Happy Monday!

Good morning!

Today is report card day for the first grading period.  Look for a very bright green report card to come home today.  Please celebrate your child's successes and look carefully at the areas that may need improvement.  Please return the lower right hand portion of the report card as quickly as possible.  We sent home several letters last Friday requesting conferences.  If you request a conference as a result of the report card, please indicate the best day of the week for you to attend a morning conference and we will do our best to accommodate  your needs.

Please be aware that the marks in the planner (my initial and a 1,2,3, symbolizing the rule broken) are now deductions of 10 points each from the weekly conduct grade.  This should not make it more difficult to make an "A" but should make it even more important to follow the classroom expectations (rules).  Please check the planner daily to avoid "surprises."  Mrs. Hopkins is now using a "pin system" which will be noted in the planner also and can be explained to you by your child.  Mrs. Hopkins' grade for conduct will be incorporated into my weekly grades for conduct.

I am sending home  a release form today.  We have been taking pictures along the way of events, field trips and our work displayed in the hallway.  I would love to post some of these to the blog.  I need your permission to do that.  No personal information about your child - not even first name or last name will be posted with the pictures.  Please sign and indicate your choice as to the inclusion of your child in pictures on this blog.

We have a Science Test tomorrow 11/6/12 and a Vocabulary Test for the reading selection "La Bamba" on 11/9/2012.  A Topic 6 test in Math will also be given on 11/9/12.

We are finishing our election unit writing assignment "If I Were President..." tomorrow and awaiting the completion of our electoral map after the voting occurs on Tuesday.   The students will bring their Election 2012 foldable home on Friday.  Students  did a great job,  and the foldables created a very patriotic decor for our hallway.  The writing assignments will be displayed for a couple of weeks and then I will send those home as well.  You might want to save this assignment and give it to your child when he/she reaches voting age or presidential eligibility age-- it is sure to bring a smile to your child as an adult.

Homework for Math is selected E skills on adding and subtracting decimals.  If your child has not mastered the K skills they should also work toward mastery of those this week as a grade will be assigned for the K skills on Friday 11/9 depending on the number of skills mastered.

Again, look for that report card today 11/5 and celebrate the success and plan for improvement where needed.  Thank you in advance for the support you provide your child at home.  It truly is a partnership between us all that will guarantee success.

A Great Big Thank You

Parents

Thank you so much for all the goodies that you sent in for our Halloween "snack".  We had cookies and cupcakes and "witches' broom" and even cookie cake. The safari theme was even represented by the zebra-striped snack cakes that we reserved for Thursday's snack time.  As always your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated and the students enjoyed it very much.

DON'T FORGET--- tonight 11/1 ( oh my,  its November)   is the Reading Festival 5:30-7:00 in the Multipurpose Room and the Book Fair will be open in the Media Center.    

K Alford

It's a brand new grading period!!

The new grading period actually started last week on Tuesday 10/23.   This week the new grading period is in full swing. which means for my classes that the conduct marks now start to count 10 points each off the weekly conduct grade.   Something else new will be that I am asking that parents sign the planner each weekend to verify that you have seen the conduct grade for that week. Please do not sign early, wait until the end of the week to review and discuss/reward for the week's grade.  Mrs. Hopkins will be using a pin system in her classroom to document behavior daily and to arrive at a grade for the week.  Mrs.  Hopkins and I will let each other know of any conduct infractions that need to be recorded for students who are not in our homeroom.  The final grade for each week will be recorded in the planner regardless of which homeroom your student is in.  Please look for the first conduct grade of the nine weeks this Friday, 11/2.

Students are aware of and have been aware of the following information,  but it has come to our attention that some students may not have shared this information with parents. Mrs. Hopkins gives  a spelling test and a vocabulary test  but gives them on alternate Fridays.  This reduces the frequency of the tests and gives students a chance to focus on either spelling OR vocabulary and thus a better chance of success.   A spelling test  will be on Friday 11/2 and a vocabulary test will be given on Friday 11/9. This alternating schedule will continue throughout the grading period.  Students receive a list of spelling and vocabulary definitions at the beginning of each new reading selection.  They received the first new list of the grading period  Monday  and were required to write their spelling list in the planner.


We are finishing up our Science chapter on the water cycle, and our test is next week on Tuesday 11/6. We will then start a chapter on weather.  In Math,  we are working on number theory concepts ( divisibility rules, primes,  composites,  factors,  and multiples and  prime factorization or "factor trees" as we call it in 5th grade). We will next add and subtract decimals, fractions and mixed numbers.    In Social Studies we just finished a "foldable" about the election process and are involved in a writing assignment "If I Were President" (interesting and something  I hope they all aspire to be someday).   Work will begin next week on Chapter 4 packet in Social Studies.

Homework is cancelled for 10/31/2012 !!!   Have fun as a family instead !!!!

9th Week of the 1st Quarter !!!

Happy Monday!  Please remember that your child will be going on our first field trip of the year tomorrow 10/16/2012.  We will leave for the Marine Science Education Center at 8:30 SHARP!    IF YOU ARE TARDY-- YOU WILL MISS THE TRIP!  Remember you will need your milk jug (already prepared and decorated) a bag lunch and drink (no lunches available in the cafeteria).  Please wear  your field trip shirts.  Tennis shoes are required for the walk on the beach as we WILL NOT BE NEAR THE WATER.

WED. 10/17/2012 we will take our science test for Ch 2 and Friday our Math Test for Topic 3.   Last test grades for the 1st 9 weeks.


We will do our Math Is Everywhere You Look  project on Friday after the test.  Ask to see your child's project paper if you have not already seen it.  They must have the materials  for that on Friday morning in order to participate in the project.

Ask your child how she/he is coming with the goal they set with the guidance counselor last Thursday. It is never too late to make at least a small improvement in one of the 5 areas we are discussing
( diet/exercise/fun/rest/social contact).

Questions you can ask to get a conversation going after the marine science field trip:

What was your favorite part of the field trip?
What animals were available in the wetlab tank?

Monday/Tuesday Homework-- Study for Science test to be given 10/17

Wednesday- Monday  Last chance for mastery score on H skills.  A grade will be determined by the number of  H skills on which  student's have achieved at least a score of 90% or better.  I will make the determination of this grade on Monday 10/22 based on the number of skills out of 14 possible that they have mastered.  You may check on their current status on their IXL reports.

Looking forward to a great field trip  and hope the students will have lots to share with you when we return.

A bit of news before the weekend

The science test was rescheduled for 10/17/12.  Don't forget that your child will need a LUNCH for the filed trip on Tuesday, 10/16/12. NO bag lunches will be available in the cafeteria on Tuesday because no one ordered a lunch when we asked if they wanted the school lunch for the field trip. (These have to be ordered 2-3 weeks in advance.)  Hopefully you saw the Math project paper that was sent home yesterday.  The projects will be completed at school, but the collection of material should happen at home.   I will put a  picture on the blog (today, hopefully)  of an individual project from last year on the same topic so that parents can have a clarification of the types of material students should be collecting.  Have a great weekend !

It Is the 8th Week of School -- Can you believe it?

Happy Monday,

This week will be a great one for us.  We are wrapping up our study of the solar system.   It would be a good week to buy your child a Milky Way Bar to celebrate  all their hard work and our place in the galaxy!  Students are currently working on Planet Reports and Planet Travel Brochures!  I know parents are all looking forward to "booking a flight" to the planet of their  choice.  I just hope my students have figured out how we survive once we get there!

Homework for the week is IXL H 11 and 12 for Math .  Check on your child's progress on the H skills (division) by looking at the reports section and selecting  performance and performance by category.  An IXL overall  grade for this unit will be given on Oct. 22 (last day of the first grading period) based on the total number of skills on which  your child has scored 90% or above.  There are 14 skills  and it will be scored as if it were a 14 item test  (14/100% , 13/93%, 12/86%, 11/79% , 10/72% etc ).  Extra time each night or over the weekend is your choice at this point if your child is behind in mastery of these skills.

The Science Test for Chapter 2 will be 10/12 -- they now have all the tools needed to study for it this week. (Vocab cards/ study guide that we highlighted/ foldables/ and corrected lesson checkups) We will begin Chapter 3 on Thursday 10/11/12  (love that date)  in preparation for our field trip to the Marine Science Education Center on Oct. 16th.

The field trip cost of $5.00 must be paid  and the permission slip returned by Friday, 10/12.  This field trip is a part of the science curriculum for 5th grade and will provide 3 grades for Science.  If you chose for your child not to attend,  an alternative assignment that will count for 3 grades will be assigned.  This field trip does not require chaperones since it takes place at a Duval County school building and the rooms are barely large enough to accommodate the size of the student groups that we are taking each day.  There will be other trips scheduled later in the year where we will need your participation as chaperones.  Students should wear their class field trip shirts for this field trip and must bring a bag lunch ( no lunch boxes).

Mrs Hopkins asked that I mention that papers that require a parent signature must be returned to her.  She has had many instances of these not being returned.  All such assignments are stamped "sign and return".   She has discussed this with the students and now needs your assistance in getting those papers returned so that she is sure that you have seen your child's work.

The media center has started a new program "Library Ambassadors"  to assist from 8:00-8:30 each day.  Interested students were given an application.  Please encourage your child to become involved in this very worthy activity.

A student study skill unit will be implemented by our guidance counselor starting this week. The students will receive a 45 minute lesson once a week for the next 5 weeks on goal setting, organization, study skills, and prevention of test anxiety.  We are very excited about this new program.  Our first sessions are on 10/11/12 (there is that neat date again) .  Please ask your child Thursday night  about what was covered in the class and what goals they set.

Have a great week and take advantage of the light in the evenings-- only a few weeks until daylight savings time ends for the year.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!!! Today is the first day of the 7th week of 5th Grade

Happy Monday!!!  Updated progress reports went home today with Fall Benchmark scores attached.

When your child is absent please send a note the next day -- we cannot mark the absence excused without the note.  

Math Homework for the week is IXL H skills 1-14   and any F skills after they have "mastered " the H skills with a 90% or better!  There will be a review on Wednesday for the Topic 2 math test which will be given on Friday 10/5.  We will begin dividing by 2 and 3 digit numbers on Monday next week and will finish up the division skills with whole numbers about the time that the grading period ends.

In Science we are working on putting the finishing touches on our Space Unit.  This week we have two investigations  to do, we are working on a group planet report and travel brochures for "future" travel to the other 7 planets.  I know -- most of us haven't seen much of this planet yet--- but it never hurts to think ahead to what might be possible in our lifetime and it's fun to dream!

In Social Studies the Chapter 3 Packet is on the way and the vocabulary test for that chapter will be 10/15/12 and the packet due date is 10/19/12 ( NO EXTENSIONS this time).  We are studying exploration of the new world by explorers from European countries.

Reading-- continue to read 30 minutes each night.   FCAT Explorer is up and running-- passwords have been given to students.  Cereal Box Projects are due on Oct. 5th, Spelling Test Oct 12,  and Vocabulary Test on Oct. 22.


The permission slip for the first field trip went home today.  The cost is $5.00 for transportation and the deadline for money and permission slips is 10/12.  There are no chaperones for  this trip as the Marine Science Center is a school building, the students will be in regular classroom settings, and the building is very small.  Other parent-chaperoned filed trips are coming!

It is hard to believe that the end of the 9 weeks will be here before we know it!  Continue to encourage your child to keep their efforts strong or to strengthen their effort if they are not quite where they want to be at this point.  There are 3 weeks left and there will be many opportunities to shine through Oct. 22 (the last day of this grading period).

Delay of Updated Progress Reports until 10/1

Parents,

The updated progress report scheduled for 9/28/12 has been delayed until Monday 10/1/12 due to the administration and scoring of FAIR testing (Reading). 

Please look for that progress report to be stapled into the planner next Monday. 

Mrs. Hopkins and Mrs. Alford

Building a spiral galaxy

What fun building spiral galaxies to model our own galaxy -- a spiral galaxy that is called the Milky Way galaxy.  We also ate Milky Way bars so that we will always remember the name of our galaxy!

Homework and Announcements

Good Monday Morning,

Picture Day is Friday 9/28.   Everyone bring your best smile!  If you have not returned the Safety Patrol  
fundraiser Jacksonville City Book please return ASAP.

Math Homework for this week is to continue to work toward mastery of the H skills 1-9 and 13-14.  Please remember -- do not attempt to do any other skills unless they are assigned.  For those of you still having difficulty with multiplication facts please practice every night.  Division and Fractions require multiplication fact skills. For anyone who has computer issues please let me know and the Social Studies time may be used for IXL and then the Social Studies Packet will need to be completed as homework.

We just started a new Science Chapter on Space.  Lots of motivating  activities are just days away! Vocabulary will be given today and a quiz will be given on those words on Mon. 10/1

In Reading continue working toward the book goal, read/respond  30 minutes each night, and don't forget your cereal box project is due VERY SOON.

Remember the absolute last day to turn in SS Chapter 2 is 9/28.

If you did not return the bottom portion of the progress report, please do so as soon as possible.

Progress Reports and Social Studies Ch 2

Hi  to all,

Progress reports went out on Friday, 9/21/12.  It is not too late for your child to make tremendous improvement before the report card grade in October.   As I stated in the note attached to the progress report,  the teacher changeover   and the timing of a few crucial  tests and assignments has caused a need for us to send out an additional progress report next week on Friday 9/28.  This is an effort to keep you informed and to alert you to a need for improvement if needed.   Please review and sign and return the bottom portion of each progress report.  On the 9/28 progress report please look for the scores for the Reading. Math and Science Fall Benchmark testing.

Social Studies packets are due Monday 9/24.  I will take them as late as 9/28 with no penalty.  This is due to the great amount of testing that we have done to this point. The testing ( Fall Benchmarks) took away the time in the morning that the students work on Social Studies independently.  Please look over the packet and be sure that your child has done his/her best work.  

I will update the blog on Monday by 8:00 AM with homework and announcements for the week.   Have a great Saturday and Sunday!

Questions, lots of questions!!!!

Hi just wanted to verify that there were no new vocabulary words for reading  this week -- the kids started a new reading selection but will not have a test on Friday on the vocabulary, There will be a spelling test and the spelling words will stay the same for at least the first 9 weeks.  

Test tomorrow on Chapter 1 for Science.   Hope everyone has studied enough for the test.  Looking forward to seeing all those A grades!!!!  :):)

Friday 9/21 don't forget the Math Topic test  (division as the inverse operation of multiplication/dividing patterns of 10/ breaking apart to divide/estimating quotients/ making decisions about remainders and problem solving with reasonableness and extra and incomplete information.  WOW have we been busy!!!

The month of September has flown by one one more week until October.

THANKS FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU SEND MY WAY -- AS I TELL THE STUDENTS THE ONLY BAD QUESTION IS THE ONE YOU DON'T ASK AND CONTINUE TO WONDER ABOUT!!

On our agenda this week:

Welcome to a new week:

Math Homework M-Wed. 30 minutes per night IXL H skills 5 and 13  Thursday night review the contents of chapter 1 for  test on Friday 9/21. Look over learning bridges for each lesson and look over chapter review and reteaching pages in the textbook.    

Science Test Chapter 1  Thursday 9/20  review all materials in the notebook especially vocabulary words and study guides.  

Reading/L Arts : Continue to read and respond to your reading each night.  New story and spelling unit.  Cereal box project due date remains the same. 

Welcome to Mrs. Hopkins, our new 5th grade team member.  Mrs. Hopkins has taught both 3rd and 4th grade at Greenland Pines.  We welcome her to our team.  

Sad News

I am posting sad news but we at Greenland Pines  will always love mrs. brody and look forward to frequent visits !!!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

I will miss you all...

Hi Parents,

This post is just to let you know that I have resigned from Greenland Pines. My last day is today and Mrs. Alford and I have told the students this afternoon.  They are coping as well as I had hoped considering the circumstances.  I am leaving Greenland Pines to pursue other opportunities.  I have loved being a teacher at Greenland Pines and I have loved teaching your children with Mrs. Alford!  I am grateful for the opportunity teaching has afforded me and I look forward to what lay ahead for me and my family.  Please know I will be in constant contact with Mrs. Alford and I will be stopping by Greenland Pines often to check on the kids.  Thank you for your understanding and please make sure your children know how much I love them and wish the BEST for them.


                                                                                Love,

                                                                                Mrs. Kim Brody

NEWS FLASH !!!!!!

Mr. Burrell just notified teachers that the date for progress reports has been changed to Friday 9/21.  

f you want to check the grade portal please do all grades should be current,  If you do not have access to your child's grade through the portal you need to come to the front office to get a login  and then you are all set.  Once you have the login you will have access with that login until your child graduates or leaves Duval County schools.

Thanks, Parents !!!

Parents,  thanks for taking time to attend our Open House.   Look for important information coming home tomorrow with your child that I could not share with you tonight.   Homework and events for next week will be posted by 8:00 AM Monday the 17th.

Class T-shirts Coming Soon!!!!

This is what our class tshirts will look like and they will arrive in time for our first field trip in October

Homework 9/10  to 9/14  

Math 30 minutes each night on IXL Only Monday night this week due to Benchmark Testing Wed.- Friday

Currently working toward mastery (at least 90% ) on the H skills (division)

So far I have assigned h 1,2,3,4,6,and 7.  Check the reports page for your child's IXL account  to see what progress he/she has made toward mastery of those skill.  

Reading  30 minutes reading documented every night.  

Starting next week I will list all homework and tests here every week. Hopefully that will help you at home.   I will list any changes in red so they are easy to recognize.  

Hi 

First post on the blog -- how exciting!  
We are almost at the half way point of the 1st grading period!  Can you believe it? Our new class t-shirts are ordered and soon to be on the way! Our field trip t-shirts are going to be awesome.  Can't wait to see us  on that first field trip in our new shirts! 

Open House is tomorrow night 9/13/12.  Please come if you can, lots of great information and a chance to sit in a 5th grade desk-- how can you possible miss that experience!  :)  Hope to see you Thursday night!

Please see the direct links to the math,science and social studies books on this blog!  Great that they are all on line and the Social Studies book will even read you the chapter.