Mrs. Alabakoff's 4th/5th GradeDearborn Public Schools

Apr 19th What an Awesome Class!

I have the most amazing class of students!

Today, I had to stop them from reading to self to go to Media.  Most of them are reading their literature circle books.  When I said “Ok, it is time to line up for media,”  they yelled “Nooooo, I am at the part where they are at the race.”  “I am finding out what the penguins are doing.”  One student was walking with his head in the book, reading as he was walking.  I heard quiet laughs because of the humor in the book they are reading.  These are just a couple of things I wanted to share, but all of them did not want to stop reading.

Make sure to give your child a pat on the back!  I am so proud to be their teacher.  Can I just keep them for next year??? LOL

Apr 19th Popcorn update

Mrs.  Lackey has graciously volunteered to pop popcorn.  We really need two people, so any takers???

Apr 19th Popcorn Poppers needed!

Sorry for the late post!!

I just realized it is our popcorn day on Friday!

If you are interested in popping popcorn, please let me know!  It is greatly appreciated!!

Apr 17th Pennies for Patients

Hello DuVall students, teachers and parents,

The last coin has been counted, and the results are in! Because we worked together, Our Pennies for Patients campaign was a big success. We raised 1,278.12 toward helping the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society meet its goal of eliminating blood cancers forever. Thank you so much for helping and participating in Pennies for Patients. Now for the winners! In 2^nd place with $214.92 is Mrs. Alabakoff’s class. They have won an ice cream sundae party.  The winning class, raising a whopping $260.28, is Ms. Sims class! They will receive a lunch from the Olive Garden. Congrats to everyone, Nice job Penguins!!

Apr 17th Week of April 17th-21st

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend!  It was nice to enjoy all the nice weather and sunshine!

Reminders:

Thank you so much to all those who donated to Pennies for Patients.  We were able to raise enough for 2nd place ice cream party, but more importantly, we will be helping many children!

Thursday is our field trip to Stout Middle School to see Aladdin.  Should be awesome!  Please make sure your child has turned in his/her permission slip.

We also have a field trip to Oakwoods Metropark on May 1st.  It is going to be an awesome trip!  The students will be able to do a pond study and take a canoe ride.

We are learning:

Spelling–This week our focus is y to i words.  We are learning about the rule for when you change the y and when you don’t.  I am looking for students to transfer their knowledge into their writing.

Daily5/CAFE–We are working on our specific roles within our literature circles.  Students discussed today and switched roles for the second part of their book.

Writer’s Workshop–We finished up a bit of poetry writing and are now going to move on to a narrative piece of writing.

Math–We are wrapping up Unit 7.  Study guide for the test will be coming home this week and we will most likely have the test on Wednesday.  If students have mastered the concepts, they have been working on challenge/extension activities.  Many of the students are also becoming quite proficient with their multiplication facts!  Keep practicing!  We will be having our reward soon!

Science–Our focus is Plants. We are creating a lapbook with all of our plant concepts.  Hopefully your child is also taking care of his/her cabbage plant as well.  We have been talking about different kinds of roots, stems, leaves and flowers.  Students may bring in samples of parts they find (with parent permission of course! ).

Social Studies–We are currently working on Government.  Students are learning about the purpose of our government.  This week we will focus on the names of the three branches and the jobs of each branch.

Have a sunny week!

Apr 12th Pennies for Patients!

Hello Duvall students, teachers and parents,

The last coin has been counted, and the results are in! Because we worked together, Our Pennies for Patients campaign was a big success. We raised 1,278.12 toward helping the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society meet its goal of eliminating blood cancers forever. Thank you so much for helping and participating in Pennies for Patients. Now for the winners! In 2^nd place with $214.92 is Mrs. Alabakoff class. They have won an ice cream sundae party.  The winning class, raising a whopping $260.28, is Ms. Sims class! They will receive a lunch from the Olive Garden. Congrats to everyone, Nice job Penguins!!

Mar 30th End of Reading Month

As a culminating activity for March is Reading Month, students will be having a read in tomorrow afternoon.  They will be wearing pajamas for pajama day and can also bring a stuffed animal and a snack and drink.  This snack can be an “unhealthy” snack different from their usual healthy morning snacks.  Chips etc.  are fine for this special day.  Please, no pop for the drink, but students can bring juice, gatorade….  We will be enjoying our books while snacking!  Students will also be having a birthday treat!

Mar 27th Week of March 27-31

Reminders this Week:

Conferences–Wednesday 4-7  If you were scheduled for a conference you should have received a slip

Beach Day–Wednesday  Students may wear beach attire.  No flip flops!

Pajama Day–Friday  and End of March is Reading Month

Next week–Spring Break

We are learning:

Spelling–Our focus this week is suffixes.  We are learning the meanings and identifying root words.  Please be sure to review and study the words each night.

Daily 5/CAFE–Students are working on individual goals and books, but we have also begun our literature circles (Book Club).  Each student in the circle has a different job–for example, real world connector, word wizard, summarizer etc.  Students will switch roles throughout the book.  They are really already having fun with this!  It is a great way to enjoy books together.

We have also begun our book talks, where students can share a book that they finished and enjoyed.  They must present the book to the class, by discussing various parts and recommend the book with reasons.  This is also a great way for the other students to get book ideas when they are looking for a good book to enjoy.  Every student will have a chance to do a book talk.  Remember to ask your child about what book he/she is choosing.

Writer’s Workshop–We will be finishing our public discourse at the beginning of the week using our plan and stating our opinion with reasons.  We will then move on to narrative writing.

Math–Unit 6 Math tests will be coming home this week.  We are moving on to Unit 7 which is multiplication and division, but extension of the facts with multiples of 10.  Please be sure to keep practicing those facts, as it is very helpful if they know the facts when multiplying larger numbers.

Social Studies–We have begun our unit on government and will be discussing purposes of our government and the 3 branches with description of the roles of each branch.

Have a wonderful week and an even better Spring Break!

Mar 24th Science test

UUUgh!  Just found that students did not pass out graded science test today.  I will make sure that it gets done on Monday, but if you (or your child) is anxious to see their grade, you can email me and I will let you know how he/she did!

Mar 21st Pennies for Patients/Pasta