October 5

CONTACTING ME: My school phone- extension is 413. I am not always in the room to hear it. You can always call my cell - 231-357-4710. 
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 

Friday Fun last week: Working in teams to construct the tallest structure that would also support a ping pong ball.

CAMP MANITOU-LIN: Tuesday, October 14th.

* A note with detailed information will go home on Tuesday.

* Forms and $ are due Wednesday, Oct. 8th.

If payment is an issue, you need to contact me soon in order for your child to attend so we can help you out with this.

PLANNERS: I am no longer checking to see if these have been signed. This was something to get your child in the habit of checking their own planner each day. If you write a note in your child's planner, please have them let me know.

SNACKS: Please send a snack with your child each day. many students are not bringing one with them and 3-4 hours since breakfast is a long time!

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* Homework this weekend

MATH: Your child has the math HW written in his/her planner. The entire page is due.

  
  Book Project Homework DUE OCTOBER 28th. 

Your child knows there is a new book project for October. This activity will be sent home on Monday. I am sharing an example with them. Students are to be reading a chapter book (can't be nonfiction this time because of the assignment) in order to complete this project. 

I enjoyed reading and listening to their "Sandwich " book reports!

MATH:
   We are working on the test review for adding and subtracting fractions. The test will be on Thursday. Our next unit is Place Value.

LANGUAGE ARTS 

This past week we continued to practice reading and getting information from informational texts. We are focusing on using text features, how to find answers to different types of questions (right there questions, author and me, on my own...) and how to write a complete and thorough response. 

DAILY 3: We have begun getting into the Daily 3 routine during our ELA time in the morning. Read to Self, Work on Writing, Word Work. (We often include Read to Someone as well.)  I give a bigger lesson or mini-lesson depending upon where we are in the reading or writing assignments. I write down due dates and options on the Daily 3 board. Then students are able to choose how long/which activities they would like to work on each day keeping due dates in mind. I review daily the assignment, when it's due, how long they'll have, etc. We discuss how some may have to do the work for HW if class time isn't used wisely or maybe a student chose to do something extra... Students are to read daily in their chapter book. If everything is complete, students may choose to do a project of their choice (they share this with me and must stay with it over time until finished), free write, continue to read, etc. 

This structure allows students to learn to manage their time, always be working on their goals for reading and writing, and have some choice in what they are doing during the day.

SCIENCE 

Last week we worked on and studied the study guide for the first quiz. We discussed and practiced how to prepare for a quiz/test. I will be giving retakes to students who need to retake on Wednesday. It isn't atypical to have students not perform well on this first quiz. It's their first one and they often need to change the way they study for tests. We began learning about balanced and unbalanced forces. We had some fun arm wrestling to demonstrate this and tug-of-war is next when it's nice enough outside. We will also perform another investigation using balloons.

Spelling: We took the skill and proofreading tests Friday. This will come home Monday. Students typically have a lesson, homework page (which often gets completed in class), and a couple other review activities for spelling each week. Next week's skill is ways to spell the /k/ sound.

SEPTEMBER 27th

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 - 231-357-4710. 
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 

Reading Buddies: Our Friday Fun Activity this week was Reading Buddies with 8th graders from Mrs. Koval and Mrs. Fuzak's classes. We will be doing this the last Friday of each month. 

Field Day: Next Friday Mr. Sikma and the Fuel Up team have planned a Field day for the last couple hours of the day. Students should dress comfortably and wear tennis shoes!

Spirit Week: 

Monday is College Day, Tuesday is Twin Day, Wednesday is (I can't remember!),Thursday 5th grade wears green, Friday wear Hawkeye gear and or colors. Your child brought home a paper about this. I'll remind them each day. 

  Your child also brought home a note about Homecoming- the parade, the dance, the game.
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* Homework this weekend
There are 2 video tutorials that will help with this weekend's math HW in the MATH TAB.
 1) 3 Ways to find a common denominator
2) subtracting mixed numbers with renaming

MATH:  "HOMEWORK 1-10" ODDS and #'s 10 and 11 word problems. READING an average of 20 minutes per day is also homework throughout the year. 
  Book Project Homework due September 29. You may want to check in with your child about where they are on this. 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". 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.
MATH:
   We continue practice past concepts such as simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, making a common denominator, and adding and subtracting mixed numbers with renaming.
 
LANGUAGE ARTS  This week we read an article about the mushers risking their lives in 1925 to get diphtheria medicine to Nome, Alaska. We reviewed the purpose and value of  background knowledge and watched a short video prior to reading. We discussed and practiced response to text strategies and students answered quiz and critical thinking questions about the article. We then discussed student responses to the questions and how to write clear, accurate, and thorough responses. FYI-this was not graded. This was an instructional activity where we practice strategies together, I let them off on their own, and then we come back and talk through how we could make each response better and how to find the information.


SCIENCE  We measured out 10 meters and used various methods to get from one end to the other. Students timed every 2 meters and created a data chart. Students then created a graph to compare results. We will be preparing for a quiz that will be on Wednesday or Thursday.

Spelling: We took the skill and proofreading tests today. Next week's skill is silent letters as in "listen".

SEPTEMBER 19

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 - 231-357-4710. 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
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STUDENT COUNCIL: We heard several speeches from candidates in our classroom and they all did so well! Our student council represntatives are Greyson Borg and Brianna Hofman. Congratulations!

 CONSTITUTION DAY: Thank you to Amy Boehm for making the cake forour class and to Rochele Hofman for bringing in plates, forks, and napkins.

Homework:  (THERE ARE 2 TUTORIALS IN THE MATH TAB)
 * Homework this weekend is "HOMEWORK 1-7". The top section is odds only and all word problems. Students know they should show work on another piece of paper.
* READING an average of 20 minutes per day is also homework throughout the year. 
 
Book Project Homework due September 29. You may want to check in with your child about where they are on this. 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". 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.

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.
   We continued to practice past concepts and break it down so we can unerstand now just the how to perform the math operation, but understand the reason and what it looks like in pictures. This week we will add in adding and subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators.
   Students took 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 ARTSWe looked at and discussed text features in nonfiction. We read a nonfiction article and practiced as a class. Students also worked in pairs reading a nonfiction article to search text features and how they help us comprehend nonfiction texts.
 
SCIENCE
  We spent time discussing vocabulary concerning motion and learning about forces. Students worked on an investigation focusing on finding the average speed by measuring our a distance, using various types of motion and timing how long it takes them, and then Dividing the distance by the time to get their speed.

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.

Spelling: We will take the Lesson 2 test on Monday.

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
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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.