Important!!!

Hi Parents!
     Just a reminder that if you are wanting to go on a field trip with our class (or any class in the school) this year, you need to get a background check done at the district. 
  
     I know this is inconvenient, but it was mandated by the district last year.  They are just trying to make sure that when a child is with a parent and not directly with the teacher, that they will be safe.  I know that's what we all want for our kids.

    If you were background checked last year or already this year, you are set.  The checks are good for 5 years. 

    I am not sure of the official procedure (where to go and when) but I will find out and let you know ASAP.  While we are off track would be a great time to get it done as we are out, but the district is still working. ;)  We also will have to have this done for any parent who is coming with us on our Cemetery Walk in September or BizTown in October.  They will be here before you know it!


Thank you so much!
I hope this doesn't discourage you from joining us!

Love,
Mrs. Allen  :)

Track off

Good Afternoon,
       We had a great day over here in the 5th grade!  I'm getting sad that we are going off track this Friday!  Can you believe it?  It has gone by so fast! 
       Our students have been working so hard and learning our classroom routines like champs!  I'm so proud of them.  We have an excellent class this year.  Lots of different talents and personalities that I KNOW will keep me laughing and on my toes. 
      Here's what's been going on these past 2 weeks:

• Students are learning all of my little quirks and are finding that I somehow have a story for EVERYTHING.  I don't know where they all came from!
• I think we all know each others' names.  :)
• We have been working on some really HARD math.  If your students have been coming home mentally exhausted, that's why!  But they are troopers!  They don't give up and are trying their best to do hard things!  
• We have been learning about explorers and the things they did and discovered.  This week, the students are in groups and have an explorer to research more thoroughly.  They then get to choose an artistic way to explain to the class about it on Thursday and Friday!  Some kids are doing plays, others murals, dances, and songs.  I'm so excited to see what they come up with!
• Beginning Persuasive Writing. We will be working on this most of the time until our BIG test in March! I stressed to the students today that I need them to practice their typing on the computer as much as possible.  (Look in the Websites for Kids section for free typing games online).  They will have to type their Persuasive Essay test on the computer, so the faster and more accurately they can type, the less stressed they will be.
• Having fun assemblies, class meetings, and laughing.  Lots of laughing.  

I'm so priviledged to teach such a great group of kids!  Lucky me!

Love,
Mrs. Allen  :)

Some of the Basics...

Hi Everybody! 
     Now that we are in the swing of things, I thought I would post a reminder of some of the basics that we all need to remember about our weekly routine.

Planners:

• Filled out each day
• Includes what to do for homework and things that are coming up
• Signed by parents/family nightly

Homework:

• Math homework will be sent home each night
• Students should NOT do the "Remembering" side at home- we do this in class
• Anything not finished in class should be done that night for homework
• Reading 100 minutes per week: remember to mark it on your reading calendar
• Practice your spelling and vocabulary every night

Classwork:

• Each week in language arts, your student is responsible for:
• 4 Spelling assignments (Sentences and 3 choices)
• Vocabulary packet (3 assignments)
• Journal Page
• ABC Book page (research, outline, 3 paragraphs, colored picture)
• These are all due on Thursday.  If they are not finished, the student will stay in for Study Hall and take them home for homework if necessary.

***Remember, that students will be docked 10% of their earned grade each day it is late.  Grades close on Fridays.

***If you student is absent, they get 3 school days from when they return to do their missing assignments as homework and turn them in.  (If they need help on assignments, they can come to me during Study Hall or after school, I'd be happy to help!)

Thanks for all that you do Parents!

Love,
Mrs. Allen  :)

Parent/Family Paperwork

     I know how much we all hate the dreaded beginning of the year paperwork but it is very important that you return it. 
     It is also essential to make sure you have registered your child online this year.  That online registration includes the form that allows your child to access the students computers.  We need to make sure this is done ASAP because your student will not be able to access them in the computer lab or on our classroom laptops to do research and projects when they need to! 
    Below is a list of all of the forms you need to make sure you have returned as soon as possible:

-White Card (Student and Family Contact Card)
-White paper 5th grade rules form (inside the "5th grade packet")  **rip it out and sign saying you   
         and your student understand all that 5th grade entails.
-Green "Think Time" paper (signed by you and your child)
-Blue skinny piece of paper (Emergency kit form***Please return this filled out and with a baggie
         with all of the items on the list for the PTA emergency kits)
-Medical Condition Blue Card (only if you have a medical condition that needs reporting)
-$4 dollars for planner or purchase one yourself (due this Friday)
-$5 BizTown money if you are able

Thank you so much for staying on top of things!  It makes my life so much easier!

Love,
Mrs. Allen :)

First Day of School

Wow!  What a fun day it has been!  I'm so lucky to have such a great class this year.  Today we got started by getting to know each others name with a name/adjective/action game.  My favorite was Quesadilla Quintus.  :)  The students got to know a little more about me personally and as a teacher.  We set up our class rules and learned about all of the "stuff" we will be using throughout this year.  I can't wait for tomorrow.  This is going to be a great year!

Parents, if you couldn't make it to Morning Mingle, shoot me an email and I'll send home the papers you missed with your student.

Coming up:
Planner or Planner Money                  Due: Friday August 3rd
Student and Family Contact Card       Due: Friday August 3rd
Green Think Time Contract                Due: ASAP
"Brown Bag It" Homework                Due: Friday July 27th 

Love,
Mrs. Allen :)