News From Mrs. Denny’s Class
September 4, 2009
denny@lpatucson.org

NEWSWORTHY NOTES
September
2- Dress Down Day for $1.00

4- Movie Night “Coraline”

7- No School. Labor Day

9- Entertainment Book Sale Ends

11- Hero’s Night at LPA Lakeside

Homework: As I mentioned previously, students will have math, a spelling packet (due at the end of the week) and independent reading for homework each evening. Occasionally students will need to complete something we started in class for homework as well.
This week we had an in-class spelling assignment that was to be finished at home Tuesday evening. Many students did not return the spelling assignment on Wednesday.
We discussed the importance of using their planners to record assignments and then checking that planner each night to remind them of what to do. Please allow your child at least an hour each evening to complete their homework in a quiet place. They know that when an assignment is late, points are taken off which results in a lower grade.

CURRICULUM NOTES:
Students are working on memorizing their multiplication facts (0-12s). They had their first test on Friday. We will also begin working on division facts. I will mix in subtraction facts along the way as most students do not have those mastered yet.

Students should be practicing their spelling words at home by completing their spelling packet. I have also asked them to have someone at home quiz them on their words so they will “ace” their spelling test on Fridays. They can also use the computer to practice their words. A great web site is www.spellingcity.com. Students type in their words and then can play word games or can be quizzed on their words.
There will be no spelling list next week due to a shortened week. We will however focus on our new vocabulary words: prejudice, ethnic custom, equation, geometry, and scientific method.

We are really enjoying the City of Ember. We are continuing to learn reading and writing strategies using this literature book. This week we have written literature responses and discussed character traits and setting.

In Social Studies, we discussed immigration and learned about what it was like to be an immigrant coming to America long ago.

Mr. Diaz, our school counselor, visited us on Thursday. His lesson focused on respect, responsibility and caring.

We surveyed our Science text this week and we will discuss the scientific method next week. Students will write out the scientific steps and draw pictures to illustrate the scientific method. We are looking forward to some upcoming experiments.

NOTES TO PARENTS:
Blog: I am pleased to announce that you can now read our classroom newsletter electronically. Each week I will place the newsletter on my teacher blog. You will find the blog by visiting the La Paloma Academy web site at (www.lpatucson.org). Click on “Mrs. Denny 5th Grade.” From my teacher home page, you will find a link to the blog. I will continue to send home a hard copy as well.

School Policy: Please familiarize yourself with the school policy on intentional and non-accidental injuries. As a school, we are required by law to report any injuries occurring from physical contact to the authorities (Tucson Police). If the injuries occur between siblings, we are required by law to report the incident to CPS. Mr. Rubasch will be elaborating on this policy in the LPA Link that comes home on Mondays.

Incentives: For those of you who volunteered to send in treats for incentives, I would love for you to send in anything store bought. Packages of gummy bears, candy, or small treat bags are some ideas. We are also in need of fun little prizes to add to the prize box that students can purchase with Denny Bucks that they have earned. Many prizes can come from the dollar store. Some ideas might be fun pens or pencils, small games or puzzles, stickers, small supplies to use in the classroom, etc.

Parent Volunteers: Thank you for getting your fingerprints done at Open House. So far, we have one parent that has been cleared to volunteer. If you plan to volunteer at the school, all you need to do is fill out the paperwork and sign up to get fingerprinted. If you plan to chaperone on field trips, you will need to get a fingerprint clearance card through the Tucson Police Dept. The police department does their own fingerprinting and background checks for a fee. Thank you for all you do to be involved.

Student Weekly Report: On Fridays, students will fill out a weekly report to let you know how their week was in school. Listed on this report will be any assignments turned in late for the week, as well as any assignments that were not turned in at all. Please discuss the report with your child, sign it and have your child return it on Monday. There is a place for you to add any comments if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read and discuss the Weekly Report.