5-23-11

PTA/Room Moms - Thanks for the lunch! All the other teachers were jealous...

MATH: Students worked on taking four UCUTIPS Math tests online today. We'll finish them tomorrow. I also handed out a 5 page (each double-sided) packet and asked students to finish 5-1 through 5-5 by Wednesday. I'll give lots of time in class to work on it so I can help them out with things they're not sure of. The rest of the packet is due this Friday.

ART: I taught how to do circles using string art. It's hard for kids, but many were able to get it. My class will be teaching other classes how to do string art, so we're practicing diligently to get it down.

5-17-11

SHOWERS & DEODERANT: Today there were several students who really stunk. I'm sorry, but it was pretty bad! Please remind your adolescent kids to take a shower daily and use deoderant. They're playing hard at school and home, and their sweat glands are kicking in big time! It's life. When I get 29 kids in a room, it can become a little much for everyone.

BEHAVIOR: Student behavior usually deteriorates around this time. I've been in the hall with students about inappropriate comments, being off-task, & other behavior issues several times. It's normal. I never get mad, but try to emphasize consequences of interrupting the learning of other students. Hope I don't have to call parents in at this time of year, but it may happen. Please emphasize the importance of continued learning until school lets out. I'm still teaching!

SCIENCE: Science CRT testing will take place this Thursday during track times. My class will be combined with another class which will give us more than 40 students during track times. Because of this, I've asked eight students to switch from Track 1 to Track 2 time this Thursday only. The students who were asked to switch this day are student numbers 1, 3, 7, 8, 18, 25, 26, and 29. If your student is one of these numbers, I'm expecting them to come during Track 2 time on Thursday, May 19th. Sorry about any inconvenience!

MATH: Two-sided worksheet assigned, due tomorrow. We worked on it during class, and most got done. Ask to see it and find out if they really understand it.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Students took UCUTIPS tests with partners in preparation for CRTs. The Autobiographies are due this Friday. I've been telling students this for over two weeks. They know and should be done or almost there.

Spelling Packet #30 due tomorrow.

SOCIAL STUDIES: I gave enough time for everyone to finish their timelines today. I believe almost everyone got done and attached them to the bottom of their posters. Any not done now have to be completed at home. Our Wax Museum is on Friday and posters will be taped up in the gym by noon. No more time will be given at school to work on the Great American Hero project. Parents are welcome to visit the Great American Hero Wax Museum this Friday from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. No charge!

ART: We're learning all about the 1970s fad, string art. Students have been taught how to do angles and circles. They were asked to come up with a design tonight that could be their string art project tomorrow. Can't wait to see the designs they come up with!

5-15-11

TESTING: Thursday bright and early @ 8:00 a.m. for Track 1. We'll be taking Science Section I during track times, and Science Section II from 1-2:15 p.m. PLEASE DON'T MISS CLASS ON THURSDAY!

MATH: I taught Chapter 12 Concept 3 today - using inverse operations to solve for variables. It was a difficult lesson, and I'll continue tomorrow. There will be a worksheet coming home tomorrow as homework. We're done with the Math textbook, so please make sure your child turns it in to me ASAP. Thanks!

SOCIAL STUDIES: We will be starting oral presentations of Great American Heroes this Wed. at 9:15 a.m. I'll give students time tomorrow to work on them. They will only have 2-3 min. to do them. It's not a big deal. Students just need to tell the most important things about their GAH. We are also working on timelines in class tomorrow.

LANGUAGE ARTS: We're taking UCUTIPS tests during Power Hour right now.

5-11-11

MATH: Students took Session II of the CRT. No math homework today.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Students are reviewing for CRT tests using UCUTIPS tests during class. They may work with partners to get the highest scores, and I've offered a Homework Pass to each partnership that achieves the highest score for each test. They're really working hard!

MUSIC: Students started this new specialty class today. From what they tell me they will be having a talent show sometime before school ends. Ask your student for details.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were broken into groups of three (with a few preferring to work alone) to work on end-of-year presentations from WWI to present. They are researching out of our textbook and coming up with a creative and fun way to present the most important information they have learned. Some are doing PowerPoints. Some are doing Reporter on the Scene for their time frame. Some are creating a video re-enactment of parts of their time frame. These will be presented starting on May 23rd.

I think 99% of everyone is done with their posters. We're still working on timelines to attach to the bottom of their posters. They're VERY busy and have no time to goof off. Remember to be looking for costumes for May 20th's Great American Wax Museum.

5-10-11

FIELD TRIP: We went to the Ft. Douglas Museum and had a tour. We saw guns, uniforms, pictures, canons, tanks, helicopters, etc. The kids seemed to be really interested, and the guide was very informative. He made it clear that war isn't "cool" though it is necessary at times. At 10:30 a.m. we arrived at the Frank Moss District Courthouse. We were lucky enough to be invited to witness two actual court sessions. One man was a repeat drug offender and was sentences to a half-way house for six months on probation. The second defendant had a shaved head, tatooed peace sign on the back of his head, and tattoos from his wrists all the way up below his sleeves. He came into court in jail attire wearing handcuffs and chains. I think it got the kids' attention. He had been in the "pen" for five years and had been arrested again for continued drug dealing and possession of a firearm (illegal for a convicted felon). He looked scary. His trial was put on hold for about 10 days until the prosecutors could get all their evidence together. Our lawyer tour guide was fantastic and answered all the students' questions. Judge Bennion also answered questions after the two hearings. It was great!

We got back to school at 2 p.m. and kids went home at 2:15 p.m. No homework tonight. Just have them get to bed early ready to take Math Session II CRT tomorrow at 9:15 a.m.

5-9-11

FIELD TRIP TOMORROW: Track 1 Day for all students. Please make sure your 5th grade student is at the school NO LATER THAN 8 a.m. TOMORROW MORNING!

MATH: We did CRT Session I today. No homework. Math Session II tomorrow morning at 9:15 a.m. - please have Track 2 kids at school right on time. Thanks!

LANGUAGE ARTS: New TFK packet handed out. Forty minutes were given to get it mostly done. It's due WEDNESDAY, not on Thursday (as usual).

Spelling: New packet today, due Wednesday.

5-6-11

MATH: No math today.

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: We finished up the Great American Hero posters today. I'd say that 95% got done. Anything not finished this week is now homework. No more time will be given in class to get them done. We'll focus on memorizing the 10 facts now. We'll also work in class on making a timeline to attach to the bottom of the posters.

Spelling: Student scored the latest review packet. Grades were very high.

MISC: We took about an hour to make cards for mothers and fathers (for June). It was fun to watch the care they put into what they made. Pretty creative cards were cranked out!

5-5-11

MATH: Started Chp. 12. Assignment pgs. 697-698 #1-8, 10-23 and p.701 #1-8, 10-17. 19-24. Most students got done during class and understood the concept.

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: Spent the whole time on Great American Heroes. Posters are to be done by the end of tomorrow. Most are finishing up and are working on their own autobiographies now.

P.E.: We practiced kickball against Mrs. Hill's class and came of victorious! Our class does well with teamwork!!!

5-4-11

MATH: Many students hadn't completed their homework worksheets. I informally assessed where they were in understanding ratios, and decided that the majority of them would be able to do well on the Chp. 11 Test. We'll see...

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: Great American Hero posters, again. Students had a full two hours today. I'd say that about half will be completely done by tomorrow (Thursday). They are due Friday. Students getting done were told to work on this week's Time for Kids packet, then type up their Autobiographies, and if they got all of that done, they could research another GAH and create a slide show to present to the class. I kept them VERY busy.

5-3-11

MATH: Handed out two double-sided review worksheets on ratios. My afternoon sub helped students work on them, and anything not finished was homework.

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were given about an hour to work on the Great American Hero posters. We had to take an hour to finish the Mother's Day projects. Time was given to work on the Spelling Packets.

5-2-11

MATH: No math today. We worked on special secret Mother's Day gifts that took the whole math time.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were given two full hours to work on their Great American Hero posters.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Worked on GAH stuff. Spelling Packet (review) went home. It's due Wednesday.

4-28-11

MATH: I reviewed fractions, decimals, and percentages using a game format. We did this the whole time, and it was fun! (Thanks to Mrs. Burraston who volunteered to run the show for 20 minutes before lunch.) No homework tonight. Tomorrow we'll go over the same material again and again until they get it. It's sinking in.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Students worked on their Autobiographies during Power Hour. I decided to stop their stories at High School graduation. We need to start spending time reviewing for end-of-year tests.

Spelling test tomorrow over week #35 words (National Parks). Remind kids to capitalize them.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were printing their 10 facts, cutting them out, and gluing them to construction paper matting for placement on their posters. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR 5TH GRADE STUDENT HAS A REGULAR POSTER (not the 3 sided science fair ones) BY MONDAY! Tomorrow I'll teach them how to use the grid drawing system to draw their hero pictures. ALL STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO HAVE A PICTURE OF THEIR HERO TODAY, BUT MANY DIDN'T DO THEIR HOMEWORK! Therefore, we couldn't start today. I'm showing the drawing technique tomorrow, ready or not. Please see the "Social Studies" link on the Student side of my website to know the deadlines.

GRAMMAR: Students completed and turned in a double-sided worksheet (#5 & #6). This taught differences between homonyms like pain/pane, doesn't/don't, hear/here, etc. I'll grade them tomorrow.

4-27-11

MATH: Students made a booklet with hundreds charts converted to fractions and to decimals. It took the whole time to complete about 14 of them. We'll practice converting between them tomorrow. No homework tonight.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Half the students took some online tests to practice for the end-of-year testing. The other half worked on their Autobiographies, creating memories for future junior and senior high school years. Some students don't write a whole lot in class and will therefore need to write at home to not get behind.

Spelling Packets are due tomorrow.
TFK Packet is due tomorrow.

4-26-11

MATH: Check out the percentage/fraction/decimal table on p.670. I had students copy it into their Math Journals. (Of course there were a few who just didn't want to do that, so they won't be able to use it on test day. As your child to see his/her Math Journal to see if s/he copied it. No Math Journals are left at school, so they should have them.) We practiced finding percentages of numbers to get ready for today's homework assignment. It was a difficult lesson for many. We practiced the whole math time and I didn't give any time for working on the actual homework assignment. Therefore, I reduced the homework assignment: p.671 #1-5, 7-10. We'll see how many understood it and go from there.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Yesterday we created lists of memories: pre-school years (0-5 years old) and school years (Kindergarten - 5th grade). Today we used those lists to write several paragraphs of these memories. They must write a minimum of one paragraph each for those two time eras. Most students wrote several paragraphs for each time era. Each paragraph should highlight one memory.

Tomorrow we start creating futures! Students will look ahead through crystal balls and see what great things they will accomplish in junior and high schools. Will they excel in a sport? Will they be known for how friendly they are? Will they take classes that help them graduate early and hit college at 16? It's their stories They can create futures that will hopefully turn into reality.

GRAMMAR: I assigned a worksheet "Using the Right Word" pages 3 & 4. I went over all the words (except "aloud" and "allowed"). Most kids got done with 75% of the questions. It's due tomorrow.

SOCIAL STUDIES: PLEASE GET YOUR CHILD A POSTER BOARD FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN HERO PROJECT. (Just the normal size, NOT the three-sided science fair type.) Don't work on the posters at home - there's a special way to put pictures, facts, and captions on. We'll be doing this at school. (Gotta love that, right?)

Students were assigned to find a picture of their Great American Hero and to print it. Please help them find one tonight if they didn't get one printed at school. They will be using a grid system to hand-draw their heroes. Hopefully we can start it on Thursday. Students have also been busy researching their heroes to find 10 interesting or unknown facts. They will be typing them up in about 24 point font size for the facts and the captions.

COMMUNITY CIRCLE: We took time to talk about bullying at Cedar Ridge (again). Most students said they had been bullied here at least once, and many said it happens regularly. We talked about what bullying is, what phrases could be interpreted as bullying, and why this isn't good. I also mentioned that joking around can be considered bullying when it hurts feelings. On the other hand, I told kids that sometimes they just need to stop being so sensitive (get a thicker skin) and not let others have so much control over their emotions.

We also talked about physical violence, even gently shoving. At the end we discussed strategies to use when being bullied: ignore, walk away, tell an adult, say something humorous i.e. Bully: "Your ugly!" Response: "Have you ever looked in a mirror?" or simply saying, "So what's your point?" It was a good discussion and I hope it helps with those who have been calling names, etc.

4-25-11

MATH: Taught percentage (ratio that is always a fraction of something over 100). We watercolored 100's squares with various percentages and changed them to fractions, reduced the fractions too. Assignment: Worksheet P11-2 / 11-8 (review of Ratios and practice for Percentages). That's it for Chp. 11. (Other stuff isn't required from State Core.) We'll review tomorrow and take the test on Wednesday. I really want to hit Chp. 12 before end-of-year tests. We've done great this year covering all the concepts.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Making a List: I had students get a paper and label the front "Pre-School Years" and the back had "School Years." They were assigned to "brain drain" any memories from birth to Kindergarten and make a list, and then brain drain on K-5th Grade on the back of the paper. We will be writing paragraphs tomorrow about pre-school and school years. After that we will start creating future memories by looking into the next 60 years. Students will tell about their great accomplishments in Jr. High, High School, College, marriage or staying single, what they do for jobs, how they contributed to society and American. The biography will end when they are about 75 or so. It's a fun (and hopefully positive) look ahead and goal setting experience.

TFK ' "The Crisis in Japan" Packet handed out, worked on, and due this Thursday.

LIT LOG: I didn't get them copied yet for this week. Hot off the press for tomorrow!

4-22-11

MATH: No math today. We worked on very secret Mother's Day projects that took all morning.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were assigned to write the second paragraph of their autobiography - all about the day they were born. It was fun getting on laptops and looking up the meanings of their names. A few names were "location names" and I went into GoogleEarth to show them where their ancestors might have come from. It was fun! Students should now have their Intro and Birth paragraphs written. If not, then they are behind. Next week we get into more life memories and specific details. Students who already have written an autobiography may use them as a reference, but not submit the same piece of writing. I told them that they are now 5th graders and should be able to elaborate more and make better sentences than they did in 3rd or 4th grade.

P.E.: Loooong P.E. today. They went with Mrs. Walker for an hour, then I taught them kickball strategies in the classroom afterward. We then practiced these kickball strategies for about 30 minutes. They really paid attention to what I had taught them and played so intelligently. They were also cheering each other on. It was especially cool to hear them cheering for kids who really need an emotional boost. Some kids who struggle in the classroom can really shine out on the field, and I'm sure a few kids went home today floating on cloud 9.

4-21-11

NOTE: Tomorrow, students need to come dressed in clothes that can get dirty. We're working on a (secret) art project, and it will be messy.

COUGAR WALK: Registration has begun. Fill out the bright green registration sheet that was sent home yesterday and send a check for $5/child or $25/family to help our class win prizes. Also, help your child get sponsors for the walk-a-thon (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.). You can even sign up people from where parents work! Let's make this a BIG success!

MATH: Today's lesson was on proportions and equal ratios (1/2 is the same proportion and ratio as 2/4, which is the same as 3/6, etc.). I reviewed how to reduce fractions to lowest terms and how to create equal ratios by multiplying by the equivalent of 1 (for example multiplying a fraction by 2/2 or 3/3 or 256/256). The fractions are equal and in proportion.

Assignment: p.647 #1-9, 11-16 and p.649-650 #1-20.

LANGUAGE ARTS: I read several examples of introductory paragraphs from famous people (Helen Keller, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.) and talked about the strategies for writing introductory paragraphs. Introductions are not detailed, just general in nature. Students were given time to write the introductory paragraphs for their autobiographies. I'd say 90% of students were successful in writing one or more introductory paragraphs, They will eventually choose one. This is tonight's homework if your child didn't write an intro paragraph.

Spelling Packets were turned in and we played "Spelling Snake." They love this short spelling game!

SOCIAL STUDIES: What a fun day! Students were assigned to study a section of the U.S. History textbook and create a poster of 10 facts and a picture. Posters were taped all over the room and students did a "Silent Gallery Walk." This is where students take clipboards around and write down interesting facts about the topics they didn't study. Tomorrow we will talk about the different topics: Transcontinental Railroad, "Home on the Range," Homesteaders, and the Plains Wars.

4-20-11

MATH: Students took the Chp. 10 Test today. It was a custom made test; the first five questions were on PERIMETER, questions 6-10 were on AREA, question 11 was SURFACE AREA, and question 12 was on VOLUME. I made the questions very simple and basic and I was surprised that any questions were missed. Most of the students got 100% or missed only one. There was a small handful who missed two or more. I sent home the bubble sheets today. Ask you student to see it, or you can check Skyward to get their Chp. 10 Test score.

We started Chp. 11 today. Student recorded what RATIO means in their Math Journals complete with examples of what "part to whole" ratios are, and what "part to part" ratios are. Tonight, ask you student if s/he can explain what a ratio is. (Example: there are 15 marbles in a bag; three are green, four are blue, and eight are black; the ratio of blue to total marbles is "four to 15" or "4:15" or "4/15." That's "part to whole" ratio. If you ask what the ratio is from black to green marbles, the answer is "8 to 3" or "8:3" or "8/3." That's "part to part" ratio.) We'll be getting into percentages and proportions later this week. Fun, fun, fun!

LANGUAGE ARTS: We are starting to write AUTOBIOGRAPHIES. Students were given interview questions to ask parents about their birth (date, time, place, specific and interesting details), how their name was chosen, etc. Next, they will come up with questions about their toddler years. Be prepared to be asked lots of questions about your 5th grader's childhood!

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students had one last chance to change the Great American Hero they chose yesterday. No more changes after today. We had an assembly today, so there Soc. Studies was very short.

ASSEMBLY: Cougar Walk - May 5th. Students should be bringing home information packets today. Look for the bright green sheets stapled to a large white envelope. Please help support this walk-a-thon by registering each CRE child ASAP ($5 per child, or $25 per family). The class with most registrants wins a party. The class with the most donated baked goods on May 5th get a party, too! Our class wants to win ALL the parties! The kids are REALLY excited! Thanks for you help in signing up sponsors on the white envelope.

4-19-11

MATH: Reviewed perimeter, area, surface area, and volume. Taught what a triangular prism looks like and how it relates to a rectangular prism (1/2 the volume). Final lesson today was on "Gallon Guy" - the common gallon, quart, pint, and cup measurements. Homework: Create a "Gallon Creature" that shows how the measurements relate to each other. (See "Gallon Guy" in your student's Math Journal.)

LANGUAGE ARTS: A Civil War re-enactor came and talked all about the Civil War.

SOCIAL STUDIES: We worked on the post-Civil War posters that were started yesterday. We'll finish them Wed. and Thu.

4-18-11

MATH: Reviewed surface area and volume. Handed out worksheet PS 10-3 / PS 10-5. The most difficult part is question #2 on the Volume side. I showed students how to change the side length from number of blocks (unit measurement) to centimeters (length measurement), but I still think there was confusion. I hope to test on perimeter, area, surface area, and volume on Wednesday.

LANGUAGE ARTS: We did a Reader's Theater today called "The Hidden One." Students practiced reading the play several times using voice inflections, speed, and loudness. They really enjoyed the morale of the story for this one.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were split into small groups to research post Civil War history. Each group will come up with 10 facts for their topic and put them on a 1/2 poster, along with a title and picture. We will then do a "Gallery Walk" where students walk around the room and take notes on what they read on other groups' posters. When done, we'll debrief to see what they learned in their own group and from other groups. This will take most of the week, and all the work will be done in class.

GREAT AMERICAN HERO: Students need to select three people as candidates for the Wax Museum that will take place on May 20th. They will only do ONE of them, but they may not get their 1st choice when I randomly select students to name their hero. Rules: Hero must NOT be alive today. Hero must have helped impact America toward freedom in one way or another. Hero may not be a sports or music figure, unless it can be proven that that person helped make America great. (exceptions: Jackie Robinson, baseball great, broke the white-only barrier for pro-baseball league. Shirley Temple was a child actress and later became a U.S. Ambassador. No to Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson, etc.) Kids wondered about LDS prophets, and the only two allowed will be Joseph Smith (founder of new religion) and Brigham Young (leader in westward expansion). A few students also asked about doing a report on their relatives. If the relatives can be found in a general American History textbook, then the answer is "yes." They are welcome to do a second report on a relative, but not for the Wax Museum.