Meetings with the Mouse Squad are coming to conclusion in June. We have been able to give certificates of completion and a small celebration for the students.
Latest Update
The garden project proved to be the most all inclusive option to combine math, science, responsibility, and opening new areas for self learning for the fifth graders. They selected the layout of the vegetable plots, worked with the construction people to ready the sites, tested the soil for acidity and added the proper nutrients to grow healthy plants. Students planted, weeded, and found strange wonderful little creatures to make the time in the garden a delight. They wrote stories about animals in the garden, grew crops that were turned into salads and salsa, took home pumpkins, and used the tomato plants for their science project. At the same time they funded all the items that were bought by selling snacks to the Intermediate Grades at morning recess. They learned about purchasing, selling, keeping records, reimbursement for items purchased, tithing, drew garden pictures to bring joy to us all, and they worked as a team. Other grades came to read in the garden, to see what was growing and to see butterflies go free, and most enjoyable were the ladybugs that were released at a Mother's Day celebration. To Father John who gave us the garden area, to all who volunteered and those students who had the experience of planting and reaping, digging and watering, we thank you for your efforts to make the garden a reality. You are good stewards of the earth.
Ms. Christensen
Ms. Christensen
Update October/November News
Work on the garden is really beginning and we are very excited. We remeasured the garden area. This time students were comfortable with feet vs meters and inches vs centimeters. We calculated the area we have to use for the vegetables. Father John told us what he wants to keep and what we can move. Mr. De Luis and Mr. Rodas are the supervisors in charge of the project. They have lots of experience and gave great suggestions.
Now we need parent help. We need you to bring your student to the garden on Saturday, October 31st at 8:00 a.m. Students will receive a grade for the work they accomplish. This is a real life learning experience and all students must be involved. There will be another date for those who have commitments the morning of October 31st. Each student must participate in the setup of the garden to receive a passing grade. Therefore, it is important to attend a work session. Please let me know the attendance by filling out the form the students are bringing home. It must be returned by Tuesday, October 27th.
Thank you for your help in this project. I will be asking for your on going assistance, so please ask for flyers that are going home at least once a week regarding The Garden.
Now we need parent help. We need you to bring your student to the garden on Saturday, October 31st at 8:00 a.m. Students will receive a grade for the work they accomplish. This is a real life learning experience and all students must be involved. There will be another date for those who have commitments the morning of October 31st. Each student must participate in the setup of the garden to receive a passing grade. Therefore, it is important to attend a work session. Please let me know the attendance by filling out the form the students are bringing home. It must be returned by Tuesday, October 27th.
Thank you for your help in this project. I will be asking for your on going assistance, so please ask for flyers that are going home at least once a week regarding The Garden.
October News
We have started to measure the garden area and are looking for adult volunteers. Work will be done by the students with guidance, tools, and materials supplied by adults. We need to discuss plans and ways to encourage the students to do the work. That means they will dig, plant, weed, and water. Meeting - Monday, October 19, 2009 - flyer will go home with more information.
Volcano presentations were excellent with posters having timelines, facts, drawings, photographs and references. Great job by all! We may be able to put these into books at a later date.
In2books had terrific letters from our pen pals. We are now revising our rough drafts and letting them know our books should arrive the second week in October. We will be reading excellent books about bullies, situations with solutions and discussions by the students. In the meantime book reports about either Jim Ugly or The Report Card are due Friday, October 16th. Students are to read, take notes and record the date pages are read. Notes may be in bullet form. Students are being graded for record keeping. The same requirement will apply to all books we read for in2books.
Fund raisers have gone home. Please help us to have 100% participation, the class will receive a reward for all the time and hard work you and your student put into this project. Thank you for such wonderful students.
Volcano presentations were excellent with posters having timelines, facts, drawings, photographs and references. Great job by all! We may be able to put these into books at a later date.
In2books had terrific letters from our pen pals. We are now revising our rough drafts and letting them know our books should arrive the second week in October. We will be reading excellent books about bullies, situations with solutions and discussions by the students. In the meantime book reports about either Jim Ugly or The Report Card are due Friday, October 16th. Students are to read, take notes and record the date pages are read. Notes may be in bullet form. Students are being graded for record keeping. The same requirement will apply to all books we read for in2books.
Fund raisers have gone home. Please help us to have 100% participation, the class will receive a reward for all the time and hard work you and your student put into this project. Thank you for such wonderful students.
September News
Fifth grade has started the in2books program with their first letter to their pen pal. Rough draft of letters have been approved! Students are to write first, then select their book. Our first selection is realistic fiction and the topic is bullies. We are excited and ready to read!
Welcome to our class!
We have so many things planned for this year. This is the year our students prepare for the Junior High Academy and that makes it very exciting! Along with our regular academics, we will be working on a garden project from testing the soil, finding out about nutrients, planning, digging, planting and seeing the results.
Homework is a must in 5th grade and it is assigned Monday through Thursday, reading is expected to become a habit, your student should be reading for book reports during the week and on weekends. Assignments are discussed in class and we all decide when reports and projects are due usually on a Thursday or Friday. The steps leading to the finished product will be assigned during the week or weeks so that students do not wait until the last minute. Building good work habits is the goal of 5th grade.
A book report was assigned the very first day we returned to school and the one page report form was turned in on Friday, August 28th. It was a very short and easy book.
Please make sure your child has an assignment book, please ask to see the book, check the homework, and initial the page each evening after the work is complete and check to see that your child has packed the books. It is required that students study at home especially math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and for tests.
All of the rules in the classroom are centered around respect, rights, responsibilities, and above all reverence for God, in every day life, at church and prayers. The students will help to form the classroom rules. If you have questions, want to set an appointment, or just talk about your student, please contact me. I am looking forward to an exciting year full of learning and growing.
Sincerely,
Ms. Christensen
Homework is a must in 5th grade and it is assigned Monday through Thursday, reading is expected to become a habit, your student should be reading for book reports during the week and on weekends. Assignments are discussed in class and we all decide when reports and projects are due usually on a Thursday or Friday. The steps leading to the finished product will be assigned during the week or weeks so that students do not wait until the last minute. Building good work habits is the goal of 5th grade.
A book report was assigned the very first day we returned to school and the one page report form was turned in on Friday, August 28th. It was a very short and easy book.
Please make sure your child has an assignment book, please ask to see the book, check the homework, and initial the page each evening after the work is complete and check to see that your child has packed the books. It is required that students study at home especially math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and for tests.
All of the rules in the classroom are centered around respect, rights, responsibilities, and above all reverence for God, in every day life, at church and prayers. The students will help to form the classroom rules. If you have questions, want to set an appointment, or just talk about your student, please contact me. I am looking forward to an exciting year full of learning and growing.
Sincerely,
Ms. Christensen
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