HOMEWORK

Home for this weekend has been posted on the "homework tab" at the top of the page.  Please review with your student in order to support the completion of their work.

African American Wax Museum

We have been exploring the genre study of BIOGRAPHIES this month. We have spent our time reading and analyzing the biographies of Wilma Rudolph and Barack Obama. We have also created three different biographies: one on Barack Obama and two others on extraordinary people that the students know.

The 4th and 5th graders will be participating in an African American Wax Museum as a culminating project to conclude this genre study. The theme for the museum is “Unsung Heroes.” The museum will be highlighting those African Americans who made great contributions to America, but often go unrecognized.

In preparation for the wax museum, your child will be creating a timeline and writing a 5-paragraph essay about their famous African American. In addition, they will condense their essay into a one-paragraph speech that they are required to memorize for the museum. Majority of the work will be done in class and will take place during the month of February.

The Wax Museum will be on March 1^st. More information regarding the time will be forth coming. I hope to see you all there.

Milestone #3 Reminder

IMPORTANT REMINDER!! 

MILESTONE #3 

Due Friday, February 11, 2011 

All visual aids for your interest project are due!!

Please have sign and return by Monday, January 31st.

You may use several different types of visual aids for your exhibition.  This will only enhance your presentation and retain your audience’s attention.

·        Visual aids can be:  Power Point Presentations, video clips, poster boards, posters, overhead projector transparencies, models, handouts, mobiles, diorama, and/or demonstrations.

o   For your “How-To” interest project you need to bring 2 items for each Roman numeral.  For example, if you are showing us how to bake chocolate chip cookies, you may want to bring in the pan, something to mix the dough with or, a poster, power point, etc., showing the history of your topic.

·        The visual aids should be large enough to be seen from the back of the room.  Something written on 8 ½ x 11 piece of paper is NOT a visual aid.

·        Do NOT bring pieces of paper that will become the visual aids.  They need to be already assembled.

·        All visual aids must be relevant to your interest project.  You CANNOT use generic or random pictures.  EX:   if you described the planet Neptune, you cannot use pictures about another planet.

You are required to have at least one visual aid per Roman numeral, but you are not limited to just one.

Student signature

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent signature

Permission forms

On the Permission Slips and Forms page (click the tab above), there are two forms that need to be filled out regarding behavior expectations and conduct. Please read them and fill them out. Then click submit.

A note of recognition...

      I am very proud of those who worked hard and got their first Milestone completed on time with all three books and three websites as required. Many people took the opportunity that they had over the Winter break to work on finding the resources needed and turned them in early. Thank you! And congratulations on taking responsibility for your education!

       

      It is important for us to teach the kids about using time wisely and working ahead. When you work ahead and run into a problem, it is easier to fix and frustration levels remain low. 

      As I prepare your child for middle school, I want to expose them to a higher expectation of organization and timeliness. Going forward, your child WILL be having multiple projects due around the same time and it is important that your child work ahead to turn in assignments early, so they won't feel overwhelmed and excuses for incomplete assignments won't be needed. 

      

      As always, I appreciate your support as I continue to expect more from your child as they begin their transition from elementary school to middle school.

Having said that, there were too many students this time who failed to complete Milestone 1, which is the easiest one to complete.  The students know that I was very disappointed in their lack of effort and in some cases, their lack of caring. I spoke with the students about the need to set small goals and achieve these a little at a time, as opposed to trying to get to the library the night before a project is due, and about taking responsibility for their own projects.  If they turn milestones in early, there is still time to polish out any issues.  Please work with your child on this life long learning experience.  I know that they all can achieve to their fullest with our support.

MILESTONE 2 REMINDER

Milestone 2:

Due Thursday, January 27^th  

Notes from all resources in an outline format

o   During the learning team meeting, we discussed the main topics (roman numerals) that needed to be answered to assist your child in their "HOW TO" project, which was sent home immediately after the learning team meeting.

All notes must be complete, in student's own words, and relative to their project.

Milestone 2 is DUE on January 27th in order for your student to participate in the celebration of their milestone the following day.

Orientation

There will be a 6th grade orientation meeting at our middle school (5310 St. Antoine) on Wednesday, January 19th at 6 p.m.

At this informational meeting, you will be able to view the renovations that were made to the building, get an overview of the curriculum, meet the staff, and ask questions.

Please come see what the middle school has to offer your child. I will be there and I hope to see you!

I can't keep from singing and dancing...

Your students were amazing, fabulous, musical, and they brought true LOVE, PEACE, AND MUSIC to all of us!  They worked very hard and they took full pride in their performance!

If anyone took pictures would you PLEASE send them to me!  I was a little busy and did not have time to capture all the joy they sang and danced!  

Next time you see Ms. Ritter, be sure to let her know how awesome the concert was-she put a lot of time and energy and gave our kids freedom to love their music.

CAMP COPNECONIC

NEWS FLASH!!!

CAMP IS ONLY $25 THIS YEAR!!

Monday, February 14th - Wednesday, February 16th, the 5th graders will be traveling to Camp Copneconic in Fenton, MI. 

The money for camp is due Friday, January 7, 2011.

Here is a preview of what your students will experience...

5th grade camp 2009 photos

Remember to check the "What to Bring List" for Camp - these would be great holiday gifts!!

Camp what to bring list

EXHIBITION RUBRIC

Below, you will find a copy of the rubric that will be used during exhibitions. A hard copy is also coming home.

Please remember that students must present an agenda, have enough copies for all audience members, and present their exhibition as stated in the agenda. 

"Visual Aids" must be completed for all subjects and neat in order to receive a score on the day of the exhibition.

"Body Language" has to do with standing straight and looking at the audience without fidgeting, rocking or putting hands in pockets. I've discussed this with the students and have suggested that they practice their speaking and presentation in front of others, and in front of a mirror.

"Delivery" requires a loud voice that is clear and a voice that is enthusiastic and not monotone.

EXHIBITION RUBRIC

Exhibition Rubric 1st Trimester 11/10

The 39 Clues

We have started our first online book club with reading of The 39 Clues.  Students go onto Edmodo and post questions and comments with students from other schools around the country.  We will be making a character chart to keep track of the many characters and clues as we read.  We are very excited about this fabulous way to hold a book club!

Happenings in Room 303

Writing - Students have been hard at work drafting their mystery stories.  This week the focus has been on strong leads, synonyms for "said", dialogue and dialogue tags. Students will be bringing their drafts home so please ask them to read their stories, and see if you can figure out "who dunnit" by their clues!
Math - We are wrapping up Unit 2 with our unit assessment on  Friday, 11/12.  This unit included review of several multiplication strategies, including partial sums and the lattice methods.  Students also used these methods, as well as the traditional method, for multiplying decimals and whole numbers.  Place values and number sentences have also been a strong focus during this unit.
Reading - This weeks reading comprehension strategy has been visualizing.  I read several short passages, and several books to the students and they drew what they heard.  Their drawings needed to relate to the text to show accuracy and understanding of the author's intent.  We had some amazing representations and an "aha" moment as the students realized that we all see and hear very differently.
Milkweed -  Hopefully the students have shared our read aloud book, Milkweed.  It is by Jerry Spinelli, one of our favorite authors.  It is an historical fiction that retells the events of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War 2, and the Holocaust.  It is narrated by an 8 year old boy, and the main themes are friendship, identity, and family.  We have had very intense and relative discussions regarding the experiences of the main character, and have made many connections to slavery.  Please discuss this with your child, and have them tell you about our powerful visual inquiry we did on a sculpture of Dr. Janus Korczak.

For his exhibition project, one of our students, Renardo Whittler, has been researching the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.  As part of his project, he is collecting pop can tabs.  These tabs will be turned in for supplies for the House.  Please support Renardo as he builds  contributions to the children at the Ronald McDonald House.

Exhibition Sign-up

Exhibition Sign Up

Checklist for Exhibitions Trimester 1-2010-1

EXHIBITION REMINDERS

MILESTONE #4

DUE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010

Visual aids for all of the

ACADEMIC AREAS

(math, writing, reading, social studies, and science) 

A COMPLETE CHECKLIST FOR ALL OF THESE SUBJECTS WILL BE SENT HOME ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH

You may also view the entire checklist below.

Please call or email me with any questions or concerns.

SCHOOL BOOK FAIR

Our school book fair is Wednesday, November 4th, from 4:30 - 6:00.  Beginning at 5:00 there will be several fantastic literacy workshops for students and family members.  There will also be special book readings with teachers reading their favorite books.  This is a wonderful opportunity to browse through many different books and add to your library!

No School

NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, November 2^nd

There will be no school on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  The teachers have a Professional Development Day.

Weekly Updates for 10/11/10

MILESTONE #2 -   Please be sure your child follows the outline format that I sent home on Friday.  The topics will match the topics that were established during your child's learning team meeting.  ******In order for you child to pass this Milestone, the outline must be written in their own words, using the driving question from the learning team form. Material copied from the internet or books will not be accepted.


Math - We have continued with Unit 1, working on factors, multiplication, and division.  It is very important for you to work with your students daily on their math facts.  Students realized how difficult it is to factor numbers without complete knowledge of their facts.  
Reading - Most groups met this week and have begun their guided reading books.  We have been focusing on making text-to-text connections, text-to-self connections, and text-to-world connections.  They have started writing in their reading response journals, with one of the paragraphs devoted to making connections to the book they are currently reading.  They are focusing also in using sticky notes or thinkmarks to track their reading.  These are used during their guided reading discussions.
Writing- Writing has not been consistent this week due to the two days of MEAP.  However, the students have been peer editing and revising on their personal narratives.  This weekend they were to write final drafts with an ending that either brought back language from the beginning of the story, had a lesson learned, or was a memory ending.  
We will be starting mysteries this next week.  This was launched in Village with students reading "The Case of the Missing Billy", by Jimmy Jimereeno.  The students participated in a Crime Lab and needed to find clues to the missing rabbit, including fingerprints, various powders, footprints, and matching blue ink to a piece of writing.  Four teachers dressed up as characters and the students asked us questions based on evidence.  An awesome time was had by all!
Science- Science was held in the Village twice this week with students working on "dancing raisins", and building molecules out of gumdrops.
MEAP- Students took the MEAP reading tests on Tuesday and Wednesday, and will be taking math and science this coming Tuesday and Wednesday.  Please be sure your child has enough sleep the night before AND a healthy breakfast that day!