WEEK OF MARCH 1

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
In session 6, Deputy K showed a power point presentation that provided facts about alcohol. The students received a "Facts about Alcohol" sheet that needs to be reviewed with a parent. This sheet should be returned on or before Thursday, March 4 with a parent signature.

ISAT Testing
The students will be taking the ISAT tests throughout the week. Please make sure your students gets plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast each morning. Also, students should bring a healthy snack to enjoy before testing each day. A little "brain food" boost may be helpful to keep our energy up and going!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - There will be no spelling lesson this week.
• English - Students will review how to compare using adjectives and learn the correct forms to use when comparing with good and bad. On Friday, the students will take the writing portion of the ISAT test.
• Reading - We will be reviewing all of the strategies used in reading for preparation during the ISATs. The students will take the reading portions of the ISAT from Tuesday through Thursday. March Reading Project - We will be introducing the March reading project to the students. Look for information about "Exploring Expository" coming home with your child on Tuesday.
• Science - The students should be preparing for the Chapter 11 test on Wednesday, March 3. This test was announced and written on the Assignment Board last Wednesday, and I encouraged everyone to get an early start with preparation during the weekend!
• Social Studies - We will continue on through Lesson 3 about the beginning of the American Revolution.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will take the math portions of the ISAT in their math classrooms from Tuesday through Thursday.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 1 - No School (C. Pulaski Day)

March 2 - 5 - ISAT Testing

March 4 - T.G.F.D. Session 7

March 5 - End of 2nd Trimester

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22

Conference Forms
Conference forms were sent home last week. This form is an opportunity for parents to request a conference with homeroom and/or math teachers during the week of March 8. Please return these forms as soon as possible so that I can schedule all requests and confirm dates/times with parents.

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
Deputy K showed the students a very informative slide show presentation about tobacco. The students were then given a "Facts about Tobacco" sheet that needs to be reviewed with a parent. These sheets need to be returned with a parent signature by Thursday, February 25.

Spring Picture Day
Spring pictures will be taken on Thursday, February 25. All students will be photographed on this day (unless a parent notifies the teacher otherwise), and there are no orders or money due at this time! When the portrait package is ready, it will be sent home with your child so that you may look before you buy. If you do not choose to purchase, you will simply return the entire package. If you decide to purchase pictures, you will send a check for the ones purchased and return any pictures you do not wish to keep.


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 23 focuses on words with the prefix ad.
• English - We will continue to learn about adjectives. The students will learn how to use articles and demonstratives correctly, as well as how to use adjectives correctly to make comparisons.
• Reading - The students will continue to review the various reading strategies in the ISAT testing format. February "Poetry Ponderings" Project - Students should be selecting their favorite poems, copying them accurately into their folders, and recording their thoughts about each one. Students should be checking the directions and grading sheet frequently to make sure they are meeting project expectations! Projects are due on or before Friday, February 26!
• Science - We will be tracking the weather this week as we learn how weather conditions can be used to predict future weather patterns. We will read about the instruments used to measure air conditions, types of air masses, and warm and cold fronts.
• Social Studies - Paul Revere will make his famous ride to warn colonists that the British are coming in the next lesson. The students will also read how the American Revolution begins with the battles at Lexington and Concord.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will finish Chapter 18 about geometric figures. We will identify the parts of a circle, determine if figures are congruent or similar, and work with symmetry. The Chapter 18 Test is scheduled for Friday, February 26!

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 25 - Spring Pictures

Feb. 25 - T.G.F.D. (Session 6)

March 1 - No School (C. Pulaski Day)

March 2-5 - ISAT Testing

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
The topic for discussion this past Thursday was peer pressure. Deputy K talked about different situations in which 5th graders might experience this kind of pressure and provided many great strategies for dealing with it. The family activity sheet needs to be returned with a parent signature by Thursday, February 18!

Valentine's Day Party
Thank you to Mrs. Burton, Mrs. Walsh, and Mrs. Connor for planning a fabulous party. The games were quite entertaining to watch - you will have to ask your child about the different game stations. Also, thanks to Mrs. Laviste, Ms. Smith, and Mrs. Burton for providing drinks and treats.


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 22 focuses on words with the prefix com.
• English - The students will be proofreading their expository essays written about their role models, making necessary revisions, and writing final copies. Then we will begin our study of adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. They tell what kind or how many.
• Reading - We will work on our reading strategies while answering questions in multiple choice and extended response format to practice for ISAT testing. February Reading Project - Now that the students have spent some time simply enjoying poetry in the classroom, the students will receive more information about the "Poetry Ponderings" reading project. They will receive directions, a rough draft worksheet, and the grading expectations on Monday. They will also be given their final copy poetry folders. This project is due Friday, February 26!
• Science - The students will review about the water cycle and factors that may affect it. Then we will learn how weather conditions can be measured and how weather can be predicted.
• Social Studies - In Lesson 1, the colonists were protesting against Britain's new tax laws, "No taxation without representation!" Tensions are building between Britain and the colonists. In Lesson 2, we will read how the colonists really start to rebel.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will review about points, lines, and angles, then learn about polygons and circles.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 15 - No School (President's Day)

Feb. 17 - Kids on the Block Assembly

Feb. 18 - T.G.F.D. (Session 5)

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
Deputy K talked about making good decisions in life and how making the right choice is not always easy. The students were given homework that involves a family discussion of various decision-making situations. This sheet must be shown to Mrs. Strong with a parent signature by Thursday, February 11 to show that the family discussion has been completed.

Reminder - Check Grades on ParentConnect
Please remember to check grades through ParentConnect each week to monitor your child's progress. Also, please email or call me if any questions or concerns arise.

Valentine's Day Party
Our Valentine's Day Party will be held on Friday, February 12 at 1:30. Students may bring valentines for their classmates. Please understand that students will only be able to exchange within their own classrooms. Also, if students choose to bring valentines, they should bring one for every student in their classroom. I will send a class list home with students on Monday.


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 21 focuses on words spelled with ei.
• English - Students will learn about and practice various literary techniques. Knowing how to write sentences with alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile/metaphor, and personification will enhance their writing skills.
• Reading - We will be doing some activities to help us prepare for ISAT testing in March. Also, students will be reading poetry as we introduce our February book project. (A parent letter will go home Monday with more information.) As a nice tie-in to English, poetry will also provide some great examples of the literary techniques we will be working on!
• Science - Students will learn about the water cycle and how it relates to weather in the next lesson.
• Social Studies - We are reading about the trouble over taxes following the end of the French and Indian War. We will emphasize how one event causes another, and then that event causes the next (and so on) throughout this lesson.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - On Monday, students will review about fractions to prepare for the Chapter 12 Test on Tuesday. Then, we will take a break from fractions to check out some geometric ideas in Chapter 18.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 11 - T.G.F.D. Session 4

Feb. 12 - Valentine's Parties (1:30 p.m.)

Feb. 15 - No School (President's Day)