Vocabulary Workshop Update

Parents,

Just to let you know, I am embarking on a new adventure!  I have set up the students with Usernames and passwords.  I have had the children glue this information in the front of the Vocabulary books.  This should prevent loss of information.  On this website, you can print out flash cards, crossword puzzles, word searches and play games.  I think it will be a great help to the kids.  Also, instead of covering a unit a week, I am slowing the pace down to a week and a half or two weeks.  We will still be able to finish the book before year end.  It is my hope that this new approach will further strengthen their vocabulary.

In social studies, we have finished covering World Lakes.  I am hoping to give the unit assessment on Friday.  It looks like there will be no vocabulary, spelling, math or Religion exercises that day so there should be no problem studying for this exercise.

That is that.  Have a great day.

A great week ahead!

Dear Parents,

This week will be filled with many challenges for your children.  Thursday we will be taking our very first Social Studies Exercise on the World Lakes Unit.  It is filled with questions that look at the uniqueness of each lake and what is special about their location in the world.  I have some Learning masters that we will go over in class beginning on Tuesday.  I am going to suggest that they start reviewing today.

We seem to be progressing in math quite well.  It is all review thus far.  I am quite happy with the new format in our Vocabulary books.  Each unit includes a new section that looks at tips for understanding  or finding out what a word means.  For example, Unit 1 discussed using context clues to glean the meaning of a word.

Have a great week

Is it really Friday?

My how time flies when you are having fun! Really? hmmm.  Anyway, the week has come to an end and we all survived.  The students seem to be adapting quite well to our new class schedule.  It is a refreshing experience for all involved.  Let's hope this is a continuing trend.

Today was a fun filled day.  We had exercises galore!  The students handled it very well.  As a treat, I decide to allow Mrs. Kalla to come in and share cupcakes.  She thinks it was for Macy's birthday, but we know better.  Thank you Mrs Kalla! 

Girl's JV Volleyball practices started today.  The Turners have offered their coaching expertise.  Yeah!  John and Stacy.

I spoke to several parents this morning concerning a change of date for our Star of India overnight trip.  The change was well received.  Monday I am planning on contacting both the Maritime Museum and Stella Maris.  I know this will result in a better experience for both schools.  As the saying goes:  "The more the merrier!"

I look forward to our Home meeting on Tuesday!

A change in the Star of Indoia Overnight.

Just to let you know, there is an opportunity to join forces with Stella Maris School.  I know the 5th grad teacher.  Her class (21) and our class (15) can join forces to make a better experience and a more cost effective one as well.  I would still plan on the four volunteers for chaperoning.  More information to follow.

And it begins.....

What better way to begin a new year than with rain.  It must be good luck!  This year is going to be full of change for the students.  New schedule. New teachers.  They seemed to handle both very well today.  Let's hope it continues. Fifth grade is a year of transition and this year will be no exception.  If you or your children have any questions, just stop by or give me a call.

Just to fill you in:  Ms. McQuade will teach science this year.  Mrs. Valenti-Turskey will handle Language Arts.  I will be teaching Social Studies to 6th & 7th graders!  Woohoo!

Today was interesting.  We moved some desks around to get rid of some "less than desirable" desks and replaced them with desks in much better condition.  We actually got to some instructional time.  We started Math, Social Studies, Vocabulary and covered our Math books.  We had some "timed" tests on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  The kids were so excited!  Homework includes finishing Math Lesson 1 Practice and Problem sets.  (You can expect Math homework everyday.)  For Vocabulary they will need to complete pages 10 & 11.  We will have an exercise on Friday in Spelling and Vocabulary.

Last little note:  Star of India permission slips went home today.  Thanks to the Tryka Family raising $1,100.00, the cost for the field trip is only $50.00 per student.  The cheapest it has ever been.  We will be spending the night on board Thursday, September 22nd.  There will be no school for 5th graders on Friday, September 23rd.  I also need chaperones for this journey.  Any volunteers?