Smith January 4-7

Parents and Students:

Spelling Lesson 19 grade is Wed., Jan. 5.

Bible

Lesson 15 continues the study of Elisha. He was a quiet man who never forgot that God was greater than any enemy. Elisha shows God's power to the Arameans. The events in this lesson took place during the reign of King Joram. Scripture: 2 Kings 5; 6:8-33; 7; 8:7-15 Lesson 15 grade is on Fri., Jan. 7.

English

We will continue our study of verbs. Students will do lessons 11-13 (P. 118-123). Lessons 11-13 grade will be on Mon., Jan. 10.

Creative Writing

We will have the MAC LAB in our classroom on Wed.-Fri. Students will do the final editing and proofreading of their Mixed-Up Files Mysteries. These will be displayed in the hall the following week. Also, students will do some research on the animal they choose for their persuasive writing. This is a fun writing project, and they are excited to get started on it.

Wordly Wise

We will do Lesson 7 (A, B, C, D, and E). Lesson 7 grade will be on Tues., Jan. 11.

Sign of the Beaver

We will begin reading this wonderful story of courage, determination, and friendship. The author is Elizabeth George Speare, and this story of survival and friendship between a young colonial boy and a Native American boy made Sign of the Beaver a Newberry Award Winning Novel. I look forward to sharing such a special story with your children! We will begin by reading Ch. 1-4. I will issue the books to the students upon their return from Christmas. Each student will have their own copy.

Have the best of holidays! May the New Year bring you peace and joy. I look forward to seeing you in 2011!

Gidget Smith

McVay December 13 - 17

Only 4 and a half more days of school until we begin the Christmas holidays!  

Math - 

We are reviewing skills this week.  Each day we will practice fifth grade math skills in order to brush up on what we have learned.   Most days will have a  Christmas theme!

Science - 

We will not start a new Chapter this week.

Social Studies - 

We will be finishing up Chapter 4 with a few daily grades on map skills.  

Bingo Reminder!

We are making Christmas bingo cards. Please send a ziploc bag of M&M's on Thursday for markers. If any parents would like to help with bingo prizes, please send any individually wrapped Christmas candy or fun Christmas toys. Any contributions for this fun activity will be greatly appreciated. These items can be sent in anytime Mon. through Thurs. We will play bingo on Friday morning.


Christmas is a time to remember the simplicity of Christ, a baby born in a manger.  This season I pray you experience the small blessings that come from time spent with family and friends.


Merry Christmas,
Karen McVay

Smith December 13-17

Parents and Students:

The Christmas Essays are up in the hall until Friday, Dec. 17. We have two writing contest winners! Penelope Faulk won 1st place, and Miller Johnson won Honorable Mention. Congratulations ladies! I am very proud of all the fifth graders for their creative work.

Bible Lesson 14 grade on Tuesday, Dec. 14

AR Testing for this nine weeks ends on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Creative Writing

We will type the Mixed-Up Files essays on the MAC laptops in the Research Room in the Upper School Library on Tuesday and Wednesday. The children have created interesting mysteries from those mixed-up files of Mrs. Frankweiler! This has been a fun project, and I hope to get these on the hall wall to share in January.

Holiday Writing

Students are using Peanuts Kids Christmas illustrations to stimulate creative paragraphs. This is a fun practice of writing a good paragraph with a lead sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion sentence. The characters of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Woodstock, and Sally are great characters for a writing activity!

Spelling

There will not be a spelling test this week.

Wordly Wise

Students will do Lesson 7 definition cards.

Bingo!

We are making Christmas bingo cards. Please send a ziploc bag of M&M's on Thursday for markers. If any parents would like to help with bingo prizes, please send any individually wrapped Christmas candy or fun Christmas items. Any contributions for this fun activity will be greatly appreciated. These items can be sent in anytime Mon. through Thurs. We will play bingo on Friday morning (maybe some on Thursday if we have time) before we go to the Christmas Caroling in Willett Hall.

Note the following:

1. The nine weeks ends next week.

2. Grade Average sheets for this nine weeks will be in Monday's folder after returning from Christmas holidays.

3. Christmas parties are on Thur., Dec. 16.

4. Fourth Grade leads the Christmas caroling at 10:00 A.M. on Fri.,

Dec. 17.

5. Early Dismissal for the holidays is at 11:30 on Fri., Dec. 17.

I know we are all looking forward to our family time at Christmas. Let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a joyous and wonderful holiday season. God bless you and your families during His Season.

Gidget Smith

McVay December 6 - 10

Merry Christmas!

Math - 

We will finish Chapter 7 on Collecting and Organizing Data.

Lesson 3 - 5 Daily grade will be on Wednesday.

No test on Chapter 7 will be given.  If time permits, we will do an in class project using data.

Science - 

Lesson 3 Daily grade will be on Wednesday.

A chapter review will be taken on Friday.  Please review pages 86 - 87 in the Science book to prepare for this quiz!! Hint! 

Social Studies - 

Lessons 1 - 3 Daily grade will be taken on Friday.  As we progress through the week, we will work on reviewing these lessons as well as working on our map skills.


Thanks to Mrs. Singleton and my amazing students for keeping room 123 running last week during my absence. Please refer to the important information Mrs. Smith so faithfully posts to keep us on schedule!


When I count my blessings I count you twice,
Karen McVay

Smith December 6-10

Parents and Students:

The essays for the Winter Writing Contest sponsored by the Montgomery Public Library are displayed in the hall. If you have time, please come by in the next two weeks and enjoy reading a variety of stories. The children did a great job!

Assignments this week:

Wordly Wise Lesson 6 grade on Tues., Dec. 7

Spelling Lesson 17 grade on Wed., Dec. 8

English Verbs Lessons 9-10 grade on Wed., Dec. 8

BCT/McWane Birmingham Trip on Thurs., Dec. 9

Memory (Luke 2: 1-20) due by Fri., Dec. 10

(Students have had the option to split the memory in half. Many students have already said verses 1-10. All 20 verses are due by Friday.)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Students have finished testing on the novel and will see the movie based on the book on Friday. We will compare and contrast the book and the movie. Students may bring popped pop corn and a water on Friday for the movie. Students have a collection of material on the novel, and we will bind this together into booklets for their portfolios. We have all thoroughly enjoyed the story of Claudia, Jamie, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. What a creative and entertaining story!

Creative Writing

Students are working on their mystery from Mrs. Frankweiler's mixed-up files. Claudia and Jamie saved enough money to go back for a visit with Mrs. Frankweiler. They discovered another mystery that must be solved. These delightful, creative stories will be displayed in January. You will be notified when they are up and ready to be shared.

Bible (Lesson 14)

The time came for the prophet, Elijah, to leave his earthly home. Elisha, who had been Elijah's helper, took his place. Elisha is a holy man of God, and the Lord performed many miracles through this servant. We will be reading 2 Kings 2 and 4: 1-37; Bible Guide pages 54-57 (except Ch. 3) Lesson 14 grade on Tues., Dec. 14

AR Testing

The last day to AR test for this nine weeks is Tues., Dec. 14. Students should have tested on at least two novels. In addition to these novels, they also should have tested on From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

Note the following:

1. The Birmingham field trip is Thurs., Dec. 9. Refer to the information sheet that has been sent home in the Monday folder. Please know that we cannot hold the buses for late comers. We have to be at BCT by a certain time so the buses will leave Trinity by 7:30 A.M. The buses will load by the tennis courts at 7:10. Please be on time. We will also return to unload at the tennis courts at approx. 5:30 P.M. Please be waiting. Students will wear their Trinity uniforms.

2. Many thanks to all of the MOM HELPERS! Thank you so much for your time and effort in helping us to cut, laminate, trim, put up displays, and take down displays. You are greatly appreciated!

Have a great week!

Gidget Smith

McVay Nov. 29 - Dec. 3

Laugh, Love, and make family memories this Thanksgiving Holiday!

Math - 

Multiplication and Data Graphs are the focus for December.  Brushing up on our multiplication facts is something I want to incorporate with the regularly scheduled unit of work.  I will be working from both Chapters 7 & 9.  It might be a challenge, but I believe the students will rise to the challenge and benefit from the added practice.

Science - 

Chapter 1 Lesson 2 will be read and completed by the end of the week.  I hope to finish Lesson 3 before we depart for the Christmas holidays.

Social Studies - 

Chapter 4 will be the focus as we embark on the voyages across the Atlantic Ocean.  Map skills will accompany this unit of studies and parallel the math unit on reading graphs.

When I count my blessings, I count you twice!

Much love and appreciation to all of my room 123 families!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Karen

Smith November 29-December 3

Parents and Students:

It has been a busy but fun week! We are all looking forward to our week of Thanksgiving Holidays, Nov. 20-28. I wish for you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving. Travel safely, eat turkey with all of the trimmings, and enjoy that family time!

Assignments for November 29-December 3:

Spelling Lesson 16 grade on Wed., Dec. 1

From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

The students were greatly surprised when we found out that Mrs. Frankweiler's lawyer, Mr. Saxonberg, was also Claudia and Jamie's grandfather! Claudia and Jamie will take the mystery of "Angel" home with them since they have traded secrets with Mrs. Frankweiler. Claudia and Jamie will be written into Mrs. Frankweiler's will to inherit "Angel" if they do not reveal who sculpted the statue. The students are completing a wonderful booklet full of fun memories of this most entertaining novel. We will review Ch. 6-10 upon returning from Thanksgiving holidays.

Ch. 6-10 grade on Thurs., Dec. 2

Bible

Students will learn about the last years of King Ahab's reign (Lesson 12). Ahab was caught up in a web of sin, led by his wicked wife, Jezebel. God sent prophets to warn Ahab, but he refused to listen to the voice of God. Even though Ahab disguised himself going into battle, a stray arrow found its way between his armor, and he died. We learn that we should follow all of God's Commandments, not just the ones we choose to follow. If we choose to disobey God, we can be caught like a bug in a spider's web.

Bible Lesson 12 grade on Fri., Dec. 3

Creative Writing

Story Starter: Claudia and Jamie Kincaid have finally saved enough money to visit their secretly adopted grandmother, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The students will write about another mystery that Claudia and Jamie find in the "Mixed-Up Files". Students will have the option to work individually or with a partner to create this addition to the novel.

English

After our creative writing project, we will continue the study of verbs. Lessons 9-10 cover correct use of be and have and contractions with not. (P. 114-117)

Wordly Wise

We will prepare Lesson 6 (parts A, B, C, D, and E). Lesson 6 grade will be Tues., Dec. 7.

Note the Following:

1. Space Camp Forms: Please return the medications sheet and the Trinity Student Emergency Form ASAP. If you will fill out the front and sign and date the back of the emergency form, it can be notarized in the Lower School Office.

2. The Birmingham Bus trip to Children's Theater and McWane Science Center is Dec. 9. We look forward to seeing "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" at BCT and also to a fun afternoon at the McWane Center, including the IMAX movie, "Animalopolis". All students and chaperones will ride the bus. If you were listed for this trip on the field trip note sent home last Monday and have not returned the trip confirmation sheet, please do so ASAP.

3. ProjectGive Wristbands will be on sale Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in the Lower School hallway. Proceeds from the wristbands will go to support ProjectGive, the overseas ministry for this year. The cost of each wristband is a $5.00 donation to ProjectGive to support the digging of wells in an effort to provide fresh water.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday week!

Gidget Smith

McVay Nov. 15 - 19

What an awesome time we had with the microscopes.  Ask your children to tell you about the area pond water we saw, lots of swimming microorganisms, ewww!!

Math - 
We will finish Chapter 6 this week.  Lesson 6.6 is on the Distributive Property.  Showing all of your work is essential when doing math, especially algebra.  Points are taken when all of the work is not shown.
Daily grade on Wednesday followed by a Chapter grade on Thursday

Science - 
 Lesson 1 quiz will be on Tuesday.  Use the daily grade paper in the Monday folder to prepare.  


Social Studies -
Chapter 3 daily grade will be on Wednesday.


During this time of year I reflect on how God has blessed my life.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to be partnered with you in educating your child.  
I thank my God every time I think of you!

Karen McVay

Smith November 15-19

Parents and Students:

We are one week away from Thanksgiving Holidays! I know we are all ready for the break!
The following grades will be taken next week.

Wordly Wise Lesson 5 grade on Tuesday, Nov. 16
Remember, students need to review Parts A, B, C, D, and E in the book as well as study their definitions. The practice in the book is application of the word meanings.

English Verb Tense Lessons 5-7 grade on Tuesday, Nov. 16
Students should review the rules for these lessons and look over their practice work. (P. 104-109)

Spelling Lesson 15 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 17

Bible Memory (Psalm 8: 5-9) due by Friday, Nov. 19

Writing:
You will find a copy of your child's writing for the Holiday Writing Contest in Monday's folder. Each child will have a mounted/laminated copy to put in their portfolio. These will also be displayed in the hall beginning Dec. 1.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This fun story of the two run-aways, Claudia and Jamie, continues as they try to solve the mystery of the statue of the angel. Could Michelangelo be the artist? Will Claudia and Jamie continue to successfully hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Will Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler be able to help Claudia and Jamie with the "Angel" mystery? We were able to read Ch. 7-8 in class today so we will be doing questions and illustrations for those chapters on Monday. We will be reading Ch. 9-10 and completing those chapter questions and illustrations also next week. The Ch. 6-10 test is TBA next week.

English:

We will continue the study of verbs: Writing With Verbs and Lesson 8 on subject/verb agreement (P. 110-113; 143)

Spelling Competition:
Grades 5-8 enter the Montgomery County Spelling Competition each year. We have a Spelling Bee in each homeroom first. There will be one representative from each homeroom and two additional representatives to participate in the Trinity School Competition. We had classroom spelling bees today to select our first four representatives. On Monday, the four runner-ups from today's competition will have a spelldown, and the two winners of that competition will join the other four representatives for the school competition. Good luck to all of our winners! The Trinity School Competition will be held on Dec. 7th at 3:30. We will send a reminder of this date to the participants in the school competition after Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your week of Thanksgiving Holidays. May God's blessings be with you and your family during this special time.

Gidget Smith

McVay Nov. 8 - 12

Camp Chandler was a blast!  I want to post a special thank you to the parents that weathered the cold and sprinkles to chaperon! Pictures will be posted soon.


Math - 
Chapter 6, Finish Lessons 1-3 and then a daily grade. 
Lessons 4-6 will have a daily grade next week.

Science - 
Chapter 1 "What are Cells?", Lesson 1
Read and discuss pages 54 - 59 
We will have a daily grade and a quiz on this lesson. Friday is the onion lab!
Study:  outline, vocabulary, work completed in class, and diagrams from Science Lab

Social Studies -
We will begin Chapter 3, "Life in the Eastern Hemisphere." We will read and discuss this chapter. There will be no tests or quizzes on this chapter, though there will be a daily grade. This chapter focuses on what was occurring in Asia, Africa and Europe while the Native Americans were settling North America.

Monday folder will have mid-term reports.  

Thursday is a school holiday, Veteran's Day.

Your families continue to be a blessing to me.
Karen McVay 

Smith November 8-12

Parents and Students:

Camp Chandler was a success! Even with a little cold weather and just a sprinkle of rain, I believe fun was had by all. We will be posting some pictures this week on the blog so you can see your children in action. Thank you to all of our parent chaperones! We appreciate your help and hope you enjoyed the day.

Spelling Lesson 14 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 10

Bible Lesson 11 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 10

English:

We will continue our focus on verbs and begin working on Lessons 5-7 verb tense (P. 104-109).

Holiday Writing:

The final editing and printing is finished, and the essays have been turned in. The Public Library will notify our school of any winners or honorable mentions in December.

Wordly Wise:

Lesson 5 definition cards are due on Tuesday, November 9. We will complete parts A, B, C, D, and E throughout the week. Lesson 5 grade is on Tuesday, November 16.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler:

The activities and experiences of Claudia and Jamie continue to be very entertaining. They each have a very unique character. We will begin reading Ch. 6 on Monday. Students are doing questions and illustrations for each chapter that will be made into a booklet when we finish the book. As time permits this week, we will read Ch. 7.

Note the following:

1. Midterm reports will be in the Monday folders. Please sign those reports as well as the papers. Some folders are coming back with the papers unsigned. Please check that you have signed both sets before returning the folder. Also, please remove any handouts and keep them at home.

2. Beginning Monday, November 8, students will change classes at 8:10 A.M. as we rotate morning and afternoon sessions.

3. Thursday, November 11, is a school holiday.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith

McVay Nov. 1-5

Greetings!
Thank you for making the Potlatch a success!  I enjoyed seeing all the creative ideas expressed through your gifts!  At the end of the day we all had fun at the Fall Festival; the Junior class did a wonderful job providing that FUN for us.


Math
We started on Chapter 6, Algebra with Multiplication.  I will probably take a daily grade later in the week on the first few lessons.  If your child is experiencing frustration over Algebra, you are not alone!  I am working slowly through this chapter in hopes to build confidence.  Some of the students seem to be trying to make the steps harder than they really are.  So, encourage him/her to relax and just take each expression one step at a time.  Also, evaluating or 'checking' an expression by putting the number in the place of the variable will remedy a lot of mistakes.

Social Studies
We are finishing up Native Americans!!  
Tuesday I will give a Quiz on Ch. 2 Lessons 3 & 4.  I sent home a Weekly Reader on the election.  I am giving a daily grade on this issue next Wednesday.  On Friday we will go to Camp Chandler.  The second week in November we will start Chapter 3.

Science
We are slowly working our way into the Unit on Cells.  The microscope quiz kept getting pushed back, but I promise it will be given this week.  I am hoping for Wednesday.   I sent home a few practice pages for the microscope quiz.  The students will need to know how to spell the words correctly by labeling the microscope and by writing the word next to a definition with no word bank.

Please read through Mrs. Smith's notes at the bottom of her post!  She has outlined many important things to ensure success for your child!

Thank you for all you do, to make my time at Trinity a blessing,
Karen


 

Smith November 1-5

Parents and Students:

Today was a busy and exciting day! We thank the Junior class for organizing such a fun afternoon of activities for our Lower School students. The cake walk was very popular, and I saw many going home with "sweet treats" to be enjoyed all week-end! I hope you had a chance to see the displays in the Lower School hallway. The children have really worked hard in many subject areas, and I hope you enjoy their projects when you are visiting Trinity.

Spelling Lesson 13 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 3

English:

We will review Lessons 3-4 (helping verbs, main verbs, and linking verbs) on Monday and Tuesday. (P. 100-103)

Lessons 3-4 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 3

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Students are certainly enjoying this Newberry Award winning novel. It has been the source of many laughs this past week. Claudia and Jamie are hiding out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and they are having the greatest adventures. We will finish questions and the title/symbol page for Ch. 4 on Monday and read Ch. 5 on Tuesday. Students will do their Ch. 5 questions and title/symbol page on Wed. I will let each class have one night to take the book home before the Ch. 1-5 grade.

Ch. 5 grade on Thursday, Nov. 4

Wordly Wise:

Lesson 5 will be covered the week of Nov. 8-12.

Writing:

This week we will be printing the remainder of the edited stories for the Holiday Writing Competition sponsored by the Public Library. The school will be notified in December about the winners. The essays will be displayed in the hall during December, and we look forward to sharing them with you.

Bible:

We will continue our study of King Ahab in Lesson 11. Ahab wanted to punish Elijah because he was not willing to admit that it was God who withheld the rain. King Ahab and the children of Israel had to learn that the Lord is God. God showed Elijah, while he was on Mount Horeb, that although He is powerful, He sometimes works in a quiet manner. This is the usual way He works by His Spirit in our hearts. We will cover this lesson but will not test on it until the next week. Lesson 11 test date TBA later.

Memory: Psalm 8:1-4 due on Thursday, Nov. 4

AR Testing:

The last day to AR test for midterm is Thursday, Nov. 4.

Please note the following:

1. The Camp Chandler field trip is Friday, Nov. 5. Keep the information sheet that is coming home in the Monday folder. Please notify your homeroom teacher immediately if you cannot attend the field trip. We are in the process of making name tags and carpool lists.

2. Space Camp: If you are listed to chaperone the Space Camp trip, please notify your homeroom teacher immediately if you cannot attend. Billing for Space Camp is in Nov. and Dec.

3. Assignments for Absentees: Parents, please pick up your child's assignments and materials in the Lower School office when they are absent. Your child misses

4 1/2 hours of work in one day while out. It is beneficial to your child to pick his/her work up and to come back prepared.

4. Make-Up work: With multiple classes, it is difficult to get make-up tests done during the day. When students are absent, I arrive at school between 7:00 and 7:10 A.M. ready to give make-up tests. It is quite helpful for your children to arrive early and get made up then. We appreciate your cooperation with this as we work hard to help students stay up-to-date with tests. Also, students are not kept from specials to do make-up work or tests, and we use the P.E. period for conferences, meetings, running off materials, etc.

5. Morning Arrival: It is important that your child get a great start to his/her day. It is most beneficial for him/her to arrive by 7:50 A.M., with the exception of morning doctor and dental appointments of course, so that they can pull their materials for the day, sharpen pencils, and go to the restroom before the day begins. When students come in after 8:00 A.M., they enter the room during the devotion, prayer, and pledges. At midterm, beginning Nov. 8, we will once again be changing classes at 8:10 A.M., rotating homeroom and afternoon classes. The 10 minutes in the morning means a smoother beginning for the start of the day for your child.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith

Smith October 25-29

Parents and Students:

Time is flying by as we enter the last week of October! Students will have fun on Friday at the Fall Festival. Please note the information sheet in the Monday folder. Students may order a wristband which covers all activities at the Festival. Parents are invited to come and join in the fun, but please know that we will take any students in our homeroom to the Festival if their parents are unable to attend. Students who do not have parents attending the Festival will be picked up at regular carpool.

Wordly Wise Lesson 4 grade on Tuesday, Oct. 26

Spelling Lesson 11 grade on Wednesday, Oct. 27

Bible:

This week we will study about King Ahab, one of Israel's most wicked kings. God sends Elijah to warn Ahab and the people of their sinful ways, but Ahab continues to promote the worship of Baal under the domination and influence of his wicked wife, Jezebel.

Lesson 10 grade on Thursday, Oct. 28

English:

We will study main verbs, helping verbs, and linking verbs. (P. 100-103)

Lesson 3-4 grade on Wednesday, Nov. 3

Writing:

The MAC lab will return to our room on Tuesday. We will do final proofreading of the writing for the Holiday Writing Competition sponsored by the Montgomery Public Library. Good luck to all of our 5th graders in the competition!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Students are enjoying this novel! Claudia and her brother, Jamie, are about to leave home on a journey into New York City to live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Claudia has plans to be gone long enough to teach her family a lesson in "Claudia appreciation". We will continue this week with Ch. 2 and 3. Students are doing activity sheets for each chapter, and they will make a booklet when we finish the book. There will be two grades taken (Ch. 1-5 and Ch. 6-10).

Note the following:

Fall Festival is Friday, Oct. 29, from 1:30-3:00.

When students are absent, please pick up their assignments and materials from the Lower School Office.

It is quite helpful for students to be at school by 7:50 A.M. so that they can gather their materials for both classes and sharpen pencils before we start devotion at 8:00 A.M.

Have a great week!

Gidget Smith

McVay Oct. 25-29

Can you believe the last week of October has arrived?  On Friday afternoon, we will celebrate the annual Fall Festival.  Please read the red insert in the Monday folder on how to buy a wrist band instead of tickets.  Before we go out to play, we will celebrate the ending of our Native American unit by having a Potlatch.  I hope you have been working on your potlatch gift and will be ready to bring it in on Wednesday.  We will exchange gifts on Friday and I hope we'll have a Native American snack too!

Math

We will finish up Chapter 5 on Tuesday with a Chapter Test.  I sent home a practice homework over the weekend.  It has the answers on the back, so you could coach your child on the proper procedure in completing the Algebra equations.  It was not a graded assignment, however, a tool to use in practicing the tested skill.  If you have not seen it over the weekend, use it Monday night to study for the test.  

Chapter 6 builds on the Algebra theme by bringing in multiplication with Algebra.  I will walk into this chapter using a lot of preparatory practice on Thursday and Friday.

Social Studies

I am finishing up Chapter 2 Lesson 4 this week.  A daily grade will be taken on Thursday. I'll send home the Lesson 3 & 4 graded paper in next week's Monday folder for you use in preparing for the Lesson 3 & 4 Quiz that will be given on Monday, Nov. 1st.

Science

I will be sending home a copy of the labeled microscope.  We will have a quiz on the parts of the microscope this week so practice filling in the blanks without a word bank.  In addition, I am sending home a Weekly Reader that will have a grade associated with it this week.  There are several good Science articles in this particular issue.

Happy Fall Y'all,

Karen

McVay Oct. 18 - 22

Friday was an amazing experience!  Having an opportunity to spend a few minutes with each child's parents is such a gift.  You are a wonderful group of parents and the proof smiles in my classroom each day!   I want to give a special thank you to the parents that assisted us in starting our weaving project, we had about 12 families represented between the two classes.  We appreciate you taking time out of your day to make ours more enjoyable!!

Math
We are still working through Chapter 5 and I hope to test on it by Friday.

Science
We are staring the long awaited Unit on Cells!!  This Unit is notorious for bringing many challenges.  Stay ahead of the curve by reading and reviewing often.  The Science book can be accessed on line.  The link is on the blog.

Social Studies
Chapter 2 Lesson 3, Southwest Desert Native Americans will be our focus this week.  The concepts are similar to the other two lessons with different information.  We will finish Chapter 2 before we go to Camp Chandler on Nov. 5th.  In the meantime, please be working on your potlatch gift at home.  The potlatch will be on the same day as Fall Festival, Oct. 29th.  In our spare time we will be weaving!

Smith October 18-22

Parents and Students:

I certainly enjoyed seeing and talking to all of the parents at the conferences. Thank you so much for your time and effort in helping us to be most effective in teaching your children. Please know that we are only an e-mail or phone call away if you need to meet with us.

Spelling Lesson 10 grade on Wednesday, October 20

Writing:

We will be drafting and typing Holiday essays for the Holiday Writing Competition sponsored by the Montgomery Public Library. I will encourage students to use action verbs with direct objects and prepositional phrases in their writing as an extension of our study of grammar. We will have the MAC Lab in our room on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students will be able to type their creative essays and add a "splash" of green and red color for a seasonal touch.

Wordly Wise:

Lesson 4 definition cards are due by Tuesday. We will do parts A, B, C, D, and E in class throughout the week. Lesson 4 grade will be on Tuesday of the following week.

Reading:

"A Boy Called Slow" grade on Monday, October 18

Students may want to reread this story and should study the vocabulary words as well as review the skills. The prep sheets should be in their reading folder.

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Later this week we will begin reading the novel, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. The story is about a sister and brother who run away from home and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Claudia finds a statue of particular beauty at the museum and must find out the maker, a question that baffled even the experts. The former owner is Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and without her help, Claudia might never find her way back home. I hope students will enjoy this humorous story filled with suspense and intrigue. One class set of books for this novel will be shared by students. Reading will be done in class.

Bible:

Lesson 9: The Kingdom Is Divided (I Kings 12-13; 14:1-20)

Bible Guide Pages 36-39

Rehoboam was the successor to the kingdom of Israel after his father's death. Because of Solomon's attention to his foreign wives and their gods, God divided the kingdom of Israel, giving only one tribe, Judah, to Rehoboam. The remainder of the kingdom of Israel was ruled by Jeroboam. At this point, the students will first study all the kings of Israel and then repeat this Bible history by studying all of the kings of Judah. This amazing Old Testament history proves to be interesting to students as well as challenging.

Lesson 9 grade on Friday, October 22

Camp Chandler:

The first of our 5th grade field trips is Camp Chandler on Friday, Nov. 5. Look for an information sheet in the Monday paper folder.

*If any parents listed for this trip will not be able to attend, please notify your child's homeroom teacher immediately. We will be forming carpools for this trip so therefore we need confirmation of our parent chaperones ASAP. Also, there are parents not listed for a trip who would like to attend if chaperone spots open up. Thank you to all of our parents for your patience and support in organizing all of our field trips!

Have a great week-end!

Gidget Smith

McVay Oct. 11 - 15

This past week has been unusual with the SACS visiting team in the building and I was unexpectedly absent for a day and a half, but we persevered on through to Friday and spent a stress free day being creative!  The posters are mostly completed.  Your children were introduced to basic skills on the MacBooks that assisted them in completing research:  cutting and pasting from the internet to a word document, clicking and dragging pictures for printing, finding good information using a search engine, and basically completing a group project from start to finish on their own!

This week we are going back in time to learn a Native American skill, weaving.  Each child needs to have a skein of yarn by Thursday.  Any yarn will do, but the thinnest yarns are harder to work with, so I recommend a heavier weight. Fancy, frilly yarn are acceptable and make a nice piece of woven art.

Friday is Parent Conference Day!  I am looking forward to seeing you at your appointed time.

Math
Congratulations, we are finished with the first Unit in Math and we are moving on to Unit 2, Chapters 5 - 8 "Algebra, Data, and Graphing".  We will plunge into Chapter 5, using unknown variables with addition on Tuesday with no graded work in math this week.

Science
Due to my absences last week and the amount of time we spent on the Social Studies research, Science was not finished up as planned.  I hope to wrap up Chapter 10 this week.  Our next unit of study is on the cells.

Social Studies
We are continuing on with the Native American studies and reading through Chapter 2, Lessons 3 & 4.  Our weaving projects will be started on Thursday and continued on throughout the next two weeks until completion.  Please look for information coming home about the Potlatch activity we will celebrate as we finish this Unit on Native Americans.

As always, thank you for the blessings of working with your children.
Karen McVay

Smith October 11-15

Parents and Students:

This has been a very busy but exciting week! The children have now finished the first nine weeks period in fifth grade. The days have gone quickly, and the weeks are flying by as we work and learn together. Your children are delightful, and I treasure our time together.

Reading:

We have tested out of Call It Courage this week with the Compare/Contrast grade taken on the novel and the movie. It proved quite interesting to the students how different a movie can be from the book that it is based on. One interesting thing that came out of this novel is that one student got a new dog and named him Uri after Mafatu's little yellow dog and faithful companion in the story.

Wordly Wise Lesson 3 grade is on Tuesday, Oct. 12

"A Boy Called Slow"

We will read this story from the basal reader next week. It is a true story about a Plains Indian Chief and relates to the children's study of Plains Indians in Social Studies. The grade for this story will not be until Monday, Oct. 18.

Spelling Lesson 9 grade is on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

*Students need to review these words carefully as they are homophones. They need to know what the words mean in order to spell the correct word used in a sentence.

English:

Students enjoyed writing poetry with prepositional phrases this past week. These will be displayed in the hall sometime next week. When you have time, please come by and enjoy your child's creativity. The illustrations of the poems are too funny!

We will begin the unit on verbs. We will cover action verbs and direct objects in lessons 1-2

(P. 96-99). Lessons 1-2 grade will be Thursday, Oct. 14.

Bible:

Next week's Bible story is about how riches and honor turned Solomon's heart away from the Lord. Even with all the wisdom that God had bestowed on Solomon, he let his heathen wives turn his heart to other gods.

Bible Lesson 7 grade is on Thursday, Oct. 14.

Please note the following:

1. The field trip list was e-mailed this afternoon. Please let us know ASAP if you cannot attend a trip in which you have been listed as a chaperone.

2. Students have a four day week next week (Mon.-Thurs.)

3. Parent Conferences are on Friday, Oct. 15. Report cards will be given out at the meeting. I look forward to meeting with you.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith

McVay Oct 4 -8

Congratulations to Mrs. McVay's homeroom for winning the door decorating contest!  A picture of the door and other homecoming fun is in the slide show at the top of our blog.  A special thank you to Mrs. Farris and Mrs. Parkman for assembling our door.  Your kids are very creative!!

Math 

We are finishing up Chapter 4 and taking the Chapter test on Thursday.  This concludes a Unit of work that we have forged through with great success!  Congratulations!!

Science

Our discussions surrounding renewable resources have been amazing!  Our souls have been stirred and we have renewed an interest in being more diligent with recycling.  We will be finishing up Chapter 10 by the end of the week with a daily grade.  

Social Studies

We will be completing a class poster project this week on the different regions of Indians.  All work will be completed in class.  However, you can support us by sending in requested materials to enhance our creativity.  The guidelines will be handed out tomorrow.  The groups will be meeting together each day this week and using the laptops to do research on their region.  Discuss the groups ideas at night around the dinner table and see if you can add to the conversation or suggest materials that you have around the house (dried food, special paper, natural resources, etc) that will make the poster more interesting.  This will be a graded project and the rubric is on the back of the guidelines sheet.

At home I am asking the students to read Chapter 2 Lesson 2.  We will take notes and discuss this in class as well as take a daily grade either at the end of this week or the beginning of next week.

Notes

The nine weeks ends on Friday with grades due the following Wednesday, Oct. 13th and conferences on Friday, Oct. 15th.

The weather has blown a cool breeze into the start of October.  A great season for renewal!  I pray you are experiencing God's blessings!  I am, through your children.

Karen

Smith October 4-8

Parents and Students:

This is the last week of the first nine weeks of this school year. Time is flying by, and I am enjoying your children very much. They worked very hard last week, even with all of the Homecoming activities. Thank you for your support throughout the week!

Call It Courage

Students finished this amazing story of courage and survival last Friday. Many were a bit stunned by the surprise ending. Students will enjoy the Disney movie based on this novel on Monday! They are very excited. They may bring popcorn and bottled water to enjoy during the movie. On Tuesday students will work in groups to compare similarities and contrast differences. After class discussion and review, students will have a Compare/Contrast grade on the novel and the movie.

Call It Courage Compare/Contrast grade on Thursday, October 7

Wordly Wise

We will prepare Lesson 3 this week. Students will complete the Lesson 3 vocabulary cards and parts A-E in the Wordly Wise book and test on this lesson the next week.

Lesson 3 grade on Tuesday, October 12

Spelling

There is no spelling grade this week! We will begin preparing Lesson 9.

English

We will work with prepositional phrases in a poetic way this week. Students will write poems using prepositional phrases. The next unit of grammar that we will study will be verbs. I expect that we will begin verbs later this week or early next week.

Writing

Students finished their candy opinion paragraphs last week. The display is up in the hall, and I hope that you will have time to come by to take a look. They worked hard, and it shows! I hope that the children realize that writing is a process and that perseverance throughout the process will result in work in which to be proud. They had a lot of fun, and we actually learned many interesting facts about the different candies! Thank you for your trips to the store to buy their favorite candy to help enhance this fun piece of process writing!

Bible

This week we will study Lesson 6 "Solomon Builds the Temple". Students will examine why God chose Solomon to build the temple and not David. Students will learn the importance of making personal choices according to God's plan. The scripture for this lesson is I Kings 5-6; 8. Students will complete Bible Guide pages 24-26 in class.

Bible Lesson 6 grade on Friday, October 8

Remember:

Parent conferences are on Friday, October 15. I look forward to meeting with all of you! Report cards will be handed out at the conference.

Have a great week!

Gidget Smith

McVay Sept. 27 - Oct 1

HOMECOMING is this week and I am learning that we are in for a week of activity!!
Monday is Tie Dye day.  Flash back to the early days of Trinity and wear a Tie Dye shirt
Tuesday is Book Character day.  Come dressed as your favorite book Character
Wednesday is Crayon Day.  Come dressed all in one color, shorts must be uniform length.
Thursday is Crazy Hair/Hat day.  Fix your hair in an unforgettable do or wear a hat.
Friday is Spirit Day.  Wear a Trinity shirt with jeans or uniform shorts.
Early dismissal on Friday after the Homecoming parade and/or picnic lunch on the practice field.

Math
Chapter 4 Add and Subtract Decimals
We are building on skills learned as we continue to work with decimals!  This week we should get through Lesson 3 or 4.

Science Chapter 10, Lesson 1
We will read, discuss, watch short video clips, and take notes on how we are taking care of or not taking care of our environment.

Social Studies Chapter 2 Lesson 1 & 2
Our studies on Native Americans will cover the The Eastern Woodland and The Great Plains this week.  I hope to have notes, vocabulary and great discussion this week!

All of our graded work will be class grades this week so we can enjoy the Homecoming festivities!!
See you around campus as we celebrate!
Karen

Smith September 27-October 1

Parents and Students:

This week proves to be an exciting week with all of the Homecoming activities. Please check the theme for each day so students may enjoy dressing up.

Writing:

Students have enjoyed typing their candy opinion paragraphs in the research room of the new Upper School library. It is awesome! Most of them have finished putting the color to their paragraph so we feel that we are about ready for celebrating! I will notify you by e-mail when the display is up in the hall.

Celebration Day is Tuesday, September 28: Students should bring their favorite candy to school to "pig out" while they do their illustrations. This has been a fun writing project, and I think you will enjoy the display.

Spelling Lesson 8 grade on Wednesday, September 29

Call It Courage Ch. 3 grade on Wednesday, September 29

Students should study their vocabulary words and review the skills on the prep sheet. They will have a sequencing sheet of Ch. 3 events that they can cut apart and practice putting in order. The also need to review the material from the "Fact Find" that is highlighted in their books.

English:

We will practice prepositional phrases (P. 256-263).

Prepositional phrase grade on Thursday, September 30

Bible:

In Lesson 5, Solomon Becomes King. We learn that it was God's will that Solomon lead the people of Israel and Judah. Students will see two very different sons of David and how one honors his father while the other dishonors him.

Bible Lesson 5 grade on Thursday, September 30

AR Testing: The last day for AR testing for the 1st nine weeks is Monday, October 4. Students should have tested on two appropriate chapter books. You have access to check their record on your computer at home.

*Remember: Friday is Homecoming Day! Early Dismissal!

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith

McVay Sept 20-24

This week holds an ending in all three subjects and you know what that means....TESTS!  Please read each subject area carefully in order to help your child prepare.

On a lighter side, we got the Responders aka "clickers" to work on Friday.  My teacher friend from Pensacola set up a few practice pages for us and my homeroom students were able to "play with the clickers."  The Responders look like a TV remote with buttons for responding to True/False questions, multiple choice questions, or numeric questions (math).  The students type in their response to the questions and at the end of the graded paper a final score is displayed on the Responder for immediate feedback.  I am planning to use the Responders more this week.  Ask your student about them, the few that got to use the Responders enjoyed the transition from the 20th Century paper and pencil  to a 21st Century electronic classroom.

Math

Chapter 3 Test on Tuesday.  Use the Chapter Review to practice these skills.  I am being somewhat lenient on the estimation section of this work because it is just that...An Estimation.  However, please encourage double checking math calculations.  Our students know how to add and subtract, but using large numbers does bring about careless errors.

Science

Chapter 9 Vocabulary test on Tuesday with a Chapter 9 test on Wednesday. 

How to study:  Reread each lesson and successfully answer the questions at each section review.  Take a practice test using the Chapter Review.  Study only the vocabulary we copied into the binder.  Use the homework, fill in the blank, pages I sent home at the end of each lesson.  Create flash cards or use the electronic flash card maker (link found at the top left of this blog) to study vocabulary.

To celebrate the end of  testing Chapter 9 we will Erupt Volcanoes...nothing like oozy, gooey lava to relieve the stress of testing!


We will begin Chapter 10 on Thursday. 

Social Studies
The good news is that all graded material was completed last Friday.  We will begin Chapter 2 on Monday.  Chapter 2 holds a lot of fun surprises:  weaving, computer lab research, and group projects on American Indians. 

I am a thankful teacher to be a part of your lives.  Your children are a blessing to me each day. 
Honestly!  What a JOY!!

Karen

Smith September 20-24

Parents and Students:

English:

We will be testing prepositions all during the week beginning Monday. Students will have 5 chances to achieve a 100%. Later in the week students will also test on prepositional phrases which are covered on P. 256-261 of the English book.

Writing:

Students are working on their opinion paragraphs. They developed an opinion statement as a lead sentence, added some factual information, and wrote descriptions of their favorite candy that would tempt any candy lover. We will write conclusion sentences on Monday and begin final drafting. On Wednesday, we will be typing these paragraphs in the new Library on the MAC laptops. When the final editing and revisions have been done, we will display these in the hall to share with the parents. You are in for a "sweet treat". When the final copy comes hot off the press, students will enjoy "Celebration Day" by bringing their favorite candy to class to "pig out"!

Call It Courage Ch. 2 grade on Tuesday, September 21

Students are enjoying the story of Mafatu and his search for courage. Mafatu and his dog have made it to a distant island to experience many fun, surprising adventures together. Suspense will build next week as this classic story unfolds.

Spelling Lesson 7 grade on Wednesday, September 22

Bible: Books of the New Testament Memory due by Friday, September 24

We will continue the study of David in Lesson 5 as he prepares for Solomon to take over the kingdom. The story of Solomon shows God's will that he take David's place in the kingdom. The test for this lesson will be early the week of September 27th.

*The students have enjoyed the changing rotation. Thank you for your efforts in getting them here early to prepare for their day. It has gone very smoothly!

I hope you have a great week-end!

Gidget Smith

McVay Sept. 13 - 17

Monday Folders will contain Mid-term reports.


Math
We will start Chapter 3 on Monday.
Estimating and Rounding

Science
Chapter 9 Lesson 3
Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tectonic plates
Chapter 9 Vocabulary and Chapter test will be next week. 

Social Studies
We will finish up Chapter 1 by the end of the week.
Friday is Constitution Day

September 13-17 Smith

Parents:

This coming week will be an exciting one! Students will begin their first piece of process writing and the first grade level novel. I look forward to guiding the children through the steps of "Opinion " writing, and also through the reading and discussion of the wonderful survival story of Mafatu, a young island boy, who goes through many adventures as he searches for his courage.

Writing:

Throughout the week we will work through the steps leading to an opinion paragraph. The topic is fun, and the children are excited. Each student will find facts on their favorite candy and develop an opinion paragraph. On Monday I will ask you to be observant as your child looks up their candy on the internet to print out facts about the candy. Students have a writing folder in which to keep all handouts, fact sheets, and draft sheets. If you cannot get a printout of facts on their candy at home, please send a note or e-mail to me so I can help them do this at school.

Prepositions:

Students should be practicing their prepositions daily. We will be working on prepositional phrases in class this week. Students will begin testing the week of Sept. 20 on the prepositions.

They may test each day that week in an effort to achieve a 100%. They are expected to write all of the prepositions listed on their study sheet. Students will also be tested the week of Sept. 20 on prepositional phrases.

Call It Courage:

We will begin Ch. 1 on Monday. All chapters will be read aloud first in class. Students may want to reread chapters at home. Students should not read chapters before they are read in class. I would like for them to experience this "special" story of courage together in class. It is a story of tragedy, adventure, endurance, and finding the courage to survive. I look forward to sharing this "classic novel" with your children!

Call It Courage Ch. 1 grade on Thursday, Sept. 16

*We will not have Wordly Wise during our study of Call It Courage.

Spelling: Lesson 5 grade on Wed., Sept. 15

Bible: Lesson 4 grade on Wed., Sept. 15

We are continuing the study of King David which is exciting and full of action. The children really seem to enjoy the Bible lessons. The names are a bit of a challenge, but the children pick them up easily.

Please note the following:

1. It is quite helpful for students to be at school by 7:50 A.M. They need time to pack up their materials in their rotation bags for the other class as well as gather all of their materials for their homeroom class. They also need to sharpen pencils and go to the restroom. I take the attendance, and we try to start the devotion at 8:00 A.M. On Monday we will be rotating so that they will have their afternoon class in the morning and their homeroom class in the afternoon. This is done so that they all have a chance to have optimal learning time for all subjects. We will be changing classes by 8:10 A.M.

2. Carpool: Please send a note if your child is being picked up by anyone that is not a parent or grandparent, unless it is someone that is already listed as a regular carpool pick-up person for your child. Any last minute change should be called into the Lower School office so that

Mrs. Helms or Mrs. Roth can notify the homeroom teacher. This is done for the safety of your child.

3. We will begin working on field trips soon. You will be notified as to which field trip you have been selected to attend. Please know that we will do our best to give 1st choices where possible.

Thank you for your help and support! Enjoy the rest of your week-end!

Gidget Smith

Science Needs

A big thank you to the Pope family, the Farris family and the Craven family for setting up our experiment on erosion.  We are going to launch the water on Friday to observe erosion and sediment!  Ask how it went.

Science experiments needs supplies and sometimes it can become costly.  Over the year, if you can watch for the Science Needs Updates and volunteer to bring in some items it will make learning fun and the burden of the cost can be shared among the two classes.

Current Needs:
1 quart of vinegar
1 medium bag of potting soil
1 bottle light corn syrup
freezer bags - quart sized
5 medium sized tub (margarine, cool whip)

Thank you in advance for all you are doing to make this year wonderful!!
Karen McVay

McVay - Math Test Date change

Math
Daily grade on lessons 3-5 on Wednesday
Chapter 2 Test on Thursday

Smith September 7-10

Parents:

I hope you are having a great three-day week-end!  Here are the assignments for the coming week.

Wordly Wise:  Lesson 2 grade on Tuesday, September 7

Spelling:  Lesson 4 grade on Wednesday, September. 8

English:  Lessons 7-8 (in Unit 1 - Sentence Structure) grade on Wednesday, September 8


Students will do the Ch. 1 review on Wednesday and Thursday.
Sentence Structure Ch. 1 Test on Friday, September 10

Bible Memory (Books of the Old Testament) grade on Friday


Reading
We will be reading "Eye of the Storm" in the basal reader this week.  I hope the students will enjoy this story in this "season of storm".  Remember that students will have a vocabulary and skill sheet in their Reading folder that serves as a study reference sheet.  It is also good for students to reread the story at home before taking a grade on it.
"Eye of the Storm" grade on Tuesday, September 14


We will not have a Bible Lesson this week.

We will look forward to our first piece of "process Writing" the week of September 13th.  The students are getting excited about the topic!  I will let that be a surprise!

We will also begin one of our grade level novels the week of September 13th.  I look forward to that wonderful experience with your children!  It is truly one of my favorites!

As always, thank you for your continuing support.  I am enjoying your precious children!
Have a great Labor Day tomorrow!

Gidget Smith

McVay Sept. 7th - 10th

I am publishing this a little earlier in hopes to enjoy my Labor Day weekend!

Math - We finally got past Chapter 2 lessons 1 & 2 with much success!!  We will finish up Chapter 2 on Tuesday, take a daily grade on lessons 3-5 on Wednesday, and  have a Chapter test on Thursday.  Our upcoming work will be rounding & estimating with addition and subtraction.  You can brush up on estimating skills as you shop with your children.  Prices are rarely whole numbers and offer a great way to practice rounding and estimation of total money spent.  LIFE SKILLS!!!

How should you study for Chapter 2 test?  Please don't let our success in understanding place value go stale over this weekend.  Use the math handouts to create a few questions for your student to practice over the weekend.  After this test we will "clean out" those hand outs from the math spiral.  If you want to keep those at home for reference, you need to communicate that to your child and find a suitable location at home to store them.  Otherwise, they will probably end up in the classroom trash.

Science - We will continue with Chapter 9 and work in Lesson 2  this week with a graded review at the end of Lesson 2.

There is no greater substitute for preparing for tests than to learn the importance of repetitive reading of the text book...not very exciting, but it pays high dividends!

Social Studies -  Unit 1 Chapter 1 will continue to be explored.  We are reading and having lively discussion in class.  We will work in Lesson 2 this week and continue to discuss and complete open book worksheets to develop understanding.  Our Chapter will end with a daily grade instead of a test (much like we did in Science with Chapter 7). 

Have a safe and bless three day weekend!

Karen

McVay August 30 - Sept. 3

"Without hard work nothing grows but weeds" Gordon B. Hinkley
I am going to have to work harder and I hope your children will join me as we start on new Chapters this week in science and social studies. 

COACH CLASS IS ON WEDNESDAYS @ 7:10

Math
We have begun Chapter 2 Place Value of Decimals.  After spending 3 days on the first lesson, most of our students have grasped the concept of hundredths, thousandths, and ten-thousandths place. We will finish this chapter by the end of this week or if necessary I will carry over into next week.  Look for a test on Friday if they are ready!

Science
The rock cycle built a foundation for what we are forging ahead to...landforms.  The landforms lessons are taught in correspondence to the reading material being covered in Language Arts class.  We thought this would enhance their over all comprehension. 
We are starting Chapter 9, lesson 1 on Monday and I plan to finish up Lesson 1 by the end of the week.  However, we may take longer, because I am aware from their grades last week, that I need to be of more assistance in preparing and note taking.

I have given your student a homework assignment and the following link might be of some help in completing the drawing of his/her land form assigned.  This homework assignment is due on Wednesday.

Landforms Homework

Social Studies
Jump in your time machine and travel back to Early Life, East and West, Unit 1

We will be exploring who and what were traveling on the land we now call America.  Lesson 1 starts with how people first came to the Americas from Asia by walking over the Bering Strait land bridge.

Chapter 1 has a TON of vocabulary, so get some index cards, or make some "foldables" (ask your child about this study tool) and start today with studying the yellow highlighted words.  Also, I strongly suggest you read and reread the lessons.  We know we always do our best comprehension after a third read through.

A Note of Interest:
The science and social studies books make reference to life in America 10,000 - 40,000 years ago.
I have used this scripture verse as a foundation to God's timetable.
Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.  
Please use your best judgment and personal convictions in explaining the concept of time.  I will make very little reference to the time table in the book in order to not conflict with Biblical time tables and our own personal convictions.


Please reference the section in Mrs. Smith's notes about the Activity Fees.

Blessings,

Karen McVay
  

Smith August 30-September 3

Parents:

We have had a wonderful week!  I am really enjoying your children, and they are falling into the routine quickly.  Please note the following assignments as students plan their work and study times for next week.

Reading:  "Earthquake Terror" grade on Tuesday, August 31
Students have a reading folder with the vocabulary and skills covered for this story.  The story is located in their basal reader.  We read it in class, but of course students may want to read it again independently before their grade on Tuesday.

Wordly Wise:
Students will be preparing the Lesson 2 words next week.  They will complete the definition study cards, A, B, C, D, and E in class.  The grade for lesson 2 is not until Tuesday, September 7.

Spelling:  Lesson 3 grade on Wednesday, September 1


English:  Sentence Structure Lesson 3-6 grade on Thursday, September 2
Students will do lesson 6 on Monday and review lesson 3-6 on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Pages 36-43)
We will begin on lesson 7 (P. 44-45) toward the end of the week.

Bible:  Lesson 3 grade on Friday, September 3
Students will learn about David's rebellious son, Absalom, and how the dishonor he showed his father brought him shame, trouble, and death.

Thank you for all you do at home to support your child's learning process.

The following is a list of all the items in the Student Activity Fee.  The activity fee prevents many smaller charges being posted to your account during the school year.  The Fifth Grade Activity Fee will be charged to your account in two installments (September and October).


Supply Box             $53.46
Field Trips               $58.22     *This does not include Space Camp.
Jump Drives            $1.71
Novels (4)               $20.76
Rotation Bag           $4:25
Assignment Book   $4.00
Field Day t-shirt      $10.00
Class Photo             $15.00
Total                       $167.40

Have a great week-end!
Gidget Smith

Math Homework August 26th

Hello Students,

I found a link that explains place value.  You have to listen to the WHOLE lesson, which begins with place value of whole numbers and ends with place value and decimals.

Click on the blue words below to jump to the website for your homework.  Be sure to have your parents initial your assignment book indicating they know you FINISHED your website homework.  You do not have to copy anything from the website!  This is a paperless assignment.

Math Homework for August 26th

Mrs. McVay

McVay August 23-27

PTO night is here!  I hope to see you tonight, 7:00 in Willett Hall and 7:30 in the classroom.
Look for Monday Folder of graded papers.  Please sign a full signature on the top page of each stapled set.  A sign up sheet for field trips will be in the Monday folder.  If you are interested in chaperoning a field trip, take a look at this form and return it in the folder.

Math this week will be a wrap up of Chapter 1.  We are ready for the test on Tuesday.  We are going to complete the Review on Monday.  You can prepare for the test by reviewing all handouts in the pocket of the math spiral.  I am confident all will do well.


Science will involve a daily grade on Chapter 7, and then we will move onto Chapter 9.  In Science Lab our students will explore Fossils, Chapter 8, to create background and a broader foundation for the changes on Earth's surface.

Social Studies will involve a Vocabulary Test, Wednesday, on the words we have been working on last week.  The section test will be Thursday.  Your student should study his/her notes to prepare for the test.  I am walking them through all steps to ensure success, so remind and encourage your child to pay attention in class.  I have used the words, "You might want to write this down because it will appear on the test."  Many students are jotting down notes, however, some are feeling invincible.  Remind your child to take responsibility for his/her education by actively participating in class discussion and note taking.

Karen McVay

Smith August 23-27

Parents:

I hope you are finding the beginning of school in fifth grade as exciting as we are.  The children are enjoying changing classes and are settling into a routine.  I will be posting the weekly assignments on our blog.  I hope you will find this helpful.  When students are absent due to illness, remember to pick up their materials and daily assignments from the counter in the Lower School Office after 2:30 P.M. 


Language Arts & Bible Assignments for August 23-27


Wordly Wise:  Lesson 1 grade on Tuesday, Aug. 24
Students need to study their definition cards and go over Lesson 1 (A, B, C, D, and E) in their Wordly Wise book.  These tests are all application of the word meanings which is practiced in the book exercises.  Wordly Wise is a great way for your child to increase his/her knowledge of vocabulary.  Students have already found many of Lesson 1's words in their AR books.


Basic Reading Skills: 
We will begin reading the story, "Earthquake Terror" from the basal reader.  Students will have vocabulary words and skills which will be tested as well as comprehension.  Testing for this assignment will be announced later next week.


Accelerated Reader Testing:
Students are expected to read one AR book by midterm and a second book by the end of the 8th week of the nine weeks period.  Two books is the minimum!  Many have already started testing.  Of course, I encourage each student to challenge himself/herself to read many more than two books.  Each book they read is counted as one book only, no matter how many pages it has.  Most books appropriate for fifth graders have 180 pages or more.  Many students read books of 300 pages or more and love the reading challenge.
*Remember!  All AR testing must be done in the fifth grade classrooms.  Students may come into the rooms in the mornings prior to 7:45 and test in a quiet environment.  If a student cannot get here in time to test in the mornings, then we will find a time during the day for him/her to test.  


Spelling:  Lesson 2 grade on Wednesday, Aug. 25
Students need to practice writing correctly the basic, review, and challenge words in each lesson.  Students will show their knowledge of the basic spelling words  in a multiple
choice visual format, while the review and challenge words will be written.
Each week we will go over the new spelling list, skill exercises, proofreading, and practice work on Thursday and Friday.  Students have until Wed. of the next week to be ready for the spelling grade.  Spelling grades are always on Wed. unless otherwise announced.


English:  Chapter 1 (Lessons 3-5) grade on Thursday, Aug. 26 
Lessons 3-5 (Pages 36-41) will be covered in class this week.  Students are studying sentence structure in the first chapter.  After practicing and testing on correct sentence structure, students will do their first piece of process writing, an opinion paragraph.  We will be alternating the grammar study with its application through process writing throughout the year.  We will also do some creative writing just for fun!


Bible:  Lesson 2 grade on Friday, Aug. 27
Each week we will read the scripture and do the lesson material in the Bible Guide together in class.  Sometimes students will receive extra handouts with study material for the lesson.  Students need to study the lesson material in the Bible Guide and any handouts for the Bible grade.  We will also do a lesson review before a Bible grade is given.  Students will not be using their Bible Guide to assist them in taking a Bible test.
Memory:  The Ten Commandments is due by Aug. 27.
Students should practice this at home until they know it well.  Students are also expected to know the scripture reference.  Students may say memory work before the due date as I have time to listen to it.


Monday Folder:  
Students will bring their graded papers and a field trip sign up sheet home in the Monday folder on August 23.  Parents, there will be stapled papers from each teacher in the folder so please put a full signature on the first paper of each set.  Return the folder with signed papers inside to your child's homeroom teacher.  Fill out your requests on the field trip sheet and return it also in the Monday folder.  You will sign up for parties at the Parent 
PTO meeting on Monday night at 7:00 P.M.


Parents and students, thank you for a great beginning of school!  I am thoroughly enjoying teaching these children.  If you have any questions about assignments posted on the blog, please e-mail me at gsmith@trinitywildcats.com.  I look forward to a great year!


Gidget Smith