The Pre-Algebra readiness test will be: Tuesday, March 26th The test will be given only to those students who turned in permission slips. My understanding is the test will take about an hour. Students will take the test in the portable with someone from the district office and will return to class when they are finished. ~Erica [email protected]
It's that time again -- Science Fair! PTA puts on a great science fair, and historically, 5th grade has participated as a grade level. This year is no different -- each student in 5th grade took home a blue packet today with information. If you didn't see the packet, please check out the PTA website -- all the papers also available through their site. Opstad PTAThe requirements for the classroom are not any different from what PTA requirements are in general. Projects must fit in to one of three categories: experiement, investigation or collection. This variety of project should allow for everyone to find something that they are interseted in.
The deadline for registration is March 11th. Students need to either fill out the online form (see link above) or turn in the last page of their packet to me.
The science fair is on March 28th, and I'm asking that students shoot for March 27th as a due date. Their projects will be reviewed during school and be on display during the fair that night (evening attendance is not required).
Some kids thrive with wide-open projects like this, but quite a few need help with selecting a topic and planning. We talked a little about planning the steps of the project so it's not being completed on the last day. Please help them plan and chunk their time!
Since this is a large homework project, I will be modifying the normal homework schedule, so please expect changes this Friday.
After we come back from break I will be sending a permission slip home for a field trip to Seattle on March 7th. Seattle Symphony provides a free concert for 5th graders, and traditionally, we have paired that with a trip to Pike Place Market. The Symphony is an amazing opportunity for the kids, but what they really love is the trip to the Market. Many of them have never been, and they love exploring -- the gum wall, the pig, the shops, flying fish...All of it! We are going to need 6 chaperones to join us. We will leave Opstad at 9:30, and have about an hour to explore the Market (the kids are allowed to bring a few dollars for shopping). Then we will eat a sack lunch on the Harbor Steps, and be ready for the 12:15 show at Benaroya. We should arrive back at Opstad by 2pm. The only hitch is that there usually isn't room for all the chaperones inside Benaroya. The Symphony is passionate about seating as many 5th graders as possible and doesn't provide us with enough seats for all parents. Chaperones can either stand in the back, or take a break from us and grab a cup of coffee. :) So...anyone interested? Please email me directly (instead of leaving a comment) if you can join us (remember you need to be an approved volunteer). Thanks for considering! ~Erica [email protected]
Recently letters were mailed from the District Office about a math opportunity for next year. If you haven't received it yet, you can view the letter here: Orleans-Hannah Algebra Prognosis LetterNext year there are three opportunities for math courses. If you have older children, keep reading as the choices were changed last year. The three courses are Course 1, Course 2 and Pre-Algebra. Here is the breakdown for the classes: Course 1: A slower paced class which begins in 6th grade and finishes with Course 2 in 7th grade. Course 2: This course takes the curriculum of Course 1 and 2 and delivers it in one year. Pre-Algebra: Students in Pre-Algebra in 6th grade will be expected to pick up the concepts of Course 2 within the context of Algebra. This is an accelerated class intended for students who are already performing at levels 3 and 4 in 5th grade. While high school may seem far off, it's always great to be planning! The below table gives you an idea of what classes your child may take in high school based on what they take in middle school. The Orleans-Hanna Test is an assessment that tests a student's readiness for algebra. If you would like your student to take the test in March, please have the permission slip signed and returned to class by Friday, February 15th. Please let me know if you have questions! ~Erica [email protected]
Oops! It kind of snuck up on me this year! We will have a party on the 14th, though it will be sort of low key since we just had a Snowflake bash. :) I figure snacks and games will be good. If you can send in a snack to share that would be great. Also I have a lot of games here, but kids can also bring a game that they might like to play. Tomorrow (Wednesday) a list will go home with everyone's names in case your child would like to bring Valentine's cards for the class. Here are our rules for Valentines: There must be cards for everyone in the class (there are 33) You must sign your name to your card If you attach a treat or pencil (or whatever!) it must be the same for everyone Thanks! ~Erica [email protected]
If diasaster seems like too strong a word, here are the stats from last week's homework (due on Friday, 1/18). Science Packet: 66% turned in IXL: 47% turned in Blog: 62% turned in Reading Log: 75% turned in As I told the kids, what I am asking them to do this year is quite small in comparison to what 6th grade will ask. Now is the time to get in a routine! Please check in with your student about homework - most of them still need a bit of guidance and structure. ~Erica [email protected]
Your students are bringing home a consent form today that needs to be signed by both you and your child. The form allows Wendy Harrison to complete a project with us for her Master's Degree in Education. Wendy is a certified teacher who substitutes often in our district; she is my go to person for substituting. The project she is completing with us will be in the subject of reading. She will be teaching students how to use graphic organizers to plan and write a summary. This is something that I haven't taught this year, so it should be a great experience for everyone! The project will be about 2 weeks (10 total hours); during that time I will also be in the classroom observing and helping out. If you have questions about what she will be doing, please let me know. We plan on Wendy starting on Monday afternoon. ~Erica [email protected]
It's a quirky tradition, but one of my favorites! I think the first Snowflake Party was about 13 years ago. It had been a long rainy winter with no snow, and my class and I were desperate for some snow. Since then it has become a fun tradition. Our party will be on Thursday the 24th from 1:30 -- 2:25, and you're all invited! We'll have some snacks together and make some snowflakes. I know not all of you are able to be at school regularly, and this is a fun way to pop in to school if your schedule allows. I have hot chocolate, plates and napkins, but could use some help with the rest. If you can bring any of the following items, please let me know: styrofoam cups (or other disposable cups for hot beverage) cookies or brownies I would expect we will have about 50 people total, so if several people can pitch it, that would be great -- let me know! ~Erica [email protected]
This week the blogs are new; I'm so excited. In the past our blogs have been driven by a prompt of my choosing. It's always bothered me that these are not really blogs. Blogs are typically written by someone who is an expert in their field. The blogs I follow are mostly centered on one topic -- classroom technology, art, baking etc. Last week, your students turned in proposals for their own blogs. Topics ranged from sports, to gaming, to reading and writing. Their first blog in this new style is due on Friday. Although the kids don't know it yet, we will be sharing our blogs with some 3rd grade classrooms. Please remind your kids of our blog "rules": Normal "rules" apply: **use school appropriate language **use correct spelling **include capitals and periods **include at least 100 words! We reviewed password information on Friday, so everyone should be ready to go! The kids also have a Weebly app on their school iPad, and could work on it there if they end up with some extra time. ~Erica [email protected]
I tried to think of a clever title, but "other stuff" was all I have in me! This week was all about learning iPads. As I wrote to the district tech staff, "It was exhausting, exhilirating, exasperating, exciting... -- and the most fun I've had as a teacher. " Who would have imagined a classroom where all the kids have iPads? It has been quite a learning curve this week. When is the iPad useful? When is pencil and paper a better choice? We're working on systems and routines and good decisions. I told the kids several times that I was actively working on being patient. :) They are so excited and learn so quickly. As with anything new, we will get better at integrating them in to our learning as we use them more. Here are some ways we have used them this week: Math: All kids used an app called "Math Drills" to practice their math facts. I like this one because the kids can change the settings so that they can practice the facts that they really need to (like just the 7, 8, 9 of multiplication). We've also used "Pencilicious" in math instead of a whiteboard. There have been several times that I've given them the option of using this app or pencil and paper. There are a couple that prefer pencil and paper, and to be honest, I think I do a lot of the time too! Social Studies: We are making a travel brochure advertising either Jamestown or Plymouth as places to visit/move. About half the kids chose to use their iPads and use the app "Book Creator". The cool thing about this app is once the book is created it can be opened in iBooks like a real book. Writing: We did a short writing activity in a journal called "Day One" today. This is my personal favorite app. The kids will eventually do some collecting of information and reflection on learning targets, but for today it was a simple journal entry. On the iPads the kids also have a dictionary/thesaurus app and a spell check app. Many used those as they edited their writing papers this week.
There are a ton of other apps on the iPads, but these are the ones we used the most this week.
I also wanted to let you know we had an intruder drill today. We usually have one of these every year, but we have thought more about it this year. There has been no conversation in class about recent events in the news, but even so, the idea of an intruder is unsettling to some kids. I have tried to make them feel safe about the process as well as not afraid. This may be something you want to check in with your kids about. So you know, the process when an intruder is annouced is for teachers to lock doors, turn off lights and cover windows (we're working on window coverings). The class gathers on the floor in the corner as quietly as we can. The questions and fear comes from what happens if they are not in the classroom -- in the bathroom or on the way back from the library etc. If that happens, your child needs to get themselves inside the closest classroom. Our door my already be locked by the time they get back here, so it is important to go to the nearest room. We have a process in place to account for the whereabouts of all students, staff and visitors while in lockdown. We will practice again, but today (Friday) was the first time. Let me know if questions or concerns surface from that.
Have a great weekend!!
~Erica
[email protected]
|
RSS Feed