Happy Halloween Everyone

I hope that you are all having a safe, fun evening. It was a great day and the students looked amazing. A couple of notes about this week:
1. Thursday is an early dismissal day and there is no school on Friday.
2. Parent conference schedule notes went home today. We will be doing conferences on Wednesday and Thursday.
3. Report cards will go home on Wednesday. We did not give a formal grade for science this past semester as we spent most of our elective time on BizTown.  Students received full credit in social studies if they completed all of the projects. We will work together on the Goal section of the SEP when we meet.
4. I have some recent test data to share with you at conferences. This will give you an idea of where your student started the year.

Many thanks to everyone who helped with the carnival. The kids had a great time.  **** A local dentist is collecting leftover candy. Each class will have an opportunity to earn a pizza party and $100 for supplies by collecting the most leftovers.  The candy will go to a program that sends it to our soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Big Picture Items for Semester 2
1. Science Fair
2. Persuasive Writing Test
3. Presidents Wax Museum

Math Facts
Please keep working on these and getting them passed off. Fluency is so important to mathematical success.

I look forward to meeting with all of you this week.

Mrs. French

Science Fair Project Proposals

Hi Everyone!
We went through the proposals today.  Just a couple of things to think about as you look at the changes we made today.
1. Our goal is to have the questions worded in such a way that there is a clear, measurable outcome.
For example: Which paper towel is best?  Best needs to be defined by some quantifiable measure ie. ability to absorb water, strength, or durability.  Then you need to decide what factor you are judging the paper towels on ie. cost, thickness, brand.  This question would then be reworded, What brand of paper towels absorbs the most water?  We need to avoid questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no".
2. Once you have a focus, you need to look at different sources for information related to paper towels, water absorbency, etc.  Students need to find out as much as they can then write a brief research paper explaining the science behind the project.
3. The wording of the question leads naturally into the hypothesis; I think that Brawny paper towels will absorb the most water.
4.  From this point you begin experimenting by changing only the brand of the paper towel.  Each test must be repeated several times and all tests must be documented in word and picture.

My goal is to keep this as basic as possible so that students become comfortable with the scientific method and they have a successful experience.

Some things to remember, we can't do projects that expose any living creatures (including humans) to pain, danger, or suffering!

Make sure that you are keeping a file, notebook, or folder documenting everything you do.  Pictures are a big help when you go to put your display board together.

Please email me with questions or concerns.

My Original Post Was Correct!

Sorry for the confusion but my original post was correct.  Reflections are due on the 24th.  

IMPORTANT!

Reflections is actually due on Wednesday, October 19th!!!! Sorry for any confusion on earlier post.

Week of October 17

BizTown Was a Great Success
Thanks to all of our parent volunteers for making our trip to JA BizTown such a great day.  Despite some real-world computer glitches, all businesses made a profit!  The students had a wonderful time, learned a lot, and have a whole new perspective on life in the working world.
Science Fair Projects
The initial submissions for science fair projects are due this week.  The actual forms to turn in are located in your child's packet.  Please turn in the whole packet so that everything stays together as we work through the process.  As mentioned before, these are early deadlines so that we have an opportunity to visit during conference if you have questions.  I have encouraged students to consider projects that are both simple and interesting.  This helps them to stick with their work and be more successful.  Please contact me if you need any help getting going.
Science and Social Studies Rotations
With the completion of BizTown, we are now rotating for science and social studies every afternoon.  For the next unit, all 5th graders will go to Ms. Stanger for social studies and to me for science.  They will be working through the colonial times in social studies and earth processes/science fair in science.
Math Rotations
Ms. Stanger and I are extremely pleased with how well the students are doing in math.  Their new pacing groups have allowed us to work with students at their own levels and ensure that they are grasping the necessary concepts.
Language Arts Rotations
After Fall Recess, we will begin pacing groups for language arts.  Students will all receive the same curriculum, we will simply be adapting it to challenge them at appropriate levels.  This will include their spelling, reading comprehension, grammar, and writing.  The first report card grades will come from the work they have done with their home base teacher.
Reflections
I have seen a number of submissions already and they are fantastic!  Keep up the great work.  All entries are due by the 24th.
Recess
Due to some recent playground issues we have made some changes for this week.  We are getting fresh air and exercise by walking during our breaks.  Ms. Stanger and I, along with Mrs. Waddell, felt that it was still important for the students to be outside but that we needed the students to know that fighting, hurtful gossiping, and rough play had to stop.  We want all students to feel safe at all times while they are at school.
Fall Recess
Students will be dismissed at 1:15 on Wednesday and school will be closed Thursday and Friday.  In addition, students will be dismissed at 1:15 on Thursday, October 27th and the building will be closed on the 28th.
Parent Conferences
I look forward to visiting with you at conferences.  Please go online to set up your appointment.  If we need to make different arrangements, please email me.

Have a wonderful break!

Wednesday, October 5

Great Things are Happening in 5th Grade!
Math
On Monday we began mixing the students from Ms. Stanger's and my class to provide more appropriate pacing as we work through the multiplication unit.  This gives us, the teachers, a better opportunity to support the students at their levels.  Keep working on those math facts so that we can get everyone passed off by Christmas Break!
Language Arts
After our BizTown field trip, we will be combining the students as we have for math.  Differentiating is beneficial to all students and helps them get the appropriate level of support and instruction.

BizTown
Tuesday is the big day and we are so excited.  Once again thank you for supporting this program.  A few final notes:
1. Students should dress nicely (business casual).  They will be moving around quite a bit so comfortable shoes are very helpful.
2. All students need to bring a lunch on that day.  There are snacks at JA Restaurant but it isn't usually enough to sustain them through the day.  Please let me know if I can help with this.
3. Parent volunteers need to be there early to receive training in how to help the students run the business.  Please remember, I need a signed note if your child is leaving with you from Discovery
Gateway.

Science Fair
You should have received a parent support packet for this year's science fair.  As you will see, the deadlines for the initial pieces are all in October.  This will allow us to discuss ideas during parent conferences.  Please try to stick with the deadlines. This will help the project to flow and give you time to work through any complications that may arise.  Please email me if you have any questions.  Sciencebuddies.com is a fabulous website to get you going and help you make sure that you have done each of the sections correctly.

October 13-14
I will be at the State Board of Education working on the final draft of the new math curriculum.  Mrs, Julie White will be substituting.  She is wonderful and the students will have "normal" days.  Thank you in advance for understanding.

Weather
As we enter into the cool season, please be sure you child comes prepared to be outside.  We will go out for all recesses unless it is pouring rain.