Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Looking to help?
We are completely out of facial tissues and cold season is in full swing. We are looking for any donations of facial tissue boxes. Thank you, Ms. Rivers's class
New Pencil Sharpener and TAKS Benchmarks
A special thank you to Andrea Georgsson for the fantastically quiet pencil sharpener and several pencil packets! Although I thought our pencil sharpener was fine, I didn't know how grat they could be. Like the students, I have great appreciation for a sharp tip.
A thank you also goes out to Kristina Brosig. She has been working hard at getting us to complete our Auction project. We hope you can join the Roberts community this Saturday night.
Reading and Math TAKS Benchmarks are taking place this week. Students took the Math today and will take the Reading tomorrow. We will use the student performance to determine who may need after school tutorials as well as Math class assignment possible changes.
Science
We are finishing up types of energy and starting Light and Sound energy. The Key concepts have and will include the types of energy (mechanical, radiant, chemical, thermal, electrical and Atomic). Light energy includes refraction and reflection, convex and concave lenses and how these effect light. The basics of sound energy will be covered.
Social Studies
The Revolution continues. We have begun watching Liberty Kids as an educational supplement to increase understanding of background, cause and effect and sequence of events during The American Revolution.
Math
Ns. Schillmoeler and Ms. Newton's classes are focusing on fractions. Mr. Shahriari's class is covering advanced Geometry. Measurement is the currect focus in my class (Rivers). The 5th grade teachers have been meeting weekly in regard to student data, subjects to be covered and pacing for the individual classes.
Reading
Historical fiction, character traits and conflict are the currect areas of focus and these are integrated into our American Revolution unit and planner as well as reading groups and whole class read aloud.
Wordly Wise Update
We are finished with the 5th grade Wordly Wise book and will be starting a culminating project next week as a way of reviewing the vocabulary that has been studied.
Language Arts
The Grammar books are out and we are exploring prepositions, prepositional phrases, the destiction between a preposition and an adverb and much more. The spelling focus for the remainder of the school year will be on suffixes and prefixes.
A thank you also goes out to Kristina Brosig. She has been working hard at getting us to complete our Auction project. We hope you can join the Roberts community this Saturday night.
Reading and Math TAKS Benchmarks are taking place this week. Students took the Math today and will take the Reading tomorrow. We will use the student performance to determine who may need after school tutorials as well as Math class assignment possible changes.
Science
We are finishing up types of energy and starting Light and Sound energy. The Key concepts have and will include the types of energy (mechanical, radiant, chemical, thermal, electrical and Atomic). Light energy includes refraction and reflection, convex and concave lenses and how these effect light. The basics of sound energy will be covered.
Social Studies
The Revolution continues. We have begun watching Liberty Kids as an educational supplement to increase understanding of background, cause and effect and sequence of events during The American Revolution.
Math
Ns. Schillmoeler and Ms. Newton's classes are focusing on fractions. Mr. Shahriari's class is covering advanced Geometry. Measurement is the currect focus in my class (Rivers). The 5th grade teachers have been meeting weekly in regard to student data, subjects to be covered and pacing for the individual classes.
Reading
Historical fiction, character traits and conflict are the currect areas of focus and these are integrated into our American Revolution unit and planner as well as reading groups and whole class read aloud.
Wordly Wise Update
We are finished with the 5th grade Wordly Wise book and will be starting a culminating project next week as a way of reviewing the vocabulary that has been studied.
Language Arts
The Grammar books are out and we are exploring prepositions, prepositional phrases, the destiction between a preposition and an adverb and much more. The spelling focus for the remainder of the school year will be on suffixes and prefixes.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A Very Belated New Year
Well, Our second semester is well under way and there is a lot of information to catch you up on.
First, I want to thank all of you for an extremely generous holiday gift. It was all the way back in December, but I have thought about your generosity daily.
I would also like to thank Kristina Brosig for all of her support and assistance with the auction project and reminders regarding Magnet Feedback. Our class project for auction will be a reading theme with a decorated bean bag chair and individual art projects. I know that several of you are helping with the legistics and I thank you.
This week is No Name Calling Week. Everyone will wear blue on Friday in celebration and in honor of No Name Calling Week.
PROGRESS REPORTS- Progress reports will go home with your students on Thursday of this week. I apologize for the delay.
Change
The biggest change since returning from our Winter Break, has been the start of Math class switches. Everything seems to be going smoothly and I know that small adjustments have been made as needed. We will continue to adjust grouping after units of study. Classes are either focusing on exponents, negative numbers,or continuing with fractions.
Halls, Restroom, and Behavior
In the return from the break, students are beginning to feel older and exert some of there new felt freedoms. While this is a positive step toward maturity, it is also showing a need for some defining of boundaries for students. We have also re-focused on the IB attitudes, discussing what it looks and sounds like to be respectful in different environments around the school.
Mrs. Graves met with the 5th grade students last week and discussed the differences between Middle School environments and Elementary environments. One of the examples given was hallway behavior. In Middle School, all the students pass to classes at the same time and when there is talking in the hall, it does not disrupt. This is not the case in Elementary School. We are also taking class bathroom breaks. This is not due to one incidence, but due to an ongoing pattern of inappropriate behavior in the restrooms and halls outside of the restroom. I am working with the class on making these breaks as fast as possible. Many of the students are bringing a book with them so that they do not gave the temptation to talk while waiting. As time goes on and with increasingly appropriate behavior, we will take fewer class breaks and return to individual restroom usage. Thank you for your patience with this. All in all, the students are becoming increasingly respectful and earned lunch in the classroom today.
Science-
We have finished Matter and have started Energy. Our Wonder Wall is filling up. Your students ask provokative questions, including whether a feeling has energy.
Social Studies-
We are currently transitioning from the French and Indian War to the American Revolution. Our current IB Planner is Revolution with a focus on Conflict causing people to seek resolution. For this planner, students will be completing a written project on an American Revolutionary and a world Revolutionary. We will culminate with a living museum. More information to come.
Reading-
Reading Projects from previous books have been completed and we have started discussing Historical Fiction. The Book Clubs will begin next week and all the choices are Historical Fiction and focus on the American Revolution. Character Traits and Conflict have been concepts discussed through our Historical Fiction read aloud.
Language Arts-
Recent skills and topics have included Friendly letters, commas, context clues, guide words (as in dictionary) and review of other skills. We are working on Prepositions and prepositional phrases as well as integrating written composition and speaking into Science, Social Studies and Reading projects.
First, I want to thank all of you for an extremely generous holiday gift. It was all the way back in December, but I have thought about your generosity daily.
I would also like to thank Kristina Brosig for all of her support and assistance with the auction project and reminders regarding Magnet Feedback. Our class project for auction will be a reading theme with a decorated bean bag chair and individual art projects. I know that several of you are helping with the legistics and I thank you.
This week is No Name Calling Week. Everyone will wear blue on Friday in celebration and in honor of No Name Calling Week.
PROGRESS REPORTS- Progress reports will go home with your students on Thursday of this week. I apologize for the delay.
Change
The biggest change since returning from our Winter Break, has been the start of Math class switches. Everything seems to be going smoothly and I know that small adjustments have been made as needed. We will continue to adjust grouping after units of study. Classes are either focusing on exponents, negative numbers,or continuing with fractions.
Halls, Restroom, and Behavior
In the return from the break, students are beginning to feel older and exert some of there new felt freedoms. While this is a positive step toward maturity, it is also showing a need for some defining of boundaries for students. We have also re-focused on the IB attitudes, discussing what it looks and sounds like to be respectful in different environments around the school.
Mrs. Graves met with the 5th grade students last week and discussed the differences between Middle School environments and Elementary environments. One of the examples given was hallway behavior. In Middle School, all the students pass to classes at the same time and when there is talking in the hall, it does not disrupt. This is not the case in Elementary School. We are also taking class bathroom breaks. This is not due to one incidence, but due to an ongoing pattern of inappropriate behavior in the restrooms and halls outside of the restroom. I am working with the class on making these breaks as fast as possible. Many of the students are bringing a book with them so that they do not gave the temptation to talk while waiting. As time goes on and with increasingly appropriate behavior, we will take fewer class breaks and return to individual restroom usage. Thank you for your patience with this. All in all, the students are becoming increasingly respectful and earned lunch in the classroom today.
Science-
We have finished Matter and have started Energy. Our Wonder Wall is filling up. Your students ask provokative questions, including whether a feeling has energy.
Social Studies-
We are currently transitioning from the French and Indian War to the American Revolution. Our current IB Planner is Revolution with a focus on Conflict causing people to seek resolution. For this planner, students will be completing a written project on an American Revolutionary and a world Revolutionary. We will culminate with a living museum. More information to come.
Reading-
Reading Projects from previous books have been completed and we have started discussing Historical Fiction. The Book Clubs will begin next week and all the choices are Historical Fiction and focus on the American Revolution. Character Traits and Conflict have been concepts discussed through our Historical Fiction read aloud.
Language Arts-
Recent skills and topics have included Friendly letters, commas, context clues, guide words (as in dictionary) and review of other skills. We are working on Prepositions and prepositional phrases as well as integrating written composition and speaking into Science, Social Studies and Reading projects.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Exhibition coming to a close and new units galour
First of all, I would like to say a big Thank You to all of the students and parents in T-124 for making my birthday a wonderful day!!!! Your kindness, thoughts, cards and gifts were wonderful. A special thank you to the Brosigs for delivering flowers and gifts on the morning of my birthday as well as organizing everything. I was truly touched.
Exhibition-
Wow, time flies. Students are currently working on their visual presentations and finishing up their actions. Some groups are farther ahead than others, but I am pushing for students to really get done by the 8th of December.
Our field trip to the Houston Food Bank was a success and I would like to thank April Lloyd and Marianne Fairey for attending as chaperons. Thank you
Exhibition will be in the Cafeteria on December the 15th and our class will present from 12:00-1:00, so mark your calendars.
Math-
We have finished division and multiplication and have just started our unit on fractions, decimals and percents. I do expect this unit to be longer as 6th grade math is mostly these concepts and skills.
Science-
We are continuing with Matter and will most likely cover Matter through December.
Social Studies-
You may have heard your students come home talking about Early Colonial America and especially the English Colonies. We did watch a video that included the Native American point of view with much rich discussion during and after. We will continue with the Colonies and move into the French and Indian War. Expect a permission slip within the next week or so regarding the viewing of a movie that has some gruesome war footage.
Reading-
We will be starting new Literature Circle groups this week.
Exhibition-
Wow, time flies. Students are currently working on their visual presentations and finishing up their actions. Some groups are farther ahead than others, but I am pushing for students to really get done by the 8th of December.
Our field trip to the Houston Food Bank was a success and I would like to thank April Lloyd and Marianne Fairey for attending as chaperons. Thank you
Exhibition will be in the Cafeteria on December the 15th and our class will present from 12:00-1:00, so mark your calendars.
Math-
We have finished division and multiplication and have just started our unit on fractions, decimals and percents. I do expect this unit to be longer as 6th grade math is mostly these concepts and skills.
Science-
We are continuing with Matter and will most likely cover Matter through December.
Social Studies-
You may have heard your students come home talking about Early Colonial America and especially the English Colonies. We did watch a video that included the Native American point of view with much rich discussion during and after. We will continue with the Colonies and move into the French and Indian War. Expect a permission slip within the next week or so regarding the viewing of a movie that has some gruesome war footage.
Reading-
We will be starting new Literature Circle groups this week.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Parents and Students, I have some classroom updates to share.
Tuesday folders went home today with some important information. First, If you put in a request for student records, they are enclosed in a manila envelope. Only one copy is being sent. If you need additional copies, you will need to make the copies. I know that once the office makes a copy, they will not have time to make a second. Also, If you still need to request records, you can. They will go home again in next week's Tuesday folder.
Field Trip!!! The date has changed. Our class will attend the Food Bank field trip with Mr. Sharhiari's class on MONDAY the 15th, not the 16th. Also, we will need 2 parent chaperones. We will leave Roberts at 8:15 and return around 1:30. You will need to be VIPS approved in order to chaperone. Any volunteers?
Thank you,
Carol Rivers
Tuesday folders went home today with some important information. First, If you put in a request for student records, they are enclosed in a manila envelope. Only one copy is being sent. If you need additional copies, you will need to make the copies. I know that once the office makes a copy, they will not have time to make a second. Also, If you still need to request records, you can. They will go home again in next week's Tuesday folder.
Field Trip!!! The date has changed. Our class will attend the Food Bank field trip with Mr. Sharhiari's class on MONDAY the 15th, not the 16th. Also, we will need 2 parent chaperones. We will leave Roberts at 8:15 and return around 1:30. You will need to be VIPS approved in order to chaperone. Any volunteers?
Thank you,
Carol Rivers
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Houston Food Bank Field Trip November 16th
Parents,
The link to the required registration to the Houston Food Bank is:
http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteer/
More information was sent home with students in the Tuesday Folders today!
Thank you,
Carol Rivers
The link to the required registration to the Houston Food Bank is:
http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteer/
More information was sent home with students in the Tuesday Folders today!
Thank you,
Carol Rivers
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Rivers Rhinos did roar and pulled through with a 5-3 win over Ms. Schillmoeller's class in field day today. Thank you to Mr. Jackson, Nathan's father, who helped during the field day, to the Chan Family for donating water for the day's events (very much needed and appreciated) and thank you to Mrs. Brosig for helping to coordinate necessities.
I also want to thank all of the classroom parents who participated in and helped in the planning of, participation in and presentation in the International Festival last Friday. A special thank you to Mrs. Ramirez, Carolina's mother and to Mrs. O'Dwyer, John's mother and grandmother for making presentations to our classroom on their countries of origin. The students and I enjoyed. John made homemade scones, delicious, and Mrs. Ramirez brought in multiple brochures and informational booklets on Mexico. Thank you again for your participation!
Academic Updates!
Math- We have finished our unit on Geometry and will start a new unit on Division next week. The state curriculum for 5th grade focuses on dividing 3 digit dividend by 2 digit divisors. The unit will also work on the application of division in word problems as they have also been practicing through daily homework assignments.
Science- Our Solar System Planner has floated off into space and we are now focused on Matter. We have already reviewed what matter is and is not, states of matter and other basic background information. We will be covering Matter for about the next 4 weeks. For your information, the Texas State Curriculum requires basic understanding of the following: what is made of matter, properties of matter in terms of mass and volume, definitions of the 3 states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases), physical properties, measurement of matter, define and compare mixtures, solutions and how to combine and separate mixtures and solutions. Physical and chemical changes will be covered as well.
Social Studies- European Colonization in the New World has started and will continue as the lead up to the American Revolution which will start in December or January.
Reading/Language Arts- Our first Literature Books are complete! Students are working on a small final book project which is due on Tuesday, the 2nd. New books and groups will start next week. Look for further updates.
Exhibition- Students are finishing up all their research and will be wrapping up note taking next week as well as working on a written component in a question/answer format. Students are note taking differently than in years past. Each group and individual student has a Wiki page. Feel Free to look at your student's Wiki page at the following website; http:\\riversfifthgradeexhibition.pbworks.com
Your child knows their user name and password. Students have a format on their Wiki page for citing sources, highlighting important information and for putting information into their own words. It is really quite impressive. I am eternally grateful to Ms. Anderson, our Technology Teacher, for setting all of the students up and training us, she has been monumental in helping me integrate technology into our IB Planners! Thanks again Pamela Anderson.
Enjoy to cool weather and have a great weekend. Ms. Rivers
I also want to thank all of the classroom parents who participated in and helped in the planning of, participation in and presentation in the International Festival last Friday. A special thank you to Mrs. Ramirez, Carolina's mother and to Mrs. O'Dwyer, John's mother and grandmother for making presentations to our classroom on their countries of origin. The students and I enjoyed. John made homemade scones, delicious, and Mrs. Ramirez brought in multiple brochures and informational booklets on Mexico. Thank you again for your participation!
Academic Updates!
Math- We have finished our unit on Geometry and will start a new unit on Division next week. The state curriculum for 5th grade focuses on dividing 3 digit dividend by 2 digit divisors. The unit will also work on the application of division in word problems as they have also been practicing through daily homework assignments.
Science- Our Solar System Planner has floated off into space and we are now focused on Matter. We have already reviewed what matter is and is not, states of matter and other basic background information. We will be covering Matter for about the next 4 weeks. For your information, the Texas State Curriculum requires basic understanding of the following: what is made of matter, properties of matter in terms of mass and volume, definitions of the 3 states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases), physical properties, measurement of matter, define and compare mixtures, solutions and how to combine and separate mixtures and solutions. Physical and chemical changes will be covered as well.
Social Studies- European Colonization in the New World has started and will continue as the lead up to the American Revolution which will start in December or January.
Reading/Language Arts- Our first Literature Books are complete! Students are working on a small final book project which is due on Tuesday, the 2nd. New books and groups will start next week. Look for further updates.
Exhibition- Students are finishing up all their research and will be wrapping up note taking next week as well as working on a written component in a question/answer format. Students are note taking differently than in years past. Each group and individual student has a Wiki page. Feel Free to look at your student's Wiki page at the following website; http:\\riversfifthgradeexhibition.pbworks.com
Your child knows their user name and password. Students have a format on their Wiki page for citing sources, highlighting important information and for putting information into their own words. It is really quite impressive. I am eternally grateful to Ms. Anderson, our Technology Teacher, for setting all of the students up and training us, she has been monumental in helping me integrate technology into our IB Planners! Thanks again Pamela Anderson.
Enjoy to cool weather and have a great weekend. Ms. Rivers
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