"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
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
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
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
Thursday, August 26, 2010
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
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
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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
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
Friday, August 20, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
MCVAY August 16-20
PTO OPEN HOUSE NEXT MONDAY: All lower school parents will have the general assembly meeting at 7:00 in Willett Hall. Parents with students in grades 1-5 will visit classrooms from 7:30 - 8:30
Awesome start of school so far!! Thank you for the warm welcome. Surveys and letters are coming in and I appreciate you sharing information about your child with me. Your children are all precious and I am reminded how blessed I am every time I come to work and see their faces!! Below is a quick idea of where we started going this week and where I hope we’ll be by Friday. I am still learning the pace, so don’t panic if we slow down or speed up unexpectedly.
Awesome start of school so far!! Thank you for the warm welcome. Surveys and letters are coming in and I appreciate you sharing information about your child with me. Your children are all precious and I am reminded how blessed I am every time I come to work and see their faces!! Below is a quick idea of where we started going this week and where I hope we’ll be by Friday. I am still learning the pace, so don’t panic if we slow down or speed up unexpectedly.
Math: Chapter 1 Place Value of Whole Numbers
So far they seem to be picking up on this pretty quickly. I hope to be finished with this chapter by the end of this week and test on Chapter 1 next Tuesday, August 24th.
How should your child prepare for the test? In the math spiral on the notebook pages are problems we completed and checked in class. In the pocket of the spiral are handouts we completed and checked in class. Both of these items should serve as a guide if your child needs reminding how to complete the problem. Many of the math problems in the chapter were covered orally, so these can serve as written review for the test.
Social Studies: Over view Lessons 1-3 and pages 348-350
We have read, taken notes, and defined vocabulary for the first lesson. I hope to finish up Lesson 2 and 3 this week, work on pages 348-350 the first part of next week and test on this material by mid to end of next week. Part of their homework this week is to ask a primary source, “ What is my ancestry?”
How should your child prepare for the test? Study vocabulary, study notes, reread the lessons in the book, and listen in class!
Science: Unit C Processes That Change Earth
The long-range plan is to review Chapter 7 this week and take only a daily grade. This material was covered extensively last year in the Science Lab, so we believe only a review is necessary. Next week we will jump right into Fossils, Chapter 8. We will follow on through the remainder of Unit C over the next month or so. I’ll give you more details on possible test dates next week.
For now, all grades on Chapter 7 will be open book.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
First Week of School Comes to a Close
August 11-13
We have had a glorious day and a half in Fifth Grade. Changing classes has been a fun challenge.
Please send in a small picture of your child. A school picture from last year would be great.
Please sign the acknowledge sheet, stating you have read the student handbook on Edline.
Please send your parent survey or respond to the letter I sent home today.
We will be going to the library on Monday to check out books!
Have a happy and safe weekend!
Mrs. McVay
We have had a glorious day and a half in Fifth Grade. Changing classes has been a fun challenge.
Please send in a small picture of your child. A school picture from last year would be great.
Please sign the acknowledge sheet, stating you have read the student handbook on Edline.
Please send your parent survey or respond to the letter I sent home today.
We will be going to the library on Monday to check out books!
Have a happy and safe weekend!
Mrs. McVay
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