September 13

This a lengthy blog! This past week we have been getting into more of a routine and this week that will continue. Hope you are having a great weekend!

CONTACTING ME: My school phone is working now. My extension is 413. I am not always in the room to hear it. You can always call my cell - 231-357-3020. My email: lblowers@hamiltonschools.us
 
REMIND 101:
  It's an easy way to get reminders for tests etc.
ENTER THIS NUMBER: 424-835-7621  
                              Type in: @mrsblow

Homework:  
 * Homework this weekend is for those who need to complete a final draft of a paper we worked on. 

* READING an average of 20 minutes per day is also homework throughout the year. 

Book Project Homework: 
Your child will be reading a chapter book (they may read this at home and school). Monday they will receive the materials for the "Sandwich Book Report". This is to be done at home and due September 29th. The section on the "Author's Style" could be difficult and your child may choose to leave that part out since we haven't had a lot of time to discuss this at this point.

ANOTHER NOTE ABOUT HOMEWORK:
In a nutshell: If your child can't do the HW and a parent can't help (I've been there!) it needs to show an attempt and a note about it must come from a parent in order for the work not to be counted as late. I have talked with the class about this numerous times. I don't want families having stress at night and this is a way I hope helps while still showing responsibility. 
  My HW policy is in the packet that was sent the first day of school.

 SNACKS/DRINKS: PLEASE help your child remember a snack every day. They may bring a water bottle.

FUN FRIDAY: Mrs. Custer and I do a Fun Friday activity together each Friday for students who do not lose "4 points" during the week. You have this information in the packet I sent the first day.
We have discussed classroom rules and students understand that they will receive:
*  1 warning, (Most times I give 2 if it's talking since there are so many kids and humans 
        are social!)
* Seat time for the day-no working in hall, our office, couch, etc.
* Loss of 1 Friday fun point
* Email/call home
* Sent to the office

SIT AND SIP: Sit and Sip will be each Friday during Read Aloud. If you don't like your child having pop, kids bring juice pouches, flavored water, Gatorade, etc. No red drinks or energy drinks such as Monster, please.

Students automatically have Sit and Sip UNLESS there is a late HW assignment. The first 9 days I have been giving a grace period to help students remember to write EXACTLY what I write in the planner, to check their planners each night, place HW in the proper place, have 1 place to put their backpacks etc each night, etc.


MATH 
Try the Math Tab! This has video tutorials for you and your child with lessons on what we are currently working on as well as concepts that students should know in order to make make the current unit easier to understand. I will continue to add to this.
   Last week we worked comparing fractions, equivalent fractions, Greatest Common Factor, adding/subtracting mixed numbers with LIKE denominators, and began adding and subtracting fractions with UNLIKE denominators. We have been drawing pictures to show what fractions mean. This week we will continue reviewing past concepts and continue with adding/subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators.
Students took the Delta 5th grade Delta math test last week (tests 4th grade math concepts) and this coming week they will take the 6th grade Delta as well (this tests 5th grade concepts).
  Students will be given a list of concepts not passed to put in their goal folders, and we will work on improving their understanding of these concepts.
 
LANGUAGE ARTS
  We have been using resources from the Comprehension Toolkit to learn/review/practice comprehension strategies using nonfiction text. We have been working whole class and in small groups. Students took the SRI and Dibels tests last week.

SCIENCE
  We spent time discussing vocabulary concerning motion and learning about forces. Students worked on an investigation to see how they could set up barriers to make their marble go as slowly as possible from one end to the other. Groups needed to continually think about forces and variables involved and how they could redesign their barriers to improve upon previous plans.


SOCIAL STUDIES: Your child will frequently need to bring their social studies book home in order to complete HW. Mrs. Custer will tell them this when they do the planner in social studies. Then when my class does the planer with me, I have them review with me what Mrs. Custer had them write so they get another opportunity to hear and read it.

  What a hot first week! Today was especially hot and we were wilting this afternoon. We were so happy when our administrators got popsicles for everyone!

 I hope the first week went well for your child. We have spent a lot of time learning routines, finding where we're going, practicing opening lockers, and meeting new people. Team-building activities have been part of this and we will continue to do these off an on.

CONTACTING ME:
My school phone is not working right now. Email if you need to contact me. My phone is 231-357-3020
REMIND 101:
15 of you have signed up for this. It's an easy way to get reminders for tests etc.
ENTER THIS NUMBER: 424-835-7621
                              Type in: @mrsblow
MATH
 We will begin getting into our first math unit, Adding and Subtracting Fractions. I will begin doing math in small group rotations in a couple weeks.
 
Homework: Your child has some math homework this weekend that is due Monday

Reading an average of 20 minutes per day is also homework throughout the year. 

Book Project Homework: Your child will be reading a chapter book (they may read this at home and school). Monday they will receive the materials for the "Sandwich Book Report". This is to be done at home and due September 29th.

Language Arts
We began writing a piece titled, "What I Didn't Get to do this Summer" for a little change of pace from the usual. In reading we will be reading texts associated with our Comprehension Toolkit and reviewing/practicing comprehension strategies.

Next week your child will be taking the Delta, Dibels, and SRI Tests.

Science
Our first science unit - Forces and Motion-begins Monday.

DUNES TRIP CANCELLED TODAY

Parents,

 We have a high percentage that there will be rain today and thunderstorms
- increasing into the afternoon. Waves by the lake where we are walking will be 3-5 feet. Ugh! We absolutely wish we didn't have to reschedule this but tomorrow looks a little more sure tomorrow.

1) PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD BRING A LUNCH TODAY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE

2) IF YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T BE THERE FOR THE SCHEDULED RAIN DATE, PLEASE LET US KNOW TODAY.

SO SORRY AND THANKS!!

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

Monday, June 2nd....Dunes Field Trip    
Tuesday, June 3rd ... Dunes Rain Date
Friday, June 6th............... Last Day of School- Dismissal is 11:45
......................................................................................................................................................
CLASSROOM AUCTION: 
  Thank you to everyone who donated items. Between that and all the things I purchased, we were able to be sure everyone received something from the auction. It was a fun experience for the kids. I truly appreciated their thoughtfulness in not outbidding others on more than 2 items so everyone could have something. This is such a wonderful group of kids!


DUNES FIELD TRIP: 
   We will see you at school by 8:30 if you are joining us. We are taking one bus and as mentioned before you can carpool to the Dunes, etc. I accidentally left off some parents from Mrs. Maxson's class that will be going along. You will be given directions to get to the Dunes rides, from there to the hike (we start out by the parking lot near the Felt Mansion), and directions from there to Shultz Park. 
Lunch- we will let the kids go through first and then parents. You are welcome to bring your own lunch of course. 


*LAST BLAST- Friday, June 6th 8:45-11:00                                                               PTO and parent WISH volunteers will be coordinating this event. Unlike past years, this will not be open to spectators dropping in.

 
LAST DAY - 4TH AND 5TH GRADE TUNNEL:
 Traditionally our 5th grade students have walked through a tunnel formed by K-4th graders to celebrate their years in elementary school and their move on to the middle school. This year 4th grade will join them. Parents, etc may begin lining up for "The Tunnel" at 11:20. 
If you are driving your child home,  please wait for buses to leave before going to your car for all students' safety.


* IF YOU WILL TAKE YOUR CHILD HOME INSTEAD OF THEM GOING ON THE BUS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY THURSDAY JUNE 5TH. 
- This is a very busy day, we won't be in the classrooms very much, and I may not get a late message!!

MATH:      

  We took the The Measurement Unit Test on Thursday-these will come home Wednesday as I have time to go through them with kids. We will review fraction, decimal and measurement concepts this week.

 
READING -     

We will continue reading some non-fiction articles and reading in their own books this week.

WRITING:                    
  We are making designing our own Superheroes and creating brochures to promote them. We watched a short Lego Superhero clip to start us off, discussed superpowers, and compared and contrasted superheroes. Students began pre-writing and designing. This week we will talk about values superheroes have and promote and read about everyday heroes.

SCIENCE:   Everyone presented their Project-based Learning activity that focused on the behavioral and physical adaptation of the animal they designed. Students have a science study guide and we have gone over this. They are supposed to be studying for this. We will study in class more as well. 

 The Science Systems Unit Test is Wednesday June 4th.

 

Thursday, May 29th........4th/5th Grade Music

Thursday, May 29th........4th/5th Grade Music

Friday, May 30th................ Classroom Auction

Monday, June 2nd....Dunes Field Trip    
Tuesday, June 3rd ... Dunes Rain Date
Friday, June 6th............... Last Day of School- Dismissal is 11:45
......................................................................................................................................................
* MUSIC PROGRAM: 

The 4th/5th Grade Music Program is at 2:45 at Haven Reformed Church if you would like to come!

* FORMIDDABLE FEET- Congratulations kids!
Kyle Theodore was a trophy winner in the juggling competition!
Marinus Reister won a medal and Tristen Taubert won a trophy in Accuracy! 

*LAST BLAST- Friday, June 6th 8:45-11:00
PTO and parent WISH volunteers will be coordinating this event. Unlike past years, this will not be open to spectators.

LAST DAY - 4TH AND 5TH GRADE TUNNEL:
 Traditionally our 5th grade students have walked through a tunnel formed by K-4th graders to celebrate their years in elementary school and their move on to the middle school. This year 4th grade will join them. Parents, etc may begin lining up for "The Tunnel" at 11:20. 
If you are driving your child home,  please wait for buses to leave before going to your car for all students' safety.


* IF YOU WILL TAKE YOUR CHILD HOME INSTEAD OF THEM GOING ON THE BUS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY THURSDAY JUNE 5TH. 
- This is a very busy day, we won't be in the classrooms very much, and I may not get a late message.


DUNES FIELD TRIP: 
   If you checked that you would like to donate items and/or volunteer for this day, soon you will be receiving an email and/or note about what item we will need you to donate (pop, cookies, chips, etc.) and what we will need you to volunteer to help with for the afternoon. Parents who are joining us for the day will be needed to run games or travel around with groups of students in rotations, and assist in serving lunch. We will need people to help set up games in the morning and clean up- the more we have the quicker this will go. We appreciate your assistance with this. We truly can't make this happen without you!!
   We begin at the Saugatuk Dunes Rides. The hike follows and is about 3/4 of a mile into the beach. It is hilly and a little steep in spots.
You will be given directions to get there, but we start out by the parking lot near the Felt Mansion.

 
MATH:      

 We will review all concepts Tuesday and Wednesday by working on another Test Review. 

The Measurement Unit Test will be Thursday- some may need to finish on Friday.

 
READING -     

Last week students chose to work individually or in pairs to choose a nonfiction article and read it. They then had to give the main idea and details, a summary, and other such information. This week students will be reporting out to the class about their topic. We will work on other nonfiction material this week as well.

WRITING:                    
  This week students will be presenting their Pourqouis - legends that tell why something came to be. 

SCIENCE:   Everyone should be wrapping up their Project-based Learning activity that focuses on the behavioral and physical adaptation. They will be presenting these to the class on Tuesday. I look forward to seeing these- many creative ideas. We will also work on the study guide and be studying this over the week. The Science Systems Unit Test is Wednesday June 4th.

 
SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 32 test on Friday and it will come home on Monday. List 32 will go home Monday.  This was the LAST SPELLING TEST!

 

WEEK OF MAY 12 - MAY 16

May 30th..... Classroom Auction

*June 2nd- Dunes Field Trip  
*RAIN DATE:  June 3rd 


TRACK AND FIELD DAY 
  It was a little chilly, but I'm SO glad we were able to have this event for the kids. It was great to see them enjoying time with each other, their teachers, their families, and competing. Pictures are on the blog. I could have done a better job with this!If you have any pictures you'd like me to add, just send them my way!

 CLASSROOM AUCTION: MAY 30TH
Items due Tuesday May 27th.
 I usually don't have this until the end of the last week of school, but we have a student who will be gone, and I don't want anyone to miss out on this. I have been purchasing things this weekend to prepare. If you would like to donate things such as $5 and under gift cards for ice cream etc., boxes of candy, inexpensive things for the beach or pool or outdoor summer fun, or any inexpensive items that your own kids like, please send those in a sealed paper bag so it's a surprise by Tuesday May 27th. I need some time to put items together with ribbons etc.

DUNES FIELD TRIP: 
   If you checked that you would like to donate items and/or volunteer for this day, soon you will be receiving an email and/or note about what item we will need you to donate (pop, cookies, chips, etc.) and what we will need you to volunteer to help with for the afternoon. Parents who are joining us for the day will be needed to run games or travel around with groups of students in rotations, and assist in serving lunch. We will need people to help set up games in the morning and clean up- the more we have the quicker this will go. We appreciate your assistance with this. We truly can't make this happen without you!!

   We begin at the Saugatuk Dunes Rides. The hike follows and is about 3/4 of a mile into the beach. It is hilly and a little steep in spots.
You will be given directions to get there, but we start out by the parking lot near the Felt Mansion.

HOMEWORK:    No Homework this weekend! The kids were so sad!  :)

MATH:   
    We have continued to review compound volume and customary and metric units of length, capacity, and weight. We added in line plots this week as well. We will spend time reviewing this week and the test will be the following week. 

We took the Delta math test this week. Your child took home a paper showing what he/she did and did not pass. I am very proud of everyone for their very hard work and all the gains they have made!

READING -      Students took the SRI test, the Dibels test, and the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment this past week. This information will be shared with you. I will send it in report cards. Since report cards do not come to you until the week after school is out, please know that you are welcome to contact me even after school is out to discuss your child's progress!
 
WRITING:                    
  We are wrapping up drafts of Pourqouis - legends that tell why something came to be- editing, revising, and beginning final drafts long necks? Students are in the planning process now and will begin drafting on Monday. We also read an article about whether plastic bags should be banned or not. Each student took a side and used information from the text to support his/her opinion.

SCIENCE:   Everyone is working on their Project-based Learning activity that focuses on the behavioral and physical adaptation - but include other standards-which is the largest focus in this unit. They will work in pairs or individually (their choice) to create a new animal and include its classification, physical and behavioral characteristics, habitat, a learned behavior and inherited trait. They will be doing some simulations on the computer for review and ideas and will have resources to use. Quizzes looked great! - I am having them keep them at school to use for studying for the test. We will discuss fossils and paleontology this week.

SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 31 skills test on Friday. Monday will be the Word test. and it will come home on Monday. List 32 will go home Monday.  You can also find lists under the spelling tab. The skill is adding suffixes. This will be the LAST SPELLING TEST!

 

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

Week of May 9-12

*May 16th- Track and Field Day- 
THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER RAIN DATE SET FOR THIS.
*June 2nd- Dunes Field Trip  

*RAIN DATE:  June 3rd 


Thank you for joining us for the Poetry Brunch and for donating items for the brunch! We enjoyed sharing the poems!

TRACK AND FIELD DAY INFO:
A disappointing day on Friday with all the rain! I tried to make it a little less painful by playing a couple games and letting them move their desks wherever they wanted-and that worked out great because they came up with a nice room arrangement in 10 min!
 

HERE IS THE INFO AGAIN FOR THIS FRIDAY'S T & F.
* LUNCH: Students are already signed up for hot or cold lunch- check with your child about their decision on this.
    Parents: If you come that day, you will not be able to eat lunch with your child in the cafeteria at the middle school. Sorry! There is barely enough room for all 8 classes and teachers. You would have time to run home or eat in the bleachers, etc.
* SCHEDULE: There isn't a way for me to know exactly when your child will be in an event. Here is a rundown of the schedule. All students in my class have signed up for field and running events.

  9:30 - 12:30 - Mile Run and 400. Field Events begin for an hour  

                              and continue through morning preliminaries of

                              dashes (50, 60, 75 yd.), 100 low hurdles, and

                              800 meter relay.

  *12:30ish - LUNCH

  *1:15ish - 2:30 - Finals of the dashes, hurdles and 400 meter classroom  

                             relay.

                 - Ribbon presentations

                 - Trophy presentation

 *Dismissal. Please ask students to stay in bleachers until dismissed.

 

DUNES FIELD TRIP: 
ALL FORMS AND MONEY ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY, PLEASE.

PLEASE consider checking the donation section of the note. It would be things like pop, 2 bags of chips, cookies, etc.
- Also remember that if you are there for the afternoon events, the committee will need you to help out with lunch, games, clean-up. Thank you!

A note came home about this last week. This is a favorite field trip and a great way to finish off the elementary years and still focus on some curriculum as this ties into our systems science unit. We will need your assistance to make sure this field trip can happen!! Please read the note carefully. There are 4 items to return by May 16th in order for your child to attend this trip.

An FYI: If an adult wants to accompany us on the Dunes ride in the morning, we can only have parents. We really need to stay with 1 parent per household. There are only so many seats available for the entire group. You will receive more detailed information about this trip later.



HOMEWORK:    Math Homework is due Monday- some students may have other work that needs to be finished over the weekend and are responsible for this.


MATH:   
There are video tutorials and a practice activity for volume in the math tab!
    We have continued to review volume particularly compound volume. We are have been working on customary and metric units of length, capacity, mass, and weight. We will continue to review and will add in line plots this week. We have been working quite a lot on word problems. Last week we took the Delta math test. If your child still has concepts that were not passed, I will let you know this week.

READING -   
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages Non-fiction material mostly associated with our science unit and students' read to Self books are what we will focus on in reading for the remainder of the year, working on individual goals and practicing strategies. This week your child will be taking the SRI test, the Dibels test, and the Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment.
 
WRITING:                    
  We had a lesson about Pourqouis which are legends that tell why something came to be. For example, why do zebras have stripes? Why do giraffes have long necks? Students are in the planning process now and will begin drafting on Monday. We will also be writing an opinion piece this week.

SCIENCE:    This week students are beginning a short Project-based Learning activity that focuses on the behavioral and physical adaptation - but include other standards-which is the largest focus in this unit. They will work in pairs or individually (their choice) to create a new animal and include its classification, physical and behavioral characteristics, habitat, a learned behavior and inherited trait. They will be doing some simulations on the computer for review and ideas and will have resources to use. Wednesday there will be a quiz over the first 6 lessons.


SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 30 test on Friday and it will come home on Monday. List 31 will go home Monday.  You can also find lists under the spelling tab. The skill is le, el, al, er, or, ar.

The proofreading part of the test is an important skill. If your child has been needing more practice with this, that is something that they have been working on in class.

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