Busy, Busy, Busy!

We have been very busy in 5th grade! This week we started our Mini-Research Projects, this is a really fun project that Mrs.Taylor and I started last year. The goal for this project is to get the kids better at researching, so Academic Fair is easier for everyone. :) I am really looking forward to the end results, because the kids always learn a lot.

Mr. Hoffman had his last day on November 30th, and we already miss him. However, I know that he will be back at Milford subbing and working with kids in the near future.

Before Christmas Break, we will begin working on our Biographies for Academic Fair. Mrs. Speicher and I will be working together to complete these projects. Most of the Biography work will be done at school, but a good portion of the project might be done at home too.

Book Orders for the month of December will be going home with your child if they are in my Advisory. I will be sending them home on Thursday, December 6. We won't have long to place an order, because of Christmas Break. I would like for orders to be turned in or placed online by December 12. This will ensure we have our orders returned before we go on break.

As always, if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me! 

Welcome Back!

The start of the new school year is always so busy! I am left wondering where the time has gone. We have been busy working away in 5th grade. We are preparing to type our Personal Narratives at the end of this week. We have worked really hard on getting them finished. I can't wait to read the final stories. I have read some interesting titles, so I know they are going to be good.

We already have fall NWEA testing behind us, which is a relief. The kids took this round of testing seriously, which made me very proud. Their scores should reflect that, too. (Scores will be sent home with your child's midterm.)

We signed AR contracts at the end of August/beginning of September and we have been reading a lot ever since. I will be conferring with all of the kids at midterm to share with them the progress of their goals. Continue to encourage your child to read each day at home too.

Last, but certainly not least Mr. Hoffman starts student teaching in our classroom next week. We are looking forward to the wonderful topics and lessons he is going to share with us. I am sure he is anxious to get started.

As always if you have questions, comments, or concerns contact me by email or phone. I am looking forward to the rest of the year!

March Challenge

Currently we are busy working on ISTEP prep for Language Arts. This way we will be ready for the test during the week of March 5th. I am confident the kids will do a great job!

During the month of March, Mrs. Taylor and I will be challenging all of the 5th graders to participate in the Slice of Life Challenge. The challenge is to get all of the kids writing each and everyday. We will be writing in our Writer's Notebooks, and emailing one to two entries each week. Mrs. Taylor and I are looking forward to reading what the kids have to say. You can keep up with us on our classroom blog, that we created just for Slice of Life.
Mrs. VL and Mrs. T's Grade 5 Slicers

As always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

My goal was to get better at blogging for our Language Arts classes, but time has gotten the best of me. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to get back in the groove. January is proving to be a busy month already! We are currently reading Holes by Louis Sachar. It is one of my favorite books. It is full of great lessons, and I love how the kids already enjoy the book. Once we are done reading the book I will offer two after school movie viewings. I won't be planning the dates until we get closer to finishing the book. Be looking for a note home in the upcoming weeks.

During January, we are also taking the Winter NWEA test Blocks 1 & 7 are testing on January 17 & 19. Block 8 is testing on January 19 & 20. I am hoping all of the kids notice growth in all areas of the test.

Also in the upcoming weeks, I will have students blogging about their favorite books. I can't wait to get that going! :)

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your child feel free to contact me.