12-16-11

So many fun things planned for today and then....strep throat! The kids still got to enjoy their fun, but without me :( What a bummer!

Hope all of you have a terrific break.

No RC quiz due after break. We'll use break to get some of the kids caught up to #7. That doesn't mean you can't read daily :)x

No homework.

12-14-11

Another great day in fifth grade!

Homework for tomorrow

Finish your Diary of a Wimpy Reindeer book

Write your pen pal letter

Remember to bring your drink and snack for tomorrow if you'd like.

12-14-11

Homework for tonight...

Read 20 minutes
RC quiz #7 due tomorrow

Subject verb agreement worksheet

Pen pal letter due Friday

Diary of a wimpy reindeer book due Friday

The kids were awesome today! They have had a rough last couple of days. They are so excited to be on break. Today they really stepped it up and were focused and on the ball!

12-13-11

Reading
What a busy, fun day. During reading we are practicing our holiday reader's theater. Some of the stories are "Goldilocks and the Elves," "Polar Express," and "Arthur's Christmas." On Monday we worked on reading with feeling when we performed "The Grinch". Kids that need to catch up with RC quizzes are still doing reading logs. The next quiz is due Thursday. #7

Language arts
We are writing a book this week as well. The kids are writing and illustrating a book entitled.."Diary of a Wimpy Reindeer." These are so much fun! They are turning out so neat.

No spelling and vocabulary words this week.

Science
We began our unit on the body systems yesterday. We will be spending 2 days on each of the 10 systems. Today we compared ourselves to an orange. We talked about the protective outer coating and how it was like our integumentary system.

Tomorrow:
Early out
Kaps for kids: bring your change if you want to wear a hat.
Meeting in the morning about how the kids can be safe while on the internet.

Friday:
Remember to bring your drink and snack for our movie in the afternoon.
Last day to bring your food donations for the food pantry.

12-12-11

No homework tonight! The kids didn't get new reading logs today, so they don't have to be signed tonight.

Tomorrow is our lock down drill.

Wednesday is an early out!

12-9-11

PROGRAM today! Just a reminder that the K-6 program is this afternoon. The 5th/6th graders will be dismissed from the high school after the program.

Looking at the calendar for next week, it appears to be just as busy as this week. The kids were given a note yesterday explaining all of the following items. JUST in case they forgot to bring it home.. :)

We are in need of a few supplies for next week, if you have them at home please send them as soon as possible.
* toilet paper, paper towel, or wrapping paper tubes
* baggies
* grocery sacks to clean lockers before break

Tuesday we will be practicing our lockdown routine. We talked about this today during class. Ask the kids about it. It is a little scary to talk about and they may have some questions. Lockdowns can take place for a variety of reasons. Some examples might be...something going on at the high school, a potentially dangerous animal outside, a fire nearby, an accident, a dangerous intruder in the school system...

Wednesday we will be going to the high school to hear a speaker talk about digital citizenship. He will be teaching the kids how to be safe on the internet. The kids may also bring their change to wear Kaps for kids this day. This is an early out.

Friday the kids will be bowling. We will also be watching a movie in place of a party. They may bring a small snack and a drink for that day. This is the last day before break for the kids. Teachers will be back the next Monday and Tuesday for meetings.

Our next RC quiz is due next Thursday. We will not resume normal spelling and vocabulary work until after break. We are having a couple of review tests this week and next, but nothing new.

Homework over the weekend...Just read!

12-8-11

Homework for tomorrow...

Make sure that you have Paul Revere read.

Verb worksheet and science worksheet...if you finish, GREAT...if not that is OK as well. The practice today messed with our schedule, so we'll get it all straightened out tomorrow.

Spelling review words test tomorrow!

12-7-11

Sorry about the late post, guys! Had a little shopping and out for supper tonight!

Homework: Essay about the gifts you'd give if you had a million dollars.
Spelling test over review words on Friday!

Concert Friday afternoon!

12-6-11

Homework for tonight...

*Read 20 minutes

*Essay due Thursday: If you had a million dollars, but couldn't spend it on yourself, what would you buy? Who would you buy it for? Why did you chose them. Answer all of the questions in your essay. CURSIVE writing, capital letters and punctuation!

Spelling this week is a review of words that we've had so far this year. I will be picking 15 of the words. The kids have a list of the possible choices. The test will be on Friday.

Vocabulary: We got our new words today. The test will be next week, Monday.

KAPS for kids: tomorrow we can wear a hat for the day if we bring change to donate. The donations will be used to buy hats and gloves for our school "I forgot" box :)

DONATIONS: We are also collecting food to give to the food pantry. The kids brought a note home today about this (it's tan).

12-5-11

Homework for tonight:
*Read 20
*stocking assignment

Wednesday: Kaps for Kids
If you bring spare change and donate it, you can wear a hat all day during school. The change collected will go towards buying hats and gloves for the kids at Jacobson to wear if they don't have any during recess.

12-2-11

Only homework for tonight is to read 20 minutes and study for Monday's tests.

Test will be over the cell for Science, and vocabulary words for Mae Jemison.

Remember no band all next week and the program is Friday afternoon.

12-1-11

Wow, can't believe it is December already. There were even a few snowflakes in the air today. I let me homeroom go out and run around in it for 30 seconds if they agreed to focus back on the reading lesson when we were done. It is amazing to me how a little snow can be so distracting.

Homework for tonight:
Read 20 minutes
Final draft of Thanksgiving essay
Grammar worksheets (2 of them)

Tests:
Spelling Friday
Science and vocabulary on Monday

No band the rest of this week or ALL of next week.

Chorus concert next Friday, 12-9: The kids were given a note a couple of days ago about this. If you didn't get it....email me and I'll let you know all of the specifics.

11-30-11

No homework tonight!

Study for Friday's spelling test. I have decided to make the Science test Monday instead of Friday to make sure the kids have enough time to study. Yes, studying for a test is homework :) I posted the notecard website. The kids also have a study guide, a cell illustration, and they will have notecards after class tomorrow.

RC quiz #6 was due today.

Study site for cell test on Monday

http://quizlet.com/8287504/science-cell-test-flash-cards/

11-29-11

We took the SRI test today. Ask your child how they did! This is the first time we took them on the laptops in the classroom instead of going to the lab. It is nice to be able to work in our room on the computers!

Reading- We are beginning our work on main idea today. This is a very important concept for the kids to master! Read 20 and reading log tonight for homework. Quiz #6 is due tomorrow.

Grammar-Action and being verb worksheet

Writing- first draft of Thanksgiving essay is due tomorrow

Science- foldable due tomorrow

Upcoming tests: Spelling and Science tests are on Friday
Vocab test on Monday

Science study guides were corrected yesterday! The kids have them in their folders to start studying now. We will study in class as well, but they should study at home too.

11-28-11

ABC action verb: Put an action verb in each letter box. Example: A-attack, B-build

Writing assignment: Last week's assignment wasn't as polished as I'd like, so this week we are turning it in on Wed. for editing and the final draft will be due Friday. The assignment this week is to work on your sequencing words to tell me what happened over Thanksgiving break

New spelling and vocabulary words have been posted. Spelling test Friday and Vocab will be Monday.

11-26-11

I hope you all had a GREAT long weekend! Just a couple of notes for next week....

We don't have new words for spelling or vocabulary, yet. I figured that it would be a little silly to give them last Tuesday. I didn't picture a lot of 5th graders spending their vacation studying! We'll get them on Monday and Tuesday.

The next RC quiz will be due on Wednesday. Remember that anyone who is caught up with quizzes will not have to do a reading log. All others will.

Early out on Wednesday for inservice.

No weekend homework! The only assignment is to read!

11-21-11

Read 20 minutes and reading log for those who need to do one!

Science cell coloring and study guide. If everyone gets their work done, we will do an experiment tomorrow. If not...more reading out of the book!

Writing assignment due tomorrow: Tell me about a time you got in big trouble. Make sure you use voracious vocabulary...not just the same old words. Don't forget that final drafts are in cursive!


Book orders due tomorrow! They have to be in before Thanksgiving in order to get them back before the winter break.

11-18-11

RC quiz note: All of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books have quizzes now except the brand new one (blue cover)

Book orders due Tuesday- let me know if you want me to hold something back for a gift. I'll call you when it is in.

Assignments for the weekend:
Read 20 minutes (log for those who need it)
Science cell parts diagram

Vocabulary test on Monday!

Writing assignment: This week's focus for writing is to use voracious vocabulary. Spice up your writing with some more interesting words. Don't use said....use exclaimed, shouted, cried, etc...

11-17-11

Spelling test tomorrow

practice book page 135

Vocabulary test Monday

11-16-11

Homework: Read 20 minutes
Remember the log is now only for kids that are not caught up with RC quizzes. This is NOT a punishment, but a way to make sure that they are reading nightly.

pb130

NFL writing assignment due tomorrow!

The performances at the lip sync today were amazing! The kids were awesome performers!!

11-15-11

Study for your noun test!
The following items will be on your test:
What is a noun?
Name a person, place, thing, and idea noun.
What is a singular noun?
What is a plural noun?
Give examples of each.
What is a common noun, and give an example.
What is a proper noun, and give an example.
What is the difference between abstract and concrete nouns?
What is a possessive noun? Singular and plural possessives

New words on wiki for spelling and vocab
* Spelling test Friday
* Vocabulary test on Monday

pb137 in spelling today

NFL essay due Thursday!

Book order due Tuesday.

Lip SYNC tomorrow!!

11-14-11

No reading log for tonight! That doesn't mean the kids don't have to read. That is still assigned. Tomorrow the kids will get a new reading log. The only kids that have to do reading logs for the next 15 days will be the kids that aren't caught up on their quizzes. They will all still be reading their 20 minutes each night!

New spelling words today! Test on Friday.

The vocabulary words will come tomorrow with the test next Monday.

Book orders were handed out today. They are due back next Tuesday. If parents would like to order books for Christmas gifts you can send a note with the books and I'll call you when they are here.

NFL writing assignment due Thursday. Work on persuading me to agree with your point of view. Good endings are also important this week.

11-13-11

I was not in school on Friday, so I can't be 100% sure that these items were assigned. However, this is what I left for the kids to do :)

Read 20 and answer reading log question.
RC quiz is due on Tuesday! If the kids are caught up with the correct number of quizzes, they will not have to do the reading log for the next 15 days.

Vocabulary test on Monday!

Writing assigment: Due Thursday
NFL players make on average 1.5 million dollars per year. Persuade me on your opinion regarding this. Is this too much, just right, not enough....

Science: Cell pack

11-10-11

Homework for tonight: Read 20 minutes and do reading log

Finish your grammar possessive nouns packet!

I will not be at school tomorrow. I will try and check my emails at some time during the day, but no guarantees. Please email Mrs. Dickman if you need to get a message to the kids. She will see that they get it!

Spelling test tomorrow and vocabulary test on Monday!

11-9-11

La Bamba Lip Sync: Next Wednesday at 1:10 the kids will be performing a lip sync to a song of their choosing. This is an optional activity. In the story that we just finished the main character lip syncs to the song La Bamba in a talent show. The kids have been told that they have to check the song with me so I can Google the lyrics for appropriateness. They also need to practice at least three times before Wed. so that it doesn't look like they just decided to do it a couple of minutes before class. This should be a fun activity for them. I even showed them what it would look like by performing Respect by Aretha Franklin...may have looked a little funny if anyone would have walked in on us :)

Homework for tonight:
Final draft of the Veteran's Day essay is due tomorrow. Some of the kids have major rewrites to do. The question they were to answer was...What is your favorite symbol of Freedom and why? Most of the kids were forgetting the WHY!

Possessive noun worksheet #30 and #18

Spelling word sort

Spelling test is Friday and Vocab test is Monday

Volcano pictures

11-8-11

Homework for tonight:
Science: Volcano experiment in science lab notebook
Extra credit volcano crossword puzzle: Number of points depending on number you do

Reading: Read 20 and do reading log

Grammar: Possessive noun worksheet-only do the first page in the packet.

Volcano eruptions! Check out the next blog post to see the volcano projects and eruptions.

The new spelling and vocabulary words are on the wiki. WE are back on track for a spelling test and vocab test each 5 days. The spelling test will be Friday and the Vocab test will be Monday.

11-7-11

WOW...the three day weekend really energized the fifth grade vocal chords! They really wanted to chat today:) Thank you to all of the parents that made it to conferences last week. It was really great visiting with you. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns...feel free to contact me any time. You don't have to wait until conference night!

Homework for tonight: Read 20 minutes. The new reading log is pink. Just sign next to the day of the week. A few kids had me sign their logs because they read during study hall.

Mrs. Dickman's group has a fragment worksheet.

Both sections have the first draft of their Freedom Essay due tomorrow.

11-3-11

Homework for the weekend...

#1...enjoy your long weekend

#2....begin working on your Veteran's Day writing assignment. This is due on Tuesday (rough draft). The topic is, what is your favorite symbol of freedom. It has to be between 100-150 words long.

#3...Mrs. Haugen's group needs to finish their fragment worksheet.


I hope to see some of you tonight at conferences.

11-2-11

Homework:
ABC abstract noun page

Pick and abstract noun that starts with the letter on your page. Write the definition on the blanks at the bottom of the page. Then write __________ is an abstract noun that starts with ____. Illustrate your noun in the box at the top of the page.


Reading counts quiz number 4 was due on Monday. There are TONS of kids that are late with their books at this time. Please remember that reading each night is a homework assignment. It is NOT optional.

11-1-11

Sorry about the late post...conferences threw me off :)

Assignments for tomorrow....
Texting spelling
Opinion feathers
fact and opinion worksheet


Thanks to all of the parents and students that came to conferences today! The rest of you...hope to see you Thursday night from 4-8!

10-31-11

Homework for tonight:
Read 20 minutes

Conferences tomorrow 2-6. Stop in the office and get your report cards first, and then pop down and see us!

10-30-11

Spelling and vocabulary words are posted on the wiki.
Spelling test on Wed.
Vocabulary test on Thursday.

Tuesday: Early out for parent teacher conferences. Remember that in fifth grade you pick up your report card in the office and then see any or all of your child's teachers.

Thursday: conferences 4-8

Friday: no school

10-28-11

Homework for the weekend...
Read 20 minutes and do reading log
Tall tale characters need to be finished and cut out!
Reading counts quiz #4 due Monday!

10-27-11

Homework tonight:
Read 20 minutes
RC quiz due on Monday
Abstract noun worksheet

We'll be back on schedule with weekly writing assignments and spelling/vocab tests next week. MAP tests are over (except for make-ups)!

Bring a snack for our movie tomorrow, if you'd like.

Next week...conferences Tuesday and Thursday
Early out Tuesday
No school Friday

10-26-11

Homework tonight:
Read 20 minutes
Science field trip reflection: 3,2,1 blastoff

Thursday: Wear your camo...be all you can be, be drug free

Science Center of Iowa Blank IMAX Dome Theater

Science Center of Iowa Blank IMAX Dome Theater
Check out the kids doing the noon weater today! They were so good today. I was so impressed with them! A big thank you goes out to the parents who came with us as well. It would not have gone as smoothly without you. It was so informative and such a terrific learning experience!

No homework tonight!

Next week we will get back into our normal spelling and vocabulary routine, as well as our weekly writing assignments!

10-25-11

No homework tonight!

Field trip tomorrow! Make sure you bring your lunch and get here as soon as you can in the morning. Parents who are going- make sure you bring your lunches and admission fees as well. I know that the kids are SO excited about it!

10-23-11

Work to do today:

Finish your "skinny" tall tale final draft.

Red Ribbon week poem

Bumper car common and proper noun worksheet

Monday: Wear your favorite team gear. SRI reading test

Tuesday: Field trip to the science center, DON'T forget your lunch! Bus leaving as close to 8:00 as possible, so get here and get to your room for attendance!

Wednesday: Early out, Dear America author Webcast at 12:00
MAP reading test

Thursday: Red ribbon week assembly
MAP reading test

Friday: Halloween movie party, bring a small snack and drink. This takes the place of a Halloween party at the 5th grade level.

No homework...

No homework tonight! Come to math night instead. You can visit any classroom you'd like and pick up some math game ideas. The kids made a game to play in my room dealing with multiplication. They made their own game boards.

Notes about next week: Check out the yellow note that came home today telling you about everything that is going on next week. It is going to be a busy one.

10-19-11

MAP testing for Dickman's kids today. I took them for Language arts testing in the afternoon. That meant no science for either group today.

Read 20 minutes and reading log for reading homework.

pb105: Common and proper nouns

We'll be working on our tall tale final drafts tomorrow in class. They'll be hanging up for conferences. Make sure you take some time to read them.

POEM: The kids have the opportunity to write a poem for red ribbon week (next week). They are all required to write the poem, but they have a choice on if they want to be entered into the contest next week.

10-18-11

The only homework for tonight is to read 20 minutes and study for your vocabulary test!

Vocabulary flashcards Unit #5

http://quizlet.com/7318570/vocabulary-test-5-flash-cards/

10-17-11

Read 20 minute tonight!

Study for your spelling test. Each student was given a spelling study guide. The test is tomorrow.

Weekly skills test tomorrow. There is nothing they can do to study for this!

Language arts MAP test tomorrow afternoon.

Wow, sounds like a BUSY day tomorrow, doesn't it?!

Homework for tonight: Revise your tall tale and be ready to do the final draft rewrite tomorrow. I have circled many of the errors. Just write the correct spelling, language, punctuation in your draft so it is ready to be written in class.

Conference notes: Conference notes went out Friday or today depending on which class the kids are in. The notes are orange. A recap in case you don't get yours...conferences are coming up Nov. 1 and 3rd. Fifth grade conferences are not scheduled. Come during any conference time. WE do this so that you can visit with both Mrs. Dickman and myself. You will need to stop in the office and pick up your report card before you decide which one or ones of the teachers you would like to visit with.

10-15-11

Our stamina read was fun. If the kids tell their parents they can't read 30 minutes straight....NOT true. They all read for the whole 30 minutes. Most did very well.

Reading counts quiz due on Monday.

Webquest over tall tales is due on Monday.

Tests next week: We will be taking our MAP tests starting next week. We will test in the afternoons this week and in the mornings next week. These tests are a good way to show growth throughout the year. We will also be taking our SRI, vocabulary, and spelling tests. WOW what a week. They'll be brain "tired" by Friday :)

I will be correcting the first draft of the tall tales over the weekend, so we will be rewriting those next week. We will also be working hard on our volcano projects. We could use some salt, flour, vegetable oil, and baking soda if you've got any extra laying around. This project is worth 150. They are researching various things about volcanoes, creating a poster/brochure, and creating a volcano model.

10-13-11

Lots to share with you today!

The kids are working hard on two big projects. Both of them involve computer research. In the morning today we worked on a tall tale webquest. They had to hunt all over the internet for tall tale information. They had to summarize what they read, saw, and heard. In science they are researching various volcano information. They will be completing a group project worth 150 points.

Reading log: Remember to read each night for 20 minutes or more. Have a parent sign the log calendar AND answer the question on the back of the page.

Reading Counts quiz: The next RC quiz is due on Monday when they get here. The fifteenth is Saturday this month, so obviously not due then!

Pillow read: As I said in yesterday's blog, we are working on reading stamina. We will be silent reading for 30 minutes tomorrow during class. The kids are allowed to bring a pillow or blanket, since it is a long read!

Tall tale rough drafts are due tomorrow. Some kids already turned them in.

Book orders are due tomorrow.

Math night has been moved to next Thursday at 6:30. (October 20)

Homonym worksheet due tomorrow. The test over these spelling words will be next Tuesday and the vocabulary will be Wed. I have posted these words on the wiki.


WHEW...told you that we had a lot to talk about tonight!

10-12-11

Sorry about the late post, guys. I just got home for the day. I was at a meeting today in Clear Lake. It sounds like the only homework the kids have is the normal read 20. I also assigned a noun worksheet, but the sub notes said all of the kids finished that. It sounds like it was a crazy day with our wild weather. Electricity flickered on and off this morning, which means no technology. I was pleased to hear from our substitute that the kids handled it well and were very well behaved!

Please send back the purple field trip note whenever possible. It is due back next week.

Book orders are due on Friday.

Friday...the kids can bring a small pillow to school for a reading activity. They have been building their stamina with silent reading this week. Friday we will have built ourselves up to 30 minutes of silent read. They can bring a pillow to read with/on. They are rating themselves on their ability to be independant readers.

10-11-11

Homework

Final draft of the pen pal letters.

Write the next two paragraphs of your tall tale. You should have three by tomorrow morning.

Early out tomorrow! Mrs. Haugen will be at a meeting until at least noon.

10-10-11

Homework:

At least one paragraph of your tall tale. This paragraph should tell your reader of the setting of your story. If you want to go on and do more...go to it :) We're aiming to have this done (rough draft) by Wed. or Thursday depending on how our writing time goes tomorrow.

New type of reading log. The students need to answer a question about their reading as well as have a parent sign their log. This is graded. You need complete, cursive sentences.

10-7-11

What a busy day! We had our fitness walk this morning. The fifth graders were chosen to lead a special fitness cheer. The were great role models for the younger kids! Then we walked the trail with our mayor and his wife leading the way. The day ended with a homecoming parade! What fun.
Even better than that...the kids were so well behaved today. We have had homecomings that were CRAZY before. They did a great job of having the fun and then settling down to do some work as well. We even took a spelling test today!

Things to do over the weekend:
Read 20 minutes (the next quiz will sneak up on us, it is due the 15th)
Study for your science test on Monday. They have note cards and can access the study cards on the web.
Crossword puzzle with plural nouns for language arts.
Venn diagram comparing two tall tale characters.

There are a few kids with late work, as well, that needs to be caught up with THIS weekend.

Meetings: I will be at meetings Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning. There will be a sub, so I will be unable to answer your emails until I return.

Math night is changing its date to Thursday October 20. It was conflicting with the fire truck rides uptown.

10-6-11

Read 20 minutes today.

Spelling test tomorrow!

Remember to access the online study game that I posted about earlier today. It will really help for Monday's science test over the layers of the earth.

Tomorrow is spirit day. We are having a fitness walk in the morning and the parade in the afternoon. It should be a BUSY day!

Science test study cards

Click here to find flashcards to study for Monday's Science test!

10-5-11

Homework:
Study for vocab test tomorrow.
Spelling test Friday!
Science test Monday...wow we are going to be all worn out!!!

Tomorrow is favorite team day.

10-4-11

WHOO WHEE...we have homework tonight, folks!

Reading:
Read 20 minutes
Complete Pecos Bill portion of the story matrix on tall tales

Spelling/vocabulary:
Keep studying for the tests this Thursday and Friday
pb82

Writing:
There is no weekly writing assignment due this week. We are in the process of a larger writing assignment. We are writing a tall tale.
Character map of your tall tale character is due tomorrow
Pen pal letter first draft is due tomorrow

Grammar:
noun worksheet

Science:
Haugen's group has a study guide for the next quiz that they need to finish.

Homecoming update:
Today was comfy day for us in fifth grade. PJ day is pretty awesome. Tomorrow is hat day!

Here is a link to a fun word game we discovered today. WORD

10-3-11

Homework:

Reading- read 20 minutes
Science- color your erosion foldable


Pep rally was tons of fun today! The kids were very well behaved. Tomorrow is PJ day. Come comfy, but don't think that means we are going to nap all day!

RC quiz number 2 was due on Friday. There are MANY students who will be staying in for recess to get this passed. It is much easier to keep up than catch up!

9-30-11

Reading Counts Quiz #2 was due today. I told the kids that they had until Monday morning at 8 to get it completed, or they would be staying in for recess.

Homework today:
Read 20 minutes

The kids received a pen pal letter today. They may write their response if they'd like, but it isn't due until Wednesday.

9-29-11

We took some serious science notes today. The kids did a great job! I wondered how they'd do with 20 minutes of straight note taking. I was so pleased.

Homework:
Read 20 minutes
Criss Cross your spelling words
Vocabulary Frayer Diagram

Dickman's class: Read the story on page 119

9-28-11

New words are posted on the wiki today! Sorry it took me so long, but we are keeping these words for two weeks. The tests will be next Thursday and Friday.

Homecoming next week: The kids brought home a note today about the dress up days for next week. We also are making locker decorations, pennants, and door decorations. Let's pump up that Bronco Spirit!

Homework: Reading logs
Dickman's group: Spelling families
Both groups: Strengths and Weaknesses paragraphs. Remember there are 2 paragraphs due this week, one for strengths and another for weaknesses.

Reading Counts quiz#2 is due Friday and it is also the last day for our Sept. box tops contest.

Tall tale websites to try

Paul Bunyan story
Paul Bunyan game

We are working on a tall tale unit in reading and we ran across these yesterday. The kids really liked them, so they asked me to post them.

9-27-11

I can't believe I forgot to blog about our new "friends". We finally got our hermit crabs yesterday. The kids were so excited about them. They are learning how to properly care for them. So far, they really like to hide in their shells. The kids named them Rocky and Hermie!

I would like to thank Kendra for bringing in the Praying Mantis as well. My room was even more zoo-like than usual!!

Assignments for tonight:
Read 20 minutes
Writing assignment: 1 paragraph on your strengths, 1 paragraph on your weaknesses (Due Thursday)

9-26-11

We began our tall tales unit today. This is a REALLY fun unit! The kids will be doing a webquest, art activities, reading strategies, plays....

Homework: Read 20 minutes

Grammar: Conjunction paragraph-find 12 conjunctions in the paragraph and circle them.

Writing: Assignment due Thursday. Two paragraphs- one on your strengths and one on your weaknesses. Be sure that each has an introductory sentence, no conjunctions for sentence beginnings, all spelling and grammar correct.

Science: NA

Spelling and vocab: new words will be posted tomorrow. We will have these words for two weeks, as our tall tale unit lasts 2 weeks.

9-23-11

Impressive Science TEST! The kids did a great job on their tests today. 90% of the kids got an A or B on this test. I am so pleased.

Only homework for the weekend...read 20 minutes!

9-22-11

SCIENCE Test tomorrow! This is our first one and the kids have been told they NEED to study tonight! The kids have note cards and a study guide. They also have a spelling test tomorrow. I sent an email to those of you who I had email addresses for in order to remind you. If you didn't get one, please send me your email and I'll get you on the list!

The only other homework we have is read 20 minutes. There are a few kids who have late work. They will need to complete that as well.

Notes for erosion quiz

Click here to go to some erosion flashcards!

9-21-11

http://www.professorgarfield.org/ReadingRing/Strips/strips.html Some of the kids who are struggling with sequencing stayed in today to work on putting things in order and answering questions about the story order. This is the website they went to in order to practice. Some of the kids wanted to be able to access it from home, so I told them I would put it here!

Science: The study guide is due tomorrow. We will play a study game tomorrow and the test will be Friday. Thanks to one of our moms, I will be sending home a set of vocab study cards with the kids tomorrow as well. I explained to them that science tests are something they'll have to study for! No coasting by.

Reading: Read 20 minutes. Study vocab words for test on Monday.

Spelling: Syllable poem and study your spelling words for Friday's test.

Grammar: Worksheet #90

Writing: 9/11 writing assignment is due!

9-20-11

WOW...great behavior today! The kids were really focused today! We got so much done. We wrote several things in our planners this morning, but they had to cross a few out. If they forgot... the only homework that we have for tonight is to finish coloring the erosion/weathering model and read 20 minutes!

Upcoming assignment due dates:
Thursday: 9/11 writing assignment
Friday: Spelling test and Science test!
Monday: Vocabulary test

9-19-11

Read 20 minutes tonight! Some of you are close to finishing your first log. You will be trading that in for another blank one. I will grade the one that you finish, so don't throw it away.

pb9-10 Mrs. Dickman's class

Writing: 9/11 interview sheet due on Thursday

Science: Mrs. Haugen's group finish coloring your weathering model

Canoeing pictures #1

9-16-11

What a terrific way to end my day! Science time was up and the kids had to leave to go to their next class...I had lots of moans and groans and one student even mentioned she'd like to stay in Science all day! Wow! Now, if only they'd get that excited about reading :)

Several students had to stay in today for late RC quizzes. They need to try and read over the weekend! The computers were being updated late this afternoon and some of the kids of the kids did finish their books, but have to take paper quizzes instead. This WILL still count.

Last night was great. The turnout to Literacy Night was amazing. Thank you for being patient as you went in and out of the book fair. The kids really love visiting it, but it is in tight quarters!! We passed out 100's of bags of popcorn!

Homework:

Work on your 9/11 writing paper due next Thursday.

New spelling words are up on the blog! The test over these words will be next Friday.

One of the two classes got their new vocab words today, the other will get them Monday. The test over vocabulary will not be next week. We will wait until the following Monday.

9/11 assignment

We watched a short video clip yesterday about the events on 9/11. The kids took home an assignment today dealing with this topic. This will be done in place of next week's weekly writing assignment. They are to fill out one side on their own and ask an adult to help with the back side. They need to interview two adults who remember the events of 9/11. Thank you for your help with this project!

9-15-11

Homework tonight: Read 20 minutes

Not much homework for tonight because of the literacy night at Jacobson. Please remember you are invited to come from 6:30-7:30. Fifth graders start out in the book fair for 20 minutes. Then it is 20 minutes to decorate bookmarks and get your free book in the classroom. The last 20 will be spent eating popcorn in the lunchroom and listening to a story! I hope to see you all here.

Haugen's group sent canoeing today and it sounds like it was a blast. My photographer, Trevor, took some great photos I hope to put on the blog sometime this weekend.

The first RC quiz was due today. If they don't have one passed by recess tomorrow, they have to spend recess reading.

We took our first skills test today. I was very impressed with most student scores. The kids that struggled in one or more areas will be working with me on those areas in a small group next week.

New spelling and vocab words will be going on the wiki tomorrow.

9-14-11

OOPS...
I forgot to mention the writing assignment due tomorrow!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
The things I am looking for are- topic sentence and does the rest of the paragraph stay with that topic; capitalization and punctuation; NO sentences beginning with conjunctions!

9-14-11

Homework: There is no required read 20 minutes tonight! We did it in class today. If they don't have their first quiz passed, however, it would be a good idea. RC quiz #1 is DUE tomorrow. If they aren't passed they will have to stay in for recess until they are caught up. RC quizzes are due the 15th and 30th of each month.

Thursday night:
Remember tomorrow night is Literacy Night at Jacobson. Please go to the book fair from 6:30-6:50. It is in Mr. Johnson's room (right next to mine). 6:50 Go to the lunchroom and get your free popcorn. Then go to your homeroom to decorate your bookmarks. They will stay here to be laminated. At 7:10 we will head to the gym to listen to a story by Marcia Burt! It is a pretty low key night, but it is so great to get together and show the kids how important it is to be readers!

9-13-11

Read 20 minutes!

Questions 11-30 over Eye of the Storm story. This is only for kids who didn't get 70% on their quiz today. The story was nonfiction and a little longer than the others we're used to!

Vocabulary test tomorrow!

Reading counts quiz #1 DUE Thursday.

Reading fun night on Thursday night 6:30-7:30.

9-12-11

Spelling test tomorrow!

Read 20 minutes

How much is your spelling worth? Use the coin/letter sheet to figure out how much your spelling words are worth. (Do at least 10)

Finish reading Eye of the Storm.

New writing assignment for the week: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? What am I looking for this week? Spelling, Grammar, Capitalization, Does your paragraph all go with your topic sentence?, Did you start any sentences with and, but, or or?

Canoe trip: Mrs. Dickman's class will go Sept. 13 and 19
Mrs. Haugen's group will go Sept. 15 and 21

Thursday night: Please plan on coming to reading night. It is from 6:30-7:30. We'll make bookmarks, eat popcorn, listen to a story, and go to the book fair! The kids will get a free book that night!

9-9-11

CRAZY day!!
My poor computer had an attack at the end of reading class and so...no science. I needed the computer for our science activity today. The kids were really disappointed. They are so into science right now. YEAH! Instead we had more reading/language time!

Homework for the weekend:
Thesaurus activity
Subject and predicate worksheet: both sides
If this is too hard, please have them bring it in the morning on Monday. I will be happy to help!
This is a difficult concept for fifth graders.
Read 20 minutes
We'll wait and get the writing assignment for next week on Monday. The information I wanted to
show them was on the whiteboard...so we couldn't do it :) I doubt they were sad about that!

Next week: Reading fun night is on Thursday 6:30-7:30

9-8-11

Sometimes we could double the school day and still not have enough time to get everything done...today was that day :)

Homework
Read 20 minutes

Dictionary worksheet- side 55 only

The kids wrote subject/pred worksheet in their planners, but we didn't get to it. They may have forgotten to cross it out.

Start studying for the spelling and vocab tests. Spelling Tuesday and Vocab Wednesday.

Things to note:
Book order due tomorrow!
First RC quiz next Thursday (15th)
Next Thursday night- Reading fun night! Check the bags today for a note about this event!

9-7-11

Assignments:
Read 20 minutes and do reading log.
Writing assignment: What I like to do on the weekends is due tomorrow

Reading/Language arts
We got our new spelling and vocabulary words for the week. The wiki will be updated today with the new words. The next story we are reading is about storm chasers, specifically Warren Faidley. We watched a short clip about what he does. The strategy that we worked on today was questioning. I read them a story and they questioned and predicted as I read. They will be filling out a questioning bookmark as we read our next story.

Science:
Today was wind erosion! We did 2 experiments regarding what happens to sediment when the wind blows.

9-6-11

Reading: Read 20 minutes and fill out your reading log
Practice book page 14-15 This worksheet works on the skills of sequencing events.

Grammar: no homework today
They did a great job in class and really don't need extra practice on disecting sentences into subject and predicate!

Writing: The writing assignment is due on Thursday. This week's topic is...My favorite thing to do over the weekend. I am looking specifically for a topic or introductory sentence, cursive writing, good spelling and grammar. This week we are adding NO starting sentences with conjunctions (and, but, or). This needs to be 5-7 sentences long.

Science:
no homework
The links that follow are to two activities that we did today dealing with weathering and erosion. The kids really liked them and asked if I'd put the links here for them to do at home. Any time I can get them to work on school work at home, it is a good thing!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyysL02ZvQ8
http://kineticcity.com/mindgames/warper/

PETCO grant: I just found out over the weekend that we received a grant from PETCO. It should be coming in the mail in the next 2-3 weeks. They are supplying us with all we need to care for a hermit crab. The grant amount is $150. The kids, and MRS. HAUGEN, are very excited to add a hermit crab to our classroom!

Thank you so much to all of you who have donated items for our science class. The kids and I are loving being able to do some hands on activities along with reading the text book. Tomorrow we are doing a couple of experiments on wind and glacier erosion.

9-2-11

The kids struggled last night, as a whole, gettting their homework done. They came in this morning in a panic trying to figure out how to get it done before 8:10.

Just a reminder to them...you need to check your planner before you go home AND when you get home. Some nights you will have very little to do...some nights it may take an hour. If you don't understand something, come in right away in the morning and ask for help. Don't wait until the class sits down and gets ready to correct!

That said...the only homework for the BEAUTIFUL three day weekend coming up is....
Study your spelling for the test on Tuesday and read your 20 minutes for Friday night.

Book orders and online orders due next Friday.

9-1-11

Lots of homework tonight!

Reading: Read 20 minutes and fill out reading log
Grammar: Exclamatory sentences worksheet
Spelling: Expanded spelling words
Take your spelling word and add a prefix or suffix to make it a longer word. bunk= bunks

Vocabulary: Test over story one is tomorrow! Check the wiki if you need the words.

Science: no homework tonight! We did an experiment on water erosion today. Ask them what
the land at the bottom of the river was called. (delta)

Pictures were today. Everyone got theirs taken for the school records, even if you didn't order.

Stay cool! It's a hot one out there!

8-31-11

Pictures tomorrow!

Homework:

Read 20 minutes

Stresses essay- make sure and concentrate on spelling, capitalization, and having a topic or

introductory sentence

Dickman's homeroom: spelling short vowel sort

8-30-11

Each group has different homework tonight! Make sure and check under the right group!

Haugen's homeroom
Reading: read 20 minutes
Spelling: short vowel chart
Writing: Due Thursday Stresses and Surprises
Grammar: Kind of sentences worksheet

Dickman's homeroom
Reading: read 20 minutes
Spelling: NO homework
Writing: Due Thursday Stresses and Surprises
Grammar: kinds of sentences worksheet

Book orders are now home with both groups. If you would like to order online go to http://pcool.scholastic.com/parentordering/login.jsp. Our class code is GYXWH. Book orders are due 9-9-11.

Tomorrow is an early out.

Thursday: Pictures

8-29-11

Assignments for today:
Read 20 minutes and have parents sign your reading log. This was missed by lots of kids today. Remember Saturday and Sunday are free days, but not Friday.

Vocabulary: Test on Friday

Spelling: Everyone has their words for the first unit. Test will be on Tuesday of next week.
Check the wiki if you need the words, but the kids wrote them in their planner and have a sheet to hang on the frige and study from.

Science: Characteristics of a scientist poster due tomorrow

Writing: Stresses and surprises paragraph due on Thursday

Early out this Wednesday!

Book orders due on the 9th. Mrs. Dickman's class will get theirs tomorrow. The kids wrote the code on them to order online, if you are interested.

Photos from the first week of school

The top two are pictures of our science Goop experiment. We are working on learning the characteristics of a scientist. The next picture is a reading activity where the students graphed their prior knowledge of the various reading strategies we will be using this year. The last two pictures are making student folders on the first day of school!

8-26-2011

Reading assignment: Read 20 minutes and fill out the reading log.

Writing assignment: 1 paragraph on the stresses and surprises of fifth grade, so far. Make sure your first sentence introduces the reader to the topic of the paragraph. Spelling counts! This is due Thursday of next week.

What a great week. I hope the rest of the year continues on this same path!

8-25-11

Happy Birthday, Abby!

I told the kids this morning...I woke up so excited to come to school today! Response from one of them...WHY? Why, because there are such great things coming their way. We are so busy in our little amount of time together each day. They really have to be on their toes to keep up. They are also learning that they need to be able to do a group activity and have fun, and then use self-control to calm down afterward ( a hard skill)!

Reading: Each day we do a word of the day called "Daily Vocab Review". We also read a short story and answer 4 comprehension questions (Daily reading review). If 90% of them get the questions right then we watch a short 2-3 minute video clip on whatever topic we read about. They seem to be really enjoying that. They are doing well! We've watched the clip all 3 days this week. We used the thesaurus today to find synonyms for our vocabulary words. This was finished in class.

HOMEWORK: Writing assignment- most important things

Science- We added, "scientists need to follow directions", to our list of skills scientists need to have. They followed step by step instructions to create a mystery substance. Let's just say some of them didn't follow the directions :) They then made their first lab notebook entry describing what they did and saw. They will leave all of their lab notes in the notebook and I will grade them once a quarter. They asked for the directions to the goo, so it is listed below.

Scientists have to follow directions:
1. Pour 1/2 cup of glue and 1/2 a cup of water together in the
bucket.
2. Add 2 drops of food coloring.
3. In a separate container mix 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon
of borax powder.
4. Stir the glue mix with the borax mix.
5. Knead it until it becomes dry. The longer you knead the
less sticky it will become!
6. Stay in your group and play with your mystery substance
until further instructed!

REMEMBER: read 20 minutes and reading log are due every day with a parent signature!

8-24-11

Wow, today flew by! We have so much to do and so little time! We got our new vocabulary words today. The test will be next Friday. They are written in the back of the reading notebook. They are also posted on the wiki. The link to the wiki is on the right side of the blog page.

In science we are learning about the characteristics of a scientist. We did 2 small experiments today. Tons of fun! I think I'll like teaching science!!

Homework today:
Reading log- read 20 minutes each night and fill out the reading log. A parent signature is required to get credit!

Writing- they wrote "most important things" in their planners today, but we didn't get to it. I told them to cross it out, but in case they forgot....

I sent the following note home with the kids today regarding science equipment that we need. Thanks in advance!

Dear fifth grade parents,
I will be teaching your child science this year. In order to help them learn, I will be doing MANY experiments. In order to do these I am looking for a hand in finding supplies. If you have any of these things readily available at home, and if you are willing to part with them, please send them to school whenever you can. I do not want you to go out and buy things. Just look around the house and see if you have extras! Thank you so much for your help.
Your partner in education,
Mrs. Haugen
* Cupcake liners * tin cake or pie pans
*funnel * sand (a bucket full)
* bendable straws * small glass aquarium
* various types of rock * sandpaper of various grit
* measuring spoons/ cups * egg cartons
* clear plastic cups * small paper cups
*toothpicks * playdough or clay
*rock salt * ice cream bucket with lids
*goggles or safety glasses * notebooks with lined paper
*paper towels *white vinegar
*cooking oil * baby food jars
* stop watch * craft sticks or plastic spoons

First day of school

What a busy day! The kids had lots of things to accomplish in the organization area today. We labeled folders and notebooks. Each folder has a side for things that need to go home, and a side for things that need to be kept. They may be feeling a little overwhelmed today. It will get easier each day! They were very well behaved and I was very impressed. It was one of my favorite "first days" yet! There is no homework today! The kids checked out books and are able to begin at home reading. It isn't assigned yet, because they don't have their reading logs. We'll get those tomorrow or the next day.

Our first unit in science will begin tomorrow. It is "The characteristics of a scientist".
We will begin reading tomorrow as well. This first reading unit deals with the fury of nature.

Please feel free to call or email if you have ANY questions!

How many minutes should a fifth grader read?

How many minutes should a fifth grader read each day? That question comes up a lot in the first couple of weeks of school...

Most fifth graders would like the number to be...HMMM...like 5 minutes a day. Sorry kiddos, the correct answer is more like 40-45!

According to the former president of the International Reading Association, Richard Allington, in his book about struggling readers, there is a direct relationship between reading volume and reading test scores. For example...a fifth grader that reads an average of 40 minutes per day is likely to score in the 90th percentile on reading assessments. They read an average of 2,357,000 words in a year. A fifth grader who reads and average of 13 minutes a day is likely to be near the 10th percentile on the same test, and read only 51,000 words per year.

That is a HUGE difference! Where do you want to be (students)? Where do you want your kids to be (parents)? Practice makes perfect, in sports, occupations, and yes...reading!

Let's get ready to excel in reading my soon to be fifth graders!

Summer post #5

I'm sitting here on this rainy, thundering day working on activities for school. I went to school this week and got our room all ready to go. The desks are arranged and the bulletin boards are set up. This is always an exciting time for me. Each year is like starting a new job. I am so excited to meet all of my new students and see all of the students from last year. Next week, Mrs. Dickman and I are going to the "teacher store" in Ankeny to buy some new stuff and do some planning for fall!

Reading update: I hope you are all reading like crazy in your free time. I know I am. My son made fun of me the other day. I was laying in bed at 6:30 a.m. reading a book. Once I get into a good book I can't put it down. Remember to bring back that summer assignment I handed out at the end of last year. If you read the number of books on your sheet, you can trade it in for a new book for you to keep! I've been buying them here and there this summer and have a good selection for you to pick from!

One more month of vacation to go. Enjoy yourselves and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Summer post #4

Wow...the things you find on the internet! I have been doing lots of "blog" reading this summer. There are so many ideas out there that others are willing to share. I've been participating in different chats dealing with reading and fifth graders. One of the cool things that I discovered was a group of videos about books. They are kinda like a sales pitch for different books. This site is put on by Scholastic. If kids are looking for an idea of what to read next, these book commercials might be a good place to start. These books are for all levels, so the kids would have to weed through the "little kid" books to find the one appropriate for them. Some of the videos that would be good for fifth graders to check out would be...39 clues, A Crooked Kind of Perfect, Deep Dark and Dangerous, Maybird, Percy Jackson...and others! To access these videos, follow the steps below!

Click here first to open the Scholastic web page
Then click on Exploring books and flip through the videos to find books that might interest you!
There is also a place to click to watch author interviews. These are also pretty cool!

Keep reading and having a great summer! June is nearly over!

Mrs. Haugen

Summer post #3: fun and games

I hope all of your are enjoying your summer and reading like crazy. I know I have been doing quite a bit of reading. I finished the series on the "Shadow Children" and am going to start the Hunger Games next. I have also been working on some fun science activities and units for next year. I haven't taught science in the past, so this will be a new, fun experience for me! I will also be teaching reading/language arts as I have for the last 6 years. I have also been working on my hobbies of gardening and FISHING! I just got back from a really fun walleye fishing trip on the St. Louis River. It is a river that flows into Lake Superior. I posted a picture so you could see my "BIG ONE!"


Instead of putting more information about books to read, I decided to post some good online games and activities to do over the summer. Click on the link to take you to the pages.







Fifth grade reading/language skill builders: http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills-5th-langbuilders.htm





Science fun: bone practice http://www.abcya.com/skeletal_system.htm


Keyboard practice: http://www.abcya.com/keyboard.htm


Book reviews for kids by kids: http://www.spaghettibookclub.org/


Cool things to make and do at home: http://www.education.com/activity/fifth-grade/

Summer post #2

I just got back from my vacation to Wisconsin. It is time to start working on two of my favorite things....gardening (flowers and veggies) and reading. I get to start my things to read list! I'm going to start with the Shadow Children series. Margaret Petersen Haddix wrote a series about a world where families were allowed to only have 2 children. The children that were born to each family after number two had to remain hidden (Shadow Children). The first in this series is Amoung the Hidden. The link to the author's website is http://haddixbooks.com/books.html, in case you are interested in reading this series as well. These are GOOD fifth grade level books. Happy reading!

5-28-11 Finding summer reading material

First post of the summer...
Ahh...you are all breathing a sigh of relief now, I'm sure. Summer has arrived! Time to take a break, sleep in late, and...READ :) Want a way to find books in your (or your child's) reading level? Check out the link below. Barnes and Nobel offers a way to find books with in a lexile range. It is a great site.

Summer books

5-22-11 Last post

This will be the last post of the year, due to the crazziness of this last 4 days of school. I just want to take this time to share with all of you what a joy it has been teaching fifth grade this year. Fifth graders are a unique group of people who are trying to decide if they are still little kids...or preteens. They have great senses of humor, and they still enjoy learning. Good luck to the fifth graders as they become sixth graders...you'll do GREAT! Have a terrific summer everyone. I'll be posting once a week to the blog with ideas for summer reading and learning, so check back every so often!

You're a very special person,
And I want you to know.
How I loved to be your teacher,
How fast the weeks did go!
Come back and visit me
As through the grades you grow,
Try hard to learn all that you can
There is so much to know.
The one thing I try to teach you
To last your whole life through,
Is to know that you are special,
Just because you are you!

Things to know about this week:
Monday: last spelling and vocabulary test
Grades are due
Tuesday: track meet in the morning
Wednesday: Reading relays in the afternoon
Throw water balloons at Mr. Thompson if you are the grade's top reader
Thursday: Awards in the morning
Last day of school

5-19-11

Meyer's group: backpack
Haugen's group: no homework tonight

Tomorrow: We'll be playing a vocab study game. The test will be Monday, as well as the spelling test. We'll be taking our last skills test tomorrow. We are finishing our last story is the basal reading series. Tomorrow will be our last day with the series. Next week we will be working with the Genre of plays. It will be the perfect way to end our year.

5-18-11

WOW! The kids had awesome behavior today. I wouldn't have even known it was the week before school gets out! Let's keep it up the next 6 days :) LOL! Meyer's group has a vocabulary puzzle due tomorrow. Haugen's group...those of you who didn't have it done have it as well! We had our last reading assembly today. Sang the Gotta Keep Reading song for the last time this year. Someone taped it, so hopefully I'll be able to link to it soon.

5-17-11

The last RC quiz was due yesterday. That doesn't mean quit reading! :) The kids used the internet today to make a list of 10 books they'd like to read this summer. Some of them are borrowing from my library to make it through until they can get some of their own. That makes me PROUD!

Homework: Haugen's group needs to complete their vocabulary puzzle

Tomorrow: Early out and last reading assembly

7 days of learning to go! We talked today, that we have more to learn and that it isn't time to shut down. Hang in their kiddos...you can do it!

5-13-11

Sorry there was no post last night. Blogger was down! Homework for the weekend....read and study spelling.

MAP testing is complete. Next week's schedule should be normal. We don't know what normal looks like. It seems like there has been something special going on everyday for weeks now. That's OK, it sure makes the end of the year go by quickly.

The final reading counts quiz is due on Monday!

5-11-11

No homework tonight!

5-10-11

Homework for tonight: Reading response
Vocabulary assignments (2 PAGES)

Fishing was tons of fun today! The kids had great behavior and caught tons of fish! Pictures will be coming soon!

Speeches are finished. Today was the last day. We'll go back to our normal afternoon schedule tomorrow.

The next three mornings will be reserved for MAP testing!

5-9-11

Homework for tonight:
Venn diagram using bear notes
Field trip summary work

Reading responses are back! They look like a calendar for this month. Just mark the book read and the number of minutes or pages. Anyone who is more than 2 quizzes behind will need to stay in for recess and get caught up. As the weather gets nicer, that is very difficult, so keep caught up.

Vocabulary: no test this week

Spelling: We got our new words today. The test over this week's words will be on Monday.

Tomorrow: Fishing in the morning. Mrs. Trampel is asking students to wear tennis shoes and jeans. Students may need sweatshirts or light jackets, check the weather. In the afternoon, we will finish the speeches! We're hoping to have them graded and in the students hands by Monday.

Ag day field trip

No homework for the weekend, due to the Ag Day field trip in Eagle Grove. It was a very educational trip. Some of the topics were Sun safety, WOW, Water, Energy, Technology in agriculture and many more. Next week's schedule is only different on a couple of days..I'm gone on Monday afternoon; fishing for PE on Tuesday morning (dress appropriately); W,Th,F morning will be MAP testing.

5-5-11

No homework tonight.

Remember to bring your lunch and dress for the weather for tomorrow's field trip to Eagle Grove Ag. Day.

5-4-11

Homework for tonight:
Newspaper article
Letter to a teacher
Vocabulary words in your notebook
Speeches tomorrow for group 2
No new reading response yet- RC quizzes were down today, so they don't have new papers yet!

One more link

http://www.myabc5.com/global/category.asp?c=190187&clipId=5814101&autostart=true

Another site to check out

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=D2&Dato=20110503&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=105030807&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Shawn Johnson talking about bullies.Fire works went off during the National Anthem!

Dancing and exercising between the inspirational speakers.

A sea of blue t-shirts!

Totally awesome field trip

Today was great! We went to Des Moines for Exercising your Character. Shawn Johnson, Billy Cundiff(NFL kicker), Miss Iowa, Kirk Ferentz, Fred Hoiberg...and more taught the kids about the importance of school, having good character, and being healthy. We did some exercise, saw some fireworks, and were given free lunch, a t-shirt and a water bottle. The kids behaved amazingly. All 7000 5th graders were given the free t-shirt (all the same color) and most were wearing them. That gave me a little bit of a nervous stomach! Nothing like picking out our 55 kids in a sea of blue t-shirts! I'm adding some pictures and a couple of websites to check out on this terrific day. Remember field trip #2 for the week is Friday to Eagle Grove Ag. Days. You NEED a lunch for that one!

Check out this site:

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-workout-exercise-your-character-20110503,0,3087265.story

http://www.whotv.com/who-story-shawn-johnson-london-2012-050410,0,7352624.story

Des Moines Field trip

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we will be going to Des Moines with Mrs. Trampel for a field trip. No lunch is necessary, as it is provided by HyVee. No electronics on the bus please. Everyone wear your blue t-shirt (also provided free of charge). Many of the kids left it at school! It is going to be amazing. Stay tuned to find out what happened!

4-30-11

A note came home with the kids on Friday dealing with our busy schedule this week. I am posting the same information here!

Monday: Speeches begin for the famous Iowan project. Please remember to practice the speeches. A costume and prop are required for full credit. The project is worth nearly 200 points! I am really looking forward to seeing the final product that they have worked so hard to prepare!

Tuesday: Field trip to Des Moines to the Character Counts/ Live Healthy Iowa Kids assembly. The kids will be given their free t-shirts on Monday. They ARE to wear them on Tuesday. They also need to wear comfy shoes (no flip flops). They will be given a lunch before we leave the assembly, so they are not to bring their own. Mrs. Trampel is requesting no electronic devices.

Wednesday: Early out

Thursday: More speeches

Friday: Field trip to Eagle Grove for Ag Days. We will be learning about the importance of Iowa's agriculture. The kids DO need to bring a lunch on this day. Dress for the weather, as we will be at the fairgrounds in Eagle Grove.

Vocab test has been changed to Monday, as we had a change in schedule on Friday. RC quiz #15 is due on Monday as well!

Amazing performance!

The fifth and sixth grade students did an amazing job at their concert tonight! I couldn't have been more impressed. It is so neat to see them strut their stuff. So proud of all of them!

4-27-11

The kids put on a matinee of their "Rock and Roll" show for the younger kids today. They were wonderful! I can't believe how talented they are! The show is tomorrow night! They brought notes home AGAIN today, as some of them didn't bring the last one home :)

Homework tonight: Genre worksheet, Pen pal letters for Meyer's room also.

Next RC quiz is due Monday. There are still many kids staying in for recess because they are more than 2 books behind!

Keep bringing in box tops!

Our last book order is due Monday.

A few notes.....

Upcoming events:
Wednesday: All soup labels due-contest is over today!
Matinee practice 2-3

Thursday: Fine arts night

Friday: Normal day??? Is there such a thing :)

May 2: Last book order of the year....due!

May 3: Field trip to Des Moines for P.E. The kids don't need lunches on this day! Mrs. Trampel sent a note home regarding this trip!


May 6: Field trip to Eagle Grove Agriculture Days...lunch needed!

4-26-11

No homework for tonight!

4-23-11

No homework for the long weekend! I hope everyone enjoys their break!

Vocabulary words have been posted to the wiki for next week's test. The test will be on Friday. Remember no spelling words until we are finished with our famous Iowan project. Remember to check with that post to see what we are doing each day in the afternoon. I will continue to update that post, so we can keep it all together. It is really turning into a fun and AMAZING learning experience!

4-20-11

Early out today led to no homework!

Remember those box tops and soup labels.

No school Friday and Monday...plenty of time to catch up on that reading :)

Famous Iowan Project

Day 1: Mrs. Dickman and I explained the project in great detail to all 55 students together :) Each student picked a famous Iowan to research and then "be" in their speech. They had a list of 61 to chose from.

Day 2: The students were partnered up with a student from the opposite homeroom. That way they get to work with someone who they don't usually spend time with. We also tried our best to partner boys with girls whenever possible, to cut down on the chatter as much as possible. There is a limited amount of time to visit, as we have only a couple of days to research. Students researched their famous person and helped their research partner research theirs as well.

Day 3: Research continued today. Students now had to research important dates for a timeline they will be making later in the week. They also needed to pick a county that was important to their famous Iowan, and research some facts about that person.

Day 4: Early out today, so we only had 30 minutes. Research was finished up today on all famous people.

Day 5: Mrs. Dickman spent time with her group today creating timelines. The students are required to pick 7-10 important dates for their person. In my room we began writing our 5 paragraph speech in first person. Each paragraph should have 5-7 sentences and talk about various parts of the Iowan's life.

Day 6: Typing began and speech writing continued. Mrs. Dickman's group worked on portraits and timelines.

Day 7: We began to present our speeches today. 20 kids were scheduled to present. There were 6 who weren't prepared. They will be first on Thursday. Remember..prop and costume are required for full credit!

Day 8: More speeches!

Day 9: Last day of speeches. Grades and folders will be returned to the kids next week. Great work kids!