Mrs. Hellman's Fifth Grade Class

Something New!!!!

Beginning Friday, September 4th, your child's weekly spelling list will be sent home on Friday rather than Monday.  Please look for the word list with the Spelling Homework Choice Boxes behind the Spelling/Language tab in their binder.  I feel many students will benefit from having more study time before the weekly test on Thursday.  Please let me know if you have any questions about this!! 

2009-2010 PTA Reflections Program Contest

I am pleased to have so many students participating in the PTA Reflections Contest this year!!!  If you would like an entry form/packet--it is NOT too late!!!  Just send a note with your child and I will send the needed information to you right away!!!  This year's theme is:     "Beauty is..."     Students may enter in multiple categories---from literature, to photography, visual arts, dance, etc.---There is something for EVERYBODY!!!!  This is a great  chance for students to "showcase" their  creative talents so.... GO FOR IT!!!!!    I look forward to seeing the extraordinary ideas, so put your thinking caps on and be inspired!!!!       FINAL PROJECTS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER 2ND AT 2:20.  A COLLECTION BOX WILL BE LOCATED IN THE SCHOOL LOBBY FROM SEPTEMBER 28TH-OCTOBER 2ND.    Please check out the school web site  for detailed information.  

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!!!!!!!!

I would like to cordially invite you to PTA Open House Night on Tuesday, September 1st.  The evening will begin at 6:30 with a short PTA meeting and will continue with an orientation meeting in the  classroom.  This will give parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss the school year.  We will cover many important topics, so I hope you will be able to attend!!  The kids have been working very hard on a class writing project--a handbook that highlights all of the important aspects of our daily classroom operations.  You will receive a copy of your very own, and I know you will be quite impressed!!! 

The weekly Reading Log program is underway in our class, and is going very well.  I hope you are noticing your student taking on more responsibility for managing their Independent Reading at home.  Just a reminder that Reading Logs should be completed throughout the week and are due each Friday with a parent signature. 

We had our very first Geography Quiz this week (Wed. August 26).  Students will have a Geography Quiz each Wednesday, covering the material from the previous week's Daily Geography page from the Daily Work Packet.  We  go over the study guide every Friday, and students should study the material in preparation for the quiz on the following Wednesday.  The study guide is located in the DWP tab of the student binder.  You may be noticing an increased interest in maps and globes of late!  They really seem to enjoy exploring the variety of map and atlas resources in our classroom!!

Our current social studies standards have focused on The Bill of Rights.  We have been reading and understanding this important document and discussing how the amendments protect our right to "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  They are also working on a "mini project" (due next Thursday, September 3rd) in which they are creating an illustration that reflects how one of these amendments protects our freedom. 

The PTA Reflections contest has officially started.  A notice about it went home in this week's Thursday Folder.  It is an awesome opportunity for student to "showcase" their numerous creative talents!!!  I hope you will encourage your child to enter and support their participation.  Please return the notice about participation as soon as possible and get those creative ideas flowing.  The theme this year is a great one:  "Beauty is...".   I would LOVE to have some winners from our class!!  I have promised a free spelling homework pass to anyone who submits an entry.  Check out the PTA calendar for contest entry deadlines. 

Friday, August 14

Our GREAT first day was followed by a GREAT first week of 5th grade!!!  The students did a fantastic job practicing our new classroom procedures, designed to maximize instructional time!!  We also continued to discuss the importance of modeling appropriate, mature behavior in our  classroom and throughout the school.  We set the standard for excellence at Big Shanty!!!   Students are using non-verbal cues and "gentle reminders" with their peers and are holding each other accountable for good behavior!! 

Agendas have arrived, and students will be writing in them each day.  They are responsible for recording homework and classroom reminders.  I hope your student has established a daily routine for completing homework tasks and getting the Update Card signed.  Homework will become more structured beginning next week.  Please expect spelling and math homework Monday through Thursday.  Spelling tests will be on Thursday.  Students should also be reading for a minimum  of 20 minutes each night.  Coming soon---Reading Logs!!!  More information about this important program will follow in the next few weeks!!! 

I sent a copy of our daily schedule home in the Thursday Folder so that you will have a copy at home to reference.  Students also have a class schedule in the front of their binder.  Please pay close attention to the Specials rotation days so that your child is dressed appropriately on PE days.  Students should not need to change clothes or shoes at school on PE days.  Thanks for your help with this.  Also, please note the Science and Social Studies instructional days on the schedule.  The first science unit will begin on Monday with Miss Kennedy!!

We spent a great deal of time today (Friday) organizing our binders and school materials!!!  Wow!!!  What an important activity!!!  Organizational skills and good work habits will be a major focus this school year.  Take a look at your child's binder!!!  You will be impressed!!!  Our goal is to keep them neat and organized throughout the year.  It is important to note that your child has many workbooks as well as regular text books to keep up with this year.  They will be needed at home and at school to complete classwork and homework assignments.

Students were introduced to the Daily Work Packet (DWP) and will begin completing their first packet on Monday.  We completed a practice packet this week and discussed strategies and resources need for the quality completion of this weekly assignment!  Ask your student to fill you in on the details!!  The DWP will be due each Friday.  Students should complete a "reasonable daily portion" each day and will have some class time to work on it each day.  This encourages them to plan ahead and use their time wisely! 

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!!! 

A Great First Day!!!

We had a GREAT first day of 5th grade!!!  I am impressed with the lovely ladies and gentlemen that entered my class today!!  We had lots of fun getting to know each other and talking about what it means to be a 5th grader!!!  We shared interesting things about each other and some of the "Way Cool" things we did this summer!!  The highlight of the day was a visit from Mr. Fred Sanderson, Superintendent of Cobb County Schools!!!  What an honor it was, and I was incredibly proud to show off our fine class!!  We hope he will visit again soon!!

We will continue spending lots of time learning about our classmates, class procedures, and establishing a community of learners.  Each day we will learn more and more about how our community works and learns,--and we will have fun doing it!!!  Today we had an interesting conversation about using our "filters".  Ask your student about theirs!!!   

There is much more to come!!!  I expect Agendas to arrive in the next few day, so keep an eye out for it!!  We will also organize our desk materials and school supplies this Friday, so please try to send in the items on the supply list sometime this week.  We will start next week with a very impressive organizational system!

Cobb County School System folders were sent home today loaded with classroom, school and county information.   I know it is quite a stack, but it is helps us communicate and get the school year off to a positive start!  Some of the forms and papers need to be completed, signed and returned.  Thanks so much for your cooperation with all of the beginning of school paperwork.  Please make every to return the signed forms by this Friday!!!

Snack Time!!

Who's Hungry???  Your 5th grader of course!!!  They are growing, so food is always on their mind!!!  I would like to take a moment to share some important information about our daily snack time.  First of all, I encourage all students to bring a water bottle with plain water.  Please do not send in juice or Vitamin/Flavored water.  Good hydration is important for learning!!  I am also requesting healthy snacks, and that students take an active roll in going to the store, reading nutrition labels, and making wise choices about the healthy foods they bring for snack.  This is such a great learning and decision making opportunity for them.  I have encouraged them to avoid chips, cookies, candies, and other sugar filled foods (though I must say, they are yummy!!!).   Snacks should also be quick and easy to eat while working on other tasks.  Here are some suggestions for you to consider:  granola bars, raisins, fruit, crackers, raw veggies, trail mix, nuts, string cheese, cereal bars, pretzels, etc.  As always, if you have questions, just ask!!!  Thanks for your support in helping our kids establish healthy eating habits.  As a parent myself, I know it is a challenge!!!!

Meet Mrs. Hellman

My name is Jennifer Hellman and this is my sixteenth year teaching.  Seven of those years have been right here at Big Shanty.  I have also taught in other schools in Cobb and Paulding County. My husband and I are both proud graduates of the Cobb County School System.  We live in Cobb County and our children attend Cobb County Schools as well.  It is a great place to live, work and raise a family!!!  It is my honor to teach children who will become part of the strong legacy of this great community!

I graduated from The University of Georgia, so I am a Georgia Bulldog fan through and through!!!  I have a Masters degree from  The State University of West Georgia. 

My husband and I have two GREAT kids who keep us on the go!!! Ethan is a second grader and Claire is in PreK.  They are really growing up fast!!  We have a lot of fun together as family visiting museums and historical sites and cities. It is fun to learn about our nation's history!!  We also enjoy watching The Georgia Bulldogs win football games!!!  Gooooooooooooo Dawgs!!!!!!!!!

I became a teacher because of my own LOVE of learning!!  I believe that learning is an endless, life-long adventure for us all.  It is my pleasure to be a part of your learning journey this year!!!

Welcome!!!!

Welcome to the BEST year of your life!!!!  I can't wait to begin another fantastic school year with you!!  See you Monday!!! Let the adventure begin!!!!

A Few Quick Reminders

The 5th grade picnic is Tuesday.  It will be LOADS of FUN!!!  I hope to see many of you there!!  Please remind your students that they must follow the Cobb County dress code on Tuesday.  Swimsuits are not allowed!!!  Big Shanty t-shirts, shorts and sneaks are the way to go!  Students need to bring a towel to sit on.  Parents may want to bring a folding chair for yourselves.  Students will not need money.  All food and drinks will be provided. 

On Wednesday, May 20th, our fabulous cafeteria staff is preparing a super special Fiesta-themed lunch.  This would be a great day for you to join us for lunch if you can't make it to the picnic!!! 

Our class will enjoy pizza and treats for lunch on Friday, the last day of school.  We will eat about 12:45, and will make our Walk of Honor at 1:45.  The halls of Big Shanty will be crowded with well-wishers as we bid farewell to this great school!!! 

The Count Down in ON!!!

I can't believe the year is almost over!!!  Wow!!  Time flies when you are learning and having fun!!  The end of the school year is filled with many important events.  I have listed a few of them below and will keep you updated.  Please keep an eye on the Thursday Folder for up-to-date, detailed information about all that is planned.

Field Day--Friday, May 15

5th Grade Picnic--Tuesday, May 19

5th Grade Awards Day (Team 5B)--Thursday, May 21

Last day of school--Friday, May 22--5th Grade "Walk of Honor" at dismissal.

Spring Is In the Air!!!!!!!!!!

Spring has arrived!!!!  We are excited and very busy!!!  Each day of the remainder of the year will be filled with learning and preparation for middle school.  Let's make every day count!!!

Our trip to Huntsville, Alabama to visit the Space and Rocket Museum was AWESOME!!!!!  We had suprisingly great weather and were able to enjoy all of the indoor and outdoor exhibits!!  Our students enjoyed rock climbing, an IMAX movie, rocket launch and gravitational force simulators, Mission to Mars, full scale models, and many other fantastic, interactive learning experiences!!!  We had a "blast"!!  I was especially proud of the exceptional behavior displayed by our students.  They represented our school very well!!  Many thanks to all of the parents who attended as chaperones.  And finally--a HUGE "shout out" to Mrs. Janney for all of her hard work planning this great trip!!!  Please be sure to thank her the next time you see her!! 

This Tuesday night is Authors' Night at Big Shanty!!  Our Cowboys of the Chisholm Trail are looking forward to sharing their tall tales from the trails with you!!!  We will be outside by the covered play area, so join us for some great entertainment!!! 

Next week is Spring Break!!!  I hope all of you have a fun, relaxing, and safe week!!!!!!!