All the 5th graders have definitely settled in at camp. They got right to the activities yesterday afternoon and continued into the late evening. There was horse back riding, archery, fishing, canoeing, just to name a few. Activities continued this morning and the sun warmed things up quite a bit. Due to the cold weather last night, many activities were moved inside and for outside activities, staff was prepared with opportunities to warm up. For example, while waiting for horse back riding and getting instructions, sleeping bags were wrapped around everyone. The cabins have heaters and for those students who do not have enough warm clothing, camp has extras to let students use. I have included some pictures to let you see how everything is going. I will continue to keep you updated as I learn new information.
This was my first experience at the Outdoor Education Center and I was impressed with all the staff I interacted with. The facilities are well maintained, clean and warm. I am planning on staying at the camp for longer the next time Roberts 5th graders attend! Your children are in good hands. All my best, Carol Rivers
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Camp Olympia Information
Important Notice about Camp Olympia
I. IF YOUR CHILD WILL NEED MEDICATION
a. You must send it in the original medicine bottle with the prescription bottle.
NO MEDICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THAT ARE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL LABELED PERSCRIPTION BOTTLE.
b. Place all medications into a plastic zip lock bag.
c. Make sure the bag is labeled with your child’s FIRST AND LAST NAME, HOMEROOM TEACHER’S NAME, and YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER.
d. YOU (THE PARENT) MUST BRING THE BAG WITH ALL MEDICATIONS INSIDE TO NURSE FELDER PRIOR TO TUESDAY AT 8:00 AM.
e. She will take it from there.
II. We still need 1 Chaperone for Tuesday from one of the 5th grade classes. Thank you to Lana LeBlanc and Becky Ingalls for volunteering from our classroom.
a. We need help on the trips up to and back from Camp Olympia. Not to stay. If you can accompany us on the trip up to camp on Tuesday or on the return trip from camp on Friday, we can use your help. Contact your child’s teacher for more information.
Parent Information
Olympia – www.hisdoec.com
How do the children get to the OEC?
HISD provides transportation by school bus to and from the OEC. On departure days, students leave from the school at approximately 8:30 a.m. accompanied by school chaperones. On the day of their return, students depart from the OEC after lunch, arriving back at the school prior to regular dismissal time.
What should my child take to the Center? What is not permitted?
The OEC provides three meals a day, snacks, linens, towels, and all equipment/supplies needed for activities. Your child should bring the items listed below packed in a pillowcase placed inside a large plastic bag. Label the bag with your child's name and school. BE CERTAIN YOUR CHILD IS PREPARED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER. Even though dress can be more casual, the same basic dress rules apply at the OEC as at your child’s school.
BRING:
• Toothbrush/paste
• 3 changes of clothes
• Rainwear
• Comb/brush
• 3 changes underwear/socks
• Long pants
• Sleepwear
• Tennis shoes (NO sandals)
• Jacket
• Cap or hat
• Bar soap
• Towel
Desirable:
• Robe
• Bug Repellant
• Pillow
• Flashlight
DO NOT BRING:
Radios Food, candy, gum Money CD Players
Knives Toys, video games Jewelry or Items of value Cell Phones
What about my child's safety?
Every effort is made to provide a safe and secure environment for the children. Students are assigned to adult leaders who chaperone the children 24 hours a day.
What if my child becomes ill at the Center?
A nurse is on duty 24 hours each day. If your child has any medical conditions that the nurse should be aware of, please indicate such in the space provided on the Parental Permission and Health Information Form.
Can I telephone my child at the OEC?
It is not possible for students to make or receive personal phone calls while at the OEC sites. In an emergency, you may call the OEC Coordinator at your child's assigned site.
Olympia Outdoor Education
Tom Cosper - 1-800-729-6291
May parents visit the Centers?
Yes, but you must first obtain written approval from your principal. If you visit the Center, you should not expect to spend much time with your child who will be involved in many educational/recreational activities.
What if my child needs to come back early?
Parents must make arrangements in advance with the school Principal and the OEC Coordinator.
The District does not provide transportation in such circumstances; therefore, the parent is responsible for transporting their children if they come back early.
I. IF YOUR CHILD WILL NEED MEDICATION
a. You must send it in the original medicine bottle with the prescription bottle.
NO MEDICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THAT ARE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL LABELED PERSCRIPTION BOTTLE.
b. Place all medications into a plastic zip lock bag.
c. Make sure the bag is labeled with your child’s FIRST AND LAST NAME, HOMEROOM TEACHER’S NAME, and YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER.
d. YOU (THE PARENT) MUST BRING THE BAG WITH ALL MEDICATIONS INSIDE TO NURSE FELDER PRIOR TO TUESDAY AT 8:00 AM.
e. She will take it from there.
II. We still need 1 Chaperone for Tuesday from one of the 5th grade classes. Thank you to Lana LeBlanc and Becky Ingalls for volunteering from our classroom.
a. We need help on the trips up to and back from Camp Olympia. Not to stay. If you can accompany us on the trip up to camp on Tuesday or on the return trip from camp on Friday, we can use your help. Contact your child’s teacher for more information.
Parent Information
Olympia – www.hisdoec.com
How do the children get to the OEC?
HISD provides transportation by school bus to and from the OEC. On departure days, students leave from the school at approximately 8:30 a.m. accompanied by school chaperones. On the day of their return, students depart from the OEC after lunch, arriving back at the school prior to regular dismissal time.
What should my child take to the Center? What is not permitted?
The OEC provides three meals a day, snacks, linens, towels, and all equipment/supplies needed for activities. Your child should bring the items listed below packed in a pillowcase placed inside a large plastic bag. Label the bag with your child's name and school. BE CERTAIN YOUR CHILD IS PREPARED FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER. Even though dress can be more casual, the same basic dress rules apply at the OEC as at your child’s school.
BRING:
• Toothbrush/paste
• 3 changes of clothes
• Rainwear
• Comb/brush
• 3 changes underwear/socks
• Long pants
• Sleepwear
• Tennis shoes (NO sandals)
• Jacket
• Cap or hat
• Bar soap
• Towel
Desirable:
• Robe
• Bug Repellant
• Pillow
• Flashlight
DO NOT BRING:
Radios Food, candy, gum Money CD Players
Knives Toys, video games Jewelry or Items of value Cell Phones
What about my child's safety?
Every effort is made to provide a safe and secure environment for the children. Students are assigned to adult leaders who chaperone the children 24 hours a day.
What if my child becomes ill at the Center?
A nurse is on duty 24 hours each day. If your child has any medical conditions that the nurse should be aware of, please indicate such in the space provided on the Parental Permission and Health Information Form.
Can I telephone my child at the OEC?
It is not possible for students to make or receive personal phone calls while at the OEC sites. In an emergency, you may call the OEC Coordinator at your child's assigned site.
Olympia Outdoor Education
Tom Cosper - 1-800-729-6291
May parents visit the Centers?
Yes, but you must first obtain written approval from your principal. If you visit the Center, you should not expect to spend much time with your child who will be involved in many educational/recreational activities.
What if my child needs to come back early?
Parents must make arrangements in advance with the school Principal and the OEC Coordinator.
The District does not provide transportation in such circumstances; therefore, the parent is responsible for transporting their children if they come back early.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Wow! Students Are Busy.....
Reminders and calendar Updates
Picture Retakes are tomorrow for those who returned their photo pack.
Book Fair this week and our class will attend the book fair on Thursday afternoon.
Family Night at the Book Fair will be Wednesday night from 5:30-7:30- We hope to see you there
*Camp update- We know that many parents have questions about camp. Permission Slips went home in Tuesday folders last week. Many of you have already returned these, thank you. More information will be going home in the Tuesday folder tomorrow and if you still have questions after that, we will be having a parent meeting on Wednesday night, same night as Book Fair, at 6:00.
Math-
Students in all four classes have been working on fractions over the last week and a half. Fifth graders need to be able to generate equivalent fractions, simplify (reduce) fractions, convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and improper fractions to mixed numbers, find equivalent fractions to decimals, compare fractions and use these skills to solve word problems. Some of the prerequisite skills include identifying factors, common factors and greatest common factors. Some classes will start division over the next week, Ms. Rivers class will continue with fractions.
Social Studies-
We have finished the American Revolution and taken a final test. We are putting further studies on hold and focusing on Exhibition over the next week and a half. Once students are finished with Exhibition products (trifolds, power points etc.), we will continue with the New Nation. This will include, events that led from the Articles of Confederation to the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of the U.S. government (Bill of Rights, Checks and Balances etc.), Identify contributions of James Madison and Roger Sherman who helped create the U.S. Constitution, summarize events that led to the creation of the Constitution.
Science-
Matter is complete and we have begun the study of Energy. Students will need to understand the following vocabulary:
energy
potential energy
kinetic energy
work
forms of energy- define and give examples of: mechanical, radiant (light), sound, chemical, thermal/heat, and nuclear/atomic
static electricity
current electricity
conductors
insulators
electrical circuits
closed circuits
open circuits
reflection
refraction
opaque
translucent
transparent
In addition to defining, students need to identify everyday examples and how they work. Important concepts: Energy cannot b e destroyed or created, only changed and give examples and how light and sound travel. This will all lead us to sources of energy in early January.
Exhibition-
Students are done with note taking, have planned their actions and have started their product. They are very busy!!! I am requiring that all the visuals that are to go onto tri-folds be complete before they bring in tri-folds. This will vary based on the group. Students can start bringing in on Wednesday and I can find a place to store these. Exhibition is currently our Reading and Other Language Arts as they are reading and interpreting non-fiction text and writing. They are doing a great job and continue to be enthusiastic about their topics.
Exhibition will be presented two dates and times. The first, will be on Wednesday, the 14th of December from 6:00-7:00 in the evening and the second on Thursday, the 15th of December from 1:30-2:30
If I do not update the blog before Thanksgiving break, have a safe and wonderful holiday.
Picture Retakes are tomorrow for those who returned their photo pack.
Book Fair this week and our class will attend the book fair on Thursday afternoon.
Family Night at the Book Fair will be Wednesday night from 5:30-7:30- We hope to see you there
*Camp update- We know that many parents have questions about camp. Permission Slips went home in Tuesday folders last week. Many of you have already returned these, thank you. More information will be going home in the Tuesday folder tomorrow and if you still have questions after that, we will be having a parent meeting on Wednesday night, same night as Book Fair, at 6:00.
Math-
Students in all four classes have been working on fractions over the last week and a half. Fifth graders need to be able to generate equivalent fractions, simplify (reduce) fractions, convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and improper fractions to mixed numbers, find equivalent fractions to decimals, compare fractions and use these skills to solve word problems. Some of the prerequisite skills include identifying factors, common factors and greatest common factors. Some classes will start division over the next week, Ms. Rivers class will continue with fractions.
Social Studies-
We have finished the American Revolution and taken a final test. We are putting further studies on hold and focusing on Exhibition over the next week and a half. Once students are finished with Exhibition products (trifolds, power points etc.), we will continue with the New Nation. This will include, events that led from the Articles of Confederation to the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of the U.S. government (Bill of Rights, Checks and Balances etc.), Identify contributions of James Madison and Roger Sherman who helped create the U.S. Constitution, summarize events that led to the creation of the Constitution.
Science-
Matter is complete and we have begun the study of Energy. Students will need to understand the following vocabulary:
energy
potential energy
kinetic energy
work
forms of energy- define and give examples of: mechanical, radiant (light), sound, chemical, thermal/heat, and nuclear/atomic
static electricity
current electricity
conductors
insulators
electrical circuits
closed circuits
open circuits
reflection
refraction
opaque
translucent
transparent
In addition to defining, students need to identify everyday examples and how they work. Important concepts: Energy cannot b e destroyed or created, only changed and give examples and how light and sound travel. This will all lead us to sources of energy in early January.
Exhibition-
Students are done with note taking, have planned their actions and have started their product. They are very busy!!! I am requiring that all the visuals that are to go onto tri-folds be complete before they bring in tri-folds. This will vary based on the group. Students can start bringing in on Wednesday and I can find a place to store these. Exhibition is currently our Reading and Other Language Arts as they are reading and interpreting non-fiction text and writing. They are doing a great job and continue to be enthusiastic about their topics.
Exhibition will be presented two dates and times. The first, will be on Wednesday, the 14th of December from 6:00-7:00 in the evening and the second on Thursday, the 15th of December from 1:30-2:30
If I do not update the blog before Thanksgiving break, have a safe and wonderful holiday.
Monday, October 24, 2011
October 24th Blog Update
Hello All! We are in the thick of Exhibition research and notetaking. I hope that your children are coming home and letting you know about their Exhibition topics with great enthusiasm. They are extremely enthusiastic and focused in class. All notefacts will be due on Friday of this week and we will have time each day throughout the week to work on notetaking. Exhibition Mentors from the University of Houston have been to Roberts to work with groups and guide the process. I am also meeting with groups and checking progress throughout the week. All of our research skills work prior to Exhibition have paid off because students are rising to the occasion and becoming independent.
Math-
Math classes are finishing up the current Geometry unit this week. Students in my Math class will continue on with Geometry, covering graphing, congruence and transformations. Students in Mr. Shahriari's, Ms. Shilmoeller's and Mrs. Audi's classes will be focusing on Division. Ms. Rivers class will cover division at a later date. The fifth grade objective is for students to divide up to 3 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers and solving division word problems.
Language Arts-
Update! Well after a lot of thought, reflecting on student performance and understanding of Daily Language Review, I am changing the method in which I teach Grammar. We will now be focusing on 2-3 Grammar concepts per week. We are focusing on subject and object pronouns this week. This goes along with knowing when to use "I" versus "me". We will be focusing on Subjects and predicates next week. The graded Language Arts assignments will start to look different in the future.
Vocabulary and Wordly Wise-
We will be starting extended word work and vocabulary development by analyzing 6 of the more difficult Wordly Wise words over a 2 week period. This number may increase as the year progresses.
Reading-
The majority of the reading instruction and focus continues to be on reading non-fiction and using strategies to understand and find information. We have looked at Text books and analyzed the structure of the Text and have had a scavenger hunt to quickly find information. Future exercises will be graded. Students will also be asked to continue to use strategies taught (ask questions and write key words) to accurately answer comprehension questions. Main focus in on research for Exhibition.
Social Studies-
The American Revolution has started. We will be spending the next couple of weeks on the Revolution and begin the birth of a new nation.
Science-
Matter and the properties of matter continue.
Important Events
NNAT testing is tomorrow morning. I talked with students about relaxing and doing the best they can.
Friday, the 28th will be Field Day in the afternoon.
Wrist Band Sales continue through the week, leading to hat day next Monday, the 31st
Report Cards go home in Tuesday Folders tomorrow.
Try to stay mosquito free! Carol Rivers
Math-
Math classes are finishing up the current Geometry unit this week. Students in my Math class will continue on with Geometry, covering graphing, congruence and transformations. Students in Mr. Shahriari's, Ms. Shilmoeller's and Mrs. Audi's classes will be focusing on Division. Ms. Rivers class will cover division at a later date. The fifth grade objective is for students to divide up to 3 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers and solving division word problems.
Language Arts-
Update! Well after a lot of thought, reflecting on student performance and understanding of Daily Language Review, I am changing the method in which I teach Grammar. We will now be focusing on 2-3 Grammar concepts per week. We are focusing on subject and object pronouns this week. This goes along with knowing when to use "I" versus "me". We will be focusing on Subjects and predicates next week. The graded Language Arts assignments will start to look different in the future.
Vocabulary and Wordly Wise-
We will be starting extended word work and vocabulary development by analyzing 6 of the more difficult Wordly Wise words over a 2 week period. This number may increase as the year progresses.
Reading-
The majority of the reading instruction and focus continues to be on reading non-fiction and using strategies to understand and find information. We have looked at Text books and analyzed the structure of the Text and have had a scavenger hunt to quickly find information. Future exercises will be graded. Students will also be asked to continue to use strategies taught (ask questions and write key words) to accurately answer comprehension questions. Main focus in on research for Exhibition.
Social Studies-
The American Revolution has started. We will be spending the next couple of weeks on the Revolution and begin the birth of a new nation.
Science-
Matter and the properties of matter continue.
Important Events
NNAT testing is tomorrow morning. I talked with students about relaxing and doing the best they can.
Friday, the 28th will be Field Day in the afternoon.
Wrist Band Sales continue through the week, leading to hat day next Monday, the 31st
Report Cards go home in Tuesday Folders tomorrow.
Try to stay mosquito free! Carol Rivers
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wrapping up and Moving on
Updates-
Wow! What a busy week! We have been busy sorting clothing donations for Crespo this week and we are tackling 5th grade learning objectives with vigor. Reminder- Fall Holiday is Thursday this week and there will be no school on Thursday. There will be school as usual on Friday.
As most of you know, 5th grade has been conducting a clothing drive for families in need at Crespo Elementary in HISD. Mr. Sarabia is the new principal at Crespo. We will be taking a field trip to deliver the donations on Friday. We had so many students interested in helping that we arranged for the whole grade level to go in shifts. Our class will be leaving campus at 10:30, staying one hour at Crespo and we will eat lunch when we return to Roberts at 12:30. Permission slips went home in today's Tuesday folder.
Progress Reports and more graded work were sent in the Tuesday folders today. Many students took opportunities to correct some work for a higher grade if grades were not passing. The 5th Grade team has been easing into our grading policy and here it is:
5th Grade Grading Policy
We have been giving students many opportunities for a “redo” and taking the higher grade in the grade book. Now that we are half way through the first grading period, it is time to adhere to the policies as outlined in our school wide Assessment Policy. The policy is as follows:
• A student shall be allowed a reasonable opportunity to make-up or redo a class assignment or assessment for which the student received a failing grade (less than 70%) after re-teaching occurs.
• Assignments that are a redo assignment are to be done at home as to not interfere with current class work.
• The redo assignment will be sent home in the Tuesday folder. It will have a note on it indicating that the student has the option to redo it. It is the student’s/parent’s choice to redo the assignment.
• The grade for the redo assignment will not exceed a 75% in the grade book. If the redo assignment earns a failing grade, the higher of the two grades will be recorded.
Thank you for being flexible during this transition time.
Parent Conferences- I am starting to schedule parent conferences. Some of you have already contacted me. I will be available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:45-1:00 and 1:00-1:15. I will also be meeting with parents the day of the International Festival, October 14th starting at 12:45 and setting up times every 15 minutes until 3:15. Please e-mail me and I will keep everyone posted as to what is still available. criversi@houstonisd.org
Math-
With the field trip on Friday and no school on Thursday, we will be switching for Math 2 times this week. I will continue to have students complete Math practice in our class. If you are ever looking for Math reinforcement at home, all the students have a username and password for First in Math. Their password page that went home at the beginning of the year has the student information needed. This website has great Math games. The Everyday Math website also has games.
Reading-
DRAs are complete and we have started reading strategies. Strategies practiced include, writing key words next to paragraphs that tell what the paragraph is about for easy reference. Another important skill is retelling what has been read in student's own words. This is a cross curriculum skill and I am asking students to write/answer in the form of an open response and not in multiple choice questions. This is a new skill for many students and I am modeling and walking through.
Language Arts-
Independent Investigation Method ("double IM" or IIM) has started. Our Unit of Inquiry has been that our understanding of the universe is ever changing and we specifically focused our research on the center of our solar system and how our understanding of it has changed over time. We used 3 web sources to learn how to highlight/underline and restate in own words. We did this as a whole class. We took notes, organized our notes and wrote a paragraph. We studied the views of Ptolemy, Aristotle, Copernicus and Galileo. Our next IIM research topic will be on The Boston Tea Party. The research baton will be passed to students so they can practice determining what information has to do with our subject and taking notes in own words.
Unit of Inquiry-
We are wrapping up Earth and Its Neighbors and will start Response to Conflict next week. The guiding questions in this unit will be What events lead to conflict? Can conflicts be resolved without violence? What are the results of a conflict? This will overlay with The American Revolution and American History.
In addition to conflict, we will begin discussing Exhibition within the next couple of weeks.
Science- Matter will start next week. Students need to know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and the properties of matter. More information will come next week.
Social Studies-
We have started the reasons for the American Revolution. Students will need to know the causes and effects, time lines and important Revolutionary figures. More information to come.....
Wow! What a busy week! We have been busy sorting clothing donations for Crespo this week and we are tackling 5th grade learning objectives with vigor. Reminder- Fall Holiday is Thursday this week and there will be no school on Thursday. There will be school as usual on Friday.
As most of you know, 5th grade has been conducting a clothing drive for families in need at Crespo Elementary in HISD. Mr. Sarabia is the new principal at Crespo. We will be taking a field trip to deliver the donations on Friday. We had so many students interested in helping that we arranged for the whole grade level to go in shifts. Our class will be leaving campus at 10:30, staying one hour at Crespo and we will eat lunch when we return to Roberts at 12:30. Permission slips went home in today's Tuesday folder.
Progress Reports and more graded work were sent in the Tuesday folders today. Many students took opportunities to correct some work for a higher grade if grades were not passing. The 5th Grade team has been easing into our grading policy and here it is:
5th Grade Grading Policy
We have been giving students many opportunities for a “redo” and taking the higher grade in the grade book. Now that we are half way through the first grading period, it is time to adhere to the policies as outlined in our school wide Assessment Policy. The policy is as follows:
• A student shall be allowed a reasonable opportunity to make-up or redo a class assignment or assessment for which the student received a failing grade (less than 70%) after re-teaching occurs.
• Assignments that are a redo assignment are to be done at home as to not interfere with current class work.
• The redo assignment will be sent home in the Tuesday folder. It will have a note on it indicating that the student has the option to redo it. It is the student’s/parent’s choice to redo the assignment.
• The grade for the redo assignment will not exceed a 75% in the grade book. If the redo assignment earns a failing grade, the higher of the two grades will be recorded.
Thank you for being flexible during this transition time.
Parent Conferences- I am starting to schedule parent conferences. Some of you have already contacted me. I will be available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:45-1:00 and 1:00-1:15. I will also be meeting with parents the day of the International Festival, October 14th starting at 12:45 and setting up times every 15 minutes until 3:15. Please e-mail me and I will keep everyone posted as to what is still available. criversi@houstonisd.org
Math-
With the field trip on Friday and no school on Thursday, we will be switching for Math 2 times this week. I will continue to have students complete Math practice in our class. If you are ever looking for Math reinforcement at home, all the students have a username and password for First in Math. Their password page that went home at the beginning of the year has the student information needed. This website has great Math games. The Everyday Math website also has games.
Reading-
DRAs are complete and we have started reading strategies. Strategies practiced include, writing key words next to paragraphs that tell what the paragraph is about for easy reference. Another important skill is retelling what has been read in student's own words. This is a cross curriculum skill and I am asking students to write/answer in the form of an open response and not in multiple choice questions. This is a new skill for many students and I am modeling and walking through.
Language Arts-
Independent Investigation Method ("double IM" or IIM) has started. Our Unit of Inquiry has been that our understanding of the universe is ever changing and we specifically focused our research on the center of our solar system and how our understanding of it has changed over time. We used 3 web sources to learn how to highlight/underline and restate in own words. We did this as a whole class. We took notes, organized our notes and wrote a paragraph. We studied the views of Ptolemy, Aristotle, Copernicus and Galileo. Our next IIM research topic will be on The Boston Tea Party. The research baton will be passed to students so they can practice determining what information has to do with our subject and taking notes in own words.
Unit of Inquiry-
We are wrapping up Earth and Its Neighbors and will start Response to Conflict next week. The guiding questions in this unit will be What events lead to conflict? Can conflicts be resolved without violence? What are the results of a conflict? This will overlay with The American Revolution and American History.
In addition to conflict, we will begin discussing Exhibition within the next couple of weeks.
Science- Matter will start next week. Students need to know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) and the properties of matter. More information will come next week.
Social Studies-
We have started the reasons for the American Revolution. Students will need to know the causes and effects, time lines and important Revolutionary figures. More information to come.....
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Blog Updates
Math-
I am sure that you are all wondering what happened to Math homework this week. Well, we have not started our Unit 2 yet. We projected to be ready to start switching students for Math classes and are not ready as soon as we thought we would be. We will be sending home a 5th grade parent letter explaining the switching of Math classes either tomorrow (Friday) or on Monday. Once Unit 2 starts on Monday, we will be focusing on estimation strategies to check for reasonableness, addition, subtraction and multiplication with whole numbers and decimals, problem solving strategies, comparing decimals, probability, partial products to solve Multiplication problems and comparing millions, billions and trillions.
Reading-
I have been meeting with students individually, listening to their reading, checking for comprehension and setting reading goals for the year. While students are working with me, the class is working on writing and/or Reading silently. We are working on finding books that are just right and not too hard and not too easy, but just right. We have a full class of avid readers and it is great to watch them read with such enthusiasm. NOTE- I talked with students this week because they were thinking that the time they were reading in class counted for their homework reading. It does not count and reading for 30 minutes a night (or 120min a week) is for homework.
Language Arts-
Students are working on writing in their Writers Notebook. Today, we worked on writing a friendly letter by taking on the persona of either a Native American or English Colonist. Students worked on rough drafts, we will then edit and rewrite.
We continue to work on editing and revising through DLR and work on spelling rules. We will be starting a whole class research project on Monday.
Social Studies-
We are up to Colonial Life in America and have completed the first Thanksgiving and King Philip's War. By the end of next week, we will be up to the French and Indian War. Students need to know the characteristics of each region, trade routes, compair and contrast city, town and plantation life, slavery in the colonies and important contributions of the people.
Science-
Earth and it's neighbors continues for about 2 weeks.
Needed
We still need a room parent for our classroom. If you are willing and able (I know how busy all of your schedules are!), we would love to have you and it would be truly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
I am sure that you are all wondering what happened to Math homework this week. Well, we have not started our Unit 2 yet. We projected to be ready to start switching students for Math classes and are not ready as soon as we thought we would be. We will be sending home a 5th grade parent letter explaining the switching of Math classes either tomorrow (Friday) or on Monday. Once Unit 2 starts on Monday, we will be focusing on estimation strategies to check for reasonableness, addition, subtraction and multiplication with whole numbers and decimals, problem solving strategies, comparing decimals, probability, partial products to solve Multiplication problems and comparing millions, billions and trillions.
Reading-
I have been meeting with students individually, listening to their reading, checking for comprehension and setting reading goals for the year. While students are working with me, the class is working on writing and/or Reading silently. We are working on finding books that are just right and not too hard and not too easy, but just right. We have a full class of avid readers and it is great to watch them read with such enthusiasm. NOTE- I talked with students this week because they were thinking that the time they were reading in class counted for their homework reading. It does not count and reading for 30 minutes a night (or 120min a week) is for homework.
Language Arts-
Students are working on writing in their Writers Notebook. Today, we worked on writing a friendly letter by taking on the persona of either a Native American or English Colonist. Students worked on rough drafts, we will then edit and rewrite.
We continue to work on editing and revising through DLR and work on spelling rules. We will be starting a whole class research project on Monday.
Social Studies-
We are up to Colonial Life in America and have completed the first Thanksgiving and King Philip's War. By the end of next week, we will be up to the French and Indian War. Students need to know the characteristics of each region, trade routes, compair and contrast city, town and plantation life, slavery in the colonies and important contributions of the people.
Science-
Earth and it's neighbors continues for about 2 weeks.
Needed
We still need a room parent for our classroom. If you are willing and able (I know how busy all of your schedules are!), we would love to have you and it would be truly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Welcome To Ms. Rivers 5th Grade Class!
We have started off to a great year and all of the students are settling into the academic year and diving into curriculum.
We have already started-
Math-
We have already started with a lot of new vocabulary and concepts, including factors, factor pairs, prime, composite, exponents, square numbers and exponential notation. Along with these new concepts, we are practicing multiplication facts for increased automaticity. We practice every day in class. Feel free to encourage your children to practice at home. There will be a Test on Unit 1 next week.
Social Studies-
We are setting the stage for Colonial America with a review of exploration and with learning colonization. Much of Social Studies in the 5th grade is learning the vocabulary related to the topic studied, cause and effect, sequencing events, categorizing, distinguish between primary sources and secondary sources. We have been covering Cortez and the conquer of the Aztecs and New Spain. Jamestown and colonial America will start next week.
Science-Lab safety and The Scientific Process have been the focus thus far. We will soon delve into the solar system. This will include: rotation and revolution in relation to time, causes of day and night, causes of tides, understanding of months and years, properties of the planets, understanding of orbiting, inertia and gravity, and finally, how our understanding of the solar system has changed over time. Earth and It's Neighbors is also our first IB Planner. We will be conducting research as a class and model the research process so that by the time the 5th grade Exhibition comes, students are ready to be independent.
Reading-
Establishing routines for working independently and in small groups is being established. We are practicing silent reading, working on writing, and listening. I will be meeting with small groups and individuals throughout the year and have started working with students one-on-one so that we can determine reading goals for the year. I will be meeting with students to develop writing goals as well.
Spelling/Vocabulary-
Wordly Wise is one of vocabulary development resources. Vocabulary development will also come from reading, writing and spelling. We will be alternating Spelling and Wordly Wise for a few months.
Thank you all for sharing your children. Each and every student brings something special to class and I am thoroughly enjoying them!!!
We have already started-
Math-
We have already started with a lot of new vocabulary and concepts, including factors, factor pairs, prime, composite, exponents, square numbers and exponential notation. Along with these new concepts, we are practicing multiplication facts for increased automaticity. We practice every day in class. Feel free to encourage your children to practice at home. There will be a Test on Unit 1 next week.
Social Studies-
We are setting the stage for Colonial America with a review of exploration and with learning colonization. Much of Social Studies in the 5th grade is learning the vocabulary related to the topic studied, cause and effect, sequencing events, categorizing, distinguish between primary sources and secondary sources. We have been covering Cortez and the conquer of the Aztecs and New Spain. Jamestown and colonial America will start next week.
Science-Lab safety and The Scientific Process have been the focus thus far. We will soon delve into the solar system. This will include: rotation and revolution in relation to time, causes of day and night, causes of tides, understanding of months and years, properties of the planets, understanding of orbiting, inertia and gravity, and finally, how our understanding of the solar system has changed over time. Earth and It's Neighbors is also our first IB Planner. We will be conducting research as a class and model the research process so that by the time the 5th grade Exhibition comes, students are ready to be independent.
Reading-
Establishing routines for working independently and in small groups is being established. We are practicing silent reading, working on writing, and listening. I will be meeting with small groups and individuals throughout the year and have started working with students one-on-one so that we can determine reading goals for the year. I will be meeting with students to develop writing goals as well.
Spelling/Vocabulary-
Wordly Wise is one of vocabulary development resources. Vocabulary development will also come from reading, writing and spelling. We will be alternating Spelling and Wordly Wise for a few months.
Thank you all for sharing your children. Each and every student brings something special to class and I am thoroughly enjoying them!!!
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