DATES

Friday, Sept. 14	PTO Fundraiser
Monday, Oct. 1	PTO Fundraiser Ends
Saturday, Oct. 6	PTO Everything sale 9am – 2PM
Thursday, Oct. 4	School Pictures

I don't believe the fusion site is up and running properly. I will let you know when it is available.

 

*Please read the School Newsletter sent home or view it on the Hamilton website. 

I need to thank my new class for a terrific week! It can be exhausting for them after a long summer break and they handled that and the crazy hot temperatures so well. We have been working into the school routine slowly so as to not overwhelm anyone! I have sincerely enjoyed this week with your children. I know this will be a great year for us!


Routines: We have been getting to know routines of our school and classroom. Some things are different and we are learning together. My students have been staying quite positive and rolling with whatever comes up! I am very proud of them! One of the most important things that I hope students are beginning to already learn about our classroom is to ask questions, ask for help, and not to let the small things create stress for themselves. As we get to know each other, I believe they will become more comfortable and confident in letting me know their concerns or worries no matter how big or small so we can learn and enjoy school.

Field Trip Alert: We have a field trip to the Outdoor Discovery Center on October 12th. You will receive more information later. If you want to volunteer you MUST have a WISH form submitted. Volunteers for 5th grade are coordinated by WISH.


Math:
We have begun MEAP preparation - multiples, factors, division, multiplication so far. As we are following Common Core math this year, our first unit will be "Operations and Algebraic Thinking"- sounds daunting than it is! We have already talked a little about Order of Operations. Next week we will get more involved in this. The test for this is very short as there are only two standards involved. I will send websites for help as needed.

Reading:
We have worked on MEAP Prep., comprehension strategies, and reading for information strategies this week.

Writing:
  We wrote a short piece based off of the "Important Book" and placed it on our bulletin board.
Next week we will do a personal narrative piece about our summer.

Spelling:
Spelling begins next week - I will send home a list to study on Monday!


Science: 
Our science unit is Objects in the Sky. We are investigating what causes the seasons.
Thanks for a great week! I will have some pictures next week on my blog.

OPEN HOUSE

Open House for Hamilton Elementary will be 
Wednesday, August 29th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. 
You may drop in at any time during that hour.
   I look forward to meeting you and having your children familiarize themselves with the room and me a bit before the start of school. If students want to bring items to put in their desks, this is fine.
  I will have information about our classroom as well as school forms for you to fill out at home. If you are unable to be at Open House and need to contact me, my email is lblowers@hamiltonschools.us.

Hope to see you then!
Laura Blowers

Last post of 2011/2012 school year!

 Dear Parents and Students,

         Thank you for a great year! I have really enjoyed all of the personalities in our classroom. We have had a lot of fun this year. I truly appreciate all of the assistance and support parents have given to us this year in 5^th grade. Thank you parents and students for all the very kind emails, cards, and comments that you have been so generous with over this past year.

          5^th graders, I know you will enjoy your 6^th grade year.

You have some wonderful teachers and great adventures coming up for you! I will miss you, but I know I’ll be seeing you around!

Happy Summer!

Mrs. Blowers

DUNES TRIP: A big thank you to our 3 parent organizers for this event: Katie Wettlauffer, Diana Smit, and Amy Osborn. This was a big job and we appreciate their efforts and the great day! Thanks to all of the parents who joined us on this trip! 

READ!

Several parents had the task of taking pictures throughout the day. These were then put on a CD for EVERY 5th grader! In addition, some of our parents were able to get a gift card from area restaurants for EVERY 5th grader! Your child has a small manila envelope that contains both of these items - so be careful when going through the backpacks!

 

 

WEEK of MAY 28-JUNE 1

DATES:
DUNES TRIP: Monday, June 4th

HAT DAY: Students may wear hats on Tuesday- just bring a dollar! Donations will go towards Mrs.   Zweering, her husband, and little baby Charlie who are all staying at the hospital in Ann Arbor awaiting Charlie's surgery.

LAST BLAST/ LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Thursday, June 7th

DUNES TRIP: A reminder note has been sent home and is below as well.


Our parent committee has been working hard on this trip and we really appreciate their work in writing notes, organizing the event, and gathering needed items!!
If you have not sent items for the trip, please do so on Monday. If you are able to help set up games- we only have 4 people doing this- please let me know, and I will pass it along to the committee.

Saugutuck Dunes and State Park Reminder

 Dear Parents and Fifth Graders,

This Friday, June 4, is our trip to the Saugatuck Dunes and State Park.   We will be leaving school around 8:50 a.m. and returning to school around 3:30 p.m.  As stated previously, Students are required to return to school on the bus. Here are some other things that you need to remember:

  

*dress in layers--the morning could be cool and the afternoon could be warm

 *wear comfortable shoes- we’ll be walking in sand and on a trail as well as playing games. Flip flops are NOT a good idea!

 *wear and bring sunscreen!

 *lunch is provided 

 * You may bring a camera-no other electronic devices, please.

 *bring a positive attitude and your good manners-

  Parents should expect to be addressed respectfully and should redirect students when needed.

 *be prepared for rain- jacket, umbrella, etc. if it looks necessary.

Have a great weekend!
 

DUNES FIELD TRIP IS MONDAY, JUNE 4th.

Unfortunately the weather is uncooperative and not looking great for tomorrow at all. 80% chance of rain and not even 60 degrees.

We are going to go on our Dunes field trip on Monday, June 4th, the scheduled rain date.

If you are unable to go on this date, please contact us.

If you still have donated items to bring, please send them tomorrow.

Thank you,
5th Grade teachers

WEEK OF MAY 21-MAY 25

DATES:
June 1st .............................. Dunes Field Trip
June 5th at 2:00............................. 5th Grade graduation ("What's in Your Box?")

Above are two of the dates we suggested that you mark on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you at these events.

Middle School: You may want to bookmark the Middle School blog: http://hamiltonmiddleschool.blogspot.com/


Middle School Principal Visit:  Mr. Feig came to visit 5th grade classrooms today. They introduced themselves and answered student questions.

AUCTION:

A reminder that if you choose to donate desirable goods for fifth grade boys and girls to our classroom auction, please have all donations in by Friday, June 1^st

  I am interested in things like king-sized candy bars, gum, books, trading cards, games, small gift certificates for ice cream, movies, beach and other outdoor fun items, etc. (feel free to add to this list).  These goods can be obtained through donation from local businesses, garage sales, or from the goodness of your heart!  I would like for these donated items to be kept a secret so that the auction is a surprise for all students, so please send them to school in a sealed brown paper bag. I have begun purchasing items for the auction as well.

Any help that you may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks to all of you who have already donated!

Math:  
   We are reviewing ratios and percent lessons. The test over this will be next Thursday, May 31st. We have been reviewing past concepts. Wednesday students took the 5th grade Delta math test- this tests students over concepts they are expected to enter 5th grade knowing. We planned to take the 6th grade Delta (concepts students should enter 6th grade knowing) but found that this was inadvertently not loaded onto the program during our scheduled time. We will take this next week.

Reading:  
   Students have been given several options for presenting information about their books. They are working on posters, commercials, book jackets, book cubes, collages, and presenting scenes while  incorporating the important elements of their novels.

Writing:  
  We began presenting Pourquois for those who wanted to do so. Most students have finished their Middle School Prompt. These will be placed in their file for their 6th grade teachers to view.

Science:  
We adopted out all our pets. Thank you!! Now we need to clean cages! We have been talking about fossils and looking at a variety of them. Students also completed a fossil webquest searching for information about fossils. We will be discussing plants and more on how systems work together. We will continue reviewing as well. The test will be June 5th.


Spelling:
This week's skill was el, al, le, or, ar, and er spellings.
Have a great weekend!

Week of May 14th - May 18th

DATES:
June 1st .............................. Dunes Field Trip
June 4th ............................. Dunes rain date

 
Middle School: You may want to bookmark the Middle School blog: http://hamiltonmiddleschool.blogspot.com/


Middle School 6th grade Parent Orientation:
 The 6th Grade Parent Orientation will take place on May 22nd. Two options are available for parents. Please see details below:

• What: 6th Grade Parent Orientation (Incoming 5th graders for the 2012-13 school year)
• When: May 22nd
• Who: Parents of current 5th grade students entering 6th grade in the 2012-13 school year.
• Location: Middle School Library
• Time: 9:00am-10:00am or 6:00pm - 7:00pm

**Students are welcome to attend the 6:00pm orientation, however, they are not required.

Penny War:  
Our class won the Penny War! A sincere thank you to all who participated in this!

Pizza Party!  The AWIM volunteers brought cookies, pizza, and pop for our class on Friday to celebrate our win in the Jet Toy competition in February. Congratulations kids! Thank you to JCI!


Math:  
   We began our Ratios and Percents unit this week. We have been working with ratios and equal ratios and when we would use them in "real life".  We continue to review concepts we have worked on this year.

Reading:  
 Book Club continues. Students have been having great discussions with their groups. I have enjoyed listening to them ask and respond to each others' questions. We are practicing using our skills to summarize orally and in written form what has been read as well as using text information to respond to questions.

Writing:  
Pourquois are completed. Students have the option to present these next week. Meanwhile we have been working on Middle School prompt. Student are choosing to write about anxieties and/or what they look forward to in middle school. Lockers is a biggie! Nervousness about the combination lock and excited because they are so much larger!

Science:  
We continue to observe our animals. We talked about external and internal cues in addition to other topics we have covered. It's been fun having the animals, but 'm glad they will all be adopted out next week!!


Spelling:
This week's skill was synonyms.
Have a great weekend!