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

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

Hello Parents,

I wanted to alert you to an important update. As I was checking the testing schedule yesterday, I noticed a miscommunication in our MCA dates for next week. We will be taking the Math MCA Test on Monday and Tuesday of next week, not Tuesday and Wednesday as I had originally told you. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Please remember to let your students get plenty of rest this weekend.

Thanks,
Mr. Norman

Hello 5th Grade Families

I hope you are all having a good weekend. Here are some important updates...



This upcoming Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be taking the Reading MCA tests on paper in the room.

Then the following week, on Tuesday, April 24th and Wednesday, April 25th, we will take the Math MCA test on the computer.

Finally, on either May 1st or 2nd, we will take the Science MCA test, which is also on the computer.

In class, we have discussed the importance of showcasing all that you have learned on these tests. We have also spoken about how getting enough rest and eating right can positively effect your results.  Please help your students by getting some good sleep over this weekend to build up a base for the week. Also, make sure your fifth grader gets a good breakfast on testing days. After having kids reflect on previous tests, many of them cited being too hungry, or not feeling well on the day of the test as a factor in how well they did. That being said, please encourage them to do their best without putting any undo pressure on them. 

Because of our upcoming testing, you should expect to see very little homework over the next couple of weeks. As mentioned before, we are also temporarily taking a break from spelling and word work.


Health: Over the last week, we have been going through our 'Growing Up' unit. While it can be an uncomfortable subject for students to discuss, I have been impressed with the collective maturity level when discussing these topics. We will conclude this unit early next week. Please remind your students that they should feel comfortable to come to you with any lingering questions.

Science: We having been doing a crash course review of science concepts students have learned over the past few years, such as the water cycle, and electrical circuits, as well as touching on some newer topics like erosion and simple machines. Please ask your students to explain some of these concepts at home.

Field Trip on Friday: Just a reminder that we will be going to the Northwest Fur Trade Post on Friday. Thank you to those who have volunteered to join us. We have a nice group of chaperones that will allow for some small groups on the trip, which is always more fun.

Thanks,

Mr. Norman

Thursday Update

Hello Families,

I know it's only Thursday, but here's an update of what we have going on....


First of all, a big thanks to the volunteers who helped out and each ran a math game at our Math Extravaganza today! Thank you Luann Quayle, Gale Mason-Chagil, April Brandt and Heidi Brezinka. Your time is much appreciated. I know the kids all had a lot of fun.

Test Dates: Here are the dates for our class.

MCA Reading Tests on Tuesday, April 17th and Wednesday, April 18th.

MCA Math Tests on Monday, April 23th and Tuesday, April 24th.

MCA Science Test on either Tuesday, May 1st or Wednesday, May 2nd.


Science: Starting next week, as a preparation for the MCA Science test, we will be taking a look at some of the science concepts students learned during the science curricula at earlier grade levels. Because some of these concepts are revisited on the test, we will be doing somewhat of a 'crash course' review unit. We will be utilizing some very thought provoking simulations and activities to do this in class and in a limited amount of time. Please ask your students what they have learned, or re-learned in class.


 Spelling: Due to upcoming testing and complex scheduling, we have decided to skip spelling for the near future. We will likely pick it back up at the end of the month.

Social Studies: For their final project in our Explorer Unit, students had a choice to complete a detailed timeline, or write an essay based on their research. Based on their selection, they have directions of exactly how to complete their project. Due to the level of quality time I have asked them to put into this project, I have decided that it is due on April 27. I have reminded them that a project like this needs them to think about their time management, so as to not leave the whole thing until the night before.

International Night: This festival is on Friday, April 27th. I have been told it is a lot fun for families to attend, with activities and games around the school. Our fifth grade class is still taking 'gift card' donations to be compiled as a raffle prize. Among silent auction items is a "Basketball Party with Mr. Norman," The winner will get to bring 7 or 8 friends to play games with me after school either in the gym or outside, complete with pizza and treats.  If you haven't already, please mark your calendars for this night.


As always, let me know if you have questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Mr. Norman

Monday Update

Hello Families,

Here is an update on what we have been up to Room 116, and some upcoming events.

Math: We are continuing with Unit 9, and currently, we are learning how to calculate the area of rectangles, triangles and parallelograms.  Your students do not have answer keys like they have in the past. As a result, I have allotted some time during class for the class to check and correct their homework, and ask any questions.

Volunteer Opportunities: We could still use some more volunteers for the Northwest Fur Post Field Trip on April 20th, and the Math Extravaganza on Thursday of this week. Please let me know if you would be willing to join us for one or both of those days.

Social Studies: Students have completed their explorer research and we will soon put together our information for our final project for the unit. If you haven't already, please ask your student who they conducted research on, and what they learned.

Writing: In class today, we discussed the importance of not only getting creative ideas down on paper, but also using proper sentence structure and punctuation. From now on I told them I will place a greater emphasis on the mechanics of their writing during weekly writing assignments. It's always a good idea to remind your son or daughter to check their work by re-reading it before turning it in. 

As always, please let me know if you have questions or comments.

Thanks,
Mr. Norman