Headlines 3/16

We are in the last week of third quarter and are winding down our units while we prepare for next semester!  Thank you for all your help with Field Day; the students had a wonderful time and we earned the Silver Medal!

Math: This week we are taking some time to cover concepts that we may not get to before AZMerit.  We are simply introducing the concepts and doing some practice work.  We will cover these more in depth later in the year. I will be sending math tests home today for students to make corrections, they are more than welcome to get help during recess and before or after school.

Writing/Grammar:  We are taking a break from writing and grammar this week and doing some review of sentence diagramming.

Literature: We are continuing our study of fables this week and using them to write summaries, find themes, and use context clues to understand unknown words.

Science:  This week we are doing a fun activity on plant cells.  The students are becoming teachers by using research given to them to study and then present to the class.

History:  We are continuing our reading and discussion of Feudal Japan and ancient Russia this week. 

 Announcements:

• I apologize for the late notice, but there is no tutoring this week.  However, I will be available before and after school to help students make corrections to their math tests.
• Please send in a reusable grocery bag with your child on Thursday to store their desk materials in over spring break.  Our classroom will be receiving a much needed deep clean!
• We will be celebrating our achievements this quarter with a small class party on Thursday.  If you are able to send in a snack or drink to share with the class please let me know.   

Important Dates:

• Half Day: Thursday, March 17
• Spring Break: Friday, March 18-Monday, March 28

Wish List:

If you are out shopping over break, we are in need of dry erase markers, Kleenex, and glue sticks!

Headlines, 3/9

I am so sorry for the tardiness of this blog post!  It has been a busy week and I have had a few computer issues, so we are back on board today!

Math: Today we began our review of decimals.  Students should work on the review tonight and tomorrow we will go over this in class.  We will be taking a test on Friday, however tomorrow night students may use a 3 x 5 note card to create a study aide to use during the test. They will hear more about this tomorrow.

Writing/Grammar:  I have been so pleased with the wonderful presentations students gave and am looking forward to reading their research papers.  I am very proud of the hard work our class put forth on this challenging project!

Literature: This week we are reading fables while we discuss using context clues with unknown vocabulary as well as writing clear and concise summaries.  The roots test is tomorrow!

Science:  We began our unit on plant cells this week by discussing each organelle and it's function within a cell.

History:  The students began the unit on Russia this week by learning about it's culture and history.

 Field Day!!

Field day is Friday and we are all very excited!  I know many parents had questions so here is all I know!

• Students may wear athletic clothing and do not need to be in uniform, although please be sure that the length of shorts is within dress code.  Our color is purple so we are encouraging students to wear purple items of clothing, and of course, please be sure clothing is free of pop culture.  However, they may wear clothing with sports teams on it.  They must have athletic shoes to take part in field day activities!  
• We will provide a cooler for water bottles, so please be sure your child has their water bottle to take on the field.  There will be plenty of cold water available for refills.
• There will be a snack time on the field and we have two parents who have graciously offered to bring those for the class, thank you!
• We will be eating lunch in the room around 11:00, and will head out to field day activities at 12:00.  Please be sure your child has a sack lunch!

Important Dates

• Roots Test:  Thursday, March 10
• Field Day:  Friday, March 11
• Half Day: Thursday, March 17
• Spring Break: Friday, March 18-Monday, March 28

A Quick Note

Dear Families,

I wanted to reach out and let you know how much I care about each and every one of your children.  I am always happy to speak with you about any concerns you have regarding our class and issues that may arise.

Our school has specific guidelines we follow for grievances.  Our handbook states that you can request a meeting with a teacher, put your concern in writing, and then contact the headmaster if you feel it is needed.  If you would like more detailed information about this procedure, please see page 30 of the Famiy Handbook.

Please also note that the family directory is intended for communication centered on academic and social events; it is not a place to air your grievances.

I appreciate all the time and energy you devote to your children's education, as well as all you do to support the staff.  Your children's best interest are always at the heart of what we do.

Thank you,
Shauna  Anderson 

Headlines 2/29

Happy Leap Year Day.....I'm not sure that is a thing, but just in case, I hope you are enjoying your day!  We had a great day today, and everyone is very excited for the field trip tomorrow.  I will give more details below, so make sure you read to the bottom!

Math: We are in the midst of our unit over decimals and this week will be working on dividing and multiplying by two digit whole numbers as well as decimals.  The concept is one that students seem to be grasping, however many students are making small mistakes on their math facts.  This morning we discussed how practicing our math facts, especially focusing on the ones that we struggle with, will help us tremendously!  Because of our field trip, we will not have math groups this week.  

Writing/Grammar:  Students are well into their research paper.  An outline and rough draft of the body and introduction should be complete at this time.We will finish our rough drafts this week, work on peer editing, and will start typing on Friday.  Instructions for the presentation went home on Friday, and should have been returned today.  If you have not talked to your student about their presentation, please do so tonight!

Literature: This morning we had a lovely Socratic conversation about The Secret Garden.  We will do a few culminating activities this week, including using our character studies to nominate a "Dynamic Character Award."  We will take a test over the book on Friday, so students should be studying the vocabulary and plot summaries in their journals.

Science:  We completed our plant unit today with a writing assignment over some of the concepts we have studied.  Our next unit is Plant Cells which we will begin on Wednesday.

History:  Students should be studying for the test on Wednesday!  Study guides have been completed, discussed, and vocabulary went home as well.  Our next unit will cover Japan and Russia.

 Field Trip

We will leave school tomorrow morning at 8:30 and will return at 2:30.  Students are welcome to wear shorts and tennis shoes, however, they do need to wear their uniforms. They may also bring a hat and/or sunglasses.  

Each student should bring a backpack with their lunch and water bottle.  They may bring up to $10 for snacks and drinks, however we will not be spending our time shopping, as we want to use our time to explore the educational opportunities!  Also, please leave phones and cameras at home, unless prior arrangements have been made.

It will be a warm day, so dress accordingly, and wear sunscreen!

Important Dates

• Field Trip: Tuesday, March 1st
• History Test:  Wednesday, March 2nd 
• Secret Garden Test: Friday, March 4th
• Field Day:  Friday, March 11

Headlines 2/22

It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of February!  Even with a short week we were able to accomplish quite a bit last week.  We concluded on Friday by discussing how we can incorporate the virtue of friendship into our days by noticing the good in others.  Ask your child about the compliment game we are starting this week!

Math: This morning we took a short quiz over multiplying and dividing decimals and converting fractions to decimals.  I will try my best to send these home today so you can review them with your child tonight.  The rest of the week will be focused on multiplying and dividing decimals by powers of ten.

Writing/Grammar:  Last week we learned how to research and began online researching in class.  We will spend today and tomorrow researching and will begin an outline and rough draft at the end of the week.  I will be sending home instructions for the presentation portion of the project this week. If you have had a difficult time finding resources,please let me know!

Literature: We are on our last section of The Secret Garden this week!  There will be a test over the book next week, so students should review their chapter summaries and vocabulary this week.  Many students have asked about a literature celebration for this book.  We WILL be having one, however we are going to wait and celebrate before spring break.  More details will be coming soon!

Science:  This week in Science we are covering Photosynthesis and plant respiration.

History:  We are finishing our unit over explorers this week.  The study guide will be going home on Friday and the test will be next Wednesday , March 3rd.

 Announcements

• Please be sure you have signed up for the Renaissance Festival on Tuesday, March 1st. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to join us.  Each parent will need to bring $9 cash to pay for their tickets.  
• If your student buys lunch, they will need a sack lunch on this day.

 https://archwayareteclubs.wufoo.com/forms/renassiance-festival-5c-mrs-anderson/

Important Dates

• Tuesday, March 1 - Field Trip
• Saturday, March 27th -Arete Fun Run and Picnic
• History Test- Wednesday, March 1

Headlines 2/16

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend and had plenty of time to rest and relax. I want to say a huge thank you to Andrea Davey and Shruti Rattan for all their help organizing our friendship day activities as well as all the parents volunteered their time and supplies.  The students had a wonderful time as we celebrated what it means to be a great -hearted student.

Math: We are continuing our unit on decimals this week and will practice multiplying and dividing with decimals.  There will be no math groups this week.

Writing/Grammar:  Today we will be introducing our research project over European Explorers.  This will be an in-class project, however students will be responsible for having books and supplies in class by next Monday.  A packet explaining the project will go home today.  Please read and discuss this with your child and return the signature page by tomorrow.  

Literature: This week we will continue our reading of The Secret Garden by doing several character studies and having a Socratic discussion over the book.

Science:  Our study of plants will continue this week as we discuss plant anatomy and photosynthesis.  It is a great idea for students to review their notes daily as to prepare for open note quizzes!

History:  Students are still working on their  Explorer Yearbooks and studying the passages that each of our explorers traveled.

 Announcements

• Please be sure you have signed up for the Renaissance Festival on Tuesday, March 1st. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to join us.  Each parent will need to bring $9 cash to pay for their tickets.  
• If your student buys lunch, they will need a sack lunch on this day.

 https://archwayareteclubs.wufoo.com/forms/renassiance-festival-5c-mrs-anderson/

Important Dates

• Tuesday, March 1 - Field Trip
• Saturday, March 27th -Arete Fun Run and Picnic

Wish List

We could use more disinfecting wipes!

A Few Updates

Happy Great Hearts Day!

We had a lovely assembly this morning, and the students performed a beautiful recitation of their poem.  I was very proud of all their hard work!

Congratulation go to Hanna Tollen for receiving the virtue award for Humility this month. We have spoken about the idea that humility means  "we have much to offer, and much to learn."  Hanna is a wonderful example of this in our classroom.

We were also very proud of Peter Green's poetry recitation of Psalm 100 for the Bard Competition.  It was clear that he put forth much effort and hard work.  Great job Peter!

Also, thank you for all your generous donations to A New Leaf.  The director of the organization came and spoke to the school this morning and she was overwhelmed by the generosity of our students, staff, and parents.  Fifth grade alone collected over 400 items!

I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that yesterday, due to some issues that have come to light,  we had a discussion with the entire fifth grade class about what it means to show friendship and be inclusive of all students.  Last night I happened upon a post that Glennon Doyle Melton wrote on this topic.  I thought it was both timely and beautifully stated, I wanted to share it with you all:

Please talk to your children about relationships. About empathy. Please show them with your questions that you care about the way they are treating each other and being treated. That you care not only about their minds - but about their hearts. And not only about their hearts- but about the hearts of their classmates and acquaintances and those who have no one to sit with at lunch.

We are so concerned with achievement in this country and some ways- that’s okay. But I think people who are trying to be perfect all the time have no energy leftover to be good. This is true of adults and children. People who don’t feel forgiven for being human don’t forgive anybody else for being human, either.
Our kids need to know that we want them to do GOOD as much as we want them to do WELL.

Maybe- when they get home today in addition to asking:

How was your test?

We could ask: How are your friendships?

Is there anyone in your class you’re struggling with?

Who drives you crazy? Why do you think that is?

When did you feel left out today?

Anybody else feeling left out?

Anybody getting picked on at lunch, recess, or the bus?

How would you feel if that were you? What could we do about it, together?

Test scores and grades are important- I understand. Children learning how to care for and be cared for by other human beings is even more important. It’s a matter of life and death.

Getting along with others is the hardest thing in the world. We can't leave kids alone to figure it out. Kids need coaches. We all do.

We Belong To Each Other- And We Can Do Hard Things- like raise kids who are brave and kind.

I am so honored to be a part of the Great Heart's community and I thank you for entrusting your most precious assets to me every day!