WEEK OF MAY 28-JUNE 1st

Parents and Students,
Well, it's amazing...we only have 8 and a half days left of school! That being said, the learning continues! This week we will be learning more states and capitals in Geography and Spelling. In the computer lab we will finish up our final pen pal letters. (students may share their email with their pen pal if parents approve)
Students need to have some kind of costume for their role in the play by Wednesday, May 30th, for our dress rehearsal. On Thursday I will be coaching the International Games so I will have a substitute teacher. (Ms. Terry). We will resume our Math Review from the entire year in HM.
A couple reminders:
* This Friday, June 1st, our play will start at 8:00 a.m. for grades Kinder-3rd followed by the 1pm performance for the 4th-6th graders. All parents/family/friends are invited to either of those shows.
* This Friday is our last day to take an A.R. quiz.
* Please return all books borrowed from the class library.
* Tuesday is the After School celebration.
* The end of the year beach party is: Saturday, June 2nd--Platforms Beach 3-6pm. If your child would like to come, just have them bring $20 to class, or a check written to RDMPA. This is a fundraiser for the school and also a great chance to celebrate a wonderful year full of learning, friendships and fun!
* Finally, if you haven't already done so, please fill out this brief survey about your 5th grade experience. Your feedback makes a difference!
Click here to take survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5RTJCHP

That's it for now!
See you at school,
Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
FINISH 13 Colony Drawing/Pics for Play
Reading-A.R.
Math-Packet due on Friday
Costume-Bring into class
Bring $20 if you want to come to the party on Saturday, June 2nd at Platforms Beach 3-6pm
Study States and Capitals for the test on Tuesday
Watch the Animaniacs video on the States and Capitals

WEEK OF MAY 21-25

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Reading-p. 147-157 + Figurative Language (Due Wednesday)
Math-Finish L109
Study Vocab/Spelling
Go Over FAMILY LIFE BOOKLET with parents
Bring Costumes/Study lines in play/acting


HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-FINISH BOOK+ Figurative Language (Due Wednesday)
Math-Finish L110
Geography-Study first 25 states and where they are located
Study Vocab/Spelling
Go Over FAMILY LIFE BOOKLET with parents
Bring Costumes/Study lines in play/acting

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-A.R.
Math-Finish L111 odds
Geography-Study states
Review Vocabulary

THURSDAY
Reading - A.R.
Math-Finish L112
Geography Test Tomorrow-(first 25 states on packet)
Review Vocabulary
Finish Geography Packet
CLASS SURVEY:
Click here to take survey



Dear Parents,
* Family Life will be on Monday, May 21st and Tuesday, May 22nd. If you have not filled the permission slip by Monday.

* If you did not turn in the $20.95 for the field trip, you will have to pay the full price on the field trip. It was due on Friday, May 18th. Once again, the field trip is Tuesday, June 5th at 10:30-3:30pm

* Our class beach party is on Saturday, June 2nd from 3pm - 6pm. If you haven't signed up, simply write a check to RDMPA for $20 for the cost of food/drinks/desserts/fun and money for the school. Friends from other 5th grade classes are invited too.

* The last day to take an A.R. quiz is on Friday, June 1st.

Here are the students signed up thus far:
Mary Govaars

Josiah Sweet

·         Mike Tunink

·         Colleen Rastatter

·         Sarah Turpie

·         Katherine Hart

·         Ricardo Molinar

·         Heather Braga

·         Gina Guhin

Lindsey Hymes

·         Christian Bond

Li

Have a great weekend!
Mr. Sweet
ENJOY THE COURTHOUSE PICS!

WEEK OF MAY 14-18th

ROOM 12 NEWS-
-This week our 5th graders will start practicing the 13 Colony Musical in the cafeteria in the afternoons to get ready for the big show on Friday, June 1st. Please get some kind of costume and have your child bring it to school in a bag with their name on it. Check the blog for some cool pictures from my class two years ago.
-In reading the class will continue with My Side of the Mountain. There will be SMART responder comprehension and vocabulary quizzes. I highly recommend "WORD DYNAMO" to learn new vocabulary.
-In writing we will be learning to write with STYLE! The goal is to improve our sentence structure with exciting adjectives and powerful verbs to make our writing come alive.
-In math we will be doing challenging MARS math problems along with a little Saxon Math.
-In Geography we will resume learning our states and capitals with a fun packet that reinforces these map skills. Also, we will be playing Stack the States together using the iPad. Furthermore, our class will have more time to work on their state brochure on Pages in the computer lab.
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-As a reminder, this Thursday our class will be going to the Santa Cruz County Courthouse for the Cookie Court Mock Trial. I will send out an e-mail with the drivers on Monday.
- I am sending home the Family Life Permission Slips Monday. Please sign and return the slips Tuesday. If you are unsure, Ms. Dorney is doing a viewing of the movie on Tuesday evening after school.
-Please remember to send in your Boardwalk Field Trip form along with the $ by Friday, May 18th. Return the form and write "Season Pass" if you have a pass.

That's about it for now,
Mr. Sweet

MONDAY
Read p. 66-76
Math L107odds
Learn Vocabulary/Spelling/Word Dynamo
Sign and Return Family Life Form/Permission Slips


HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read p. 87-97
Math Finish Saxon L108evens
Study Spelling/Vocab
Sign and Return Family Life Forms + Permission Slips
FIELD TRIP THURSDAY-Depart at 11:00 a.m.-Courthouse
DRIVERS-
Linda H. (5 students with seatbelts)
Sarah (4)
Heather (4)
Jamie (4)
Ana (5)
Lindsey (3)
Lisa (up to 6)

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read p.100-110
Math Finish Pre-Test 19b
Study Spelling/Vocab
Sign and Return Family Life Forms + Permission Slips
FIELD TRIP THURSDAY-Depart at 11:00 a.m.-Courthouse
DRIVERS-
Linda H. (5 students with seatbelts)
Sarah (4)
Heather (4)
Jamie (4)
Ana (5)
Lindsey (3)
Lisa (up to 6)
 GET COSTUME!

WEEK OF MAY 7-11th

ROOM 12 UPDATE:
This is an exciting week of learning in Room 12. Contrary to many students' belief, learning continues full-steam ahead after testing. Here is an update of all that is happening in our class this week:

* We started our final book of the year: My Side of the Mountain. Students will be given the choice to do their reading homework at home, or in class during DEAR time.

* Our 20 vocabulary/ spelling words are from this book.

* There will not be as much homework so students can prepare for their Science Project Speeches on their assigned day that they chose. I have sent the grading sheet with them so they know what is expected.

* Open House is on Thursday, May 10th at 6:30-8:00. The Burrito Feed starts at 5pm for those interested. Our 3 Things Movie will be played at 7pm and we will sing a couple songs together following this. I encourage all of you to come see the amazing projects, writing and slide show that our class has worked so hard on.

* Last Friday I passed out the script for our Mock Trial Field Trip on Thursday, May 17th. This week, Dana Scruggs, the attorney from the trip will be teaching about law and the court system to prep. us.

* Students should continue practicing the songs and lines for the play. Also, it would be great if students could have some simple costume by next Monday when we begin using the stage/sound system. I'll post some pics of students from previous years for ideas soon.


HOMEWORK MONDAY-
Reading-Finish reading My Side of the Mountain-through page 20
Math-Finish L105 in Saxon
Spelling-Learn words/meanings
Science Project-Practice speech (use grading sheet to help guide)
Practice Lines from Cookie Court and 13 Colonies
Beach Party-Saturday, June 2nd (If you still want to come, write a $20 check to Parent Alliance if you still want to come)

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-Finish p. 25-35 in My Side of the Mountain
Vocab/Spelling-Study word meanings-Orally, create a sentence for each word and use them correctly
Math-Finish L106
Party on Friday!
Practice Lines
Prepare Science Speech

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-Finish pages 35-45
NO MATH!
Lines for plays
Vocab/Science Speech

WEEK OF APRIL 30-MAY 4th

ROOM 12,
I truly enjoyed our Heritage Powerpoint Presentations last week. Each child was well-prepared and the pictures, graphs and stories were incredible.

This week our class will be testing in Science, Math and Language Arts. Each morning we will be testing so please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast and shows up on time.

There will be no homework this week other than the Science Project, which is due this Friday, May 4th. Hooray!

The cast for the 13 Colonies Musical has been partially chosen so we will resume the auditions Monday for the remaining parts.

Have a great week!

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Science Projects Due Friday
JOGGING FOR THE ARTS ON FRIDAY

WEEK OF APRIL 23-27

UPDATE TIME: Our class is finishing up the Heritage Powerpoint Presentations this week and they have been fantastic thus far. Our volume, expression, and eye contact have improved so much from the beginning of the school year. In fact, overall, students seem very comfortable in front of their peers, which is so rewarding to see. * We are continuing to read "Tall Tales" and our writing, vocab and spelling go right along with this fun book. * Our class will start CST TESTING this Thursday so please make sure that, as always, your child comes to school on time, gets good night sleep along with a healthy breakfast. * In American History we will do something new this time...I will do a take home test on Wednesday and it will be due on Friday. Parents may help discuss the questions and answers at home. It is not all about tests! I just want them to learn the material and enjoy the process. * I will not be giving homework this week other than math, unless they have not used class work time effectively in writing. This is so students can focus on their Science Projects which are due next Friday, May 4th. * Finally, we will begin auditions this Friday for the 13 colony play. They should practice their lines from one section of the play (in between songs). They will be trying out for their top 2 favorite parts.

HOMEWORK MONDAY READING-20min WRITING-Finish/Proofread Tall Tales Rough Draft MATH-Finish Spiral #20 Practice 13 Colony Lines/Songs SCIENCE PROJECT HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read 20 min. Math #15 Review Practice 13 Colony Lines/Songs SCIENCE PROJECT

WEDNESDAY
Reading Optional
Math-Finish Review on Graphing
Social Studies-Begin Take-Home Test (Due Friday)
If not finished, complete pages 107-109 in History Wkbk
Science Project
Play Practice
Sign and Return Field Trip Form (We need drivers)

WEEK OF APRIL 16-20

Room 12 Update:
* Great job! Everybody turned in their Heritage Projects and they look fantastic. I'll be grading these the next couple weeks. I may make a photo copy of a couple to share with future classes.
* Heritage Powerpoints- This week we will finish up our Powerpoint Slideshows. What is not finished Wednesday will need to be finished at home. I did speech sign ups today and they will start Thursday and finish on Wednesday, April 25th
* Math-In math we are reviewing all of the standards along with Saxon Math. We are using the Smart Responders in class and will be doing review sheets at home.
* In Reading we are continuing the "American Tall Tales" about famous Americans. These stories are a blast and the class loves them. They are learning about Hyperbole and how it can be used to bring stories alive.
* In writing we are creating our own tall tales about somebody that we have learned about in History this year.
* In American History we are continuing our study of the formation of our government and the Constitution.

HOMEWORK MONDAY-
Reading-AR-20 Minutes
Math-Finish 5th Grade Spiral Review+Saxon L103odds
Spelling-New words are on the Spelling Blog-Correct and study mistakes for test on Friday
Heritage Powerpoint-Students may work on these at home
Science Projects-Due May 3rd (Coming soon! Use the teal planning sheet I approved and returned)
BRING SCRIPT FOR 13 COLONIES

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading-AR 20 minutes
Finish Math Spiral Review
Study Spelling
Science Project
Power Point
Practice Script

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading-AR 20 minutes
Finish Math Spiral Review #3
Study Spelling
Science Project
Power Points- Due on Day of your speech (file-shared to my computer-save as your # followed by Heritage..ex: #7heritage.pptx
Practice Script
Sing Songs at home

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Reading-AR 20 minutes
Finish Math Spiral Review #4
Study Spelling
Science Project
Power Points- Due on Day of your speech (file-shared to my computer-save as your # followed by Heritage..ex: #7heritage.pptx
Practice Script
Sing Songs at home

WEEK OF APRIL 10-13th

Welcome Back Parents and Students from Room 12!

I hope your 10 days off from school were restful and fun. I was able to get up to Bear Valley and snowboard a couple of days, rest and do a couple projects....including the Heritage Project with Josiah! I truly hope this project is an enriched and meaningful experience for you like it has been for us. I have learned so much about my family that my dad and mom never even told me! I have decided to extend the due date to this Friday, April 13th, instead of the 12th due to the fact that we have this Monday off. Some people have struggled with how to organize the main body. I found the easiest way to be dividing up the maternal and paternal side. From there, with some headings of: Family Facts, Fun Stories, Origins, Famous People, Ethnicity graph etc. Hopefully this helps a little. There will be very little homework this week...going over Math classwork and Reading a new book.

This week we will start putting together our Power Point Presentations about our family heritage projects. Please have your child put some family photos on their flash drives dating back as far as possible. These Power Point Projects help improve the quality of the speeches and the engagement of the class. If possible, have these photos by tomorrow, or Wednesday. If you don't have any, we can use the Internet.

A PHOTO OF MY GRANDFATHER/Josiah's Great- Grandfather

Before the break I also sent home the script for our upcoming performance of the musical: 13 Colonies. We will be auditioning for parts in the coming weeks so each child should begin practicing their lines for the roles that they would like to try out for. This performance will tentatively be on Friday, June 1st, at 8:00 a.m. and 1pm.
I will be sending an audio cd of the songs that each child can sing and learn at home. Have fun with that! The songs get STUCK in your head.

In American History we will start learning about the formation of our government and the constitution after the revolution. In Math we will be reviewing Percentages.

Please let me know if you have any questions about any of this.
Back to school for only two more months!
Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Reading A.R.
Math-Finish Chapter 23-2 Front and Back
Heritage Project (DUE FRIDAY)+ Get pics and put report/pics on flashdrive
Optional-Work on Powerpoint at home
LOOK OVER 13 Colony Script

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Reading A.R.
Math-Finish Chapter 23 p.209-211 + top 2 problems on the back
Heritage Project (DUE FRIDAY)+ Get pics and put report/pics on flashdrive
Optional-Work on Powerpoint at home
LOOK OVER 13 Colony Script
Listen to 13 Colony CD with script
Do Zun Zun Water Quiz-Due Friday

THURSDAY HOMEWORK
READING A.R.
Math-Finish/Go over Saxon Pre-Test 17a
Finish Zun Zun Water Plan
Heritage Project due Friday
Power Point/Practice Speech

WEEK OF MARCH 26-30th

ROOM 12 UPDATE
* This week we will be busy with English Language Arts! We are reading new stories about Encounters with Nature from HM.
* We are taking ANOTHER exciting Benchmark Test in Language Arts.
* In writing we have a fun essay prompt from the district about "changes that we would like to see at our school" The class already has numerous ideas!
* Last week I gave out the A.R. goals for the final trimester and I will post them online this week.
* The main thrust of homework this week will be The Heritage Project and Science Projects. I am helping each child refine their Investigative Questions, which will drive the rest of the project. We will fill out a form this week with our: Hypothesis, Methods, Materials and go over a timeline of due dates.
* To help guide the Heritage Project, I will go over each required section.
* In Science we will take our test on Water this week. The study guide is a link on the side of the blog.
* In Reading at home we will go over Science World. This week we will learn about the Physics of Angry Birds, among many other things!

Another break is almost here!
Have a great week,
Mr. Sweet

HOMEWORK MONDAY
Read p. Science World p.1-8 (Angry Bird Issue)
Math- Finish L101 Saxon
Science-Fill out Teal Investigative Plan Form-Due Wednesday
Heritage Report due soon: Thursday, April 12th
Science-Study for Water Test-See Blog for Study Guide on right side

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read p. Science World p.9-14 (Angry Bird Issue)
Math- Finish Hm Ch. 22 Lesson 3-Surface Area(Front + 2 problems on back/all for extra credit.
Science-Fill out Teal Investigative Plan Form-Due tomorrow
Heritage Report due soon: Thursday, April 12th
Science-Study for Water Test-See Blog for Study Guide on right side

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Review Science World-Quiz Tomorrow
Read 20 minutes
Math-Finish L102 odds + Surface Area Review sheet
Heritage Project
Study for Water Test on Friday

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Read 20 minutes
Math-Finish Saxon Pre-Test 17a
Study For Science
Do Heritage Cover/Intro
Check over returned Teal Investigative Plan Paper
Use the Science Packet to help with your project/poster board/speech requirements

WEEK OF MARCH 20-23rd

HOMEWORK TUESDAY
Read 20 min.
Math-Finish Volume Ch. 22 L4 p.203+204
Spelling Study Words/Mistakes
Science-Create Investigative Question for Science Project
Due by Friday, March 23rd
Begin Interviewing Parents/Relatives with Interview Questions
using Heritage Project Paper that was sent home.
Project Due: Thursday, April 12th (Less than a month)

HOMEWORK WEDNESDAY
Read 20 min.
Science-Create Investigative Question for Science Project
Finish Science Packet
Due by Friday, March 23rd
Begin Interviewing Parents/Relatives with Interview Questions
using Heritage Project Paper that was sent home.
Project Due: Thursday, April 12th (Less than a month)

HOMEWORK THURSDAY
Read 20 min. A.R. (Goals sent home tomorrow)
MATH-Finish Saxon L100evens
Finish Wkbk 191-195 in Science Wkbks
Finish ELA Wkbk pages 323-327 (Elena)
Study DLR + Spelling
Investigative Questions for Project due tomorrow (Friday)