Week of May 20th - 24th

WEEK OF MAY 13-17

UPCOMING DATES:

Monday May 27.......Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
Friday May 31........Dunes Field Trip-Rain Date June 3rd

DUNES 5TH GRADE END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION:
Thank you for getting forms returned promptly! This has really helped our committee.
We will send a note home next week as a reminder and with information to keep your child comfortable during the day- (sunscreen, etc) 

AUCTION: PLEASE HAVE DONATED ITEMS HERE BY THURSDAY. 
Thank you to those of you who have brought things in already. These can be donations from businesses, candy, summer items, drinks, notepads, etc. etc. I will be purchasing items next weekend once I see where we are at with donations.

End of the year meetings with me:
If you would like to talk one last time about your child's growth, needs, next year, etc. please feel free to email me and we can set a time up for that- this can be before or after school is out for summer break. lblowers@hamiltonschools.us
 
TESTING: I will include your child's testing results for SRI, Dibels, and Delta math in the report card.

Math: We have been reviewing for the test. Students may choose to take it either Tuesday or Wednesday. We are reviewing past concepts and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the year. I will be sending home a list of websites for students to use as review for the summer if you choose.

READING:  
Students completed their book club book, assignments and an essay assessment. We had a discussion as a group and it's always fun and interesting each time we meet to hear the various thoughts and ideas students have about their novels.

 

WRITING:   

Most students have completed both articles for their newspapers. They have been writing these into a newspaper template in google docs. I am able to chat with them about their paper within google docs and I type comments in for them to view and use to fix-up their drafts. I have graded all first articles and will complete any 2nd artcles that were sent to me this weekend.
  I am downloading all articles and rubrics into a file for your child and will send it to parents- it takes some time so it will be coming next week.
  The kids love this project and are always asking to do writing!
 
SCIENCE:
We completed the quiz on Thursday- coming home on Monday. Right now students are in groups of 3 and researching the body system of their choice and completing a presentation of their choice. We will present next week as well as review and complete a study guide for the test. The test will be Monday June 3rd.
  
Test- taking:  We have discussed test-taking skills quite a lot this year. It is important for students to know that if they miss something on the study guide, marking my correct answer isn't going to help them on the test if they don't understand why it is incorrect and ask questions. I ask them why and how questions often.
SPELLING:
Lesson 29 is out last spelling test. We will be working in spelling skills but will not have anymore tests.

Have a terrific holiday weekend!!

WEEK OF MAY 13-17

UPCOMING DATES:

Monday May 13......Volunteer Recognition Banquet-High School 6:30
Tuesday May 14......Field Trip to Request Foods (no parents needed)
Monday May 27.......Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
Friday May 31........Dunes Field Trip (info in May- volunteers to help needed & all parents welcome)

DUNES 5TH GRADE END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION:

A purple note was sent home last week about the Dunes trip. This is a fun event that requires a lot of work on our committees part. In order for them to continue planning and know what they need to get, we really need the notes back with what parents plan to donate and who will be helping us at Shultz Park.
PLEASE HAVE YOUR DUNES FORM RETURNED BY MONDAY. 

 TRACK & FIELD DAY:
It got a little cool as the day went on, but better than rain!!
The 5th graders had a great time and were positive participants. I had 2 cameras and neither worked! But my iPhone did a pretty good job. Below the information about our week, I have quite a lot of pictures for you to view. If you have pictures you want to send, I will add them!

REQUEST FOODS:
This was an interesting field trip for 5th grade. They were able to tour the plant and see the process of food production before it gets to their table. We discussed how it all begins at the farm and then onto a processor of raw foods who then distributes to a company like Request Foods who packages it as a variety of foods such as lasagne, and then it goes to the grocer and to us! The were gracious in providing lunch for all of us and really cool pens and flashlights! :)
 
Math: We completed introducing all new concepts and began reviewing all of our measurement conversions as well as volume. This week we will continue this but focus on problem-solving within the review.  The test will be Tuesday, May 28th. Several students have been begun working in a pre-algebra unit.
 Students completed the Delta Math Test on Thursday. This tests concepts students should exit 4th grade knowing and we have practiced weekly throughout the year. These concepts are also included in our 5th grade curriculum. I will go over their scores on Monday with them. If there is a concept a student did not pass, I will contact you next week and send materials or sites home for more practice.

READING:  
We took the SRI Test on Wednesday. These scores will be included in your report envelope. 

Students continue working in their groups for Book Club. They have assignments which review strategies that we have practiced this year. They are able to choose activities they would like to choose for any section of their books.I am looking over assignments for quality completion and comprehension. I have been meeting with groups and reviewing their tasks with them.

 

WRITING:   

Students have finished their first interview articles for our newspaper. Each student interviewed someone and wrote it up. Many have moved to their 2nd article which is to be made up if they choose, but must sound like it's real and the tone of an article. They are writing a few alliterative headlines and choosing the best fit as well as finding a graphic that works with their piece.
I will email your child's articles to you once they are all complete.
 
SCIENCE:
We continue to learn about systems and will have a quiz on Thursday. We have been reviewing the first 6 lessons as we have gone on into the unit. Late next week we will be discussing human body systems and working on projects for this.
Right now I plan to give the science test on May 30th but will move it to June 3rd if I feel it is necessary.

Spelling: Lesson 29 test will be on Friday. Lists can be found on Spelling City- trying to conserve paper- if kids want a paper copy, I will give them one!
-->

-Go to:  http://spellingcity.com

-Click on "find a list".  

-In the "search" section, click on "teacher" and then type in "Maxson". 

-Click on Robin Maxson at Hamilton Elementary.

  Find lesson 29.

PICTURES! 

WEEK OF MAY 6-10

UPCOMING DATES:

Monday May 13......Volunteer Recognition Banquet-High School 6:30
Tuesday May 14......Field Trip to Request Foods (no parents needed)
Monday May 27.......Memorial Day NO SCHOOL
Friday May 31........Dunes Field Trip (info in May- volunteers to help needed & all parents welcome)

TRACK & FIELD DAY:
The weather didn't exactly go as predicted on Friday! Thank you for your patience while we waited to be told a plan. After it was cancelled, we got back, signed shirts, had our lunch from the middle school, and went on with our day. I had my mom bring clothes and dry socks for kids to wear since we had a lot of wet feet! I haven't heard anything about next week, but assume we will be having our rain date as planned.
 
Math: We have been working with customary and metric conversions of weight, capacity, and length this last week. Students have practiced using hands-on materials as well. We will continue reviewing and adding in converting units of weight. READING:  

  Students continue working in their groups for Book Club. They have assignments which review strategies that we have practiced this year. They are able to choose activities they would like to choose for any section of their books.I am looking over assignments for quality completion and comprehension. I will also float around to each group and read/discuss books with groups.

 

WRITING:   

Most students have begun typing final drafts of their first article, which is an interview, into the template. They are writing a few alliterative headlines and choosing the best fit as well as finding a graphic that works with their piece.
 

SCIENCE:

The hermit crabs are in the classroom! We thought one was dead, but he was just practicing being a hermit. We will observe them discussing observation techniques, behavioral/physical characteristics, physical traits, and  heredity.

Spelling: Lesson 28 test will be on Thursday. Lists can be found on Spelling City- trying to conserve paper- if kids want a paper copy, I will give them one!

UPCOMING DATES:

Tuesday, May 7......Moments with Mom
Wednesday, May 8.. 1/2 day dismissal
Friday May 10......Track and Field Day
Tuesday May 14......Field Trip to Request Foods (no parents needed)
Friday May 31........Dunes Field Trip (info in May- volunteers to help needed & all parents welcome)

CHARLTON PARK: Long drive, but a good day. As always, our class was well-behaved and I appreciate that! I have some photos below the blog.


TRACK & FIELD DAY:
A note about track and field day went home the previous week.. Students also received their shirts. It may be a good idea that they don't wear them so nothing happens to them or they aren't lost. They won't be replaced.
LUNCH: I have already asked students about whether they will eat hot lunch or bring their own.   
SNACKS: BRING snacks and a lot of drinks-no pop.  No gum, please. Limit candy and high-salt foods. 

 

POETRY BRUNCH: The students have been working in infotech to retrieve their photos and video of poetry from Dropbox and put this into a slideshow. I would expect that this is finished and on their web pages by the end of this week. 

Math: We have worked with volume of rectangular prisms and composite figures. Next week we will review this and also move onto customary and metric conversions of weight, capacity, and length.

READING:  

  Students chose books for Book Clubs and are working in groups of 2-4. They have assignments which review strategies that we have practiced this year. They are able to choose activities they would like to choose for any section of their books.I am looking over assignments for quality completion and comprehension. I will also float around to each group and read/discuss books with groups.

  There will be homework at times for students who need to complete reading sections and/or assignments just as there will be in middles school.

 

WRITING:   

Drafting of articles has begun and with the shorter week, I am hoping we can get at least a draft and headlines done by Friday and begin to edit/revise. Students will be typing these into a newspaper format that will be made into a digital flippable newspaper. Students have interviewed high school students about sports, parents, 3rd graders and teachers about the move to middle school, and many other real topics.

 

SCIENCE:

The hermit crabs are in the classroom! We thought one was dead, but he was just practicing being a hermit. We will observe them discussing observation techniques, behavioral/physical characteristics, physical traits, and  heredity.

Spelling: Lesson 27 test will be on Thursday because of track and field day. List s can be found on Spelling city- trying to conserve paper- if kids want a paper copy, I will give them one!

School house.

Seth and Jacob writing on slates with a slate pencil.

Austin and Brendin look away so mom doesn't know they are able to wash the dishes! Evidence!

Jacob and Seth writing on slates with a slate pencil.

The home we toured and kids made soup.

Diligent students!

Ryan demonstrating a punishment that was used in schools.

Brendan demonstrating a typical punishment.

Isaac churns butter- it was great!

Cooking!