Last post before break....

Well, I hope that all of you have a terrific winter break. It has been a great 2010 for our 5th graders. I can't believe the amount of growing they have done. We still have MUCH to do when we get back! Parents, a big thank you for all of the support you have given your student and their teachers :) in the last few months.



I am sending home this newsletter in print as well as putting it on the blog, to make sure that all get to see it. A reminder, I post assignments and announcements daily on the blog. If you go to the blog address, you can sign up to get the announcements by email. That is a great way to keep caught up, as you don't even have to remember to check the blog! From the blog address, you can click on the link to the wiki. This is where you will find our weekly spelling and vocabulary terms, as well as the dates for the next test. For the kids...there are MANY websites to practice the skills that we are learning in reading, language and technology. I update this site on a weekly basis (at least). For those of you who don't have access to a computer on a regular basis, please remember to check the kids' planners. They write the same information in their planners as what I post on the blog.

Assignments due by Tuesday:
Diary of a Wimpy Reindeer story
Pen pal letters
Vocabulary test Monday (study the 6 multiple meaning words)
Reading response
Cause and effect packet

Reading counts quizzes: By the time we head out for break, we will have had 7 required reading counts quizzes. If a student doesn't have enough quizzes passed, I will be sending a note home to make you aware. Although I am not requiring reading over the break, these students could use this time to get caught up and come back ready to take some quizzes.

Curriculum update

Reading: Our current unit in reading deals with the use of several skills/strategies. Students are learning the importance of recognizing cause and effect within stories. They are also practicing finding the author's purpose in their writing. We have discussed that the three main purposes for writing are: persuading, informing, and entertaining. Finally we are learning to pick out the point of view of the author and/or characters in a story. Each of these strategies, if used, will help students become better readers.

Language: Our concentration for the last 2 weeks had been nouns. We have now moved on to verbs. Action verbs are fairly easy for the students, the hard ones are the being verbs. We'll tackle those when we come back from break.

Writing: We are writing friendly letters (with the correct format) to our pen pals. Meyer's group writes to some students from Texas, while Haugen's group writes to some 5th graders in Colorado. This is a great and fun way to learn correct letter writing skills. We have also been writing a story this week called Diary of a Wimpy Reindeer. The format is similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The kids are very creative and I look forward to Tuesday when they will be sharing them.

12-16-10

Not much to report tonight! Reading response and study for tomorrow's review spelling test. The only new assignment is a vocabulary crossword puzzle. Only three days left until winter break. The kids are really starting to get the "itch"! Just a reminder that we don't really have a party for the holidays in 5th/6th. We'll be watching a movie next Tuesday afternoon. The kids will be able to bring a snack of their choice like we did for Halloween.

I'll post some pictures from our trip to the bank today. They are our "adopt-a-business". We went uptown for about 15 minutes today to sing a few carols and have a snack. The kids seemed to enjoy it, as did the bank customers.

12-15-10

Several assignments for tomorrow...

Vocabulary: Multiple meaning ice cream cones

Spelling: Study for Friday's test, since it is a review, it is a BIG one.

Reading: Reading response

Grammar: ABC action verbs

RC quiz due today!

New wiki sites

Take a peek at the Haugen's wiki site...
I have added practice sites to work on keyboarding skills, nouns, cause and effect, and verbs.
Perfect ways to practice some of the skills you are working on at school. Click on the link to the left of this post, or click the link below!

wiki

12-14-10

Reading response is our only homework assignment for tonight.

We are working on friendly letters in class, but they are not due tomorrow.

12-13-10

BRR...Our first big taste of winter this weekend led to a late start today. We are no longer doing the 90 minute delay that we used to do. We will be going either 60 minutes or 2 hours delay in case of bad weather.

Reading: New reading response sheets today. They are a little different than our usual. We will be keeping track of the number of pages read instead of answering a question each night. We will use this sheet for the next couple of weeks and then we will be going back to our question format.

Spelling: This Friday's test will be a review of all of the words that we've covered in spelling tests up to this point. I will pick 20 for Friday's test.

Grammar: We are moving from nouns to verbs this week.

12-10-10

What a crazy, busy week. The kids did well with all of the schedule changes. They handle change so much better than adults :) One more "normal" week and and then another short one! The kids are amazing singers and it was great to see that so many parents were able to make it to the program to watch them!

No reading response for the weekend!
No homework at all actually!

Keep reading. The next RC quiz is due the 15th!

Gorgeous 5th graders the day of the program

12-9-10

WOW! We ran through the dress rehearsal for tomorrow afternoon's program. It was TERRIFIC. Those of you who are able to make it tomorrow are in for a real treat. The kids were so well behaved. They sang beautifully. It should be great. I have to admit that I am looking forward to our schedule returning to normal next week though :)

Reading response and study for your spelling test tomorrow are the only homework assignments.

Pack the gym tomorrow morning for the walking program. The class with the most participants gets special basket shooting time on Monday morning!

12-8-10

Reading response

Noun test tomorrow: common and proper nouns, possessive nouns, singular and plural nouns, and abstract and concrete

Spelling test on Friday

Vocabulary: Write a cloze for your 9 words

Dress rehearsal for the program tomorrow afternoon with the program on Friday.

12-7-10

Reading: Reader's response
read 15 minutes
Questions on page 304

Spelling: pb222

Vocabulary: We got new words today.

Grammar: 2 worksheets (front and back)

Writing: friendly letter cut and paste activity

12-6-10

Lots of changes in schedule this week due to chorus program practice!

READING: reading response
One more quiz due before winter break.
Remember to fill in your coin gifts and return them as you finish.

VOCAB: took the test today, new words tomorrow

SPELLING: Check the wiki for this week's words. Test Friday

Grammar: possessive nouns today, no assignment

Mr. Johnson is coming to introduce himself to the kids tomorrow during class. He will be in our building working with small groups of kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

12-4-10

Reading response and read 15. The kids were asking the other day why 15 minutes? 15 is the MINIMUM that you should read every night. Obviously the more you read the better reader you'll become. If you are great at reading 15 every night, expand it to 20, and so on!

Vocabulary test on Monday.

Paul Revere quiz retake on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

12-3-10

Reading response due tomorrow!

Spelling test over week 10 words tomorrow!

The kids had a busy, creative day. They created collages with common/proper nouns today. The unit on nouns has a couple more days and then we'll test. Look for a more specific date at the beginning of next week.
We have covered singular and plural nouns, abstract and concrete, common and proper...next week will be possessive and plural. It's hard to keep all of those noun types separate, but the kids are doing a great job!

Book orders due on Tuesday. Remember online or paper orders are welcome.

12-1-10

Reading response

Skills test: We took part one of our weekly skills test today. The reading portion was on the skill of story structure. Today was the first time we have had 100% of both sections pass the skill! I'm very proud of the 5th graders. Keep up the good work kids!

Reading assembly: We presented our boxes of goods to the Veterans today. It was great to see all of the items that were donated! These items will now be sent to soldiers for the holidays.

December reading incentive: Each child was given a paper today dealing with our Dec. reading program. It is a picture of a gift. Each time the students read 20 minutes we are asking that you help by giving them a coin (ANY coin) to tape to the paper. Then, when they turn them in, the money will go to purchase books for the clinics, doctor's offices, etc....in Belmond.

This month's top reading 5th grade class was Mrs. Haugen's. Congratulations!

Caring caps on Friday: Bring some spare change on Friday if you want to wear a hat during the school day.

Book orders due on Tuesday.

11-30-10

Reading response

Vocabulary: practice book page 204

Spelling: practice book page 202

RC quiz #7 due today: only one due in December. It is the perfect month to catch up if you are alittle behind!

Veteran's items due tomorrow. We have an assembly to present the items tomorrow before our early out.

Sport items for our donation basket due Thursday.

Book orders due next Tuesday. Online ordering information is available on a note I sent home today.

11-29-10

This week, all classes will be taught by Mrs. Smidt. I will be in and out of the room checking on things!

Reading response is the only assignment for tomorrow. New spelling and vocabulary words have been posted on the wiki. I also posted some links to a practice game for the vocab words. Try it out! Spelling test will be Friday and Vocab will be Monday.

Last call for donations.... Veteran's donation and Kate's sports basket donations are both due on Wednesday. Thank you very much to those of you who have already donated!

11-22-10

Writing: write an essay from the point of view of a turkey at Thanksgiving. Convince people to eat something OTHER than turkey for dinner. There is no length limit, just tell the story. We will be sharing these tomorrow.

Grammar: Finish the cut and paste activity (plural nouns)
Worksheet 15

Reading: reading response

No new spelling/vocab words this week!

11-21-10

SHORT week!

Reading: We will be taking the end of theme test on Monday and Tuesday. It is a long one, and I like to separate it into 2 days so the kids do their best. Also, that leaves me the long break to correct 55 (8 page) papers. Assignments due Monday for reading: reader's response, read 15, and main idea worksheet.

Vocabulary: Dictionary "turkey" worksheet due Monday.

Spelling: retake of Thursday's spelling test for those who didn't do so hot!

Grammar: The kids started a cut and paste activity dealing with plural nouns. They will finish that on Monday, it is NOT due when class begins.

Technology: We spent some time in the lab on Friday working on Home Row keys. There are practice web sites that they can access through the wiki page. They will be assessed in a couple of weeks on typing without peeking on the home row keys. They will also have to write them in on a blank keyboard.

Veteran's collection: Thank you all very much for all of the terrific items that you sent in for our veteran's drive. We collected 2 boxes full of items to send to our soldiers.

Kate Simonson benefit: Please continue to send in sports related items for the Kate Simonson benefit. We don't have much in our basket yet. These items are due on Dec. 1. Also, take note of the order form that came home last week for clothing sales. As part of the benefit for Kate, they are selling Bronco clothing.

No new words this week for spelling or vocabulary!

Mark your calendar:
No school Wed-Friday of this week.
Early out Dec. 1.
Dec. 8: Bowling outing for PE. Please have your money here before this day!
December 15: early out
RC quiz #7 due
December 21: PE bowling outing #2
December 22-January 2: No school for winter break

11-18-2010

Wow, the spelling test today wasn't our finest. Tomorrow we will be looking at the scores and specifically what words were missed. The kids will bring them home and RE study for a retake on Monday. If they got 75% or higher they do not have to retake.

Reading response for homework.

Homerow coloring sheet for technology. We'll be heading to the lab tomorrow for some homerow practice! The links are on the wiki if the kids want to practice at home as well.

pb147 due for reading.

11-17-2010

Spelling test tomorrow. The kids didn't have time to study today during class due to the early out, so they NEED to study at home tonight!

Reading review...pick any of the sentence starters. Use complete sentences on the back of the paper for the answers.

Mrs. Smidt...is on week 4 of her 8 week student teaching assignment. She is currently teaching all subject matter except large group reading, writing, and technology. When we get back from Thanksgiving break she will teach full time for that week. Then the following week we will split teaching time 1/2 and 1/2. Week 8 I will take back the entire class. Her last day will be December 17. The kids and I are really enjoying having Mrs. Smidt in our classroom!

11-16-2010

Early out tomorrow for teacher inservice day.

RC quiz #6 was due yesterday.

Vocab quiz was taken today. The kids got their results back.

Reading response due tomorrow. Much better results today. Most of the kids had them ready to go before class started :)

Worksheet for language arts over plural nouns. Front and back due tomorrow.

Remember your donations for the soldiers and the Kate Simmonson benefit.

11-15-10

Reading: Reading response and read 15
We are still working on our theme: Give it all you've got. This week our concentration is on a famous female astronaut, Mae Jemison. Our strategy focus is on picking out the theme/topic of an article.

Vocabulary: test tomorrow

Writing: The kids handed in their courage essay today. (Well most of them did :)) Tomorrow we will begin an writing about dreams.

SRI test was given today!

Spelling test will be on Thursday.

Grammar: We are working together on singular and plural nouns today.

Early out on Wed.

Remember to send in items for soldiers and for our Kate Simonson basket.

Caring project for Kate Simonson

As a school, we have decided to do a "caring" project over the months of November and December. This year, our project is making baskets for the silent auction at the Kate Simonson benefit. The 5th grade baskets will be along the lines of a sports themed basket. We are asking for your help. If you wish to participate, please send any sports related items to school by December 1. We have included a list of ideas below; these are suggestions of the types of things that could go in the baskets. If you would prefer to send a donation of money, we could use that to purchase items for the baskets.

Thank you for your caring support,
Mrs. Haugen and Mr. Meyer

Ideas:
Team t-shirts, sweathshirts or memorabiliar
football, basketball, baseball, golf supplies
team caps
jump rope
trading cards
team stickers
college/professional team pens/pencils/ offic supplies

Reading incentive for November

Each year the members of the Pierce-Zieger Veterans of Foreign War Auxiliary collect items to be shipped to our area service men and women. These ladies plan to mail the collected items by the end of November in hopes that the packages will reach the members of our armed forces by Christmas. This is truly an honorable project and we wish to have the students at Jacobson show their support by collecting specific items. Next week....paper goods, personal care items, or nonperishable food items. Thank you for your support.

11-10-10

Reading response and read 15 minutes.

practice book 130 (you can use a dictionary)

I will be out of the school on Thursday at a meeting. If you need something, Mrs. Smidt and a substitute will be in my room, so give them a call.

11-9-10

Veteran's Day essay: Due tomorrow. This essay can be written or typed. 100-150 words. The topic is...My visions for our country's future.

Reading: Reading response and read 15

Vocab: We took the test today. New words tomorrow!

Spelling: test tomorrow

Grammar: Book page / Abstract noun

11-8-2010

November reading incentive: Our November reading program involves STAR service men and women. We are including our military in our reading during this month of Veteran's Day. This week we are collecting personal cleaning supplies and office supplies for these men and women. If you have anything that you would be willing to donate in either of these categories, please send it to school this week.

Book orders: due Friday! Remember you can order on paper, or online.

Reading: reader's response and read 15 minutes. The kids were given a list of who was behind in quizzes passed. Please ask your child where they stand on number of quizzes passed.

Vocabulary test tomorrow.

Spelling test Wednesday.

Writing: The Veteran's Day essay is due on Wednesday. 100-150 on What are your visions for our countries future....

11-4-10

Have a great 3 day weekend! Thank you to all of you who stopped in for conferences tonight. It was great to see such a nice turn out. Please remember that you don't have to wait for conferences to come in and visit, or ask questions!

There is a pretty large list of assignments below, but most of the kids finished the majority of them today during class.

Reading: Reading response
Please make sure your child has passed quiz #4. Quiz #5 will be here before you know it (Nov 15).
Story map for La Bamba

Vocabulary: Vocabulary chart
Choose a word from this week's list of La Bamba vocab words.

Spelling: Rainbow words

Writing: Get a good start on your Veteran's Day essay. My visions for our country's future are.....

Meyer's group: Pen pal letters

11-3-10

Thanks to those of you who came to conferences last night! Those of you who couldn't make it last night, I hope to see you tomorrow.

Reading response is their only assignment for tonight!

11-1-10

Reading: Reading response question (on notebook paper again)

Vocab: We took tests today. New words tomorrow.

Spelling: We got our new words today. The test will be sometime next week.

Language: Wrapped up our compound sentences unit with a skills tests. I will share the results of this quarter's skill tests with you all at conferences.

Writing: Work on your Veteran's Day essay. This isn't due until next week.

Early out tomorrow and Wednesday
Conferences Tuesday and Thursday
No school Friday!

First Quarter Pictures

10-29-10

Halloween parties went great. The kids had a great time mixing with the 6th graders and watching their movie.

Vocabulary test Monday!

Reading response is on notebook paper for the next week. The kids are writing a question and then the answer in their writer's notebook. That way we can use them to compare with next quarter.

See you next week for conferences!

10-28-10

Configs: Students are able to complete configs for extra points if they'd like. This isn't a required assignment.

Veteran's Day paper: We began a Veteran's Day writing assignment (contest)today. This is due November 8. We will be getting it started at school, but in accordance with the contest rules, I am not allowed to correct/proofread these for the students. They can type them or print them nicely.

Movie tomorrow: Remember to bring a snack and drink for movie time tomorrow afternoon.

70's or tie dye tomorrow for red ribbon week.

NO reading response tonight!

10-27-10

Taylor Swift: We took place in the Taylor Swift interview webcast today. It was put on by Scholastic in honor of their 90th anniversary. She answered questions dealing with reading, writing, and her music. It was a fun and exciting learning experience for the kids. They really enjoyed it!

Red ribbon week: tomorrow is favorite team day

Friday's events: Friday we will be watching a movie in the afternoon in place of a Halloween party. Kids are allowed to bring a snack and something to drink.

Next week:
Tuesday: Early out and conferences 2-6
Wednesday: Early out for inservice
Thursday: conferences 4-8
Friday: no school

Homework for tonight

Reading: reading response

Vocabulary: Concept circles

Spelling : configs puzzles

Grammar: bowling worksheet

Upcoming tests:
Spelling Friday
Vocab Monday

10-26-2010

Taylor Swift event tomorrow!

Friday: 5th and 6th grades do not have Halloween parties. Instead, on Friday afternoon, the kids will have the opportunity to chose one of the 5/6 rooms to watch a movie. They are allowed to bring snacks and a drink to the party as well!

Homework: Study the spelling words. We have our test in 4 days instead of 5. Test will be on Friday. Reading response

10-25-10

Ceazar the drug dog: We had an exciting visit from Officer Klein and Ceazar the drug dog today. They showed the kids what the dog is capable of doing. Then Officer Klein answered the kids' questions regarding the dog and drug prevention. It was really interesting.

Tomorrow is staying drug free is no sweat...wear your sweatshirt/pants.
I told the kids that they can NOT wear the same thing for PE as they do for sweats day :)

Homework for tonight: reading response only

10-24-2010

Busy week....read closely and mark your calendar :)

Monday: Wear red for Red Ribbon week. Our student teacher begins today. I will be continuing to teach fully for the first week and then start giving up some of the activities to her. She will take one thing at a time until the 7th week when she will then teach in the room as I observe and sometimes leave the room. Week 8 I will again take control back. This will be a great opportunity for the students, as they will get double attention. Two teachers in one room! We will have an assembly with the Sherrif's dept. as well on Monday.

Tuesday: Flu shots
Wear Sweats for Red Ribbon Week.

Wednesday: Backwards shirts
Taylor Swift reading program for 5th graders! This is a live webinar that we will be participating in. Taylor will talk about the importance of reading and writing, and then she will perform a song! Kids all over the US will be watching this same webinar. It should be fun!

Thursday: Favorite sports team clothes

Friday: 70's retro clothes
1-3 we will be watching movies in the 5/6th grade classrooms. The students will be able to bring a snack and a drink on this day!

Oh.... and to top it all of, we're learning this week too :)
Reading: Our new theme is called give it all you've got. It is about people who are overcoming obstacles and making the best of themselves. We've decided to adopt that as our class "motto". The kids are asking themselves if they are giving it all they've got. We will be finishing up on the fact and opinion strategy. We will then move on to summarizing. Reading response and read 15 is what is due for Monday. Some of the kids wrote Michelle Kwan questions in their planners, but we didn't get to that on Friday.

Vocabulary: New words tomorrow.

Spelling: New words tomorrow, they're already posted on the wiki.

Language: We are finishing up with conjunctions and moving onto compound and simple sentences. We are working with dictionary skills as well during language.

Writing: Our tall tales are hanging up all over the room. The kids wrote them and then edited each others. They are pretty creative! Look for them to come home next week.
We will be writing announcement for writing this week.

10-21-10

Reading: Reading response and read 15
We are working this week on fact and opinion. Our new theme for the next month or so is "Giving it All You've Got."

Language: Conjunction worksheet
We learned a way to remember some of the conjunctions...
For
And
Nor

But
Or
Yet
So

Dictionary entry

Spelling test tomorrow

Student teacher: Starting next week, for 8 weeks or so, we will be having a student teacher in our classroom, Mrs. Smidt. We are really looking forward to having her in our classroom! I'm sure you'll be hearing more about her soon!

10-20-2010

Reading response and read 15!

Fact and opinion worksheet

Vocabulary test tomorrow: Study for this one folks...it is a little harder.

Spelling test Friday

Tall tales test: Students who didn't do well on the tall tales test were given an extra credit (required) worksheet today to help with tall tale comprehension as well as raising that grade!

Webquest: Same with the webquest...we have very few techonology grades this quarter, if the kids didn't do well on it they were given some extra work to raise their grades.

10-19-2010

There were many assignments given today. Some kids got done with all of them...so check with the kids to see what assignments they may have.

Reading: Reading response

Spelling: Compound word worksheet (2 sided)

Vocabulary: Frayer model vocabulary diagram

Language arts: pb41

Writing: tall tale final

10-18-2010

New reading response today.

Language: Finishing up our tall tales and tall tale creations...no homework

Spelling test Friday

Reading tall tale test tomorrow!

Vocabulary test Thursday.

10-15-2010

Register tapes: Please begin sending in your register tapes from P&G as soon as possible. We will be saving them until March 31. We will turn them in to earn free supplies! It is a great opportunity for our school. Keep sending your box tops and soup lables as well.

Flu shots: Flu shot information sheets were sent home this week. If you are interested in your child recieving the shot, please send back your form as soon as possible.

Book order due date has been changed to Monday. Several children "forgot" their orders at home. :)

Reading: reading response and read 15 minutes. Please remember to use complete sentences.

Vocabulary: Test will be next Thursday. Assignment: blue book page 17

Spelling : Test will be next Friday. Assignment: word split
Each spelling word is a compound word. Divide the words with a slash between each word...
house/hold

Writing: Final draft of tall tales

10-14-2010

Reading: response journal and read 15 minutes
We performed our fluency plays today. The kids got a score of 1-10 depending on how many errors they made during their reading. They did GREAT!

Writing: Tall tales were due today (first draft). Several students didn't have them finished. Be ready to write the final draft tomorrow.

Vocabulary: page14-15

10-13-2010

Math night: Another great event! I was so impressed to see the turnout again. It seemed as if the kids and their parents had a good time. I know that it is hard to give up your "at home" time, but I think the benefits are emense. The kids looked so happy running from room to room learning new ways to practice their math.

Reading: Reading response due tomorrow.
We have been working on fluency this week by reading tall tale plays. The kids will be preforming them tomorrow during class. Our next strategy is decoding words. We'll be working on that for the next couple of days. We have finished our first theme, and will be spending some time taking our end of the theme test. These tests take some time, but are good tools to help figure out what the kids still need to work on.

Vocabulary and spelling: We got a little ahead in the spelling and vocab areas over the last couple of weeks. Therefore, we will be keeping the words that we got today for the next week and 1/2. Our spelling test will be next Friday- October 22. Our vocabulary test will Thursday Oct 21.

Writing: Tall tale first draft is due tomorrow

Language arts: We have spent this week's language arts time in the lab on our first technology unit. I posted it on the wiki if you are interested in taking a look!

10-11-2010

Reading response tonight looks a little different. Each student brought home a small green piece of construction paper. They are to write a 5-7 sentence summary of their book. I will be keeping these to utilize at conferences.

Math night is tomorrow! There isn't a program, you are just able to go from classroom to classroom learning math games. At the end of the evening each child will get a goody bag with math manipulatives in it. 6:30-7:30 is the time.

Web quest: We began a tall tale webquest today. It is tying technology in with our reading unit. The kids are doing a great job and really learning a lot at the same time. They will have to be able to use many skills during this two day activity. (alphabetizing, opening a document, reading comprehension, accessing a web page...)

Book orders due Friday. If you 'd like to order online, follow the directions below.
Click on this link, click on "Don't have a user name" and create one. Our user code is GYXWH. Select the books that you want. The order will still come to the school and your child will still get their books when the other kids do! Each online order gives our classroom $3 to spend on books!

10-7-2010

Reading response and read 15 minutes.

The kids are really excited about writing their own tall tales. After reading some of their planning sheets all I can say is...some of them are REALLY tall! I'm curious to see where some of their ideas are leading.

Subject/Predicate test was today. We will correct that and try to get it home in tomorrow's take home pile.

Vocabulary test tomorrow: Unit 4

Spelling test Monday: Unit 5

We'll be working on an AWESOME technology project next week, related to the tall tales.

10-6-2010

Reading assembly went great today. Thank you to the parents and family members who came and participated in our read-in. We handed out bookmarks to all students. 2 from each class got electronic book marks as well. Congratulations to Mr. Meyer's homeroom for having the most 5th grade minutes! We are into a new month, so we've got new incentives. Keep reading as our contest continues. This month we are keeping track of the number of quizzes passed instead of minutes.

No "homework" tonight except for read 15 and do your reading response. We have a subject/predicate quiz tomorrow in lanuage arts and a vocab test on Friday.

10-5-10

Reading: We began our tall tales unit today. The kids are pretty excited about all of the things that we'll be doing in this unit. Reading response and read 15 due tomorrow.

Vocabulary: 4 fold vocabulary activity. Test will be on Friday. The words are on the wiki.

Spelling: we got our new words today, the test will be on Monday of next week. Look for the wiki to be updated tomorrow.

Language arts: Test on Thursday over subject and predicate

Wed. special activities: Remember that Wed. is an early out. We will be having a "read-in" from 12:45-1:30 in the gym. The kids brought home an invitation yesterday. If you would like to come and read with them in the gym you are welcome to. Bring your own book. The kids are allowed to bring a pillow as well, if they'd like. They will be finding out who the Sept. incentive winners were during this time as well.

10-4-2010

Reading: guide word worksheet, reading response, and read 15 minutes

Language: Haugen's group has a snowy weather worksheet

Vocab: pb 77

Project pics 3

Nature's fury pics 2

Nature's fury projects 1

10-3-2010

Project feedback: We saw some terrific projects on Friday dealing with natural disasters. The kids really had to use a lot of reading/life skills to complete this project. They were required to find at least 15 important facts in various print resources. Then, they had to figure out a way to explain their facts to the class in a CREATIVE way. I'll be posting some pictures later! Part of their project grade was also how well they worked as a group. Great job kids.

Reading: reading response and read 15 minutes. Remember quiz #2 was due on Thursday of last week. Anyone who hasn't finished quiz 1 will be required to read at recess to get caught up. The only way to become a better reader is to read!

No other assignments for the weekend! The projects took most of reading class and the spelling test most of language!

Vocab test

Vocab test date has been changed to next Friday. WE really haven't had enough time with those words this week with the projects!

9-30-2010

Spelling test tomorrow. These words each have a "word partner". Practice them together, it makes them easier to remember.

Reading project due tomorrow.

RC quiz#2 due today.

Picture retakes tomorrow...bring back your packets if you want retakes.

Cut and paste activity due for language arts on subject/predicate.

October reading minutes: we will be keeping track of number of quizzes passed instead of minutes for the month of Oct. We will continue with the reading response and the requirement of 15 minutes of reading, we just won't be charting your minutes.

9-29-2010

Reading: Response and read 15 minutes
Project due date has been moved back to Friday. Have ALL projects ready to go by then.
We worked again today on text features in small groups. As a large group we talked about guide words and practiced using them.

Spelling: Illustrate your word pair

Language arts: Still working on subject and predicate! This is very challenging for 5th graders.

RC quiz due tomorrow. If students don't have the one finished from the 15th, they'll have to stay in until they pass one quiz.

Thursday: I'll be out of the district at a technology meeting. Please leave me an email or message if you have questions and I'll get back to you on Friday.

Friday: Picture retake- remember to bring back your old packet if you want retakes.

9-28-2010

Reading: Reading response and read 15 minutes. RC quiz #2 due on Thursday. Some of the students have a text feature/magazine assignment as well.

Thursday will be the wrap up for the month of September's incentive contest. We will be tallying the number of minutes that each student has turned in. In 5th grade the top reader from each section will get a free book coupon for the next book order. Two names from each class will be drawn out to recieve a digital bookmark. EVERYone who read and turned in minutes during the month will be recieving a bookmark. There is a contest between Mrs. Haugen and Mr. Meyer's room to see which class read the most (average) per student. The winning class will get their names on the trophy in the trophy case, and a Star reader sign on their classroom door.

Language: worksheet on subjects/predicates
We made a foldable with notes on it today that they can use to complete their assignment if necessary.

Spelling: pb83

9-27-2010

No reading response for tonight. Thanks to the printer that "died" at school today, there will be no reading response due tomorrow. I know the kids are disappointed, NOT!

Reading Counts due Thursday.

I will be at the AEA on Thursday at a meeting.

Nature's Fury project: Each student is in a group dealing with a different kind of natural storm/disaster. Their assignment for Thursday is to find a creative way to share their 15 facts with the rest of the class. I gave them some examples of different ways, but the choice is theirs. Poster, model, fact files, poem, song, play, mobile..... They began this project last Friday and have 30 minutes of class time today, Tuesday, and Wednesday to prepare it.

9-27-10

Homecoming was tons of fun last week. The kids all really got into the spirit! To top it all off the varsity boys had a great win on Friday night! I'm sure all of the B-K pride helped them to accomplish it! Thanks to all of you for participating.

Vocabulary test is Monday!
Final draft of the writer's notebook paragraph is due on Monday as well.

Next reading counts quiz will be due on Thursday. Just a reminder they are due on the 15th and last day of each month.

9-23-2010

Reading: Reading response and read 15 minutes.

Spelling : Test tomorrow

Vocab: Study for Monday's test

Grammar:
Check the wiki for some web sites to practice your subjects/predicates

Homecoming: Parade tomorrow afternoon, and Spirit Day, so wear your Bronco clothes!

Next RC quiz: September 30....Read, read, read!

9-22-2010

Reading: Reading response and read 15 minutes
We're working on categorizing and classifying and how that relates to reading comprehension.

Language arts: Ice cream worksheet
Meyer's group also do the back
Haugen's group finish writing your paragraph on the factual topic of your choice
Subjects and Predicates this week. This can be a challenging concept, but it is an important one!

Read to the principal: On Wednesday's 5th graders will be reading to Mr. Thompson, so if your child comes home with a sticker...that's what it's all about :)

Homecoming day tomorrow: Favorite professional or college team

Spelling test Friday/ Vocab test Monday

9-21-10

Reading: We started talking about categories and classifying today. This is a feature that we can use when reading nonfiction. Assignments for today are read 15 minutes and reading response. They are to write a summary on what they read tonight.

Vocab: practice book 46 Haugen's class only. Practice book 51 for all of them.
Writing: Meyer's group needs to write a paragraph of information. Haugen's group just needs to finish their idea webs.

Spelling: practice book 53

Homecoming: tomorrow is hat day

9-20-10

Pep assembly: We had a pep rally today to celebrate Homecoming. The kids were so well behaved, I was very proud of them! It is always fun to see the high schoolers! Remember, tomorrow is Western Day.

Reading: Response journal: Read silently and write a sentence or two about what you were thinking when you read it. Meyer's group also has practice book pb 46.

Language: New spelling words are posted on the wiki. Notice I posted a link on the right side of the blog page, so you can access it easily. Meyer's group has an idea web due tomorrow.

We still aren't consistently getting all of our work turned in ON time for all three 5th grade teachers. We talked about it in class today! Keep checking those planners, kiddos :)

Homecoming events

Monday: Wear all black, black out day. Pep assembly will be at 9:00.
Tuesday: Western Day
Wednesday: Hat day
Thursday: Favorite pro/college sports team shirt
Friday: Spirit day, wear your Bronco gear. Parade in the afternoon

9-19-2010

I appologize for the late posting for Friday, but I've had an awful sinus infection which took me out of school on Friday. After lots of rest and antibiotics, I finally feel human again!

Reading response: This weekend's response dealt with having the students read aloud to someone. This is a skill that is sometimes overlooked in the upper grades. Oral reading fluency is an important part of school and needs to be practiced as well as silent reading.

Techonolgy: We spent a couple of days in the lab this week. One day we finished typing our newspaper articles. We will spend a day or two this week comparing what we have in our articles to what we find in "professional" articles. We also looked at some really fun and educational game sites, which are posted on the wiki. Ask the kids to show you.

Spelling and vocabulary words are being posted tonight on the web, the kids got them on Thurs. and Friday of last week, but we haven't had time to work with them yet, so tests will be late this week, early next.

9-16-2010

Reading response: Summarize your book in 4 sentences.

Study for tomorrow's types of sentences quiz: Declarative, Exclamatory, Imperative,
Interogative

Finish your storm chaser van.

Book orders due tomorrow!

This is a picture from yesterday's granparent's day skit. It was so cool to see the involvement from all of the grandparents.

9-15-2010

Today FLEW by...early out days seem extra hectic!

Reading response: Do the activity with the 5 squares. I told the kids they could draw or write in the boxes.

Sentence type quiz will be moved to Friday due to the short day today. We didn't have time to study and I don't like to spring quizzes on the kids.

Grandparent's day: Wow, I couldn't have been more impressed by the turn-out at grandparent's day today. They were treated to a skit put on by the teachers. The kids then performed "Gotta Keep Reading." I got a little teary when I saw all of the kids singing and dancing together. It was GREAT!

Tomorrow night is Literacy Night from 6:30-7:30. Try to attend. Mr. Meyer has to coach, so all 5th graders will be coming to my room until he arrives.

9-14-10

Reading: read 15 minutes and reading response

Vocabulary: We took the test today. No assignment

Writing: Have pen pal letter finished by tomorrow so they can be mailed off.

Language: Quiz over the sentence types will be Thursday.

SRI: Most of the students took their SRI today. Please help them remember that they need to be reading books within 100 either way of their lexile.

RC: The first RC quiz is due tomorrow. Most of the kids have already passed at least one, so this won't affect them.

Announcements: Early out tomorrow.

Grandparents are invited to the school from 12:45-1:45 and should report to the gym when they arrive.

Remember to send in your change to help our classrooms earn books!

9-13

Reading: Reading response journal and read 15 minutes

Vocabulary: Study for test tomorrow

Spelling: We took a test today, no homework

Language: 2 worksheets on the types of sentences. Remember Declarative is a statement. Interogative is a question. Imperative is a command. Exclamatory shows feeling and has an exclamation mark.

Writing: Write the first paragraph of your pen pal letter.

Book order on-line ordering

When updating my profile on Scholastic book clubs website I discovered that they had changed the format for online ordering. If you'd like to order from this week's book club you will need to approach it differently than the note that I sent home says.

Please sign in at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs . On the parent page click "don't have a user name and password." You'll only have to sign up one time. When prompted, type in our activation code: GYXWH. Select the books you'd like and send it online to me by September 17. Your child's books will come to the classroom and be handed out as usual. You are still welcome to order books by filling in the order form and sending a check, made out to Scholastic, to school. Remember you are NEVER required to order from the book order flyers.

9-11-10

Homework for the weekend: Reading response and 15 minutes of reading. This assignment will be coming to you on a nearly daily basis, so keep working on them until it becomes a routine. Study for Monday's spelling test and Tuesday's vocabulary test.

Weekly skills test: We reached the end of our first story, which led us to our first weekly skills test. The test is broken into 6 sections with each section dealing with a different skill we've worked on during this story. I will be using the data I recieve from these tests to figure out who to work with during study hall, CPI time.

Read to the principal: Part of our reading incentive program involves being able to read to Mr. Thompson. Every Wednesday is 5th grades reading day. This should be a great opportunity to show off their reading abilities!

Grandparents invited: All grandparents are invited to attend part of our day on Wednesday. Mrs. Trampel has invited them to walk with the kids in the morning from 7:45-8:10. They are also invited to spend some time with their grandchild from 12:45-1:45. During that time we will have a reading assembly with some acting by our teachers as well as a performance of "Gotta Keep Reading" by our students. This day is also our early out, so please send a note if your child is going home with a grandparent.

Literacy night: A reminder that literacy night is on Thursday from 6:30-7:30. We will begin with a short assembly in the gym and then split into groups. Half of the kids will be headed to their homerooms to make literacy bags. The other half will head to the library to cash in their coupon for a free book. We'll end our night with a few minutes in the gym. It should be pretty fun. I know how hard it is to give up your night times with the busy schedules that everyone has, but I think this will be worth your while.

Send in your change: We are collecting change Monday-Wednesday of this week to use at the book fair. For each dollar that we collect for use in our room, Scholastic will donate books to children in need. The money that we collect we will get to use for books in our individual classrooms. The class with the highest money raised will also get to have ice cream served to them from Mr. Thompson or Mr. Beecher.

Box tops, Campbell's soup labels, and Sunny D labels: These are some other things that we are collecting this year. We need to try and get 20 Sunny D labels by the end of October to get 20 free Scholastic books.

WOW...that was a lot of information. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything.

Mrs. Haugen

9-9-10

Reading: Response question number 2. Read 15 minutes. Start studying vocab for test on Tuesday. It will not be a matching this week, you'll have to know the words well enough to give me some of the definitions in your own words. Those in my reading groups also have practice book page 31.

Spelling : Study for test that will be Monday.

Language arts: Ski shop worksheet, make sure your sentences are written on your ladybug pattern

Pen Pals: Each class will have pen pals this year. My homeroom actually got their pals today from Colorado. Mr. Meyer's homeroom will be writing their "friend" first. Their pen pals are from Texas. The kids are VERY excited about this activity. They will be keeping the same pals all year.

Canoe trip: Tomorrow, the kids that are in chorus 1 will go canoeing. They need to dress in clothing that will not interfere with this trip. The school will be providing them a sack lunch to take out to the outdoor classroom. Day 2 chorus will be going on Monday and Day 3 chorus will be going on Tuesday.

Weekly skills test: Each group took a skills test during reading time this week. These test will be used to show me who needs extra work in a certain skill area. I will be working with groups of kids on these skills next week. Each on a seperate day during CPI/study hall time. They will then be allowed an alternate assessment to bring up their grade in that area. I also work with spelling and vocab study groups during that time. Some kids work with Mrs. Gretillat or Mrs. Cooper in addition to the 5th grade teachers during CPI. This is just one more way to get kids achieving up to standard in the core subject areas where they might be struggling.

9-8-2010

Reading response: For the next 5 days the students will be responsible for answering a question on their response prompts sheet after reading their 15 minutes. There is still a space for keeping track of minutes. One question per day!

Canoe trip: Be sure to check Mrs. Trampel's note to find out when your child will be going on their canoe trip.

AEA meeting today: I attended a great meeting today in Cedar Falls on Digital Citizenship. I learned some great ways to use music, clip art, photos etc... in the classroom for educational purposes. I'll be back in the classroom tomorrow!

Spelling test will be on Monday 13th.
Vocab test Tuesday 14th.
Check the wiki for the words.

9-7-2010

Reading response looks a little funny today! We have a race car track to fill out with the sequence of events that have occurred in their story so far. They should still put the number of minutes read at the top of the paper.

Some students had other homework tonight :( There are a few of the 5th graders that are NOT getting their homework done. Please remind them that this isn't a choice. They are going to fall behind if they aren't doing the practice work either at study hall or at home!

There will be a sub in my room tomorrow as I have a technology meeting in Cedar Falls.

9-4-2010

Hope this post finds everyone enjoying a great, cool, 3 day weekend! The kids are slowly but surely getting into the new and somewhat scary :) routines of being a 5th graders! I keep telling them they'll get it- I promise! Changing classrooms and having all of their things in their lockers have taken the most getting used to. I am happy to say we are definitely on the right track and I am really enjoying getting to know this enthusiastic group of kids!

Reading: Read 15 minutes and respond to reading response journal #4. This should be writing down questions that enter their heads while they are reading. This is an important comprehension strategy. I have told them that not all questions have answers, so don't worry if you never find an answer.

Writing: Take the planning chart that they made and turn it into a 1-2 paragraph newspaper article in their writers notebooks. This is our first attempt at writing something like this, so they just need to do their best and we'll refine it before we type them up next week.

Spelling: Write the new spelling words in planners so that the kids have them with them wherever they have their planners. The new words will be on the Wiki by Sunday.

Vocab: Test 1 has been completed and they brought it home. Have a discussion with them on how they did. If they didn't do as well as they would have liked, what can they do differently to improve next week.

Homework: Please help the kids to remember to finish their homework at night. It is necessary for having a successful year!

9-2-2010

Reading: Reading response and 15 minute at home reading. Response question deals with making a connection to a character, setting, etc... from your story. You can connect to your life, another book you've read, or the world!

Vocab: We took our first test today! Watch for it to come home in the take home folder tonight or tomorrow.

Writing: Complete your planning chart for your news article.

Language: practice book page 21

Football t-shirt order form due tomorrow!

Campus: Our grading system is being a little tempermental right now. The kids are doing graded assignments, but I am unable to post them to campus right now. AS soon as it is up and going I will be putting in their scores.

Mr. Meyer in costume!

This is a picture of Mr. Meyer dressed in his Payton Manning football outfit for the skit today!

9-1-10

Reading: Read at least 15 minutes tonight and log your time on your response journal. These minutes will count towards our school wide reading incentive contest. Before our early dismissal today, we went to an assembly where some of our teachers dressed up and preformed in a skit! This skit dealt directly with our year long reading theme of STAR readers! The classes that average the most minutes read will have a traveling trophy in their room. Two students per month will be drawn for reading prizes as well.

Mr. Meyer's homeroom has an activity to do called Mall Shopping.

Spelling: We took our first spelling test today. I was pleased with the results. I can tell I'm going to have to come up with some more challenging words for these 5th graders! We'll get our new words on Friday.

Language: No language class today due to the early out.

Announcements:
Pictures tomorrow, remember your money if you'd like your picture taken. All students will be photographed for the class composite.

Order forms for shirts have come home this week. Please turn them in by Friday, if you are interested.

Remember to check out the wiki to find websites for your child to use at home! http://mrshaugen.wikispaces.com/

8-31-2010

Assignments for today:
Reading response and 15 minutes of reading. Please make sure that you ask your child to explain the new line on our log. They are to be keeping track of their minutes for the month of September. We will be participating in a school wide contest to see which class can get the most minutes by the end of the month. The winning class will get to have temporary possession of the reading trophy!

Spelling Study for spelling test tomorrow!
Vocabulary Study for vocabulary test Thursday.
Remember to check the wiki web page if you forgot your words!

Announcements:

Assembly Wednesday to kick off the reading incentive program.
Early out Wednesday. Early dismissal at 1:45

Pictures on Thursday, please send your order form if you are interested.

Order forms: Two different order forms for t-shirts have been passed out this week. Please send them in by the due dates if you are interested.

8-30-10

Reading:
Read 15 minutes and answer reading response journal question. Today's question deals with what types of questions do you have over your reading as you read it. In their heads the students should be thinking of things that they "wonder" about. This will keep them on task and monitoring their reading comprehension.

Language:
practice book pages 18-19

Spelling and vocabulary: Students should be studying their words for this week's quizzes. Spelling quiz on Wed. and vocab on Thursday.

Picture forms due on Thursday which is picture day!

8-27-2010

Time for the first weekend! I wonder if the kids are half as tired as I am after this week :)



A couple of assignments for the weekend....



Read 15 minutes and response journal: The kids are only required to do one 15 min. read for the weekend. Response is to make a connection to something else after reading their free read book. Connect to real life or another book that they've read. An example might be, "When I read this book, the main character makes me think of myself, because we both like playing outside." This doesn't have to be an indepth answer, just a sentence or two.



Self paragraph: Write one paragraph (5-7 sentences) about yourself in your writing notebook.



pb17- sort your spelling words by vowel sound



Spelling and vocabulary words: Students recieved spelling and vocabulary words this week. It will make their lives easier if they study them a little every night instead of waiting until the night before the test! They are both in the same notebook, or you can get them from our wiki spaces page.



Remember, as always, please call me if you have any questions about your student!

8-26-2010

Reading response journal: All students should have read 15 minutes last night and completed four sentences of a summary. Tonight they will read their 15 minutes and then chose one main character. Inside a circle they will write that characters name and write 4-5 words that describe him/her. Each night their will be a different activity to do with the 15 minutes of reading at home.

Spelling: The student go their week 1 words today and we worked on the short vowel sounds.

Speeches: YES, they began to give speeches today! Each student took their hot air balloon from yesterday and gave a 30 second speech over it. GREAT job by all!

August 25, 2010

A whole day!!! All of the equipment was in working order today and everything went very smoothly! We even got our first two assignments.

Due tomorrow: Reading Response journal and Hot Air Balloon activity

Reading response: Each student is responsible for reading AT LEAST 15 minutes tonight. After they read their 15 minutes they are to write on their response journal. They only have to do one of the four sections of the journal. They were told to star it today, but just in case they forgot...they are to write a four sentence summary of what they have read so far in their free reading book. Each night they will read the 15 minutes and have a different task to complete dealing with what they have read.

Hot Air Balloon: Complete and color the squares on their balloon. Tomorrow they will present their first Language Arts speech by sharing their answers with the class.

Spelling: We will begin our spelling program tomorrow. You'll notice that some of the words on the lists might seem "easy". Each set of words was chosen for the things that those words have in common. For example, all of the words might have long vowel sounds, or double consonants etc... The reason for this is that now the kids aren't just memorizing the words, they are learning the skills behind reading and spelling those words!

8-24-2010

Wow, the day sure flew by with an early out added in! To those of you who don't know, we had an early out today due to plumbing problems in the elementary. The kids got to experience the routine of having a normal morning. They are a little stressed out by all of this schedule memorizing, but they will get used to it in no time. Most of the kids checked out books from our classroom library so they could start reading right away! That is GREAT to see. There were no homework assignments for reading or language yet, as we just didn't have time! What a terrific day and a great chance to meet the new 5th graders! I look forward to seeing them all tomorrow. Ask them about all of the new faces in 5th grade, we have 5 new faces with another starting tomorrow!

Back to school

Welcome to 5th grade! I am looking forward to a GREAT year full of learning and excitement. 5th grade is one of the most exciting years that your child will have. It is the first big step towards independence. Students will no longer be staying in one room for the majority of their day. They won't keep their things in a desk! They will be keeping everything in their lockers and traveling from room to room for classes! This blog will be where I will keep you updated. You may check this site for daily announcements and assignments. You can also sign up for an RSS feed so that you can be notified when new announcements are posted. Once you belong to this blog, you can feel free to comment on any post that I leave, or others leave. This will help us in staying in touch. Communication is the key to a great year.

If you need help setting up these items, I would be more than happy to help you at school or talk you through it on the phone! Just let me know.