You might be wondering why I've put a picture of the American flag on this blog post. This flag represents the Pledge of Allegiance. Yes, your children have known how to say the Pledge for years. But in the past 2 weeks, they have also learned how to SIGN the Pledge of Allegiance. Now they can not only recite the Pledge, but also use Sign Language to communicate it as well. We are eagerly looking forward to when it will be our week to Say AND Sign the Pledge on the morning news program. I began teaching the class the pledge to give them insight into the special needs of others and to increase acceptance of others. I also feel it is helpful for students to have an introduction to a language very different from their own. We have many students who know a 2nd language (or perhaps a 1st language) other than English. But for those who do not, learning a few signs this year will help them to better understand the English language (both written and spoken) by having a means of comparison. In other subjects, we have fallen into a routine with our daily schedule. This week, we will complete our first 4 1/2 weeks (the first half) of the first quarter. Progress Reports will go home on Friday, September 6. Here's what we've been up to in each of our subjects (both last week and this upcoming week): Reading: We have been reading a class book, Home of the Brave. This narrative story is helping us learn how to read for perspective in the books we read individually. We have begun reader's responses, and have had lessons on context clues and will work on figurative language this week. Social Studies: Our focus has been citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and voting. We have looked at the Constitution and the Amendments. Math: Our first unit was the Order of Operations (PEMDAS). We have learned that problems with multiple operations have to be completed in a certain order of operations. Last week, we moved on to comparing how to write out these problems in numberic form and written form. This week, we will review place value to be sure that students have a good grasp of large numbers so we can continue into multi-digit math problems. ***Remember to be studying math facts daily! Students are working to demonstrate mastery of the multiplication facts through 12s. Science: We have been studying Constructive and Deconstructive processes of Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition. Last week, we had a quiz on these processes. This week, we will continue with a STEM project and a fun foods lab. Writing: To compliment our Narrative Reading unit, we are working on our own narratives in Writing. Students have been working to write imaginative, but true stories from their own experiences. We've discussed how readers get their ideas, then how we write to help other's be able to "see" the story from "our eyes". In addition, we have begun daily grammar lessons as well. We not only need to be able to write stories to engage others, these stories need to have good grammar, spelling, and punctuation! ***Reminders: Wednesday, August 28th is an Early Release Day. Be sure to arrange for where your child will go when school gets out early. Monday, September 2nd is Labor Day. School is closed. Enjoy your 3 day weekend!
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We have made it through the first full week of school! And we've begun to "fall into" our routine. At this time, we've begun using all of our composition notebooks (5) and 3 ring binders (3) for our subjects. If your child is missing any of these, please try to have them sent to school by Monday. In addition, there are a few students missing pencil boxes/pouches to keep their supplies organized.
We will start homework on Monday. Each student should have a plastic 2-pocket folder to be used for homework and daily notes. The weekly "Warrior Express" folder (provided by the school) is just for Thursday messages and graded work, and it will go home only on Thursdays each week. Homework will go home on Monday, and is due on Friday. Remember to read each night, even weekends, for at least 20 minutes. Continue to practice math facts daily as well. Students are expected to be fluent in their multiplication facts 0-12 at the start of 5th grade. We will be taking multiplication timed tests in class. Later in the year, we will have an ice cream party to celebrate mastering our multiplication facts! If your student has difficulty reading an analog (not digital) clock, you may want to practice this. When the students leave the class to use the restroom, they sign out in a notebook and need to write the time they leave and return. The clock right above the sign out sheet is an analog clock...and we've had several students who have had difficulty figuring out what time it is! Last week, the students filled out and turned in their Job Applications. On Monday, they will be assigned their jobs...and on Friday, they will receive their first "paychecks". They will earn "Bohm Bucks" for doing their jobs. In addition, students will receive "Bohm Bucks" for other exemplary behavior (especially those in which they demonstrate our Warrior Way traits, see below to see the Acworth Warrior Way traits). These "Bohm Bucks" can then be used to purchase coupons for rewards such as switching seats for a day, eating with a friend from another class, fun chair for a day, etc. Yes, it looks calm and peaceful now...but next week, we start "rocking the boat" by diving into those academic subjects and start actually "doing school". This past week (2 days), we mostly spent our time getting to know one another and "dipping our toes" in the school waters. We've read a little, written a little, done a little math. But starting Monday, we'll be following our regular schedule and working on the content focuses for each of the subjects this month. We’ve had such a great start to our school year. I am loving this great class and looking forward to an amazing year together! You, as parents, have also been amazing. I’ve never gotten back so many of the Back to School papers filled out and returned so quickly. And almost everyone has their school supplies in. I appreciate your help in ensuring that your child has everything he/she needs to start the year successfully.
Hopefully the agendas will come in (they were back ordered) and we can start using them this week. Agendas should be brought to school each day. Students will be writing in the agendas daily to list what they are doing in each subject, as well as listing any reminders. Please check agendas daily for messages from the teacher. Please sign all written messages in your student’s agenda. All in all, I feel we had a great first two days and I look forward to seeing everyone Monday. Thanks again, and here’s to a Fantastic Fifth Grade year! |
Ms. Bohm
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