HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING......

TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS: Thursday was our first session with Deputy Seward with the Dupage County Sheriff's Office.  Your child has a letter that explains the program and what your child will be learning during the next 10 weeks.  Please take the time each week to ask your child about the interactive "family" assignment which corresponds with information covered during school.  We are all working together to make sure your child can make great decisions!  If at any time you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact me or Deputy Seward (630) 407-2367.


READ TO SUCCEED:  A free ticket to Six Flags Great America by reading, filling out the sheet, having a parent sign and return on or before January 30th!

Band and Choir Concert for the entire school: Tuesday @ 10:00 parents are always invited!

Early Dismissal @ 11:oo Tuesday.

BOWLING:  Wednesday! Students may bring money to buy snacks.  

P.R.I.D.E. ASSEMBLY : Friday for 5th grade....something new your child will be able to tell you about....

TIVOLI for our holiday movie:  Friday!!!
We leave PV at 11:15
Students may order lunch and/or milk.  We eat in the classroom on Friday!


CURRICULUM NOTES;

SPELLING: LESSON 14 and WORD of the WEEK
Test Thursday this week!

ENGLISH:  Commas.....Practice and Review with that tricky punctuation mark

READING:  Touching Spirit Bear  Vocabulary and a "Close" read of a chapter of this novel

SOCIAL STUDIES; starting chapter 6 after break.....

SCIENCE:  Chapter 12 OCEANS Test -   THURSDAY

WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY

Here's to a healthy & happy 2015!!

Here's What's Happening.....

 A GIRL WITH A CAPE 

AUTHOR: AMY LOGAN comes to PRAIRIEVIEW.....

Amy Logan, author of A Girl with a Cape, is visiting 

our school on Friday, November 14th.  Ms. Logan 

wrote this story about a little girl who is ready to

make a big difference in the world.  She eventually 

gets frustrated because she feels there is no big 

moment in her life that she can make a difference in. 

However what she didn't realize is that every time

she was nice to someone, it made a difference 

in that person's life.  This is a story about

"paying it forward" and remembering that 

here is a superhero in everybody.

Picture retakes : Tuesday : The original
picture envelope must be returned for a picture retake 

REMIND..... The feedback has been very positive 
about the REMIND messages.  This seems to be a 
great way to communicate on a regular basis!

CLASSROOM SUBJECTS:

Spelling : 

The week of 11/10 - Lesson 10

The week of 11/17 - Lesson 11

The week of 11/24 - none due to the 2 day week!

English :

Unit 1 Sentences - finishing this unit. Test will be
 announced this week.
 It will be on Friday or the beginning of next week.

We will be doing some poetry and writing activities 
after this unit and begin our next grammar
 unit after Thanksgiving break.

Reading :

Continuing our UNIT on CHALLENGES that focuses
 on these ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

*How can challenges affect yourself and those around you (i.e family, friends, etc)?

*How do characters, real and fictional, respond to challenges  (both positively & negatively)?

*How are challenges conquered in literature and informational text?

Sitting Bull Research that focused on the essential questions and an event in his life is being completed to create a GLOGSTER.  

Next the students will compare and contrast how Slow and Jackie Robinson handled the challenges in their lives.  

Social Studies : 

Chapter 5

 Lesson 3  "New European Colonies" which will include the Pilgrims and the Puritans.

Lesson 4 "The 13 Colonies"

Science : 

Oceans -

 Lesson 1 "What are Oceans Like?"  The students will be making a diagram of the ocean floor.

 Lesson 2 "How Does Ocean Water Move?"  Compare/Contrast waves and currents

Lesson 3 "What Forces Shapes Shorelines?"

\

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING....

HALLOWEEN..... festivities will be celebrated on Friday, 10/31!!!

The Parade will begin at 1:15 and our classroom parties will begin after the parade is finished!

Please remember to simplify costumes for school and that we change in the classrooms so complete costume changes are a bit difficult.... We do arrange a boy room for changing and a girl room for changing but time is "minimal".  Also, please remember no weapons of any kind are allowed.

Thank you Mrs, Scheck and Mrs. Topp for being great CLASSROOM  PARTY COORDINATORS!

The party volunteers attending the classroom party, running games and serving treats:

~Mrs. Huang, Mrs. Szutowicz, and Mrs. Antiporek

The parents sending in treats are: Mrs Mostafa and Mrs. O'Connor

The parent sending in beverages is Mrs. Szutowicz and Mrs. Vlassakeva is sending in paper goods.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for ALL YOUR HELP!!!!

NATIONAL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY - THURSDAY..... Your child began a letter or card in class for their bus driver that we will present in person on Thursday.  If you would like to send anything "extra" with the card/letter that is an individual decision. The bus drivers always love the notes the students write. We hope to make their day extra special!!!

PARENT - TEACHER CONFERENCES.....

The Week of October 27th is the opportunity to review your child's progress in 5th grade and also testing data.

Please sign up if you haven't already!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4aa4af22a5f85-fall12

SPELLING:
Work is due on Thursday and final test on Friday.  "Word of the Week" and definition = bonus point!

ENGLISH: Unit 1 Sentences
Your child should be able to separate a complete subject and complete predicate and identify the simple subject and simple predicate.  Look at workbook page 9 which they had to do all of the above!
Next, we learn about subjects in imperative sentences and conjunctions.  Yes....we will be singing along with SCHOOL HOUSE ROCKS....Conjunction Junction, What's your Function?

READING:
We will be doing some research on the internet to gain background knowledge on the Sioux Native Americans and then begin a selection......
A BOY CALLED SLOW - word work, gaining stamina with reading, identifying character traits at various stages of Slow's life and citing evidence of those traits from the text as "proof" of each trait".

SOCIAL STUDIES:
We will be sharing our theories on what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke....

SCIENCE:
The students chose a weather topic that they wanted to learn more about to research and we have started to "dig in" and find information.
Take a look at their topic and which specific "disaster" they picked to research....
Mrs. Foellmer, our classroom technologist, is assisting us with this project!

A LOT OF GREAT LEARNING IS HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM...............

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM....

PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION....

REMIND....
Miss Trefonas will continue to use REMIND so look for those "REMND" messages

EMAIL...
jtrefonas@ccsd66.org  questions, concerns, comments, a "check in" to see how your child is doing,
The best way to communicate!

PHONE....
Remember the phone goes to voice mail during school hours...
The direct extension is 630.783.5087

WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY LEARNING.....

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT:
We will begin Junior Achievement next week.  Mrs. Walker and Mr. Paleka will be coming to our classroom  to present the curriculum.  The curriculum covers basic economics and the discussion of topics such as starting up a business, and how to act on a job interview.  The students are always very excited about the program..  We look forward to starting this great program with great volunteers.


ELA (ENGLISH, LANGUAGE ARTS which includes Spelling and Reading too..)

READING... We are learning about CHALLENGES using a variety of text materials to focus
these three Essential Questions:

 

How can challenges affect yourself and those around you (i.e family, friends, etc)?

How do characters, real and fictional, respond to challenges  (both positively & negatively)?

How are challenges conquered in literature and informational text?

The students are in the process of comparing and contrasting two pieces of text using a "top hat" organizer.

ENGLISH... We have finished prepositional phrases and are now ready to start loooking at Unit 1 -
Sentences.
Our learning prepositional phrases will help in this unit.
We begin with the 4 types of sentences and then move into sentence parts and conjunctions.

SPELLING...Pretest is given on Monday.  The workbook or challenge activities are assigned on Monday and due on Thursday.  Final Test is given on Friday.  Word of the Week and the definition is a bonus point on the final test!

SOCIAL STUDIES...
Chapter 4 tests have been graded and returned...Please look over your child's test.

Chapter 5 L1 Roanoke Island - We will look into the several theories that exist about the disappearance of the English colonists.  Next, we will look at the first successful English colony Jamestown as the chapter continues  we learn about several European Colonies

SCIENCE..... 
Chapter 11 Weather
We will be finishing the material in the textbook this week and the students will be given a study sheet.
Test - Week of October 13th
The students will also be researching a topic that they self selected to learn more about a weather topic!

2014-2015 School Year

Welcome!!!

To find out what's happening in Miss Trefonas's Homeroom please join REMIND.

WHAT is REMIND?  Remind is a simple way for you to stay informed and up-to-date with what's happening in your class.  By joining your teacher's class on REMIND, you're choosing to receive class messages via push notifications, SMS, or email.  Don't worry your phone number will NOT be shared with the teacher or anyone else in the class. 

There are some options on how to join....

*It's a free app, just download and enter the class code ;  @misstref

or

visit the link:  www.remind.com/join/misstref

or 

Join via SMS

enter this number (630)581-2428

      with this message

@misstref

ANY QUESTIONS?  Please contact Miss Trefonas!!!

The Last Week of School 2014

THE LAST WEEK OF 5TH GRADE

GOOD BYE, PRAIRIEVIEW....

MONDAY

Science....Owl Pellet Dissection

Social Studies....National Treasure 2 

~The students may bring their blankets, pillows, etc to get comfortable!  They may also bring not only their own snack but a "goodie" to share if they'd like!

~Last I.M.C. visit with Mrs. McHale and Mrs. Warkentien

~Last regular P.E. class with Mrs. Cushing

TUESDAY

Music....last class with Mrs. Wyse after all these years!

Bowling!!!  Bring $ for snacks....

Board Games

Ice Cream Sundae Party

WEDNESDAY

Field Day and lunch which includes hot dog, chips, ice cream and water.  You can bring extra food or your own lunch!!!

Board Games and what the students "vote" on with our extra time!!!

THURSDAY

Special assembly for Mrs. Schultz

Yearbook signing

5th grade PE

Miss Trefonas last homeroom "together" time

DISMISSAL/SUMMER VACATION BEGINS!!!!!

The Week of June 2, 2014

THIS WEEK's SPECIAL EVENTS:

TUESDAY:

10:00 Channel 7 Meteorologist Phil Schwartz guest speaker for the 5th grade

12:30 working on Memory Books with parent helpers: Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. Jablonski, and Mrs. Scheck

WEDNESDAY:

10:45 Special 5th grade treat and extra recess

1:15 Author Skype with Chris Grabenstein!!!

THURSDAY:

Last time the students have art with Ms. Smeltzer....
10:15 Memory Books with parent helpers; Mrs. Sprandel, Mrs. Reynolds, and Mrs. Arnold

1:00 Talent Show ***PARENTS INVITED

FRIDAY: 

Last day of math

Summer Book Program - Book Check Out at Lakeview

Spirit Day....Wear a T shirt of your favorite vacation place

HERE's WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING......

SPELLING:  Words of the Week R-Z finish ABC book and test

LANGUAGE ARTS:  finishing Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Current events with Time For Kids

SCIENCE:  finishing Chapter 6

Test will be on Friday and I will be making a special "surprise" provision with this test....TBA

MATH:  Chapter 10 Test Thursday

Last day of math is Friday

The Week of May 5th, 2014

Dear Parents,

It was great to see the children proudly showing off their work to you at Open House.  I loved standing back and observing the interaction as they explained what was on their desk and on display around the room. They deserve the recognition that you all gave them!

I have not gotten a chance to write my thank you notes yet for the generous donations that allowed me to buy several great books for the classroom library from the BOOK FAIR....so, I want to let you know in advance  many thanks and I will get those personal notes delivered.

THIS WEEK.....
MAPs testing = Tuesday = Math @ 10:30 / Friday = Reading @ 8:05

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM:

SPELLING:  Lesson 27

LANGUAGE ARTS:  Poetry and Figurative Language
and.....

Argumentative Nonfiction topics:  Students wearing uniforms to school / Longer School Days

The students will be doing close reading activities and looking at the arguments to support and oppose these topics.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 10 "A Weak  Government" and the challenges that existed as America is now free from England!

SCIENCE:  Chapter 5 Lesson 2 "How Energy is Passed Through an Ecosystem" and we will be growing beans from a dormant lima bean seed.

MATH: Only 2 days of math this week due to MAPs testing.....

Quiz on Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Estimating Sums and Differences

The Week of April 28th, 2014

Dear Parents,
   Thanks to all of you who sent in fruit snack donations for our "goodie" drawer.

OPEN HOUSE....Thursday 6:30 and ends at 8:00.  The students have a lot of work to "show off "
BOOK FAIR too!!!  

FINAL BOX TOP TURN IN THURSDAY.......
WE ARE HOPING TO WIN THE PIZZA PARTY!!!!

MAPs TESTING is the week of May 5th.
Tuesday, May 6th 10:30 Math
Friday, May 9th 8:05 Reading

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK:

SPELLING:  Lesson 26

LANGUAGE ARTS: Poetry

*Compare/Contrast while close reading

*vocabulary

*prose vs poetry

SCIENCE:  Chapter 5 Plant Structures

What is Photosynthesis?

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 9 Test is Friday

The students have been given a week's notice due to this test being given the day after open house so they have ample time to prepare.  

MATH:  Chapter 9

Rounding Fractions

Adding and Subtracting Fractions with "like" and "unlike" denominators

The Week of April 21, 2014

Dear Parents,

It was nice to see so many parents at the Too Good For Drugs Graduation.  This is an important pledge your child has taken.  Please keep that open line of communication with your child about making the right choice to stay "Drug Free".

Tuesday - Earth Day....Spirit Day - Have your child wear their Earth Day shirt or wear green or blue.

SAVE THE DATE:  OPEN HOUSE.....THURSDAY, MAY 1st!!!!

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM:

SPELLING:  Lesson 25

LANGUAGE ARTS:  CHINA brochures are due Monday.  

We will be doing a vocabulary, writing, and poetry activity based on CHINA!

We will be creating "Pandas on Parade", Chinese Lanterns, and Chinese Dragons.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 9 Lesson 3 "World Turned Upside Down" and learning about how the Yankee Doodle song became popular.  The students will do an enrichment activity and write parodies!

MATH:  Chapter 8 Lesson 7 Fractions as Decimals - This will be a 2 day lesson.

We will be reviewing chapter 8.

Chapter 8 Test is planned for Friday.

The Week of April 14, 2014

Dear Parents,
Wow! The students did a phenomenal job presenting their websites or slideshow presentations of their UNSOLVED MYSTERIES.  Thanks to all the parents who were able to attend in person or via Google "Hang Out".  They worked very hard on all aspects of this project.  I was extremely impressed by their attentiveness during the final presentations and the level of questions they asked each other.  This project also was a success thanks to working collaboratively with Mrs. Foellmer, our Educational Technologist.  Mr. Hummel, our technology director, made the Google "Hang Out" possible.  

MONDAY:  CLASS REWARD/CELEBRATION and CLASS BREAKFAST FROM PTO AUCTION that was bid on for our class by......Mrs. Foellmer!!! She was so impressed with the hard work they put into their projects!  
I will be treating the class to Dunkin Donuts, fruit, and juice and we'll watch a Mystery!!

TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS GRADUATION 
THURSDAY @  8:30am  PRAIRIEVIEW  parents and family members invited!!
Congratulations to Morgan  for being selected to read her essay from our homeroom!

If you would like to nominate your child for Project Challenge at Lakeview, this needs to be completed by April 30th.  You can have your child bring the envelope here labeled: Project Challenge Nomination, Mrs. Maass Lakeview and I can put it in the interoffice mail or feel free to drop it off at Lakeview.

• Project Challenge Parent Nomination - We are presently taking nominations for those children who will be in third grade through eighth grade in the fall of 2014.  Project Challenge is the district’s program for the academically talented children in grades third through eighth grade. If you would like to nominate your child for Project Challenge, please fill in the nomination form which is located on the district webpage, or pick one up in the office of your child’s school. Nominations forms should be returned to Mrs. Sheryl Sulima , K-5 Gifted Coordinator, or Mrs. Jennifer Maass, 6-8 Gifted Coordinator, by Wednesday, April 30.  Please see attached link for Nomination Form:
  http://www.ccsd66.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/project/GiftedParentNominationForm.pdf
  Thank you, Mrs. Sheryl Sulima, Prairieview & Mrs. Jennifer Maass, Lakeview

THURSDAY - EARLY DISMISSAL

FRIDAY - NO SCHOOL

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM:

SPELLING:  Lesson 24 Work due and Test on Thursday

ENGLISH: finishing Adverbs and quiz on Thursday

READING:  CHINA!  Your child is researching China as if they are a student ambassador to China for a year.  They are using the internet, as well as non-fiction text to learn more about the city they selected to live in, the type of housing, what school is like, daily life, activities, food, and the culture.

They will create a tri fold brochure using a template that's been shared on Google Documents.  

For this Monday, they have one panel due and I have asked them to read "dig in" and learn more about China!

***We hope to SKYPE or communicate with a school or someone in China. 

The entire project is due on Monday, April 21st. 

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 9 Lesson 2 "When Washington Crossed the Delaware" a letter writing activity

MATH:  QUIZ Chapter 8 Lessons 1-4 on Monday

Lesson 5 LCM

Lesson 6 Compare Fractions

The Week of March 24th, 2014

Dear Parents,
 
    *NaperSettlement Field Trip this Friday!!!
We go rain or shine so please dress appropriately for the weather. Please bring umbrellas if needed or
what is necessary for Friday's weather.  We do walking around the settlement and some inside and outside chores. It is a great experience!
 Don't forget.....
  **A DISPOSABLE lunch  and drink! Otherwise your child will be responsible for carrying their lunch
container the rest of the afternoon.
Chaperones:  Mrs. Jablonski, Mrs. Sprandel, Mrs. Silanskis, and Mrs. Arnold

**SAVE SOME IMPORTANT DATES:
 THURSDAY, APRIL 17TH - TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS GRADUATION 8:30AM
Parents and family members invited.  Students receive a certificate during the ceremony!  

There will be one student from each class sharing their "Promise Letter" in front of everyone, as well
 as important motivational speeches that will reinforce the program your child has participated in at school.

THE WEEK AFTER SPRING BREAK.....APRIL 7th.......
YOU ARE INVITED TO.....UNSOLVED MYSTERY PRESENTATIONS!!!!!

Please ask your child which mystery they are presenting.....you are invited to see all if you wish!!!
~Tuesday, April 8th beginning at  12:45 Bermuda Triangle, Nazca Lines, and Easter Island
~Wednesday, April 9th beginning at 8:15 Crop Circles and Mary Celeste
and Wednesday, April 9th beginning at 12;45 Stone Henge, S.S. Omang Medan, and Roswell

Here's What Else Is Happening:

SPELLING:  LESSON 22  **Must get 100% to be on challenge list 3rd trimester!!!

New Challenge Activity list to choose from!

ENGLISH:  Unit 3 Verb Test - Thursday

READING:  Finishing and Presenting UNSOLVED MYSTERIES!!!

SOCIAL STUDIES:  beginning Chapter 9 "Winning the Revolution"

Lesson 1 "Declaring Independence" and Lesson 2 "Patriots at War"

SCIENCE:  We will wait after spring break to begin our next unit.....

MATH:  continuing to divide decimals....this week by "powers of 10"

The Week of March 10th and 17th

Dear Parents,

   I big THANK YOU for sending in Capri Sun juice drinks during ISAT testing. Also, the fruit snack donations and other prizes for our classroom are always appreciated especially by the students.
   We could still use a few more boxes of Capri Sun and prizes/stickers!  Thank you, in advance!!!

 ISAT testing in 5th grade will conclude on Monday, March 10th with one last Reading Test.
 ***Makeup testing will take place for any absent students the rest of the week.

Too Good For Drugs - Our last session with Deputy Seward is Friday, March 21st.
SAVE THE DATE!!!!
 Too Good For Drug 5th grade graduation!!
 Thursday, April 17th from 8:30- 9:30 am  Parents and family members invited!!

NO SCHOOL - Monday,  March 17th & Tuesday, March 18th

FIELD TRIP TO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY - WEDNESDAY 3/12!!
Chaperones = Mrs. Cullen, Mrs. Gustafson, Mrs. Pinto, and Mrs. Scheck
Chaperones, please be at PV at 8:45
We are departing by 9:00!
Your child needs $ to purchase lunch at the food court or may bring a sack lunch.  $10.00 is the maximum needed and change should be brought home.  There will be no souvenir shopping!

HERE'S WHAT's HAPPENING IN ROOM 205:

SPELLING:  None this week

ENGLISH:  Unit 3 Verbs....More irregular verbs, verb usage, and almost finishing the unit!!!

READING:  Unsolved Mysteries 

The students are working in groups on an unsolved mystery.  They had a list of mysteries which to select a topic that interested them.   This entire project is technology based.

On Google Docs they can show you the Site and the Unsolved Mystery Project directions, links to get them started for their research, what the project needs to include, a rubric etc.

Then, they can show you how they collaboratively took notes and how they are now implementing the notes into their final project either a WEBSITE or SLIDE SHOW!

Part of the project, is using Newspapers.com, a site that we have a subscription to, to find a primary source about their subject as part of their presentation.

Also, they are trying to find an EXPERT to contact about their "mystery" to get information. We may even try to Skype!!!

Lastly, as we finish these.....I will send dates and times for parents to come see and here our awesome presentations!!!!!

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Patriot/Loyalist project.....The students will be doing the last part of this project for Chapter 8 Lesson 3 on Monday including the cover.  The Project will be due on Tuesday and we will be printing them here at school in the lab on the color double sided printer!

SCIENCE:  Chapter 15 finish lesson 3 and Lesson 4 "How do People use Energy Resources"

Chapter 15 Test = Friday, March 21

MATH: This only covers the week of  3/10:

Ch6 L9 Estimating Quotients and L10 Dividing Decimals using Models

***Keep practicing multiplication and division facts at home****

The week of March 3rd, 2013

Dear Parents,

     I sent an email with the ISAT schedule for next.  Please make sure your child is well rested, has eaten a healthy breakfast, and brings a snack.  I will have a Capri Sun juice drink for them each day of testing.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM BESIDES ISAT TESTING:

SPELLING: LESSON 21

ENGLISH:  Verb agreement ,contractions, and irregular verbs

READING:  Unsolved Mysteries

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Enrichment activity with the information covered in Chapter 8 Lesson 3 and finishing our Patriot/Loyalist Project

SCIENCE:  Chapter 15 Lesson 3 "How Heat is Transferred"  

MATH:  One day of math class due to ISAT testing and we will have a "MATH REVIEW"

The Week Of February 24th, 2014

Dear Parents,

   NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, FEB. 28TH - Due to Teacher Institute Day.

   Too Good For Drugs Update:  Your child learned about the "Myths and Facts about Alcohol" and was given a handout to share with you.  This is good information to discuss with your child.

   THIS WEEK IN OUR CLASSROOM:

SPELLING:  Lesson 20

ENGLISH:  Verb tenses: Evaluating writing pieces that are not written in the same tense and proofreading and editing the piece. Also, working on subject/verb agreement.

READING:  "Unsolved Mysteries" What Really Happened.....????   The students will finish reading about Amelia Earhart's mysterious disappearance and examine different theories or come up with one of their own about what really happened......  We are looking at text and deciphering information as factual or opinion and how to support facts with "evidence".

We will also do another practice extended extended response to a reading selection before ISAT testing the week of 3/3.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Imported Tea from England!!!! Is your child a Patriot or Loyalist?  Will they have a cup of delicious refreshing flavorful tea from the EAST INDIA TEA COMPANY on Tuesday during our BOSTON TEA PARTY??? Please ask and send a reply!!!

**Lesson 2 of Patriot/Loyalist Project this week**

We begin Lesson 3 "The American Revolution Begins"

SCIENCE:  Forms of Energy:  Solar, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, and Sound and how they change forms

MATH:  Multiplication Properties

Multiplying Decimals by Powers of 10

Problem Solving: Looking for a Pattern

The Week of February 17th, 2014

Dear Parents,

 I hope you have an enjoyable three day weekend.
Remember there's no school in observation of President's Day on Monday.

Thank you to the great parent helpers for making the last classroom party a lot of fun for the students!
I appreciate the planning and preparation it took. Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedules.

Spring Pictures are Thursday.  The slip needs to be returned on or before picture day.

Museum of Science and Industry $ and permission slip due Wednesday.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM:

SPELLING:  Lesson 19

ENGLISH:  Linking Verb Island due Tuesday.

Verb Tenses this week

READING:  Starting a unit "Unsolved Mysteries"  

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 8 Lesson 2 Colonists Rebel - The students will learn about the Boston Massacre, The Committees of Correspondence, The Boston Tea Party, and The First Continental Congress

SCIENCE:  Potential and Kinetic Energy ....activities that put energy to the "test"

MATH:  Multiplying Decimals

Friday = Quiz

The Week of February 10, 2014

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to Matthew for being a runner up in the District 66 Spelling Bee.  We sure are proud of him!

Friday is Valentine's Day!  I encourage each student to bring Valentine's to pass out to their classmates.
They can put names on each Valentine individually or just sign their name and pass them out randomly.
Candy Valentine's are allowed.  They may also pass out Valentine's to teachers in other classrooms, but we are not passing out Valentine's to friends in other classrooms.

Thank you to Mr. Hoffman for coordinating our Valentine's Day Party.
Thank you very much to all the following helpers:
Mr. Jablonski, Mrs. Sprandel, and Mrs. Hoffman are the party helpers and attending the party.
Mrs. Arce, Mrs Arnold, and Mrs. Messina are providing treats.
Mrs Nicholson is providing beverages.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LEARNING THIS WEEK:

SPELLING:  Lesson 18

ENGLISH:  Linking Verbs enrichment project - Creating an imaginary island 

READING: finding "cause/effect" scenarios in fiction and nonfiction short reading selections

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 8 Lesson 1 "Trouble Over Taxes" The Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts!  

Who are the Sons and Daughters of Liberty? 

Does Parliament have the right to tax the colonists?

What does "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!" mean?

Would you be a LOYALIST or a PATRIOT?

SCIENCE:  Chapter 15 Lesson 1 "Potential and Kinetic Energy"

MATH:

Monday : Chapter 6 Lesson 1 Estimating Products of Whole Numbers and Decimals

Tuesday: Chapter 6 Lesson 1 Problem Solving

Wednesday:  Chapter 6 Lesson 2 Hands on activity with multiplying with decimals

Thursday:  Chapter 6 Lesson 3 Multiply Decimals by Whole Numbers

Friday:  Valentine's Day math activity

The Week of February 3rd, 2014

Dear Parents,

The Week of 1/20/14

Dear Parents,

Let it snow....Let it snow....Let is snow!!! Andrea is the winner of our Friday predication of what time will the snow begin!  Andrea, make sure you see Miss T. for your prize on Tuesday.

NO SCHOOL MONDAY -Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

SPELLING BEE:
Thursday 1/23 Classroom practice spelling bee
Monday 1/27 Classroom Spelling Bee where we will get the  finalists to compete in the 5th grade bee
Thursday 1/30 5th grade Spelling Bee
Thursday 2/6 Center Cass School District Spelling Bee

Friday 1/24 Paul Revere Mystery "In School" Field Trip $ due
Friday 1/24 Bingo Nigjht

TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS:
Your child learned how to send and receive non-verbal messages.  An activity sheet to practice this skill was sent home.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE UP TO IN THE CLASSROOM:

SPELLING:  Lesson 16

ENGLISH:  Unit 4 Adjective Test 

READING:  Extended Responses with text proof and interpretation

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 7 L2 The French Explore the Mississippi River

and L3 The French and Indian War

SCIENCE:  We will be doing an activity with physical changes and then learning about chemical changes.

The Week of January 13, 2014

Dear Parents,

HAPPY 2014!!!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  I wrote out individual thank you notes to each student and hope that the notes were shared with parents for the very generous gift card to Yorktown Mall and money for classroom supplies.  Thank you very much for contributing to the class gift and/or the separate gifts. I was really spoiled.  I can't thank all of you enough for being so thoughtful.

2014 sure has come in with a flurry!!! I had two flights cancelled trying to get home from California only to be welcomed to the brutal cold and snow.  I actually missed the students during the two snow days......

PLEASE REMEMBER:
 EARLY DISMISSAL on WEDNESDAY!!!
 NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, JANUARY 20th

HERE's WHAT's HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM:

MONDAY:  Picture due for  "Picture of 2013"

                     Scholastic Book Orders due

TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS:  Today was our first session with Deputy Seward with the Dupage County Sheriff's Office.  Your child has a letter that explains the program and what your child will be learning during the next 10 weeks.  Please take the time each week to ask your child about the interactive "family" assignment which corresponds with information covered during school.  We are all working together to make sure your child can make great decisions!  If at any time you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact me or Deputy Seward (630) 407-2367.

SPELLING:  Lesson 15

ENGLISH:  ADJECTIVES - an enrichment activity based on a book Things That are Most in the World and we will be writing adjective poems

READING:  Main Ideas and Supporting Details in non fiction text

SOCIAL STUDIES:  Chapter 7 "FIGHT FOR A CONTINENT"

Lesson 1 The Spanish Move North 

SCIENCE:  Physical Changes