Weekly Update 1/24/14

Hello All!

I'll keep it short and sweet this week!

I will be out of the classroom on Monday and Tuesday.  I have been given the unique opportunity to work with The Department of Education on Florida's K-6th grade Teacher Certification Exam.  Most of the time we do well with a sub, but sometimes the class can get really talkative.  Please just remind your children to be respectful.  Ms. Blake will be here to feel free to email her if you need something!  blakel@leonschools.net

Our Chapter 6 math test will be Wednesday!  Remember, we will be taking this test directly on the computer.

COMING SOON!  The second to last pay date for our Islands of Adventure trip is right around the corner…FEBRUARY 10th at 3:30!  We have had very few people make any payments.  The trip is in jeopardy of bring cancelled if we can't fill at least one bus.  The final payment date is set to be March 12th.

Have a great weekend!  

Weekly Update 1/17/14

Hello Again!

Well, as you guys read in the letter that came home with report cards, one of our classmates has suffered a terrible tragedy with the sudden loss of his brother.  I will say, that was my toughest day as a teacher…ever.  I was trying my best to keep it together for the kids, but that just didn't work.  I guess when you have students for as long as I have had this class, things are different with us.  We have become a little family of our own.  Families laugh together and cry together and that is just what we did on Wednesday.  This group of students showed true compassion for their classmate.  They were kind, thoughtful and honest with their feelings.  As my heart broke at the loss, it also swelled with pride as I saw how they handled this.  Again, I am so very, very proud of this group of students!

On a less emotional note:

Friday Folders are coming home today.  I have very few actual folders, so if you find yours at home please send it in on Tuesday.

Remember, we have no school on Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Chick-Fil-A spirit night will be Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 5-8pm.

Have wonderful weekend!

Weekly Update 1/14/14

A few updates about Math and Science:

Science:  The students will no longer be allowed to use their science textbooks on science quizzes and tests.  They will, however, for a short time be allowed to use their notes.  On that note…I have been transitioning them to start taking their own notes and not rely solely on me to tell them what is important.  This will continue throughout the year.  I do tell them what I would have in my notes and show them where I got the information from.

Math:  The students will no longer be taking math tests "paper/pencil."  The Math portion of FCAT for 5th grades is given on the computer only.  So, to be sure the students are prepared, we will be giving our chapter tests on the computer as well.  Of course, they are allowed scratch paper!  They just won't have a copy of the test in front of them.  

Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions about either of these!

Valuable Resources:

Pleased don't forget about these awesome resources that you can use at home!

www.thinkcentral.com--This is our math and science curriculum!  You can see your child's test scores, text books and tutorials!

www.explorelearning.com--Gizmos are great virtual activities that directly relate to our math and science curriculum!

www.khanacademy.com--Do YOU ever feel lost when helping with homework?  Visit Khan Academy for thousands of helpful math videos!

Upcoming Events:

PTO meets tonight at 6:00!

Report Cards are coming home tomorrow!

The Honor Roll Assembly is tomorrow at 2:00!  Invitations went home Friday.

Our 2nd annual Book Swap will be held on Friday!  Your child may bring a book from home they'd like to swap for a new/used one.

I think that's all for now...

Have a great rest of your week!!!