A New Year!

Welcome to 2011 in 5th Grade! We have been busy this week getting back into the swing of things!

Academics:
Spelling/Vocab: Our spelling unit focused on words specific spelling rules this week. Remember: the weekly spelling list can be found on www.spellingcity.com/denny5The site provides opportunities for teaching, practice, and testing. It is a lot of fun.
Our vocabulary will focus on the scientifc method: hypothesis, variable, experiment, procedure, data, and conclusion.

Writing: This week some students completed their writing portfolio for the 1st semester. Their writing samples will come home on Monday for you to conference with your child about. Please spend some time reading, discussing and providing feedback to your child. Please read the attached letter and return the response form by next Tuesday, Jan. 18. All 1st semester portfolio work can be kept at home.

Reading: Reading of student work was a focus this week. Students did a lot of reading while creating their writing portfolios this week. Self- assessing is part of the learning process.
Students have also been integrating reading and science as they read and research about their science fair topic.
The new genre for student book reports is MYSTERIES. I have checked out books from the public library for the students to borrow. Their book report will be due Friday, Feb. 4th.

Science: We have taken the plunge into the Science Fair process. I hope that you have read the packet which was sent home this week…it has lots of important information regarding student projects and science fair procedures. Students also received a calendar with due dates which will guide their work throughout this process. The science fair is mandatory for 5th graders and will be done mostly at home. However, we will be having mini-lessons on the various parts of the scientific method which will help the students stay on track. The completed project and display board is due Fri., Feb. 18th.

Science Fair: Please make sure to look at your child’s science fair folder and due date calendar this weekend. Please encourage your child to stay on track with his/her deadlines. Grading will be as follows:
Required work at deadlines…
20 pts/each
Organized science fair journal…
100 pts
Completed project & board…
100 pts
Science Fair Display Board:
The science fair project must be completed on a white display board. (These can be found at many locations such as Michaels, Walgreens and teacher stores like The Teacher Parent Connection.
**If you send in display board money, Ms. Stewart will purchase the board for you. I will let you know when the money is due.

Check out this web site to see examples of science fair boards:
http://mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/l/lautz_s/Science%20Fair%20Handbook/displayboard.html

S.S: Our character trait this month is fairness. Fairness is playing by the rules, taking turns, and sharing. Fair people are open-minded and listen to other people’s opinions. A person of character is fair.

Math: Students worked on multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers as well as fractional concepts.

Music/Art: During the first semester, students were fortunate to have art each week. For the 3rd and 4th quarters, students will now participate in music class with Ms. K.

*Don’t forget…You can visit our class website through the LPA website, or log onto http://mrsdenny.blogspot.com

Notes to Parents

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Many thanks for all of the holiday cards and gifts I received. Your thoughtfulness was truly appreciated! 

Well, we are already into our 2nd semester of school and into a working routine. We will be very busy learning and having fun doing it!

I have asked the students to start off the new year with a “bang.” On Monday we reviewed classroom rules and expectations. In order to ensure that ALL children succeed in my classroom, students were informed of some stricter consequences for disrespect, defiance, and unkindness. If any student chooses to be disrespectful to me, chooses to be defiant or chooses to be unkind to other classmates, he/she will be given one verbal warning. If that type of behavior continues after a warning, the student will not be allowed to remain in the classroom. Depending on the severity of the behavior, students will either sit in a think-time classroom to create a behavior plan, be sent to the office to sit for the remainder of the day, or possibly have to call home for a parent to pick them up. Please review this policy with your child. Thank you.

IMPORTANT DATES:
January:
4 & 5 Science Fair Introduction

7- Family Event begins at 5 p.m.

10- Dentist

13-Fieldtrip to Lakeside Park to fish.

17- MLK Day: No School

18- Skate Night 6-8 p.m.

21- Daddy-Daughter Dance

24- 100th Day of School

Talent Show Sign-up near end of January

Science Fair Due Dates:
1/11- Permission slip, Project selected, Question formed

1/14- Hypothesis Due

1/18- Procedure & Materials List Due

2/1- Experiment Completed & Data Due

2/4- Conclusion Due

2/8- Analysis Due

2/11- Written Abstract Due

2/18- Final Display Board Due