April 13, 2020
I hope all of the kids had a great Spring Break. I definitely enjoyed being able to concentrate on things around the house!!! With that said, we are jumping back into virtual learning tomorrow. There are some changes that are starting tomorrow.
A letter from our Fifth Grade Team…
Dear Parents,
Per our administration and District guidelines moving forward, please review the following change to the structure of 5th grade online learning for the remaining of the school year. All learning will be directed to our 5th Grade Weebly Blog. You can access the 5th grade blog from the Dowell homepage! The tabs are split up into weeks now. Please click on the tab that has the current week.
Thank you for your continued support of our awesome fifth grades as we journey these challenging times together! If you have any questions, please contact your teacher!
Monday Wednesday: Math and science
Tuesday and Thursday: Reading and SS
Friday: Independent Review (Catch up)
Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team
This is what the district would like us to do. In conjunction with that, we need to implement the following…
A letter from our Fifth Grade Team…
Dear Parents,
Per our administration and District guidelines moving forward, please review the following change to the structure of 5th grade online learning for the remaining of the school year. All learning will be directed to our 5th Grade Weebly Blog. You can access the 5th grade blog from the Dowell homepage! The tabs are split up into weeks now. Please click on the tab that has the current week.
Thank you for your continued support of our awesome fifth grades as we journey these challenging times together! If you have any questions, please contact your teacher!
Monday Wednesday: Math and science
Tuesday and Thursday: Reading and SS
Friday: Independent Review (Catch up)
Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team
This is what the district would like us to do. In conjunction with that, we need to implement the following…
- We will keep track of assignments turned in throughout the week. Some assignments will require a code that can be found on MY blog.
- We will take 1-2 grades for each subject, each week.
- Grades will be entered into Synergy, but only the grades that can help a student’s grade from the previous quarter (3rd) We are still waiting on more clarification for this, so please be patient for us to enter in grades.
- I will be offering a small group session or more during the week. These will be mainly math, unless other people are having major issues with other subjects. I will email out the time, day and link ahead of time. I’m looking at Tuesday mornings right now- we will see how this goes.
- Classroom Meetings will be every Monday and Wednesday at 11am in TEAMS. Please plan on being there. Recess will be immediately afterward for 30 minutes on Wednesdays. See tomorrow’s link below.
- THIS Wednesday at 6pm will be a Q&A parent session. We should know more information by then.
- We are not sure of the end date for school yet, but I plan on doing something special with the kids myself, though it might have to be virtually. If you hear of any ideas, please forward them to me!!!!
April 2, 2020
I know we talked about the news from Governor Kemp for schools to remained closed for the remainder of the school year. Personally, I am devastated that I won’t be able to see my 5th grade students, and that they won’t be able to have closure for this very important year. I am still waiting to hear from my administration and the district regarding how we will handle the end of the year grades, report cards, returning library books, etc….. The 5th grade team is still planning on meeting tomorrow morning for additional collaboration. I will be in touch again tomorrow…and even through Spring Break with any information that I need to share.
A few additional notes….
A few additional notes….
- We still have all of Quarter 4 standards to review/teach digitally- School is not over, it’s just being delivered differently!! I have noticed a decline in the work being submitted this week…..
- Enjoy Spring Break…..have your children take a break from technology this coming week!!
- Breathe deeply…….enjoy your family!
- If you have needs over Spring Break, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
- No classroom meetings over Spring Break- We will resume the Monday we return, and I will send a link the Sunday before-
- Have a beautiful Thursday….and I’ll be in touch.
- Please remember to check my blog too! I’ve already posted 2 math help videos under the “Math” section
READ 180 students!!
This just in!! I just got word from Mrs. Brackett that the READ180 app will now be available 24/7. Yes, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! So go check it out!
March 20, 2020
Dear Parents & Guardians, **HAPPY FRIDAY**
If I haven’t said it enough, I want to thank you so much for your support during Digital Learning! It literally could not happen if it weren’t for you! I see how important your child’s education is to you, and I know that you are trying your best to make it all work! I appreciate you with all my heart!
I know that you all know that digital learning is very different than the learning that takes place in my classroom. I am not there to answer questions instantly or intervene when I see a student struggling. While digital learning is not a substitute for the learning that takes place in the classroom, it is important to keep your child working on their school assignments. If they are struggling, please reach out and let me know!
Be sure to take a break over the weekend!! Rest, relax and recover some!! I’ll be back online Monday to offer support and add on some assignments. Ms. Droms, Ms. Michaels and Ms. Bower & I are meeting to work on additional plans.
Report Cards are available via ParentVue at noon today.
Check out Dowell PTA, as we are running announcements on Instagram. Check it out on dowellelementary. The announcements are also running on FaceBook on Dowell Elementary PTA page. Give them a ‘Like’….and follow them!!
If I haven’t said it enough, I want to thank you so much for your support during Digital Learning! It literally could not happen if it weren’t for you! I see how important your child’s education is to you, and I know that you are trying your best to make it all work! I appreciate you with all my heart!
I know that you all know that digital learning is very different than the learning that takes place in my classroom. I am not there to answer questions instantly or intervene when I see a student struggling. While digital learning is not a substitute for the learning that takes place in the classroom, it is important to keep your child working on their school assignments. If they are struggling, please reach out and let me know!
Be sure to take a break over the weekend!! Rest, relax and recover some!! I’ll be back online Monday to offer support and add on some assignments. Ms. Droms, Ms. Michaels and Ms. Bower & I are meeting to work on additional plans.
Report Cards are available via ParentVue at noon today.
Check out Dowell PTA, as we are running announcements on Instagram. Check it out on dowellelementary. The announcements are also running on FaceBook on Dowell Elementary PTA page. Give them a ‘Like’….and follow them!!
March 16, 2020- Distance Learning
Hello everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe through this crazy time. Please know I will do my very best to help each and every child during this time of distance learning. If you need me, please contact me via email. I'm checking it several times a day, and have turned on my notifications. ;)
Please make sure to look at the 5th grade Weebly blog (link on the Dowell Webpage) to get daily activities for math, reading, science and social studies. I will be posting extra activities throughout the week on MY Weebly Blog under a "MORE" tab. These activities are just "EXTRA" things to do. I am not doing anything with OneNote right now, but will let you know if things change. Thank you!
I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe through this crazy time. Please know I will do my very best to help each and every child during this time of distance learning. If you need me, please contact me via email. I'm checking it several times a day, and have turned on my notifications. ;)
Please make sure to look at the 5th grade Weebly blog (link on the Dowell Webpage) to get daily activities for math, reading, science and social studies. I will be posting extra activities throughout the week on MY Weebly Blog under a "MORE" tab. These activities are just "EXTRA" things to do. I am not doing anything with OneNote right now, but will let you know if things change. Thank you!
October 24, 2019
A couple of reminders…
Important Dates:
October 31st- Book Character Parade (see flyer)
300 minute reading celebration
November 5th- NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Day)
November 13th- Spelling Bee (8am)
November 19th- Atlanta Symphony Field Trip (Dress up)
November 25-29th- Thanksgiving Break
Academics:
Math- Add and Subtract Fractions with unlike denominators
Writing- Opinion Writing
Science- Plant Classification/ Test on Friday (11/1)
Social Studies- End of WWI/ Open notes test on Wed (10/30)
Reading- We only have 2 days because of extra events going on during the week, so READ 180 will just do Read 180 curriculum and the other ½ will work on their Bud, Not Buddy book.
- Don’t forget to have your child read AND practice multiplication facts EVERY night!! 😊
- Look at the agenda every night to see what homework they have for the week. Sometimes it changes and they will be writing upcoming tests in there. It MUST be signed every Thursday.
- Grades for the 2nd quarter, through today, will be in by Sunday night in ParentVUE
- Please make sure to encourage/sit down with your child to reread their friendly letters, SODs, and PODs at lease two times to look for errors, such as run-on sentences, capitalization, punctuation, and SPELLING.
Important Dates:
October 31st- Book Character Parade (see flyer)
300 minute reading celebration
November 5th- NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Day)
November 13th- Spelling Bee (8am)
November 19th- Atlanta Symphony Field Trip (Dress up)
November 25-29th- Thanksgiving Break
Academics:
Math- Add and Subtract Fractions with unlike denominators
Writing- Opinion Writing
Science- Plant Classification/ Test on Friday (11/1)
Social Studies- End of WWI/ Open notes test on Wed (10/30)
Reading- We only have 2 days because of extra events going on during the week, so READ 180 will just do Read 180 curriculum and the other ½ will work on their Bud, Not Buddy book.
October 17, 2019
I hope you have had a wonderful week so far!! I have really enjoyed getting to meet everyone this week during conferences. I think we are off to a good start and will see some really great growth in students this next quarter.
Here are just a few reminders…
Next week is Red Ribbon Week. Please look at the red paper that is stapled in their agenda. It says what they should wear each day to support Red Ribbon Week!! Monday is “Wear Red”
Continue to send in Box Tops or go on the Box Top Website and login Box Tops that way as well!
October 30th- Last day to login minutes (in Biblionasium) for a 300 minute reading challenge!! The challenge just started yesterday. They must read a total of 300 minutes through October 30th, and have it logged in to Biblionasium. They can do this at home or they have a chance each day to read in class as well. If they read 300 minutes by the end of the 30th, they will be able to participate in a fun afternoon on the 31st. 😊
PLEASE don’t forget to sign the agenda EVERY Thursday evening! This lets me know that you have seen what homefun we have been working on all week.
Academics:
Math- We will finish working with decimals next week concentrating on dividing decimals.
Reading- We will continue and finish working on Figurative Language.
Social Studies- WWI will be our focus. What caused the Great War, what main events took place and how did the war end??
Science- Animal Classification will be the name of the game all week. We will be learning all about the different animal groups within vertebrates and examples of invertebrates as well.
Writing- It’s time to give our opinion!! Well, within an Opinion paper!
Have a wonderful weekend!
😊 Mrs. Baltes
Here are just a few reminders…
Next week is Red Ribbon Week. Please look at the red paper that is stapled in their agenda. It says what they should wear each day to support Red Ribbon Week!! Monday is “Wear Red”
Continue to send in Box Tops or go on the Box Top Website and login Box Tops that way as well!
October 30th- Last day to login minutes (in Biblionasium) for a 300 minute reading challenge!! The challenge just started yesterday. They must read a total of 300 minutes through October 30th, and have it logged in to Biblionasium. They can do this at home or they have a chance each day to read in class as well. If they read 300 minutes by the end of the 30th, they will be able to participate in a fun afternoon on the 31st. 😊
PLEASE don’t forget to sign the agenda EVERY Thursday evening! This lets me know that you have seen what homefun we have been working on all week.
Academics:
Math- We will finish working with decimals next week concentrating on dividing decimals.
Reading- We will continue and finish working on Figurative Language.
Social Studies- WWI will be our focus. What caused the Great War, what main events took place and how did the war end??
Science- Animal Classification will be the name of the game all week. We will be learning all about the different animal groups within vertebrates and examples of invertebrates as well.
Writing- It’s time to give our opinion!! Well, within an Opinion paper!
Have a wonderful weekend!
😊 Mrs. Baltes
September 20, 2019
I wanted to let you know that I will be starting Math PODs next week. They are similar to SODs but have to do with math and are a bit more extensive. They will be due every Friday. I'm attaching all of the documents that the kids will be getting next Monday. There is an example, explanation, unravel strategy, and a rubric to help students be successful. Basically, a Math POD will help them to dissect a word problem (using a current standard-usually a review of the previous week) and do a few things- solve, model, write and create a new problem. There will also be a vocabulary almost every time. Students need to find the mathematical definition for this word. All of this is designed to help them further understand the standards and be able to write in math. The Milestones EOG (end of grade) assessment has several writing components. This should prepare them!
As for academics...
Math- Comparing and rounding decimals
Reading- Summarizing informational text and using text based evidence
Language Arts- Digging in the Dictionary
Writing- Opinion Writing
Science- Working on a STEAM project
Social Studies- Spanish American War, Panama Canal, and Immigration
Important Events...
October 4th- Mercedes Benz Field Trip (Please send back permission slip if you haven't already!)
October 10th- Early Release Day (Dismissal starts at 12:30pm)
October 14-18th- Conference Week (More info to come soon)
Book Fair
October 21-25th- Red Ribbon Week
I wanted to let you know that I will be starting Math PODs next week. They are similar to SODs but have to do with math and are a bit more extensive. They will be due every Friday. I'm attaching all of the documents that the kids will be getting next Monday. There is an example, explanation, unravel strategy, and a rubric to help students be successful. Basically, a Math POD will help them to dissect a word problem (using a current standard-usually a review of the previous week) and do a few things- solve, model, write and create a new problem. There will also be a vocabulary almost every time. Students need to find the mathematical definition for this word. All of this is designed to help them further understand the standards and be able to write in math. The Milestones EOG (end of grade) assessment has several writing components. This should prepare them!
As for academics...
Math- Comparing and rounding decimals
Reading- Summarizing informational text and using text based evidence
Language Arts- Digging in the Dictionary
Writing- Opinion Writing
Science- Working on a STEAM project
Social Studies- Spanish American War, Panama Canal, and Immigration
Important Events...
October 4th- Mercedes Benz Field Trip (Please send back permission slip if you haven't already!)
October 10th- Early Release Day (Dismissal starts at 12:30pm)
October 14-18th- Conference Week (More info to come soon)
Book Fair
October 21-25th- Red Ribbon Week
-------------------------NEW YEAR 2019-2020-----------------------
March 15, 2019
Good afternoon everyone!
I cannot believe we are halfway through March!! Our school load is increasing and there will be all kinds of events coming up, so buckle up. J
Here are some important reminders for events and academic happenings in the classroom…
Academics
Math: We are officially in Milestones Review mode. Mrs. Baltes has taught all of the math standards and is reviewing each day until the Math Milestones tests in the middle of April. Please use the math journal as a guide to help with how to solve these review problems. We have been reviewing customary and metric measurement in word problems all week. We will be taking a test on this tomorrow. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have your child practice their multiplication facts!!! Mrs. Baltes is seeing ALL kinds of multiplication errors. A majority of the Milestones test will have some kind of multiplying in it.
Social Studies: Students are getting double exposure to the Civil Rights Movement in Mrs. Baltes and Mrs. Michaels class. Please be aware that there will be a Civil Rights project due to Mrs. Baltes class Tuesday, March 26th. Details will be given out next Monday.
Science: We are finishing up Physical and Chemical Changes in Science. Please have your child know the difference between the two and some examples. Remember that a physical change is when something changes form but does not change what it is, like cutting paper. A chemical change is when a change happens and it changes into a new substance or a chemical reaction happens, like burning bread.
Reading/LA: We are in full blown review mode!!!! PLEASE have your child reading a minimum of 20-30 minutes every night…..AND over Spring Break. We are working on a Test-Prep folder….this folder will contain test prep passages that we have reviewed in class. It will also contain test prep strategies, test taking ideas and tips, online resources, and other reading materials to take home over Spring Break.
PLEASE have your child start reviewing their journals nightly, as well.
Writing: We are still working on our explanatory writing piece as well as incorporating test prep writing into our day. We are working on text dependent responses to literature using text based evidence terms, quoting accurately by citing specific text, and applying our grammar standards.
Thursday Folders went home today with important information from school and our classroom. In addition, a very important letter went home today that says: ‘Mark Your Calendar’ with very important dates for fifth grade. Please look over this and let us know if you have any questions.
Important Events
March 21st: Multicultural Night (5:30pm)
March 22nd: Report Cards go home
March 27th: Smitha Field Trip
March 28th: Lovinggood Parent Night (6pm)
April 1st-5th: SPRING BREAK!!! (No School)
I cannot believe we are halfway through March!! Our school load is increasing and there will be all kinds of events coming up, so buckle up. J
Here are some important reminders for events and academic happenings in the classroom…
Academics
Math: We are officially in Milestones Review mode. Mrs. Baltes has taught all of the math standards and is reviewing each day until the Math Milestones tests in the middle of April. Please use the math journal as a guide to help with how to solve these review problems. We have been reviewing customary and metric measurement in word problems all week. We will be taking a test on this tomorrow. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have your child practice their multiplication facts!!! Mrs. Baltes is seeing ALL kinds of multiplication errors. A majority of the Milestones test will have some kind of multiplying in it.
Social Studies: Students are getting double exposure to the Civil Rights Movement in Mrs. Baltes and Mrs. Michaels class. Please be aware that there will be a Civil Rights project due to Mrs. Baltes class Tuesday, March 26th. Details will be given out next Monday.
Science: We are finishing up Physical and Chemical Changes in Science. Please have your child know the difference between the two and some examples. Remember that a physical change is when something changes form but does not change what it is, like cutting paper. A chemical change is when a change happens and it changes into a new substance or a chemical reaction happens, like burning bread.
Reading/LA: We are in full blown review mode!!!! PLEASE have your child reading a minimum of 20-30 minutes every night…..AND over Spring Break. We are working on a Test-Prep folder….this folder will contain test prep passages that we have reviewed in class. It will also contain test prep strategies, test taking ideas and tips, online resources, and other reading materials to take home over Spring Break.
PLEASE have your child start reviewing their journals nightly, as well.
Writing: We are still working on our explanatory writing piece as well as incorporating test prep writing into our day. We are working on text dependent responses to literature using text based evidence terms, quoting accurately by citing specific text, and applying our grammar standards.
Thursday Folders went home today with important information from school and our classroom. In addition, a very important letter went home today that says: ‘Mark Your Calendar’ with very important dates for fifth grade. Please look over this and let us know if you have any questions.
Important Events
March 21st: Multicultural Night (5:30pm)
March 22nd: Report Cards go home
March 27th: Smitha Field Trip
March 28th: Lovinggood Parent Night (6pm)
April 1st-5th: SPRING BREAK!!! (No School)
February 14, 2019
Hello everyone! February 14, 2019
It’s another week down and another week closer to the Milestones. Thank goodness we get a week off next week. J Here are a few happenings in the classroom…
Box Tops: We are STILL in need of Box Tops!!! We have not received any and they are due tomorrow!
Soldier box: We have sponsored a soldier to help overseas. I sent home a letter last week about what kinds of things we can include. If you are sending stuff in, please do it tomorrow as we have to mail it out. J
February Break: Enjoy a wonderful week off of school next week. No school!!! Yay!
Field Trip: As of right now, we do not have enough money to go on our Alabama field trip. Money is due no later than March 1. Please let us know if your child does not plan on attending.
Academics:
Math- Did you know that volume is the amount of space an object takes up? We are learning all about volume in class!! We have filled containers with cubes, found the volume using 2 different formulas, and have even found additive volume in composite figures. When we get back from break, we will review all of these volume concepts and apply these to real life problems.
Social Studies- Brrrrr!!! It’s cold in here! That’s because we are studying the Cold War!! BUT, it’s not that kind of cold. We are discussing all of the main events that took place during the Cold War when the United States and the Soviet Union were fighting over the spread of communism. We will continue this unit after we get back from break.
Science- What’s the Matter? Well, matter is anything that takes up space! We are learning all about the properties of matter and how it changes physically and chemically. This unit should last for the next few weeks.
It’s another week down and another week closer to the Milestones. Thank goodness we get a week off next week. J Here are a few happenings in the classroom…
Box Tops: We are STILL in need of Box Tops!!! We have not received any and they are due tomorrow!
Soldier box: We have sponsored a soldier to help overseas. I sent home a letter last week about what kinds of things we can include. If you are sending stuff in, please do it tomorrow as we have to mail it out. J
February Break: Enjoy a wonderful week off of school next week. No school!!! Yay!
Field Trip: As of right now, we do not have enough money to go on our Alabama field trip. Money is due no later than March 1. Please let us know if your child does not plan on attending.
Academics:
Math- Did you know that volume is the amount of space an object takes up? We are learning all about volume in class!! We have filled containers with cubes, found the volume using 2 different formulas, and have even found additive volume in composite figures. When we get back from break, we will review all of these volume concepts and apply these to real life problems.
Social Studies- Brrrrr!!! It’s cold in here! That’s because we are studying the Cold War!! BUT, it’s not that kind of cold. We are discussing all of the main events that took place during the Cold War when the United States and the Soviet Union were fighting over the spread of communism. We will continue this unit after we get back from break.
Science- What’s the Matter? Well, matter is anything that takes up space! We are learning all about the properties of matter and how it changes physically and chemically. This unit should last for the next few weeks.
December 13, 2018
Hello everyone! Can you believe we are already halfway through December?!! This year has flown by so fast. And you know what that means? We are just about halfway through the school year! So here are some important things you need to know in our academic world and other important classroom business…
ACADEMICS
Math: We have finished up our fraction unit!! By now, students should know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. If they are still having trouble, please look on my blog for videos and extra information. Learnzillion and Khan Academy are great websites to use as resources as well.
Science: The Microorganism Comic Book is due next Tuesday, December 18th. I gave them 2 weeks to work on this. This will be taken as 2 grades. Here are some important things to remember when completing this project…
1. It must be colored with crayons or colored pencils. No markers please. They bleed through the paper.
2. It must be BLANK pages (not lined paper). 2 pages folded in half and stapled.
3. The microorganisms must be a HELPFUL one and a HARMFUL one- the names are just slightly changed to be funny. The story must be slightly related to how the microorganism is helpful or harmful. For example, Salmonella makes you sick. Therefore, the name could be something like Sal and he is a villain who is going around making people sick somehow.
4. It must have writing in it. For example, a sentence or two at the top of each page that is like the narrator with speech bubbles for the characters.
Social Studies: Whew!! We are so glad the Great Depression is coming to an end!!!! We have officially finished the unit on the Roaring 20’s, Great Depression and the 1930’s. Students received a study guide on Tuesday. It is due TOMORROW! I will give them the answers tomorrow to make sure they have the right information to study. We will do a review game on Monday, then the test will be Tuesday, December 18th. It’s a BIG ONE!!!
Reading and Writing:
We will continue to merge our reading and writing standards together to complete our research on animals. The kids are doing a great job and having a great time with it. Research needs to be complete by this Friday, because we will start writing our paper on Monday. Please see below the standards we are working on.
Writing Standards
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.7
Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Reading Informational Standards
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7
Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9
Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
Grammar:
We are working on application of our previously learned standards. We will start a new standard on Monday!
IMPORTANT THINGS
Supplies- Please make sure to send in students with all of their supplies. We have had SEVERAL students come in without pencils or paper. Another item that is still needed is glue sticks. You should be able to purchase all of these items at the Dollar Store. We have used up almost ALL of the reserves we received at the beginning of the year.
Holiday Party- Our holiday party is coming up next Thursday, December 20th. If you are willing to send in the donation from the Holiday Party letter, please don’t forget to send it in next week. If it is food from the bakery, please don’t send it in until next Wednesday.
IMPORTANT DATES
December:
18th- Roaring 20’s/Great Depression/1930’s Test
Miccroorganism Comic Book Due
19th- Jingle Jog
20th- Holiday party in classrooms (Students only)- Please send in donated items
Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)
21st- Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)
ACADEMICS
Math: We have finished up our fraction unit!! By now, students should know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. If they are still having trouble, please look on my blog for videos and extra information. Learnzillion and Khan Academy are great websites to use as resources as well.
Science: The Microorganism Comic Book is due next Tuesday, December 18th. I gave them 2 weeks to work on this. This will be taken as 2 grades. Here are some important things to remember when completing this project…
1. It must be colored with crayons or colored pencils. No markers please. They bleed through the paper.
2. It must be BLANK pages (not lined paper). 2 pages folded in half and stapled.
3. The microorganisms must be a HELPFUL one and a HARMFUL one- the names are just slightly changed to be funny. The story must be slightly related to how the microorganism is helpful or harmful. For example, Salmonella makes you sick. Therefore, the name could be something like Sal and he is a villain who is going around making people sick somehow.
4. It must have writing in it. For example, a sentence or two at the top of each page that is like the narrator with speech bubbles for the characters.
Social Studies: Whew!! We are so glad the Great Depression is coming to an end!!!! We have officially finished the unit on the Roaring 20’s, Great Depression and the 1930’s. Students received a study guide on Tuesday. It is due TOMORROW! I will give them the answers tomorrow to make sure they have the right information to study. We will do a review game on Monday, then the test will be Tuesday, December 18th. It’s a BIG ONE!!!
Reading and Writing:
We will continue to merge our reading and writing standards together to complete our research on animals. The kids are doing a great job and having a great time with it. Research needs to be complete by this Friday, because we will start writing our paper on Monday. Please see below the standards we are working on.
Writing Standards
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.7
Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Reading Informational Standards
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7
Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9
Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
Grammar:
We are working on application of our previously learned standards. We will start a new standard on Monday!
IMPORTANT THINGS
Supplies- Please make sure to send in students with all of their supplies. We have had SEVERAL students come in without pencils or paper. Another item that is still needed is glue sticks. You should be able to purchase all of these items at the Dollar Store. We have used up almost ALL of the reserves we received at the beginning of the year.
Holiday Party- Our holiday party is coming up next Thursday, December 20th. If you are willing to send in the donation from the Holiday Party letter, please don’t forget to send it in next week. If it is food from the bakery, please don’t send it in until next Wednesday.
IMPORTANT DATES
December:
18th- Roaring 20’s/Great Depression/1930’s Test
Miccroorganism Comic Book Due
19th- Jingle Jog
20th- Holiday party in classrooms (Students only)- Please send in donated items
Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)
21st- Early Release Day (Dismissal at 12:30pm)
December 6, 2018
Reading/Language Arts:
This week we have started on a new Informational standard of Evaluating Reasons. We are diving deeply into our passages identifying the main claims, determining reasons, and then finding text evidence to prove the claims. This is a very high order standard and it’s been hard for the kids to grasp this standard. We will continue this standard for the rest of the week. This is a difficult standard. I’m proud of the kids for working as hard as they are!! Next week, we are moving into the standard listed below:
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7
Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
We will jump into a mini-research paper that will be due prior to the Holiday Break beginning! This will be a lot of fun, and the kids will enjoy it!
Grammar:
We learned about the different verb tenses; past, present, and future tense. We applied our knowledge using a skill sheet with extensive vocabulary, where the students had to also apply their knowledge of context clues, and other reading strategies.
Writing:
We have finished our Thanksgiving Thankful Essays, and are going back to our Opinion Essays. We are almost through with them……and it’s my hope that we will finish and publish our Opinion essays by next Friday!
Math:
We are almost done with fractions!! We are finishing up dividing fractions next week, by dividing a fraction by a whole. Please note that students are JUST learning about dividing with fractions so they MUST do it with models, NOT the algorithm. Please continue to look at their math journals for examples.
Science:
We have just finished our unit on Microorganisms. They have a project that is due on Tuesday, December 18th. It is a comic book with a superhero (helpful microorganism) and a villain (harmful microorganism). These must be based off of real microorganisms. The comic book must be on plain paper (booklet form) and colored in.
Social Studies:
The students learned first hand what the Great Depression felt like, by losing all of their money out of their checkbooks last week. We are continuing through the Great Depression by learning the causes, factors and how we were able to get out of it through the New Deal by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
· Its COLD outside!!!!! Please send your child to school appropriately dressed to go outside for recess and to endure the elements!! If your child needs a winter coat, please let me know this week and I will let our wonderful counselor know!
· Please know that Holiday party information came home this Monday….please return as soon as you can, so I can continue to plan the festivities for our awesome kids!!
· There is a very important informational sheet being sent home in your child’s Thursday folder regarding the end of the year field trip and other awesome things we have planned for our fifth graders. This is very important that you read it, and return asap. Thank you so much for the continued support of your fifth grade student!
· Reading Logs are due December 19th. They will count for two reading grades. It is super important that your child read nightly for 20-30 minutes. Reading logs went home Wednesday night to be signed stating if your child is on track or not.
This week we have started on a new Informational standard of Evaluating Reasons. We are diving deeply into our passages identifying the main claims, determining reasons, and then finding text evidence to prove the claims. This is a very high order standard and it’s been hard for the kids to grasp this standard. We will continue this standard for the rest of the week. This is a difficult standard. I’m proud of the kids for working as hard as they are!! Next week, we are moving into the standard listed below:
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7
Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
We will jump into a mini-research paper that will be due prior to the Holiday Break beginning! This will be a lot of fun, and the kids will enjoy it!
Grammar:
We learned about the different verb tenses; past, present, and future tense. We applied our knowledge using a skill sheet with extensive vocabulary, where the students had to also apply their knowledge of context clues, and other reading strategies.
Writing:
We have finished our Thanksgiving Thankful Essays, and are going back to our Opinion Essays. We are almost through with them……and it’s my hope that we will finish and publish our Opinion essays by next Friday!
Math:
We are almost done with fractions!! We are finishing up dividing fractions next week, by dividing a fraction by a whole. Please note that students are JUST learning about dividing with fractions so they MUST do it with models, NOT the algorithm. Please continue to look at their math journals for examples.
Science:
We have just finished our unit on Microorganisms. They have a project that is due on Tuesday, December 18th. It is a comic book with a superhero (helpful microorganism) and a villain (harmful microorganism). These must be based off of real microorganisms. The comic book must be on plain paper (booklet form) and colored in.
Social Studies:
The students learned first hand what the Great Depression felt like, by losing all of their money out of their checkbooks last week. We are continuing through the Great Depression by learning the causes, factors and how we were able to get out of it through the New Deal by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
· Its COLD outside!!!!! Please send your child to school appropriately dressed to go outside for recess and to endure the elements!! If your child needs a winter coat, please let me know this week and I will let our wonderful counselor know!
· Please know that Holiday party information came home this Monday….please return as soon as you can, so I can continue to plan the festivities for our awesome kids!!
· There is a very important informational sheet being sent home in your child’s Thursday folder regarding the end of the year field trip and other awesome things we have planned for our fifth graders. This is very important that you read it, and return asap. Thank you so much for the continued support of your fifth grade student!
· Reading Logs are due December 19th. They will count for two reading grades. It is super important that your child read nightly for 20-30 minutes. Reading logs went home Wednesday night to be signed stating if your child is on track or not.
November 15, 2018
Gobble, Gobble!!! Can you believe it’s almost Thanksgiving break?????? Here is what your awesome child has been learning and what we will be doing after break!!
Reading/Eng./L.A.: Reviewing standards of summarizing, theme, and grammar standards…. We started the week watching a short a video of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’, then we transitioned to reading a Readers Theater of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’! The kids had a reading part if they wanted it, and we ‘preformed’ in the classroom!! The kids love readers theater! So much fun! We also have watched, ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving’ and reviewed theme as well as summarizing.
We also are continuing to work on our informational text as we dive into The First Thanksgiving Meal reading passage. We are working in small collaborating groups to aquire vocabulary, word meaning, and comprehension. We continue to work on answering text dependent questions using text based evidence terms, and using our reading strategies!!!! Whew!!!! We are busy!
Writing: We continue to work on our opinion essay and our contest themed essay: I Am Thankful For…We will continue to split our time within each genre.
Grammar: We are working on applying the knowledge of our previous lessons and reviewing them in our readers theater: Conjunctions, prepositions, interjections, and figurative language!
When we return from break, we will dive into an author’s study (for reading) with the wonderful Patricia Polacco. Students will be assigned a book written by Patricia Polacco, and will work through a series of comprehension questions, text dependent questions, vocabulary acquisition, and more! Each ‘packet’ will count for 2 reading grades and will take two weeks to complete. Your child will be working in a small reading group with about 5 other students.
Read-n-Quiz logs went home last week and they were to be signed and reviewed by you!! I conferenced with each student to see his or her progress, or what they needed to work on. Your child has the remaining of the nine weeks to complete 18 books. Please have your child reading every night for at least 20-30 minutes!
Math: We are continuing with multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers after break. Please continue to review this concept, as it is BIG on the Milestones.
Social Studies: We were working on important people of the 1920’s (Roaring 20’s), which included Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Henry Ford, Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh. Ask your child why they were important during this time. After break, we will be learning some exciting stuff. It’s a surprise!
Science: We have started our unit on microorganisms. We have started looking at harmful mirobes such as Salmonella, E. Coli, Strep throat and even bronchitis! We will continue this unit and include how some microbes are helpful as well!
PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE STAPLED IN YOUR CHILD’S AGENDA TOMORROW!! PLEASE SIGN IT AND RETURN AFTER BREAK IS OVER!!!
I hope you have a wonderful break! Stay safe and warm…..and eat lots of turkey!!!
Reading/Eng./L.A.: Reviewing standards of summarizing, theme, and grammar standards…. We started the week watching a short a video of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’, then we transitioned to reading a Readers Theater of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’! The kids had a reading part if they wanted it, and we ‘preformed’ in the classroom!! The kids love readers theater! So much fun! We also have watched, ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving’ and reviewed theme as well as summarizing.
We also are continuing to work on our informational text as we dive into The First Thanksgiving Meal reading passage. We are working in small collaborating groups to aquire vocabulary, word meaning, and comprehension. We continue to work on answering text dependent questions using text based evidence terms, and using our reading strategies!!!! Whew!!!! We are busy!
Writing: We continue to work on our opinion essay and our contest themed essay: I Am Thankful For…We will continue to split our time within each genre.
Grammar: We are working on applying the knowledge of our previous lessons and reviewing them in our readers theater: Conjunctions, prepositions, interjections, and figurative language!
When we return from break, we will dive into an author’s study (for reading) with the wonderful Patricia Polacco. Students will be assigned a book written by Patricia Polacco, and will work through a series of comprehension questions, text dependent questions, vocabulary acquisition, and more! Each ‘packet’ will count for 2 reading grades and will take two weeks to complete. Your child will be working in a small reading group with about 5 other students.
Read-n-Quiz logs went home last week and they were to be signed and reviewed by you!! I conferenced with each student to see his or her progress, or what they needed to work on. Your child has the remaining of the nine weeks to complete 18 books. Please have your child reading every night for at least 20-30 minutes!
Math: We are continuing with multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers after break. Please continue to review this concept, as it is BIG on the Milestones.
Social Studies: We were working on important people of the 1920’s (Roaring 20’s), which included Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Henry Ford, Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh. Ask your child why they were important during this time. After break, we will be learning some exciting stuff. It’s a surprise!
Science: We have started our unit on microorganisms. We have started looking at harmful mirobes such as Salmonella, E. Coli, Strep throat and even bronchitis! We will continue this unit and include how some microbes are helpful as well!
PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE STAPLED IN YOUR CHILD’S AGENDA TOMORROW!! PLEASE SIGN IT AND RETURN AFTER BREAK IS OVER!!!
I hope you have a wonderful break! Stay safe and warm…..and eat lots of turkey!!!
Red Ribbon Week
MONDAY- Wear red
TUESDAY- Put a cap on drugs (Wear a hat)
WEDNESDAY- Lei off drugs (Wear a lei or dress Hawaiian)
THURSDAY- Wear your future career
TUESDAY- Put a cap on drugs (Wear a hat)
WEDNESDAY- Lei off drugs (Wear a lei or dress Hawaiian)
THURSDAY- Wear your future career
October 19, 2018
Hi!
Just a quick note to remind you all that Thursday folders have come home….filter through it and check out all the goodness!!! Also, a huge thank you to all of you wonderful parents that have come to see us for Conference Week! We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing your child grow as the year progresses!!!!
Reading:
We have been working on identifying Main Idea and supporting our main idea with specific text evidence. We are also tackling text dependent questions using text based evidence terms. Be looking in the Thursday folders next week for examples of their hard work. We will continue with Main idea next week as well. To satisfy our standard, we need to learn to identify two main ideas within informational text. We are using our Scholastic News magazines for an informational text source and the kids are loving them!!! Next week we will begin the Should You Be Eating Bugs issue. We will discuss the main idea and review how to summarize. We will also apply our close-reading strategy as well.
Writing:
We have had to take a break from our fictional writing due to early release. We will jump back in next week. Stay tuned……
Grammar:
We will pick back up with correlative conjunctions review and practice next week!!
Math:
We have finished decimals and are heading into fractions next week! Please continue to practice multiplying and dividing decimals with your child.
Science:
The Animal/ Plant Project is due this coming Monday, October 22, 2018!
Social Studies:
The immigration project was due today. There were a few people who did not turn it in. If they did not, a behavior sheet was sent home today. Please look for it in their agendas. Next week we will be studying WWI.
Just a quick note to remind you all that Thursday folders have come home….filter through it and check out all the goodness!!! Also, a huge thank you to all of you wonderful parents that have come to see us for Conference Week! We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing your child grow as the year progresses!!!!
Reading:
We have been working on identifying Main Idea and supporting our main idea with specific text evidence. We are also tackling text dependent questions using text based evidence terms. Be looking in the Thursday folders next week for examples of their hard work. We will continue with Main idea next week as well. To satisfy our standard, we need to learn to identify two main ideas within informational text. We are using our Scholastic News magazines for an informational text source and the kids are loving them!!! Next week we will begin the Should You Be Eating Bugs issue. We will discuss the main idea and review how to summarize. We will also apply our close-reading strategy as well.
Writing:
We have had to take a break from our fictional writing due to early release. We will jump back in next week. Stay tuned……
Grammar:
We will pick back up with correlative conjunctions review and practice next week!!
Math:
We have finished decimals and are heading into fractions next week! Please continue to practice multiplying and dividing decimals with your child.
Science:
The Animal/ Plant Project is due this coming Monday, October 22, 2018!
Social Studies:
The immigration project was due today. There were a few people who did not turn it in. If they did not, a behavior sheet was sent home today. Please look for it in their agendas. Next week we will be studying WWI.
New Behavior Form
Please look for this letter and a copy of the new behavior form in your child's agenda tonight (Thurs, Oct 11th)
It must be signed and sent back.
Re: New Behavior Form
Dear Fifth Grade Parent/Guardian……
Please find attached a copy of my new mark-out system for our class. If your child is off task academically or behaviorally, he/she will receive one of these forms to fill out. They will then bring it home for you to sign (stapled in their agenda), please discuss the concern, then return it to school the next day. This Behavior Form will help foster accountability, and increase awareness of solution-resolution issues.
If he/she receives this form, it counts as one mark-out, or ‘X’ in their agenda, and will need to give up one day of recess.
_________I have read the above information and understand the new Behavior/Academic form.
_________I have read the above information and do not understand the new Behavior/Academic form and will e-mail you for clarification.
Thank you for your continued support of our AWESOME fifth graders!!
Raina Michaels and Melisa Baltes
[email protected]
[email protected]
It must be signed and sent back.
Re: New Behavior Form
Dear Fifth Grade Parent/Guardian……
Please find attached a copy of my new mark-out system for our class. If your child is off task academically or behaviorally, he/she will receive one of these forms to fill out. They will then bring it home for you to sign (stapled in their agenda), please discuss the concern, then return it to school the next day. This Behavior Form will help foster accountability, and increase awareness of solution-resolution issues.
If he/she receives this form, it counts as one mark-out, or ‘X’ in their agenda, and will need to give up one day of recess.
_________I have read the above information and understand the new Behavior/Academic form.
_________I have read the above information and do not understand the new Behavior/Academic form and will e-mail you for clarification.
Thank you for your continued support of our AWESOME fifth graders!!
Raina Michaels and Melisa Baltes
[email protected]
[email protected]
October 5, 2018
Michaels’ Academics
We are learning soooooo much this year! Hold on tight….we have a busy week next week!!
Reading:
We are switching gears and moving into Informational Text for the 2nd Nine Weeks of school!! We will be learning about non-fiction text features, Close Read strategy, and how to identify two main ideas within a text. Students will continue to work on using text based evidence terms within text dependent questions and citing specific text evidence, and adding details to support our answer! Whoa! That’s a lot going on!
Writing:
We will continue to work on our fictional narratives. We are paving the way with filling out our graphic organizers, reading student examples and talking about grabbers to hook the reader! We continue to work on strong paragraphs with proper organization and format.
Grammar:
Conjunctions continue to be our focus for this week. We will apply our previous learning and apply it to task cards for this week’s word work!!
Baltes’ Academics
Math:
We just completed multiplying decimals! So next week…you guessed it….we will divide decimals. J
Science:
This week we focused on animal classification and will continue with plant classification next week. Look out for a small assessment on both animals and plants, next Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Social Studies:
We have learned how America started becoming a world power in the early 1900’s through the ending of the Spanish American War and the building of the Panama Canal. We will explore immigration and the causes of why so many people came to the United States in the early 1900’s.
Important Notables
Read-N-Quiz logs are due this coming Monday. Your child should have 16 books read, quiz taken, and the log filled out by Monday morning.
Thursday folders went home yesterday....please continue to sign them and return by Friday!
Box Tops are still being collected....send them in!!! Let's raise money for our school!!
Conference Week is coming....Conference Week is coming!! I am excited to meet with each of you and talk about how awesome your child is! Thank you to all that have arranged a time with me. If you haven't, please do soon! I will send home a prearranged conference time next week if I don’t hear from you.
Early Release is also all week long during Conference Week......starting October 15th!
Fall Festival is October 13th…….information has gone home in Thursday folder for the last two weeks! Hope you can come…..can’t wait to see you all there!!
We are learning soooooo much this year! Hold on tight….we have a busy week next week!!
Reading:
We are switching gears and moving into Informational Text for the 2nd Nine Weeks of school!! We will be learning about non-fiction text features, Close Read strategy, and how to identify two main ideas within a text. Students will continue to work on using text based evidence terms within text dependent questions and citing specific text evidence, and adding details to support our answer! Whoa! That’s a lot going on!
Writing:
We will continue to work on our fictional narratives. We are paving the way with filling out our graphic organizers, reading student examples and talking about grabbers to hook the reader! We continue to work on strong paragraphs with proper organization and format.
Grammar:
Conjunctions continue to be our focus for this week. We will apply our previous learning and apply it to task cards for this week’s word work!!
Baltes’ Academics
Math:
We just completed multiplying decimals! So next week…you guessed it….we will divide decimals. J
Science:
This week we focused on animal classification and will continue with plant classification next week. Look out for a small assessment on both animals and plants, next Thursday, October 11, 2018.
Social Studies:
We have learned how America started becoming a world power in the early 1900’s through the ending of the Spanish American War and the building of the Panama Canal. We will explore immigration and the causes of why so many people came to the United States in the early 1900’s.
Important Notables
Read-N-Quiz logs are due this coming Monday. Your child should have 16 books read, quiz taken, and the log filled out by Monday morning.
Thursday folders went home yesterday....please continue to sign them and return by Friday!
Box Tops are still being collected....send them in!!! Let's raise money for our school!!
Conference Week is coming....Conference Week is coming!! I am excited to meet with each of you and talk about how awesome your child is! Thank you to all that have arranged a time with me. If you haven't, please do soon! I will send home a prearranged conference time next week if I don’t hear from you.
Early Release is also all week long during Conference Week......starting October 15th!
Fall Festival is October 13th…….information has gone home in Thursday folder for the last two weeks! Hope you can come…..can’t wait to see you all there!!
Parent Teacher Conferences
Dear Parents,
Dowell will be using “Sign Up Genius” this year for Fall Conferences. Please sign up as soon as possible to get a convenient time for you. Please be aware that you will need to coordinate sibling conferences by signing up on each child’s teacher’s page. Thank you for your support!
Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DA9A9229-baltes1
Dowell will be using “Sign Up Genius” this year for Fall Conferences. Please sign up as soon as possible to get a convenient time for you. Please be aware that you will need to coordinate sibling conferences by signing up on each child’s teacher’s page. Thank you for your support!
Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DA9A9229-baltes1
August 30, 2018
Can you believe we are already 4 weeks into school! We have already done so much learning and are full force into our standards. You should have noticed that we added the Math POD this week. Please note that this will be a weekly assignment due every Friday. The Milestones test at the end of the year will require students to write in mathematics. The Math PODs will help students practice this skill. There is an example and a rubric in the back of their math journals. Ask your child for their math journal to see the example!
Last week we sent home Performing Arts Permission Slips. Please make sure to sign those and send them back in as soon as possible. The donation is not required but we still need the permission slip back in order to go on the performing arts field trip.
IMPORTANT DATES:
September
3rd- Labor Day Holiday (no school)
5th- Progress Reports come home
13-19th- IOWA Testing (Please see letter in Thursday folder)
24th-28th- FALL Break (No school)
ACADEMICS:
From Mrs. Baltes:
Math: Students multiplied multi-digit whole numbers last week with the standard algorithm. This week we dove into division with multi-digits. Please note that in 5th grade we are not allowed to do the standard algorithm per our standards and Cobb County. The standard algorithm will not be on the Milestones. Students must be able to use different strategies to solve division problems. I am trying to ensure they understand what division actually means and especially with larger numbers. They will have to explain it in words. For the next few weeks, we will move on to all things decimals. This includes the different place values through thousandths, the value of the digits, writing different decimal forms, comparing, rounding, adding and subtracting.
Science: This week we focused on Constructive Forces with Earthquakes, Faults, Volcanoes and Deposition. We will continue with our Constructive and Destructive Forces Unit with the focus on technology to control these forces. PLEASE NOTE there will be a unit test next Friday, September 7th.
Social Studies: We started our Westward Expansion unit this week. Our focus was Cattle Trails and the Black Cowboys of Texas. Next week we will focus on 4 specific inventors. They will be required to do a presentation on one of these inventors on Friday, September 14th. More information will be coming out next Tuesday.
Mrs. Michaels’ Academics
Reading: We have been working on summarizing, and identifying theme! We have worked with fiction literature, poems, lyrics within songs and even readers theater!! The kids loved that!!! We have also been working on applying our new strategies to our reading comprehension as well!! Whew! We have been very busy!!
Grammar: We have been working on synonyms, antonyms, homographs and interjections!! Check out your child’s Lit. Log to see what we have been doing!! We will begin Comma’s next week!!
Writing: We have been working on our personal narratives, and we are almost through with our drafting plan, and we are working on publishing it using Office 365. I have just introduced Quick Lit’s and summarizing exit tickets, too!
There’s so much great learning going on!!! Thank you for your continued support!
Last week we sent home Performing Arts Permission Slips. Please make sure to sign those and send them back in as soon as possible. The donation is not required but we still need the permission slip back in order to go on the performing arts field trip.
IMPORTANT DATES:
September
3rd- Labor Day Holiday (no school)
5th- Progress Reports come home
13-19th- IOWA Testing (Please see letter in Thursday folder)
24th-28th- FALL Break (No school)
ACADEMICS:
From Mrs. Baltes:
Math: Students multiplied multi-digit whole numbers last week with the standard algorithm. This week we dove into division with multi-digits. Please note that in 5th grade we are not allowed to do the standard algorithm per our standards and Cobb County. The standard algorithm will not be on the Milestones. Students must be able to use different strategies to solve division problems. I am trying to ensure they understand what division actually means and especially with larger numbers. They will have to explain it in words. For the next few weeks, we will move on to all things decimals. This includes the different place values through thousandths, the value of the digits, writing different decimal forms, comparing, rounding, adding and subtracting.
Science: This week we focused on Constructive Forces with Earthquakes, Faults, Volcanoes and Deposition. We will continue with our Constructive and Destructive Forces Unit with the focus on technology to control these forces. PLEASE NOTE there will be a unit test next Friday, September 7th.
Social Studies: We started our Westward Expansion unit this week. Our focus was Cattle Trails and the Black Cowboys of Texas. Next week we will focus on 4 specific inventors. They will be required to do a presentation on one of these inventors on Friday, September 14th. More information will be coming out next Tuesday.
Mrs. Michaels’ Academics
Reading: We have been working on summarizing, and identifying theme! We have worked with fiction literature, poems, lyrics within songs and even readers theater!! The kids loved that!!! We have also been working on applying our new strategies to our reading comprehension as well!! Whew! We have been very busy!!
Grammar: We have been working on synonyms, antonyms, homographs and interjections!! Check out your child’s Lit. Log to see what we have been doing!! We will begin Comma’s next week!!
Writing: We have been working on our personal narratives, and we are almost through with our drafting plan, and we are working on publishing it using Office 365. I have just introduced Quick Lit’s and summarizing exit tickets, too!
There’s so much great learning going on!!! Thank you for your continued support!
talent_show_flyer_2018.docx | |
File Size: | 106 kb |
File Type: | docx |
August 13, 2018
Welcome back to school! I look forward to working with everyone this year. Please visit my BLOG to search for helpful resources and information. Let's make this a great year!!!
-------------------------------------------------SCHOOL YEAR 2018-2019---------------------------------------------------
February 8, 2018
Good afternoon everyone!
We are doing great things in 5th grade. We have been working hard in all academic areas on the Genre study, WWII project, SODs, and PODs, along with other assignments. We know 5th grade can be a difficult year but we are ensuring that every student is prepared for middle school. We are seeing some students who are not keeping up with their assignments. If they are missing an assignment, we write it in the agenda. PLEASE look at agendas every night to see what they are working on and to see if there is anything missing. Progress Reports will be coming home on Friday, so please look out for those. Thank you for your continued support.
Important Dates:
February 15th- Curriculum Night (6:15-7:30pm)
February 19-23rd- February Break (No school)
March 23rd – 5th grade extended day field trip (ALL MONEY is due by next Friday, February 16th)…MANY people have not paid for the field trip. We are fearful we may have to cancel, so please send money in ASAP.
Baltes’ Academics:
Math- We have started learning about Volume. Today we figured out the formula and will be practicing with the formula for the next week. There will be no test tomorrow because I was out Monday and Tuesday visiting my grandmother. J
Social Studies- We are finishing up World War II. Their World War II flip book is due next Tuesday, February 12th. We will dive into the world of science next week with animal and plant classification. Look out for a letter to help donate items for a special treat on Friday, February 16th.
Michaels’ Academics:
Reading: We are finishing a two week unit on Civil Rights. I have integrated Civil Rights and Reading/Language Arts. We have completed a Civil Rights Project and had a Gallery Walk today. Ask your child about it!! We have watch many video clips to enhance lessons as well as journal entries. There is an assessment tomorrow! Students have a study guide, and we reviewed today. We also created a STEAM graphic organizer incorporating art into our civil rights learning.
Grammar: We learned about root words and affixes (Prefixes & Suffixes). We also reviews vocabulary acquisition based on Latin root words, synonyms, antonyms, and context clues. It’s been a very busy week!!
Writing: Writing focus remains Explanatory Writing. We will be finished by next Friday. They are writing on how to be a more successful fifth grader. They really like this prompt and are doing well!
We are doing great things in 5th grade. We have been working hard in all academic areas on the Genre study, WWII project, SODs, and PODs, along with other assignments. We know 5th grade can be a difficult year but we are ensuring that every student is prepared for middle school. We are seeing some students who are not keeping up with their assignments. If they are missing an assignment, we write it in the agenda. PLEASE look at agendas every night to see what they are working on and to see if there is anything missing. Progress Reports will be coming home on Friday, so please look out for those. Thank you for your continued support.
Important Dates:
February 15th- Curriculum Night (6:15-7:30pm)
February 19-23rd- February Break (No school)
March 23rd – 5th grade extended day field trip (ALL MONEY is due by next Friday, February 16th)…MANY people have not paid for the field trip. We are fearful we may have to cancel, so please send money in ASAP.
Baltes’ Academics:
Math- We have started learning about Volume. Today we figured out the formula and will be practicing with the formula for the next week. There will be no test tomorrow because I was out Monday and Tuesday visiting my grandmother. J
Social Studies- We are finishing up World War II. Their World War II flip book is due next Tuesday, February 12th. We will dive into the world of science next week with animal and plant classification. Look out for a letter to help donate items for a special treat on Friday, February 16th.
Michaels’ Academics:
Reading: We are finishing a two week unit on Civil Rights. I have integrated Civil Rights and Reading/Language Arts. We have completed a Civil Rights Project and had a Gallery Walk today. Ask your child about it!! We have watch many video clips to enhance lessons as well as journal entries. There is an assessment tomorrow! Students have a study guide, and we reviewed today. We also created a STEAM graphic organizer incorporating art into our civil rights learning.
Grammar: We learned about root words and affixes (Prefixes & Suffixes). We also reviews vocabulary acquisition based on Latin root words, synonyms, antonyms, and context clues. It’s been a very busy week!!
Writing: Writing focus remains Explanatory Writing. We will be finished by next Friday. They are writing on how to be a more successful fifth grader. They really like this prompt and are doing well!
Dowell Elementary Curriculum Night
and
Student Wax Museum
Thursday, February 15
6:15 – 7:30
· Come to learn about our new Social Studies Curriculum!
· Come to see our Student Wax Museum!
· Come to learn about Milestones Testing for grades 3-5!
· Come to get free snacks!
Does your student love history? Or, does your student just love to dress up? We would love them to be a part of our student wax museum! **See below for details and return permission slip by February 8th.**
Choices for Wax Museum – students should dress up and present a 1-2 minute speech.
Kindergarten
Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Christopher Columbus, Veterans, or Community Helpers
First Grade
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington Carver, Ruby Bridges
Second Grade
American Heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sequoyah, Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, James Oglethorpe (Not Covered yet: Jackie Robinson, Jimmy Carter, Juliette Gordon Low)
Concepts: Goods and Services, Trading and Bartering, Creek and Cherokee Native Americans, 5 Georgia Regions
Third Grade
John Cabot, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Hernando de Soto, Christopher Columbus, Henry Hudson,
Jaques Cartier,
Fourth Grade
New England Colonist, George Washington, King George III, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Lewis, Clark, Harriet Tubman, and Abraham Lincoln
Fifth Grade
Children will dress up and present a small paragraph about their figure. The historical figure MUST be approved by a 5th grade teacher.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, my child will participate in the wax museum. See grade level guidelines above.
Student Name:______________________ Teacher:____________________
My child will dress up as:___________________________________________
Parent Signature:________________________________________________
and
Student Wax Museum
Thursday, February 15
6:15 – 7:30
· Come to learn about our new Social Studies Curriculum!
· Come to see our Student Wax Museum!
· Come to learn about Milestones Testing for grades 3-5!
· Come to get free snacks!
Does your student love history? Or, does your student just love to dress up? We would love them to be a part of our student wax museum! **See below for details and return permission slip by February 8th.**
Choices for Wax Museum – students should dress up and present a 1-2 minute speech.
Kindergarten
Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Christopher Columbus, Veterans, or Community Helpers
First Grade
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington Carver, Ruby Bridges
Second Grade
American Heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sequoyah, Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, James Oglethorpe (Not Covered yet: Jackie Robinson, Jimmy Carter, Juliette Gordon Low)
Concepts: Goods and Services, Trading and Bartering, Creek and Cherokee Native Americans, 5 Georgia Regions
Third Grade
John Cabot, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Hernando de Soto, Christopher Columbus, Henry Hudson,
Jaques Cartier,
Fourth Grade
New England Colonist, George Washington, King George III, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Lewis, Clark, Harriet Tubman, and Abraham Lincoln
Fifth Grade
Children will dress up and present a small paragraph about their figure. The historical figure MUST be approved by a 5th grade teacher.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, my child will participate in the wax museum. See grade level guidelines above.
Student Name:______________________ Teacher:____________________
My child will dress up as:___________________________________________
Parent Signature:________________________________________________
Dowell Elementary School Presents…
Stamp it Up!!
Stamp your cheeks, arms and hands with your favorite colored design!
Cost: 2 stamps for $1.00
Designs available:
Santa, Christmas Tree, Candy Cane, Basketball, Football, Lady Bug, Fish, Soccer, Baseball, Puppy, Cat, Dolphin, Heart, Happy Face, Shark, Butterfly, …
Tuesday – December 19, 2017
and
Wednesday - December 20, 2017
All proceeds benefits student and staff incentives.
Stamp it Up!!
Stamp your cheeks, arms and hands with your favorite colored design!
Cost: 2 stamps for $1.00
Designs available:
Santa, Christmas Tree, Candy Cane, Basketball, Football, Lady Bug, Fish, Soccer, Baseball, Puppy, Cat, Dolphin, Heart, Happy Face, Shark, Butterfly, …
Tuesday – December 19, 2017
and
Wednesday - December 20, 2017
All proceeds benefits student and staff incentives.
Join us for a Spirit Night Fundraiser
For Dowell Elementary School
When: Monday, December 4, 2017
Where: Chick-Fil-A @ Macland Crossing
2005 Macland Crossing Circle SW
Marietta, GA 30008
Why: To Raise Funds for our School!
Enjoy Dinner at Chick-Fil-A @ Macland Crossing on Monday, December 4, 2017 between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends!!
Tell the cashier that you are with Dowell that evening so they can press the School Spirit Night button. Our goal is to have $1200 in sales so we can earn 15% of the store receipts that evening.
You can contribute either in the Dining Room or the Drive-Thru.
Help us make this night successful!
August 24, 2017
August 24, 2017
We hope you have had a fantastic week....here is what our awesome 5th graders have been learning!
Reading: Our new focus will be Compare and Contrast within setting, characters and plot. We have had mini-lessons this week on Friendly Letters, and Text Based Evidence terms. We also have spent all week on Summarizing. Tons of learning going on!!!
Grammar:
We will finish up and review prepositions, and jump into Interjections!
Writing:
We continue to work on our fictional narratives. Our goal is finish them by this next Friday!
Math: We have been multiplying multi-digit numbers. Overall, students are doing a good job following the steps to solving the problem with the standard algorithm. Please continue to work with them at home. Next week we will explore division strategies. We are not allowed to teach the standard algorithm for division this year. That is a 6th grade standard. If they want to check their answer with the standard algorithm, that is okay. Don’t forget to look at the math journal each night to help them understand concepts daily. ALSO, please have your child practice their multiplication facts at least 2-3 nights a week. There can never be TOO much practice!!! J
Social Studies: We are finishing up the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War. The study guide is due tomorrow. We will review and test on the whole unit. The test has been changed to Tuesday, August 29th
Important Dates:
August 28th Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 5-8pm PLEASE come and support!!!!
Mrs. Baltes and Mrs. Michaels will be there!!
August 30th EARLY RELEASE Day- Dismissal starts at 12:15pm
August 31st Open House
5:30pm Dinner (See info from Thursday folder)
6:10-6:45pm (5th grade level meeting) Other grades have 2 sessions
September 6th Progress Reports go home
Reminders:
We hope you have had a fantastic week....here is what our awesome 5th graders have been learning!
Reading: Our new focus will be Compare and Contrast within setting, characters and plot. We have had mini-lessons this week on Friendly Letters, and Text Based Evidence terms. We also have spent all week on Summarizing. Tons of learning going on!!!
Grammar:
We will finish up and review prepositions, and jump into Interjections!
Writing:
We continue to work on our fictional narratives. Our goal is finish them by this next Friday!
Math: We have been multiplying multi-digit numbers. Overall, students are doing a good job following the steps to solving the problem with the standard algorithm. Please continue to work with them at home. Next week we will explore division strategies. We are not allowed to teach the standard algorithm for division this year. That is a 6th grade standard. If they want to check their answer with the standard algorithm, that is okay. Don’t forget to look at the math journal each night to help them understand concepts daily. ALSO, please have your child practice their multiplication facts at least 2-3 nights a week. There can never be TOO much practice!!! J
Social Studies: We are finishing up the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War. The study guide is due tomorrow. We will review and test on the whole unit. The test has been changed to Tuesday, August 29th
Important Dates:
August 28th Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 5-8pm PLEASE come and support!!!!
Mrs. Baltes and Mrs. Michaels will be there!!
August 30th EARLY RELEASE Day- Dismissal starts at 12:15pm
August 31st Open House
5:30pm Dinner (See info from Thursday folder)
6:10-6:45pm (5th grade level meeting) Other grades have 2 sessions
September 6th Progress Reports go home
Reminders:
- Please be reminded to go through your child's Thursday folders and sign the back!! We send home some very important information along with graded work/classwork-
- We're collecting BoxTops.....so send them in if you have any!!
- Be sure to check out our 5th Grade Blog for any important dates and Dowell happenings!
- Also, Mrs. Michaels and I have a blog that is always updated!
Join us for a Spirit Night Fundraiser
For Dowell Elementary School
When: Monday, August 28, 2017
Where: Chick-Fil-A @ Macland Crossing
2005 Macland Crossing Circle SW
Marietta, GA 30008
Why: To Raise Funds for our School!
Enjoy Dinner at Chick-Fil-A @ Macland Crossing on Monday, August 28, 2017 between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends!!
Tell the cashier that you are with Dowell that evening so they can press the School Spirit Night button. Our goal is to have $1200 in sales so we can earn 15% of the store receipts that evening.
You can contribute either in the Dining Room or the Drive-Thru.
Help us make this night successful!
Join us for a Spirit Night Fundraiser
For Dowell Elementary School
When: Monday, August 28, 2017
Where: Chick-Fil-A @ Macland Crossing
2005 Macland Crossing Circle SW
Marietta, GA 30008
Why: To Raise Funds for our School!
Enjoy Dinner at Chick-Fil-A @ Macland Crossing on Monday, August 28, 2017 between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Invite your family and friends!!
Tell the cashier that you are with Dowell that evening so they can press the School Spirit Night button. Our goal is to have $1200 in sales so we can earn 15% of the store receipts that evening.
You can contribute either in the Dining Room or the Drive-Thru.
Help us make this night successful!
August 18, 2017
We hope you have had a wonderful week....here is what our awesome 5th graders have been learning! Mr. Durham, Mrs. Michaels and I are really enjoying getting to know all of the kids!! Thanks for sharing them with us!!!
Reading: Our focus has been theme with a preview of summarizing. We have been determining and identifying the theme of poems with the help of some great music!! Ask your child or take a peek in their Lit. Log to see all the learning happening. We will have an assessment tomorrow! Next week we dive into summarizing, friendly letters and learning about identifying text based evidence terms!
Grammar: Students have spent all week learning about the importance of commas. We have been learning about direct address, tag questions, and more! We will have a quick-check assessment tomorrow! Next week we will continue to focus on commas as we wrap up the standard and also, parts of speech, specifically>>>prepositions!
Writing: We continue to work on our fictional narratives. We have been working hard filling out our graphic organizers and listing as we brainstorm and pre-write. We also have been learning about the importance of having hooks/grabber sentences in our introductory paragraphs. We are moving into learning to identify and determining the problem and solution of a narrative next. The kids are also working up their sustainable writing time and I’m super proud of them! Can’t wait to see their final published piece!
Math: Algebra and the Base Ten Number System have been our main focus for the last couple of weeks. Overall, the Algebra tests were pretty good. I’m reviewing with students this week. Don’t forget to look at the math journal each night to help them understand concepts daily. ALSO, please have your child practice their multiplication facts at least 2-3 nights a week. There can never be TOO much practice!!! J Next week we will focus on the standard algorithm for multiplication.
Social Studies: We are finishing up the Civil War with our main event plays and heading into the Reconstruction Era next week. We will also review and test on the whole unit. A study guide will come home on Monday. The test will be on Friday, August 25th
Important Dates:
August 21st Extended Day; Solar Eclipse
August 18th Back to School Bash
August 31st Open House
Reminders:
- Please be reminded to go through your child's Thursday folders and sign the back!! We send home some very important information along with graded work/classwork-
- We're collecting BoxTops.....so send them in if you have any!!
- Be sure to check out our 5th Grade Blog for any important dates and Dowell happenings!
- Also, Mrs. Michaels and I have a blog that is always updated!
- Picture day is soon....informational sheets came home yesterday!
August 11, 2017
Weekly Update- August 11, 2017
Hello everyone! We have another wonderful week of school in the books!! We have jumped right into learning and are excited at all of the engagement we are seeing in the classroom already. J
Reminders:
· Please sign and send in any Cobb County School District forms that STILL need to be turned in!
· We are starting to collect BoxTops….so, please think about us and send them in if you have any!
· All transportation changes need to be in writing and sent into school with your child….we want our students safe!
· Please sign the back of your child’s Thursday Folder and return on Friday! We send home some very important information as well as graded work, so make sure you take the time to go through the Thursday Folder!! It’s a great time to talk to your child about the day, too!
SOLAR ECLIPSE!!!!- Please look at permission slip, sent home today (Friday, 8/11)
Students will not be able to physically watch the Solar Eclipse without the permission slip. This is due Thursday, 8/17. NO LATER!!!!! Dismissal starts at 3pm that day. If you would like to pick up your child earlier than that, please do so by 2pm that day. Please visit www.cobbk12.org for more information, if needed.
Important Dates:
· Tonight!!! DC Trip Meeting- if you are interested in sending your child to DC
· August 16: Student ID Photo Day (if interested)- see flyer
· August 18: Back to School Bash- see flyer (2:45-4:45pm)
· August 21: Solar Eclipse; School Day Extended by 45 minutes; See above
· August 22: Fall Pictures
· August 28: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
· August 30: Early Release (Dismissal 2 hours early)
· August 31: Open House
News from Mrs. Michaels
Reading:
We have started this year in academics with Theme! We have determined what theme is and the impact it has on our learning. We also have identified several common themes. Our Lit. Log has several journal entries with our reading standards and learning. Check it out and see what your child is learning at school. We will continue with theme standards next week as we identify and determine the theme of poetry and dramas within literary genres.
Grammar:
We have started our week with a review of synonyms, antonyms, and homographs. We have unpacked the standard and applied our new knowledge through our writing focus and quick lit's! We will begin a new standard of Commas next week!!
Writing:
I collected a narrative baseline sample this week through the students composing a personal narrative after we reviewed the writing process. Students, next week, will begin a fictional narrative. More to come.....
READ 180 News
Fifth Grade students in READ 180 have gotten off to a great start and I am so proud of them! More to come from READ 180 soon!
Your child needs to be reading 20-30 minutes nightly and filling out their agenda with the title of the book and how many minutes they read. I am checking agendas every morning.
News From Mrs. Baltes
MATH- We have our first test TOMORROW! The test will cover order of operations and expressions. We will be working on number sense- value of a number is based on its place (10x larger or 1/10 of) next week. Keep checking that math journal every night!!
SOCIAL STUDIES- We started the Civil War this week and will continue with this unit next week, focusing on the major people and battles. The Reconstruction Era will be the next focus to finish off the unit. There will be a Civil War/ Reconstruction test at the end of the unit.
Hello everyone! We have another wonderful week of school in the books!! We have jumped right into learning and are excited at all of the engagement we are seeing in the classroom already. J
Reminders:
· Please sign and send in any Cobb County School District forms that STILL need to be turned in!
· We are starting to collect BoxTops….so, please think about us and send them in if you have any!
· All transportation changes need to be in writing and sent into school with your child….we want our students safe!
· Please sign the back of your child’s Thursday Folder and return on Friday! We send home some very important information as well as graded work, so make sure you take the time to go through the Thursday Folder!! It’s a great time to talk to your child about the day, too!
SOLAR ECLIPSE!!!!- Please look at permission slip, sent home today (Friday, 8/11)
Students will not be able to physically watch the Solar Eclipse without the permission slip. This is due Thursday, 8/17. NO LATER!!!!! Dismissal starts at 3pm that day. If you would like to pick up your child earlier than that, please do so by 2pm that day. Please visit www.cobbk12.org for more information, if needed.
Important Dates:
· Tonight!!! DC Trip Meeting- if you are interested in sending your child to DC
· August 16: Student ID Photo Day (if interested)- see flyer
· August 18: Back to School Bash- see flyer (2:45-4:45pm)
· August 21: Solar Eclipse; School Day Extended by 45 minutes; See above
· August 22: Fall Pictures
· August 28: Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night
· August 30: Early Release (Dismissal 2 hours early)
· August 31: Open House
News from Mrs. Michaels
Reading:
We have started this year in academics with Theme! We have determined what theme is and the impact it has on our learning. We also have identified several common themes. Our Lit. Log has several journal entries with our reading standards and learning. Check it out and see what your child is learning at school. We will continue with theme standards next week as we identify and determine the theme of poetry and dramas within literary genres.
Grammar:
We have started our week with a review of synonyms, antonyms, and homographs. We have unpacked the standard and applied our new knowledge through our writing focus and quick lit's! We will begin a new standard of Commas next week!!
Writing:
I collected a narrative baseline sample this week through the students composing a personal narrative after we reviewed the writing process. Students, next week, will begin a fictional narrative. More to come.....
READ 180 News
Fifth Grade students in READ 180 have gotten off to a great start and I am so proud of them! More to come from READ 180 soon!
Your child needs to be reading 20-30 minutes nightly and filling out their agenda with the title of the book and how many minutes they read. I am checking agendas every morning.
News From Mrs. Baltes
MATH- We have our first test TOMORROW! The test will cover order of operations and expressions. We will be working on number sense- value of a number is based on its place (10x larger or 1/10 of) next week. Keep checking that math journal every night!!
SOCIAL STUDIES- We started the Civil War this week and will continue with this unit next week, focusing on the major people and battles. The Reconstruction Era will be the next focus to finish off the unit. There will be a Civil War/ Reconstruction test at the end of the unit.
Welcome Back!
We are so excited to start a new school year!