Today we had out first session with our first grade buddies. The fifth graders did a get-to-know-you activity with their buddy and then helped them learn how to log on to the computers in the lab.  It was so cute!!   Your fifth graders are so awesome! The way they were talking with the first graders and encouraging them in the lab was just precious. They did a great job, and I'm looking forward for more opportunities for us to meet with the littler kids.
~Erica
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We've had a little more than a week together as a class, and I think things are going great. It's a great group, and I can tell we are going to have a fantastic year together.
 
After we got through the beginning of the year stuff, we jumped right in to curriculum!  The math units in 5th grade are quite short, so it is easy to get through one in about two weeks.  We will be having our first math test on Friday (9/9).  Our unit focused on place value of whole numbers to the billions, and decimals to the millionths.  Students should be able to say and write numbers, use inequalities to order them, and list numbers from least to greatest.  I sent a review packet home today that should help students to see if they are ready for the test. The answers for the packet are here.

On the Homework page of our website is a link to practice spelling words. The 5th grade team decided to use 5th grade high frequency words this year for our spelling. These are words that 5th graders are most likely to say and write in their deaily life.  They may seem easy, but they are the most important words to get right.

Of course we will go over many more curriculum details at next week's Curriculum Night, but I hope this helps for now! Please feel free to email me with any questions.
~Erica
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We had a great first day. Well at least I did! It looked like everyone got off to a good start. I know this will change, but they were all so quiet this morning! I practically begged them to chat with each other as they were finishing a get-to-know-you activity. I'm sure as they get to know one another I'll have trouble stopping all the chatting. :)  

They all should have come home with Assignment Calendars today. Along with their binder, this should go home and come back every day. Today in their calendar they should have reminders about the following four items:
patrol application (due 9/2)
$4 for assignment calendar
picture for Guess Who paper (can be emailed to me)
front page of the handbook

Thanks for getting them all ready for a great start.  Seems like it's going to be a really good year!
~Erica
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I thought those of you perusing things early could use two helpful links. 

 The first is to the school supply list.  I know it's a lot of stuff. It would be helpful to have the binder and dividers and an unread chapter book on the first day. You are welcome to bring all your supplies to put in your desk at Meet the Teacher.  

The second link is to our Camp Seymour site. Last year's 5th grade video is posted there, which has some pictures from camp. Under the documents part is a preview of upcoming forms. We haven't completely edited them yet, so please don't fill out and return them just yet!  

More to come!
~Erica
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