Hello Families,
Can you believe there is one week of school left? Wow, it has gone by fast. But I have really enjoyed getting to know your kids and helping them learn as much as they can. I have really been lucky to have such a great group of families to work with as well. I have received exceptional support from parents, which is a critical partnership for the development of students. The frequency of parents volunteering to help out in the room and go on field trips has also been unbelievable. Special thanks to Jodi Pope and Susan Paisley who have been working the room for an entire afternoon each week. Thank you to all for your help and support this year.
Ice Cream Social: On Tuesday, 5th graders will have an Ice Cream Social and get a chance to sign yearbooks in the multi-purpose room. Those that did not order yearbooks, will get a chance to create a signing book, and still get to collect autographs from their friends.
Portfolios: On Wednesday, your students will bring home a portfolio of their best work over the last semester. Please look for this to come home on Wednesday, and I would recommend saving this in some box. It can be really fun to look back at their work, when they are an adult. On Wednesday, I will show them a folder of work I did in fifth grade.
Clean-Up: On Thursday, students will clean out their desks, and we will clean the room as a group. Students should bring a paper bag to bring home the contents of their desk.
Friday Half Day: Remember that Friday, the last day of school, is a half day. So remember your kids will be coming home earlier than they normally would.
Report Cards: Students will bring home their report cards on Friday. Please look for them to come home in their manila envelopes.
Students will likely not have homework this week, but if they have missing work to complete, they should complete it as soon as possible. Students with work outstanding will be spending recess time this final week inside to complete it until they are finished.
As always, let me know if you have questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Scott
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Holiday Weekend Update
Hello Families,
I hope your children are enjoying their day off from school today. Here are a couple of updates for next week.
Fifth graders will be having their end-of-year Ice Cream Social and yearbook signing on Tuesday, June 5, from 2:45-3:45. We are looking for parent volunteers who would be willing to serve the ice cream for this celebration. If you are interested in helping out, let me know and we will coordinate the roles among all three classrooms and get back to you.
Thank you for all of the volunteer efforts you have given during this past year. I am most appreciative!
Biographies: Your students have been working hard on their biography project the last couple of weeks. At this point, they should be ready to give their speech on Tuesday. If they are bringing anything for a costume (optional), they should bring that on Tuesday as well. Please have your student practice for you at home over the weekend.
Writing: We have been working on Persuasive Writing and Advertisements. Students have been working on coming up with an advertisement for a product, and then writing about why people would want to buy their product based on specific persuasive strategies. We typed final copies in the computer lab on Thursday, and will put together the complete product early this week. These have looked very nice so far, please ask your student what their advertisement is for, and how they are trying to market their product.
Math: Students were supposed to turn in a signed Unit 7 Math Test on Thursday, but ultimately, I have many students who have this down as missing work right now. Please ask your student about it. We are concluding Unit 8 this week, and will likely take the written assessment for it. On Thursday, we learned about figuring out the % discount if you were at a store. You can ask them a problem like this at home, and they should be able to tell you how to figure it out.
Example: A pair of shoes cost $60, would you rather use a coupon that says 'Take $15 off' or one that says 'Take 30% off' ? (Answer: You'd rather have the 'Take 30% off' coupon because it would be $42, with the 'Take $15 off' coupon it would be $45. )
Social Studies: We have discussed the events that lead up to the start of the Revolutionary War, such as the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party and the Continental Congress. Students will be putting their knowledge to use this week to finish up the unit.
Health: We will dive back into some health concepts this week, including mini-lessons on the truth about Drugs, being a smart consumer, and the circulatory system.
As always, let me know if you have questions or comments.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
I hope your children are enjoying their day off from school today. Here are a couple of updates for next week.
Fifth graders will be having their end-of-year Ice Cream Social and yearbook signing on Tuesday, June 5, from 2:45-3:45. We are looking for parent volunteers who would be willing to serve the ice cream for this celebration. If you are interested in helping out, let me know and we will coordinate the roles among all three classrooms and get back to you.
Thank you for all of the volunteer efforts you have given during this past year. I am most appreciative!
Biographies: Your students have been working hard on their biography project the last couple of weeks. At this point, they should be ready to give their speech on Tuesday. If they are bringing anything for a costume (optional), they should bring that on Tuesday as well. Please have your student practice for you at home over the weekend.
Writing: We have been working on Persuasive Writing and Advertisements. Students have been working on coming up with an advertisement for a product, and then writing about why people would want to buy their product based on specific persuasive strategies. We typed final copies in the computer lab on Thursday, and will put together the complete product early this week. These have looked very nice so far, please ask your student what their advertisement is for, and how they are trying to market their product.
Math: Students were supposed to turn in a signed Unit 7 Math Test on Thursday, but ultimately, I have many students who have this down as missing work right now. Please ask your student about it. We are concluding Unit 8 this week, and will likely take the written assessment for it. On Thursday, we learned about figuring out the % discount if you were at a store. You can ask them a problem like this at home, and they should be able to tell you how to figure it out.
Example: A pair of shoes cost $60, would you rather use a coupon that says 'Take $15 off' or one that says 'Take 30% off' ? (Answer: You'd rather have the 'Take 30% off' coupon because it would be $42, with the 'Take $15 off' coupon it would be $45. )
Social Studies: We have discussed the events that lead up to the start of the Revolutionary War, such as the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party and the Continental Congress. Students will be putting their knowledge to use this week to finish up the unit.
Health: We will dive back into some health concepts this week, including mini-lessons on the truth about Drugs, being a smart consumer, and the circulatory system.
As always, let me know if you have questions or comments.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Sunday Update
Hey Families,
Here are some updates before we go into a short week. Remember that we don't have school on Friday, or the following Monday because of the holiday weekend.
Writing: Your student has begun work on a persuasive piece of writing in the form of an advertising pitch. They have started to create their own advertisement of some form, and will write a 3 paragraph paper that states their claim of why consumers should or need to buy their product. Please ask your student to give you the details of this creative project. I have seen some really great ideas so far. We will devote some class time for continued work on this project, but your student may need to bring their work home at some point. I will keep you posted.
Literacy: Your students were assigned a Biography Project last week. They will read a biography of a famous person, take notes on the critical events of the person's life, then form a speech where they pretend to be that person. We have been going the through the process during class, but your students will need to have their book read, taken their notes, and formulated their speech by next Thursday, May 24th. Then on the following Tuesday we will start giving the speeches. We spoke about how important this due date is, and how they wouldn't want to have to think about finishing it over a holiday weekend. There were some questions about whether students needed to dress up like their subject. It is completely optional and will not affect their grade on the project. Please do not spend any money looking for a costume.
Math: With our disjointed schedule lately, it may have been hard for you to tell where we're at in math. You just recently signed your student's Unit 9 Test, tomorrow they will have another to bring home for corrections and your signature (Unit 7). This week we will continue with our work in Unit 8, focusing mainly on multiplying fractions. Your students have the answer key for this one, so you can remind them to check their work for accuracy, and come in with questions.
Social Studies: We have been learning about the important events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Students will get a chance to do some more research this week. Please ask your students what they have learned so far, and lend any expertise you may have at home.
Crazy Hair Day is this Thursday! (can't wait to see what some of these kids will look like)
Also on Thursday is 5th Grade Field Day in the afternoon. Tell your son or daughter to be careful with your crazy hair that it doesn't impede their aerodynamics out on the field.
As always, let me know if you have questions or comments.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Here are some updates before we go into a short week. Remember that we don't have school on Friday, or the following Monday because of the holiday weekend.
Writing: Your student has begun work on a persuasive piece of writing in the form of an advertising pitch. They have started to create their own advertisement of some form, and will write a 3 paragraph paper that states their claim of why consumers should or need to buy their product. Please ask your student to give you the details of this creative project. I have seen some really great ideas so far. We will devote some class time for continued work on this project, but your student may need to bring their work home at some point. I will keep you posted.
Literacy: Your students were assigned a Biography Project last week. They will read a biography of a famous person, take notes on the critical events of the person's life, then form a speech where they pretend to be that person. We have been going the through the process during class, but your students will need to have their book read, taken their notes, and formulated their speech by next Thursday, May 24th. Then on the following Tuesday we will start giving the speeches. We spoke about how important this due date is, and how they wouldn't want to have to think about finishing it over a holiday weekend. There were some questions about whether students needed to dress up like their subject. It is completely optional and will not affect their grade on the project. Please do not spend any money looking for a costume.
Math: With our disjointed schedule lately, it may have been hard for you to tell where we're at in math. You just recently signed your student's Unit 9 Test, tomorrow they will have another to bring home for corrections and your signature (Unit 7). This week we will continue with our work in Unit 8, focusing mainly on multiplying fractions. Your students have the answer key for this one, so you can remind them to check their work for accuracy, and come in with questions.
Social Studies: We have been learning about the important events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Students will get a chance to do some more research this week. Please ask your students what they have learned so far, and lend any expertise you may have at home.
Crazy Hair Day is this Thursday! (can't wait to see what some of these kids will look like)
Also on Thursday is 5th Grade Field Day in the afternoon. Tell your son or daughter to be careful with your crazy hair that it doesn't impede their aerodynamics out on the field.
As always, let me know if you have questions or comments.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Saturday Update
Hey Families,
Here are some updates...
We are all done with our standardized tests! On the whole, I think the class did very well with these.
Social Studies: Students did some research on a specific aspect of the either the New England, Middle, or Southern Colonies. They will present to their classmates this upcoming week. Please ask your student what they learned.
Math: Students should have already brought their Unit 9 Test last week for your signature and to make any corrections. We are still working on finishing up Unit 7, and will likely be concluding it this week.
Writing: We have been working on some specific writing conventions, and will shift into our next writing project, Persuasive Writing. In addition, students have still been completing weekly writing assignments. This week's topic was "Create your own superhero." Please ask your student about their superhero.
As always, let me know if you have questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Here are some updates...
We are all done with our standardized tests! On the whole, I think the class did very well with these.
Social Studies: Students did some research on a specific aspect of the either the New England, Middle, or Southern Colonies. They will present to their classmates this upcoming week. Please ask your student what they learned.
Math: Students should have already brought their Unit 9 Test last week for your signature and to make any corrections. We are still working on finishing up Unit 7, and will likely be concluding it this week.
Writing: We have been working on some specific writing conventions, and will shift into our next writing project, Persuasive Writing. In addition, students have still been completing weekly writing assignments. This week's topic was "Create your own superhero." Please ask your student about their superhero.
As always, let me know if you have questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Tuesday Update
Hey Families,
Sorry I am tardy with my update. Anyway, here are some updates relating to what we've been doing and what is coming up.
Last Test! We will take our Math MAP Test this Thursday, and this will be our last of the computer tests. Please help your student get some good sleep going into Thursday and encourage he or she to do his or her best.
Social Studies: We have started discussing the Jamestown, Plymouth and first colonies. Students will get a chance to do some research on a select region of colonizers, and present to their classmates.
We will discuss the impact of these first settlers and their effect on the United States today. Please ask your student what they have learned and lend any expertise you can give to him or her.
Math: Students received their Unit 9 Tests today with their scores. They are due back with corrections and signature from a parent by next Monday. As a part of going back to Unit 7, we have been working hard with negative numbers, and learning how to add and subtract using negative numbers.
Writing: During writing lately, students have been focusing on the conventions of word choice, correct use of apostrophes, and subject-verb agreement. I will be looking for a concentration on these elements in their weekly writing assignments. Remind your student to take his or her time and proofread his or her work before turning it in.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Sorry I am tardy with my update. Anyway, here are some updates relating to what we've been doing and what is coming up.
Last Test! We will take our Math MAP Test this Thursday, and this will be our last of the computer tests. Please help your student get some good sleep going into Thursday and encourage he or she to do his or her best.
Social Studies: We have started discussing the Jamestown, Plymouth and first colonies. Students will get a chance to do some research on a select region of colonizers, and present to their classmates.
We will discuss the impact of these first settlers and their effect on the United States today. Please ask your student what they have learned and lend any expertise you can give to him or her.
Math: Students received their Unit 9 Tests today with their scores. They are due back with corrections and signature from a parent by next Monday. As a part of going back to Unit 7, we have been working hard with negative numbers, and learning how to add and subtract using negative numbers.
Writing: During writing lately, students have been focusing on the conventions of word choice, correct use of apostrophes, and subject-verb agreement. I will be looking for a concentration on these elements in their weekly writing assignments. Remind your student to take his or her time and proofread his or her work before turning it in.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Monday, April 30, 2012
Hello Families!
Hello Everybody,
I hope your kids are enjoying their day off today. Here are some updates, including yet another update on testing.
MCA: We will be taking the Science MCA tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday afternoon of this upcoming week. We have been preparing for this test by reviewing many of the units that students have completed over the past few years.
MAP: Sadly, due to scheduling, we will be taking the MAP Reading Test on Thursday afternoon of this week. Then the following week, we will take the MAP Math Test on Thursday, May 10th.
We have spent some time in class discussing the volume of testing toward the end of the year, and students even elicited my own opinion of it. I tried to help them realize the importance of trying their best within our current system, even though it does seem like a lot of testing for them. Please give your student a healthy amount of encouragement in preparation for these tests.
Social Studies: Thank you for your help in assisting your students' completion of their Explorer Final Project. For the rest of the year, we will be getting into issues of early colonial settlement, the Revolutionary War, immigration and slavery. As always please lend any insight to your student at home about any of these topics.
Math: Due our complicated testing schedule the past few weeks, our math has been a little sporadic, but look for a little more normalcy in the homework routine. Your students just completed unit 9, and this week will be coming home with their written test for that unit for corrections and your signature. We will then be getting back into Unit 7 to get into negative numbers. We will then do a shortened version of Unit 8 on Multiplying Fractions, followed by Unit 10 on Algebraic Concepts.
Writing: We have been concentrating lately on specific capitalization rules, and will start this week clarifying specific terms of often confused words/phrases. (For example: all ready vs. already) Please ask your student to share what they have learned. Give he or she a pop quiz if you get a chance.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
I hope your kids are enjoying their day off today. Here are some updates, including yet another update on testing.
MCA: We will be taking the Science MCA tomorrow afternoon and Wednesday afternoon of this upcoming week. We have been preparing for this test by reviewing many of the units that students have completed over the past few years.
MAP: Sadly, due to scheduling, we will be taking the MAP Reading Test on Thursday afternoon of this week. Then the following week, we will take the MAP Math Test on Thursday, May 10th.
We have spent some time in class discussing the volume of testing toward the end of the year, and students even elicited my own opinion of it. I tried to help them realize the importance of trying their best within our current system, even though it does seem like a lot of testing for them. Please give your student a healthy amount of encouragement in preparation for these tests.
Social Studies: Thank you for your help in assisting your students' completion of their Explorer Final Project. For the rest of the year, we will be getting into issues of early colonial settlement, the Revolutionary War, immigration and slavery. As always please lend any insight to your student at home about any of these topics.
Math: Due our complicated testing schedule the past few weeks, our math has been a little sporadic, but look for a little more normalcy in the homework routine. Your students just completed unit 9, and this week will be coming home with their written test for that unit for corrections and your signature. We will then be getting back into Unit 7 to get into negative numbers. We will then do a shortened version of Unit 8 on Multiplying Fractions, followed by Unit 10 on Algebraic Concepts.
Writing: We have been concentrating lately on specific capitalization rules, and will start this week clarifying specific terms of often confused words/phrases. (For example: all ready vs. already) Please ask your student to share what they have learned. Give he or she a pop quiz if you get a chance.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
Monday, April 23, 2012
5th Grade Update
Testing: The class took the first part of the MCA Math Test today on the computer and will complete it tomorrow. Then we will take the MCA Science portion next week. Then, we actually slide right into the testing time for the Spring MAP Tests, starting with reading first, and then math. We have doing some different classroom activities to get pumped up and celebrate the completion of these tests, including a popular dance. Your student can explain more for you. Anyway, please help them get the appropriate amount of rest needed to show all of their knowledge on these days.
International Night is this Friday!! Although, I have never been to it, I have heard from many that this is a really fun night with tons of different things for kids and parents to take part in, complete with numerous delicious food choices. I will be at the ticket booth to start the night, but I am looking forward to circulating throughout afterward. Thank you to all who have donated a giftcard to our classroom raffle item. We have created a very nice prize for some lucky winner! There are also some great silent auction items, including a basketball party for your student and their friends with me! (I am hoping somebody puts in a bid on it. I might be embarrassed when it goes for fifty cents.)
Thanks again to all the parents who joined us last Friday on our trip to the Northwest Trading Post! It is remarkable to go on a field trip and be able to take eight parent chaperones with us. It really was an enjoyable time for the class. A sincere thank you to Lisa, Luann, Erik, Paula, Martha, Jodi, Amy and Sue!
Science: We are continuing with our brief crash course of review concepts in Science. This week, we will review electrical circuits and some simple machines like levers, wheels & axles, pulleys, and inclined planes. Please lend your student any knowledge you have at home of any of these concepts.
Literacy: We have been talking a lot about making inferences when you read a text. Have your student explain to you what an inference is and give you a example. We have practiced reading them and writing our scenarios where someone else would have to infer something.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns...
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
International Night is this Friday!! Although, I have never been to it, I have heard from many that this is a really fun night with tons of different things for kids and parents to take part in, complete with numerous delicious food choices. I will be at the ticket booth to start the night, but I am looking forward to circulating throughout afterward. Thank you to all who have donated a giftcard to our classroom raffle item. We have created a very nice prize for some lucky winner! There are also some great silent auction items, including a basketball party for your student and their friends with me! (I am hoping somebody puts in a bid on it. I might be embarrassed when it goes for fifty cents.)
Thanks again to all the parents who joined us last Friday on our trip to the Northwest Trading Post! It is remarkable to go on a field trip and be able to take eight parent chaperones with us. It really was an enjoyable time for the class. A sincere thank you to Lisa, Luann, Erik, Paula, Martha, Jodi, Amy and Sue!
Science: We are continuing with our brief crash course of review concepts in Science. This week, we will review electrical circuits and some simple machines like levers, wheels & axles, pulleys, and inclined planes. Please lend your student any knowledge you have at home of any of these concepts.
Literacy: We have been talking a lot about making inferences when you read a text. Have your student explain to you what an inference is and give you a example. We have practiced reading them and writing our scenarios where someone else would have to infer something.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns...
Thanks,
Mr. Norman
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