Smith May 2-6

Parents and Students:

We enjoyed our wonderful trip to American Village today! The weather was great, and fun was had by all. The presentations brought the American Revolution to life! Thanks to all the Dads, grandfathers, and uncles who attended the trip and helped with lunches this morning.

Wordly Wise Lesson 14 grade on Tues., May 3

Spelling Lesson 35 grade on Wed., May 4

English

Pronouns Lessons 4-5 (P. 222-227)

Lessons 4-5 grade on Wed., May 4

Bible

Lesson 31 "Esther Becomes Queen"

Scripture: Esther 1-2

Bible guide Pages: 110-112

We have come to a beautiful story in the history of God's people. It is the story of Esther. Esther was a Jewish girl who became queen in the kingdom of Media and Persia. As queen she was able to help her people when they were about to be destroyed. The wicked Haman requested permission from the king to kill all the Jews, but God had placed Esther as queen in the palace so that she could plead for her people. The scripture says, "But who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." God's plan is perfect.

Lesson 31 grade on Thurs., May 5

Memory: Jeremiah 29: 11-13 due by Fri., May 6

AR Testing: The final day to test for this nine weeks is Fri., May 6.

Fever 1793

We will be reading and discussing the rest of the story over the next two weeks. There will not be any more grades taken on this novel.

"Happily Forever After"

Practice on the fifth grade play is going well. We look forward to sharing the talents of the students with on the following dates.

Thursday, May 12 - Fifth Grade play for Lower School at 9:00 A.M. in Willett Hall

Friday, May 13 - Fifth Grade play for Parents/Guests at 9:00 A.M. in Willett Hall

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith

Smith April 25-29

Parents and Students:

Fever 1793 Ch. 1-5 grade on Tues., April 26

Students should study the 10 vocabulary words. They also have a Ch. 1-5 question sheet which they may want to review to check their knowledge of these questions. The students own their books so they may highlight in them if they wish. It is also quite helpful for them to reread the chapters. After testing on Ch. 1-5, we will begin reading Ch. 6-11.

Spelling Lesson 34 grade on Wed., April 27

English

Students will do lessons 1-3 (P. 216-221).

Lessons 1-3 grade on Thurs., April 28

Bible

Memory: Romans 12: 9-11 due by Thurs., April 28

We will not have a Bible Lesson grade this week due to the American Village trip on Friday.

Note the following:

American Village Trip on Fri., April 29

1. Arrival Time at Trinity: 7:10 A.M. We depart promptly at 7:30 A.M. We must leave on time so students should be in their homerooms by 7:10 A.M.

2. Drop all students off to come to their homerooms. Then proceed to the parking lot behind the guests bleachers on the Lower School end of that parking lot. We will take roll and bring the students with carpool lists, directions to the Village, and day group information.

3. Some dads have been asked to bring a cooler. Those dads need to go by the kitchen in Willett Hall to pick up the lunches. If adult lunches and students lunches have been labeled separately, please load those lunches separately into the coolers. Each cooler should have a label on the top reading "Trinity". Meet us at the back parking lot as indicated in #2. When we arrive at American Village, the coolers should be brought to the gift shop entrance and set outside. The Village will see to it that the coolers arrive at the picnic area. A note with all of this information will be in Monday's folder.

4. Students are expected to participate when asked during the presentations. Dads, make sure that all cell phones are off or on silent during the presentations. When the presentations are over, and everyone has eaten lunch, you may take you child to visit the chapel, wax museum, and oval office. These visits are certainly worth the time. We just ask that you carefully monitor the children in these areas as teachers cannot be everywhere at once.

5. The gift shop should be the last visit. Students may purchase souvenirs of the American Revolution time period! They have some fun and interesting gift items.

6. Everyone should be returning to Trinity by the end of the school day. All students may leave with their dads at this point. If you drive with just your child and have no need to return to Trinity, you may go home from the Village.

**Please look for complete information in Monday's folder!

**Please remember to be packing special items in those "Memory Boxes".

Have a wonderful Easter week-end! Christ has risen!

Gidget Smith

McVay April 25 - 29

Christ Has Risen Indeed!  

I pray your Easter weekend is full of His blessings.

Here's what is happening in room 123...

Social Studies - 
We will travel back in time this week to the 1770's as we get a chance to meet the heros of the American Revolution.  During class we will listen to and learn more about the roles different characters played in making our country a home of the free and the brave.

Each child drew a date on which to present his/her character.  I have 6 presenting on Monday and 5 presenting on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  On the day of your presentation, Mrs. Smith's homeroom may come to school dressed in costume with a change of clothes in a bag.  Mrs. McVay's homeroom will bring the costume in a bag to be changed into during P.E.  Each speech needs to follow the guidelines on the rubric.

Make the character come to life, the more familiar you are with your speech, the more entertaining it will be for us.
This will be the final piece of your 4 part project on the American Revolution, let's make it great!!!

Our week of role play will be enjoyed at the American Village, where the characters come to life.
Field trip on Friday; details will be in the Monday folder.

Math - 
Chapter 17 Adding and Subtracting fractions
We will try to cover lessons 1- 4.  How far we get will be determined by how much time we have left over after oral presentations, and play practice.

Science -
If we have time we will finish up Chapter 14, lesson 3.

Grace & Peace,
Karen McVay

McVay April 18 - 22

Please refer to the many important notes on Mrs. Smith's portion of this blog!
Short and simple:

Math - 
We will continue to work on Chapter 16
Daily grade on lessons 4-6 on Wednesday

Social Studies - 
We will draw names for which day your student will give his/her oral presentation next week (April 25-29)
Please be working on the oral presentation!  We want to enjoy these presentation, so the more relaxed the students are with his/her character, the more fun it will be for everyone.  Get those costumes and props out of the closet and create a presentation that bring the Revolutionary era to life!


Chapter 8 Vocabulary quiz on Monday, April 18th
Chapter 8.3 Daily Grade on Wednesday


Science - 
Chapter 14 Vocabulary quiz on Tuesday
We will work on Chapter 14 lesson 3 with a possible daily grade on Thursday.

Smith April 18-21

Parents and Students:

What's Up This Week?

Memory: Galatians 6: 1-3 due by Mon., April 18

Wordly Wise Lesson 13 grade on Tues., April 19

Spelling Lesson 33 grade on Wed., April 20

Bible

Daniel's Last Years (Lesson 30)

Scripture: Daniel 5-6

Bible Guide: P. 107-109

Belshazzar, ruler of Babylon, held a banquet in honor of his gods. He used the sacred goblets which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem. A hand appeared and wrote on the wall. Daniel read the writing and told Belshazzar that his kingdom would be destroyed because he did not humble himself before God. Darius became ruler over Babylon. Because Darius favored Daniel, the other rulers, serving under Darius, became jealous and formed a wicked plot to get rid of Daniel. God was watching over Daniel and protected him. We learn that if we do what is right and remain true to our God, He will never abandon us.

Lesson 30 grade on Thurs., April 21

English

Students have enjoyed creating their own endings to Tuck Everlasting. These are being final copied into their creative writing books. Students will be sharing these in class. Their endings are amazing, funny, and very creative! Be sure to have your child share his/her ending with you.

We hope to get to some poetry writing this week! We will choose some Tuck Everlasting characters to describe in a poetic way. These also will go into their creative writing book.

Fever 1793

Students will begin on the last novel of the year. Fever 1793 is by Laurie Halse Anderson. This story takes place in late 1700's when disease swept the streets, destroying everything in its path. Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie's world is turned upside down when her mother catches the fever. Mattie's mother insists that she leave town with her grandfather, trying to keep them from catching the fever. Mattie and her grandfather leave town, but they soon find out that the sickness is everywhere. Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease. Quoting The New York Times Book Review, "The plot rages like the epidemic itself."

AR

The last day to test for the last nine weeks period is May 6. All students should have at least two AR books read and tested by that date. Of course, most students read many more books than that. Congratulations!

Note the Following:

The American Village trip is Fri., April 29.

1. We will be putting together carpool groups very soon. Please make sure that you have established who you are riding with. Students should be relaying that information to their homeroom teacher. If you are driving up with just your child, we need to know that also.

2. Students are free to leave to go home with their dads, grandfathers, etc. when our Village Day ends. If your child needs to be at school to be called for carpool, please notify your homeroom teacher. We need a complete list of who will need to be here for carpool pick-up.

Memory Boxes

1. Students will bring their memory boxes to school on May 9. I hope you have been putting items in them all year. We will also be putting some items in them during the week of May 9 at school. Students will bring the boxes back home on May 13 for you to keep for seven years and to be opened only at their Senior lunch/video day as the graduating Seniors of 2018! It is not too late to help your child get his box together.

Here is a list of things that are good to put in their box:

1. pictures of friends, field trips or other events such as birthdays, holidays, sports, dance, class parties, etc.

2. small projects or any special memory from their years in Lower School

3. special writing (stories, poems, etc.)

4. letters written by parents, grandparents, sisters/brothers, or special friends to a fifth grader

**We will also be giving your child all of his special projects/writing in that he/she has done in Language Arts this year.

**Thank you in advance for your effort in helping your child assemble his/her box. I have watched the Seniors open their boxes for the past 17 years, and I can tell you, they all look forward to it! The memory box is a great Senior Event!

Have a wonderful week-end!

Gidget Smith

Smith April 11-15

Parents and Students:

Thank you for all of the support during ITBS week! I am sure that Friday afternoon was a nice treat after everyone worked hard on testing all week.

Here is a look at this week!

Spelling Lesson 32 grade on Wed., April 13

Writing

We will work with different poem patterns and write some poetry based on Tuck Everlasting. We may also do some creative writing based on the Tuck story.

Tuck Everlasting

We finished the novel, and it was quite the surprise for the children. The ending was a little bittersweet. I think most of us wanted Winnie to drink the water when she was 17, find Jesse, marry him, and travel around the world. Winnie made the choice to let the wheel of life happen naturally for her. Angus and Mae Tuck were saddened to find Winnie's grave when they returned to Treegap 69 years later.

Tuck Everlasting Ch. 20-the Epilogue grade on Thurs., April 14

Students should study their 10 vocabulary words and review the chapters. It is always helpful if they would like to reread those chapters.

Wordly Wise

We will be preparing Lesson 13 (A, B, C, D, and E) this week. Most students should have finished their definition cards on Friday. The grade for this lesson will not be until Tues., April 19.

Bible

God Shows His Power to Nebuchadnezzar (Lesson 29) Scripture: Daniel 3-4 Bible Guide Pages: 103-106 Even thought Nebuchadnezzar had confessed that the Lord was the God of gods, he did not worship Him as the only God, nor did he expect his people to do so. In this lesson, Daniel and his friends face the blazing furnace. Also, Nebuchadnezzar is humbled by God as he is made to live as an animal for a time. This experience caused Nebuchadnezzar to recognize God as the King of Heaven, saying that everything He does is right and all of His ways are just.

Lesson 29 grade on Fri., April 15

Memory: Galatians 6: 1-3 due by Mon., April 18

Note the Following:

1. Midterm grade sheets are in the Monday folder. Please sign and return along with signed papers.

2. The Persuasive Writing "animal" display will be up in the hall through April.

There are some important dates coming up.

1. Liz Carter will speak to the 5th and 6th graders on April 12 about use of social media.

2. American Village field trip on Fri., April 29

3. Fifth Grade play on Thurs., May 12 at 9:00 for Lower School

4. Fifth Grade play on Fri., May 13 at 9:00 for Parents

5. Semester Celebration at 8:15 on Mon., May 16

6. Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony at 9:15 on Mon., May 16 (Sunday dress for 5th graders)

7. Report cards go home on Mon., May 16.

8. Field Day at 9:00 on Tues., May 17 (Pizza/Popsicles! Last Day of School!)

Have a great week!

Gidget Smith

McVay April 11-15

Thank you for making this an easy week of testing!  I hope you enjoyed your Friday afternoon, the students sure deserved it!  Mid - Term reports are coming home in the Monday folder.  We are half way finished with the last quarter of 5th grade.  Let's finish strong!!

Math - 

Chapter 16 Fractions, Lesson 1-3 daily grade on Thursday or Friday

Science  - 

Chapter 14 Lesson 2 daily grade on Thursday

Weekly Reader coming home on Space.  We will take a grade on it soon.

Chapter 14 Vocabulary grade next week on Tuesday, April 19th

Social Studies - 

Chapter 8 Lesson 2 daily grade on Wednesday

Chapter 8 Vocabulary grade next week on Monday, April 18th.

I have struggled to get ample grades due to Spring Break and then ITBS.  I am planning to take several grades over the next two weeks.  Please plan to be at school during the full week before the Good Friday break, as I hope to finish up both Science and Social Studies chapters before we break for Easter.

Important Dates 

April 12 (Tuesday) - Liz Carter will be speaking to 5th and 6th grade concerning social media (age appropriate). 
                        

April 29 (Friday) - Field trip to the American Village

May 12 (Thursday) - 5th grade play for lower school - 9 a.m.

May 13 (Friday) - 5th grade play for parents - 9 a.m.

May 16 (Monday) - Semester Celebration 8:15, 5th grade moving up ceremony 9:15- church attire - report cards go home

May 17 (Tuesday) - Field Day - 9 a.m. followed by pizza and popsicle party. This is the last day of school.

Social Networking

Liz Carter, a local attorney, will be speaking to our middle school students next week about safety when it comes to social networking.  This is a timely topic, and will be of tremendous benefit to our students.  Our upper school students have already participated in this assembly.

Ms. Carter will be speaking to our students in two separate assemblies with grade-appropriate content.  The assemblies will be held Tuesday, April 12, at the following times:

7th and 8th Grades

9:00 a.m.

Old Gym

5th and 6th Grades

1:30 p.m.

Old Gym

Parents are welcome to attend this event.  Also, we encourage you to speak with your children about the topics covered when they get home from school Tuesday.  As always, we are working hard to partner with you as you navigate the difficult waters we call parenting.

Revolutionary War Project

Revolutionary War Project overview

This Social Studies grade is 4 parts:  Preamble, Oral Presentation, Poem, & Keynote Presentation (Mac version of power point).  The total grade will count as a quiz grade, which I hope will raise the student averages in Social Studies.
I created a grading rubric for three parts of the grade:  poem, oral presentation, and keynote presentation.  Your child has a copy of all three rubrics.

Here is a breakdown of each part of the assignment.  If you have other questions, please send me an email.

Preamble was recited and counts for 25% of the overall grade.

Poem is written and is due this Friday.  It counts for 25% of the overall grade  See rubric for details on what is expected to make a full 25 points!

Keynote Presentation will be created exclusively in class.  It counts for 25% of of the overall grade.  My goal for this part of the project is to give our students practice using the program, Keynote, that will be available on their own MacBook in the future.  We will show each other our presentations during the last week of school.  If your child does not finish his/her presentation this week we will have two more days in May to finish working on it.

Oral Presentation is due the week of April 25th.  It counts for 25% of the overall grade.  I will assign 5 students each day to present his/her character.  Your child will bring a costume to change into on the day he/she presents to the class.  Your child should have a one page summary of his/her character memorized in first person to use as a speech.  One large notecard or a few small notecards are allowed, however, reading from the notecards will lower the grade.
PLEASE DO NOT SPEND A LOT MONEY ON THE COSTUME!  Be creative, use clothes you have at home, shop Goodwill!  I have heard of students that are creating paper hair!  See the rubric to see how to earn all 25 points.

Smith April 4-8

Parents and Students: ITBS Testing
Students will be testing throughout the week. A healthy breakfast and plenty of rest will help students to "test at their best"! Students need #2 regular pencils. I have extra pencils if that is a problem. It is very important that students arrive at school on time. Testing begins promptly! Thank you in advance for all you do to help your child have "ITBS Test success"!  

Spelling Lesson 31 grade on Wed., April 6
Spelling will be the only Language Arts grade taken this week!  

Bible Captive Daniel and a King's Dream (Lesson 28) Scripture: Daniel 1-2 Bible Guide Pages 99-102 We will begin our study of Daniel. Daniel was trained to serve in the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar. One night King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. His magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers could not interpret the dream for him. God had given Daniel an understanding of visions and dreams, and Daniel was able to interpret the dream. Because Daniel was able to do this, King Nebuchadnezzar recognized Daniel's God as the "God of gods and the Lord of kings". No grade will be taken on this lesson. Bible grades will resume after ITBS. 

Tuck Everlasting We will begin Ch. 20 through the Epilogue. Students were left with a super surprise at the end of Ch. 19! The events of this novel are fun and exciting, and we can't wait for the conclusion!  
AR Testing Last day to test for midterm is Fri., April 8.  

English Time permitting, we will work on poetry this week. Students will learn different poem patterns and have fun writing poetry.

Persuasive Writing Display The persuasive writing on "Adopt A Pet" is up in the hall. What fun! If you have a moment to come by and read these pleas for adoption and see the cute animals, you are in for a treat! The students have done a great job!

Have a wonderful week!
Gidget Smith

McVay April 4 - 8

It is ITBS week!
A good breakfast, plenty of sleep and number 2 pencils are required to maximize success.  Please be to school on time, too.

Even though we will be testing in the mornings, we have a few things that are due next week that have been assigned for a while.  We will be working on finishing these assignments in class, however, working at home in the evening may be required to complete these tasks.

Tuesday we will take a short quiz on 25 elements and the symbol used on the periodic table.  Last Tuesday, I sent home a list of 25 of the simpler elements that needs to be memorized.

Friday is the last day I will accept poems on the Revolutionary War character.  Please see the rubric for specifics on how the poem will be graded.

Grace & Peace,
Karen McVay