Hello Parents,
Well, we've been in school for a little over 2 weeks now, and we're really getting to know each other quite well. Thank you for sharing your children with me.
I would like to thank all of the parents who sent in extra classroom supplies! We usually need to re-stock mid-year, so additional supplies are very much appreciated.
Classroom News:
Homework: Most students are bringing back their homework each day…Yeah!
Some are still having trouble remembering to read and write a short 1-2 sentence summary on their home reading log. Please remind your child to complete his/her independent reading assignment each evening. In addition, they are to be recording how many minutes they read each evening on their independent reading calendar.
Spelling: 5th grade spelling will be introduced to your child on Monday.
Spelling words will be introduced on most Mondays with a test to follow on Friday. Students will receive their spelling homework packet on Monday and have the option of pacing themselves throughout the week or completing it all in one evening. I did suggest, however, it is probably better to do one page each night, so they are practicing the new words a little each day. We will also work with the words during class.
Vocabulary: Students will receive new vocabulary words every 2 weeks. We will practice using these words in class and they should be studying these words at home. Students will have a vocabulary quiz next Friday.
Our new words are: endeavor, historian, primary source, secondary source, artifact, chronological, archeologist, and catastrophe.
Math: Students are working hard in math. We have completed up through lesson 10. Students took their official subtraction facts test today. Students should continue to study subtraction. We will begin to focus on multiplication facts next week.
Reading:
We continue to read The City of Ember. We are also doing some writing related to the book.
Social Studies: Students are learning how to navigate an expository text book. This week we focused on what historians do as well as primary and secondary sources.
Mrs. Russell, our counselor, introduced herself to the students this week. She will be working on several goals with the students, many of which relate to our 6 character pillars.
Ms. Molina, our art teacher, works with the students on Fridays. She will be introducing various artists all year.
Ms. Jenny, our P.E. teacher, has been working on sun safety with the students.
Notes to Parents
FYI: I have been assessing students’ reading and writing abilities all week. This has taken a lot of class time; therefore, we have not delved into science as of yet. We will begin learning about inventions next week and will embark on an inventor research project in the near future….stay tuned. Thank you for returning the student information sheets. If you did not provide me with your email address, I am asking that you send me an email (address above), so I can save your address into my contacts. Email is the best way to communicate with me. I usually check my mail once a day and will get back to you within 48 hours.
Open House: I look forward to seeing everyone next Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Don’t forget…you can also visit the book fair during Open House.
Absent Students: Students have been notified that it is their responsibility to make up work when absent. I will not continually ask them to turn in specific assignments that were assigned while they were out. Students are given one day to make up work for every day that they are absent. Upon their return, students receive a list of assignments that they missed while they were absent. Students MUST be responsible for completing the assignments on their own.
If assignments are not turned in to me in a timely manner, they will not receive any credit for those assignments. Please ask your child about his/her make-up work and encourage them to be responsible.
Volunteers: Don’t forget to sign up to be fingerprinted if you wish to volunteer. You can pick up the paperwork at the front office.
Thank you for helping your child get to school on time each day. It truly makes a difference in how their day goes!
Also…thank you for allowing your child to stay in school until the bell rings. The end of the day is valuable time to discuss homework and tie up loose ends.
Important Dates:
8/23-9/8 Entertainment book sales. All profits will definitely impact students.
8/30 Book Fair Begins
8/31 School Pictures
9/1 Dress Down Day for $1.00
Open House 6-8 p.m.
9/6 Labor Day. No School
9/10 Mid Quarter Ends
9/20 Dentist
9/21 Skate Country 6-8 pm
9/27 Great American Cookie Sale
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
August 20th Classroom News
Curriculum News
Students have been taking beginning of the year assessments. It has been noted that many are still weak in their math facts (especially subtraction, multiplication and division). Please see parent letter/packet that was sent home with your child today.
I have asked students to make it a goal to practice on their own. Once they know a fact, they should be able to answer that fact in less than 3 seconds. Please encourage your child to practice:
www.funbrain.com
www.playkidsgame.com
www.freerice.com
www.math.com
We kicked off our Saxon Math program this week. We completed lessons 3-7 which focus on numbers and numeration. Each week we will also focus on a supplemental math skill. This week was graphing.
We have started our Character Counts lessons. We reviewed the 6 pillars of character and will be working on a separate pillar each month. We will begin with Trustworthiness and move on to Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
We have begun to read The City of Ember. What a great story to start the year. Students are learning “good reader” strategies, and we are integrating writing into our story time.
If your child still does not have his/her copy of the book, please try Borders, Barnes & Noble, Bookman’s or the public library to secure a copy.
We began Social Studies this week with an expository text scavenger hunt. Students will be learning strategies that will help them read expository text with greater ease this year.
Art and P.E. are in full swing. Please remind your child to wear athletic shoes on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E. class.
Parent Information
I wanted to let you know what a joy your children are to work with. They each have their own talents and special personalities.
A little about me…
I have been involved in education for over 20 years. I have my master’s degree in education and am currently working on my reading endorsement.
I have a husband, Steve, as well as two boys in Jr. High and High School. We spend a lot of time at football fields and in basketball gyms.
Homework: We are off and running with home-
work. As mentioned in the welcome back letter, students will receive 5 homework points each day when they return every assignment on that due date.
This past week, quite a few students have had homework points deducted. I spoke to the children about being responsible (which is one of our character pillars). If homework responsibility does not improve, I will start to issue after school detention to those who have missing assignments. Please check in with your child on a daily basis to discuss homework.
Your child will have independent reading, math and spelling most evenings. On some nights, students may have unfinished work or a study guide for an upcoming test.
Students are to record their homework assignments on the appropriate date in their planner. They should use their planner as a guide at home to complete homework.
Independent Reading:
Students are to record their reading minutes each night and write a 1-2 sentence summary after they have read. Students should also record any minutes read over the weekend (optional). The home reading log should be returned each Monday along with the Weekly Student Report.
Please help your child complete their homework by providing a quiet place to work each night and a reminder to bring their work to school each day.
If you need to contact me for any reason, please email me at denny@lpatucson.org or call the school office at 721-4205. I will check my email once a day, so I may not get back to you until the next day. Thank you.
PLEASE help your child to arrive at school on time. When he/she is late, it impacts their entire day. They miss out on the morning routine and instructions for the day and feel flustered about trying to catch up. I am hoping you will make it a top priority.
On the flip side, the end of the day is crucial as well. As a class, we clarify the homework for the day, hand out any notes to go home and discuss any reminders. Please allow your child to be in school the entire day.
IMPORTANT
Volunteers: Please note that in order to volunteer at school (including field trips), you need to fill out a form and be finger-printed. You can pick up the paperwork at the front desk. Dates to be fingerprinted will be posted at the front office.
Newsworthy Notes
8/23-9/8: Entertainment Book Sale Begins. Our class can win great prizes if we are the first class to turn in our orders.
8/30-9/3: The Book Fair will be set up in the library all next week. It will be open after school from 3:15-4:30 Tuesday through Thursday.
The book fair will also be open during open house.
9/1: 6-8 p.m. - Open House.
9/1: 1st Dress down day. Your choice if you bring one dollar. (Remember…no spaghetti straps, short skirts or flip flops.)
9/6: Labor Day. No School!
9/20: Dentist
9/21: Skate Night 6-8 p.m.
9/27: Picture Day. Please come dressed in the school uniform.
9/27: Cookie Sales Begin
Students have been taking beginning of the year assessments. It has been noted that many are still weak in their math facts (especially subtraction, multiplication and division). Please see parent letter/packet that was sent home with your child today.
I have asked students to make it a goal to practice on their own. Once they know a fact, they should be able to answer that fact in less than 3 seconds. Please encourage your child to practice:
www.funbrain.com
www.playkidsgame.com
www.freerice.com
www.math.com
We kicked off our Saxon Math program this week. We completed lessons 3-7 which focus on numbers and numeration. Each week we will also focus on a supplemental math skill. This week was graphing.
We have started our Character Counts lessons. We reviewed the 6 pillars of character and will be working on a separate pillar each month. We will begin with Trustworthiness and move on to Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
We have begun to read The City of Ember. What a great story to start the year. Students are learning “good reader” strategies, and we are integrating writing into our story time.
If your child still does not have his/her copy of the book, please try Borders, Barnes & Noble, Bookman’s or the public library to secure a copy.
We began Social Studies this week with an expository text scavenger hunt. Students will be learning strategies that will help them read expository text with greater ease this year.
Art and P.E. are in full swing. Please remind your child to wear athletic shoes on Tuesday and Thursday for P.E. class.
Parent Information
I wanted to let you know what a joy your children are to work with. They each have their own talents and special personalities.
A little about me…
I have been involved in education for over 20 years. I have my master’s degree in education and am currently working on my reading endorsement.
I have a husband, Steve, as well as two boys in Jr. High and High School. We spend a lot of time at football fields and in basketball gyms.
Homework: We are off and running with home-
work. As mentioned in the welcome back letter, students will receive 5 homework points each day when they return every assignment on that due date.
This past week, quite a few students have had homework points deducted. I spoke to the children about being responsible (which is one of our character pillars). If homework responsibility does not improve, I will start to issue after school detention to those who have missing assignments. Please check in with your child on a daily basis to discuss homework.
Your child will have independent reading, math and spelling most evenings. On some nights, students may have unfinished work or a study guide for an upcoming test.
Students are to record their homework assignments on the appropriate date in their planner. They should use their planner as a guide at home to complete homework.
Independent Reading:
Students are to record their reading minutes each night and write a 1-2 sentence summary after they have read. Students should also record any minutes read over the weekend (optional). The home reading log should be returned each Monday along with the Weekly Student Report.
Please help your child complete their homework by providing a quiet place to work each night and a reminder to bring their work to school each day.
If you need to contact me for any reason, please email me at denny@lpatucson.org or call the school office at 721-4205. I will check my email once a day, so I may not get back to you until the next day. Thank you.
PLEASE help your child to arrive at school on time. When he/she is late, it impacts their entire day. They miss out on the morning routine and instructions for the day and feel flustered about trying to catch up. I am hoping you will make it a top priority.
On the flip side, the end of the day is crucial as well. As a class, we clarify the homework for the day, hand out any notes to go home and discuss any reminders. Please allow your child to be in school the entire day.
IMPORTANT
Volunteers: Please note that in order to volunteer at school (including field trips), you need to fill out a form and be finger-printed. You can pick up the paperwork at the front desk. Dates to be fingerprinted will be posted at the front office.
Newsworthy Notes
8/23-9/8: Entertainment Book Sale Begins. Our class can win great prizes if we are the first class to turn in our orders.
8/30-9/3: The Book Fair will be set up in the library all next week. It will be open after school from 3:15-4:30 Tuesday through Thursday.
The book fair will also be open during open house.
9/1: 6-8 p.m. - Open House.
9/1: 1st Dress down day. Your choice if you bring one dollar. (Remember…no spaghetti straps, short skirts or flip flops.)
9/6: Labor Day. No School!
9/20: Dentist
9/21: Skate Night 6-8 p.m.
9/27: Picture Day. Please come dressed in the school uniform.
9/27: Cookie Sales Begin
Monday, August 9, 2010
Welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year!
Welcome to 5th Grade! I am looking forward to meeting all of you. I hope you received the beginning of the year letter from me. It included a reminder about classroom supplies (see below). We will be organizing supplies on the first day and preparing for an exciting academic year.
The first day of school is Thursday, August 12. It is a full day with dismissal at 3:15. Students may bring their own lunch from home that day, or they may eat the school lunch. Since our first day back is going to be one of the hottest days yet this summer, I would encourage students to bring a sealed water bottle to school as well as a snack for break time.
Each week I will send home a classroom newsletter; however, I will also post the newsletter on this blog site for your convenience. Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns at denny@lpatucson.org.
I look forward to seeing everyone on August 12th.
Best Regards~
Mrs. Denny
5th Grade Supplies:
1 LPA planner (available at front office for $2)
6 boxes of #2 pencils
3 packs of 3x5 notecards
1 copy of the book The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
6 packs of wide-ruled paper
2 boxes of pencil cap erasers
1 pack of dry erase markers
2 packs of green, red or purple pens
1 bottle of glue
l pack of glue sticks
1 package of colored construction paper
1 pair of fiskar scissors
1 pack of printer paper
20 plain (no pictures) spiral notebooks
1 hand held pencil sharpener
8 pocket folders
2 plain pocket folders with prongs
1 box of colored markers
1 box of colored pencils, sharpened
4 boxes of kleenex
2 bottles of hand sanitizer
1 box of quart size Ziploc bags
1 zipper pencil bag to keep small items together in student desk
1 pkg. of peppermint candy (nurse's office)
1 travel size deodorant (nurse's office)
The first day of school is Thursday, August 12. It is a full day with dismissal at 3:15. Students may bring their own lunch from home that day, or they may eat the school lunch. Since our first day back is going to be one of the hottest days yet this summer, I would encourage students to bring a sealed water bottle to school as well as a snack for break time.
Each week I will send home a classroom newsletter; however, I will also post the newsletter on this blog site for your convenience. Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns at denny@lpatucson.org.
I look forward to seeing everyone on August 12th.
Best Regards~
Mrs. Denny
5th Grade Supplies:
1 LPA planner (available at front office for $2)
6 boxes of #2 pencils
3 packs of 3x5 notecards
1 copy of the book The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
6 packs of wide-ruled paper
2 boxes of pencil cap erasers
1 pack of dry erase markers
2 packs of green, red or purple pens
1 bottle of glue
l pack of glue sticks
1 package of colored construction paper
1 pair of fiskar scissors
1 pack of printer paper
20 plain (no pictures) spiral notebooks
1 hand held pencil sharpener
8 pocket folders
2 plain pocket folders with prongs
1 box of colored markers
1 box of colored pencils, sharpened
4 boxes of kleenex
2 bottles of hand sanitizer
1 box of quart size Ziploc bags
1 zipper pencil bag to keep small items together in student desk
1 pkg. of peppermint candy (nurse's office)
1 travel size deodorant (nurse's office)
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