Poetry

It's not even poetry month and read what one of our students has created:

love 
love. Love will never and even when the world is over it will never end. Not for any time set it will last for eternity because it is what makes everybody is happy or sad.
So if love didn't exsist ask yourself where would you be: in depression, in a state of confusment, or maybe even not thinking at all, your mind is blank not a word in sight.
Love, love, love. The word that rules the world.
                                                                                 -Alexis Johnson

Smith Spokesman 9.23.11

Math: Bridges Unit I

It has been exciting to watch our students take to the new Bridges curriculum and activities.  This week we learned about prime and composite numbers. Using square tiles, students built rectangles out of a specified number of tiles.  If students found they could only build one rectangle – that number of tiles was prime.  If students were able to build more than one kind of rectangle, the number of tiles was composite.  Can you tell which is prime and which is composite?

                On the back of this page is a form of tic-tac-toe.  Ask your student to play it with you?  Extra credit if they do and turn this in signed tomorrow!

Writing: The Class Book continues

This week we worked on organizing our interview questions and answers into logical paragraphs, which a topic sentence for each paragraph with matching details.  We are also working on our writing stamina!

Computer Lab:  Typing our interviews.

Social Studies: Geography continues

Scholastic Book Orders:

Yes, you can order them online yourself!  Log On:

http://scholastic.com/  Click “Parents,” then click “Register Now” as a non-educator.  You will then complete your on-line account.  Then… are you with me still?  Click:  SHOP Classroom Book  Club Flyer.  Click:  Parent Sign In.  Register your child.

And… enter this 5 letter activation code:  HQTQZ

Reading:  Crash  continues

As you know our first read aloud unit is Crash, by Jerry Spinelli.  The students seem to agree that Mr. Spinelli is a great writer – and many have been inspired to read more books by him.  We have launched into the definitions of RESPECT & BULLY.  BYSTANDER will be next week.  Please be sure your student is reading 30 minutes per night or two hours per week of their own book at home!

Ask Your Student:

Class jobs?  Which job did your student have this week?  I wonder which they’ll have next week?

Earthquake Drill?  What do we do?  And how?

Firedrill?   What do we do?  How does it differ from an Earthquake procedure?

Please Note!

The date of the Back to School Picnic and Open House has been changed to:

Thursday, October 6^th, 2011

This relaxed event is a great way to meet the Maplewood staff, view the portables, and get your questions about the new year answered.   There will be some informational handouts, and an opportunity to sign up for conferences as well.  If the weather permits, bring a picnic before the event.  Typically people begin to gather about 5:30, and rooms will be opened beginning at 6:30.  I hope to see you all there!!!

Smith Spokesman 9.16.11

From the Classroom...

Math: Bridges Unit I

Off we go, launching into our new Bridges math curriculum. The first unit addresses all strands of elementary mathematics – number, computation, geometry, algebraic thinking, measurement, and data analysis – while introducing some of the major skills, concepts, visual models and manipulatives students will use throughout the year.  The overarching theme of the unit is the mathematical process: observing, describing, making and testing ideas, and developing generalizations.  A big part of the launch of the Bridges program is about establishing a safe and respectful community of math learners.

                In our first weeks we have completed pre-assessments to help me better understand each student, as well as explored cube number patterns, graphing data, and use of the area model for multiplication and division.

I’m excited about the new materials and the discussion and exploration that is already occurring in our classroom!    

Writing: The Class Book

Our first project in writing this year is our Class Book.  Each student is responsible for interviewing a partner, and then writing a short, one page bio- piece about that student.  In these pieces we learn about each student’s family, academic interests, and hobbies.  With this first piece, we are emphasizing the writing trait of organization.  We are stressing the importance of organizing information into logical “chunks,” and making sure that each paragraph has an appropriate topic sentence and matching details.

Remember….

Back to School Night

Thursday, September 29th

Social Studies: Geography

We begin our year in social studies learning about maps and about the general geography of the United States.   This week we learned about finding absolute location through using latitude and longitude.  Students thought of a place they would like to visit in the United States, and described its location using latitude and longitude.

Reading:  Crash

Our first read aloud unit is Crash, by Jerry Spinelli.  This literature unit is from “Steps to Respect:  A Bullying Prevention Program.”  The primary goal of the program is to help create a safe, respectful, caring learning environment that is bullying-free for all students. 

   Ask Your Student:

      Name Bugs!  Ask your student about these insects. 

            What is science?  What is a scientist?

Last week we listed all our ideas.  This week we drew them and wrote about them and shared them with the rest of the class.

            Class jobs?  Which job did your student have this week?

            Maplewood Wildwood?  When do we go, what is expected of us, what do we do?

Back-to-School Letter

Dear Fifth Grader Parents:                                                                   September 9, 2011

                                   
Hi, I am your student’s New Teacher this fifth grade year.  I have had the pleasure of meeting several of you already, but allow me to introduce myself:  My name is Suzanne Smith.  I have been a part of the Maplewood community for the past 16 years as a parent to three, PTA board member, volunteer, and teacher.  I am excited to be here again this year! 

This is a second (third?  fourth?) career for me.  I have a Masters in the Art of Teaching (M.A.T.) from Lewis & Clark’s Graduate School of Education and I believe that children are naturally curious, intrinsically imaginative, and thrive when learning is active, meaningful, and differentiated. I strive to create a safe learning environment that celebrates the unique contributions of our students, their families, and our school.  I love themes and connecting our learning across the curriculum. 

Here is what your students and I will study this school year:

Literature Block

·        Reading Street with Scott Foresman including spelling, grammar, and comprehension

·        Daily Read-Aloud

·        SSR = “Sustained Silent Reading”

Writing

·        Writing with Grade 5 ‘Units of Study’ including

o       Personal Narrative

o       Imaginative Narrative

o       Informational Article  (Native American project)

o       Persuasive

o       Research (State Project)

Social Studies Units

·        Native American Unit and project, History of the United States, and State Project

Science/Health Units

·        Variables Unit, Earth, Moon & Stars Unit, and Microworlds Unit.

·        In the spring:  F.L.A.S.H.  (Family Life and Sexual Health)

Math

·        Bridges:  Portland Public School’s new math curriculum     

Art

·        Students will enjoy art integrated into the core subjects

Specials

·        P.E., library, and computer lab

Class expectations are beginning to shape up in A-2.  Maplewood practices the following four guidelines:  Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful, and Do Your Best.  More on this at Back-to-school night on September 29^th. 

I am committed to life-long learning and for my students as well.  Learning occurs in many places – not just in the classroom.  You have a big impact on your student’s success – and I welcome you to volunteer in our classroom be it copying or leading small group literature circles.   

Thank you for sending your student with their own pencils, a self-contained personal pencil sharpener, 3 boxes of tissues, and cash or check made out to Maplewood for $35 for classroom supplies.  Also, thank you for completing the back-to-school bombardment of paperwork!

Email is the best method in which to contact me with any questions or concerns.  And don’t forget to visit our class blog!  I’m looking forward to the year with your student and you.

Suzanne Smith

ssmith@pps.net

http://smithclassof2012.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year!

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