DATES: 
Wednesday March 12th.........Understanding Wildlife Assembly
Friday March 14th.................Junior Achievement  
Friday march 14th............Released Time
 

Friday March 21st.............11:40 dismissal
Friday March 21st............PTO Fun Night ------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIELD TRIPS:
May 8 or 9 will be Track and Field Day- PE teacher will let us know and I will communicate this to you at that time.
June 2nd is the Dunes Field Trip
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Congratulations to Collin VanDer Hulst! His story was one that was chosen to be acted out at our Brainstormers Assembly on Monday!
 

CONFERENCES:
  Thank you for attending your child's conference! 
 
Puberty Lessons: We will begin March 24th. Please return the form by March 21st if you have not already done so.

Visitor:  Thursday Mrs. Spotts, 6th grade science teacher, will visit us for the day as part of a "student for a day" project some middle school teachers are doing.




HOMEWORK:   
Reading Homework - Read the article about pennies and write 3 statements for and against keeping the penny using information from the article.
Math Homework- "Take a Drive" E 2-4 

MATH: 
   In our Multiplying whole numbers and decimals unit we have been working with powers of tens with whole numbers and decimals. We will review this and be working on multiplying whole numbers and decimals. 

My fusion page has quite a few math games and tutorials. Here is the link:
Fusion Page 

READING -   
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  We have wrapped up Book Club and will be focusing on nonfiction until our next genre unit. Students will continue reading in their own books and working on goals. We will also practice strategies learned during our next Read Aloud.
 

WRITING:                    
  Students chose a person from history to research and write a biography. Students read a book about their person of choice. Students are finishing their drafts, revising, and editing. They will be able to type, write, or present their biographies in another way.
 
SCIENCE:   
We worked on the study guide for the quiz on Monday. Students have been working on projects about planets and the sun in Infotech and will present these this week.
 
SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 22 test on Friday. List 23 will REALLY go home Monday- I have not done well remembering this for the past 2 weeks!  You can also find lists under the spelling tab. The skill is homographs.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

DATES:
Monday March 3rd..............BRAINSTORMERS ASSEMBLY
Monday March 3rd..............Conferences
Tuesday March 4TH............Conferences
Friday March 7th.................NO SCHOOL

Friday March 21st....................11:40 dismissal
Friday March 21st...................PTO Fun Night


FIELD TRIPS: As I mentioned in an earlier email, these are trips that may be attended by all parents IF you have a WISH volunteer form completed.


May 8 or 9 will be Track and Field Day- PE teacher will let us know and I will communicate this to you at that time.

June 2nd is the Dunes Field Trip

April 25th will be a school day, NOT a day off.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------


CONFERENCES:
 You may bring you 5th grader with you if you wish. Students are welcome to attend!


Middle School paperwork:
If you have not returned this packet of information, please do so by March 10th.


Puberty Lessons:
We are hoping to hand out parent permission forms at conferences for these lessons. These will need to be returned by the date that will be on form. There will be an opportunity for parents to view materials soon. (March)






HOMEWORK:  Reading Homework - if Section7 and the comprehension page of book club books were not finished Friday, this was to be homework for Monday.
                                
MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
   We took the Multiplying and Dividing Fractions unit test on Friday. Some students will need to complete this on Monday. I will share these at conferences. We will begin our unit on Multiplying whole numbers and decimals next week. We have already spent time on this since the first month of school.

READING -   
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  Students continue working in their book clubs. It is taking longer with all of these days off. We have also been working with nonfiction texts as well. We should wrap up this book club round this week.

WRITING:                    
  Students chose a person from history to research and write a biography. Students are reading a book about their person of choice. Additionally they will research a website as a source. They have a notes outline to use as well as a checklist of standards we are focusing on. One of these is sentence fluency. We practiced with a couple activities focusing on sentence fluency and the students have a graphic organizer to refer to as they incorporate this into their writing. Most students have begun drafting and these are due on Wednesday.

SCIENCE:   
We reviewed recent concepts and learned about the tides. Next week we will play a jeopardy review game and take a quiz over moon phases, tides, eclipses, and seasons.
 
SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 21 test on Friday. List 22 will go home Monday. You can also find it under the spelling tab. The skill is adding suffixes.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

DATES:
 
Wednesday Feb 24th..........Beach Day
Friday February 28th........5th grade field trip: Symphony /Aquinas visit
Monday and Tuesday March 3 & 4...CONFERENCES.
Friday March 7th.........................NO SCHOOL


Friday March 21st....................11:40 dismissal
Friday March 21st...................PTO Fun Night

April 25th will be a school day, NOT a day off.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------



HOMEWORK: Math and Reading Homework is due on Monday.
                                
    Junior Achievement:  Julie Burch was in on Friday to present a third lesson for junior achievement. Friday we discussed what kind of skills are in demand -what businesses want from their workers. Students learned that these are the STEM skills: Science, Technology,  Engineering and Math. Businesses also desire workers who have good communication skills, are creative, and are able to work with others.


MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
   This week in math, students have been reviewing multiplying and dividing fractions. We will continue to review and complete a study guide this coming week. The test will be on Thursday. The math tutorials under the MATH TAB would be beneficial for students needing help.

READING -   
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  Students continue working in their book clubs. They are reading and discussing their novels with each other and me. I have been pleased to see how involved they are and how they are asking me to confirm their thoughts by giving me their ideas and evidence! Wow! Students have some focus comprehension questions, vocabulary inferencing work, grammar work, and strategy practice.
    We will be focusing on nonfiction as well each week.

WRITING:                    
  Students chose a person from history to research and write a biography. Students are reading a book about their person of choice. Additionally they will research a website as a source. They have a notes outline to use as well as a checklist of standards we are focusing on. One of these is sentence fluency. We practiced with a couple activities focusing on sentence fluency and the students have a graphic organizer to refer to as they incorporate this into their writing.
 
SCIENCE:   
We have been learning about why the moon has it's different phases as well as about the solar and lunar eclipses. A total lunar eclipse occurs during the night when their is a full moon and the Earth blocks the sunlight reflected by the moon. A total solar eclipse occurs during the day when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, and its shadow blocks the light coming from the sun.

 

SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 20 test on Friday. List 21 will go home Monday.
You can also find it under the spelling tab. The skill is the homophones their, there, and they're.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

The The only homework for this week will be math or book club work that needs to be finished and returned. It won't be in the planner as a class. Your child will know if it is finished or not and will be given direction by the substitutes to finish at home if needed and return it the next day.

DATES:
 
Wednesday Feb 12th........4th/5th grade Field Trip to Van Andel Museum, Ford Museum & a play at Ford Museum.
Friday February 28th........5th grade field trip: Symphony and tour Calvin College
Friday MARCH  21st................PTO Fun Night - this is a change in date!
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will be gone for the entire week due to a foot surgery. Mr. Hoving will be subbing 3 days and Mrs. Russell for 2 days. Students are welcome to email me if needed.
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Valentine's Day: At 5th grade we do not have Valentine's Day parties or pass Valentines as a class. I will send in a treat. You are welcome to do this if you wish. 
                                                  
 

 
SCHOOL WILL BE IN SESSION ON MON., FEB. 17 
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
HOMEWORK: Math Homework is due on Monday
                                
                                                    

The The only homework for this week will be math or book club work that needs to be finished and returned. It won't be in the planner as a class. Your child will know if it is finished or not and will be given direction by the substitutes to finish at home if needed and return it the next day.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Junior Achievement: Beginning this last Friday and for 4 more Fridays our class is enjoying Junior Achievement. Julie Burch is coming in to present this for us. Thank you, Julie! This last week we discussed services and goods. Students worked in groups to come up with a good or service, design it, price it, decide who their target buyers were, and present it to the class. They are already looking forward to another session coming February 14th.

MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
   This week in math, students will be focusing on multiplying decimals and reviewing fraction concepts.
MATH FACTS: I was telling the kids and they are also noticing that I am seeing a lot of improvement with math facts! Awesome! They are able to do XTRAMATH at home on the computer in addition to flashcards and other practice activities.
  
READING -  
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  Students have been working in groups 3 for book club. They are reading and discussing their novels with each other and me. I have been pleased to see how involved they are and how they are asking me to confirm their thoughts by giving me their ideas and evidence! Wow! Students have some focus comprehension questions, vocabulary inferencing work, grammar work, and strategy practice.

WRITING:
  Friday the students presented their "Fruit/Vegie of the Year" speeches. It was so fun and I was proud of how well they presented! Everyone spoke loudly enough, was expressive, and had a good slogan and poster. I videotaped each one and will be sending these to you this week. I have been swamped with preparing sub plans. I also will get both of their papers graded this week.

SCIENCE:   
The kids have been researching a planet in infotech as part of our science unit. They have a choice as to how they will present these in a few weeks This coming week we will focus on the planets and solar system.

SPELLING:
  Students will take the lesson 18 test on Friday. List 19 will go home Monday.
You can also find it under the spelling tab.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

Have a terrific weekend!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BRAINSTORMERS: The Brainstormers visited us last week and presented skits about writing. Students were active participants and Ellary Haverdink was even on stage! Students will have the opportunity to write a story and submit it in hopes of having their piece chosen to be acted out for the school. Below are sponsors of this event, and we appreciate their help!

DATES:
Friday MARCH  21st................PTO Fun Night - this is a change in date!
Wednesday Feb 12th........4th/5th grade Field Trip to Van Andel Museum, Ford Museum & a play at Ford Museum.
Friday February 28th........5th grade field trip: Symphony and tour Calvin College

Mrs. Blowers will be gone a few days in February:
Feb. 10th I will have a surgery on my foot. I will be out Monday - Thursday for sure, but I am hopeful I will be back on Friday the 14th!!
_________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK: Lucky for them there was no school Thursday so homework was not able to be given!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRAINSTORMERS:
The Brainstormers visited us last week and presented skits about writing. Students were active participants and Ellary Haverdink was even on stage! Students will have the opportunity to write a story and submit it in hopes of having their piece chosen to be acted out for the school.
Below are sponsors of this event, and we appreciate their help!

 

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
    RTI: We took the Delta Test on Wednesday. Each student will have his /her personal goals revised and will monitor their own progress along with me. Mastered concepts will continue to be reviewed.
     Our new unit is multiplying and dividing fractions. We will begin dividing fractions on Monday.


PLEASE have your kids work on their math facts!! They are able to do XTRAMATH at home on the computer in addition to flashcards and other practice activities.
  
READING -  
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  We will be starting book clubs this week with students working in groups of 3-4 students reading a novel and practicing reading strategies. You will be hearing more about this later.

WRITING:
  We will complete revisions, editing, and final drafts of "Fruit and Vegie of the Year" research reports/campaign speeches.The kids are pretty excited about our current writing piece. Students will present by Friday and then the following Monday. So if your child wants to bring in their fruit/vegetable I'm letting you know this so you are able to get it when you are shopping sometime this week. It does not have to be to share with the class- just one to show is fine.

SCIENCE:   
We continue in our lessons about what causes the seasons. We graphed cities in 3 different regions of North America to show how there are more hours of daylight on the summer solstice everywhere on Earth, the fewest daylight hours during the winter solstice, and on the two equinoxes the amount of daylight hours are the same everywhere. We will be having a quiz on Friday about the seasons.

SPELLING:
  Students will take the lesson 16 test on Monday since we missed Thursday. This coming week's skill is making words plural. List 17 is under the SPELLING tab. and will come home on Monday.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

Have a terrific weekend!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FUSION PAGE Mrs. Blowers Fusion Page You can find fractions and other math links here as well as spelling, grammar, and sites for reading.

DATES:
Monday Jan 20th............. PTO Mtg
Friday Jan 24th.................No School PD Day
Friday Feb 21st................PTO Fun Night 
Wednesday Feb 12th........4th/5th grade Field Trip to Van Andel Museum, Ford Museum &
                                                          a play at Ford Museum.
Friday February 28th........5th grade field trip: Symphony and tour Calvin College

Mrs. Blowers will be gone a few days in February:
Feb. 10th I will have a surgery on my foot. I will be out Monday - Thursday for sure, but I am hopeful I will be back on Friday the 14th!!
_________________________________________________________________



HOMEWORK: Students are to read the article and answer the "quiz" questions 1-8 and question 9. They were told to highlite and/or write the page number where the answer was found.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUSION PAGE   Mrs. Blowers Fusion Page
You can find fractions and other math links here as well as spelling, grammar, and sites for reading.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
    RTI: We continue to review these concepts. Each student has his /her personal goals and is monitoring these as well as doing continued practice of goals mastered. 
     Our new unit is multiplying and dividing fractions. This is a concept students find difficult to hold onto and need a lot of concrete practice with pictures and manipulatives as well as frequent review the remainder of the year. 
  Currently we have been learning the algorithm for multiplying fractions by a whole number and a fraction times a fraction. We are looking at it as repeated addition, solving as an equation, and modeling with playdough and drawing pictures. We are problem-solving to see what real life situations would be like using fractions in this way. Ex: recipes.


PLEASE have your kids work on their math facts!! They are able to do XTRAMATH at home on the computer in addition to flashcards and other practice activities.
  
READING
  Nonfiction is our focus for part of January. We will then be doing reading partnerships with students pairing up to read, discuss, and practice strategies with a partner reading the same book.

WRITING:
  The kids are pretty excited about our current writing piece. Each person chose a fruit or vegetable and must write a campaign speech to promote their fruit/vegie and get voted as the "Fruit or Vegetable of the Year". Students are researching their topic for the facts to write into a plan. They must then find a way to use these facts to promote their fruit/vegie in an interesting campaign speech. We discussed and looked at campaign slogans and the kids are also making slogans and posters to promote their topics. 

  Students are encouraged to bring in their fruit/vegetable if possible and even dress in a way that would promote it. I will be happy to help students get what is needed if necessary.
I will videotape these and share them out to you.

SCIENCE:   
We did a lot of review in class for the Forces and Motion Test. We took this on Tuesday and these have been sent home. We began our unit entitled "Objects in the Sky". Our first lessons are about what causes the seasons: 

1) The tilt of the Earth’s axis affects the amount of sunlight different locations receive.

2) The amount of the sun's light energy a particular region receives.

SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 15 test on Friday. I will send these home on Monday
Next week's skill is 'blends'. List 16 is under the SPELLING tab. and will come home on Monday.

If your child wants to play games/ practice tests, go to: Spelling City

Have a terrific weekend!

DATES:
Monday Jan. 13th.............Girls on the Run shoe fitting 4:00-5:30
Tuesday Jan 14th..............Dentists R Us
Friday Jan 17th.................Release Time
Monday Jan 20th............. PTO Mtg
Friday Jan 24th.................No School PD Day
Friday Feb 21st................PTO Fun Night 
Wednesday Feb 12th........5th grade Field Trip to Van Andel
                  _________________________________________________________________
This will be a short blog for a short week! It was great to see all the kids again! Being gone so long and having a short week with some additional events, we weren't in our regular routine. I'm ready for a full week and getting that routine back in place.

This week we focused on reading comprehension of nonfiction, retelling, fluency, our Power Word vocabulary, and math review.

SPELLING BEE: Congratulations to Zach Fitzwilliams- winner and Jenna Fynewever- runner-up.
                              They will compete in the regional bee in February.
  
LOG CABINS:  They were fabulous and thank you for helping your child and bringing them in! 

CHRISTMAS CHARITY: 5th grade classes raised over $200 for charity! We want students to know the importance of giving as you are already showing them at home! Kaleigh Kenyon's name was drawn and she chose the Humane Society to benefit.

ELOQUENCE DAY: FINALLY we were able to have our Eloquence Day event. Thank you to all our coordinators and volunteers for making this happen for us- We so appreciate you! It was beautiful in the dining area and the kids all really enjoyed their time there.
  I put the pictures below instead of in the photos section. You can view log cabins in the previous blog. My camera battery went dead for our class picture at the Trestle Stop so if any parent has 1 or 2 to send, me I would appreciate it!

And thank you to the Trestle Stop for allowing us to use their dining room!!!

Have a terrific weekend!

Eloquent

Not so eloquent!

Eloquent!

Hmmm...

Some of our wonderful parent volunteers

More volunteers...

And more- and I know I missed some of the other important people!!

Great lesson in word choice!- The kids loved how fancy the menu made cocoa, a candy cane, chicken tenders, green beans, french fries, and a fancy ice cream sandwich sound!

Polite dinner conversation

Collin telling an interesting story!

Brecken enjoying Eloquence Day!

No elbows on the table here!

 Kaleigh's name was drawn to choose the charity for the money we raised to go to- she chose the Humane Society.

 Some topics discussed at our table were hydroponic gardening, moms who caution their children to be careful and are then the ones to spill, get burned, etc (guilty mom here!) and how best to prepare and eat squirrel and alligator. There was also some critiquing of Holland restaurants.

Justin showing his serious side!

A very eloquent-looking group!

 A great event! When I see past students, this is a 5th grade event that is very fondly remembered.