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.

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 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. 

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: 

 

 

 

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 11 annual Colonial Day!  Colonial Day is a culminating activity to 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 2012 will be on Thursday, October 11 (note the day has been changed from its originally scheduled day due to picture day on the 12th).

An informational flyer asking for parental help went home in Friday's, September 28, 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!

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: 

Colonial Ladies

Colonial Lads

Hair Raising Science & Crystal Peak

I greatly enjoyed Parent Night last Tuesday.  If you were unable to attend, please stop by after school, and I will give you the parent handouts.  We had another wonderful week together:

In science we are investigating atoms and elements.  Students stripped electrons from their hair to negatively charge balloons.  It was a "hair raising" activity!

Students were then challenged to use the negatively charged balloons to move neutrally charged soda cans.



In other science news, as mentioned at Parent Night, Mr. Saulsbury and I will be leading a non-school sponsored field trip to Crystal Peak to dig for quartz crystals, feldspar and sericite minerals.  This is considered a group of friends out for a day of mineral adventure.  Teachers will not be responsible for students.  Parents will drive their own children or make arrangements with friends to drive their child. We will meet in Caughlin Ranch school parking lot at 9:30 am on Saturday, Sept. 22, and caravan out to the mine site through Verdi and Dog Valley.  A flyer will be sent home Monday, Sept. 17, with more information.  Hope you all can make it!

Day 1 down! 179 more to go!

I am so lucky to have this group of students! They are attentive, hardworking, and helpful.  We spent our morning discussing the traits of "good character" and how to conduct ourselves in the classroom and school. We adjusted to the new lunch schedule--3 waves of lunches:

• All day K, 1, & 2 eating at 11:15
• 3-4 eating at 11:45
• 5-6 eating at 12:15

The lunch room was not as crowded as last year and seemed a bit calmer and quieter.

In the afternoon we investigated multiplication patterns with multiples of 10 and played Human Bingo.

Thanks for making this a great first day.  We are off to a wonderful start!

The First Day of School!

Is anyone else a little excited and nervous all at the same time?  I sure am--and this is my 20th "first day of school!"

I hope your first day, last day, and everyday in between is all that you expect out of school. Please remember these things as you enter the front doors of our classroom:

• Be kind and supportive of others
• Stay focused and attentive
• Ask questions
• Mistakes are opportunities to learn!
• Be positive and prepared

 

I look forward to meeting you tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Caughlin Ranch 5th Grade Happenings Spring 2013

Date	Time	Event
January 7 Monday	J	First day back after winter break
January 21 Monday	J	Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Feb. 4-Feb. 15	9:30-11:00	Writing Assessment (Test will be given one day within the date range)
February 14 Thursday	11:30-12:00	Valentine's Day Luncheon
February 18 Monday	J	Presidents' Day Holiday
March 22 Friday	11:30-12:15	Columbian Exchange Buffet
April 8-12	J	Spring Break
April 29-May 3	J	Criterion Reference Testing Week
May  24 Friday	9:00-1:45	Donner Memorial Park Field Trip
May 27 Monday	J	Memorial Day Holiday
June 5 Wednesday	J	Last Day of School

Caughlin Ranch 5th Grade Happenings Fall 2012

Date	Time	Event
September 22 Saturday	9:00-2:00?	Crystal Peak Field Trip Not sponsored by the school.  If your family would like to collect minerals, we will be caravanning to the site.
October 12 Friday	9:00-1:15	Colonial Day
October 15-19	12:50 dismissal	Student/Parent/Teacher Conference Week
October 25 October 29 Monday	9:00-1:45	Virginia City Field Trip This field trip will be our class’s Nevada Day celebration
October 26 Friday	J	Nevada Day Holiday
November 12 Friday	J	Veterans' Day Holiday
November 22 & 24 Thursday & Friday	J	Thanksgiving Holiday
December 19 Moved to middle of February	6:00-8:00 pm	We the People Mock Congressional Hearing Evening Educational Event
December 21 Friday	9:00-1:45	Keck Mineral Museum/Bowling Stadium field trip This field trip will be our class’s winter holidays celebration
December 24- January 6	J	Winter Break



Hello!

Welcome to Mrs. Sutherland’s 5th Grade Classroom blog!
This blog is designed to keep my students and parents informed and connected to school and classroom events. I am in the process of learning the ins and outs of blogging. Be patient with me. More to come!