Sunday, August 20
The learners in Room 502 have sailed smoothly into a new school year together! We spent a lot of time getting to know each other and learning about our classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about your fifth graders’ unique interests and talents, and am so excited to see how this awesome class works together throughout the year. I can already tell that it is going to be a wonderful year with these learners. Thank you for checking your child’s planner, helping him/her with homework, and get back into a school routine.
Sunday Message: Each week you will receive a Sunday email. The email will include a quick message and an updated link to our blog. Please be sure to read through the blog post each Sunday! The blog will cover classroom updates, student highlights, what we're learning, as well as important dates and reminders. Feel free to respond to these emails with any questions, concerns, or comments as the year progresses.
Home Folders and Planners: Your child has been bringing home his/her planner and home folder each night. These are both VERY IMPORTANT! We will use these every day in class, so it is imperative that both items are returned to school each day. Please get in a habit of checking the planner and folder nightly. Please go through this regularly with your child to ensure that any papers needing to be returned to school are returned in a timely fashion.
Class DOJO: This year I’m using ClassDojo to encourage important skills, like working hard and participating. I’ll also use it to communicate with you: we can instantly share messages, updates and photos from class. It’s the easiest way for you to see how your child is doing at school and to get in touch with me. I’d like ALL families to join me and sign up for ClassDojo! You can use it on any device: it is a simple, free mobile app for iOS and Android, and can also be used from a computer at: www.classdojo.com
Classroom Facebook Page: Are you a facebook user? Please follow the link below and click LIKE to see what’s happening in our classroom! On Facebook, you will find more pictures, and detailed posts about what is happening in our classroom!
Reading: This week in reading, we will begin our first unit, Interpretation Book Clubs. During our first lesson together, I will rally students to take charge of their own reading lives. Then, as a class, we will conduct an inquiry centered around the question, “What are some qualities of strong writing about reading?” After that, we will take a day for pause. Stopping to reflect on our pre-assessments, setting goals, and making plans for ourselves as readers. Finally, students will learn that people read differently when they write about their reading.
Reading Homework: Students will be expected to keep a reading log. I will introduce reading logs sometime this week. Reading logs are used at school and at home. Therefore, it is extremely important that the reading log goes home and returns to school each day. You will not be expected to sign the reading log, but please encourage your child to stay on top of his or her reading. This will help me and your child keep data on his or her reading life throughout the school year. Thank you in advance for your support!
Writing: This week in writing, we will dive into our Narrative Craft unit. Our first lesson together will teach students to jot moments that have been turning points in their lives. Then, students will learn to climb inside the story, walking in the shoes of the character. After that, students will learn to put themselves in the skin of the main character, and then tell the story through that person’s eyes, exactly the way he or she experienced it. We will wrap up the week by reminding students of the importance of pause. We will encourage students to ask important questions like, “Am I getting better?” and also, “What should I work on next?”
The Week of Inspirational Math: Throughout our first week of math together, I will invite students into a world of open, creative, visual mathematics. We will start with a powerful inquiry task called Four 4s. Then, I will share a really cool and different way of looking at numbers, which will help students see factors and multiples. Students are invited to look for patterns and to color code and ask their own questions about the interesting representations. After that, students will be invited to engage in a different type of mathematical thinking through a paper folding task. Finally, we will end the week by exploring the world’s most famous triangle--often named after Pascal--and to look for their own patterns inside the triangle.
Social Studies:In social studies, we will begin our JA BizTown unit. Throughout the unit, students will be given a realistic opportunity to experience how basic economic concepts are applied in the real world. Students will choose obs, develop business plans, and discuss the importance of citizen rights and responsibilities.
Science: This week in science, we will being our Environments unit. Students will gain experience with living and nonliving environmental factors in ponds, forests, and prairie ecosystems. Students will identify the ways a specific organism may interact with other organisms or the environment.
Important Science Words: Organism, Environments, Environmental Factors
Monday, August 21
- Solar Eclipse
Tuesday, August 22
- 4:00-9:00 Culver's Share Night: Bring your families!
Wednesday, August 23
- 7:00 Board of Education Meeting: Central Middle
Thursday, August 24
- 7:00 PSO Meeting; Upper library
Friday, August 25
- Passport Day
- 2:30 Fire Drill
Saturday, August 26
- Hotdogs with Highcroft, Forest Park Campground #9 4:00-6:00 pm
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