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
Friday, September 17, 2010
News from Mrs. Denny’s Class
September 17, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
Curriculum News
Students should have been studying their multiplication facts this week. They were tested on those facts this Friday.
We continue to work on our math concepts. Subtracting larger numbers with borrowing continues to be a focus. We are also working on solving mathematical story problems and problems with missing addends.
We continue to read and write about the City of Ember. Students are working on “painting a picture” for their audience when they write. They are also working on using specific details to communicate clearly.
In social studies, students took a S.S. quiz on the concepts learned in their S.S. Weekly newspaper.
In science, we have been discussing inventors and their inventions. Students will be assigned a specific inventor to research and will write a research report to share with the class.
We’ve been playing some spelling games in class to help students master their weekly spelling words before the Friday test. Please encourage your child to log on to spellingcity.com to prepare for their test.
Ms Russell, our counselor, visited again on Thursday. She worked with the students on the meaning of integrity. Entertainment Books: Please return any unsold Entertainment books to school. These books need to be turned into the company.
Notes to Parents
Box Tops: The classrooms are having a contest to see who can bring in the most box tops. Please give any box tops to your child, so we can count them toward our box top amount.
Progress Reports: Thank you to all who signed and returned the progress report! I am still waiting for a few more. For those wanting a conference, I will make appointments on Wed., Oct. 6th. Please contact me if you’d like to set up a time.
Independent Reading: Please help your child remember to read each evening (at least 20 minutes), record the # of minutes on their reading calendar and write on their home reading log. This assignment is a nightly homework assignment. Students will be counting up how many minutes they read each month and graphing their progress at the end of every month.
Detention: Please remember that each time your child fails to turn in all homework assignments on a given day or has missing work 2 days in a row, they will have after school detention from 3:30-4:30 that day. Your child will call to notify you of the consequence. There is no detention on Wednesdays, so detention from that day must be served on Thursday. Most of the class is doing a fabulous job with homework responsibility!
Important Dates:
September
20- Dentist
21- Skate Night
24- Boston Market Fundraiser
4 p.m. to close
24- Student Council “Back to School” Dance
27- Great America Cookie Sale
October
6-Dress Down Day for $1.00
7- 40th Day of School
11- Dentist
13- Grandparents’ Day
13- Report cards home. Half day with no lunch or after-school activities.
14 &15- Fall Break. No School.
September 17, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
Curriculum News
Students should have been studying their multiplication facts this week. They were tested on those facts this Friday.
We continue to work on our math concepts. Subtracting larger numbers with borrowing continues to be a focus. We are also working on solving mathematical story problems and problems with missing addends.
We continue to read and write about the City of Ember. Students are working on “painting a picture” for their audience when they write. They are also working on using specific details to communicate clearly.
In social studies, students took a S.S. quiz on the concepts learned in their S.S. Weekly newspaper.
In science, we have been discussing inventors and their inventions. Students will be assigned a specific inventor to research and will write a research report to share with the class.
We’ve been playing some spelling games in class to help students master their weekly spelling words before the Friday test. Please encourage your child to log on to spellingcity.com to prepare for their test.
Ms Russell, our counselor, visited again on Thursday. She worked with the students on the meaning of integrity. Entertainment Books: Please return any unsold Entertainment books to school. These books need to be turned into the company.
Notes to Parents
Box Tops: The classrooms are having a contest to see who can bring in the most box tops. Please give any box tops to your child, so we can count them toward our box top amount.
Progress Reports: Thank you to all who signed and returned the progress report! I am still waiting for a few more. For those wanting a conference, I will make appointments on Wed., Oct. 6th. Please contact me if you’d like to set up a time.
Independent Reading: Please help your child remember to read each evening (at least 20 minutes), record the # of minutes on their reading calendar and write on their home reading log. This assignment is a nightly homework assignment. Students will be counting up how many minutes they read each month and graphing their progress at the end of every month.
Detention: Please remember that each time your child fails to turn in all homework assignments on a given day or has missing work 2 days in a row, they will have after school detention from 3:30-4:30 that day. Your child will call to notify you of the consequence. There is no detention on Wednesdays, so detention from that day must be served on Thursday. Most of the class is doing a fabulous job with homework responsibility!
Important Dates:
September
20- Dentist
21- Skate Night
24- Boston Market Fundraiser
4 p.m. to close
24- Student Council “Back to School” Dance
27- Great America Cookie Sale
October
6-Dress Down Day for $1.00
7- 40th Day of School
11- Dentist
13- Grandparents’ Day
13- Report cards home. Half day with no lunch or after-school activities.
14 &15- Fall Break. No School.
Friday, September 10, 2010
News from Mrs. Denny’s Class
September 10, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
CONGRATULATIONS to:
Haylee Minier and Alexis Ortega for being selected to represent our class in student council!
Curriculum News:
Students will take their 2nd unit test in Math. We are still practicing multiplication facts and will continue to focus on subtraction facts as well. Remind your child to practice using the fun web sites I sent home (find the links on my teacher blog).
Students will have a vocabulary quiz next week. Our new words are: cartographer, cartography, opponent, landform, resonant, sum, difference, product, factor, innovation, innovative, longitude and latitude. Students will always be given advanced notice of a quiz or test.
In Reading, students are still enjoying the The City of Ember. We concentrated on the elements of setting this week.
In writing, we are learning how to write descriptive paragraphs. Students are being guided in “painting a picture” for their reader.
In Science, we started discussions about inventions and famous inventors.
In Social Studies, students have been learning a lot about geography and the 7 continents.
Mrs. Russell came to our room this Thursday. She focused on goal setting, moods and body language.
Progress Reports: Next week your child will bring home his/her progress report. Please discuss your child’s areas of strength and weakness. I am asking that you sign the form and return it with your child by next Friday.
Please keep in mind that we have only been in school for one month, and I am still getting to know your child’s strengths and weaknesses. The progress report will reflect core subject areas.
*Due to late work and absences requiring make up work, many students need to only turn in work on time for improvement to be shown.
Responsibility: Now that the students are in 5th grade, I have been talking with them about being responsible for their work. Many students will finish an in- class assignment and never hand it in, or will complete an assignment in the wrong notebook or never bring back a homework assignment. They know that this greatly impacts their grade. Receiving an “F” in a subject due to missing assignments or not following instructions is definitely avoidable.
I have told the students that school is their job- just like we as adults have jobs. They need to take responsibility for their own work.
This & That: Please take time to read the school newspaper “The Link,” which should come home at the beginning of every week. Look for it in your child’s homework folder.
Also please don’t forget to ask your child for our classroom newsletter which comes home every Friday.
Important Dates:September
10-Mid-quarter ends
17-Character movie in library 1:30
20-Dentist on Campus
21-Skate Night 6-8 p.m.
24-Boston Market Fundraiser
October
1-Movie Night
7-40th Day of School!
11-Order Halloween Grams
13- End of 1st Quarter.
½ day. No lunch or after school
Report cards home
14 & 15-Fall Break
September 10, 2010
denny@lpatucson.org
CONGRATULATIONS to:
Haylee Minier and Alexis Ortega for being selected to represent our class in student council!
Curriculum News:
Students will take their 2nd unit test in Math. We are still practicing multiplication facts and will continue to focus on subtraction facts as well. Remind your child to practice using the fun web sites I sent home (find the links on my teacher blog).
Students will have a vocabulary quiz next week. Our new words are: cartographer, cartography, opponent, landform, resonant, sum, difference, product, factor, innovation, innovative, longitude and latitude. Students will always be given advanced notice of a quiz or test.
In Reading, students are still enjoying the The City of Ember. We concentrated on the elements of setting this week.
In writing, we are learning how to write descriptive paragraphs. Students are being guided in “painting a picture” for their reader.
In Science, we started discussions about inventions and famous inventors.
In Social Studies, students have been learning a lot about geography and the 7 continents.
Mrs. Russell came to our room this Thursday. She focused on goal setting, moods and body language.
Progress Reports: Next week your child will bring home his/her progress report. Please discuss your child’s areas of strength and weakness. I am asking that you sign the form and return it with your child by next Friday.
Please keep in mind that we have only been in school for one month, and I am still getting to know your child’s strengths and weaknesses. The progress report will reflect core subject areas.
*Due to late work and absences requiring make up work, many students need to only turn in work on time for improvement to be shown.
Responsibility: Now that the students are in 5th grade, I have been talking with them about being responsible for their work. Many students will finish an in- class assignment and never hand it in, or will complete an assignment in the wrong notebook or never bring back a homework assignment. They know that this greatly impacts their grade. Receiving an “F” in a subject due to missing assignments or not following instructions is definitely avoidable.
I have told the students that school is their job- just like we as adults have jobs. They need to take responsibility for their own work.
This & That: Please take time to read the school newspaper “The Link,” which should come home at the beginning of every week. Look for it in your child’s homework folder.
Also please don’t forget to ask your child for our classroom newsletter which comes home every Friday.
Important Dates:September
10-Mid-quarter ends
17-Character movie in library 1:30
20-Dentist on Campus
21-Skate Night 6-8 p.m.
24-Boston Market Fundraiser
October
1-Movie Night
7-40th Day of School!
11-Order Halloween Grams
13- End of 1st Quarter.
½ day. No lunch or after school
Report cards home
14 & 15-Fall Break
Friday, September 3, 2010
September 3rd Classroom News
Hello to 5th grade families! We had a great week of learning. Please encourage your child to stay on top of his/her assignments. Once they fall behind, it takes great effort to catch up. I hope you all have a wonderful, restful 3-day weekend.
Curriculum News:
Math: Students are still working on memorizing their subtraction facts. Another subtraction test was administered on Friday. We will begin working on multiplication facts. I will mix in subtraction facts along the way for continual practice.
Spelling: 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. (You can access spelling city through my teacher blog as well.)
There will be no spelling list next week due to a shortened week
Reading: 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 have an informative and current social studies newspaper we will be using this year that is aligned with the state standards. Most of our lessons will be guided by our newspaper. Students will be bringing these home as we complete them. I think you will be impressed with the format.
Mrs. Russell, our school counselor, visited us on Thursday. Her
lesson focused on self assessment…behavior, academics and moods.
Science: We will kick off science with an invention unit. We will be discussing the character traits of inventors, such as openness, skepticism, integrity and tolerance. Thank you to all who were able to make it to open house. It was so nice getting to know you better
Notes to Parents:
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.
We have discussed the importance of using planners to record assignments and then checking that planner each night as a reminder 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.
Blog: I am pleased to announce that you can 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.
Detention: Due to many students not handing in homework, I am initiating a new rule. If your child comes to school without their homework, or incomplete homework, you will be notified that they will be in after school detention.
Child Information Sheet:
Thank you to those who returned the child information sheet that I sent home in the summer letter. If you have not yet filled out the informational form on your child, I would still love to have it. Please send it to school with your child in a sealed envelope.
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 along with their Friday Folder. There is a place for you to add any comments if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read and discuss the Student Report you’re your child. This is an assignment that they earn homework points for when returned.
Incentives: Thank you to 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 Star Student Tickets 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.
Newsworthy Notes
September
6- No School. Labor Day
8- Entertainment Book Sale Ends
13- Mid-Quarter
20- Dentist
21- Skate Night 6-8 p.m.
24- Boston Market Fundraiser
27- Cookie Sale Begins
Congratulations to Gigi Adduci for winning the Trustworthy Character Drawing. She will attend lunch with the principal!
Curriculum News:
Math: Students are still working on memorizing their subtraction facts. Another subtraction test was administered on Friday. We will begin working on multiplication facts. I will mix in subtraction facts along the way for continual practice.
Spelling: 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. (You can access spelling city through my teacher blog as well.)
There will be no spelling list next week due to a shortened week
Reading: 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 have an informative and current social studies newspaper we will be using this year that is aligned with the state standards. Most of our lessons will be guided by our newspaper. Students will be bringing these home as we complete them. I think you will be impressed with the format.
Mrs. Russell, our school counselor, visited us on Thursday. Her
lesson focused on self assessment…behavior, academics and moods.
Science: We will kick off science with an invention unit. We will be discussing the character traits of inventors, such as openness, skepticism, integrity and tolerance. Thank you to all who were able to make it to open house. It was so nice getting to know you better
Notes to Parents:
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.
We have discussed the importance of using planners to record assignments and then checking that planner each night as a reminder 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.
Blog: I am pleased to announce that you can 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.
Detention: Due to many students not handing in homework, I am initiating a new rule. If your child comes to school without their homework, or incomplete homework, you will be notified that they will be in after school detention.
Child Information Sheet:
Thank you to those who returned the child information sheet that I sent home in the summer letter. If you have not yet filled out the informational form on your child, I would still love to have it. Please send it to school with your child in a sealed envelope.
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 along with their Friday Folder. There is a place for you to add any comments if you wish. Thank you for taking the time to read and discuss the Student Report you’re your child. This is an assignment that they earn homework points for when returned.
Incentives: Thank you to 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 Star Student Tickets 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.
Newsworthy Notes
September
6- No School. Labor Day
8- Entertainment Book Sale Ends
13- Mid-Quarter
20- Dentist
21- Skate Night 6-8 p.m.
24- Boston Market Fundraiser
27- Cookie Sale Begins
Congratulations to Gigi Adduci for winning the Trustworthy Character Drawing. She will attend lunch with the principal!
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