December 2012

December calendar

Nov. 22

5th Grade Happenings

Happy Thanksgiving!  It was a pleasure to meet with each of you over the last few weeks.  I am really lucky to have such a wonderful class and such supportive parents.  So thank you!!!

Upcoming events:

1.  State Report: We are going to be choosing our states on Tuesday. Our first assignment will be writing business letters to the Department of Tourism for our states. We will be sending home two calendars for our state report, one for parents and the second for your child’s binder.  Please keep one posted at home as a daily reminder to stay organized.

2. Language Arts:  We have wrapped up persausive writing for the first part of the year and are moving on to summary writing.  We will also be learning how to format and write a business letter to the Dept. of Tourism for our states.  We are continuing to read the Sign of the Beaver. This coming of age novel takes place in early colonial America and goes along with our studies in history.

3.  Social Studies:  We are studying European Explorers. We are will be starting Chapter 4.  Our next project is on a European Explorer of their choice. Please help your child review by using an on-line tutorial at http://tutorial.teachtci.com/.   We are also continuing to memorize our States and Capitals. We will be having a test on the states and capitals Tuesday, December 18^th.

4. Science:  Water Planet - We are now focusing on weather and meteorology.  Please watch a weather forecast with your child to point out different terms such as high pressure, low pressure, offshore winds, . . .

5. Field trip: DeAnza College – Fujitsu Planetarium Thursday, Dec. 6^th

                          we leave at 9:00  and arrive back by lunch time

5. Winter Concert: Dec 14th at 1:00 P.M., please remember to dress appropriately for our concert.

6.  Outside Reading for the 2nd Trimester is due March 1, 2013

         A = 3000 pages                        Please check for requirements.

         B = 2000 pages                                

         C = 1300 pages

November Calendar

Oct. 26, 2012

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5th Grade Happenings

Happy Fall!! Boy, have we been busy!  I am excited to share with you that we will be using a few online resources for student assessments this year. Our math program, Envision, offers an online component for student testing at www.pearsonsuccess.net, in addition we have our reading Houghton Mifflin resources online at www.thinkcentral.com.

The benefits of using the online resources are numerous!
*Students have access to both textbooks and practice books online.

(No more worries about forgetting the book at school!)

*Students have online games, activities and enrichment opportunities to extend their learning.
*For digital tests, students become more familiar with the digital assessment experience.
*Students will be more prepared for future assessments that are digital in nature.
*Online resources are an environmentally friendly approach-we reduce our use of paper for copying!
*Time saver for teacher grading and paperwork! Grading is automated!
*Quicker feedback for students-as soon as they finish a test-they can see their score!

There will be reduced paperwork coming home...so how do you keep informed about your student’s progress?
*In order to see copies of tests and assessments, students and parents can go to the specific websites and login to their student’s account.
*Student usernames and passwords for these resources are the same as their Google  and Khan Academy accounts.
*I also will be sending home information occasionally for you to sign off on student scores-however these will not show the assessment in its entirely.

ENVISION MATH WEBSITE: www.pearsonsuccess.net
READING: www.thinkcentral.com

Upcoming events:

Language Arts: 

1. With Halloween coming we have composing poems for our collection.  This coming week, we will be presenting Halloween and Fall poems that we have memorized.
2. We have finished reading in our Houghton Mifflin book, Theme 1: Natures Fury!  We were able to take the online version of the Theme 1 test. Our next theme will be Give it all you got!  Before reading the next theme, we will be reading Sign of the Beaver as a class.

Social Studies: We are studying Early People of North America.  Your children have completed Native American Regions projects.  They worked in small groups to make at least 2 artifacts from their region.  For their presentations, each group made a powerpoint to help guide their talk. Here are their powerpoints:

The Great Plains Indians:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tXuVZgmp5DaQRMXPQJ9yn8vroVwyUdB6p1vhxIYAvbQ/edit

Plateau:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AZPkRAUmcRsd6G-siU4-VkAQtPo_ctKYA_AFhpgddMk/edit

California Intermountain:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13LZZg5kpaLK9635SP3fJEWD7zBSkPYqSUV8mIxJ-3to/edit

Southwest:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15GH1OPlQsvDKC5KZIbdZVtgKtxw3F2jCL2HSwxPDQqQ/edit

Northwest Coast:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X_kOTI33bVOZnKhpCRwXmYdZAN2iFyB9QihEJC7lJfI/edit

Southeast:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17d7lkzt37LGwQvj8F6Sfm_E2NwaJ6qywM66sNCjMohA/edit

Please help your child review by using an on-line tutorial at http://tutorial.teachtci.com/.   We are also continuing to memorize our States and Capitals. We will be having a test on the states and capitals after Thanksgiving. A fun website to practice is

http://www.yourchildlearns.com/mappuzzle/us-puzzle.html

Science: We are studying Evaporation, Condensation, and Uneven Heating on the Earth’s surface and how it relates to our weather. We are lucky enough to now have one more field trip to the KRON 4 television station in San Francisco to take a tour and meet a meteorologist on Thursday, Nov. 15^th.  As I finalized details on this exciting trip, I will share details.  I do know that we will need drivers and be leaving close to 8:15 and be back during lunch. Please watch a weather forecast with your child to point out different terms such as high pressure, low pressure, and offshore winds to get us ready for this terrific experiment.

****Congratulations to our Student Council Class Representatives:*****

                           Maria and Shawn

Field trips:

Tuesday, Nov. 6^th  NASA  leave at 8:30 back by lunch – bring a snack

Outside Reading is due this Friday, NOV 2^nd

Number of pages:

                                             A =  2400 PAGES

                          B =  1600 PAGES

                          C =  1200 PAGES

          (Plus and minus grades are given at my discretion.)

        

B. Book requirements:

                  1. One (1) double-page book

                           (Newbery, Newbery author or my approval)

                  2. Fiction or non-fiction book about an artist

                  3. One (1) mystery, science fiction OR fantasy

                  4. Fiction or non-fiction book about astronomy

                  5. Fiction or non-fiction book about Native Americans

****Keep an eye out for the test packet to be signed this week!

I look forward to taking advantage of these online systems and moving to more digital resources this year! Thank you for your support as we are using more technology and improving our practices! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

                                                      Technologically yours,

                                                                Andrea Jones

5th Grade Happenings

5th Grade Happenings

Happy Fall! I look forward to seeing you all at the Walkathon tomorrow.

Upcoming events:

1. Language Arts:  We are reading in our Houghton Mifflin book

Theme 1: Natures Fury!   Our first story was Earthquake Terror and now we are starting Eye of the Storm. Please look for all of our new vocabulary words. The masterpieces certainly look terrific and I enjoyed reading their artist reports. We will be working hard in class to create our own Halloween poetry books.

2. Social Studies: We are also continuing to memorize our States and Capitals and learn more about Native Americans in Chapter 3 of our History Alive book. The students are in small groups  to make an artifact from their assigned Native American region. Just a reminderof the History Alive website.

http://tutorial.teachtci.com/

3. Science: We will be starting our next topic in the WaterPlanet unit, the water cycle.

4. Spelling: Our new spelling program is designed to create lifelong spellers.  It promotes learning spelling rules and recognizing patterns in spelling.  So though our weekly spelling words do not appear too  The most difficult aspect of our new program is to recognize when to use the correct homophone such as they’re, their, or there.  One way to help your child become a good lifelong speller is to review words found in dictation and old spelling tests.  These words repeat and repeat throughout the year.

5.  Halloween Poetry is due the week of Oct. 29th

Your child is to memorize poems to present to the class.

                  40 lines = A

              30 lines = B

              20 lines = C

         Costumes and appropriate props are okay!

6. Keep an eye out for the test packet to be signed in the Friday Folder!

Please read it and contact me if there are any questions.

7. You should receive a letter in your child’s Friday Folder regarding scholastic book orders.  The following information is needed to order books online.

Scholastic Book Clubs Ordering Information
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: FTXKT

                                            

                                                      Have a great weekend!     

                                                               Andrea Jones

October Calendar

Sept. 28th

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5th Grade Happenings

Happy Weekend! Hope you are getting a chance to relax and spend some quality time with your family!

Upcoming events:

1. Language Arts: We are continuing to read The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  Please look for vocabulary coming home. As we wrap up our artist reports, each student is creating a powerpoint presentation on his or her artist.

During the month of October, we are creating a poetry book as well as memorizing poetry to be recited in class the week of October 28^th.  We will also be reading Theme 1 Nature’s Fury, of the Houghton Mifflin textbook.

2. Social Studies:  We have finished Chapter 2 and will be starting Chapter 3 on Native American this week.  Your student can always review at http://tutorial.teachtci.com/ 

3.  Science:  We are working on the Water Planet unit.  We will be learning all about the water cycle and how is our science website that may be helpful to reinforce concepts at home. http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/index.html 

4. Please remember to sign and return only the test packet sheet that will be in the Friday Folder this week. You are to keep all the tests for review.

5. Outside Reading for the 1st Trimester is due Nov. 2nd

         A = 2400 pages                        Please check for requirements.

         B = 1600 pages                                 

         C = 1200 pages

Thank you for all your support and have a great weekend!

                                   

                                                               Andrea Jones

Sep 14, 2012

5th Grade Happenings

Good Afternoon! I will be sending out class updates about every 2 weeks.  I will attach class calendars as well as important assignments.  Please let me know if you are having trouble receiving this.

WE HAVE PICTURE DAY ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT 19^th!

Upcoming events:

1. Artist Report: Each student should have completed four paragraphs with the rest being done in class this coming week. We wrote their introduction paragraph in class today.  All students have received the directions for their Mini Masterpiece. The final artist report is due Friday, Sept. 21^th.

2. Language Arts:  Our first novel is The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  Please ask your child to tell you about it.  Look for vocabulary and comprehension questions.

3. Social Studies:  We have been working on our geographical terms.  Our Geo-books are due on Tuesday.  We chose one National geographical Landmark to research. Examples are Cape Cod, Glen Canyon, and the Colorado River.  They can be anywhere in the United States.  We are finishing up our Fact File this week. We have finished Chapter 1 and will be starting Chapter 2 this week.  Your child can review at http://tutorial.teachtci.com/

4.  Science:  We have been studying the Solar System and have our test on Tuesday. They have a study guide that they can be studying. The Water Planet is the first unit we are studying. You and your child can check out this website to review our science concepts. http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/index.html 

5. Please remember to sign and return only the test packet sheet that will be in the Friday Folder this week. You are to keep all the tests for review.

Thank you for all your support and have a great weekend!

                                   

                                                               Andrea Jones

5th Grade Adventure

September Calendar

5th Grade Happenings!

5th Grade Happenings

Happy Friday!  Hope all finds you well!  With only a few more weeks left, we have some important upcoming events ahead!

Important Dates:
Monday, May 21st Band and Orchestra Concert – 1:00 Multi
Tuesday, May 29th Puberty Talk
***Friday, June 1st Heart Dissection – volunteers needed!
Monday, June 4th 5th Grade Picnic

Upcoming events:
1.    In your Friday folder in the letter about upcoming Puberty talk.  We will be having the discussion and watching the videos on Tuesday, May 29th.  You can check out the videos at
http://www.pgschoolprograms.com/parents.php
2. Language Arts: We finished reading My Brother Sam is Dead. This is an intense story about a young boy who is unsure who to support in the Revolutionary War.  His older brother has joined the rebels to fight the British, while his father is loyal to the British King.  We are now working on a response to literature essay.

3.  Social Studies: We are working on Ch. 12 about the Declaration of Independence and finishing up the final DOG week with a test on 1 – 36 later this week.

4. Science:  We just finished up the final science section and will be having our final test next week.  We will also be studying the heart indepth as we prepare for the heart dissection in late May.

5.  Outside Reading for the 3rd Trimester is due MAY 31st!
    A = 3600 pages            Please check for requirements.
    B = 2400 pages               
    C = 2000 pages
Please feel free to come in and interview!

6. Please be sure to sign your child’s test packet. Due Tuesday!

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Andrea Jones

5th Grade Happenings

5th Grade Happenings

A huge THANK YOU to all the parents who helped to make Colonial Day a wonderful success!  It was a fabulous day that the kids will remember for the rest of their life.  A special thank you to Leslie, Elena, and Christa for all their help with the planning for the terrific day!

I also want to thank you for an amazing Teacher Appreciation week.  It really made me feel so special and for that I am grateful.

Upcoming events:

1. Language Arts: We are reading My Brother Sam is Dead. This is an intense story about a young boy who is unsure who to support in the Revolutionary War.  His older brother has joined the rebels to fight the British, while his father is loyal to the Bristish King. 

2.  Social Studies: We are working on Ch. 11 about the Tensions between the British and the colonist. We are seeing the Revolution from both the Loyalist and Patriots’ point of view.

3. Science:  We just finished up the final science section and will be having our final test next week.  We will also be studying the heart indepth as we prepare for the heart dissection in late May.

4.  Outside Reading for the 3rd Trimester is due May 31, 2012

         A = 3600 pages                    Please check for requirements.

         B = 2400 pages                            

         C = 2000 pages

Please feel free to come in and interview!

Thank you and have a wonderful week!

Andrea Jones

End of the Year calendar

April/May Calendar

5th Grade Happenings

5th Grade Happenings

I hope everyone had a relaxing week off.  It was wonderful to see so many parents at Open house.  The children certainly worked hard to get everything just right.  With only one more week until STAR testing (April 30^th - 5^th), it is important for all students to be here on time and well rested.  We will be testing first thing in the morning. Please look at the attached calendar for testing dates.

Upcoming events:

1. Language Arts: We are reading My Brother Sam is Dead. This is an intense story about a young boy who is unsure who to support in the Revolutionary War.  His older brother has joined the rebels to fight the British, while his father is loyal to the Bristish King. 

2.  Social Studies: We are working on Ch. 10 about the Tensions between the British and the colonist. We have Colonial Day on Friday, May 11^th. Please be sure to be gathering a colonial outift for your child.

3. Science:  We are studying Living Systems. We have been working on the Human body and its major systems; circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory.  We will be studying the heart indepth as we prepare for the heart dissection in late May.

4.  Outside Reading for the 3rd Trimester is due May 31, 2012

         A = 3600 pages                    Please check for requirements.

         B = 2400 pages                            

         C = 2000 pages

5. Junior Olympics Saturday, April 28^th

      Come cheer the Springer students on!

Thank you and enjoy your weekend!

Andrea Jones