September-October

I have greatly enjoyed getting to know all of the students in our classroom.  They can be a bit chatty, but are eager learners. Caughlin's Think Kindness campaign is creating a positive culture in our classroom and school.

Below is an outline of what students are learning:

ELA

We are currently reading the children's novel There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar. As we read this novel together, students are investigating the realistic fiction genre, analyzing character, plot structure, and theme. Students are also honing their summarizing skills. In conjunction with this novel, students have been asked to read at least one realistic fiction book, complete a story map for the realistic fiction book, and answer character analysis questions.  This is all part of their Independent Reading assignment, which also includes working towards and AR goal and completing a WOW! Words bookmark.  Students have several papers related to this assignment in their reading pockets.  The assignment is due Tuesday, October 6, 2015.

In writing we are working on summarizing and learning how to organize an essay.  Students are also becoming familiar with using our mobile computer lab. Following completion of our Me Essays, students will begin writing personal narratives and learning how to insert appropriate transition words/phrases and elaborate with dialogue and imagery.  

As part of language development, students are learning about word parts.  We will be studying how to add suffixes, such as, -ed and -ing to base words and spell them correctly. Following that, we look at common homophones.

Math

We have completed a quick review of base ten, the foundation of our number system. Students learned to multiply and divide by powers of ten. Currently we are in Unit 1 of Everyday Math, Number Theory in which concepts of arrays, factorization, and divisibility are addressed. Next up, will be a review of measurement with a focus on the metric system, linear measurement, and area. This will lead to volume and integrate into a science unit on density.

Social Studies

We have had a slow start in the area of social studies, but we are progressing through a short unit of study on United States geography.  This will be followed by a unit about the first people of the Americas.

Science

We have started a unit of study called Atoms to Minerals which will lightly investigate atomic theory, the periodic chart of elements, and matter.  The matter focus will be minerals. 

Please remember to donate to our Caughlin Ranch Colts on the Run fund raiser. Donations in the past purchased our wonderful mobile computer lab and many other supplemental programs for our school. Every dollar matters! Thanks!

Welcome Back Part 2

In the previous blog post I mentioned the Ice Cream Social.  That social has been cancelled. Parents and students are officially invited to meet their teachers and view classrooms starting at 8:30 on Monday, August 10, the first day of school.

Another change that has occurred is our class's outside line-up area.  In the past, students in D1 have lined up at the single-entry side door for D hall. Starting with the first day of school, D1 students will line up facing the double-entry doors at the end of D hall.

I'll keep you posted as to any other changes as staff continues to meet over the next few days.  Enjoy your remaining days of summer vacation!

Welcome Back!

I'm looking forward to greeting new students and old at  the Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 6.  If you can't make the Social, I'll be seeing you the first day of class on August 10.  Below is the Caughlin Ranch 5th grade supply list. If you are unable to obtain the items requested, please let me know and it will be taken care of.

• At least a 1 gigabyte flash drive (also known as a thumb drive or jump drive) for storing & transporting computer work from school to home and vice versa

• Durable expandable file folder (letter size), also known as an accordion folder, with at least 10 pockets to be used as a filing system for notes and assignments. Briefcase style—one that can stand alone with a handle, if possible.

•  $50 made out to Caughlin Ranch School which will cover the cost of the items below and other classroom supplies for science, math, and art throughout the year. 

We are happily providing these items to take the stress out of “Back to School” shopping!

·       Pencils  ·       3” x  3” Post-It Notes ·       Highlighters ·       Rulers ·       Correcting pens ·       Kleenex ·       Science, math, & art supplies.

·       Markers and colored pencils ·       Sharpie pens ·       Glue sticks ·       Scissors ·       Dry erase markers ·       Math, Science/Science and ELA notebooks

April-May

I must apologize for not posting in March.  I came down with a case of the shingles and had very little energy for most of the month.  Below is an outline of up-coming events in our classroom for the months of April and May.  Four SHARE lessons will also be taught between April 28-May 6. I did not include the dates and times, but if you need to know, please e-mail me.

Math

We have completed our fractions unit, which is a large part of the Nevada Academic Content Standards for math.  I will have students to continue to practice fractions skills and problem solving as we delve into co-ordinate graphing and converting between customary units of measure.  For fun, we will graph simple linear functions.

ELA/Social Studies

The American Revolutionary War is coming to an end in our classroom studies. Students will be giving PowerPoint presentations on Revolutionary Battles and Events as a culminating activity.  Of course with the end of the fighting, comes the formation of a new government, so our next unit of study will be the Constitution of the United States. We will be using a supplemental textbook entitled We the People.  We the People was created by the Center for Civics Education and is endorsed by Congress.  It is designed to help students understand how the Constitution came to be written, the major principles it contains, and how the Constitution effects our lives today. It promotes reading, writing, and critical thinking.  I will be asking students to discuss Constitutional topics with you as part of their homework.

Science

I am happy to announce that Sierra Nevada Journeys, “a 501(c)3 nonprofit that delivers innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for youth to develop critical thinking skills and to inspire natural resource stewardship,” will be coming to our classroom to guide us in investigating our watershed with their Hands in the River unit. We will also be taking a trip to McCarran Ranch on I-80 East to investigate the health of the Truckee River.

Sierra Nevada Journeys charges a fee of $20 per student, and we must pay for the field trip bus. However, I will be using our classroom PTA money of $15 per student to help off-set the fees.  At this point in time, I have enough money left from our beginning of the year fees to cover the other $5 per student.  I am asking each student to chip in $5 to help with the field trip bus fee to McCarran Ranch.

We will also be finishing up our Mixtures & Solutions unit by investigating chemical changes.

April-May Events

Friday, April 24—5th grade Nevada Legislature field trip.  $5 to cover bus fees.
 
Monday, April 27—Reading SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium)
                              CAT (Computer Adaptive Test) 1-2:30

Wednesday, April 29—SBAC classroom lesson

Thursday, April 30—SBAC Reading 9:15-10:45

Tuesday, May 5—Sierra Nevada Journeys lesson Watershed Connections 1-2:30

Monday, May 11—Math SBAC  CAT 10:45-12:15
                           Sierra Nevada Journeys lesson Watershed Inhabitants 1-2:30

Tuesday, May 12—Sierra Nevada Journeys field trip Watershed Health

Wednesday, May 13—Math SBAC classroom lesson

Thursday, May 14—Math SBAC 9:15-10:45

Tuesday, May 19—Sierra Nevada Journeys lesson Case Study of Non-Native    
                             Species 1-2:30

Friday, May 29—Donner Park field trip--focusing on  plant identification & glaciation.

January & February

I hope all families had a restful winter break! We are back to academics in the classroom.  At the time of this posting, students have completed the winter reading MAPs assessment and will be taking the math section January 29. Scores will be coming home following the math assessment. We have no word yet as to when students will be taking the SBAC test.

Below is an outline of what students will be studying during January and February.

ELA & Social Studies

Historical fiction will be our genre study and the whole class will be reading Avi's The Fighting Ground which complements are social studies unit on the American Revolutionary War. Students will be asked to read at least one historical fiction book at their reading level for their next independent reading assignment.  I highly encourage students to read a book set in American colonial or revolutionary times. I have many books set during these times for students to choose from. 

Students will also be engaging in several close readings of poetry. They will analyze Ted Kooser's Abandoned Farmhouse and then use his poem as a model for writing their own "abandoned" poem.  They will compare and contrast poems with similar themes, as well.

As mentioned before, social studies will focus on the American Revolution and students will be analyzing primary source documents to draw their own conclusions about the "Boston Massacre." They will then write an opinion essay addressing the question: Were the British Soldiers that fired upon the colonists guilty of murder or did they fire in self-defense?

To give students added support in reading, Caughlin Ranch has bought a subscription from A to Z Learning called Ready Test.  I will be sending home an informational letter once I have inputted students' names and passwords.  

Math

We are now investigating fractions. By the end of our unit students will be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions.  Students will be using manipulatives and models (fraction bars, circles, and number lines) to build a conceptual understanding of fractions. 

Caughlin Ranch has bought a subscription to Dreambox, an on-line math program.  Dreambox will be used in conjunction with IXL to support students' math skills.  Dreambox assesses students and then provides lessons to improve students' areas of weakness.  Dreambox will not necessarily align with what is being taught in class. 

Science

We have finished investigation #1, Separating Mixtures, in the FOSS Kit Mixtures and Solutions. The next investigations center on saturation, concentration, and chemical reactions.

October, November, December

We have just completed our first quarter of school.  Time flies when you're having fun!  We investigated the realistic fiction genre in reading, as well as, diving into informational texts via Newsela, textbooks, and Time for Kids magazine.  Students wrote three five paragraph essays during the quarter, and also practiced writing  comparing and contrasting paragraphs (we need a little more practice with this skill). Math focused on number theory and our wonderful base ten system.  Students honed their skills in  estimation, addition, subtraction, and multiplication of whole numbers and decimals.  Computation skills were embedded in word problems. Social studies began with a study of United States geography and morphed into the settlement of the Americas by the first peoples.  Science began with a unit on atomic theory which dove tailed with identify physical properties of matter, specifically minerals. 

We are now heading into the second quarter, a very busy time of year.  Below is  an outline of up-coming units of study and activities.

ELA

We will be delving in the mystery genre over the next few weeks, and mystery will be the focus of students next Independent Reading Assignment. Students' Mystery Independent Reading assignment and AR points are due Dec. 1.  As a whole class, students are reading the mystery/fantasy children's novel The Dollhouse Murders. Our next genre study will be historical fiction focusing on colonization of North America.

We continue to do close reading activities, most recently with an excerpt from Roughing It by Mark Twain that described Virginia City during its early days. This reading was to support the Virginia City field trip. Students will be writing an essay comparing Virginia City in Twain's time to Virginia City today.  Through this essay, students will be practicing citing sources of information.

Students continue to have weekly Newsela and fluency reading assignment.

Science

We are finishing  up our studies on minerals and physical properties.  Students are currently involved in labs in which they are finding volume of a mineral by displacement, finding mass using a balance scale, and are using these measurement to find density.  Students will further investigate volume and density by finding the volume of blocks of wood of various sizes and calculating density.

Our next science unit will be the FOSS Kit Mixtures and Solutions.  This is wonderful kit investigating  physical and chemical chemical changes of matter.

Math

Students are strengthening their understanding of measurement concepts: perimeter, area of rectangles, and volume. Geometry concepts  and division are focused skills throughout November and December.

Social Studies

Students have completed a jig-saw activity on North American Native American cultures.  Next up is Age of Exploration which leads directly into colonization. 

UNR Field Trip

I am currently in the planning stages of a field trip to UNR scheduled for December 18.  Students will be visiting the Keck Mineral Museum, the Engineering Department's earthquake shaker tables lab, and the Knowledge Center.  When schedule is firmed up, a permission note will be sent home.

 

August

I have greatly enjoyed getting to know my 2014-2015 school year students during the first two weeks of school!  Students took the reading MAP test on August 20, and will be taking the math MAP on August 28. Students scores will be coming home in the next few weeks.

Below is an outline of our studies and up-coming school events.

Reading

We are currently reading the children's novel There is a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom. This novel provides a vehicle for studying realistic fiction, character analysis, plot structure and theme.  Students were given an Independent Reading assignment on Monday, August 25.  As part of their Independent Reading, students were assigned an AR point goal based on their  STAR reading test and reading MAP scores. Students may read any books at their reading level to reach their point goal; however,  at least one book must be in the realistic fiction genre.  For the realistic fiction book students will complete a story map  and analyze the main character.  Students will also complete a WOW! Word bookmark collecting  ten new or interesting words from any of the books they read and writing down the definitions.  This Independent Reading assignment is due     .

We are also engaged in reading informational texts through our studies in science and social studies.

Language Arts

Students are completing their Me Essay. The purpose of this essay was to introduce students to the writing process and  five paragraph format we will be using throughout the year as we practice writing informative, persuasive, narrative, and opinion pieces.  Students will be asked to type these essays to gain fluency using word processing programs. If students do not have access to a computer at home. They may come in before school, during recess, or after school to use a  classroom computer.

Our next essay will be a persuasive piece: Why donate to the Caughlin Ranch Jog-athon?

Math

We are finishing up Unit 1 in Everyday Math: Number Theory.  Following the Unit 1 Checking Progress assessment, students will be taking a closer look at Nevada Academic Standards tied to base 10.  This will be followed by Everyday Math Unit 2: Estimation and Computation.

Science

Students have learning about atoms and their connection to static electricity.  Students will visit the periodic chart of elements and link it a study of minerals and physical properties.  We will then begin using the FOSS Kit, Water Planet.

Social Studies

We are currently learning the "lay of the land" in anticipation of our study of American history.  Over the next few months, students will be encounter the first people in the Americas, European explorers, European colonizers, and the American Revolution.

Caughlin Ranch 5^th Grade Supply List

2014-2015 School Year

 

At least a 1 gigabyte flash drive (also known as a thumb drive or jump drive) for storing & transporting computer work from school to home and vice versa

Durable expandable file folder (letter size), also known as an accordion folder, with at least 10 pockets to be used as a filing system for notes and assignments. Briefcase style—one that can stand alone with a handle, if possible.

$50 made out to Caughlin Ranch School which will cover the cost of the items below and other classroom supplies for science, math, and art throughout the year.

 

 

We are  happily providing these items to take the stress out of “Back to School” shopping!

·       Pencils    ·       3” x  3” Post-It Notes   ·       Highlighters   ·       Rulers   ·       Correcting pens

·       Markers and colored pencils   ·       Sharpie pens   ·       Glue sticks   ·       Scissors   ·       Dry erase markers   ·       Math, Science/Science and ELA notebooks

 

 

 

April

We the People

Students have been working hard preparing for the We the People mock congressional hearing to be held Wednesday, April 23.  Students should be at school about 6:15.  By 6:30 parents, students, teachers, and the judges will gather in the cafeteria for presentation of the flag, introductions and a few welcoming words from our principal, Mrs. Thoroughman.  After this, students, parents, and teachers will go to their classrooms--each 5th grade classroom will be conducting  a mock hearing.  This hearing a a wonderful way to celebrate students' Constitutional knowledge and support writing, speaking, and listening skills.

Math

We have begun investigating the Measurement and Data strand of our Common Core Math Standards.  Before spring break students worked with various graphs to represent data: line plots, stem-and-leaf plots, and histograms. Students are now working  on perimeter, area, and volume concepts.   We will also be preparing for CRTs with Nevada Department of Education practice tests.

Reading

Students' Fantasy Genre assignment and AR points were due Friday, April 18.  Some students have not yet turned this assignment in. Students may still turn this assignment in.  We will know begin looking into the science fiction genre.  Students will be given a Science Fiction independent reading assignment this coming Friday, April 25. Students, also,  continue to have weekly Newsela.com assignments.

Science

We are preparing for science CRTs with a variety of science topics.  We briefly reviewed earth science concepts and are beginning to look at life science concepts.

CRTs

State mandated CRTs (Criterion Referenced Test) will be given the first week in May.  Students in fifth grade take tests in math, reading, and science.  Each test has two parts.  Students will be taking Math part 1 on Monday morning, May 5; Math part 2, Tuesday morning, May 6; Reading part 1 Wednesday morning, May 7, Reading part 2, Thursday morning, May 8; and Science parts 1 & 2 on Friday, May 9.  Please make sure your child is at school on time this week  and he/she is getting a good breakfast and plenty of rest. Thank you!

March 15

We the People

A note went home in Friday, March 14, Friday Folder explaining the We the People program and the culminating mock congressional hearing.  The final date (I promise this won't change) is Wednesday, April 23. 

Newsela.com

I sent a bright pink paper home on Monday, Mach 10, explaining 5th grade's latest reading program, Newsela.com.  Newsela.com is a web-based reading program featuring informational text taken from magazines and newspapers.  Every student was given his/her log-on information.  Each week students will be assigned a Newsela article to read with an accompanying 4 question quiz. This reading assignment will take the place of the weekly fluency assignment.

Fanstasy Genre

We will begin reading Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland as a class novel.  Students have been given a new Independent Reading Assignment and AR goals due  April 18.  At least one of the books they read between now and April 18 will be in the fantasy genre.  Students need to complete a Fantasy Genre Independent Reading Assignment by April 18.

 

March 2

Class Meeting Notes

On Friday, Feb. 28, students participated in a class meeting. Students discussed lunchroom behaviors, cell phone use at school, playground and line-up behavior, respect issues, and excessive noise in the classroom.  Students will be bringing home a paper with detailed notes of this discussion.  Please review these notes with your child and reinforce the importance of respectful and polite behavior. Please sign it and have your child return it to school.  Thank you.

Social Studies/Language Arts & We the People

Students have transitioned from the American Revolution to the writing of the Constitution.  To engage students in civics education we are using the program We the People.  We the People was created by the Center for Civics Education and is sponsored by Congress.  The culminating activity in  this project based learning design is a mock Congressional hearing at which students will read prepared written statements and answer questions regarding the Constitution before a panel of judges.  The date of the mock Congressional hearing is Wednesday, April 16, 6-8 PM.  This is a change from the original date set at the beginning of the year. Please make every possible effort to have your child attend this powerful learning experience.

Math

We are ending up our fractions unit of study, but will continue to work with fractions as we analyze data, solve problems, and in measurement.  We will examine fraction/decimal relationships and begin a data analysis unit.

Science

We are ending our FOSS Mixtures and Solutions unit by investigating chemical changes.  Students will begin a life science unit examining food webs and food chains. Students will learn of the importance of plants in food chains and plant structures.  A focus on trees  will combine science and art. Students will be designing wood tables for the up-coming Art Auction. 

January 26-February 2

Spell-athon

Students will be taking the Spell-athon spelling test this coming Friday, January 31. Please help your child study these words and gather some sponsors. 

AR Goals

Students will be bringing home their new AR goals (Independent Reading)  this coming week.  Because of the written work required of their Poetry assignment due February 14, students will not have a written component associated with their AR goals.

January 22-27

Happy New Year!

I hope all of you had a restful and joyful winter break.  The students returned to school ready go! Thank you for making your child's education a priority.  Below is an outline of current and up-coming classroom studies and events:

Language Arts

We have begun a poetry unit of study in language arts.  Through this poetry unit students will engage in several Common Core Literature Standards.  Students will be reading and analyzing poetry in the classroom and writing poems, too.  They have been given an Independent Poetry Reading assignment designed to reinforce literature/poetry concepts taught in the classroom.  This Independent Poetry Reading assignment is due February 14.  To celebrate the end of our poetry unit, we will be having a Poetry Slam in the afternoon of February 14.  Students will be sharing their favorite poems with their classmates.  More details regarding the Poetry Slam will be coming home.

Math

We continue to investigate fractions in math.  Modeling of fractions is an important Common Core concept, and students have made fraction sticks, used number lines, and drawn pictures to visualize and model fractions.  We will begin modeling addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators in the week ahead.

Social Studies

The American Revolution is our social studies focus for the next several weeks.  Cause and effect relationships will be examined during this unit of study.  Students will also be analyzing primary source images and documents related to the American Revolution.

Science

We continue our FOSS unit, Mixtures and Solutions.  The focus of the third investigation in this unit is concentration.

Spell-athon

Our PTA is holding a Spell-athon fund raiser.  Students will be bringing home their spelling lists this week.  Please support your child in this activity.

MAPs Testing

Students are taking reading and math MAPs assessments this week and next. I will be sending home the results of these tests by the end of the month.

Happy Holidays!

Thursday, Dec. 19, Schedule

The last day before winter break, Thursday, Dec. 19, is going to be fun!  The entire school population is encouraged to wear pajamas that day and sing-along to the Polar Express between 2 and 3. Our classroom's morning activities follows:

• 8:45-9:30--Hot cocoa and muffins
• 9:30-10:30--Students will deposit their $S Bucks and enjoy a good book while they wait their turn to visit a banker.
• 10:30-12:00--Mrs. S.'s Auction.  Students will bid on items and write checks for their purchases.
• 12:15-1:00- Lunch and recess
• 1:00-2:00-Room and personal space organization and clean-up
• 2:00-3:00 All school Polar Express

Winter Break, Dec. 20-Jan. 12, Academics

To keep students mentally active during winter break, students will have four IXL skills to work on: J1 Multi-step word problems, K6 Greatest common factor, K7 Least common multiple, and L2 Equivalent fractions--students may want to use Math  Journal page 206 to help them find equivalent fractions.

I am also asking students to visit Mission-US (the link is to the right) and play the game For Crown and Colony. Engaging in this role-playing game will keep students, reading, writing, thinking, and learning about the Revolutionary War.  Students have been given questions to answer after playing each part.

Students should continue to read over break.  Some students may be finishing up their Book Club books, others may read any books of their choice.

Enjoy your Winter Break! I look forward to seeing you all on Jan. 13!

 

December 9-19

End of Second Quarter Grading Period

The end of the grading period is upon us.  The last day for students to turn in any missing assignments is Thursday, Dec. 19.  Please check Infinite Campus with your child to see if she/he has any missing assignments. 

Reading

Students Mystery Independent Reading Assignment and AR points was due Thursday, Dec. 5.  The next Independent Reading Assignment will focus on historical fiction.  Students will be assigned to a book club. Each member will have his/her own copy of the book and will be required to read a certain amount each night.  The following day, book clubs will meet and discuss the previous night's reading. I would like to have all books finished before break, but the students and I will have to discuss the time table for completion.

Writing

Students are working in class on an essay comparing and contrasting colonial America with modern times. Students will be using the the "chicken foot" pre-writing graphic organizer to guide them.  Details regarding colonial America will come from the students' textbooks, informational books available in class, and their experiences during Colonial Day.

Students are also working a personal narrative.

Math

We are wrapping up our studies on geometry and division and heading into fractions and algebraic thinking.  We will examine more thoroughly the relationship between fractions and division.

Science

Our second investigation in Mixtures and Solutions dealing with saturation is coming to a close.  Students will be given a Saturation Puzzle this coming week.  Our next Mixture and Solutions investigations will focus on concentration.

Social Studies

We will conclude our Colonial American studies with a test.  Students will be given a study guide and tips on how to study for a test. The study guide will be distributed and discussed on Monday, Dec. 9. The test will be Friday, Dec. 13.

The American Revolution looms on the horizon. Focus of this unit of study will be on events leading up to the Revolution.  Students will examine cause and effect relationships as they pertain to this momentous American event.

December 19 Schedule

On Thursday, Dec. 19, the fifth grade will celebrate the arrival of winter break with muffins and hot cocoa from 8:45-9:30.  Following muffins and cocoa, students will snuggle up with books while they wait their turn to see a banker to deposit their S Bucks.  Once all deposits have been made, students will be able to spend their hard-earned S Bucks at Mrs. S.'s Holiday Auction.  Students will be required to write checks for all purchases and keep  track of withdrawals in their check books. 

Students will attend the Polar Express sing-along in the afternoon.

November 18-24

Independent Reading Assignment

Due to popular demand, the Independent Reading assignment due date has been changed from November 22 to December 5.  Many students felt they needed more time to reach their AR point goals.  For those students that will have met their personal goal by November 22, keep reading and taking tests.  Points earned above your goal will earn you extra credit!  So keep reading! 

Don't forget the Independent Reading assignment includes the following:  AR points, Mystery Story Map, Mystery Analysis questions, and Wow! Words.  Take your time when completing the story map and answering questions.  Take pride in your work by paying attention to spelling and punctuation.  Your responses should be thoughtful and supported with evidence from the text. I suggest you type out your responses to the questions to practice your typing skills and enhance the appearance and readability of your work.

Colonial Day is this Friday, November 22

Thank you to all the parents that volunteered to support our Colonial Day! It is guaranteed to be a successful learning experience for all of our Caughlin 5th graders.

November 12-17

Science Carnival

The Caughlin Ranch Science Carnival will be this coming Wednesday, November 13, from 6-7 pm.    Community voluteers whose jobs and careers involve science will be presenting information and activities in science "booths" set-up in the multipurpose room. The Northern Nevada Astronomy Group will have telescopes on the playground, and UNR engineering students will be in the computer lab.

Colonial Day is Coming!

In order to bring American history alive and understand how children of the past lived, Caughlin Ranch 5th grade will be hosting the 12 annual Colonial Day! Colonial Day is an activity to support and enhance our Colonial America unit of study. During the day students will play, eat, and even dance (thanks, Mrs. Jackson!) as children living in colonial Williamsburg in the 1770s. Colonial Day 2013 will be on Friday, November 22.

 

An informational flyer asking for parental help went home in Friday's, November 8, Folder. We will need parents to prepare food, cut cloth, and assist in the rotation activities during the day. In my classroom, students will be making and dressing corn husk dolls, the more helping hands the better! Since we do not have a third 5th grade teacher this year, colonial games will need to be manned entirely by parents. 

To make the event as historically accurate and fun as possible, we encourage students to dress in a colonial fashion. For girls this means a dress or skirt. I will provide each young lady with an apron, and the girls will be making their own mob caps. For the young gents, I suggest they wear football/baseball pants or roll up pants to simulate breeches, knee length pants, and tall socks. A dress shirt and, if possible, a vest or dress coat, will complete their outfit. Boys will be fashioning cravats, precursor to the tie, out of material. Don't rush out to purchase clothing--raid every closet in the house. One of the best dressed colonial lads I ever saw wore his mother's full sleeved blouse and her vest! If you do decide to buy something, try Savers or one of the other used clothing stores. Old Halloween costumes can be fashioned into colonial clothing, too.

Below are some examples of student clothing from last year: 

 

 

 

November 4-12

Conference Week Follow-Up

I greatly enjoyed meeting with you and discussing your child’s assessment data and student skills last week.  But I made a mistake in regards to the SBAC (Smarter Balance Assessment Consortium) computerized test.  The SBAC test will be administered next school year in the spring of 2015, not this year school year.  Students can still take the practice tests which are assessing our new Common Core Standards, but just know the traditional paper and pencil bubble in test will be given in May of this school year.  I apologize for this mistake in dates.

Explorer Presentations

We will discuss necessary skills for giving a presentation to the class on Monday.  Students will be asked to prepare a one to two minute presentations on their explorer.  Students should practice the presentation at home this week.  Presentations will be given on Friday of this week.

Math

The Everyday Math Unit 3 Geometry Checking Progress assessment is tentatively scheduled for this coming Friday.  We will review for this assessment in class during the week.

October 28-November 3

Conference Week--Oct. 28-Nov. 1

Looking forward to meeting with you and your child next week.  Our conference will  focus on your child's assessment data and student skills observed in the classroom. School will be dismissed each day at 12:50.

Explorer Trading Card

Students' Explorer Trading Card is due this Friday, Nov. 1.  We began this research project 3 weeks ago.  Students were given an outline and rubric for the project, as well as, a note taking guide. Computer and library times were used for research.  I provided students with maps and poster board for creating the "trading card."  Late trading cards will not be accepted.

Virginia City Field Trip

Thank you to all the parents that volunteered to chaperon on our recent Virginia City field trip.  We had an amusing time learning about Virginia City's past population by reading tombstones in the Silver Terrace Cemeteries.  Lunch was enjoyed in historic Piper's Opera House listening to the superintendent of Storey Count Schools explain a about the history of the opera house.  We finished up our trip with a visit to Fourth Ward School to learn about turn of the century schools and tour the Mark Twain Room and the Nevada Mining Association's Mining Room.  The students were on their best behavior and  enthusiastic learners!

Conference Week--October 28-November 1

If you have not already done so, please make sure you sign up for a conference the week of October 28.  Confirmation notices and sign-up forms went home in Friday Folders on October 11.  Please make sure your child attends the conference with you.

Virginia City Field Trip

Don't forget the class will be visiting Virginia City on Thursday, Oct. 24 to celebrate Nevada Day. Please make sure you have signed the permission form by Tuesday night as it is due in class on Wednesday.