Smith January 31-February 4

Parents and Students:

A Look at the Week Ahead!

Bible Lesson 18 grade on Monday, Jan. 31
(Students should look over their study notes as well as the Bible Guide pages for Lesson 18.)

Spelling Lesson 23 grade on Wednesday, Feb. 2

Bible
We will study Lesson 20 (Rehoboam and His Son Abijah). This lesson begins our study of the kings of Judah. These kings were descendants of good King David. Some were God-fearing men, but many of them turned from the Lord. We learn that it was for David's sake that God was merciful to the kingdom of Judah.
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 12-13
Bible Guide Pages: 75-76
Lesson 20 grade on Thursday, Feb. 3
Memory (Deuteronomy 5: 32-33) is due on Friday, Feb. 4.

Process Writing
We are working on Persuasive Writing. Students have researched their animal of choice. They are in the process of writing facts to support the four reasons for adoption of the animal. This is a fun writing project, and they really seem to be excited about it. Students will type their paragraphs on the MAC laptops next week. They are also in the process of printing color pictures of their animal. If your child cannot print a color picture at home, he/she should let me know so they can do that at school. I hope to have these up in a few weeks in the hall to share. You will want to come by and see the display. This is a delightful piece of process writing!

If you have not had a chance to come by and see their "Mixed-Up Files" mystery stories, please do so when you have a minute. They will be up for a couple of weeks.

English
We will study adverbs this week. (Pages 246-253)

Wordly Wise
We will prepare Lesson 9 (A, B, C, D, and E).

AR Reading
The last day to AR test for midterm is Friday, Feb. 4.

Sign of the Beaver
Students need to read Ch. 16-19 by Wednesday, Feb. 2. They will get into discussion groups to prepare the chapters for class discussion. They have done a great job of sharing the events and details of the story with the class. The grade for Ch. 16-19 is TBA. It more than likely will come early next week.

Valentine Parties
Valentine Parties for 5th grade will be on Friday, Feb. 11, due to leaving for Space Camp on Monday, Feb. 14. Students should have valentines to hand out to their homeroom classmates. They may bring a box or bag (made or bought) in which to put their valentines. Our classroom party will be from 2:00-2:45. I will give each student a class roll to use for filling out their valentines.

Space Camp
There are only two weeks until we blast-off to Space Camp. Please let us know if you did not receive the information and packing list packet through e-mail. I will be happy to send you a copy. Please note the packing list. You many want to start a little early getting all of these items together. We will begin loading the buses on Monday, Feb. 14, at 8:00 A.M. The buses leave Trinity at 8:30 A.M. We should arrive at the Space Center about 11:30 A.M. and have lunch, provided by Sage Dining, in the cafeteria there. The excitement will begin with night room assignments and day group assignments. The students can hardly wait! There will be classes and activities throughout our stay. On Wednesday, they will be involved in Space Bowl to have fun with the knowledge of what they have learned, and they will also have Graduation just before we leave. After boarding the buses to leave, we will stop at the local mall for lunch! YUM! The children will really enjoy this. Please put $10.00 in an envelope with their name on the outside for their night chaperone to hold for them until we leave. We don't want anyone to spend their lunch money ahead of time in the Space Camp Gift Shop! If your child will want to purchase a keepsake from the gift shop, please separate that spending money from the "reserved lunch money". After lunch, we will board the buses and be Trinity bound to arrive about 3:30 P.M. on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Please be waiting for us! If you have any questions, let me know.

Have a great week!
Gidget Smith

McVay January 31 - February 4

Math - 
Chapter 10 lesson 3 & 4 Daily Grade on Tuesday.
Chapter 10 lesson 5 & 6 Daily Grade on Friday.
Chapter 10 test next week on Tuesday, February 8th.

Science - 
Chapter 13 page 500 notes and Space Exploration Quiz on Wednesday
Study only from the 4 pages of notes that  were given out last Monday.
Chapter 19 will be our next  focus and Newton's Theory of Relativity.

Social Studies -
Chapter 6 lesson 2
Probable Daily Grade on lessons 1 & 2 at the end of this week.

In other News:
Two weeks to lift off!

You should have received a Space Camp Packet from Mrs. Parson's last week.  She emailed one to each family in fifth grade.  If you have not received it let me know and I will send you a copy.  In the packet is very important information for packing and departure, etc. 

Valentine's Day Party
Fifth grade has scheduled our Valentine's Day party on Friday, February 11th due to the Space Camp trip.  I have listed all first names of the students in my class for you to use in addressing Valentine cards.
Mary Emily
Ensley
Jackson
Sam
Penelope
Amelia
Bryce
Whitaker
Thomas
Lauren
Reed
Madison
Echols
Meredith
Mackenzie
Dawson
Peyton
Mac
Wells
Katie
Jack
Jun

Smith January 24-28

Parents and Students:

A Look at the Week Ahead!

Wordly Wise Lesson 8 grade on Tuesday, Jan. 25

Spelling Lesson 22 grade on Wednesday, Jan. 26

Sign of the Beaver

Students should have read Ch. 11-15 by Monday, Jan. 23. We will divide into discussion groups and prepare to share important events and facts with the class. Students have said that they feel that this has helped them a great deal in preparation for a grade. After testing on Ch. 11-15, students will be assigned Ch. 16-19.

Ch. 11-15 grade on Friday, Jan. 28

Bible

Students will study "The Last Years of Israel" in Lesson 18. The scripture is 2 Kings 13; 14:23-29; 17. We will complete Bible Guide pages 68-70. The last kings of Israel were very wicked. The Lord was compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love in dealing with them. After Jehu, there were 9 kings. Some ruled only for a very short time. In this lesson students will study the reigns of Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II, and Hoshea.

Lesson 18 grade on Monday, Jan. 31

Memory: 2 Chron. 7:14 due by Friday, Jan. 28 (This can always be said early.)

Process Writing

Persuasive writing is the focus of our process writing this week. Students are supposed to come to school on Monday with their animal fact sheets ready to go. Students will have handouts with guidelines and instructions in their writing folders. They will also have a structured draft sheet to follow. This piece of writing will be done mainly in class. If you do not have a color printer at home, students may print a color picture of their animal at school this week. This proves to be an exciting writing project, and I will notify you when this is on display in the hall to be shared.

AR Testing

AR testing for midterm is due by Friday, Feb. 4.

Have a wonderful week!

Gidget Smith

McVay January 23 - 27

Here is a glance at the week ahead.

Math - 
Chapter 10 Lessons 1 - 4
Daily grade on Lessons 1 & 2 Thursday
To do well you must practice the skills each night by honestly trying to complete the homework!


Science - 
We will be skipping around the book and using supplemental material as we focus on our trip to Space Camp.  Chapter 13 Lesson 3, only page 500
Weekly Reader grade on Wednesday, you will get that Weekly Reader on Monday.
To do well you will need to read all of the articles in the magazine and answer the questions on the back of the magazine.  Do not lose the Weekly Reader as it is needed to complete the grade.

Social Studies - 
Chapter 6 Lesson 1
Grade at the end of lessons 1 & 2 either the end of this week or beginning of next week.
To do well in Social Studies I recommend reading the lessons at least 3 different times.  For example, 1. we read it in class, 2.  then read through it for homework one night and then 3. finally, read through it as you take notes highlighting the important facts and reading over the captions.  Read through the study guide too.   Then the night before the grade is taken, organize your notes and skim through the lessons to ensure you are super familiar with how the information is organized.

I will not be at school on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday but I will be at work.  I am serving on the Strategic Planning Committee that is embarking on a three year plan for Trinity Presbyterian School.  I am honored to have been asked to serve, and I am excited to be a part of shaping the future of our wonderful school.  You will be in the capable hands of Mrs. Lowry.  However, if you need me I will be available by email.  Otherwise, I will see you on Thursday!
I miss my students already,
Karen McVay

McVay January 18 - 21

"You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matt: 5:14 - 16

This verses of scripture is presented in social studies lesson 3.  There was another scripture in lesson 2 from 2 Thessalonians 3:10 regarding strong work ethic.  Having a strong work ethic and being the light of the world are two themes the early colonizers used to build strength and character.   They looked to the Bible when they were weary and in need of encouragement.  I believe these passages can be strong foundations for our students.  I commend them to you for family discussion and consideration.  

2 Thessalonians 3:10 and Matthew 5:14-16

Math - 

We will finish Chapter 8 this week.

Daily grade on line graphs and ordered pairs on Wed. will conclude grades for this chapter.

Friday we will begin Chapter 10, Multiplying with decimals.

Science - 

We will conclude Chapter 13 Lesson 2 with a daily grade on Friday.  Learn the phases of the moon by using this website, Phases of the Moon

Social Studies - 

Chapter 5 Lesson 4 will be read and discussed on Tues. & Wed. followed by a daily grade encompassing both lessons 3 & 4 on Thursday.  In addition, the students will memorize the names and locations of the 13 colonies.  I will be sending  home two study sheets on Tuesday to prepare for the 13 colonies test.  A test on the location and names of the colonies will be given on Friday. 13 Colonies interactive map

On Wednesday and Thursday we will have the laptops to type our Famous Couples expository essay.  The rough draft should be brought to school on Wednesday ready to be typed into the Mac.  A small picture needs to be copied to be on display with the essay.  If you have limited access to a computer/printer I can help your child make that copy at school.

Grades this week:

Wednesday: Math daily grade on ordered pairs and line graphs

Thursday:  Social Studies chapter 5 lessons 3 & 4 daily grade

                    Final copy of famous couples essay to be finished in class

Friday:  Social Studies 13 colonies test 

               Science Lesson 2 daily grade

Grace & Peace,

Karen McVay

Smith January 18-21

Parents and Students:

I would like to invite you to visit the Mixed-Up Files hall display. Students wrote creative mysteries based on the novel, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. This display will be up for the next couple of weeks. The stories are quite fun and creative!

English

Verb Lessons 14-15 grade on Tuesday, Jan. 18

We have completed the Verb chapter and will do a chapter review on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Verb Chapter Test on Thursday, Jan. 20

Spelling Lesson 21 grade on Wednesday, Jan. 19

Sign of the Beaver

Students will work in groups to prepare for class discussion on Ch. 5-10 on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will review these chapters on Thursday.

Sign of the Beaver Ch. 5-10 grade on Friday, Jan. 21.

After the Ch. 5-10 grade, students will be assigned Ch. 11-15.

Wordly Wise

We will prepare Lesson 8 this week. Students will do A, B, C, D, and E for Lesson 8.

Lesson 8 grade on Tuesday, Jan.25

Writing

Our next focus in writing is Persuasive writing. Students will choose a land animal and gather facts and a picture of this animal from the internet. Parents, please be observant as your child gathers this information from the internet. Many students have already gotten their facts and a picture. If your child cannot print fact sheets and a picture at home, they should let me know so I can help them do this at school. Students will write to persuade someone to adopt their animal. I will be giving them specific guidelines for this piece of process writing which should be in their Writing Folders. We will begin on this writing project after testing out of Verbs.

Bible

We will be doing Lesson 17, The Prophet Jonah. The scripture is Jonah 1-4, and we will be doing Bible Guide pages 65-67. Jonah was afraid that the people of Nineveh would repent and that God would show mercy so he ran away to Tarshish on a ship because he did not want to do what God wanted him to do. Jonah was thrown overboard to calm a storm caused by God's anger and spent 3 days in a great fish. In the story of Jonah God teaches us that His commands are to be followed as given. God will lead us if we let Him.

Lesson 17 grade on Friday, Jan. 21

Valentines

Students may want to go ahead and purchase or make valentines. They will need to give valentines to everyone in their homeroom, and they may also give valentines to any close friends in other classes if they like. We will provide information on a Valentine party later. We just wanted to give you a heads up to get Valentines.

Congratulations to all of the Auburn fans for a job well done!

Have a great week-end, and don't forget that Monday, Jan. 17 is a holiday!

Gidget Smith

Smith January 10-14

Parents and Students:

We are up and running for 2011! Teachers and students are working hard. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are ready for second semester in fifth grade. The time is passing quickly!

Wordly Wise Lesson 7 grade on Tuesday, Jan. 11

English

We will be completing our study of verbs this week. Students will do Lessons 14-15 (P. 124-127). We will begin reviewing the verb chapter later in the week and take the chapter test the following week.

Verbs Lessons 11-13 grade on Tuesday, Jan. 11

Spelling Lesson 20 grade on Wednesday, Jan. 12

Sign of the Beaver

Students have enjoyed reading Ch. 1-4. We divided into small groups, and students presented important facts on each chapter to the class. We had a great discussion on these chapters. Students have their own books, and I have encouraged them to highlight important information and events in their books. Many were taking notes during the class discussion. We will begin reading Ch. 5-10.

Ch. 1-4 grade on Wednesday, Jan. 12

Bible (Lesson 16)

Elijah prophesied that Ahab's family would be destroyed. Some 14 years later this prophesy was fulfilled. God called a man named Jehu for this task. He was an energetic, cold-hearted, swift, and cunning man. He was not God-fearing, and his ruling was not in honor of his God. We must pray that our energies and talents may be used to the praise of our Maker. We will read 2 Kings 9-10 and do Bible Guide P. 62-64.

Lesson 16 grade on Friday, Jan. 14

Creative Writing:

Students have finished their Mixed-Up Files Mysteries. I hope to have these on display in the hall by Thursday. Please come by and enjoy your children's creativity.

Our next piece of writing will be "Persuasive Writing". Students will try to persuade their readers to adopt an animal. I have asked the children to think about what animal they would like to research and write about. Please observe them as they look for an animal on the internet. They should print information and a picture of the animal that they choose. I would like for the students to be gathering this information and pictures during this week while we are finishing up the verb chapter. We will begin on this writing project after we test out of verbs.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a healthy, Happy New Year! My year is in full swing with the New Year's engagement of my daughter, Brittany, to the special man in her life, John. The wedding is scheduled for August 20, 2011.

Bless you in this coming year!

Gidget Smith

McVay January 10 - 14

2011 has begun with great success!  A wonderful addition to our classroom is Jun.  I am sure your children are talking about him.  He is our Korean visitor.  Jun is fluent in English, both reading and speaking.  He has already enriched our lives by teaching us how to say good-bye in Korean and introducing us to the Korean alphabet.  He will be learning along side your children till the end of February.

Math - 

Chapter 8 Lessons 3 & 4

Daily grade on lessons 3 & 4 is planned for Thursday.

Science - 

Chapter 13 Lesson 2

Social Studies - 

Lesson 1 & 2 quiz on Tuesday

Chapter 5 Lessons 3 & 4 daily grade and quiz by Friday, I hope.

No major test on this chapter will be taken.

The quiz on Tuesday will remain, if we have inclement weather on Monday and in spite of the BCS Championship game.  Therefore, I have instructed all of my students to take home all notes and books to prepare over the weekend.

All next week we have the Mac Lab for two projects.  On Wednesday we are going to create an electronic graph using M & M's.  On Monday, we are going to start our research on Famous Historical Couples.  I am preparing the bulletin board for February and what a better topic than historical couples?  Help your child this weekend come up with some fun ideas.  Here are a few to get the conversation started:  Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln, Romeo & Juliet, Pochontas & John Rolfe, Micky & Minnie Mouse, Lone Ranger & Tonto or Silver, Sherlock Holmes and Watson.  As you can see the couples do not have to be married, just a historically famous pair!  The activity will conclude with a brief essay written about the couple and a picture of the couple.  This will be on display in February.

Grace and Peace,
Karen McVay

McVay January 4 - 7

Christmas Party Shenanigans!

The promise of a new year is always so refreshing to me.  We all have a blank page to begin writing the first chapter of this year with Christ.  I know God is excited to walk along with us.  I pray your 2011 is filled to the brim with blessings and hope.  

Grace & Peace, 

Karen McVay

If you are making plans to be out-of-town on Jan. 10th, please contact the office as you would for any other absence request.  It would be helpful to know in advance how many absences might occur.  Thank you!

Math - 

Chapter 8 page 120

Lessons 1 - 3

Social Studies - 

Chapter 5 page 156 

Lessons 1 & 2

Science - 

Chapter 13 page 468

Lessons 1 & 2

We will begin studying Earth & Space in preparation for our trip to Space Camp in February.