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Update 11/9

PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT "TREATS FOR TROOPS" THAT ARE DUE FRIDAY! We've already had a few items donated thanks to Davis, Alexa, Hong, and Mrs. Hill. Again, if you'd like to make a monetary donation, I can use that money on Thursday night to purchase supplies for this collection, too.

CHOIR CONCERT: The tribute to America music concert for grades 2-5 is tomorrow night, Thursday, November 10 at 7:30. All 5th graders MUST wear their decorated white t-shirts and dark pants or skirts. Please arrive by 7:15.

Homework:
WRITING: Superbowl postcard due Thursday (had 15 minutes in stations to work)

READING: Summer of Fire comprehension handout due Friday (had 15 minutes in stations to work), Island of the Blue Dolphins packet for Chapters 3-4 due Friday (assigned last Thursday), and Island of the Blue Dolphins reading of Chapters 5-6 by Friday (assigned on Monday).

SOCIAL STUDIES: Time For Kids page 2 due Thursday (Morning Work-had anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to complete--depends on time of arrival)

MATH: Page 155-156 in Math Journal due Thursday--review work

TREATS FOR TROOPS AND HEROES!

Update 11/7

We welcomed a new friend today, Tyler, to our classroom! Needless to say, everyone had more energy today (maybe it was the time change or the up coming full moon), and we spent some time discussing our jobs as school.

Homework (This might seem extensive, but please note that I've given ample time to complete these tasks during the school day):

• SPELLING: We WILL NOT have a spelling list this week! Something had to give .  . .
• READING: Page 51-52 from the workbook is due tomorrow (had over 10 minutes to complete in class).
• NOVEL: Island of the Blue Dolphins packet for Chapter 3-4 is due Friday along with reading Chapters 5-6. (We started this packet last Thursday and have had time each day to work on the packet).
• WRITING: Final copies of mysteries are due by Wednesday. Most students have these completed, but some are still trying to get them done. (We've been working on the final copies for over a week now.)
• MATH: 5.7 and 5.8 Study Links are due Tuesday. (10 minutes to complete in class)-If in math group, 5.6 and 5.8 handouts are due tomorrow.
• GRAMMAR: "May I Quote You?" page 26 is due tomorrow. (This was our morning work activity that students had from 30 minutes to 15 minutes to complete.)
• SOCIAL STUDIES: Supply and Demand reading comprehension and questions due Tuesday. (This was given out last Wednesday during Literacy Stations. During stations, students had 15 minutes to complete, and there has been time each day since then to complete any unfinished work.)

An email went home today regarding a collection for our troops currently serving in Iraq and for our veterans healing at the VA hospital. We would LOVE to show them our support, but we'd also LOVE a pizza party if we collect the most items! The collection list was also attached to the email, but I've included an image of the list on the blog, too. Please have your child write a letter to a soldier or a hero by Friday if your family cannot donate monetarily (food, magazines, etc.). I would really like for each student to understand the importance of our trait this month: Compassion!

Update 11/4

Thank you to all families that donated treats and snacks this week! The kids were thankful during each delicious bite!

Friday papers went home today! Check out Power School updates each Monday. I have to update grades by 4 pm each week.

Reading Counts quiz for November is due November 30. Also, students will need to read 20 points for th eBook-It reading program for November. This point value is doubled from October's points. Book-It's are due, with parent signature, by November 30 this month.

Science: Each student (unless in Math Lab) has the ocean tides packet (day 1-5) due Monday. This was not a homework assignment given out today, but rather it was given out yesterday with time to complete, and each student was given over 30 minutes today to complete.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mark Your Calendars!

As the holidays get closer and closer (I can't believe it's already November!), our calendars at school and in our personal lives fill quickly! Be sure to mark these dates today so you are prepared:

November 2-? New Box Top Collection--We are doing a grade level competition! GO 5th GRADERS!
November 10 at 7:30 5th Grade Patriotic Music program (WOW--these kids can sing!)
November 15 and 16 Yankee Candle order pick up dates (times TBA)
November 24-24 Thanksgiving Break
End of November, Early December: Our 2nd Acuity assessment for ISTEP performance prediction
December 9 at 1:45 Body and Safety Program for 5th Grade
December 16 End of the 2nd Nine Weeks' Grading Period and last day of school until 2012!
January 2 Back to School

As more dates approach, I will be sure to notify you here!

Update 11/2

We had a very, very busy day . . . it's always harder to get everything in on Wednesdays! However, we all look forward to a few extra sunlight since we're setting the clocks back one hour this Sunday!

Homework:
**Some of our classmates have changed from an expandable file folder system to a binder system equipped with color-coded folders for each subject. If your child is struggling with the current system, I encourage you to make whatever changes are necessary for your child to be most successful!

Math: 5.5 Study Link is due Thursday.
Spelling: No contract, but we will have a test on Thursday.
Social Studies: Read the rest of Chapter 5 Lesson 1 and complete pages 41-42 handout-this was due today, but we just didn't get to everything today! :)
Reading:

1.  Island of the Blue Dolphins packet for Ch. 1-2 was due today. I will check completion tomorrow.
2. Everglades comprehension handout was given during stations today (a least 10 minutes to get started on the questions and skills). It is due Friday.

Station tasks:

1.  The almanac task can ONLY be completed at school. That will be a "turn it in as you get it done" assignment.
2. The conversation task will be due by Friday. Most students already turned this in today.