Classroom News
October 29, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
Curriculum:
Math: Students received their math test grades from last week…there were about 10 As, 2 Bs and 10 Cs and 2 Ds. Students are still working on geometry (polygons), fractions, division and problem solving. Students should continue to practice math facts at home.
S.S: This week is Drug Awareness Week. Students read an informational article about drugs, designed posters, and wrote about the topic. We have had some very informative discussions about the difference between legal and illegal drugs and the consequences of drug abuse.
Science: Students are excited about chemistry! They are learning about matter, atoms, molecules and elements. They even made their own molecules using gumdrops and toothpicks.
Reading: Students read some fables, myths and tall tales this week. They are analyzing the story elements in preparation for writing their own tale.
Writing: This week students wrote a story, personal narrative or poem with the message, “Say No to Drugs” to enter into a school-wide writing contest.
Spelling: The spelling unit this week focused on the Midwestern States. Students are doing a good job learning the spelling and location of the states in our nation. Some websites to practice the states are listed below:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
http://www.schoolexpress.com/
funtime/states/index.php
Next week’s words come from the Southern Region of the U.S:
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.
Mrs. Russell has been working hard with students on goal setting, and will also be doing some team building activities.
Notes to Parents:
Harvest Fest this Friday: Thank you to those who donated candy to use for our Ring Toss booth. We are still in need of volunteers, so if you’re at the Harvest Fest and want to come by to help, please sign up!
Thank you also for allowing your child to bring treats and snacks for our own little “fall” party we had in the classroom on Friday afternoon.
Fieldtrip: We will be going to Sabino Canyon on Tuesday, 11/2. Students should bring a sack lunch and drink and wear tennis shoes.
Reminder: Now that the weather is turning cooler, please remind your child of the school dress code policy.
*Sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets must be of solid color (red, white or navy) without any emblems or writing.
*Undershirts may be worn under the polo shirt, but must adhere to the school colors and cannot be larger than the polo shirt.
Newsworthy Notes:
October:
29- Harvest Fest 6-8 pm.
November:
3- Duds for $1.00 Dress Down
5- Bingo Night.
5- Character Lunch for respect
11-Veteran’s Day – No School
16- Skate Country Night
16- BMX Bike Show
23- Thanksgiving Feast
24-26-No School. Thanksgiving Break
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
News from Mrs. Denny’s Class
October 22, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
CURRICULUM
Math: We have just finished unit 5 in Saxon Math. Students have been working on geometry, fractions, division and problem solving most recently. Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her math facts at home.
Reading: Students learned about story elements. The elements were modeled through a Cinderella story, and then applied to other stories we have been reading.
We also began a unit on folklore. Students are learning the features of folktales, tall tales and fables.
Writing: Students will be applying the elements of folklore when they write their own folktale, fable or tall tale.
S.S: We are still engaged in the United States Regions. Students have learned that our nation is divided into regions and that each region is characterized by various features. Students then created their own physical feature map.
Spelling: The spelling units will focus on our 50 states for the next few weeks. Students are to learn how to spell the states and be able to locate them on a map. Each week will culminate with a test on the particular region they have studied for the week (both spelling and location of the states). Some fun web sites to practice the states are:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
http://www.schoolexpress.com/
funtime/states/index.php
Science: Students used their Science Weekly newspaper to investigate the topic of matter this week. We will continue with atoms, molecules and chemical properties next week.
Mrs. Russell worked with students on summarizing the last quarter and thinking forward about the 2nd quarter.
RESPECT: Respect is the character pillar we are practicing this month. Students brainstormed ways to show respect and each student put in “a little respect” slip into a basket to draw from each day. It is definitely making the students more aware of their actions.
Parent Notes:
Harvest Fest on Oct. 29th: We still need donations of candy for our ring toss booth. We also need volunteers, so if you’re at the Harvest Fest and want to come by to help, please let me know!
Dress Code: Now that the weather is turning cooler, please remind your child of the school dress code policy.
*Sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets must be of solid color (red, white or navy) without any emblems or writing.
*Undershirts may be worn under the polo shirt, but must adhere to the school colors and cannot be larger than the polo shirt.
* Belts are also part of the dress code. Many students are coming to school without a belt. Students will be asked to call home if they do not wear a belt.
Blog: Don’t forget to check out my teacher blog at lpatucson.org. Just click on central teachers, find Mrs. Denny, and then click on blogspot. You will be able to read classroom news and access educational links.
Newsworthy News
October:
26- Picture Re-takes
29- Harvest Fest
November:
1- Candle Sale Begins
3- Duds for Dollars Dress Down
5- Bingo Night
5- Character Lunch for respect
11-Veteran’s Day – No School
16- BMX show
16- Skate Night 6-8 pm.
17- Candle Sale Ends
23- Thanksgiving Feast
24-27 No School. Thanksgiving Break
Congratulations to Alyssa Gonzales and Mason Smith for making Honor Roll for the 1st Quarter!
October 22, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
CURRICULUM
Math: We have just finished unit 5 in Saxon Math. Students have been working on geometry, fractions, division and problem solving most recently. Please continue to encourage your child to practice his/her math facts at home.
Reading: Students learned about story elements. The elements were modeled through a Cinderella story, and then applied to other stories we have been reading.
We also began a unit on folklore. Students are learning the features of folktales, tall tales and fables.
Writing: Students will be applying the elements of folklore when they write their own folktale, fable or tall tale.
S.S: We are still engaged in the United States Regions. Students have learned that our nation is divided into regions and that each region is characterized by various features. Students then created their own physical feature map.
Spelling: The spelling units will focus on our 50 states for the next few weeks. Students are to learn how to spell the states and be able to locate them on a map. Each week will culminate with a test on the particular region they have studied for the week (both spelling and location of the states). Some fun web sites to practice the states are:
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html
http://www.schoolexpress.com/
funtime/states/index.php
Science: Students used their Science Weekly newspaper to investigate the topic of matter this week. We will continue with atoms, molecules and chemical properties next week.
Mrs. Russell worked with students on summarizing the last quarter and thinking forward about the 2nd quarter.
RESPECT: Respect is the character pillar we are practicing this month. Students brainstormed ways to show respect and each student put in “a little respect” slip into a basket to draw from each day. It is definitely making the students more aware of their actions.
Parent Notes:
Harvest Fest on Oct. 29th: We still need donations of candy for our ring toss booth. We also need volunteers, so if you’re at the Harvest Fest and want to come by to help, please let me know!
Dress Code: Now that the weather is turning cooler, please remind your child of the school dress code policy.
*Sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets must be of solid color (red, white or navy) without any emblems or writing.
*Undershirts may be worn under the polo shirt, but must adhere to the school colors and cannot be larger than the polo shirt.
* Belts are also part of the dress code. Many students are coming to school without a belt. Students will be asked to call home if they do not wear a belt.
Blog: Don’t forget to check out my teacher blog at lpatucson.org. Just click on central teachers, find Mrs. Denny, and then click on blogspot. You will be able to read classroom news and access educational links.
Newsworthy News
October:
26- Picture Re-takes
29- Harvest Fest
November:
1- Candle Sale Begins
3- Duds for Dollars Dress Down
5- Bingo Night
5- Character Lunch for respect
11-Veteran’s Day – No School
16- BMX show
16- Skate Night 6-8 pm.
17- Candle Sale Ends
23- Thanksgiving Feast
24-27 No School. Thanksgiving Break
Congratulations to Alyssa Gonzales and Mason Smith for making Honor Roll for the 1st Quarter!
Friday, October 15, 2010
A New Quarter
FALL is in the air and we are going into the 2nd quarter already! It's a chance to have a clean slate and strive for "your personal best," as I say in the classroom. Students will be making new academic and behavioral goals for the new quarter. I look forward to challenging the students to push themselves to success in both domains. I frequently tell the students that one way to be successful is to hand in homework on time. Committing to that goal not only helps improve grades, but leads to rewards at school as well.
There will be a few new rules for the quarter:
1. Like last quarter, students who have 2 or more missing assignments on any given day, or 2 in a row, will need to serve detention that day to complete the assignments. Students will be informed that if the assignments are not turned in the next day, the they will have lunch detention. It is my hope that late and missing homework will be a problem of the past.
2. Any toys/games brought to school will become the property of the classroom until you, the parent, come to retrieve the item(s). Many students have been bringing cherished possessions to school. This has resulted in much conflict in the classroom. Please allow your child to bring only school supplies to school, unless otherwise advised.
The 2nd quarter is full of learning, fun, fieldtrips and celebrations. I look forward to a fresh start!
There will be a few new rules for the quarter:
1. Like last quarter, students who have 2 or more missing assignments on any given day, or 2 in a row, will need to serve detention that day to complete the assignments. Students will be informed that if the assignments are not turned in the next day, the they will have lunch detention. It is my hope that late and missing homework will be a problem of the past.
2. Any toys/games brought to school will become the property of the classroom until you, the parent, come to retrieve the item(s). Many students have been bringing cherished possessions to school. This has resulted in much conflict in the classroom. Please allow your child to bring only school supplies to school, unless otherwise advised.
The 2nd quarter is full of learning, fun, fieldtrips and celebrations. I look forward to a fresh start!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Classroom News
NEWS FROM MRS. DENNY'S CLASS
OCTOBER 1, 2010
Curriculum News:
Math: Division facts were the focus again this week. Students are learning about factors, products and fractions, and long division in Saxon math.
Reading: We are almost finished with the City of Ember. Students are trying to earn a marble jar party to possibly watch the City of Ember movie. Of course, we will compare and contrast the two forms of the story.
Writing: Students are learning the various reasons for writing. Persuasive writing will be our focus this next week.
Vocabulary words to study for next week:
illegible, egress, ingress, impact, immense, threshold, bewilderment, audacious
Science: Students have been very enthusiastic about their inventor reports. We have learned how to write an introductory paragraph, supporting paragraphs and a concluding paragraph. We also practiced documenting sources used for their research. These reports are due next Wednesday, Oct. 6. We have spent time in class writing, but students need to finalize their final product at home.
I would like the students to get an adult to read over their rough draft before writing the final copy. Students received a rubric delineating the report expectations.
S.S.: Mrs. Russell was in this week conducting a sportsmanship lesson.
Our October character trait is respect. Mrs. Russell and I will both be conducting lessons on being courteous and polite, and treating others the way you want to be treated regardless of race, religion, gender, or physical infirmity.
Notes to Parents:
Treat Box and Prize Box: For those of you who volunteered to help supply these incentive boxes in our classroom, I would love for you to send in any treats or prizes to reward the students with. Thank you to those who have already sent in some items!
Treats can be small pieces of candy, lollipops, gummies, etc.
Prizes can be any small toys, small non-fiction books, sharpie markers, tape, small (individual) Kleenex packages, personal sanitizer bottles, hair ties, bracelets, stickers, special markers, etc.
I bought some great prizes at a garage sale last week. The students were excited to see new prizes in the box.
Any help you can provide would be much appreciated!
Field Trips: 5th Grade is planning some educational fieldtrips for this year. We plan to visit Sabino Canyon in November, and coordinate another fieldtrip later in the spring. Be on the look out…more details to follow!
Newsletters: Please note that the classroom newsletter is also available on my classroom blog. You may access the blog through the LPA website: lpatucson.org.
Art: Just a reminder that the art teacher, Mrs. Molina, would like the students to bring in newspaper and an old painting shirt for use during her paint lessons.
Report Cards: Just a reminder that report cards will come home on Wednesday, Oct. 13th. All late work needs to be in by Friday, Oct. 8th.
Important Dates:
October
1-Movie Night
6-Dud for Dollars (Dress down for $1.00)
7-40th Day: Special Snacks. Free Dress Down Day!
8-Character Lunch: Alyssa Gonzales
11-Dentist
13-Report Cards. ½ Day. No Lunch or After School
13-Cookie Fundraiser Ends
13-Grandparents Day
14 & 15-Fall Break. No School
OCTOBER 1, 2010
Curriculum News:
Math: Division facts were the focus again this week. Students are learning about factors, products and fractions, and long division in Saxon math.
Reading: We are almost finished with the City of Ember. Students are trying to earn a marble jar party to possibly watch the City of Ember movie. Of course, we will compare and contrast the two forms of the story.
Writing: Students are learning the various reasons for writing. Persuasive writing will be our focus this next week.
Vocabulary words to study for next week:
illegible, egress, ingress, impact, immense, threshold, bewilderment, audacious
Science: Students have been very enthusiastic about their inventor reports. We have learned how to write an introductory paragraph, supporting paragraphs and a concluding paragraph. We also practiced documenting sources used for their research. These reports are due next Wednesday, Oct. 6. We have spent time in class writing, but students need to finalize their final product at home.
I would like the students to get an adult to read over their rough draft before writing the final copy. Students received a rubric delineating the report expectations.
S.S.: Mrs. Russell was in this week conducting a sportsmanship lesson.
Our October character trait is respect. Mrs. Russell and I will both be conducting lessons on being courteous and polite, and treating others the way you want to be treated regardless of race, religion, gender, or physical infirmity.
Notes to Parents:
Treat Box and Prize Box: For those of you who volunteered to help supply these incentive boxes in our classroom, I would love for you to send in any treats or prizes to reward the students with. Thank you to those who have already sent in some items!
Treats can be small pieces of candy, lollipops, gummies, etc.
Prizes can be any small toys, small non-fiction books, sharpie markers, tape, small (individual) Kleenex packages, personal sanitizer bottles, hair ties, bracelets, stickers, special markers, etc.
I bought some great prizes at a garage sale last week. The students were excited to see new prizes in the box.
Any help you can provide would be much appreciated!
Field Trips: 5th Grade is planning some educational fieldtrips for this year. We plan to visit Sabino Canyon in November, and coordinate another fieldtrip later in the spring. Be on the look out…more details to follow!
Newsletters: Please note that the classroom newsletter is also available on my classroom blog. You may access the blog through the LPA website: lpatucson.org.
Art: Just a reminder that the art teacher, Mrs. Molina, would like the students to bring in newspaper and an old painting shirt for use during her paint lessons.
Report Cards: Just a reminder that report cards will come home on Wednesday, Oct. 13th. All late work needs to be in by Friday, Oct. 8th.
Important Dates:
October
1-Movie Night
6-Dud for Dollars (Dress down for $1.00)
7-40th Day: Special Snacks. Free Dress Down Day!
8-Character Lunch: Alyssa Gonzales
11-Dentist
13-Report Cards. ½ Day. No Lunch or After School
13-Cookie Fundraiser Ends
13-Grandparents Day
14 & 15-Fall Break. No School
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