Ms. Cannon's & Mr. Murray's 5th Grade Class Blog

End of the year this and that...

My how fast this year has gone by! I’m sure it seems like just yesterday you were putting your cute little kindergartener on the bus for their first day of school. Now that cute kindergartner has turned into a big fifth grader, anxious and ready to go to middle school!

The CRCT has come and gone! You should all be very proud of how well your students applied their testing strategies and all that they learned throughout the year. They were focused and ready to soar!

The last few weeks of school hold many exciting things for fifth graders to look forward to… here are just a few of the important dates of upcoming events:

• Tuesday, May 20^th – Fifth Grade End of the Year Celebration – This will include various activities to enjoy – jumping machines, games, prizes, cook out and much more!
• Wednesday/Thursday May 21-22^nd – Honors Day – Parents of students receiving an award will receive and invitation to this special day.
• Friday, May 23^rd – Last day of School! – Walk of Honor- Fifth grade will take their last walk through the hallways as students of Big Shanty Intermediate .

That just about wraps up the school year! Keep informed of what’s happening in your child’s classroom by visiting their teacher’s blog and be sure to check Thursday folders for last minute reminders!

By now you must be asking yourselves, what can I do to keep my child entertained during the summer? Here are a few ideas from your teachers…

1.      Get a combination lock and practice opening it

2.      Get a library card and check out some good books.

3.      Practice those math facts!

4.      Keep a diary of all the things you do over the summer

5.      Start a new hobby.

6.      Go to a camp.

7.      Hang out by the pool or at the beach – but take a book too!

8.   Relax, middle school will be here before you know it

World War II Wheels

Here are the webistes that you will need for your wheels.

Women of World War II
http://connections.smsd.org/veterans/wwii_sites.htm

Rosie the Riviter game
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/features/puzzle/puzintro.html



World War II Weapons
http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/W/ww2weapons/index.html



World War II website for extra information
http://connections.smsd.org/veterans/wwii_sites.htm

We're 1/2 way through!

We've made it 1/2 way through the CRCT and we are doing an excellent job! Students are taking their time and really putting forth their best efforts! While we have taken the 2 most important sections, please remember that we still have Science and Social Studies testing on Monday and Tuesday of next week! Please make sure you get plenty of rest this weekend and come back ready to knock out the CRCT on Monday and Tuesday. So far we have had PERFECT attendance during CRCT! I promised them a surprise on Tuesday if we all made it ON TIME, EVERY day of testing!  You should all be proud of your students efforts during testing!

You may have noticed that there wasn't a Thursday folder this week! With testing our schedule is a little crazy and we ran out of time. Please make sure  you look for them next week. With many important and fun events coming at the end of the year I would hate for you to miss the info!

Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer like our own Mrs. Hammond and others, will be supported so that one day cancer will be eliminated. Big Shanty Relay for Life team has a goal to collect $1.00 from each person who spends their day at Big Shanty. Students will be taking part in a mock Relay honoring our collaborative fight against cancer on Friday, May 2nd. If we reach 100% participation for a total of $885 the students will have a special prize that day! Please help us in our efforts to raise this money! Look under the sofa cushions, dig through your parents pockets, whatever you do PLEASE donate to this great cause! Mrs. Hammond and other cancer patients will benefit from your kind donations.

Math Review

Math Review with Pizzazz!

With the CRCT right around the corner, now is the time to review some of the math concepts we have discussed earlier in the year. Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Okay, maybe not, but your opinion might change once you've played the games on www.iknowthat.com. Try them out to review what you've already learned and have some fun at the same time!

Area and Measurement
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=BluePrints

Fractions
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=FractionGame&AutoLaunch=%2fcom%2fApp%3fFile%3dFractionGame.htm%26Type%3dS%26App%3dFractionGame%26Topic%3dFractionDecimalMatch

Decimal Place Value
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D380146%26

Precents, Decimals, and Fractions
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D369635%26

Decimals
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D351234%26

Graphs
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D485448%26

Percent
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D337558%26

Area of Squares and Rectangles
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D439079%26

Pi
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D553643%26

Capacity
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D516282%26

With the CRCT right around the corner, now is the time to review some of the math concepts we have discussed earlier in the year. Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Okay, maybe not, but your opinion might change once you've played the games on www.iknowthat.com. Try them out to review what you've already learned and have some fun at the same time!

Area and Measurement
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=BluePrints

Fractions
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=FractionGame&AutoLaunch=%2fcom%2fApp%3fFile%3dFractionGame.htm%26Type%3dS%26App%3dFractionGame%26Topic%3dFractionDecimalMatch

Decimal Place Value
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D380146%26

Precents, Decimals, and Fractions
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D369635%26

Decimals
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D351234%26

Graphs
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D485448%26

Percent
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D337558%26

Area of Squares and Rectangles
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D439079%26

Pi
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D553643%26

Capacity
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WWQuizDoc&XTRA=iActID%3D516282%26

It's almost over...

We will begin CRCT testing next week. Testing will be Wed, Thurs, and Friday morning, and the following Monday and Tuesday mornings. Please be sure that your student has plenty of sleep, a good breakfast and arrives to school on time, relaxed and ready to do a fabulous job!

Our class trip was fantastic! The kids were totally fascinated by the fish, reptiles, butterflies, turtles, otters, ducks, and other forms of exotic life found in the Tennessee Aquarium. Then, the tour of the Raccoon Mountain Caverns brought geology to life in a spectacular way. Also, the students' manners and maturity were exceptional. We should all be very proud of them.

                   

              www.rainforestmaths.com.

You have probably noticed that we are focusing very hard on math these last few weeks. We are ensuring that the students will have all the skills they need to do well on the upcoming CRCT. In addition to the online tests that can be done at home, students can study the min-lessons in their math book or go to great math review websites such as:

Parents, please note that your child's registration form for Middle School went home on Thursday, April 3rd. This is the only copy of the preprinted form and it is due back by April 16th, TOMORROW!! Also, remember that updated immunizations, or records, are needed before your child can attend middle school. Even if you do not have the current immunizations return the registration form immediately.

We had a wonderful visit to Awtrey Middle School! The Palmer field trip will be May 13. Awtrey Parents Night will be May 5, at 7:00pm. Palmer Parent's Night will be May 13, at 6:30 for Gifted, and 7:00 for all parents.

Please be on the look out for important announcements about the end of the year in your child's Thursday folders in the coming weeks. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email me!

9 weeks left!

I can't believe how fast this school year has flown by! I think the weekends fly by even faster! So much to do, so little time...

As we fly through March there are many fun and exciting things to remind you about:

~Most important - even though there are many things that are happening this half of the year that take us away from a "normal" day at school - we have to stay focused on learning... the CRCT is right around the corner and now is crunch time! PLEASE, PLEASE make sure that your child is doing their best work 100% of the time. Use the resources that we gave you at conference to help your child study for this very important test! www.georgiaoas.org and www.studyisland.com are excellent resources! Please use these weekly if not daily! Also, in order to cover all the necessary math materials we have decided as a team to have "mini math" lessons in our homeroom. So if your child has 2 sets of math homework please make sure they do both as they are both equally important!!!

Now for the fun stuff -

Mrs. DiChiara is putting  together our class basket for the Spring Carnival that is coming in March. Our theme for the basket is puzzles - kid puzzles, adult puzzles, crosswords, sudoku - any type of puzzle you can think of... please send these into school so that we can have the BEST basket to sell at the carnival! The spring carnival is set for April 18th! Send your donations in ASAP!!!Also, for the carnival our class must donate 6 cakes for the cake walk. Please send in a note if you are interested in donating a cake! Mrs. DiChiara and I greatly appreciate your help! 

We are starting our writing for Big Shanty's 2nd Annual Author's Night! Look for more information in this weeks Thursday folder! Please plan to join in on the fun April 1st!

Science Links

Science Links

Mrs. Sewell's Class - Here are some links to help you with your research...

http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/critters/critters.html

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0776195.html

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/Science/Animals/AnimalIndexV.htm

http://kids.yahoo.com/animals

Mrs. Sewell's Class - Here are some links to help you with your research...

http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/critters/critters.html

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0776195.html

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/Science/Animals/AnimalIndexV.htm

http://kids.yahoo.com/animals

Important Dates

Below are some important dates coming up for the rest of the school year. Please read below to find out more about the 5th grade field trip.

February 20&21            Human Growth and Development

March 4                        Early Release

March 5                        Fifth Grade Writing Assessment

March 11                      Picture Day

March 17                      4H

March 20                      Report cards go home

March 26                      Fifth grade visits Awtrey Middle School

April 1                          PTA @ 6:30 Authors Night

April 2                          Fifth grade field trip - Chattanooga

April 7-11                     Spring Break

April 23-May 2               CRCT

April 24                          Academic Alerts go home

May 12                           4H

May 23                           Last day of school for students

5th Grade Field trip notes - Permission forms and payment envelopes went home last week in Thursday folders. The cost is $40 per student. In order for us to go we must raise enough money or the trip will be canceled. Please send in your permission forms and payments ASAP. All money is due by February 29th!! We will be going to the Raccoon Mountain Taverns and the Tennessee Aquarium. We will be having a picnic lunch in between our tours. Please arrange to bring your lunch or to order a sack lunch from the cafeteria. Our charter buses will be leaving Big Shanty at 7:15am (That means you will have to drop your child off at school) and return around 5:15pm. 

February News

Thanks for attending conferences!!  It was a pleasure meeting with all of you!!  I appreciate your continued support as we head into a very busy time of the school year!                                                                                            

Please encourage your child to use the CRCT Practice Testing on line.  Hang on to the log-in and student password information sheet handed out at conferences.  I have the same information at school so that students can practice as time allows, but I would encourage students to take two or three practice tests each week from home.  Parents can take the tests with students, talking them through the use of important testing strategies.  These practice test build confidence as well.  Please let me know if you have any questions about this great resource!!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!

We will exchange Valentines on Thursday, February 14th at the end of the school day.  It will be great fun!!!  A class list was sent home today.  Participation is optional, but it is an "all or none" deal.  You may not exclude anyone if you participate.  Valentine's Day is a celebration of friendship and should not cause hurt feelings.  I will provide bags for you to collect your cards, and we will enjoy light refreshments. 

Big Shanty Writing Fair entries are due Friday, February 15th.  Participation is required, and it is a great opportunity for our class to show off our writing talent! Check out the school web site for more information on PRIZES!!!  I'm looking for some winners from our class, so get those pencils moving!!!!

IMPORTANT DATE!!!!!    

     The Georgia Writing Assessment will be administered on March 5th.  We have been working hard all year preparing for this important test, and will continue to do so!  Watch for more detailed information about the test in the weeks to come.  I will share important strategies with the students and we will even have some practice sessions in class.  Look for a copy of the scoring rubric in your child's writing folder soon!!  They will become very familiar with it as we head towards March 5th!

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS!

Please keep a very close eye on the papers coming home in the Thursday Folder each week.  It includes many important notices about events/dates/deadlines that relate directly to our 5th graders, especially during this VERY busy time of the year! This is our primary home-school communication tool. I really encourage students to go through the folder WITH you instead of tossing it at you as they walk in the door!!  The papers are important to them, and to you as parents. Some require a signature, or response of some kind. Please set aside some extra time on Thursday evenings for this.  I don't want anyone to miss out on the many fantastic opportunities our school has to offer!   

Planning for our BIG 5th grade field trip has begun!!  This is always an exciting event for our students!!  It is always great fun, but it is not free, so start saving money now!!  More details about our destination, date, and cost will be sent home very soon!!  Look for it in the Thursday folders!

                                                                                 

Thanks for attending conferences!!  It was a pleasure meeting with all of you!!  I appreciate your continued support as we head into a very busy time of the school year!                                                                                            

Please encourage your child to use the CRCT Practice Testing on line.  Hang on to the log-in and student password information sheet handed out at conferences.  I have the same information at school so that students can practice as time allows, but I would encourage students to take two or three practice tests each week from home.  Parents can take the tests with students, talking them through the use of important testing strategies.  These practice test build confidence as well.  Please let me know if you have any questions about this great resource!!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!

We will exchange Valentines on Thursday, February 14th at the end of the school day.  It will be great fun!!!  A class list was sent home today.  Participation is optional, but it is an "all or none" deal.  You may not exclude anyone if you participate.  Valentine's Day is a celebration of friendship and should not cause hurt feelings.  I will provide bags for you to collect your cards, and we will enjoy light refreshments. 

Big Shanty Writing Fair entries are due Friday, February 15th.  Participation is required, and it is a great opportunity for our class to show off our writing talent! Check out the school web site for more information on PRIZES!!!  I'm looking for some winners from our class, so get those pencils moving!!!!

IMPORTANT DATE!!!!!    

     The Georgia Writing Assessment will be administered on March 5th.  We have been working hard all year preparing for this important test, and will continue to do so!  Watch for more detailed information about the test in the weeks to come.  I will share important strategies with the students and we will even have some practice sessions in class.  Look for a copy of the scoring rubric in your child's writing folder soon!!  They will become very familiar with it as we head towards March 5th!

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS!

Please keep a very close eye on the papers coming home in the Thursday Folder each week.  It includes many important notices about events/dates/deadlines that relate directly to our 5th graders, especially during this VERY busy time of the year! This is our primary home-school communication tool. I really encourage students to go through the folder WITH you instead of tossing it at you as they walk in the door!!  The papers are important to them, and to you as parents. Some require a signature, or response of some kind. Please set aside some extra time on Thursday evenings for this.  I don't want anyone to miss out on the many fantastic opportunities our school has to offer!   

Planning for our BIG 5th grade field trip has begun!!  This is always an exciting event for our students!!  It is always great fun, but it is not free, so start saving money now!!  More details about our destination, date, and cost will be sent home very soon!!  Look for it in the Thursday folders!

                                                                                 

Ellis Island

Ellis Island Tour Want to take a tour of Ellis Island? Click the link and enjoy your trip!