Room 604 Weekly Updates

Room 604 weekly updates have now moved to my blog. Technical errors on the main classroom website made it difficult to keep adding updates to the page. This site will allow you to add comments directly to my updates. Please feel free to comment or ask questions at your leisure. I'm hopeful this will be a place where parents can communicate with me about what's going on in our classroom (aside from email).

Weekly Update - March 14-18
THANK YOU to each of you for making Teacher Appreciation Week so awesome! The kids were so sweet with their cards and hugs each day. I am so glad I'm a teacher at North Ridge. I'm thankful to have parents like you working with me this year as well.

Another thanks to all of you that helped with the pizza party last week. The kids had a blast! We had pizza and watched Because of Winn Dixie. Many of them loved the movie so much they were asking to check the book out from the library, which made me smile (:

Art
This week, if you haven't already heard from your 5th grader, he/she has working with an Artist in Residence. Students are creating animal scultures made out of wire, plastic bags, fabric, and yarn. They seem to be enjoying it. I've had fun watching them work.

Social Studies
We have started a new unit on the Civil War. Monday, we watched a video on Abraham Lincoln and discussed why he was such an important president. we also talked about the role he played in the Civil War. Students also worked on creating a timeline of the events leading up to the Civil War with their table group. Students will work with a partner in the coming days to create a specific event for our class timeline. One group will also be in charge of portraying Abraham Lincoln and the impact he had on the Civil War.

Science
Your child started a new science unit this week - WEATHER! I think they are all genuinely excited about it. The weather fascinates me, so I'll be sure to question them about their new science class with every chance I get. Their first assignment is due next Wednesday (raindrop story).

Math
We have been working extinsively with fractions over the last month or so. Each math class is now focusing on decimals and fractions - comparing them, converting them, and estimating with them. We should be wrapping up with this unit in the next week or so. Make sure your fifth grader continues to study since these skills build on one another.

Writing
We have been putting together Wild Thing stories for the last two weeks. Students will turn in their completed story, as well as a picture of their Wild Thing, on Friday. They have thoroughly enjoyed the writing process. Our next prompt will be based on spring - we will take a nature walk and investigate the different elements in nature that show us that spring is coming or has arrived. Since this coming Saturday is the first day of spring, I think this will be very timely!

Spelling
Your child received new spelling words and a new spelling contract this week. The spelling contract will be due next Tuesday. Please notice that there are new Spelling City activities included on the sheet. If the assignment cannot be printed out, a parent will need to sign saying the child completed the activity. Simply sign the spelling contract assignment sheet to let me know your fifth grader did the activity.

I have gotten a little bit behind with projects and grading. However, I expect to have the social studies timelines and book report grades in next week's Monday folder (March 21). You will find a small strip of paper with the grade and comments from me. Most of the book reports looked great, as well as the timelines. Be sure to help your child get started on their second book report, which will be due on March 31. Just a reminder - your child can turn in the book report early too!

Thanks again for all of your hard work and help last week! I am learning a lot and continue to make changes to the classroom environment to make it a better place for your child. Ask them what we're doing in the classroom, question them about the books that they're reading, and keep them on their toes. I definitely work to do that in Room 604!

Thanks (: