Parent Meeting
Parents and Guardians – Please come to a parent meeting (parents only, please) in my room on Friday, September 7th at 4:30. I will be going over our basic schedule, routines, policies, etc. The meeting shouldn’t take longer than 20-30 minutes. If you can’t make it, no worries. You can always connect with me via email. Thank you
37 Word and Weekly Spelling Tests
On Thursday, students were given a copy of the 5th grade “37 word” test. They will be tested on this test 2-3x/card marking. Their goal each card marking should be to master the list. When they have achieved 100%, I will it down so they receive a special certificate at the end of the school year. They should strive to do their best each card marking as their quarterly score will be averaged into their other spelling scores. Here is a copy of the words: 37-word-test
Each week, the students will receive an updated “weekly” spelling list. This list will have the rule that the words follow, along with 6 “hot words” and 6 “content words” from current content. On Friday, students will take a test of 18 words: the 6 hot words, the 6 content words, and 6 “cold” words that follow the spelling rule. During the week when we have E.L.A. rotations, students will be given time to work on “Word Work.” During that time, they should be practicing the hot and content words 3 times each and defining the content words – all written in their black spelling notebook. They will turn in their spelling notebook on Friday before the test. The weekly spelling words will not be posted on my blog. Students are given time on Monday to copy the rule and list. If they are absent, a copy will be on their desk when they return to school.
Our First Day Together
Happy Monday and Happy First Day of 5th Grade
We had a fabulous 1st day of 5th grade together. We got 1 routine started (our morning entrance and bell work), distributed various supplies, and discussed many other things including routines, policies, expectations, etc.
Please ask your child to share with you:
- What do you do when you first get to the classroom? (a series of steps)
- What were some of the questions students asked (and Ms. Albertson answered) from the “orientation cards” when you were discussing policies and expectations?
- What supplies did you receive today?
- What else do we need to purchase?
Over the next few days, we will be discussing general ideas connected to our E.L.A./CAFE content, Social Studies content, Scientific Method, and Math. We will take our N.W.E.A. assessments starting next Tuesday, so I can get some baseline data. (They will be staggered over the 4 days next week.)
A few of other reminders:
- students are welcome and encouraged to bring a water bottle and snack (fruit or veggie only)
- please get students to school on time – we start at 8:40
- students should be reading every night for 20 minutes (not classwork reading – something they want to read for enjoyment)
- students should be getting back to a bedtime schedule to make certain they are well rested, have enough time for breakfast, etc.
There won’t be daily blog updates from me usually. However, at the beginning of the school year, this is the easiest and most efficient way for me to communicate with parents and guardians.
We are off to a great start!
Welcome Back for Monday, August 27th
Happy New School Year!
We start fresh on Monday with a half day scheduled, dismissal at 11:45. I expect there will be many questions from both students and parents for the first week (or two) of school. Please keep in mind that the first 2 weeks are filled with routines, guidelines, practice, etc. Most of the kinks and confusion work out naturally during this time. It is, of course, natural to have anxiety and nervousness when we experience new things. It will all work out – please do not worry.
On Tuesday, our first full day, please remember to send in lunch or lunch money, a snack (fruit or cut up vegetable), and supplies from the list that you have purchased. If you haven’t purchased the supplies by Tuesday – no worries.
I am looking forward to our new year! We are in this together!
School Supplies
While many of you are still enjoying our summer break, I have been getting our room ready for our new 5th graders. For those students who will be in my class, these are the suggested supplies:
- one homework folder (any design, color, etc)
- colored pencils (just a regular set – and no need for brand new if still have from last year) (NO markers or crayons!)
- regular #2 pencils (either mechanical or wood)
- replacement lead for mechanical pencils (students will get one from me from time to time – make sure #7 lead which is equivalent to a #2 pencil
- tissue/kleenex (to donate for class use)
- disinfecting wipes (to donate for class use – Method or 7th Generation brand preferred as I try to avoid using chemicals
- looseleaf (to donate for class use)
- 2 sets of binder tab dividers (for each student’s writing and CAFE binders)
*PLEASE do not follow the list from the other 5th grade teachers – please follow the list given above.
**Please do not buy extra folders, extra notebooks, any binders or trapper-keeper type contraptions. There is NO room in the desks, classroom, or coat cupboard for binders or trapper keepers. I will take care of all notebooks and folders (except for the homework folder.) There is no need for pens – I supply those for when we use them, which is not often. For the majority of our work, we use pencils.
See you next week!
Perspective
Parents/Guardians … please start monitoring your child’s technology time now, perhaps getting them back on a schedule, so adjustment to the school day and school work won’t be so hard for them. Start the 20 minutes of reading now, if you haven’t been doing it all summer. Thank you!
School Supplies
Happy Summer!
While we are still enjoying our summer break, I have been asked about school supplies for 5th graders. I cannot speak for the other 5th grade teachers, but for those students who will be in my class, these are the suggested supplies:
- one homework folder (any design, color, etc)
- colored pencils (just a regular set – and no need for brand new if still have from last year)
- regular #2 pencils (either mechanical or wood)
- replacement lead for mechanical pencils (students will get one from me from time to time – make sure #7 lead which is equivalent to a #2 pencil
- tissue/kleenex (to donate for class use)
- disinfecting wipes (to donate for class use – Method or 7th Generation brand preferred as I am not into chemicals)
- looseleaf (to donate for class use)
- 2 sets of binder dividers (for our writing and CAFE binders)
*Please do not buy extra folders, extra notebooks, any binders or trapper-keeper type contraptions. There is NO room in the desks, classroom, or coat cupboard for binders or trapper keepers. I will take care of all notebooks and folders (except for the homework folder.) There is no need for pens – I supply those for when we use them, which is not often. For the majority of our work, we use pencils.
**Again, these are suggested supplies. If you can’t pick them up, no worries.
Please continue to enjoy your summer vacation. See you in a few weeks.
Mandatory Summer Work/Learning
*reposting with the updated Reading list and rubric guidelines
Please see the attached directions and notes from Dearborn Public Schools regarding the mandatory math and literacy work that all students must complete this summer:
Parent Letter Summer Learning_ 2018
Bryant Recommended Summer Book List for Incoming 6th Graders 2018
Summer Learning Book Talk Directions
Water Park
Parent drivers and chaperones are needed for the students to attend the Rolling Hills Water Park.
If we don’t get enough, we will have to cancel the field trip.
Please respond on your student’s permission slip by tomorrow, Friday. Additionally, if you volunteer to drive (Thank you in advance) you need to send in $10 also for your admission to the water park.
Student Medication
Please see attached letter regarding end of year medication pick-up and disposal: