10 days since I last posted?? YIKES! Sorry, life has been so super busy.
DON'T forget to work on your explorer project. You should have brought home everything you need to work on it. You will have limited time in school next week to work in the lab/LMC. This would be a great time to use your zip drive!!
Some reminders:
Mr. Electricity assembly THursday - 6:16 - 7:30p.m.
Bake Sale service meeting on Monday after school until 4:45 - you must have a permission slip (Any parents can attend - without a permission slip!!) :-)
Please support our fundraising efforts and come to the Bake Sale on Thursday after the assembly!!
Signed explorer form so your parents know project is due 2/3
field trip slip and money
report card envelope, signed
A L S O
The bell rang and I forgot to hand out the spelling list so here they are:
Base List:
engineer
dentist
librarian
director
customer
pioneer
counselor
tourist
scientist
visitor
investigator
senator
astronomer
character
refrigerator
guardian
commander
physician
politician
leader
Alternate list:
historian
performer
volunteer
disaster
spectator
electrician
custodian
aviator
chemist
philosopher
pharmacist
comedian
orator
veneer
genealogist
Have a great weekend!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
EAT AT CULVER'S!!
Don't forget to take some time to run over to Culver's and eat tonight! Tell the cashier that you are there for Cowlishaw to get some of the money for the 5th grade gift.
Here is our homework tonight!
Share your letter with your family member about helping you meet your goals
fluency - read - study - sign - DUE THURSDAY!
Math - journal page 164 - 165.
ALSO - survey results due on Tuesday next week
SOcial Studies - finish reading lesson on page 120-123 and 124 - 127 and take notes to use in our Numbered Heads TOgether game.
Class Spelling bee Wednesday
Literacy - Woodsong test on Thursday!
Here is our homework tonight!
Share your letter with your family member about helping you meet your goals
fluency - read - study - sign - DUE THURSDAY!
Math - journal page 164 - 165.
ALSO - survey results due on Tuesday next week
SOcial Studies - finish reading lesson on page 120-123 and 124 - 127 and take notes to use in our Numbered Heads TOgether game.
Class Spelling bee Wednesday
Literacy - Woodsong test on Thursday!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Here's today!
Today for our explorer project, we learned how to organize and keep track of our information as we are finding it. We learned how to use encyclopedias and book resources. Please try to get your child to your public library to d osome independent research outside of school. Librarians are always willing to help kids learn about how to use the library as a resource!! This will be such a useful skill for the years to come!
Also, your child brought home the Ozzie's Reading Club form today to keep track of reading they do. They need to read 100 minutes a week for the 8 weeks in order to earn the tickets. This really translates to the 20 minutes of reading we ask that they do each day anyway. I will have a calendar for the month to pass out tomorrow and that will just be a way for you to keep track of it.
Here is our homework for the day:
Fluency - your child should read the passage to you. Take some time to discuss the questions by Thursday.
Literacy - summary is due tomorrow (test will be on Thursday)
Math - survey question and categories (except kids who took the ACCESS test today!
Reminders for the week;
dinner night at Culver's tomorrow - use the blue flyer or tell your cashier that you are from COwlishaw!
THURSDAY night is our 5th grade Family Math Night. Come hang out and play some casual math games for fun. Raffle prizes and estimation jar games!!
No school Friday - it is a teacher work day!
Also, your child brought home the Ozzie's Reading Club form today to keep track of reading they do. They need to read 100 minutes a week for the 8 weeks in order to earn the tickets. This really translates to the 20 minutes of reading we ask that they do each day anyway. I will have a calendar for the month to pass out tomorrow and that will just be a way for you to keep track of it.
Here is our homework for the day:
Fluency - your child should read the passage to you. Take some time to discuss the questions by Thursday.
Literacy - summary is due tomorrow (test will be on Thursday)
Math - survey question and categories (except kids who took the ACCESS test today!
Reminders for the week;
dinner night at Culver's tomorrow - use the blue flyer or tell your cashier that you are from COwlishaw!
THURSDAY night is our 5th grade Family Math Night. Come hang out and play some casual math games for fun. Raffle prizes and estimation jar games!!
No school Friday - it is a teacher work day!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
New Year - lots to look forward to!!
Hi Parents,
Hope you are all staying nice and warm inside today!
Yesterday, we had our first visit from the Middle School principals, Allan Davenport from Hill and Kimberly Cornish from Still. They gave a presentation on the options available for incoming 6th graders. You should have received a packet of information about this in your child's folder today. Please read through this carefully. You need to choose an option with your child and sign and return the registration form by this Thursday. The schools need this information so they can begin planning for next year.
Speaking as a parent of a 5th grader, I understand that this form could be a little confusing, so let me try to help you through it. You are choosing an option for 6th grade only. You are not locking your child into one track for all 3 years of middle school. If you look at the back of the registration form, you can see how choosing that option for 6th grade can then work for them in 7th and 8th, allowing for more foreign language courses or electives. If your child is currently in band, orchestra, or chorus and you want them to continue in 6th grade, you will choose either option 1 or 3. Your child must get the orchestra or band teacher to sign the registration sheet. If your child is not currently in band or orchestra as a 5th grader, they will need to do some sort of private lessons and then will test in to the subject for middle school. The elective classes are defined in the packet, please let me know if you have any questions. Of course, the question arose.."Won't we have to take any other classes??" Yes, your child will have math, language arts, science, and social studies every year as well.
Your child will have foreign language offered to them in high school (it is required) but one of the benefits of having your child take foreign language classes in middle school is that they can earn one year of credit and then in high school, they can begin in year 2 of that specific language. This is the time to think about what you might want your child to have available to him or her in high school (I know that is hard to think about right now when they are still in elementary school).
On the Planning guide sheet with the 4 options listed, if a class takes up one whole line, the student takes that class for one whole year. If a class takes up half of a line, it is a semester class, and if the class takes up 1/4 of a line, it is a quarter class (4 quarters in the year - 2 semesters in a year). Right now, you are just choosing which option you want for your child for 6th grade. You are NOT choosing electives. That will come later.
I strongly suggest you taking time to talk to your child about this time in their life. It is both exciting and scary. Some of them had a bewildered look on their face yesterday as Mr. Davenport and Mrs. Cornish were talking. After the presentation, the room was buzzing as they all talked about what option or elective they are interested in. Of course, we can steer them in the direction we want them to go, but letting your child be part of this planning process will enable them to take some ownership in their education now and in the coming years. It can help them make an emotional investment in their future.
Hope that all helps a bit. Let me know if you have any questions. Just a reminder, our trip to Robert Crown is coming up on Jan. 20. Please visit their website at www.robertcrown.org, click on programs tab, then grade 5-6 program. This will give you an idea about the program your child will experience. Please take the time to let them know you are there to talk about any questions they have now or in the future.
Hope you are all staying nice and warm inside today!
Yesterday, we had our first visit from the Middle School principals, Allan Davenport from Hill and Kimberly Cornish from Still. They gave a presentation on the options available for incoming 6th graders. You should have received a packet of information about this in your child's folder today. Please read through this carefully. You need to choose an option with your child and sign and return the registration form by this Thursday. The schools need this information so they can begin planning for next year.
Speaking as a parent of a 5th grader, I understand that this form could be a little confusing, so let me try to help you through it. You are choosing an option for 6th grade only. You are not locking your child into one track for all 3 years of middle school. If you look at the back of the registration form, you can see how choosing that option for 6th grade can then work for them in 7th and 8th, allowing for more foreign language courses or electives. If your child is currently in band, orchestra, or chorus and you want them to continue in 6th grade, you will choose either option 1 or 3. Your child must get the orchestra or band teacher to sign the registration sheet. If your child is not currently in band or orchestra as a 5th grader, they will need to do some sort of private lessons and then will test in to the subject for middle school. The elective classes are defined in the packet, please let me know if you have any questions. Of course, the question arose.."Won't we have to take any other classes??" Yes, your child will have math, language arts, science, and social studies every year as well.
Your child will have foreign language offered to them in high school (it is required) but one of the benefits of having your child take foreign language classes in middle school is that they can earn one year of credit and then in high school, they can begin in year 2 of that specific language. This is the time to think about what you might want your child to have available to him or her in high school (I know that is hard to think about right now when they are still in elementary school).
On the Planning guide sheet with the 4 options listed, if a class takes up one whole line, the student takes that class for one whole year. If a class takes up half of a line, it is a semester class, and if the class takes up 1/4 of a line, it is a quarter class (4 quarters in the year - 2 semesters in a year). Right now, you are just choosing which option you want for your child for 6th grade. You are NOT choosing electives. That will come later.
I strongly suggest you taking time to talk to your child about this time in their life. It is both exciting and scary. Some of them had a bewildered look on their face yesterday as Mr. Davenport and Mrs. Cornish were talking. After the presentation, the room was buzzing as they all talked about what option or elective they are interested in. Of course, we can steer them in the direction we want them to go, but letting your child be part of this planning process will enable them to take some ownership in their education now and in the coming years. It can help them make an emotional investment in their future.
Hope that all helps a bit. Let me know if you have any questions. Just a reminder, our trip to Robert Crown is coming up on Jan. 20. Please visit their website at www.robertcrown.org, click on programs tab, then grade 5-6 program. This will give you an idea about the program your child will experience. Please take the time to let them know you are there to talk about any questions they have now or in the future.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Read, Read, Read
You have one more week in order to earn your Accelerated Reader points. The end of the quarter is next Thursday, the last day for AR tests. If you have a goal to meet - take care of last minute reading this weekend!
Here are some other important dates to keep in mind:
Tuesday, Jan. 12 Dinner Night at Culver's (20% of your sales go to Cowlishaw's PTA) Unfortunately, I have class on Tuesday so I can't come!
Thursday, Jan. 14 5th Grade Family Math Night - 6:30 - 8:00p.m. Visit all the 5th grade classrooms to learn some new math games you can play at home to reinforce math skills. There will be an estimation raffle and other raffles. Also, a packets of math materials will be available for you to take to use at home. Bring the whole family!
Friday, Jan. 15 NO SCHOOL (This is a teacher work day.)
Monday, Jan. 18 NO SCHOOL (We are observing Martin Luther King Jr.)
Wednesday, Jan. 20 Robert Crown Field Trip about human development (all kids need to bring a bag lunch as we will be eating late when we return and will eat in the classroom).
Friday, Jan. 21 Robert Crown follow up presentation (boys and girls will be spoken to separately about changes to look forward to).
Here is our homework for today:
Spelling test (3 activities due tomorrow-or use a no homework pass)
My math class has an Extended Response to do (T-Chart with what you did and why you did it - a written explanation of how you figured out the problem)
Feel free to do some at-home research on your explorer. Remember to keep track of where you get your information!
Have fun in the snow!
Here are some other important dates to keep in mind:
Tuesday, Jan. 12 Dinner Night at Culver's (20% of your sales go to Cowlishaw's PTA) Unfortunately, I have class on Tuesday so I can't come!
Thursday, Jan. 14 5th Grade Family Math Night - 6:30 - 8:00p.m. Visit all the 5th grade classrooms to learn some new math games you can play at home to reinforce math skills. There will be an estimation raffle and other raffles. Also, a packets of math materials will be available for you to take to use at home. Bring the whole family!
Friday, Jan. 15 NO SCHOOL (This is a teacher work day.)
Monday, Jan. 18 NO SCHOOL (We are observing Martin Luther King Jr.)
Wednesday, Jan. 20 Robert Crown Field Trip about human development (all kids need to bring a bag lunch as we will be eating late when we return and will eat in the classroom).
Friday, Jan. 21 Robert Crown follow up presentation (boys and girls will be spoken to separately about changes to look forward to).
Here is our homework for today:
Spelling test (3 activities due tomorrow-or use a no homework pass)
My math class has an Extended Response to do (T-Chart with what you did and why you did it - a written explanation of how you figured out the problem)
Feel free to do some at-home research on your explorer. Remember to keep track of where you get your information!
Have fun in the snow!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
FIND YOUR OWN BRAIN BREAK
This week, we have been talking about making goals. We have talked about making S.M.A.R.T. goals (not just for adults). Click on the word SMART to learn more!So far, I have met my goal of doing at least one brain break every day! Why don't you scroll through some of the brain breaks listed down on the right margin and find one you can teach the class? If you'd like to do this for a challenge, read about it and write up how you will teach it to the class. If it is one that the class likes, I will let you be in charge of faciliating (running) this brain break for the rest of the year! There are some new fun ones on there!
Hope you are all eager and ready to get your explorer tomorrow morning. I am so excited for you. History is so exciting!!!!!! Remember there is a link in Jan. 5 post to take you to that great explorer site.
Homework for tomorrow:
Math - my class - link 5.7
spelling - 3 activities (no homework slips accepted!)
Spelling bee - study all previous lists (or packet I gave today) Classroom contests begin next week!
Hope you are all eager and ready to get your explorer tomorrow morning. I am so excited for you. History is so exciting!!!!!! Remember there is a link in Jan. 5 post to take you to that great explorer site.
Homework for tomorrow:
Math - my class - link 5.7
spelling - 3 activities (no homework slips accepted!)
Spelling bee - study all previous lists (or packet I gave today) Classroom contests begin next week!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Exploring the explorers!
Today we really got into the reasons for the Early Explorations. Here is a great website for some information if you are interested:
CLICK HERE FOR AN AMAZING WEBSITE!!
We are going to begin our research project, where we will learn and share great information about explorers. We are going to learn how to keep track of research and give credit to where we get information by using a "Works Cited" page. Today, we identified 6 reasons for early exploration. Students, you need to know this info tomorrow, so study that sheet!!
Here is the homework:
Study the 6 reasons for exploring.
vocabulary grid sheet ( for 7 words for the story, "Woodsong")
Math - journal work you didn't finish in class; page 135 sheet (the whole thing)
Spelling
CLICK HERE FOR AN AMAZING WEBSITE!!
We are going to begin our research project, where we will learn and share great information about explorers. We are going to learn how to keep track of research and give credit to where we get information by using a "Works Cited" page. Today, we identified 6 reasons for early exploration. Students, you need to know this info tomorrow, so study that sheet!!
Here is the homework:
Study the 6 reasons for exploring.
vocabulary grid sheet ( for 7 words for the story, "Woodsong")
Math - journal work you didn't finish in class; page 135 sheet (the whole thing)
Spelling
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Year!
Today we talked about making resolutions in order to improve upon our greatness! :-)
We talked about making our goals S.M.A.R.T. - which means to make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. We talked about making personal goals, ones that connect to family and friends, and goals that have to do with school and the outside world. It is a time to realize that we can be even more wonderful than we are now, but we must make plans for it and do frequent checks on our progress.
Here is today's homework:
Spelling (unless off contract) - 3 activities due Friday (don't forget about that NO Homework pass you got from me!!)
Writing - write about break - many of you turned it in this morning
Goal writing - 2 goals in each section (personal, family, outside world)
Math - my class - the Colorful Spotlights sheet (reducing fractions to SIMPLEST terms)
Literacy - vocabulary grids (due Wednesday)
I hope you all make good plans so that you can meet all of your goals this year!!
GOOD LUCK!
We talked about making our goals S.M.A.R.T. - which means to make sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. We talked about making personal goals, ones that connect to family and friends, and goals that have to do with school and the outside world. It is a time to realize that we can be even more wonderful than we are now, but we must make plans for it and do frequent checks on our progress.
Here is today's homework:
Spelling (unless off contract) - 3 activities due Friday (don't forget about that NO Homework pass you got from me!!)
Writing - write about break - many of you turned it in this morning
Goal writing - 2 goals in each section (personal, family, outside world)
Math - my class - the Colorful Spotlights sheet (reducing fractions to SIMPLEST terms)
Literacy - vocabulary grids (due Wednesday)
I hope you all make good plans so that you can meet all of your goals this year!!
GOOD LUCK!
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