The Week of 12-17-07

Dear Parents,
I can’t believe it’s already December and time for our Winter Break.
~Monday, the Cadet Band and choir will be performing at 1:15 in the gym. You are invited to attend!
~Thursday, is our last Jr. Achievement session with Mr. and Ms. Paleka. The students will be performing the commercials they have created.
~Thursday is our BOWLING FIELD TRIP. Money can be brought to use for snacks and drinks.
~Friday is our Pizza lunch and Prairieview trip to the Tivoli Theater to see Polar Express.

HERE’S WHAT WE’LL BE UP TO IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 16 and “word of the week” Test on Thursday this week!

English = Unit 3 Verbs and we will finish this unit after the winter break.

Present and Past Tense of verbs are the lessons for this week.

Reading = SCOOPer reading……the children should have 1 book read and activity completed before our holiday break unless the book being read is a thick one!!
Also, a book and activity should be completed during the holiday break.

Book Clubs = The last book club reading assignment and group meeting is Tuesday, 12-18.

The children will be receiving grades for each of the three book club discussion sheets and a participation grade.

Social Studies = Chapter 8 Lesson 1 We will be learning about events that led up to the American Revolution. We are doing an interactive role playing activity "The King's Gold" which will demonstrate how unfair taxing was at the time....NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!!!

Science = Flight and Rocketry – We had a blast launching our rockets!!

After break, we will be doing a final assessment which is not a traditional test, but instead an application of the concepts learned in this unit.

Miscellaneous: We also will be doing some holiday related activities throughout the week.

Math: Chapter 5 test on Monday. Calculators will be allowed for checking long division and for doing the averaging problems.

Happy Holidays!!
Until next year….

MissTrefonas

The Week of December 10, 2007

Dear Parents,
Please remember that during the winter we have the children go out for recess as much as possible. Many children are not coming to school with boots, hats, gloves etc.
Thanks to all the families who so generously contributed to our holdiay service project. This family is going to have a special Christmas!
~Polar Express permission slips are due!
~Don't forget to turn in movie night permission slips!

HERE’S WHAT WE’LL BE UP TO IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 15 and “word of the week”

English = Unit 3 Verbs - We are learning about linking verbs this week and doing an activity in which the children create an island and describe it with linking verb sentences.

Reading = SCOOPer reading……the children should have 1 book read and activity
completed before our holiday break unless the book being read is a thick one!!

Book Clubs = The children have selected a historical fiction book and will be participating in book club discussion groups and completing a book club discussion sheet. The first book club meeting and discussion sheet due date is on Tuesday.

The discussion sheet incorportates the following reading strategies: summarizing, questioning, predictiong, and using vocabulary skills.

Social Studies = Chapter 8 Lesson 1

Science = This week in our Flight and Rocketry unit we will learn how a plan is controllled, how helicopters fly, and how rockets are launched.

T.G.F.D. = Too Good For Drugs! Your child will be involved in a ten week program which takes place in our classroom and is instructed by Deputy K. who is a Dupage Sheriff officer.
Our first session was Friday, December 14th. Your child will be bringing home information that tells all about the program. There is weekly homework that involves family participation.

This counts as a participation grade for Science/Health!

Math = We'll be finishing chapter 5 and reviewing the chapter on Friday.

The chapter 5 test wukk be Monday, December 17th!

Let is snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of December 3rd!!

Dear Parents,
Lots of Reminders:
~Yearbook orders are due December 3rd.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to order this now. At the end of the year, only a limited amount are available.
~GeoSpace $ needs to be sent in!
~Bowling permission slip needs to be signed and returned.
~Report Card envelope signed and returned.
~HOLIDAY SERVICE PROJECT........WE STILL NEED DONATIONS FOR THIS LESS FORTUNATE FAMILY. CAN YOU HELP?
**We need all donations by Weds. December 5th!
****Thanks to those of you who have already donated!

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 14 and “word of the week”

English = Unit 3 VERBS! We will begin by reviewing action verbs and main verbs with helping
verbs.

Reading = SCOOPer Reading…….each student should have one book completed before
the holiday break unless they are reading a “lengthy” book.
We are working on the following reading skills in our ISAT reading workbooks:
~charts, graphs, diagrams, and text features….
~relevant and irrelevant information
~similarities and differences in passages
A test on these skills will be given at the end of the week.

Social Studies = Chapter 7 Review will be Wednesday, December 5th.
Test will be an “open note” test on Thursday, December 6th.
My purpose for giving an “open note” test is for the students to understand the value and importance of note taking. Also,I hope to have the children see how the notes we are taking is representivewhat of what is on the test!!! This does not mean students shouldn’t study…..if they don’t study it might take them longer than the allotted test time to search for all the
answers on the note sheets!

Science = Paper Airplane Contest on Monday!!!!! (see handouts)
We will learn about airfoils and how propeller and jet planes fly.
Quiz over activities 1-7 = Friday.

Math = Chapter 5
Checkpoint Quiz = Tuesday, December 4th. The quiz problems are chosen directly from the textbook checkpoint which means the students can do the actual quiz ahead of time!
Many students need extra practice with multiplication facts! Learning long division this week will be a lot easier if you know your multiplication/division facts!

I hope everyone is staying warm and healthy!!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of November 26th in Miss Trefonas's Class

Dear Parents,
Once again, Prairieview students and staff are participating in a holiday service project to help out those less fortunate than us. We are collecting items for a family of who struggles financially. Your child has received a letter with all the details! We will be collecting donations until Wednesday, December 5th! I hope our class can make this a special holiday for this family!

YEARBOOK: Now’s the time to place your orders. Yearbooks are $9.00 and the deadline for your orders is Monday, December 3, 2007. No orders will be accepted after that date. Please make checks payable to Lifetouch. Please make sure your student’s name, teacher’s name and grade level are marked on the order form. Yearbook order forms went home with your child on November 15th and there a few extra envelopes available; please try not to lose them. If your child loses it, you can send an envelope with the following information on it: student’s name, teacher’s name and grade level along with a check made payable to Lifetouch for $9.00. It is very important that you put the information on the envelope; Lifetouch does not know who your child’s teacher is.

~Parent Teacher Conferences are this week!

~No School on Friday, November 30th!

Here's What's Happening in our Classroom:

Spelling = Lesson 13 and “word of the week”

English = Unit 2 Nouns. Unit 2 Test will be on Thursday, November 29th.

Reading = Your child will set a new goal for the second trimester on Monday. This means it's time to start reading and doing book activities to meet this new goal.
ISAT workbook = Reading strategies (Purpose for reading, probable outcomes/actions, and charts, graphs, diagrams, and text features)

Social Studies = Chapter 7 “Fight for a Continent” – Lessons 1-3

It's a good idea to do an on-going review after each lesson. This makes studying easier when it's test time!

Science = Flight & Rocketry..We will be learning about the Bernoulli Principal. The children will be receiving directions and materials for our Paper Airplane Contest on Thursday. The Contest will take place on Monday, December 3rd!

Math = Chapter 5 - Division

I look forward to our parent-teacher conference,

Miss Trefonas

The Weeks of November 12th and November 19th

Dear Parents,
We will be having our “SCOOPer” Reading celebration on Tuesday, November 20th for all students who meet their goal. More details will be coming!
All books need to be read and book activities completed for the deadline which is this Monday, November 12th. Only one activity can be turned in at a time. This has been the rule all trimester.

HERE’S WHAT WE ARE UP TO:

Spelling = Lesson 12 “word of the week”
The week of November 19th...no spelling!

English = Unit 2 Nouns

Reading = We will be setting new SCOOPer Reading goals and the children will be getting new book activity choices when we return from our Thanksgiving break.
We have finished reading Kid in the Red Jacket. The children will have a comprehension test on Monday. Lastly, we will create story pyramids based on the book.
We will not begin a new reading unit until after Thanksgiving break.

Social Studies = Chapter 6 Test is Tuesday, November 13th
How to Study sheets were filled in during class on Friday. Lots of studying should be taking place over the weekend!
Next, is Chapter 7 Fight for a Continent. Lesson 1 "The Spanish Move North" will be completed before our break.

Science = Flight & Rocketry.....Kites! Your child should be able to give you examples of both heavier-than-air crafts and lighter-than-air crafts.

Math = Chapter 4 Multiplication fact tests 0-12's deadline is Friday, November 16!
Chapter 4 Test over the textbook material is scheduled for Thursday, November 15th.
Then, we will be doing Thanksgiving themed problem solving in written response form,
T-charts, for ISAT practice.

Miscellaneous:
** Please note that the end of the trimester is officially Tuesday, November2oth.
Here’s the last thing that will be counted for 1st Trimester in each subject:
~Spelling = Lesson 12
~English(Language Arts) = Unit 2 Nouns daily work but not the test. The test will count for second trimester grades.
~Reading = Kid in the Red Jacket
~Social Studies = Chapter 6
~Science =Flight and Rocketry Quiz over Activities 1-3.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and be thankful for our families and special friends,
Miss Trefonas

The Week of November 5th, 2007

Dear Parents,
Conference appointment times are being sent home on Monday. Please send the confirmation slip back as soon as possible. If your conference time needs to be rescheduled, I will send home a slip with your new date and time.

Thanks to all of the wonderful parents who made our Halloween party SPOOKTACULAR!

THIS WEEK IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 11 and “word of the week”

English = Unit 2 Nouns

Reading = Kid in the Red Jacket... Vocabulary quiz is Friday! We will continue to write a cummulative summary and make connections while reading.

SCOOPer reading deadline = November 12th!!!!

Social Studies = Chapter 6 Lesson 3 “Everyday Life in the Colonies”
We will also be learning more about Benjamin Franklin and Poor Richard’s Almanac. The students will be choosing one of his famous quotes and interpreting it!!!
~Chapter 6 Lesson 4 “Slavery in the Colonies”
~Chapter 6 test will be the week of November 12th.
We will be having our 4th session of Jr. Achievement this Friday!

Science = Flight and Rocketry
Your child should be able to tell you 4 scientific properties of air.
Parachutes……your child will learn more about them and make a model of one! We will also be learning about Hot Air Balloons and Kites. We will be making and flying kites!

Your partner in education~
Miss Trefonas

Week of 10-29-07

Dear Parents,
Our Halloween party is on Wednesday!!! We will begin the festivities with a parade
which will begin at 1:15. Students need to bring their costume to school on Wednesday. The costume might need to be simplified for school purposes since students need to be able to change in a short amount of time. Changing will take place in the classrooms. The fifth grade will have designated classrooms for girls to change in and for boys. Washrooms will not be available for costume changing. No weapons, even fake, are allowed at school.
Thanks to the parents who are helping out with the party!
Remember, candy treats are not allowed at school.

No School on Monday, October 29th due to teacher meetings.


Field trip permission slip and $ for NaperSettlement field trip due this Friday, November 2nd.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPEINING IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 10 and word of the week!!

English = Unit 5 Capitalization and Punctuation - Test is Friday, November 2nd!

Reading = We are starting a novel, The Kid in the Red Jacket.We will be focusing on writing a cumulative summary. We will be working on vocabulary skills which will include determining word meaning in the context it is used, synonyms and antonyms of the word, and illustrating the vocabulary word.

SCOOPer Reading = WOW!!! I am very impressed with the books the children are reading. Many students have tried a new “flavor” or reading genre!!!

Social Studies = Chapter 6 “Life in English Colonies” Lesson 2.We will be making a “flap book” with our notes. I highly recommend going over lessons 1 and 2. An ongoing review makes studying easier when it's test time.

*Trade Fair....Friday, Nov. 2nd! Please make sure you go over the direction sheet with your child. Your child needs to get a parent signature and return the bottom section on or before Tuesday, October 30th.

Science = We are taking off with our new unit Flight and Rocketry!!!
We will be learning about the properties of air this week!

Jr. Achievement = This will be our second week with our great instructors, Mr. and Ms. Paleka.

Math = Chapter 4 Multiplication. Your child will begin timed multiplication tests on Tuesday, October 30th. A parent letter will be coming home with your child on Tuesday explaining the timed tests. Please return the bottom section with a parent signature by the end of the week.

Trick or Treat!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of 10-22-07 in Miss Trefonas's Class

Dear Parents,
It was nice seeing so many of you at the Book Fair Thursday evening.
Thanks to all of you who purchased a book for the classroom. Your gift is greatly appreciated.

***Can you help? Donations needed for our classroom!***
~Lysol or Clorax disinfecting cleaning wipes (for desk cleaning/disinfecting)
~"healthy" individually wrapped snacks
~packages of decorated pencils

PICTURE RETAKES: are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 30th . Students must have original picture packets in hand to have a retake. If your child was absent on the first picture day, they will have to have their original order envelope with them at the time of retakes.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Spelling = Lesson 8 Review lesson! We will be reviewing words from Lessons 1-7.

Friday’s test will be multiple choice format.
No word of the week during a review week.

English = Unit 5 Capitalization & Punctuation....Interjections, Quotations, and Abbreviations!

Reading = Mastery test on all the "Determining Word Skills" from the ISAT workbook.

This is not a test the children can study for because it's an application of skills learned.

We will be starting a literature unit at the end of the week with Kid in the Red Jacket.

SCOOPer Reading…….keep reading and working on book activities!!!

Goal due date is 11/12/7!

Social Studies = Monday we will be watching Pocahantas as a culminating activity for chapter 5. We are starting Chapter 6 "Life in English Colonies". Lesson 1 is about working and trading in the colonies. To extend the children's understanding of trading, and to introduce the concept of supply and demand, we will be having a classroom TRADE FAIR. Directions for this event will be given this week. The TRADE FAIR will take place on Friday, November 2nd.

Science = Vocabulary quiz = Monday.

We will be filling out Pilot Applications to receive a Flight License for our next unit, Flight & Rocketry!!

Math = Chapter 5 test is Tuesday, October 23rd. Next, is chapter 4 and multiplication facts!

Your child needs to practice, practice, practice their multiplication facts!

Your partner in education~
Miss Trefonas

The Week of October 15th in Miss Trefonas's Class!

Dear Parents,
We begin Jr. Achievement this week. Jr. Achievement is a not-for-profit organization financed by businesses. The purpose of Jr. Achievement is to educate and inspire students to value free enterprise, business, and economics to improve the quality of their lives. Our volunteers, Ms. and Mr. Paleka, will be in our classroom for the next 6 weeks. Ms. Paleka works for Harley Davidson Financial, and Mr. Paleka works for Tellabs. They have been the volunteers for my classroom for the past few years and do a great job with this program.

~Early Dismissal = Wednesday, October 17th

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Spelling = Lesson 7 and “word of the week”

English = Unit 5 Capitalization and Punctuation. We will be learning how to use commas correctly. Project Challenge students will be working on enrichment assignments for many of the lessons.

Reading = We are continuing to work on "Determining Word Meaning" skills using the
ISAT reading workbooks. Ask your child about the game "I have, Who has?".

SCOOPer Reading…….keep reading and working on book activities!!!

Social Studies = Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Thursday, October 18th!
The students will be filling out their How to Study sheets on Monday.

Science = Atoms, Elements, and Compounds! At the end of this unit, there will not be a test only a vocabulary quiz on Monday, October 22nd.

Go Bears!! Go DGS!!!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of 10-8-7 in Miss Trefonas's Class

Dear Parents,
We are halfway through the first trimester. Please review your child’s grades on the internet. If your child is earning any grades below a C, they will be receiving a Progress Report in the mail. If you are mailed a progress report, it needs to be returned to school with a parent signature.
~No School Monday in honor of Columbus Day.
~A field trip permission slip is being sent home Tuesday. The slip needs to be returned with money and a parent signature by Friday. Checks need to be made out to Center Cass School District 66.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Spelling = Lesson 6 and Word of the Week

English = Unit 5 Capitalization and Punctuation. We will be learning about proper adjectives and nouns. Also, we will review proper use of commas. I will be sharing a fun book, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves that goes over comma usage.

Reading = ISAT practice workbook - We will be doing the Determing Word Meaning unit which focuses on antonyms, synonyms, homonyms, and words with multiple meanings.

SCOOPer Reading = We are halfway through the trimester….How is your child doing?

Social Studies = Chapter 5 - Lesson 3 'The Puritans" and Lesson 4 "English Colonies".

The test will be next week. Please encourage your child to bring home their textbook and review what we have already learned in the chapter. Your child also has note sheets and other work in their binder that is great study material.

Science = Atoms and Molecules

Math = We are beginning Chapter 3. This week we will cover lessons 1,2, and 3. We will be learning about collecting data then making, reading, and interpreting double bar graphs. Lastly, this week we will learn about coordinates and playing a version of Battleship.

Homework sheet will be given on Friday.

Go DGS Mustangs!! Go CUBS!! Go BEARS!!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of 10-2-7

Dear Parents,
Just a reminder…..our local libraries have a copy of each of our textbooks and workbooks. They can’t be checked out, but instead they can be used in the library or photocopied.

Many reminders are given during the day and at the end of the day about homework. I hope your child has been responsible and organized.

*Tuesday is the last magazine turn in day!

Thanks to the many parents who have donated many useful items to our classroom!

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Spelling

Lesson 5 and Word of the Week

English

Unit 5 Capitalization & Punctuation (we will be going back to Unit 2 after this)

Unit 1 tests are graded and returned!

Reading

ISAT skills workbook. We will be focusing on main idea/supporting details, and determing word meaning with prefixes, suffixes, context clues, synonyms and antonyms.

SCOOPer Reading

If your child does not have a book read and activity completed, you will be notified on Monday with your child bringing home a late slip.

Social Studies

Chapter 5 - Ask your child what happened to the colonists on Roanoke Island? This week we learn about Jamestown and new European colonies.

Science

Your child has received a "How to Study Sheet" for Unit 1. We will be discussing

and checking their study guide on Monday. Tuesday we will review together. Wednesday = Test! How to Study sheet due Weds. for 2 bonus points!

Book orders….check to Scholastic or exact change, thanks!! Due Friday!!

There are many good selections in this months order reasonably priced.

Math

Your child has taken the checkpoint quiz for chapter 2, and it has been graded and

returned.

Chapter 2 Test = Thursday.

Go Bears!!!! Go Cubs!!! Go Downers South!!!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of September 24th in Miss Trefonas's Class

Dear Parents,
Your child has taken their first social studies test. It has been graded and returned. I am requiring all tests to be signed and returned, so I can be assured that all parents have their child's results. Many grades were lower than I had anticipated. Please contact me if you have concerns that you feel we need to discuss.

Tuesday & Thursday = Magazine sales turn in days!!!

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 4 and Word of the Week worth 2 bonus points!

English = Unit 1 Sentences - Test on Thursday, Sept. 27th.

Your child needs to bring in a picture...They will be given the specific directions on Monday.

Reading = India - We will be working on our final project this week!

The students will also learn about India's white elephants and how they are believed to bring good luck! We will also learn a game, Tchuka Ruma, that originated in India.

SCOOPer Reading = I have met with several students who have completed book activities. Each child should have one done by the end of September!

Social Studies =

Chapter 5…the students will be learning about the lost colony of Roanoke, the Battle of the Spanish Armada, and the first successful colony, Jamestown.

Science = Matter - Physical and Chemical changes.

Your child should be able to give you examples of both types of changes by the end of the week.

**Math = (This is for the students in Miss Trefonas's math class)

We have started Chapter 2.

Quiz = Thursday! The quiz comes directly from the checkpoint in the textbook.

This means your child can do actual quiz problems at home prior to

the quiz.

Homeroom =
***Your child has brought home graded work today. Please remember to empty the “Leave at Home” section of your child’s binder!!!

Go CUBS!!! Go DGS!!! Go BEARS!!!
Miss Trefonas

The Week of September 17th!

Dear Parents,

Tuesday is an Early Dismissal Day. Prairieview dismissal time is 11:00 am.
The Magazine Sales fundraiser begins Monday.
The children will be attending an assembly Monday afternoon and getting packets to bring home.

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM:

Spelling = Lesson 3 and Word of the Week which is worth 2 bonus points on Friday's test!

English = Unit 1 Sentences. We will be testing the week of September 24th.

Reading = India
We have been reading a non-fiction book on India and outlining
main ideas and supporting details.
We will be writingparagraphs based on our notes with
interesting topic sentences and concluding sentences.

SCOOPer Reading = I have met with several students who have
completed book activities. Each child should have one done by
the end of September!

Social Studies = Chapter 4 Test is Thursday, September 20th.
How to Study sheets will be filled in on Monday.

Please ask your child to show you this important sheet.

The How to Study sheet is worth 2 social studies bonus points if the bottom section is filled in and it has a parent signature. It will be collected on test day.

Science = Matter
We will be learning about evaporation and condensation, melting and boiling points, physical and chemical changes.

***Your child is given graded papers to bring home every Friday. Please take a look at their daily work.The “Leave at Home” section of your child’s binder should be empty when they come to school every day!

Have a nice weekend!
Miss Trefonas

Week of 9-10-7

Dear Parents,
It was nice seeing all of you who were able to attend Curriculum Night. If you were unable to attend, I am sending the packet and other sheets home with your child. I need parents to complete and return the STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET as soon as possible.

HERE’S WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK:

SPELLING: Lesson 2 and Word of the Week!
Learning how to spell the Word of the Week is worth a spelling bonus point and the definition is worth a bonus point too!!
Ask your child on Monday what our Word of the Week is!

ENGLISH: We have started Unit 1 “Sentences”.
Your child has learned about declarative, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory sentences!
Can they give you an example of each?

READING: We are working on main ideas and supporting details.
SCOOPer Reading….Your child should be reading a book toward their 1st trimester goal!

SOCIAL STUDIES: Chapter 4 “Spain Builds an Empire”

We have learned about Christopher Columbus's voyages and the importance of the Columbian

Exchange. Your child has learned many interesting facts. Have they shared any with you?

SCIENCE: We are learning about matter and the physical properties of matter. We will be doing an experiment with suspensions and solutions. This week we will also discuss the three states of matter.

Otis Lennon Tests of Intelligence: Thursday, September 13th. These are used for identifying students who need extra help or who qualify for our Project Challenge program.

Scholastic Book Club orders.....

The children will be receiving these order forms monthly. There are many great books offered at reasonable prices. It is optional to order books.

If ordering books, the due date isFriday, September 14th!

Please send exact change or write a check to Scholastic Books.

Take time to show someone how much they mean
to you this weekend in remembrance of 9-11-01,
Miss Trefonas

Week of 9-3-7

Dear Parents and friends,


We have just completed our first week of school and the students and I are settling into our routine. I have enjoyed getting to know their individual personalities and talents and am anticipating a tremendous year together!


Just a reminder…Curriculum Night for Fifth grade is Thursday, September 6th at 7:00 at Prairieview. The evening will begin with an introduction by Mrs. Schultz, followed by a meeting in our classroom, during which we will review topics such as curriculum, expectations and daily schedules. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for parent conferences. We will conclude the evening with a visit with your child’s math teacher. I look forward to seeing all of you!
We spent this week getting to know each other, and organizing for the coming year. Highlights included a scavenger hunt in the Social Studies textbook, writing an acrostic poem about first impressions of fifth grade, and an autobiographical poem.


The office has requested that any items that come to school in an envelope be marked with the child's name, teacher's name, grade, and purpose (lunch tickets, field trip money, etc.). This is helpful in avoiding confusion regarding these items!


Please enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday weekend, and I hope to see you at Curriculum Night!
Sincerely,
Miss Trefonas