6/23/17

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the twenty four students in my classroom this school year. I hope everyone has a great summer and I wish all of the fifth graders good luck as they enter middle school next year.

6/22/17

The last full day of elementary school saw the fifth graders having another enjoyable day. The students were able to collect autographs from each other in their yearbooks. Later in the day, the students had time in the spray park and the ice cream truck arrived.

6/21/17

Today, was movie and pizza day in fifth grade. The students voted earlier this week to watch Jungle Book. Later in the school day, the students had pizza delivered to the school. It was a great day to be a fifth grader.

6/20/17

The fifth grade students undertook a community service project today. Last week, the students voted to make birthday cards for a local homeless shelter. Today, the boys and girls made those cards which will be given to young people who live in the local shelter. The students worked hard on these and they turned out great.

Tomorrow, the fifth graders are welcome to wear pajamas to school for their movie day. Also, they may bring a board game with them to school. 

6/19/17

Today was field day at the Thompson School. Some of the fifth graders were nice enough to volunteer to help out with the younger grades as they had their activities before lunch. After lunch, the fifth graders competed in a number of fun games. The students did a great job and were encouraging of one another.

Tomorrow, the fifth graders will be undertaking a community service project.

6/15/17

The students spent math time looking at various logic puzzles that required them to lean on skills that have been practiced throughout the course of the school year. The students showed great persistence during this work.

The members of M102 had one final meeting with their younger book buddies. The students were able to exchange cards. The fifth graders did a great job working with their younger buddies this year.

Students received permission slips for tomorrow's trip to Georges Island. Please have these signed and returned by tomorrow. Also, there are still some students who have not returned their middle school transportation forms. Please get all of these back by tomorrow. 

6/14/17

The fifth graders returned to a normal routine after yesterday's graduation ceremony. Groups are almost done with their fantasy novels. The ones that are finished are working on an epilogue for their novels.

Students received permission slips for this Friday's trip to Georges Island. Please have these signed and returned by this Friday the 16th. Also, there are still some students who have not returned their middle school transportation forms. Please get all of these back by Friday the 16th. 

6/13/17

Congratulations to all of the fifth graders for their graduation day. It was great to see all of the friends and families there to celebrate it with the members of M102 and M101.

6/12/17

The fifth graders had a unique enrichment opportunity during the second half of the school day. Jim from Wingmasters brought a variety of birds of prey into the Thompson School to visit with the fifth graders. The students were engaged throughout the program and enjoyed getting to see the animals.

I look forward to seeing families tomorrow for the fifth grade graduation ceremony.

6/9/17

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I can't believe next Tuesday is graduation. I look forward to seeing parents and families at the ceremony.

6/8/17

The fifth grade classes took time out of their schedule to practice for next week's graduation ceremony during the later portion of the day. The students are excited for the big day and the songs that they are practicing sounded great.

Students also received a middle school transportation form today. This form needs to be signed and returned to school for all students. Even students who will not be taking the bus or not attending Ottoson.

As a reminder, the fifth grade will be traveling to the Ottoson Middle School on Friday to take a tour of the building. Members of last year's fifth grade class will lead tour groups through the school to visit with some of the sixth grade teachers.

Homework

Blog - Which event from the Revolutionary War timeline have you enjoyed learning about the most? Explain in detail why this event has stood out to you and what makes this event so important in the struggle for American Independence. (At least three paragraphs, due Friday 6/9)

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night

6/7/17

The students concluded their work with the respiratory system during science today. They were tasked with identifying the parts that make up the system as well as the role that each plays in the human body.

The later portions of the day were spent in fantasy groups. Two of the groups have finished their novels and are now moving into a written component, that will require them to work together.

As a reminder, the fifth grade will be traveling to the Ottoson Middle School on Friday to take a tour of the building. Members of last year's fifth grade class will lead tour groups through the school to visit with some of the sixth grade teachers.

Homework

Blog - Which event from the Revolutionary War timeline have you enjoyed learning about the most? Explain in detail why this event has stood out to you and what makes this event so important in the struggle for American Independence. (At least three paragraphs, due Friday 6/9)

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night

6/6/17

The final push continues in the writing department for members of M102. Some of the class continued to type their final drafts today, while others worked to create covers for their informational writing pieces.

As a reminder, the fifth grade will be traveling to the Ottoson Middle School on Friday to take a tour of the building. Members of last year's fifth grade class will lead tour groups through the school to visit with some of the sixth grade teachers.

Homework

Blog - Which event from the Revolutionary War timeline have you enjoyed learning about the most? Explain in detail why this event has stood out to you and what makes this event so important in the struggle for American Independence. (At least three paragraphs, due Friday 6/9)

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night

6/5/17

The Declaration of Independence was the topic of discussion during social studies today. The students spent time reading the actual document and exploring the concept of inalienable rights.

During science class, the fifth graders learned about the pieces of the respiratory system. The students watched in informative video and then used their text to help them answer some focus questions.

As a reminder, the fifth grade will be traveling to the Ottoson Middle School on Friday to take a tour of the building. Members of last year's fifth grade class will lead tour groups through the school to visit with some of the sixth grade teachers.

Homework

Blog - Which event from the Revolutionary War timeline have you enjoyed learning about the most? Explain in detail why this event has stood out to you and what makes this event so important in the struggle for American Independence. (At least three paragraphs, due Friday 6/9)

Reading - 30 minutes of quiet reading per night

6/2/17

The students spent time in social studies looking at the events of the Battle of Bunker Hill through a modern context today. After having learned more about the battle and the lead-up to it the other day, today the members of M102 were tasked with crafting a tweet that would alert other colonists of the events taking place in Charlestown. The students had fun working with the character limit to convey as much of the information as possible.

The second portion of the day was spent working on informational writing. We are getting closer and closer to the finish line. I was able to complete the conferences with the writers today and all students have transitioned into typing.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

6/1/17

The month of June began on a strong note for the fifth graders. The students were still excitedly talking about the great field trip yesterday. A park ranger on the trip told me that he couldn't remember a more well informed group of students. Compliments to the students for putting their best foot forward on the trip.

Time was spent today progressing deeper into the fantasy novels. The groups are approaching the ends of their stories and there will be one final piece of writing to complete this new unit.

Homework

Some students need to complete a writing prompt from our book club lesson. Students are writing about an obstacle overcome in their stories in their reading notebook. These will be collected tomorrow.