Mrs. Douglas' Post

Author's Night

Parents and students who were unable to attend Author's Night, we have a treat for you! Hopefully this works, as you must realize I am not the most technologically savvy!

What did we do? Well, we studied the six characteristics of plays. We also, wrote polays with a moral, stage directions, and a spectacle. The students then created their casts, directed, and eventually recorded their own plays!

 Here they are! ENJOY!

Download Play palooza

Parents,

Here is the latest and most updated information about Friday's Field trip to TN!

Field Trip Updated Information
-School Arrival: Students must arrive by 6:30 am (must walk or be car-rider). Parents cannot park and walk them. Students must be dropped off and will report to the CAFETERIA. This is a change from earlier. The children will go to their regular lunch table. Make sure your child has already had a good breakfast. NO breakfast will be served. We will start loading the buses at 6:40am. Buses will NOT wait on late students!

-Wear: 5th Grade T-Shirt, appropriate walking shoes & clothing, a lightweight jacket for going underground at Ruby Falls, and raincoat (if weather says it will rain)

-Students MAY Bring: drawstring backpack, camera, a well sealed and re-sealable WATER bottle (NO juice), a snack (NO peanuts, junk food, or messy item), a little bag to keep trash in (if bringing snack), book, appropriate music listening device, appropriate E or 10 + age appropriate electronic hand held game (They must keep up with it ALL day long), and a positive/ great attitude :)

-Do NOT Bring: NO backpacks or school items, NO liquids other than water, NO peanuts/gum/candy/chocolate, NO money for a gift shop (no time), NO cell phones, NO texting, and NO bad attitudes or misbehavior

-Parent Pick-UP at 5:00 pm: Park in 3rd grade parking lot (as long as spots are available). This will keep the flow of traffic moving and dismissal will go quicker. Buses will arrive in back lot, and teachers will walk the students around to the 3rd grade lot & front of school to dismiss.

** We have been given specific instructions elaborating on keeping up with what you bring as your own responsibility: It seems that you are NOT allowed to take any type of bag off the bus. ALL bags will stay on the bus. Please, keep this in mind when you are considering what items to bring. We will have a movie to show on the bus. There is no need to bring any items except for yourself and a lightweight jacket. If you bring a camera. You will have to carry it in some way while keeping up with it.

I cannot wait to enjoy this trip with your children. If i have not told you already, this class is the absolute BEST group of students I have EVER worked with. They make my job very enjoyable and days like Friday even more meaningful.

To my chaperones- Thank you!

Looking forward to Friday,

Jamee Douglas :)

Parents,

Here is the latest and most updated information about Friday's Field trip to TN!

Field Trip Updated Information
-School Arrival: Students must arrive by 6:30 am (must walk or be car-rider). Parents cannot park and walk them. Students must be dropped off and will report to the CAFETERIA. This is a change from earlier. The children will go to their regular lunch table. Make sure your child has already had a good breakfast. NO breakfast will be served. We will start loading the buses at 6:40am. Buses will NOT wait on late students!

-Wear: 5th Grade T-Shirt, appropriate walking shoes & clothing, a lightweight jacket for going underground at Ruby Falls, and raincoat (if weather says it will rain)

-Students MAY Bring: drawstring backpack, camera, a well sealed and re-sealable WATER bottle (NO juice), a snack (NO peanuts, junk food, or messy item), a little bag to keep trash in (if bringing snack), book, appropriate music listening device, appropriate E or 10 + age appropriate electronic hand held game (They must keep up with it ALL day long), and a positive/ great attitude :)

-Do NOT Bring: NO backpacks or school items, NO liquids other than water, NO peanuts/gum/candy/chocolate, NO money for a gift shop (no time), NO cell phones, NO texting, and NO bad attitudes or misbehavior

-Parent Pick-UP at 5:00 pm: Park in 3rd grade parking lot (as long as spots are available). This will keep the flow of traffic moving and dismissal will go quicker. Buses will arrive in back lot, and teachers will walk the students around to the 3rd grade lot & front of school to dismiss.

** We have been given specific instructions elaborating on keeping up with what you bring as your own responsibility: It seems that you are NOT allowed to take any type of bag off the bus. ALL bags will stay on the bus. Please, keep this in mind when you are considering what items to bring. We will have a movie to show on the bus. There is no need to bring any items except for yourself and a lightweight jacket. If you bring a camera. You will have to carry it in some way while keeping up with it.

I cannot wait to enjoy this trip with your children. If i have not told you already, this class is the absolute BEST group of students I have EVER worked with. They make my job very enjoyable and days like Friday even more meaningful.

To my chaperones- Thank you!

Looking forward to Friday,

Jamee Douglas :)

Review Geometric terms and concepts using this website:

http://www.infoplease.com/math/knowledgebox/

Immigration Day was amazing!The students were "in character" all day and we even had a swearing in ceremony with Mrs. Yates, our Assistant Principal. The family tree projects were great, too! The kids were extremely excited to share their heritage! Did you know that we have students in our class with famous ancestors like Sitting Bull and King James II of Scotland? No wonder this is the BEST class!

In Reading, we are engulfed in "Scat" a book by Carl Hiaasen. We can't seem to get enough of this book. It is extrememly descriptive. Please ask your child to update you, as this story constantly unfolds.

In S.S., we are venturing into "The Great War". WWI is very different than the Civil War and so is America! The kids are excited about the new weapons.

In Science, we are wrapping up "States of Matter" with Mrs. Vann. The students will have their writing project due to her on February 8. Then, I get to keep the calss to teach them "Constructive and Destructive Forces of Nature".

In Language Arts, we are writing persuasive pieces. Currently, we are writing parents a persuasive letter. Boy, are these kids convincing!

In Math, we are working very hard to understand geometry. We will continue to practice vocabulary and previously learned concepts. Students are preparing to find area of solid and 2D figures, find the volume, and circumference using formulae.

Please continue to sign agendas, daily. This is an important tool for us to communicate with. Also, please review ALL material in the Thursday folder, including their behavior update.

for 2nd quarter are sent home with payment information about our 5th Grade trip!
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◦
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■Return signature card in envelope unsealed.
■Attach 2 first class stamps (or send stamps in at a later date)
■Return envelope, signature card & field trip slip to school.

Please review Thursday folder for lots of important information including Talent Show tryouts, Yearbook Dedications & Hoops for Heart!!!

Welcome back! I have a feeling that the best is yet to come! Our class is in for a few changes, but the ones that will make us stronger. We will now be completing English HW along side the nightly Math, Spelling, and Reading.
In Math, we are about to venture into the wonderful world of GEOMETRY! Students will find the perimeter, area, and volume of various 2D and 3 D shapes. Also, circumference and pi are going to be explored.
In Reading, we are excited to begin delving into thinking critically about books. Students are always working to understand what they read and striving to become more fluent.
In Writing, we are beginning to organize and discuss persuasive writing.
In Social Studies, we are discussing Immigration to the United States, specifically via Ellis and Angel Islands. The students are excited to discuss their own heritage while we discover what shaped our country.

On January 27, our class will conduct an Immigration Simulation. This event will allow the students to walk in the foot steps of an immigrant as they enter the U.S. for the first time in the late 1800's. Students are asked to dress in era appropriate clothing and complete a checklist of activities that will act as their artifacts. *More information will come home in Thursday's folder.
In Science, our class will begin their 5 week lessons with Mrs. Vann. They will study states of matter.

Reminders:
Report cards come home this Friday, 1/13. Please sign the white card and return.
Fifth grade TN field trip- final payments are due 1/27. The total payment for the trip is $60. Receipts will accompany the report card, in case you are not sure if you owe.

Spelling Bee is 1/13 at 8:10~ Go Adrienne and Giancarlo!
Geography Bee is 1/19 at 8:10~ Go Giancarlo and Julia C.!

I am extremely proud of this class and know that they are going to do AMAZING things this year!!

Practice writing a friendly letter:

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/letter_generator/

Holiday Party
Thursday, 12/22 from 1-2 PM
PLease join us for a great celebration.

Try out this great website to practice fractions and mixed numbers

http://www.quia.com/cb/95580.html

Our Symphony field trip will be December 7. Please make sure that your child is at school on time and is dressed appropriately.

Sadly, we will say good bye to Mrs. Shelow on December 14, however,we are happy to welcome Mr. LaRosa back on December 15!

We will have our Holiday Party on Thursday, December 22, from 1-2 pm. This is a great event and all parents are invited!

Try out this website:

http://www.math-play.com/simplifying-fractions-game/simplifying-fractions-game.html

Good news Mr. LaRosa will be returning before the Winter Holiday, December 15!
Our "Green Team" has received a grant to make Big Shanty a garden next to our new playground. After the Thanksgiving break, we will begin "seeding" and growing pants indoors, to prepare for our spring planting. If you have any small pots, soil, ziploc baggies of varying sizes, or even paper towels; please send these items in after the break. We will be indoor gardening as part of our "Habits of Mind" science inquiry.

In writing, we are focusing on writing a five paragraph essay. Ask your child how we are organizing our writing. Specifically, what goes in the introductory paragraph? Also, what is a thesis statement?

U.S. Geography posters were due today and they are AWESOME! These kiddos are really learning how to go "Above and Beyond"!

We have started researching new topics in S.S. about events that occurred during the "Turn of the Century". Your child has checked out a book about their topic and is requested to read it over the Thanksgiving break. Please ask them about their topic and help them to answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how events unfolded.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving!
P.S. I have included a picture from our 5A Civil War Simulation Day! Everyone had a great learning experience!