Week of Dec. 16 - 20

Math:  PLEASE work on multiplication over BREAK!

Winter Break-Monday, December 23rd to January 6th.

Reading-Please read everyday for 20-30 minutes over the holiday.

Friday, December 20th-Room 16 party.  Please let me know what items you will bring to our lunch/party.

Reminder:  Some have NOT made a payment of $5.00 for the overnight field trip.  Please start making payments as soon as possible so you aren't stuck with a $30.00 payment at one time.

Week of November 18 - 22nd

I'm really excited that we have a special guest coming into the classroom this week.  They are teaching our kids about money management, savings and goals around understanding money.

We will have an assembly on Wednesday.  If kids want to wear their college wear, they can do this. 

We have been selected to be the classroom to enter an art contest through the Portland Police.  We are creating a banner of Our Dream Community.  All kids are working on this and it is looking great.  We will be competing with other schools in Portland.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO START PAYING FOR OUR OUTDOOR FIELD TRIP!! It is very important that we get AT LEAST $30.00 because the entire trip costs $100.00 per kid.  All 4/5 teachers are working hard to come up with funding ideas in order for us to have a great learning experience.

Week of 10/28 - 11/1

Conferences were great!  Thanks for attending and working together to help your child.

Homework:  It is extremely important to spend extra time every Wednesday for writing homework.

October 30th-Assembly.  We have a Science Assembly at 9:30.

Japanese Garden-We will be going to the gardens at 9:30 on November 7th.  Please let me know if you are wanting to join.

Outdoor School-Please start paying for the fee as soon as possible.  We are also going to decide how to fund raise so if you have any ideas, please let us know.

www.gromsocial.com

Week of October 20-24

Next week is conferences.  Your child will not have school on Thursday or Friday.  Please make sure your child attends conferences with you to discuss their goals and ways to be successful for the school year.

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/maps/usa-blank_WMWTD.pdf

Week of October 14 - 18

Wednesday, October 16th-Teacher Planning Day.  No School.

We will be setting up times for conferences.  Please look at your time and let me know if it works.  The sooner the better as there are 34 conferences that I need to do.

Conferences-October 24/October 25th.  No school.  Please bring your child to discuss goals and academic/behavior goals.

Week of October 8 - 11

Our classroom received our USA whiteboards and we took our first test on them!  I've never seen kids excited to take a test before.

Geography-New Mexico and Arizona

Math-Please make sure your child is using IXL a few times a week.  Fourth graders MUST have their multiplication facts down.

Reading-Please make sure your child is reading at LEAST 20 minutes a day.

Field Trip-We will be taking a field trip to the Japanese Garden on November 7th.  If you are interested in attending, you must have filled out a background check and have been approved.  This takes some time so please let me know if you would like to attend the trip.

Your child will need a lunch for this as we will be getting back after lunch.

OREGON OVERNIGHT-We are currently trying to talk to all people involved to see if we can attend.  We believe this field trip is great hands on learning, fun and engaging BUT it costs $100.00 per child.  All 4/5 classes would like to attend.  We are currently finding different ways to fund raise and we will be sending a letter home shortly.

Social Studies-We are learning about Colonial Life.  What the New England Colonies were like and how it started.

pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history

Week of September 30 - October 4th

This week:

We will study Nevada and California for Geography.

We have switched for Social Studies and Science.

Writing:  Please remember that every Wednesday they will have writing homework that will be written in their AVID notebook. 

Planner:  Please check planners for the nightly homework and information.

Websites:blackteensread2.blogspot.com

pacer.org/bullying

GREAT WEBSITE WITH BOOKS TO READ

        1) Go to www.myon.com and click on the “Login Now” button

 

        2) On the login screen, enter the following information into the appropriate fields: 

 

• School Name:  Oregon Readers (begin typing Oregon Readers and select “Oregon Readers, Oregon Department of Education” from the dropdown box.

 

• Username: read (all lower case)

 

• Password: read (all lower case)

 

        3) Click the “sign in” button

http://www.spellingcity.com/math-vocabulary.html

THANKS!!

Week of September 23 - 27th

This last week was great!  Kids are understanding classroom expectations and we have started our Math groups.

Back to School Night was GREAT!  Thanks for coming and supporting your child and I was so happy to be able to meet most of you.

Social Studies/Science-We started our classes this week.  On Thursday/Friday, your child will go to Mr. Kavanagh's classroom for Science instruction. 

Project Funded-Thanks to the support of some parents and community members, our newest project was FUNDED!  We will be getting 30 white eraser boards with a blank map of the United States.  Your child will learn two states a week to study for a weekly quiz on Friday.

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back! 

We are busy getting to know each other in a fun and full classroom of 34 students!  We have a few changes this year due to our new standards.

Each 4th grader will stay in my classroom for the 1 hour and 10 minutes of math.  The 5th graders will either go to Mr. Kavanagh or to Ms. Gross.  We will start math groups next Tuesday, September 17th.

We will also start switching our kids for Social Studies and Science on the 23rd.  Our classroom will get Science on Thursday and Friday from Mr. Kavanagh who is an expert in Science and loves hands on assignments and outside learning.  I will be the Social Studies teacher who has a passion for History and Culture. 

Right now we are assessing each child for their reading ability and what can be worked on for this school year.  This is a long process and will take another couple of weeks.  Then, we will start our regular reading stations within our classroom.

Great News!!  I wrote a grant this summer for classroom magazines and it was funded!  Each student will get a Time for Kids and Current Events magazine weekly for the entire school year.  I'm also on Donors Choose currently for another social studies project.  Please look below at the site and grant details if you ever want to help our classroom!


Subject: My students need your help!

Hi Friends,

I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed. So I've created a classroom project request at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity.

I'm asking for donations of any size to help my kids. For the next four days, any donation you make to my project will be doubled (up to $100). If you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along. Your donation will brighten my students' school year, and you'll get photos and thank yous from our class.

Here's my classroom request:

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/dry-erase-whiteboards/1066623/

To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the match code INSPIRE on the payment screen. This awesome match offer lasts through September 15.

My students and I greatly appreciate your support.

Jody

Week of 5/20 - 5/24

Here are some dates. 

Thursday/Friday overnight field trip. Please make sure you pick up your child at the school at 1:30.

No school May 27th.

Friday, May 31st-pizza/swim party. 

Thursday, June 6th-slough trip/canoe ride

Friday, June 7th-field day/last day of school

I will post pictures next week of the overnight trip. Please pack jacket and rain coat if you have one. 

END OF THE YEAR DATES

May 6th-19th-Bike Riding.  We are learning how to ride bikes in a safe way.  The last day we will take a two hour bike ride in our community.

Thursday, May 9th-We will be going to the Middle School to see what it is like, ask questions and tour the school.

Speech-Kids are working on their final book project.  They are creating a book review using a cereal box and they will give a two minute presentation later this month.

Overnight Field Trip-May 23rd/24th.  We will be back at 1:30 so make sure you pick your child up or have transportation for them.  We will not be coming back into the school on Friday.

May 27th-HOLIDAY/No school

May 31st-5th grade party.  We will walk to Round Table and eat pizza and then go swimming. 

Last day of after school club-May 21st.

Week of 4/29 - May 3

May1st-Book Fair 5:30-7:30.  Please come and eat free food, go to the classes, learn about AVID and get a book at the fair.

May 9th-Middle School Tour.  We will go to the Middle School to see 6th grade teachers and the class in action.

Week of May 6th-May 17th-We will learn about bike safety, bike signals and how to ride a bike in the city.  All students will be provided bikes during this time.  We will end with a bike ride around our neighborhood.  This will help kids learn how to ride bikes and be safe while they are doing it.

May 23/24th-OVERNIGHT Field Trip.  I will send a note later about what the kids need to pack before the trip.

Our reading and math exams are OVER!  We will now have our Science exam starting later this week.

Week of April 22 - 26

WE will be starting our next project for our writing and speech grade.  We will be creating a Cereal Box Book Report.  We will work on these projects for the next couple of weeks before they present to the class.

Math-We are almost finished with our second round of math testing.

Social Studies-We have been working on studying about the Oregon Trail.  Our field trip is on May 23/24th.  We will be leaving in the morning and returning at around 1:00 on Friday, May 24th.  They will need to be picked up at this time.  They won't be returning back into the building.

AVID interviews were last week.  Students will know this week if they are in the program.

May 1st-BOOK FAIR-5:30-7:30.  Come for free dinner, and different activities around literacy.  Also, a time to get a free book.

Week of April 15 - 19

We are starting our second round of testing in reading and math.  I'm very proud of our class this year!  We are doing better than other fifth graders in the state of Oregon.  Good Job!

We are writing letters to St. Clare school for the generous donation of $1,400.00 for our trip.

We are also learning about the Oregon Trail and doing activities around this.

Math-We are working on problem solving, decimals and volume.

BOOK FAIR-Is coming on May 1st 6:00-8:00/Dinner Free/Free book give-a-way and activities for the family.

If you can't make it to the Book Fair, the fair is going on during the school week.

Week of April 8 -12th

Writing-We are going to write thank you letters for all those who have helped make the Overnight Trip possible.

Testing-We have started our second round of math/reading tests.  Most of the students have passed reading so will not have to take it over. 

Court Trip-Last week we had the chance to tour the courthouse, see many court cases in session and talk with a judge.  It was great!

Mr. Cartehena-Please welcome our new student teacher for the semester.  He will be working with students in small groups as well as helping out with debates and learning about the Oregon Trail.

We have finally raised the money for the field trip.  It would not have been possible without grants and donations from MESD, Parkrose Foundation, St. Claire(they raised $1,400 for us) and Donors Choose where Mr. K and myself were fully funded grants.  Thanks to all the parents who are going to volunteer.

Week of April 1-5th

Yes!  We had a very generous donation from families from St. Claire school.  They delivered a check of $1,400.00 to go towards our Overnight Field Trip.

Also, Mr. K and myself wrote another grant for money for our trip.  This last week we were funded $1,000.00.  We haven't done a final count yet but I believe this will allow us to go on our trip! 

We are going to start 2nd round of testing this week.  If your child has not passed reading or math, they will do another round of testing before May.

Tomorrow-We will be going to the Courthouse for a tour.  We will leave at 8:40 and be back at school by 1:00.  They will be able to see what the court room is used for, a court case in session, speak with a judge and many other things.

Week of March 4-8

Conferences:
Thursday:  9:00-8:00 PLEASE LOOK AT TIME IN STUDENT PLANNERS. 
Friday:  8:00-1:00-PLEASE LOOK AT TIME IN STUDENT PLANNERS.

Report Cards:  You will get report cards at conferences as well as test results of your child.

Field Trip-We will take a field trip on April 2nd to the courthouse.  If you would like to volunteer, please let me know.

Outdoor School Trip-PLEASE turn in your $25.00 for your child. Adults do not have to pay.  If you are interested, please let me know.  The cost of the trip is $100.00 per person so we are busy fund raising the rest of the money.  It is extremely important that the $25.00 is paid by April.

After School-Club is ending on Tuesday until after Spring Break.  It will start again on April 1st.

Week of February 25th - March 1st

Dance:We collected $160.00 from our dance.  All money will go to our Outdoor Field Trip.  Thanks for everyone who turned in their forms. 

Grant: We have a grant online currently.  Go to Donors.org and type in Shaver Elementary in Portland.  Both 5th grade classes have the outdoor school trip posted.  If you donate the month of March, type in INSPIRE.  They will match us dollar for dollar.  We ALMOST have all of the money collected.
Please turn in your $25.00 if you haven't done so.

Math-We are working on Area/Perimeter and Volume.

Reading-All reading tests are completed.  We are back to regular reading groups.

Social Studies-We are creating a map that will allow us to escape to Canada.  All table groups will work together.

Friday-No School/Grading Day.

Week of February 19 - 2nd

Monday-No School

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday-Student Presentation.  Costume would be great!  Needs to be 2 minutes 30 seconds for 5th grade standard.

Field Trip Overnight Forms-Please fill out the overnight forms.  PLEASE turn in money when you can.  We have taken payments every month.

Volunteers-We need you to come!  If you are interested, you will need to fill out the background check form.  Office or Ms. Tucker has one.

Testing-We are still working on finishing the first round of math testing.  Results will be shared at conferences.

Friday, March 1st-No school.  Grading for report cards.

Thursday/Friday March 7th/8th-No School.  Conferences.  Please have your child attend with you.

Math-We are working on Volume.

Social Studies-Learning about Fredrick Douglas, Levi Coffin, Sojourner Truth and Thomas Garret.  Next week we will learn about Harriet Beecher Stow.

Week of February 11th - 15th

Reading: Yes, we have almost finished 5th grade reading test.

Research Papers:  Due on Monday.  We will practice our presentations and work on our visual next week.

Social Studies: We are learning about the Underground Railroad in the classroom.  We have studied Levi Coffin, Harriet Tubman and Fredrick Douglas this week.
Here is a great site to use.
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/multimedia/interactive/the-underground-railroad/?ar_a=1

Dance: We are having a Valentine's Dance on Thursday at 3:15-4:15.  All money collected will go towards our Overnight Field Trip. 

Conferences: are March 7th/8th.
PLEASE make payments for our Overnight Field Trip.  It will be Thursday, May 23rd-Friday, May 24th.

Math-We are working on adding/subtracting unlike fractions.  WE are also working on story problems with fractions and simplifying fractions.

Week of February 4th - 8th

Research-WE are writing our research project this week.

Math-We are still working on fractions.  Please make sure you are using IXL.

Social Studies-We finished our Bill of Rights.  We are starting our Civil War Unit.

Science Field Trip-We had a great field trip Friday.  The class was busy planting all different plants in Fairview.

Testing-We are almost finished with our first round of testing in Reading.  We will start math at the end of the month.

FIELD TRIP-Please let me know if you would like to go.  Thursday, May 23rd-24th.  It will be overnight.  Also, PLEASE make a payment.  All money will be due in April.

Week of January 29th - February 1st

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE OVER NIGHT FIELD TRIP.
We will be going on May 23rd/24th.
Also, please make payment for your $25.00.  This field trip is $100.00 so we need the $25.00 turned in.

Our fund raiser raised $850.00.  Our grant will be matched so we have raised $1,700.00.
We will have a Valentine's Dance for another way to raise funds for our trip.

Social Studies; This week we have researched a person that has made a difference in our world.  Next week we will be writing a paper.

Math-Adding and subtracting unlike denominators.  Please practice.

Reading-We are finishing up our reading tests.

Art-We are doing masking tape/painted papers.

January 22 - 25th

Our Flo-cabulary this week

http://www.flocabulary.com/5-the-misunderstanding/

We are working on Bill of Rights Amendment 5-10.

Math-Working on adding unlike denominators.  PRACTICE!!

Writing-This week we will start our research on a person who has made a positive difference in our society.  Please help your child find someone that they will enjoy researching, writing a paper on and doing a class presentation.

Week of January 14 - 18

We are still collecting money for the overnight field trip.  We have a date!  If you are interested in helping, please let me know.  The date is May 23-24th.

We are working on our Bill of Rights.  We are understanding the constitution. 
Here is a great Bill of Rights rap song that will help you memorize the amendments 1-10.
You Tube-Bill of Rights rap song with lyrics.

Math-We are working on mixed numbers and improper fractions. 
 
Reading-We are working on inferences with non-fiction.  WE are also working on understanding main ideas, genres and author's purpose.

Writing-We are learning about people in history that have made a difference in a positive way.  We will be looking at a variety of people that have made a change in order to move forward on our project research project. 
IXL-Please work on IXL daily.