End of Year 2016

Thanks for a GREAT year!

Remember to keep reading over the summer.

Check out some of the sites below to find some good books to read.
http://www.educationworld.com/summer_reading/5th_grade.shtml
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/36230.5th_Grade_Summer_Reading_List
http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2015/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list.html
http://www.ala.org/alsc/2015-summer-reading-list
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/book-lists/favorite-books-for-fifth-graders/

May 23-27

It is that time of year and we are about to take our End of Grade tests in Reading, Math, and Science.  Please help your child be prepared for these tests by making sure they get a good night's sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast, and feel relaxed and loved as they head off to school.  I will remind them that this is only one "piece to the puzzle" of who they are and how they did in 5th grade, but it is an important piece and needs to be taken seriously.  Please make sure that your child knows as long and they "do their individual BEST" then you and I are proud of their efforts.  They should not be comparing themselves to anyone else.  Dressing with layers (short sleeved shirts with a light sweater or sweatshirt) will help your child be comfortable in the classroom since the temperatures tend to vary from room to room throughout the day.  Also, please try to make sure your child does not get sun burned, eaten up by mosquitoes, or break any bones in the next few days...these all lead to miserable testing conditions.

Monday - all library books need to be turned in
Tuesday - Reading Log, Venero's Spirit Night (5-9 pm), get a good night's sleep
Wednesday - Reading EOG, get a good night's sleep
Thursday - Math EOG
Friday -

Monday, May 30 - No School, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 31 -
Wednesday, June 1 - Science EOG
Thursday, June 2 - start bringing in Free Enterprise items
Friday, June 3 - Free Enterprise in the morning, Field Day in the afternoon (12:00 - 2:35)

Monday, June 6 - auction in the morning *We still need LOTS of items for the auction.  Students are given bonus coupons for bringing in items.
Tuesday, June 7 - ice cream sundaes and yearbook signing (12:30-1:30)
Wednesday, June 8 - 5th grade Awards at 9:30 am in the cafeteria

May 16-20

Monday:
Tuesday: Reading Log due
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday: Economics and Lawn Boy test (Economics Vocabulary & Lawn Boy Study Notes)

As we near the EOGs we are declaring the week of May 16-20 to be Spirit Week.  Show your school spirit each day by participating in each day's theme.  I will be giving out bonus coupons to those who participate each day!

Monday-Team Day - Dress to show off you favorite team!

Tuesday-Crazy Socks Day - Wear your zaniest socks to school!

Wednesday-Dress To Impress Day  - Show us your BEST!

Thursday-Crazy Hat/Hair Day! 

Friday-Powhatan Pride Day! - wear PES gear or black and gold

May 9-13

Thank you for all of the Teacher Appreciation gifts.  It felt great to be showered with gifts of love and appreciation from my students and their parents! 😍

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope your kids shower you with the love you pour out for them on a daily basis. 🌷

Coming up this week:

Monday - 

Tuesday - reading log due, research paragraph check (students should have their handwritten rough drafts of 6 paragraphs - 4 core paragraphs, an introduction, and a conclusion)

Wednesday -

Thursday - Buzzwords Quiz 

Friday - paired text worksheet due (to be done in class - they can finish for HW on Thursday if they are behind on it); tentative due date for final draft of Ecosystem research paper 

May 2-6

Remember that Teacher Appreciation Week is this Week!
Monday:
Tuesday: Reading Log due, Buzzwords Quiz
Wednesday: Reading iReady Diagnostic Test
Thursday: Math iReady Diagnostic Test; Progress Reports go home
Friday: Reading Passage (Hydroelectricity) w/s due, Math Minute due (?); PRIDE Friday - wear Spirit Wear

This week we will be:

• taking our time and working carefully during our Reading and Math iReady Diagnostic tests!
• working on EOG practice passages in class to help the students practice testing skills (highlighting to show where the answer can be found in the text and key words in the questions, omitting obviously wrong answers, checking to see if answers actually make sense, not leaving anything blank, and staying on track with bubbling in answers on scantron sheets, etc)
• going back to Spelling sorts and Definition quizzes in Google Classroom - hopefully they don't lose these like they did their choiceboards!  These sorts will be practicing some of the skills they worked on with the choiceboards.
• starting to write the actual paragraphs for our research paper.  I do not want this done at home ahead of time.  
• practicing vocabulary and comprehension skills using Paired Texts about Using Resources Wisely
• finishing up our Civil War unit with the end of our Simulation activity.  If you haven't already heard about it, be sure to ask you child about their "experience" in the Civil War.  He haven't "lost" any of our soldiers but a few have experienced some "injuries" during our battles.  Your child's Soldier's Journal is due on Monday after our final activity.
• starting to talk about Economics in Social Studies.  We will start our Free Enterprise talks on Tuesday.  Watch for information coming home about that in your child's Tuesday Folder.

Fifth Grades Dates to Know!

These dates are hot off the press... so be sure to mark you calendar!
Friday June 3 (am - exact times to be determined) Free Enterprise (more information coming next week) - we would love for you to come spend some time with your child by helping out/shopping at Free Enterprise
Friday June 3 (pm 12:30-2:45) Field Day for grades 3-5
Monday June 6 (pm 12:30-2:30) Auction - I could use a couple of parents to help count coupons and one to be an auctioneer
Tuesday June 7 (12:30-1:30) ice cream social and yearbook signing - we will need some supplies and 1-2 parents to help set up and clean up
Wednesday June 8 (9:30-10:30) Fifth Grade Awards and Last Day of School - just come and celebrate your child!

Fifth Grade Signature T-shirts!

Here is the order form if you would like to order a Signature t-shirt for your fifth grader (all of the fifth grade students' signatures are on the front and staff signatures will be on the back).  The cost is $10.  The shirts will be gold/yellow with black print.  Copies of the order form will be coming home in your child's Tuesday Folder this week.  ALL orders must be returned by Monday May 9.

Buzzwords are back!

We will be working with Critical Verbs over the next few weeks.  These are words that the students need to know in order to understand and/or complete certain tasks in Language Arts.  Many of these words they should already know.  A few may be new or unfamiliar to them.  We will be going over when or how these words would be used and most words will have "reminder clues" with the definition on the Quiz.

The Quiz for our first set of Verbs is scheduled for Tuesday May 3.  See the list of words below if your child is absent or needs to finish recording the definitions.

Monday:
analyze - break something down into parts
articulate - express clearly
cite - quote
Tuesday:
compare - find likenesses
comprehend - understand; find meaning
contrast - find differences
Wednesday:
delineate - describe in detail
demonstrate - show clearly
describe - tell the facts; details
Thursday:
determine - decide
develop - elaborate or expand
distinguish - set apart
Friday:
draw - take or pull out
evaluate - find value; judge
explain - make plain or define

April 25-29

The Book Fair is all this week.  Mrs. Ellison's class will go on Tuesday during Enhancements.  Ms. Curry's class will go on Monday during Enhancements.  The Book Fair will be open during the Palooza on Friday (April 22) and in the evening on Thursday May 28.

Monday - SS notebook check for chapter 20/21 (see my website for guide to notes ch 20 and ch 21)
Tuesday - Reading Log; SS ch 20/21 test (study guide)
Wednesday - Early Release Day (dismissal at 1:30); Mr. Lincoln's Drummer test (only those who read this novel in class - study guide)
Thursday - note card check for Ecosystem research paper (about 20 note cards); multiplication and division faction quiz
Friday - Spelling choiceboard due; Rifles for Watie job #3 due (only those who read this novel); Math Minute worksheet due

Dates to be aware of:
iReady Testing dates are: Reading May 4 and Math May 5
Progress Reports will go home on May 5
tentative due date for Research Paper is May 13
EOG test dates are: Reading May 25, Math May 26, and Science June 1
Field Day for grades 3-5 will be June 3 from 12:30-2:45
5th grade Awards are at 9:30 am on June 8

For those students who are planning to attend Riverwood Middle School next year...
If you did not keep a copy of the orange flyer sent home with your child's report card, please print out this Registration Form for the rising 6th graders and complete it with your child.  This will help RMS with placing your child in their Elective/Enhancement Classes.  Please bring this completed form with you to Riverwood Middle School on May 5 during one of the Parent Sessions (4:30-5:30 OR 6:30-7:30).  If you have any questions, please contact Riverwood Middle.

April 18-22

Monday - Force and Motion Unit Test
Tuesday - Reading Logs due, B1 Math - Fractions Quiz (X); they will be starting the Human Body & Genetics Unit in Science
Wednesday - B2 Math - Fraction Quiz (X)
Thursday - Mr. Lincoln's Drummer ch 9-12 OR Rifles for Watie job #2
Friday - Spelling Choiceboard due, Math Minute Due

**SS ch 20-21 test will be on Tuesday April 26 (please be studying the study guide and ch 20 notes/ch 21 notes)

April 11-15

Monday - report cards go home - please sign and return the envelope (you keep the actual report card)
Tuesday - Reading Log due (80 minutes with parent signature and title of what was read), *students who are reading Mr. Watie's Rifles have job #1 due
Wednesday - Fraction Quiz (X)
Thursday - Pictures and/or picture money is due (please let me know if you paid for them online), * students reading Mr. Lincoln's Drummer (in class) ch. 5-8 questions are due at the end of class (if students miss a day or are behind in their reading they may check a book out from me to take home for 1 night to work on their questions)
Friday - Riverwood Middle School field trip (we are leaving a 9:00 am so make sure you are at school on time), Spelling choiceboard due*see note below, Math Minute due

*We will be doing Spelling a little differently for the next couple of weeks.  Students will receive a choiceboard on Monday and need to complete 4 activities by the end of the week (one activity is a required one).

*Force and Motion test is scheduled for Monday April 18 (due to the field trip on Friday)

*SS ch 20&21 test is scheduled for Tuesday April 26 (study guide, ch 20 notes, ch 21 notes)

*I am meeting with students individually to review their Reading iReady scores for this year and last year's Reading EOG score to do some goal setting and discuss ways they can meet this goal.  They will be taking their final Diagnostic Assessment in iReady around the last week in April.  I want the students to have an idea of how they are performing so far and to remind them to take ALL assessments seriously and do their best.  I know that these are all just pieces to the puzzle that make up the measurements for your child's success in fifth grade.  All I ask if for each student to do his or her individual best and I'll be proud of them for their hard work throughout the year!  Once I have met with all students, I will send these home for parents to review, sign, and return.  If you have questions about the scores please touch base with me.

Mark your calendar's for:

•  PTA's Spirit Night at City Barbeque on April 19 from 10:30 am - 10 pm (we will get 25% back)
• Powhatan's Palooza on Friday April 22 from 4:30 - 7 pm.  Come out and enjoy some fun, food, and fellowship.  There will be a rock climbing wall, dunk tank (I believe Mr Johnson and Mrs Tyler will be spending some time in there), food trucks, and lots of other games.
• Early Release day on Wednesday April 27
• EOG dates: ELA on May 25, Math on May 26, Science on June 1 (dates could change)
• Field Day (times to be determined) for all grades  will be on Friday June 3
• 5th grade Awards Ceremony from 9:30-10:30 am on June 8 (Last Day of School)

Be on the look out for additional end of the year activities.  We would love to see some parents come out to help with these events if you are able to.  

March 21-23

Monday - 

Tuesday - Spring Breakfast (9:00-9:30), Reading Log due, Buzzword Quiz, Force and Motion Unit Test

Wednesday - SS ch 18 test (let me know if you will be absent and need to take it early)

Thursday - teacher workday

Friday - No School

Happy Easter 🐇

Have a safe and relaxing Spring Break 🌷

March 14-18

Remember to set your clocks FORWARD 1 hour on Sunday!  

Monday - Artist in the Schools program from 9-10 am, pictures at 10:20 am (All students will have their picture taken and parents will be able to pay for the photos they want from the preview packet sent home afterwards - if you want to choose the background, then the paper sent home MUST be returned.  If you want to order a group photo of the class, payment must be turned in on Monday when pictures are taken.  The cost is $15 and checks should be made out to Lifetouch.)

Tuesday - Reading Logs due, Buzzword Quiz (this week's words AND last week's combined but not necessarily ALL words)

Wednesday -  +/- Fraction Test

Thursday -

Friday - Science Quiz for Lessons 5-8

Upcoming next week:
Tuesday - March 22: Spring Breakfast (9-9:30), Reading Logs, Buzzword Quiz, Force and Motion Unit Test

Wednesday - March 23: SS ch 18 test Study Guide and Notes - it will say ch 16 but the text has been updated and is actually ch 18 now (if you know your child will not be at school that day, please try to have them take the test ahead of time so they don't have to study over Spring Break)

Thursday - March 24 - Teacher Workday (3rd Quarter has ended - I will be working on Report Cards)

Friday - March 25 - April 3 : Spring Break 

March 7-11

Monday -
Tuesday - Reading Log, Buzzwords Quiz (website for words and definitions)
Wednesday - SS ch 15 test (they must know the vocabulary & the amendments with their number), Artist in the Schools rescheduled for 2-3 pm
Thursday -
Friday - Math Minutes due, Science Vocab Quiz for lessons 5-8, Fraction Quiz for +/- fractions

Monday - March 14 - Spring Pictures and Energy Conservation Assembly (9-10 am)

**The end of the grading quarter is fast approaching (March 23).  It is important that students continue to do their BEST at all times on ALL assignments.  Thanks for your support at home!

** Our Spring Breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday March 22 from 9-9:30 am.  We are planning a simple yogurt bar breakfast.  Watch for information from room parents about helping provide items for this event.

Wax Museum and Spring Pictures

We will be going to view the 2nd grade's Wax Museum on Monday, Feb. 29 at 2:30.  There is a slip of paper with info going home with students today.  Please send in some coins to "activate" these Famous Americans and learn a little bit of history.

Spring Picture information is stapled in your child's agenda.  If you want to order a group photo - you need to send in the money by picture day (March 14).  If you want to choose the background for your child's Spring Photo - you need to fill out the form but NO money is sent in for Spring Pictures at this time.  Everyone will be given a packet of pictures to preview and purchase what you want.

February 29 - March 4

Monday - Wax Museum (bring coins to activate 2nd grade Famous Americans)
Tuesday - Reading Logs due
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - Spirit Day (wear Pride or school colors), Force and Motion Quiz, Science Vocab retest (if needed), Fraction Quiz

*There will be several in class assignments for Mrs. Ellison but no tests or quizzes to study for this week.  Be sure you are reading every night and recording it in your Reading Log.

**Girls - be sure you are not wearing leggings to school unless you have a shirt/dress that comes down to mid-thigh.  This is part of the JCS dress code.  Students have been given verbal reminders at school.  Thanks for your help with this at home.

February 22-26

Monday: Progress Reports go home - please sign and return
Tuesday: Reading Logs due, Novel Study task #3 due (final task - books should be returned)
Wednesday: Early Release at 1:30 pm and Growing Up Class (boys 9-10 am, girls 10-11 am)
Thursday: Adverbs Test (study guide will be completed in class on Tuesday)
Friday: SS ch 14 Test (study guide and notes), Fractions Quiz

In Social Studies we are learning about The Constitution and how our government is set up with checks and balances.  With the recent death of one of our Supreme Court Justices, this is a great time to discuss how the president can nominate someone to fill that position but it must be approved by Congress.  The students were under the impression that the President has the power to do whatever he wants but they are beginning to realize that he's not a King and that's why we have checks and balances.  This provides a great opportunity for discussion at home.

In Reading we are using some Fact vs Fiction leveled texts.  Due to limited copies of these texts, they can not be brought home.  Right now we are reading a fiction book and will follow it up with a fact book on the same topic.  These were purchased with funds from a recent grant Mrs. Mallory and Mrs. Ellison received.  There are a few students who are working on a William and Mary (autobiography) task.  If they haven't already started one of the texts, they will next week.  Be sure to ask your child if they are writing the autobiography assignment - they should have already asked for your help with the timeline.  I recommend that they share this with you so that you can help provide additional details to the events they are telling about.

February 15-19

Happy Valentine's Day!  Mrs. Ellison's bucket winners were Connor's Wishing Well for Most PRIDE in his work, Sonny's Deer for the Wildest, and Joie's Pink Flamingo for the Cutest.  I was very impressed with the creativity and talent in how the students designed their buckets!

Stay warm during these cold weather days.

Monday - Teacher Workday - No School for students
Tuesday - Reading Logs due (please make sure they are signed once for the week - students should be reading at least 80 minutes a week outside of the classroom)
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - Fraction Quiz, Science Vocabulary Quiz

Tuesday Feb. 23 - final Novel Study task is due

February 8 -12

Monday - Artist in the School (will be rescheduled due to 2 hr delay)
Tuesday - Reading Log, Novel Study #2, Math Volume Unit Test
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday - SS ch 13 Test (study guide and notes), Valentine Exchange

February 1-5

Monday: return signed report card envelopes (keep all papers unless it says to be signed and returned)
Tuesday: reading logs due
Wednesday: Math Volume Unit Test (both B1 and B2)
Thursday:
Friday: Matter-Properties and Change Unit Test, Multiplication Quiz, Pride Friday - wear school shirt or black & gold

**Tuesday Feb. 9 - 2nd novel study task is due

We will be sending home buckets for the students to decorate for their Valentine container.  Please make sure your child's name is easy to read on the bucket.  Be creative (there may be prizes given out ;)  Let me know if you need construction paper.  I'll ask my students if they need some as I give out the buckets.  All buckets need to be back at school by Wednesday Feb. 10.  We will exchange Valentaines and have a simple treat first thing in the morning on Friday Feb. 12.  You do not need to send in Valentines if you don't want to, but if you do then please make sure there is one for everyone in that homeroom (Mrs. Ellison has 22 students and Ms. Curry has 24 students) **FYI - Mrs. Ellison does NOT eat a lot of chocolate or drink coffee.

Jan. 18-22

Monday - No School
Tuesday - Teacher Workday
Wednesday - Teacher Workday
Thursday - class spelling bee, Volume review
Friday - school spelling bee, SS ch. 11-12 test, Volume test

*be sure you are working on your novel study - first task and summary is due Tuesday Jan. 26

January 11-15

Information about the upcoming weeks:
Jan 11-15
  Monday -
  Tuesday - reading logs due
  Wednesday -
  Thursday - PTA used book collection day (children's books only)
  Friday - adjectives quiz (study guide - each study was given a copy of this in class), science matter quiz, Math4Today wk 13 Assessment

Jan 18-22
  Monday - No School - MLK Jr. Holiday
  Tuesday - Teacher Workday
  Wednesday - Teacher Workday
  Thursday - Classroom Spelling Bee (rules, study list)
  Friday -  School Spelling Bee, SS ch 11-12 Test (study guide, notes for both chapters are on my website)

Spelling Bee - Coming Soon

            Powhatan Elementary will soon be holding qualifying rounds to identify our school's Spelling Bee representative to the County competition!  We are looking for any fourth or fifth grade student who loves to Spell! All fourth and fifth grade students are invited to participate, but it is not required.  We will be holding classroom (by homerooms) Spelling Bees on Jan. 21st.  The winners of the 4th and 5th grade classroom contest will move on to the final school wide round, to be held on Jan. 22nd in the Media Center at 9:00.  Parents of the finalists are invited to join us this morning in the Media Center for the final school round.

            The winner of the school wide competition will be representing our school at the County Spelling Bee on March 18th at Selma Elementary.  An invitation, with all of the event details, will be sent home to the family of the winner.