for me tonight!

10-17-12

Only homework for tonight is to read 30 minutes!

MAP testing begins tomorrow!

Remember that conferences are next Tuesday and Thursday.  They are unscheduled, which means you can stop by and see Ms. Bram OR myself, or both!  If you'd rather not wait in line, I can also see parents/students for conferences during the day during my prep time/lunch time or at 3:15 when the kids leave.  Let me know if you'd rather stop by some other time!

10-16-12

Sorry for the late post tonight...our tech person was working on my computer when I left school today :)

No homework!  Just read 30 minutes.

Tomorrow is an early out!

Check the wiki for spelling and vocabulary words.  The spelling test will be Friday and the vocab test will be Monday!

Thursday is the first day of our fall MAP testing.

Objectives for the week of October 15

Reading: Students will investigate courage in the face of challenges. Students will recognize how authors can tell stories from various points of view!

Spelling/vocabulary: Students will recognize and use compound words.

Grammar: Students will be able to make singular and plural nouns into singular possessive and plural possessive.

Writing: Students will take large amounts of information and pick out the important details for note-taking.

Science: Students will discover atmospheric conditions, layers, air pressure, and the water cycle.

10-15-12

RC quiz #3 is due today!

Homework:
Venn diagram for 2 tall tale characters
Science vocab definitions

10-11-12

Homework tonight:
Write your paragraph on which tall tale character you'd like to be...and why

Plural noun worksheet

Compare and contrast chart: Science

Tomorrow is our Homecoming Parade!

Conferences

Rumor is...some of you didn't get the orange note about the change in conferences!  So, here is another explanation of how we run our 5th grade conferences.  Conferences in fifth grade are Unscheduled.  You can come either of the conference days and see either Ms. Bram or myself, or BOTH if you'd like.  Stop in the office and pick up your report card.  Then come down and see us!  The dates/times are: Oct. 23 (1:30-6) and October 25 (4-8).  If you'd rather not wait on those nights, I also have some time available during the day when the kids go to specials.  Give me a call and I'll set up a time for you during my prep!

10-10-12

Science questions: page c39 1-5

Writing assignment: Which tall tale character would you be, if you could choose? Remember to watch where you put your commas...before or after a conjunction?!

Dress up day tomorrow: Camo day (no face paint)

Book orders are due on Friday!

WANTED: Do you know anyone who uses our Earth's natural resources?  We'd like to have a speaker come in and talk to us about natural resources.  Some examples might be a farmer, a person who works with conservation, someone who works in alterntive energies....

10-9-12

WOWzers!  There is some homework tonight!

The kids had 30-60 minutes of study hall today, so they probably got most of this done!

pb82: Vis and Vid root word worksheet

John Henry questions on page 10-11 in your tall tale packet.
John Henry illustration

Bumper cars worksheet: common and proper nouns

Wednesday: Dress like a farmer day
Thursday: Camo day
Friday: Parade, Bronco Spirit day, Haugen's book orders due

Objectives for the week of October 8

Reading: Characteristics of a tall tale
      Using the internet to collect information and view various webpages

Grammar: Common and proper nouns
     Singular and plural nouns
     Irregular plurals
    
Writing: using because correctly in our writing

Science: Natural resources, nonrenewable and renewable

10-8-12

Homework tonight: Read 30 minutes

Dress nice day tomorrow for homecoming!

Remember the vocabulary test is Wednesday!

Book orders for Haugen's homeroom due Friday.

10-5-12

Only homework for the weekend:
READ

Monday's vocab test has been moved to Wednesday.  We just haven't had enough time working with those words!  I really like those words to become a part of the student's permanent vocabulary!

Next week is homecoming!
Monday: Western day

My homeroom: Book order due Friday

Most importantly...have a great weekend!

10/4/12

Homework tonight:
Haugen's group vocabulary crossword
3 wishes paragraph
noun circle activity

Spelling test tomorrow!

Homecoming plans for next week

1.       Monday: western day.  Along with the pep assembly with the high school coming over here.

2.       Tuesday: dress up nice day

3.       Wednesday: farmer day.

4.       Thursday: camo day.  NO paint on the faces

5.       Friday: BK-Bronco day.  Along with the parade. 

OOPS! Conferences!

Trying our best to me confusing :)
Conference plans have changed several times over the last week or so!  We are trying to find the best way to accomodate all of our parents.  New and final plan....our conferences in fifth grade will be UNscheduled.  You will be able to drop by any time and see either Mrs. Haugen or Ms. Bram!  That way you can talk to both of us about any questions you might have.  You don't HAVE to stop and see us both, but it is an option!

Subscribe by email...the posts were set to send to you several hours AFTER I posted them.  I have finally figured out (thanks to our tech person) how to change the time they are sent out.  You should get an email with my post every day between 5-7.  You can check it manually at any time however, by just typing the webpage into the address bar.  Thanks a bunch to those of you who are looking at it on a regular basis!

10-3-12

Homework for tonight:
 p 7 questions over Paul Bunyan
Illustrate Paul Bunyan
Vocabulary crossword (it is OK to use your vocabulary list)
 

Due Friday: Paragraph about your 3 wishes
Make sure you don't start sentences with and, but, or, so
Double spaced

Tests:
Thursday: science test
Friday: spelling test
Monday: vocabulary test

We had a nice walk today!  Thanks to all of you who were able to take time out of your day to come and walk with us.  Then, we had a manners assembly.  We talked about how our behavior plans were progressing. The kids are doing a great job being silent in the halls when we move as a class. Our next goal is to move to various areas on our own without talking.

10-2-12

Homework for tonight:
Illustrate Casey Jones
Unscramble your spelling/vocabulary words
Study for Thursdays Science test: all students have notecards to study from
Writing assignment due Friday:  If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Wednesday: Early out
Walking for a healthy Iowa: 9-9:30  You are invited to come along if you would like
Assembly after the walk

Layers of the earth study games

The test is THURSDAY!

CLICK HERE

10-1-12

Homework for tonight:
Read 30 minutes
pb 49-50 Cloud classifying: this is difficult!  If you struggle, bring it in before school and I'll help!
Johnny Appleseed illustration

Students received new spelling and vocabulary words today.  The words are posted on the wiki.  Spelling test is Friday and Vocab is Monday.

Science test over the layers of the earth is on Thursday.  The kids will be getting study cards tomorrow.

Wednesday we are having a healthy Iowa walking day.  We will be going for a walk as a whole school.  We'll be on the trail.  If you'd like to join us, you are invited.  Be at the school by 8:45! We'll walk for around 30 minutes.  When we get back we'll be going to the gym for an assembly.

9-28-12

Bram homework:
pb47 Classifying volcanoes: you may use your book
Science worksheet: use your foldable

Haugen homework:
Science worksheet: use your foldable
Atlas/volcano activity

EVERYONE remember to read!  RC #2 is due when you come back to school on Monday.

9-27-12

Homework tonight:

Read 30 minutes

pb47 Haugen's homeroom

Write one paragraph about somewhere you'd like to go on vacation.  Make sure it is at least 5 sentences, double spaced.

9-26-12

Homework tonight: Study for vocabulary test tomorrow!

30 minutes of reading, we are reading 10 here at school, at least for the next couple of weeks.

Some students have late subject and predicate work to do!

Science links

Some of the kids were asking to have the links to a couple of web pages we did this week.  Click on the links below to find out about the layers of the earth.

Mr Lee Rap of the layers of the earth

Dig through the earth

Layers of the earth video

9-25-12

Homework:
Study for tomorrow's spelling test
Study for Thursday's vocabulary test
Subject predicate worksheet
If you didn't do so hot on the last assignment, you also have a redo of the subject predicate worksheet from Friday!

Next RC quiz is due on Monday!

Email issues:  We are having some issues with our school email.  If I don't respond to an email that you sent, within 24 hours, please resend it!  I always respond as soon as possible, so if I don't, I probably didn't get it.

Counselor Johnson visited us today.  She talked to the kids about "filling up people's buckets".  Ask them what that means. 

Haugen's book orders came in today.  The kids took them home, so look for them.

9-24-12

Read 40 minutes tonight!

Spelling test: Wednesday
Vocab test and Subject predicate test: Thursday

Learning objectives for the week of Sept. 24

Reading: Categorizing and classifying information in a nonfiction text
     Independent reading stamina

Grammar: Subjects and predicates (quiz Thursday)

Writing: How to write an informational paragraph

Vocab/spelling: What information can you find in a dictionary entry

Science: Layers of the earth

9-21-12

Have a great weekend!  We sure had a busy week.  Hard to believe it is Friday, already.

Reading:  Please continue reading your books.  The next RC quiz is due on the last day of September.
This book must be in your lexile, or it doesn't count.
HOMEWORK: pb51 on root words struct and rupt

Spelling and vocabulary:
Spelling test Wednesday and Vocabulary test over volcano words on Thursday.
Some students have to do their rewrites yet from our last spelling test.

Language arts: Subject and predicate packet.

9-20-12

Read 40 minutes!  That is it for homework tonight!

Spelling and vocabulary words for the week

New words are posted on the wiki.

9-19-12

Read 40 minutes tonight!  Remember, not all students are logging their time, but they are all required to continue reading!

Rewrites are due tomorrow.  Anyone who didn't get an A or B on their test needs to rewrite words that they missed 10 times.

Haugen's group:  Subject/predicate packet is due on Friday.


WANTED:  Be on the lookout for a few things our classroom needs.  If you have extras of these items at your house, or see a cheap used one at a garage sale, we'd really appreciate your donation.
* digital camera for taking pictures of experiments, field trips, etc....
* distilled water
* gallon sized plastic baggies
* plastic tablecloths
* plastic silverware
* books your kids are done reading
* AAA batteries

Thursday's special speaker
On Thursday afternoon the fifth and sixth graders will be able to hear a Belmond policeman speak about stranger danger.  Please ask your kids to talk to you about it tomorrow night!

Other speakers
If you know of someone, or if you yourself have a job that you think would be interesting to a fifth grader and would like to come and speak, please let us know. We would also like to invite anyone with a special talent or hobby to come and speak to the kids.  We like to have contact with our community and with our limited field trip budget, we are trying to build in some learning events here in our hometown.

Storm chasers in the classroom!

As an inferencing activity today, we had one student from each classroom pretend to be famous storm chaser, Warren Faidley.  The rest of the students on the classroom were in the audience of the talk show "BRONCO BITS".  They asked questions to "Warren Faidley" dealing with things they learned about him from the story.  Warren then had to answer the questions as Warren Faidley would.  It was amazing to see how deeply they understood the story and the characters!

Playdough in science???

Yes, you heard that right.  We played with playdough in science today.  Well, not exactly.  We built models of the layers of the earth.  It was really fun, and incredibly memorable.  When the kids bring their models home tomorrow, ask them to tell you the layers of the earth.  We will be learning a lot about the layers over the next week or so.

9-18-12

Sorry for the late post.  I got delayed after school.

Homework for tonight:

Due Thursday- spelling rewrite for anyone who got a C or below on their spelling test

We will be getting new spelling and vocabulary words tomorrow.

Reading logs:  Update on the reading logs.  All of the students who have passed their first RC quiz will not have to keep reading logs for the next 2 weeks. They will still need to keep reading each night.  Students who don't have to keep logs got a note to take home to their parents tonight, for "proof" :)  If your child has the note, they don't have to write their minutes. The next quiz is due Sept. 30.  Anyone who has 2 quizzes passed, in their level, will not have to do logs for 2 weeks after that.

9-17-12

BUSY day today!  We got so much accomplished and the kids had terrific behavior!  The good news...No homework for anyone.  That's what happens when we work hard!  Some kids have to read their 40 minutes, but a lot of them finished with that as well!

Objectives for the week of Sept. 17,2012

Reading: Author's use of text structure
     Categorizing and classifying information in a nonfiction source

Vocabulary: Use images to help with new vocabulary acquisition
     Word roots: struct and rupt

Spelling: Letter patterns that make a long o sound and an oo sound

Grammar: Simple and complete subjects and predicates

Writing: Bulding stamina in writing
     Using a topic sentence in your writing
     Rereading your writing to make sure it makes sense

Science: Layers of the earth

9-16-12

Sorry it took me so long to post.  It has been a long couple of days of feeling pretty cruddy!  Hopefully I'm on the uphill climb now.  A couple of days of rest and antibiotics :)

Homework for the weekend:
Get planner and reading log signed

9-13-12

Spelling test tomorrow!

Science open note test tomorrow!

Read 40 minutes.

Book orders due Monday for Haugen's homeroom.

RC quiz will be due Monday since the 15th is on a Saturday.

9-12-12

REWARDS:
Mrs. Haugen's class earned a behavior reward yesterday.  They chose to have no seating chart for a week!  Ms. Bram's class earned theirs today.  They chose to have no homework for a week.  YES, they still have to do the work, they just haven't realized yet that it means they'll have to do more during the class time they have :) So when you read the assignments below you will notice 2 separate assignment groups!

Haugen Homework
Write your news article
Read 40 minutes
Study your vocabulary words for tomorrow's test

Bram Homework
Read 40 minutes
Study your vocabulary words for tomorrow's test

Book orders are due Monday for Haugen's class.

9-11-12

9/11  Click on the link to watch a kid friendly video about what happened on 9/11.  We ran out of time to watch it today.

Reading: Read 40 minutes
PB 31

Vocabulary test on Thursday.  Spelling test Friday.

Science: Agents of erosion worksheet

Writing: Who, what, when, where, why planning sheet for newspaper article

9-10-12

Reading homework: Read 40 minutes
  practice book pages 13, 14, 15

Science: Read water changes the earth's surface and answer questions 1-8

Book orders went home with Mrs. Haugen's class today.  They are due back on Monday.  If you order online, use the code GYXWH and you can get a $5 free book coupon for use on your next book order!

Learning objectives for the week of 9-10-12

Reading: Students will learn the text organization structures that author's use when writing.  Students will learn the different rates that need to be used when reading nonfiction vs. fiction.

Vocabulary: Students will learn what guide words are and how to use them when looking up words in the dictionary.

Spelling: Students will learn several ways to figure out syllables.  They will learn how to use syllables to help spell words.

Grammar: Students will be able to recognize the complete subject and complete predicate in a sentence.

Writing: Students will learn the strucure of a news article.

Science: Students will learn the difference between weathering, erosion and deposition

9-7-12 erosion and weathering

No homework today!  Over the weekend make sure and sign the green reading log AND the planner. 

There is a quiz over the types of sentences on Monday.  There is a cool jeopardy game if you click on the link!  It will help to study for the quiz!

We are learning about wind and water erosion this week.  Click on the two links below to watch a study jam video and play and erosion game.

New vocabulary words

I posted new vocabulary words on the wiki.  Click on the link if you'd like some flashcards to practice your words.

9-6-12

Tomorrow is ISU vs. Iowa day.  Wear your favorite team colors.

Homework for tonight:
Finish pen pal letter
Read 40 minutes and write your pages down as well.
Practice book pb12 and pb21
Basal (orange) reading book: Questions over the story on page 46

RC quiz #1 is due Sept. 15

9-5-12

Read 40 minutes!

Bram's group: finish what you can of your pen pal letter.  Our goal for tomorrow is to have it ready to mail.  This should be in your binder. 

Haugen's group: no pen pal assignment today

Rewrites for kids who got a C or worse on your spelling test.  10 times for each word misspelled.

New vocab words will be coming out tomorrow!

9-4-12

Homework
Pen pal letter: paragraph 1 and 2 We have pen pals this year from Colorado.  We will be writing back and forth all year, via US postal service, as well as sending computer messages!

Read 40 minutes: Some students forgot to have their logs and planners signed over the weekend.  They will be required to do so tonight in order to not have to move their behavior clip tomorrow!

Early out tomorrow!

Friday is ISU/ Iowa day.  Wear your red and yellow.....or black and yellow to support your team!

New spelling and vocabulary words will be coming soon!

Objectives for the week of September 4, 2012

Reading: Students will learn how to use chronological order to aid in comprehension.
Students will begin to recognize different forms of text organization.
Students will read the non-fiction story "Eye of the Storm".

Vocabulary: Students will learn content vocabulary for the story "Eye of the Storm".
Students will learn 2 ways to help study words...gestures and images

Spelling: Students will learn to spell words using long vowel rules as a strategy.

Grammar: Students will continue to recognize the 4 sentence types. Test will be next Monday.

Writing: Students will use Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why to write news articles.

Science: Students will learn the processes of nature's effect on the surface of the earth.

8-31-12

Homework for the weekend:
Have planners and reading logs signed! Remember you dont' have to read over the weekend as long as you read each night during the week. (Yes, MOnday counts as a weekend)
Sentence type worksheet 2 sides
Study for spelling test on Tuesday

First Vocabulary test today went well! All students brought them home with their take home items today. Look for a purple note about band as well! NO school Monday and early out on Wednesday of next week.

8-30-12

Read the rest of your 40 minutes.

Vocabulary test tomorrow!

Spelling test Tuesday: I have been putting Monday on everything, but there is no school Monday. Sorry about that!

PB 18-19

Sentence type worksheet 2 sided

Characteristics of a scientist project are due tomorrow! Presentations will happen in class.

Reminders:
No school Monday!
RC quiz #1 due Sept. 15

8-29-12

Our morning and afterschool routines seem to be going very well. Remember...if a student needs to come in and see me before school, just give me a call or send me an email and I will let the office know!

Cheerleading camp notes are due Friday!

Homework for tonight:
Read your minutes and record them.
Practice book page 17: short vowel sort with spelling words
Start studying for vocabulary test: Friday and spelling test: Monday.
RC quiz #1 is due on Sept. 15!

August 28, 2012

Lots of homework tonight, so make sure you check that planner :)

Reading: practice book 16 on base words
Read 40 minutes between home and school

Spelling/vocabulary: Vocabulary test on Friday and Spelling test on Monday

Language arts: final draft strengths and weaknesses paragraphs

Science: Experiment description

Ask your kids about their experiments today. How can you stab three pencils through a baggie filled with water and not spill a drop? Why can you add pennies to a cup filled with water without it spilling?

8-27-12

Vocabulary and Spelling: New spelling words were handed out today. The kids now have spelling words (test Monday) and vocabulary words (test Friday) in their binders. They are also on the wiki. On the right side of this page under the column links...click on wiki and you will find all kinds of information! Homework: practice book page 11

Remember pictures are tomorrow. You got your forms on back to school conference day.

Learning objectives for the week of August 27,2012

Reading: Learn and practice predicting.
Practice main idea (this will be listed every week for some time)
Examine the genre realistic fiction
Learn to read a scientific article

Vocabulary: Use context clues to determine the meaning of weekly words
Use a thesaurus

Spelling: Use base words
Recognize the short vowels in our spelling words

Grammar: Recognize the 4 types of sentences

Writing: Write a news article

Science: Characteristics of a scientist (experiments)
Begin learning about the layers of the earth