5-23-11

PTA/Room Moms - Thanks for the lunch! All the other teachers were jealous...

MATH: Students worked on taking four UCUTIPS Math tests online today. We'll finish them tomorrow. I also handed out a 5 page (each double-sided) packet and asked students to finish 5-1 through 5-5 by Wednesday. I'll give lots of time in class to work on it so I can help them out with things they're not sure of. The rest of the packet is due this Friday.

ART: I taught how to do circles using string art. It's hard for kids, but many were able to get it. My class will be teaching other classes how to do string art, so we're practicing diligently to get it down.

5-17-11

SHOWERS & DEODERANT: Today there were several students who really stunk. I'm sorry, but it was pretty bad! Please remind your adolescent kids to take a shower daily and use deoderant. They're playing hard at school and home, and their sweat glands are kicking in big time! It's life. When I get 29 kids in a room, it can become a little much for everyone.

BEHAVIOR: Student behavior usually deteriorates around this time. I've been in the hall with students about inappropriate comments, being off-task, & other behavior issues several times. It's normal. I never get mad, but try to emphasize consequences of interrupting the learning of other students. Hope I don't have to call parents in at this time of year, but it may happen. Please emphasize the importance of continued learning until school lets out. I'm still teaching!

SCIENCE: Science CRT testing will take place this Thursday during track times. My class will be combined with another class which will give us more than 40 students during track times. Because of this, I've asked eight students to switch from Track 1 to Track 2 time this Thursday only. The students who were asked to switch this day are student numbers 1, 3, 7, 8, 18, 25, 26, and 29. If your student is one of these numbers, I'm expecting them to come during Track 2 time on Thursday, May 19th. Sorry about any inconvenience!

MATH: Two-sided worksheet assigned, due tomorrow. We worked on it during class, and most got done. Ask to see it and find out if they really understand it.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Students took UCUTIPS tests with partners in preparation for CRTs. The Autobiographies are due this Friday. I've been telling students this for over two weeks. They know and should be done or almost there.

Spelling Packet #30 due tomorrow.

SOCIAL STUDIES: I gave enough time for everyone to finish their timelines today. I believe almost everyone got done and attached them to the bottom of their posters. Any not done now have to be completed at home. Our Wax Museum is on Friday and posters will be taped up in the gym by noon. No more time will be given at school to work on the Great American Hero project. Parents are welcome to visit the Great American Hero Wax Museum this Friday from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. No charge!

ART: We're learning all about the 1970s fad, string art. Students have been taught how to do angles and circles. They were asked to come up with a design tonight that could be their string art project tomorrow. Can't wait to see the designs they come up with!

5-15-11

TESTING: Thursday bright and early @ 8:00 a.m. for Track 1. We'll be taking Science Section I during track times, and Science Section II from 1-2:15 p.m. PLEASE DON'T MISS CLASS ON THURSDAY!

MATH: I taught Chapter 12 Concept 3 today - using inverse operations to solve for variables. It was a difficult lesson, and I'll continue tomorrow. There will be a worksheet coming home tomorrow as homework. We're done with the Math textbook, so please make sure your child turns it in to me ASAP. Thanks!

SOCIAL STUDIES: We will be starting oral presentations of Great American Heroes this Wed. at 9:15 a.m. I'll give students time tomorrow to work on them. They will only have 2-3 min. to do them. It's not a big deal. Students just need to tell the most important things about their GAH. We are also working on timelines in class tomorrow.

LANGUAGE ARTS: We're taking UCUTIPS tests during Power Hour right now.

5-11-11

MATH: Students took Session II of the CRT. No math homework today.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Students are reviewing for CRT tests using UCUTIPS tests during class. They may work with partners to get the highest scores, and I've offered a Homework Pass to each partnership that achieves the highest score for each test. They're really working hard!

MUSIC: Students started this new specialty class today. From what they tell me they will be having a talent show sometime before school ends. Ask your student for details.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were broken into groups of three (with a few preferring to work alone) to work on end-of-year presentations from WWI to present. They are researching out of our textbook and coming up with a creative and fun way to present the most important information they have learned. Some are doing PowerPoints. Some are doing Reporter on the Scene for their time frame. Some are creating a video re-enactment of parts of their time frame. These will be presented starting on May 23rd.

I think 99% of everyone is done with their posters. We're still working on timelines to attach to the bottom of their posters. They're VERY busy and have no time to goof off. Remember to be looking for costumes for May 20th's Great American Wax Museum.

5-10-11

FIELD TRIP: We went to the Ft. Douglas Museum and had a tour. We saw guns, uniforms, pictures, canons, tanks, helicopters, etc. The kids seemed to be really interested, and the guide was very informative. He made it clear that war isn't "cool" though it is necessary at times. At 10:30 a.m. we arrived at the Frank Moss District Courthouse. We were lucky enough to be invited to witness two actual court sessions. One man was a repeat drug offender and was sentences to a half-way house for six months on probation. The second defendant had a shaved head, tatooed peace sign on the back of his head, and tattoos from his wrists all the way up below his sleeves. He came into court in jail attire wearing handcuffs and chains. I think it got the kids' attention. He had been in the "pen" for five years and had been arrested again for continued drug dealing and possession of a firearm (illegal for a convicted felon). He looked scary. His trial was put on hold for about 10 days until the prosecutors could get all their evidence together. Our lawyer tour guide was fantastic and answered all the students' questions. Judge Bennion also answered questions after the two hearings. It was great!

We got back to school at 2 p.m. and kids went home at 2:15 p.m. No homework tonight. Just have them get to bed early ready to take Math Session II CRT tomorrow at 9:15 a.m.

5-9-11

FIELD TRIP TOMORROW: Track 1 Day for all students. Please make sure your 5th grade student is at the school NO LATER THAN 8 a.m. TOMORROW MORNING!

MATH: We did CRT Session I today. No homework. Math Session II tomorrow morning at 9:15 a.m. - please have Track 2 kids at school right on time. Thanks!

LANGUAGE ARTS: New TFK packet handed out. Forty minutes were given to get it mostly done. It's due WEDNESDAY, not on Thursday (as usual).

Spelling: New packet today, due Wednesday.

5-6-11

MATH: No math today.

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: We finished up the Great American Hero posters today. I'd say that 95% got done. Anything not finished this week is now homework. No more time will be given in class to get them done. We'll focus on memorizing the 10 facts now. We'll also work in class on making a timeline to attach to the bottom of the posters.

Spelling: Student scored the latest review packet. Grades were very high.

MISC: We took about an hour to make cards for mothers and fathers (for June). It was fun to watch the care they put into what they made. Pretty creative cards were cranked out!

5-5-11

MATH: Started Chp. 12. Assignment pgs. 697-698 #1-8, 10-23 and p.701 #1-8, 10-17. 19-24. Most students got done during class and understood the concept.

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: Spent the whole time on Great American Heroes. Posters are to be done by the end of tomorrow. Most are finishing up and are working on their own autobiographies now.

P.E.: We practiced kickball against Mrs. Hill's class and came of victorious! Our class does well with teamwork!!!

5-4-11

MATH: Many students hadn't completed their homework worksheets. I informally assessed where they were in understanding ratios, and decided that the majority of them would be able to do well on the Chp. 11 Test. We'll see...

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: Great American Hero posters, again. Students had a full two hours today. I'd say that about half will be completely done by tomorrow (Thursday). They are due Friday. Students getting done were told to work on this week's Time for Kids packet, then type up their Autobiographies, and if they got all of that done, they could research another GAH and create a slide show to present to the class. I kept them VERY busy.

5-3-11

MATH: Handed out two double-sided review worksheets on ratios. My afternoon sub helped students work on them, and anything not finished was homework.

SOCIAL STUDIES / LANGUAGE ARTS: Students were given about an hour to work on the Great American Hero posters. We had to take an hour to finish the Mother's Day projects. Time was given to work on the Spelling Packets.

5-2-11

MATH: No math today. We worked on special secret Mother's Day gifts that took the whole math time.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Students were given two full hours to work on their Great American Hero posters.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Worked on GAH stuff. Spelling Packet (review) went home. It's due Wednesday.