Today we had a real treat. Andrew Green from Potato Hill Poetry worked with our class for 90 minutes. The poems that the students created were outstanding. Several of them have decided to read their poems at the Cove Poetry Cafe on Thursday evening. I hope to see many of you there. Don't forget to send in your slips so there will be enough desserts for us all! March is a very busy time in 5th grade. We are preparing for our standardized assessments that are coming in the next few months. We are also on the very quick path to middle school. The 5th grade teachers are working to get our 5th graders ready for 6th grade. If you find your child is feeling overwhelmed or stressed, please reassure him or her that it's ok. Take some deep breaths, and let me know. We'll work out a plan. We also need the next few months to be fun. If students are too overwhelmed, they can't learn. It's just counter-productive! Thanks for your help and support. These next few months will fly by. Enjoy them as much as you can. Spring is right around the corner. (I hope!)
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All of the students who created "Bag the Elements" projects for their November books presented today. This was truly the highlight of my week. They were clear, confident, informative, humorous and engaging. Every single person did a fantastic job on his/her presentation. On Monday we will do a museum walk to see the other projects. The students and I were so proud of their hard work.
Please return the report card envelope with a signature on Monday. You get to keep the report card and the letter. I just need to know that it was delivered to you. ;O) I can't wait to see you all next week for our Parent-Teacher conferences. Have a wonderful weekend with your families. This week we finished reading A Long Walk to Water. We're still busy reading The Sign of the Beaver and enjoying Wonder as a read-loud. Ask your child what they think about these 3 books.
We had 15 students participate in the Cove School Annual Science Fair. The projects were amazing! Congratulations to everyone who participated. Next week we have our first "Coffee Shop". The students have either written an original poem about fall or being thankful, or they have chosen one to present. If you're available to visit with us next Wednesday, 11/22 at 11:00, stop by B23 to hear our poets present. We'll snap for the presenters like the beatniks in the old coffee shops while sipping "coffee" (hot chocolate) and eating treats. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. We will be dismissed on Wednesday at 12:00 with no lunch served. In order to simulate Nya's daily walk in the book "A Long Walk to Water", the fifth graders walked around the perimeter of the school today. Some carried backpacks on their heads. Some students actually carried containers of water on their heads. Others just walked. We timed how long it took us to do one lap. Next week in math, Mrs. Knowles will have the students figure out some mathematical measurements about Nya's daily walk to get fresh water for her family. We're reading this book as part of the Global Read Aloud in literacy.
We've also spent some time over the past 2 weeks brushing up on our map skills. There will be a quiz next Friday, 10/13 on the continents, oceans, lines of latitude and longitude, hemispheres, equator and prime meridian. Students have 2 sheets with the information on them. Today's trip to the Cove School vernal pool was filled with observations and noticings. The students took notes as they walked the path. We'll repeat our "silent" walk in November, during the winter, and in the spring. We're predicting that things will look different. Ask your child how deep the pool was today!!!!!
You may have heard that I was not in school on Wednesday. I have been placed on a Grand Jury in Boston for 18 months. Hopefully I only have 2 more months to go. I will be out of school for most Wednesdays until November. Mrs. Annie Barror will be our substitute on those Wednesdays. Annie is a former 5th grade teacher who used to teach at Cove School. She is very excited to get back to teaching by working with our class every week. She helped us out last year every Wednesday so she knows our routine.
On Monday the 5th graders will be taking their first trip to the Cove School Vernal Pool. A permission slip went home last week. Please sign and return it on Monday if you haven't. There was also be a letter explaining how our monthly reading genre program works. That needs your signature as well. Finally, we are looking for someone to create a Sign Up Genius for the whole school year for our 5th grade school store. If you are willing and able, we would love some help! Thanks in advance. Hello and welcome to 5th grade! Feel free to browse my website. If you have any questions or concerns, leave them here and I'll get back to you. You can also email me at [email protected]. Have a great last week!
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AuthorMrs. Russo is a fifth grade teacher in Beverly, MA. Archives
March 2018
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