Weekly+News

Week of April 25

 * Can you believe it? We are in the home stretch of the school year. Your child is so close to being a 6th grader! Please encourage students to stay focused as we round out the year.
 * Congratulations to our class spelling bee champion, Jaeger. The runner-up was Paula. Good job, spellers!!
 * Please keep in mind the following dates:
 * Monday, 4/25 at 12:45 - MAPs testing (Reading)
 * Thursday, 4/28 at 7pm - Parent Information Meeting for Camp Whitcomb (PHS Auditorium)
 * Monday, 5/2 at 1:15 - MAPs testing (Langauge Arts)
 * Friday, 5/6 - Fourth Quarter District Writing Assessment
 * Tuesday, 5/10 at 1:15 - MAPs testing (Math)
 * Thursday, June 2 - Friday, June 3 - Camp Whitcomb overnight for 5th graders - more info to come!!
 * As another point of interest, I have the opportunity to travel to China in May with an MBA group from Marquette University. I will be gone from May 19 - May 30. My substitute will be Mrs. Mary LaSota. She worked at Horizon last year as the Title I/Math Support teacher.

Week of April 11

 * We have some busy weeks ahead of us, so please mark your calendars:
 * Tuesday, 4/12 - Classroom Spelling Bee
 * Wednesday, 4/13 at 8:45 - Colonial Interpreters in Horizon Library
 * Thursday, 4/14 at 10:30 - Human Growth and Development
 * Friday, 4/15 - Poetry Readings
 * Monday, 4/18 - Friday, 4/22 - SPRING BREAK!!
 * Monday, 4/25 at 12:45 - MAPs testing (Reading)
 * Thursday, 4/28 at 7pm - Parent Information Meeting for Camp Whitcomb (PHS Auditorium)
 * Monday, 5/2 at 1:15 - MAPs testing (Langauge Arts)
 * Friday, 5/6 - Fourth Quarter District Writing Assessment
 * Tuesday, 5/10 at 1:15 - MAPs testing (Math)
 * Some differentiation news...students who have consistently scored 100% on weekly spelling tests and have demonstrated mastery of the grade 5 words during our Achievement checks, will be moved on to enrichment spelling activities. They will still participate in the write/rewrite at the start of the week, but they will be responsible for completing activities using 5 higher level vocabulary words. They will be given the assignment on Monday and will be required to complete the activities and turn them in on Friday of the same week. Students will be tested on the 5 enrichment words on Friday and will also be responsible for the grade five assessment. This will equate to the same amount of work as the rest of the class, but will provide more challenging vocabulary activities for students that have mastered the words at our grade level.

Week of April 4

 * If you did not receive report cards in the mail, please contact the school office, they were mailed out last Thursday.
 * You should have received a description and selection form for next year's music choice. Please make sure that green selection is returned to school by April 29. If you need an extra, please let me know!!
 * This week, students are working on memorizing and practicing their recited poems for our poetry sharing next Friday.
 * In guided reading, students have begun a Partner Reading assignment. Pairs of students selected books last week and are working together to read and discuss them together. Students will also be blogging about their books as we go. Those eager readers who are quick to finish their books are able to move on and read a second (and third!) book if they would like with their partners.
 * In math, we are working on a brief unit about measurement.
 * Next week, we will be visited by colonial interpreters who will share information about colonial life with all fifth grade students. Our class will visit the Horizon Library on Wednesday morning at 8:45am to learn about this. Also next week, Mrs. Holsclaw and Mrs. Wagner will visit the classes to share Human Growth and Development information. Our class will participate on Thursday at 10:30.

Week of March 27

 * Welcome to the fourth quarter! Can you believe your child is almost a sixth grader??
 * Report card grades were submitted this weekend and paper copies will be sent home by the end of the week. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me when it arrives home. There will also be a questionairre about music choices for next year. This MUST be returned by April 29.
 * Human Growth and Development permission slips are due THIS FRIDAY! If you need another copy, please let me know.
 * By this Friday, your child needs to select a poem they will memorize and share with the class in lieu of a book report during April. We will discuss presentation skills before the kids share on Friday, April 15. The poem must be a minimum of 4 lines.

Week of March 21

 * This is our last week of third quarter! Students have been notified if they are missing any work that needs to be submitted - not to many!! :)
 * This Friday is early release. It is also the annual Student/Staff Basketball game at 9:45am in the gym - join us for March Madness if you are interested! Steele and Jena will be representing our class on the court.
 * This Tuesday evening is the DARE graduation. All students have submitted their essays and Seth was chosen as our class representative to share his piece. We look forward to the graduation and hearing the essays Tuesday night at 6pm. Please make sure your child has arrived by 5:45pm.
 * Since we have a short day on Friday, we will not have spelling this week. We will also be taking a break from Guided Reading as we go full speed ahead into our poetry unit. Each writing circle is responsible for teaching a traditional type of poety and a playful type of poetry. Some circles have opted to teach a third poem for extra credit.
 * Please look for an Animoto slide show later this week with some pictures from our Colonial Trades Wax Museum presentations.

Week of March 14

 * Happy International Pi Day!
 * Our last DARE class will take place this Tuesday. Students revised and finished up their DARE essays today. Officer Lenius will review all of the fifth grade DARE essays and select one student from each classroom to read their essay at the graduation ceremony next week. Make sure you have it marked on your calendar - DARE GRADUATION - TUESDAY, MARCH 22 at 6pm. REFRESHMENTS TO FOLLOW!
 * It seems that the stomach flu is making its way through our classroom. Please remind your child to WASH, WASH, WASH their hands!!
 * This week, students are presenting their Colonial Trade Reports to the class on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They have put a lot effort into the projects. I'm looking forward seeing all the great costumes and props the kids will bring in. Pictures to follow!

Week of March 7

 * WKCE results have arrived at Horizon School. You will see those come home in the coming weeks. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.
 * We only have two DARE classes left. DARE Graduation is scheduled for the evening of **Tuesday, March 22 at 6pm**. Please arrive by 5:45pm. Students wrote the rough draft of their DARE essay and will be finalizing it this week to hand in the final draft next Tuesday. Class time will be given to type the essay.
 * Writing circles are starting up this week with a focus on poetry. Each writing circle group will be responsible for teaching a type of poem to the rest of the class. Students will receive instructions on Tuesday.
 * This Friday marks the start our Colonial Trades Wax Museum Presentations. Students will need a prop and costume, in addition to the questions we are working on in school. The schedule is as follows:
 * Friday, March 11: Sammy, Brennan, Jack, Taylor, Riley, Noah
 * Monday, March 14: Jamie, Conner N., Celina, Jaeger, Olivia, Paula, Antonio, Hannah
 * Wednesday, March 16: Steele, Annika, Jacob, Jena, Connor V., Jackson, Michael
 * Thursday, March 17: Cade, Matthew W., Kathryn, Matthew M.,

Week of February 28

 * This week is conference week (as well as next Monday). I'm looking forward to seeing all parents. I will be sharing Progress Reports and MAPs testing results from Winter.
 * Students will be finishing up their research on Colonial Trades. The report is due Friday. Students will be creating questions that will help them share their information early next week and the actual Wax Musueum will be the week of March 14 and 21.
 * There have been several behavior problems in the cafeteria. Students will now be seated by table. They will also have the opportunity to earn behavior slips as a class which will count towards our classroom behavior reward. The Fifth Grade Discipline Policy does carry over to cafeteria behavior. Please remind your child that the same behavior is expected in the cafeteria as in the classroom. Thank you!
 * Last week, we began a guided reading unit with selected Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Students will be responsible for completing activities from a 2-5-8 menu. Please see Guided Reading page for a copy.

Week of February 14

 * Happy Valentine's Day! We celebrated the most recent reward with a "Red, White and Pink" party. Students also exchanged Valentine cards during this time. Thank you to everyone that brought them in and shared treats.
 * This Friday marks the due date for the book project on the self-selected Historical Fiction book. Details can be found on the Guided Reading page.
 * This Thursday is the bi-annual Invention Convention. Students are responsible for completing a project for science class.
 * We have begun Chapter 5 in math. We'll be discussing fractions, fractions, and more fractions!
 * Book orders and CONFERENCE SLIPS are due this Wednesday.

Week of February 7

 * Students received their math tests from Unit 3 today. Please look for test grades in assignment notebooks and sign to indicate you have seen it. Social studies test grades will come home later this week.
 * We reached our goal of 35 "Excellents" in specials and the class will be rewarded with a celebration on Monday, 2/14 in conjunction with Valentine's Day. Students are welcome to bring valentines for ALL students in the class. A reminder that we do have a peanut allergy in the class. Students may also bring a treat to share that is "red, white, or pink" - again, no peanuts!! I will send home a class roster with students later this week.
 * We have concluded our latest guided reading book. Students are reminded that the historical fiction novel is due for the book report on Monday, 2/14. Students will complete an in-class assignment to demonstrate they have read the book. The book project is due on Friday, 2/18. Some parent helpers will be coming in to hear from the students about their projects. Please see the guided reading page for details about the book project.
 * Book orders went home today. They are due on Wednesday, 2/16. The on-line link should be up and working again. Please check that out on the link to the right.

Week of January 31

 * As we begin this snowy week, please note a few assessments we have scheduled (snow day or not!). Today (Monday), students will be completing the final MAPs test in reading. On Thursday, students will be taking a math quiz. On Friday, we will have both a math test and a social studies test. For the social studies test, students may use their notecards and notes from the 3-minute pauses in class.
 * We will be finishing guided reading books this week and a short student-created quiz on the book will be given next week.
 * We have hit week 5 of DARE - our halfway point! Students seem to be enjoying Officier Lenius' stories and lessons.
 * Progress reports were sent home last week. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. As always, assignment, test, quiz, project, and participation grades can be found in Family Access.

Week of January 24

 * This week, students complete the winter portion of MAPs testing for Math on Monday. We will take the reading portion on Monday, 1/31 at 12:45.
 * Next week, we will be finishing both the math and social studies units. Students should be prepared for tests at the end of next week. In social studies, we have been making notecards as a study aid. This should help when preparing for the test.
 * Lots of sickness has been moving through our classroom. Please make sure your child is getting enough sleep at night and washing hands at appropriate times. Thanks for your diligence to keep up a healthy classroom!

Week of January 10

 * Now that we are back in the swing of things, class is running as usual. The students continue to read their self-selected Guided Reading books, choosing the amount they want to read from night to night as a group. We also continue to work on the 13 Colonies project with pods in Social Studies.
 * In addition to our normal spelling activities, students will also be taking the second Spelling Achievement test of the year. We hope to see growth from the start of the year.
 * I will also begin conferencing with students about their formal writing assessment from quarter 2, entitled KABOOM! Individual writing goals will be developed by all students in response to their performance on this assessment.

Week of January 3

 * Welcome back after a long and relaxing holiday break! We are excited to welcome a new student, Jena, to our class. The girls especially are excited to have another girl in the class.
 * DARE starts this week. It will take place every Tuesday from 2:15-3:15 until March. Each student will receive a t-shirt once the program gets rolling. Welcome, Officier Lenius!
 * We are continuing to communicate with our pen pals, anticipating another pen pal activity in May or June in Pewaukee.
 * Students have been introduced to two new projects: a book project and social studies project. The social studies project will be a group effort, but both an individual grade and group grade will be assigned. The majority of this project on the 13 colonies will be done in school. The end result will be a group wiki communicating the information learned by each student. Ask your child to show you the information on the Social Studies page for more details. The second project is an independent reading project. Students have been asked to select a historical fiction book by next Tuesday. The book must be read by Monday, February 14. Students will be responsible for completing an in-class assignment to demonstrate understanding of the book. Their actual project (a newspaper) will be due on Friday, February 17 and shared in literature circle format with parent helpers. Please check out the file on the Guided Reading page for more details on the project.

Week of December 20

 * With the holiday break a mere two days away, we're are finishing things up for 2010! While this week will be filled with somewhat fun events, we won't forget that we have school responsibilities!
 * On Monday, students celebrated earning a behavior reward with an electronics/game time. We worked with Mrs. Keefe's class to identify triangles and create symmetry. The end result was a beautiful giant snowflake! During the afternoon hours, we'll be visiting the computer lab to beginning the process of blogging. Last week, students posted book reviews to their last guided reading books and today, they will work on responding to others' reviews and then create another post with book suggestions for the next guided reading book. We'll also be watching Pocahontas and comparing the historical differences from the Disney movie to what we learned in social studies.
 * On Tuesday, students will be creating a Pictures of 2010 poster, highlighting events from their lives as well as world events to display in the hallway. We'll also be attending a holiday sing-along with the fifth grade classes as a preview to the entertainer who will be at Camp Whitcomb in June. During the afternoon, the upstairs classrooms will rotate holiday activities after Spanish.
 * I wish you and your families and relaxing and safe holiday break! See you in 2011!!

Week of December 13

 * A friendly reminder that Book in a Box projects are due THIS Friday, 12/17. Students may bring them in early.
 * We are wrapping up our Social Studies Unit on Early Exploration of North America﻿. Students will have a test on Friday.
 * This morning, we made gifts for our pen pals at the Milwaukee Renaissance Academy. If you child has not already brought in the donation for supplies, please send $1-2 this week to cover the cost of supplies.
 * Please check out the Spelling page for an update on weekly assignments and words for the weekly activities as all students will have an individualized list.
 * Progress reports will be coming home this week. Please keep your eyes out and consult Family Access for questions about assignments or contact me directly with other questions. Please remember this is progress reports and there is time for students to change their grades.
 * NEW 12.14.10: The students earned a behavior reward party! They voted on a Electronics reward. On Monday morning, students will be allowed to bring and use handheld game systems, mp3 players or iPods/iTouches. Please do not allow students to bring laptops or cell phones. If you have questions, please let me know!

Week of December 6

 * The middle of the quarter is quickly arriving! Progress reports will be sent home next week.
 * Book orders are due Tuesday, 12/7.
 * We are in the midst of finishing up our guided reading books. All books and Reading Round-Up packets must be finished by this Friday.
 * The Book in a Box project is due Friday, December 17. Students may turn them in early if they would like. *Please see the Guided Reading page for details about this activity.
 * I have added a new feature to the Spelling page. Please check out the Spelling City web site for activities related to our weekly words. It is specific to the units our class is working on.
 * Please check out the Photo Gallery for the latest Animoto, featuring our recent Pen Pal visit at the Milwaukee Renaissance Academy.
 * Winter weather is here! Please make sure your child is prepared with winter clothing, including jackets, snow pants and boots if they want to play in the snow at recess.
 * Only 2 full weeks of school until winter break. Let's make these last 12 days of school productive and successful ones!

Week of November 22

 * Thanksgiving is almost here, how timely! We have been studying early exploration of the Americas and Plymouth Plantation is next on our list. Ask your child about Roanoke Colony, the LOST COLONY! After our discussion in class about the lost colony, students were fascinated. There are several links on the social studies page if you are interested in checking it out too!
 * Because of our 2 day week, we will not be having a spelling list this week. We'll start up with Unit 9 next week.
 * We successfully finished Unit 2 in math last week and have begun Unit 3 which will cover fractions and decimals.
 * Next Wednesday, we will be visiting our penpals at the Milwaukee Renaissance Academy, part of the Milwaukee Public School system. Horizon students should bring a bag lunch for the day. Permission slips were due last Friday and there were a few that still have not been turned in. I need them before Thanksgiving break with the $4 bus fee. Thank you for your cooperation!
 * On Friday, we began our new guided reading books. Students were responsible for completing a few new activities in conjunction with each reading section. Just a reminder that the activities and reading must be complete BEFORE coming to class in the morning. We had a rough start to the week with timeliness in completing this particular activity.
 * Wishing you and your families a relaxing, turkey filled break!!

Week of November 8

 * We continue to work our way through the WKCE this week. Students will participate in the math sessions.
 * We will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair on Wednesday at 9:20 to purchase books. Students created wish lists after a visit on Monday afternoon.
 * Spelling is back on track this week with new activities for the students to participate in. They will be expected to hand in 4 self-selected spelling activities on Friday morning. The Friday list is posted on the Spelling page.
 * Friday is early release. We will also be attending the annual Veteran's Day program and get a visit from a Veteran in our classroom after the program.

Week of November 1

 * Welcome back after a long weekend! We will get into the full swing of WKCE testing tomorrow. Please see the schedule above for the final testing schedule.
 * We will be taking a hiatus from spelling again this week due to testing, but we'll be back on the Spelling track next Monday!
 * The Book Fair is next week. We have a preview time scheduled for Monday, 11/8 and a purchase time scheduled for Wednesday, 11/10.

Week of October 25

 * It is a short week!! Please remember students will be released at 11:35am on Wednesday. Teachers will spend the afternoon analyzing data from the MAPs assessment this fall.
 * Due to the short week, we will not have a spelling unit. Please check back next Monday for the word list.
 * Students were treated to a presentation by Ms. Lane, the Rock Guru, today in Mrs. Keefe's room (rescheduled from last week).
 * Please remember to send back the bottom half of the conference confirmation slip.
 * On Tuesday, we will attend the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Students will need a bag lunch and drink for when we return to school at 12:30. Students should also wear nice clothes and bring their best behavior!
 * Guided Reading Choice Menu activities are due on Tuesday. More student projects will be added to the Student Work link, please check out the hard work your 5th graders have been doing!
 * **WCKE TESTING IS COMING!** We will start WKCE testing next week. Please make sure your child has a good night's sleep and a good breakfast on our testing days. Also, please avoid scheduling any appointments or vacations during this time. Please see the schedule listed above.

Week of October 18

 * Students will be busy this week finishing up their group project for social studies (due next Monday) and Choice Menu for Guided Reading (due next Tuesday).
 * I still have not recieved all Progress Reports. Please sign and return them ASAP! Thank you!
 * Conference slips were sent home last week. Please fill out your preferred time and send them back by this Wednesday. Notices with selected times will be sent home by the end of the week. If none of the selected times work for you, please contact me.
 * We have a slight schedule change this week - students will have gym tomorrow from 11-11:30am instead of our regularly scheduled gym on Wednesday. At 12:15 on Wednesday, the students, along with Mrs. Keefe's class, will get a visit from Ms. Lane, PHS teacher, who will share her own rock collection. Ms. Lane also teaches a Pewaukee Kids Kollege class on rocks. It should be interesting!!
 * We will be concluding Chapter 1 in math this week. Our test will be on Thursday. Please look for a study guide to come home on Wednesday night. We will be reviewing tomorrow and Wednesday in class.
 * Check out the "Student Work" link in the navigation bar. We have a few student projects from the Guided Reading Choice Menu posted.

Week of October 11

 * This Wednesday, we will be going to Halquist Quarry and Ace's Rock Shop. We will leave at 9am and return around 1pm. We will be stopping at McDonald's for lunch, please send money with your child or a bag lunch.
 * Scholastic Book Orders are due this Wednesday also.
 * Progress Reports were sent home today (Monday). Please sign and return them. I will send them home permanently after I see the signature.

Week of October 3

 * On Wednesday, we will be going to Ye Olde School House in West Bend. We will leave school promptly at 8:45am and return by 2:30pm. Students should pack a lunch. Lemonade will be offered to drink. Students may bring electronics on the bus ride as long as headphones come along to reduce the noise.
 * I will be adding pages to the navigation bar for each subject in the coming weeks. Please check out the "Social Studies" link to find out about the activities in our current and upcoming units.
 * Progress reports will be sent home this week.
 * Your child will also be bringing home a permission slip for a grade level field trip to the Symphony on Tuesday, October 27. The fee is $8. Please send the form back as soon as possible.

Week of September 27

 * I have received a few emails from parents letting me know the "Today's Homework" link above is not working. I have created a homework page on this wiki. Please see the link to the right.
 * This Friday is an early release day. Students will be released at 11:35am. Teachers will be spending the afternoon working with the new math program.
 * We have some minor changes to our daily schedule beginning this week. It has been updated on the "Schedule and Upcoming Events" page. The major changes include switching our guided reading and social studies times and moving library check-out to Wednesdays and adding 15 minutes so we can participate in library mini-lessons on a weekly basis.
 * I have added a "Spelling" page on the navigation bar. You can find links to the weekly preview words and word test words after school on Mondays.
 * Teachers will be posting progress report grades by October 3. You can expect to see progress reports after next weekend. Remember, you can check Family Access to stay up to date on grades!

Week of September 20

 * We will finish up MAPs testing this week with language arts on Wednesday afternoon from 1:45-3:15.
 * I am still in need of 1 more parent chaperone for the field trip for Halquist Quarry and the Rock Shop. If you can make it, please call, email or send a note.
 * The students 3 footprints away from earning a class reward for positive behavior in specials, on the playground and our own class. Wow!!

Week of September 13
MAPs testing begins this week. Monday, 9/13, students will take the math portion at 12:45 on Monday. The reading portion will be given on Wednesday, 9/15 at 1:45. The language usage portion will be given on Wednesday, 9/22 at 1:45. Please try not to schedule appointments during these times. Thanks for your consideration!

This Thursday is Back to School Night. Please visit our classroom from 6-6:30pm. There will be an information session regarding the Fifth Grade Math and Literacy Initiatives for the year from 6:30-7pm.