WEEK OF JANUARY 3

Prairieview 5th Grade Cinemas
What a fun and relaxing way to spend our last afternoon of 2011 together! The students really enjoyed their time at the "theater." A special thanks to Mrs. Crandell for supplying us with fresh buttered popcorn and Mrs. McGlynn for bringing in water to quench our thirst!

Too Good For Drugs Program Begins Soon
On January 5, our class will begin the fifth grade "Too Good For Drugs" program. Deputy Seward from the DuPage County Sheriff's Department will be coming to our classroom on Thursdays to discuss various topics of drug prevention. A letter explaining more about the program will be sent home after our first session.

Spelling Bee
The students have all received lists of words that may be reviewed to prepare for our upcoming Spelling Bees. We will have a practice bee the first week after break, and an official "Classroom Bee" the following week. I will provide the students with precise dates/times in January!

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 15 pretest will be on Tuesday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
• English - We will begin our study of pronouns after the break. A pronoun is a word that can replace a noun in a sentence.
  
• Reading - We will be focusing on identifying main ideas and details and using them to summarize a text. The Golden Lion Tamarin Comes Home will be our story as we practice these important skills. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Students have their Tic-Tac-Toe sheets for 2nd trimester. Please monitor your child's progress and encourage your child to read at home to earn Tic-Tac-Toe by March 2nd!
  
• Science - We will continue to learn about the physical properties and changes of matter.
  
• Social Studies - Chapter 7 will help students understand how France, Great Britain, and Spain, along with many Native American groups, struggled for control over the continent of North America in the 1700's.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will continue their work with geometry in Chapter 10. We will learn about perimeter, area, and volume in this chapter.
  

Important Dates:

Dec. 17 - Jan. 2 - WINTER BREAK

Jan. 5 - Martin Luther King Assembly

Jan. 5 - Too Good For Drugs (Session 1)

WEEK OF DECEMBER 12

Prairieview 5th Grade Cinemas
On Friday, December 16th, the fifth grade is looking forward to turning our classrooms into cinemas to celebrate the start of our holiday vacation. As you know, students will be viewing a movie of their choice, and enjoying a snack of popcorn and water as well. To make our rooms a bit cozier, we are allowing students to bring in a pillow, cushion, or small blanket to sit upon while watching the movie. We ask that the items be no larger than a normal size beach blanket to ensure we have enough room for everyone to be comfortable. Thank you!

Recycling Bin Reminders
Parents, please don't forget about our big recycling bin in the LV parking lot. We earn money with our paper! A question arose from a parent regarding shredded paper and if it's ok to put it in there. Here is the response from the recycling company: "Absolutely, you can put shredded paper in the bin. I would recommend that you put the shredded paper in a bag, so that it does not blow around when the driver services the bin. Paper or plastic bag is fine."

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 14 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
• English - The students have selected the best of their "scary experience" ideas for a narrative writing piece. They have started rough draft work and will continue to develop this writing piece next week.
  
• Reading - We will continue to identify valid and invalid generalizations, distinguish between facts and opinions, and make inferences as we read, The Grizzly Bear Family Book. There will be a vocabulary quiz over the story vocabulary on Wednesday, December 14! READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Students have their Tic-Tac-Toe sheets for 2nd trimester. Please monitor your child's progress and encourage your child to read at home to earn Tic-Tac-Toe by March 2nd!
  
• Science - We will review about the structure of matter and learn about the physical properties and changes of matter.
  
• Social Studies - The students will work with maps next week to learn about latitude and longitude.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students explored tessellations on the computer and identified many different shapes that can tessellate a plane. I can't wait for this creative bunch to share their tessellations due on Monday! Students will also review the concepts from Chapter 7 on Monday to prepare for the test on Tuesday, December 13!
  

Important Dates:

Dec. 16 - Prairieview 5th Grade Cinemas

Dec. 17 - Jan. 2 - WINTER BREAK

WEEK OF DECEMBER 5

2nd Trimester Notes
I valued the opportunity to meet with parents for 1st Trimester conferences. I hope you discussed some of the ideas from our conferences with your students and set goals for the 2nd Trimester. Also, I want to remind parents and students that the late homework procedures change slightly for this trimester. Graded work turned in one day late results in a 15% deduction from the grade earned. (The penalty for more than one day late, as well as for ungraded work, remains the same.) Finally, please remember that you can contact me at any time with questions or concerns about your students!

5th Grade Bowling Reminders
Please remember that 5th grade students go bowling the morning of Friday, December 9th. Since many students choose to bring money for snacks (and often feel full by lunchtime), we ask that students bring sack lunches that day. Food can then be taken home and not wasted.

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 13 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
• English - We will continue to work on generating IDEAS for a writing piece about things that are scary. The students are in the process of creating "idea webs" for possible writing topics. An important step in writing is narrowing down a topic and selecting one for which we can provide many interesting details.
  
• Reading - We will identify valid and invalid generalizations, distinguish between facts and opinions, and make inferences as we read a nonfiction story, The Grizzly Bear Family Book. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Students have their Tic-Tac-Toe sheets for 2nd trimester. Please monitor your child's progress and encourage your child to read at home to earn Tic-Tac-Toe by March 2nd!
  
• Science - We have started our physical science unit about matter and energy. We are currently learning about the structure of matter. Can your student tell you the difference between mass and weight? Or the difference between an atom and a molecule?
  
• Social Studies - The students have learned all about life in the colonies. The Chapter 6 Test is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7!
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will be learning about symmetry and tesselations as we finish the chapter. The Chapter 7 Test is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 13!
  

Important Dates:

Dec. 8 - All School Concert (9:00 a.m.)

Dec. 9 - 5th Grade Bowling (a.m.)

Dec. 17 - Jan. 2 - WINTER BREAK

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21 and NOVEMBER 28

Robert Crown Field Trip
Don't forget that the fifth graders will be visiting the Robert Crown Center on Tuesday, November 22. Please make sure your child brings a SACK LUNCH on this day! Also, the students will be receiving an informational booklet from the Robert Crown Center to take home. The booklets can serve as a resource for answering questions students may have after the program.

1st Trimester Grade Reports
Your student brought home a letter from the principal today regarding 1st trimester grade reports. The letter provides the steps necessary for printing your child's report. Please ask your child for this important paper since the school is not issuing hard copies of report cards until the end of the 3rd Trimester. Parents should contact the office if they are having trouble accessing their child's grades.

Subject Update:

• Spelling - There will be no spelling lesson the week of November 21. The Lesson 12 pretest will be on Monday, November 28. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Thursday, December 1 since there is no school that Friday.
  
• English - We will focus on writing in the weeks ahead. The students will learn a little about the 6 traits of writing, and then focus on generating IDEAS for a short writing piece.
  
• Reading - The students will create a "story pyramid" as a culminating activity to our novels. This project will be completed at school. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: The students will receive the Tic-Tac-Toe board for 2nd Trimester on Monday.
  
• Science - We have completed our study of life science, and will now begin our physical science unit. Students will learn about the properties of matter in Chapter 14.
  
• Social Studies - Our trade fair was a big success! What a skilled and creative group of 5th graders I have! We will continue to learn about colonial life as we read about the cities, towns, and southern plantations of that time.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will be creating a geometric design using only line segments. Then we will identify geometric patterns, recognize when figures are congruent, and make transformations of geometric shapes.
  

Important Dates:

Nov. 18 - End of 1st Trimester

Nov. 22 - Robert Crown Field Trip

Nov. 23 - Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 - Parent/Teacher Conference Week

Dec. 2 - No School

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14

Junior Achievement

The students received a certificate of completion and special treat from Mr. Blocker during our last session of Junior Achievement. The students also presented Mr. Blocker with a card and gift as a token of appreciation for all of his hard work. Hopefully, students will use some of the concepts taught during Junior Achievement as they prepare for our upcoming trade fair!

Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule
I sent out an email to homeroom parents with the schedule for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Thank you to those parents who have already confirmed their date/time. If you have not replied to my email yet, please do so as soon as possible. I have a few parents who need to reschedule, and I cannot do that until I know if there are slots available.

Paper Recycling
Did you know that you can help our district earn money by recycling paper here at school? You can bring in any paper (no cardboard, please) to the green and yellow bin marked Paper Retriever located in Lakeview's parking lot to be recycled. The more paper we collect, the more money we can earn. The provider of the bin uses the paper to make newsprint, which is then sold to other companies. That is how we are paid to recycle paper.

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 11 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
  
• English - Students have learned how to identify both common and proper nouns in sentences. Next week, students will learn spelling rules for forming plural nouns correctly and how to use singular and possessive nouns. Looking ahead, the Unit 2 Nouns Test is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22!
  
• Reading - The students will continue working in their assigned novels: The Kid in the Red Jacket or Night of the Twisters. We will also continue our work on building vocabulary, summarizing, and answering the three types of questions. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Parents should be encouraging students to read at home to help students get "tic-tac-toe" by November 18!
  
• Science - We will learn how people affect ecosystems in our final lesson of the chapter. The Chapter 6 Test is scheduled for Friday, November 18!
  
• Social Studies - Don't forget that our classroom trade fair is Tuesday, November 15! Each student must bring at least one product for the trade fair. Students will make signs for their products in class on Monday.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will differentiate between different types of triangles and quadrilaterals. We will also learn about different types of polygons and identify geometric patterns.
  

Important Dates:

Nov. 11 - No School (Veteran's Day)

Nov. 14 - Robert Crown Parent Meeting (6:30-7:30 p.m.)

Nov. 15 - Classroom Trade Fair

Nov. 16 - Magic Story Teller Assembly

Nov. 18 - End of 1st Trimester

Nov. 22 - Robert Crown Field Trip

Nov. 23 - Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Break

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 7

Junior Achievement

During session 4, Mr. Blocker taught the students about finding a job. He discussed the importance of choosing a profession that you enjoy, the ability to communicate your strengths to a potential employer, and a common set of skills that employers look for when hiring. Mr. Blocker also gave each student a CD with games and activities related to this week's concepts. We will have our final Junior Achievement session on Tuesday.

Your "Power Paws" Can Make a Difference!
Did you notice the flyer sent home about a POWER PAW opportunity for the whole family? Please consider making no-sew fleece blankets for the children at the Edward Hospital Pediatric ER and the elderly at Westmont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Details are all in the flyer!

Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule
Next week, I will send emails to parents to confirm conference dates/times. If you did not sign up for a conference at the beginning of the year, I will provide you with a date/time still available.

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 9 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Thursday since we do not have school on Friday.
  
• English - We will begin our unit on nouns. A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea.
  
• Reading - The students will continue working in their assigned novels: The Kid in the Red Jacket or Night of the Twisters. We will also continue our work on summarizing and answering the three types of questions. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Parents should be encouraging students to read at home to help students get "tic-tac-toe" by November 18!
  
• Science - We will learn how ecosystems change over time and how these changes affect the organisms living there.
  
• Social Studies - The students are learning about life in the English colonies in Chapter 6. We started with a look at the different jobs available to colonists. Students will be given information about a classroom trade fair on Monday. This activity will allow students to experience the skills involved in making and trading goods, and the concept of supply and demand. Our trade fair will be Tuesday, November 15!
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We are learning about plane geometry in Chapter 7. Next week, the students will learn how to name, measure, classify, and draw angles, understand relationships of angles, and classify lines.
  

Important Dates:

Nov. 8 - Junior Achievement (Final Session)

Nov. 11 - No School (Veteran's Day)

Nov. 14 - Robert Crown Parent Meeting

Nov. 15 - Classroom Trade Fair

Nov. 16 - Magic Story Teller Assembly

Nov. 18 - End of 1st Trimester

WEEK OF OCTOBER 31

Junior Achievement

During session 3, Mr. Blocker taught the students about unit and mass production. The students had fun assembling ballpoint pens to better understand how to make a product as efficiently as possible. We look forward to his next visit on Thursday.

Halloween Party Helpers - Thanks You!
Thank you to Mrs. Wygonski, Mrs. Scehovic, Mrs. Szutowicz, and Mrs. Royle for planning and attending the party. We loved the mummy wrap, ghost waiter, and Halloween charades activities, as well as the interesting trivia! Thank you also to Mrs. Schoeberle for providing napkins and plates, and Mrs. Luna for providing drinks and cups. Finally, thank you again to Mrs. Wygonski for providing the delicious treats. We all had a "spook"tacular time!

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 9 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
  
• English - We will do a final review of quotation marks on Monday before completing some unit review activities to help us prepare for the upcoming test. The Unit 5 Test on capitalization and punctuation is scheduled for Friday, November 4!
  
• Reading - The students will continue working in their assigned novels: The Kid in the Red Jacket or Night of the Twisters. We will work on summarizing and learn how to identify and answer the three types of questions - Right There, Think and Search, and On Your Own. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Parents should be encouraging students to read at home to help students get "tic-tac-toe" by November 18! Some students still do not have any books completed yet!
• Science - We will learn more about adaptations, distinguish between three types of symbiosis, and understand predator-prey relationships.
  
• Social Studies - We will review all about the early colonies in order to prepare for the Chapter 5 Test scheduled for Wednesday, November 2!
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will review all about decimals to prepare for the Chapter 3 Test on Wednesday, November 2! Students will have several choices on Tuesday for how they want to prepare during class time - independently, with a "study buddy," or with a teacher. Then we will jump ahead to Chapter 7 for "Plane Geometry."
  

Important Dates:

Nov. 3 - Junior Achievement (Session 4)

Nov. 8 - Junior Achievement (Final Session)

Nov. 11 - No School (Veteran's Day)

WEEK OF OCTOBER 24

Junior Achievement

During session 2, Mr. Blocker reviewed the profit model: revenue - expenses = profit. He also discussed the three types of resources (natural, capital, and human) and the concept of supply and demand. We look forward to next week when Mr. Blocker will share about production.

Costume Parade/Halloween Party
Students need to bring their costumes to school on Friday. Please understand that costumes might need to be simplified for school purposes since students need to be able to change in a short amount of time. Also, students will be changing in classrooms designated for either girls or boys. Washrooms will not be available for costume changing. Finally, please remember that no weapons, even fake, are allowed at school.

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 8 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
  
• English - The students will learn how to use quotes correctly. This is usually a difficult concept to grasp since there are many rules to remember. Each day we will concentrate on a different way a quotation can be written: naming the speaker before the quote, naming the speaker after the quote, and naming the speaker in the middle of the quote.
  
• Reading - Next week, students will be assigned one of the following novels: The Kid in the Red Jacket or Night of the Twisters. We will be reinforcing the skills already targeted this year while also introducing a few new ones as we read these realistic fiction stories. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Parents should be encouraging students to read at home to help students get "tic-tac-toe" by November 18! Some students still do not have any books completed yet!
• Science - I hope the students told you all about our owl pellet dissection lab. The students were a little squirmy at first, but once they started discovering all the interesting bones inside, they were able to push past the thought of what the pellet really is! Next week, we will begin Chapter 6 with a look at how organisms compete and survive in an ecosystem.
  
• Social Studies - We will learn about the 13 English colonies and how they were divided into 3 regions: the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will learn how to divide decimals by whole numbers and decimals, how to solve problems by interpreting the quotient, and how to solve decimal equations.
  

Important Dates:

Oct. 24 - Assembly about Bullying

Oct. 26 - Junior Achievement (Session 3)

Oct. 27 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Oct. 28 - Art to Remember Orders Due!

Oct. 28 - Tennis Assembly

Oct. 28 - Halloween Costume Parade and Party

WEEK OF OCTOBER 17

School Pictures

Our picture packets should arrive on Tuesday, October 18th. Please look for them coming home with your student. Picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, November 3rd.

Did You Know?

The Prairieview weekly reminders emailed to parents on Fridays include attachments of important flyers, movie night and roller skating party forms, etc. Be sure to check out the many exciting things happening at our school!

Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 7 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
• English - The students will learn the many uses of commas next week. We will read a funny book entitled, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, to understand just how important it is to place commas correctly!
  
• Reading - Students will be reading leveled historical fiction texts as we finish off our work with story mapping and analogies. READING TIC-TAC-TOE: Parents should be encouraging students to read at home to help students get "tic-tac-toe" by November 18! Some students do not have any books completed yet!
• Science - The students will learn about the ecology of a barn owl and dissect owl pellets in a "virtual lab" on the computer. After we dissect owl pellets at this interactive website, we will try our hand at the real thing!
  
• Social Studies - We will learn how English settlers established colonies in New England in search of religious freedom.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will learn how to work with decimals in metric measurement, how to write large numbers in scientific notation, and how to multiply decimals by whole numbers and decimals.
  

Important Dates:

Oct. 20 - Junior Achievement (Session 2)

Oct. 20 - Fall Book Fair (6:30 - 8:00 p.m.)

Oct. 24 - Assembly about Bullying

Oct. 26 - Junior Achievement (Session 3)

Oct. 27 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Oct. 28 - Halloween Costume Parade and Party

WEEK OF OCTOBER 10

Farming for Fuels Program - Thanks Volunteers!
The students learned a lot about different forms of energy and types of bio-fuels. The hands-on activities would not have been possible without our three parent volunteers. Thank you to Mrs. Young, Mrs. Huang, and Mrs. Wygonski for helping us out!

Junior Achievement
During our first session with Mr. Blocker, he introduced the class to many core concepts used in business today. The class learned about entrepreneurs, cost of business (expenses), profit, and supply and demand. We look forward to our next visit from Mr. Blocker on Thursday, October 20!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Due to the short week, we will not have a spelling lesson!
  
• English - The students have learned how to write sentences correctly, how to identify and capitalize proper nouns and adjectives, and how to write common abbreviations. Next week we will quickly review these ideas and learn how to write titles correctly.
  
• Reading - We will continue to focus on story structure and mapping using a variety of texts. We will also continue our "word work" with analogies.
• Science - The students will be learning all about the barn owl. Taking a close look at this interesting creature will preview some of the key concepts in Chapter 6: predator-prey relationships, structural and behavioral adaptations, and habitat.
  
• Social Studies - We will learn about the search for a Northwest Passage and how it led to the founding of French and Dutch colonies in North America.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - As we continue in Chapter 3, students will learn how to estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients when working with decimals. This skill will help us check if our answers are reasonable when we add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals.
  

Important Dates:

Oct. 7 - Check Student Progress via ParentConnect

Oct. 10 - Columbus Day (No School)

Oct. 11 - Teacher Institute Day (No School)

Oct. 13 - Magazine Drive "Mario Cart" Assembly

Oct. 20 - Junior Achievement (Session 2)

WEEK OF OCTOBER 3

Farming for Fuels Program
On Thursday from 9:45 - 11:15, our class will be participating in the Farming for Fuels program brought to our school by the DuPage Children's Museum. This program is an inquiry-based learning lab that introduces the concepts connected with creating biofuels and the need to change to alternative energy sources for transportation. The ideas shared during the program will be explored in more detail later this year in Science.

Junior Achievement
Our class will be starting Junior Achievement on Thursday, October 6. Our Junior Achievement volunteer, Mr. Blocker, will be visiting our classroom over the next several weeks to present lessons about creating and running a business. The sessions will teach students different concepts such as supply and demand, use of resources, cost of business, and profit. This program shows students real-world applications of several ideas from Social Studies.

Parent Helper Still Needed
I am still in need of a parent to help with copying for our classroom. Please let me know if you have any interest and we can figure out a day/time that works best. I have one interested parent already who may be able to share a copy time slot!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 6 pretest will be on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday.
  
• English - We will start Unit 5 about punctuation and capitalization. The unit begins with a review of how to correctly write the four types of sentences. Then students will learn about proper nouns and adjectives.
  
• Reading - This week, we will focus on story structure and mapping using a variety of texts. We will also work with analogies.
• Science - Students will learn more about food chains and food webs, as well as the energy pyramid. The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Friday, October 7!
  
• Social Studies - We will learn about Jamestown, the first successful English colony in North America.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The Chapter 2 Test is scheduled for Monday, October 3! Then we will head into Chapter 3 about decimals.
  

Important Dates:

Oct. 6 - Farming for Fuels Program (9:45 - 11:15 a.m.)

Oct. 6 - Junior Achievement (Session 1)

Oct. 7 - Check Student Progress via ParentConnect

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 26

Parent Helper Still Needed
I am still in need of a parent to help with copying for our classroom. Please let me know if you have any interest and we can figure out a day/time that works best. I have one interested parent already who may be able to share a copy time slot!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - Lesson 5 is a review of the words from Lessons 1-4. There will be a pretest on Monday - 15 words randomly chosen from the previous 4 lessons. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. Both regular and challenge word tests are on Friday. (*Regular test will not necessarily be the same 15 words as the pretest!)
  
• English - We will review all about sentences to prepare for the Unit 1: The Sentence Test on Wednesday, September 28!! Then students will create and illustrate subject-predicate poems.
  
• Reading - Next week, we will continue to target the reading comprehension skill of drawing conclusions (or making inferences) using various texts. The students will take a vocabulary quiz over the words selected from A Boy Called Slow on Tuesday. Students will continue their "word work" by learning the difference between homophones and homonyms and other multi-meaning words.
• Science - Students will learn how energy is passed through an ecosystem.
  
• Social Studies - Chapter 5 tells about the struggle to found colonies in the New World. Students will read about the mysterious "Lost Colony" of Roanoke.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn how to "isolate" a variable in order to solve algebraic equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  

Important Dates:

Sept. 27 and 29 - Magazine Drive Turn-In Days

Sept. 29 - Picture Day

Sept. 30 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 19

Parent Helper Still Needed
I am still in need of a parent to help with copying for our classroom. I am currently signed up to have a copy parent on Tuesdays from 9-10 a.m. If you would like to volunteer, but this is not a convenient time for you, please contact me and we can look at other days/times still available. Also, two or three parents could share the responsibility if a weekly commitment is not possible with busy schedules!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 4 pretest will be given on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. All students will be tested over their words on Friday.
• English - We will review about subjects and predicates, learn more about the "implied subject" in imperative sentences, and determine when it is appropriate to use the conjunctions and, but, and or.
  
• Reading - Next week, we will target the important reading comprehension skill of drawing conclusions. The students will use clues from the text along with their own experience or knowledge to draw conclusions as we read a selection in our reading anthology – A Boy Called Slow. Students will also continue their "word work" with roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
• Science - Students will begin the life science unit about energy and ecosystems. We start with a look at photosynthesis, the process in which plants make food.
  
• Social Studies - Lesson 3 will teach us about life in New Spain and how Spain gained great wealth from the settlement. There is a Chapter 4 Test scheduled for Friday, September 23!!
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will start Chapter 2 on Monday. This chapter is an introduction to algebra. Students will be identifying and evaluating algebraic expressions, learning to translate between words and math, and determining whether a number is a solution of an algebraic equation.
  

Important Dates:

Sept. 20, 27, 29 - Magazine Drive Turn-In Days

Sept. 29 - Picture Day

Sept. 30 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12

Curriculum Night Tidbits
Thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend 5th Grade Curriculum Night. I really appreciated the opportunity to share a little about myself, the curriculum, and some of our classroom routines and expectations. I look forward to the rest of our year together!

Remembering 9/11
In class, we read a Time for Kids article and watched a video about the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Students are asked to wear red, white, and blue on Monday, September 12 to pay tribute to those affected by that day.

Magazine Kick-Off
The kick-off for the annual magazine sales fundraiser is on Monday. Please look for the packet of information coming home in backpacks next week!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 3 pretest will be given on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. All students will be tested over their words on Friday.
• English - We will identify the subjects and predicates of sentences in the week ahead. The subject tells who or what a sentence is about. The predicate tells what is or what happens.
  
• Reading - We will finish up our work with Tall Tales, specifically targeting the skills of story structure and distinguishing between exaggerated and realistic details. We will also continue to use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words and begin working with roots, affixes, prefixes, and suffixes. The students will use similes and metaphors as they write a tall tale of their own!
• Science - Students will learn about the steps of the scientific method and how scientists apply them.
  
• Social Studies - The students have learned about Columbus discovering the "New World." Next, the students will learn about the events leading up to Spain establishing a colony in North America.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will use number properties to compute answers mentally, determine when it is appropriate to use mental math, paper and pencil, or a calculator to solve problems, and identify patterns in order to extend them in sequence. The Chapter 1 Test is scheduled for Friday!
  

Important Dates:

Sept 12 - Wear Red, White, and Blue in Respect of 9/11

Sept. 12 - Magazine Sales Kick-Off

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 6

5th Grade Curriculum Night
Don't forget that 5th Grade Curriculum Night is Tuesday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m. A note regarding the schedule that evening was sent home with your child Friday. Parents will have the opportunity to sign up for homeroom conferences that evening. I look forward to seeing you all there!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 2 pretest will be given on Monday. Based on the pretest, students will be given either the regular or challenge word lists. Homework will be assigned during the week to practice their words. All students will be tested over their words on Friday.
• English - We will continue to learn how a complete sentence must have a subject and a predicate while we identify the four types of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory. We hope to finish typing the poetry we have created.
• Reading - We will continue with Tall Tales. The skills specifically targeted will be identifying story structure and distinguishing between exaggerated and realistic story elements. As a review, we will use our visualization skills and define unknown words using context clues. We will also discuss and practice using similes and metaphors, which can be used to write a tall tale of their own!
• Science - We will review the tools that scientists use and learn about the scientific method.
• Social Studies - The students will read more about the voyages of Columbus, and how his voyages paved the way for other European explorers.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will learn about exponents before taking our first open-note homework review. Then we will apply the order of operations to solve problems and use number properties to compute answers mentally.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 5 - No School (Labor Day)

Sept. 6 - 5th Grade Curriculum Night (6:30 p.m.)

Sept 12 - Magazine Sales Kick-Off

WEEK OF AUGUST 30

Our First Week Together
We are off to a fantastic start to 5th grade! We have had a chance to get to know each other, review rules and expecations, and have a little fun along the way. Hopefully your child has shared with you some of their first experiences of their final year at Prairieview. Let's continue to move forward with a positive attitude and strive to do our best!

5th Grade Curriculum Night
Don't forget that 5th Grade Curriculum Night is Tuesday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m. Parents will have the opportunity to sign up for homeroom conferences that evening. I look forward to seeing you all there!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 1 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words, and a final test will be given Friday.


• English - We will learn about sentences this week, focusing on the four types of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory. We will also be writing some poetry to exercise our creative minds!


• Reading - We begin our year with Tall Tales. The skills specifically targeted will be identifying story structure and distinguishing between exaggerated and realistic story elements. As a review, we will use our visualization skills and define unknown words using context clues. This week we will be reading about Bess Call and Paul Bunyon.


• Science - What tools does a scientist use? How are these tools used in scientific inquiry? Students will explore these questions next week.


• Social Studies - The students will take a "scavenger hunt" to discover the wealth of information found inside their Social Studies textbooks. Then we will begin learning about early America in Chapter 4 as it explains how "Spain Builds an Empire."


• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will begin switching to math classes on Tuesday. My students will begin the year with Chapter 1 "Number Toolbox." The first lessons will review place value and estimation. Then we will learn about exponents.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 5 - No School (Labor Day)

Sept. 6 - 5th Grade Curriculum Night (6:30 p.m.)

WEEK OF AUGUST 24

WELCOME BACK!

I am looking forward to another great year at Prairieview in 5th grade. I can't wait to meet all of my students at the District Open House on Wednesday, August 24 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Don't forget to bring all of your school supplies clearly labeled with your names. Also, be ready to choose your own desk, tour the classroom, and visit with teachers and friends.

On our first days together we will do some organizing, talking about expectations, and of course, fun activities to get to know one another. We will take a look into our different subject areas next week.

Throughout the school year, I will post a weekly newsletter blog with important reminders, subject updates, and dates to mark on your calendars. I plan to send each family an email when my newsletter blog has been updated.

See you soon!

Mrs. Strong

WEEK OF JUNE 6

End of Year Picnic
Our school picnic day is Monday, June 6th. Hot dogs, chips, water, and frozen treats will be served. If any student cannot eat hot dogs or prefers something else, they may bring a sack lunch that day. We look forward to a fun time outdoors!

Yearbooks
Yearbooks will be handed out to students on June 7th. If you did not order a yearbook, but would now like to purchase one, bring $11 on Tuesday. A special yearbook drawing will be held for the extra copies since there is a limited supply!


Final Notes from Mrs. Strong

• Thank you to my students for a terrific year! I hope all of you have a relaxing summer. I encourage you to read some great books, visit some new places, and spend some quality time with friends and family. I welcome news about your summer adventures, so please keep in touch this summer! I am just an email or letter away!


• Thank you to the parents of my students for a terrific year! I appreciated all of the support you gave to your students and me. It helped bring about their many achievements and successes in 5th grade. Best of luck to you and your students as you venture across the parking lot to Lakeview next year!

WEEK OF MAY 30

End of Year Tidbits
Please search your bookshelves and under the beds for any books/school materials that need to be returned before the end of the year. Remember that report cards will not be issued to any student with unreturned items! Also, please remember that the lunch program will not be offered to 5th graders on our bowling day. Students will need to pack a sack lunch and/or bring a small amount of money for food at the bowling alley.

Raffle for Japan
The raffle for Japan has just begun. A letter was sent home on Wednesday with the list of raffle items and raffle tickets. If you wish to participate, just fill in the tickets, put them in an envelope with the money, and return it to your classroom teacher. All tickets must be turned in by June 3rd. We will have the raffle at the all school assembly on June 6th. Thank you so much for your support.


Subject Update:

• English - The students will continue to learn about adverbs.


• Science - The students will learn about forces that shape shorelines.


• Social Studies - We will read about the United States "turning fifty" in Chapter 12.


• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - No spelling next week!


• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students are writing commercials and reviews for their fantasy novels. They will be sharing these with their classmates.


• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will have a Ch. 12, L. 3-5 Homework Review on Tuesday. We spent time on Friday reviewing those concepts. Then we will learn about "stretching and shrinking" plane figures on a graph.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

May 30 - Memorial Day (No School)

May 31 - Prairieview Talent Show (1:00 p.m.)

June 1 - 5th Grade Bowling (9:00-11:00 a.m.)

June 3 - Ginger Zee "Weather" Visit (Rescheduled)

June 3 - Robert Crown Field Trip

June 6 - Prairieview School Games/Picnic

June 7 - Report Cards/Last Day of School (Dismissal 9:30 a.m.)

WEEK OF MAY 23

Reminder: Robert Crown Parent Meeting
The informational parent meeting about the Robert Crown field trip is Monday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. Parents will learn about the Michael and Linda programs that the students will be attending on June 3, and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Life-Saving-Grams and 2-Mile Walk
You still have time to participate in the Life-Saving Gram fundraiser sponsored by Project Challenge. It is for the American Red Cross to help victims in Japan. If a student would like to participate, the form(s) and donation need to be turned in before May 25th! Extra "grams" can be printed from our school website!
Also...
Don’t forget to sign up for the 2 mile Walk Day on Tuesday, May 24th at Prairieview School. An information/reminder letter was sent home with your child Thursday.


Subject Update:

• English - The students will continue to work on persuasive writing. We will also begin learning about adverbs by the end of the week.
  
• Science - The students are learning about waves, currents, and tides. Next week, we will learn about forces that shape shorelines.
  
• Social Studies - In social studies we will learn why the United States went to war a second time with Britain. We will also read about the main battles and the outcome of the War of 1812 The Chapter 11 Test is scheduled for Friday, May 27!
  
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 30 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students will continue to read their assigned novels: Jennifer Murdley's Toad or Shoeless Joe and Me. We will continue to focus on identifying character traits, identifying and understanding figurative language, and story mapping.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue to learn about coordinate geometry in Chapter 12. The next lessons will teach about graphing translations, reflections, and rotations.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

May 23 - Robert Crown Parent Meeting (PV 6:30 p.m.)

May 24 - Lakeview Choir Assembly

May 25 - Public Library Visit (Summer Reading Programs)

May 26 - Lakeview Summer Reading Program/Book Checkout

May 27 - Ginger Zee "Weather" Visit

May 30 - Memorial Day (No School)

WEEK OF MAY 16

5th Graders Lakeview Visit and Parent Night
Our 5th graders will visit Lakeview on Monday, May 16th to learn about middle school and tour the building. Don't forget that parents also have the opportunity to hear about the Lakeview experience and tour the school Monday evening at 6:30 p.m.!

Life-Saving-Grams and 2-Mile Walk
Ask your child about this fundraiser sponsored by Project Challenge. It is for the American Red Cross to help victims in Japan. If a student would like to participate, the form(s) and donation need to be turned in before May 25th! Extra "grams" can be printed from our school website!
Also...
Don’t forget to sign up for the 2 mile Walk Day on Tuesday, May 24th at Prairieview School. All proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross to help the victims of the earthquake in Japan. There will also be a raffle to help raise money for the cause, and any donations would be appreciated. (gift cards, sport items, games, services, small goodies). Anyone who would like to volunteer on May 24th, please e-mail Mrs. Cavoto ccavot@ccsd66.org or Mrs. Sulima Ssulima@ccsd66.org to let them know.


Subject Update:

• English - The students will start persuasive writing next week.


• Science - We will review about ocean water and the ocean floor before learning how ocean water moves. Did you know that ocean waves are caused by wind?


• Social Studies - In social studies we will learn about Thomas Jefferson as president and how he expanded the United States westward.


• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 29 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.


• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students will continue to read their assigned novels: Jennifer Murdley's Toad or Shoeless Joe and Me. We will continue to focus on identifying character traits, identifying and understanding figurative language, and story mapping.


• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will move on to Chapter 12 about functions and coordinate geometry. The first lessons will teach about tables and functions, and how to graph functions.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 16 - All School Concert (9:00 a.m.)

May 16 - 5th Graders Tour of Lakeview

May 16 - 5th Grade Parents Lakeview Meeting (LV 6:30 p.m.)

May 23 - Robert Crown Parent Meeting (PV 6:30 p.m.)

WEEK OF MAY 9

Teacher Appreciation Week
Thank you to the students and parents who helped make Teacher Appreciation Week so special. I really enjoyed the notes and goodies from students, and the breakfast and luncheon organized by PTO were both DELICIOUS!

Special Day for 5th Graders
Thursday is our 5^th grade celebration. There will be games followed by a pizza lunch. After lunch, we will be heading over to Lakeview to catch a sneak preview/dress rehearsal of their musical, Fiddler on the Roof. It should be a great day!

Life-Saving-Grams
Ask your child about this fundraiser sponsored by Project Challenge. It is for the American Red Cross to help victims in Japan. If a student would like to participate, the form(s) and donation need to be turned in before May 25th! Extra "grams" can be printed from our school website!

Prairieview Talent Show
Talent show slips need to be turned in A.S.A.P. if your child is interested in trying out. Your child has been given a slip with all the information. It requires a parent signature in order for your child to participate.

Subject Update:

• English - Students will learn how to use the verbs sit/set and can/may correctly. Then we will review to prepare for a Unit 3: L. 9-15 Quiz on Thursday, May 12! There will be a proofreading section that will include all lessons. On Friday we plan to introduce persuasive writing.
  
• Science - We will begin chapter 12, Oceans. We will read and learn about the characteristics of the ocean water and floor.
• Social Studies - In social studies we will continue chapter 11, The Young United States. We will learn why and how the United States expanded westward.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 28 on Tuesday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students have been assigned one of two fantasy novels: Jennifer Murdley's Toad or Shoeless Joe and Me. While reading these fantasy books, we will focus on identifying character traits, identifying and understanding figurative language, and story mapping.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue Chapter 9 on integers. There will be an open-note homework review on Monday. Then we will prepare for a Chapter 9 Test on Wednesday, May 11.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

May 10 - Project Brainwave Assembly

May 12 - 5th Graders Visit Lakeview for Musical

May 13 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

May 16 - All School Concert (9:00 a.m.)

May 16 - 5th Graders Tour of Lakeview

May 16 - 5th Grade Parents Lakeview Meeting (6:30 p.m.)

WEEK OF MAY 2

Robert Crown Field Trip
I will be sending home permission slips to the Robert Crown Center on Monday. A parent informational meeting will be offered on May 23rd. Parents will hear about both the Michael and Linda programs and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Life-Saving-Grams
Ask your child about this fundraiser sponsored by Project Challenge. It is for the American Red Cross to help victims in Japan. If a student would like to participate, the form(s) and donation need to be turned in before May 25th! Extra "grams" can be printed from our school website!

Prairieview Talent Show
Talent show slips need to be turned in A.S.A.P. if your child is interested in trying out. Try outs begin Monday! Your child has been given a slip with all the information. It requires a parent signature in order for your child to participate.

Subject Update:

• English - Students will learn about irregular forms of verbs in the past tense, writing verb phrases with have correctly, and using the verbs teach, learn, let, leave, sit, set, can, and may correctly.
  
• Science - We will continue Lesson 3 on weather patterns. We are learning how weather conditions are measured and how these measurements can be used to predict the weather. The Chapter 11 Test is planned for Friday, May 6.
  
• Social Studies - We will begin Chapter 11 about The Young United States. We will learn how political parties emerged in the American government system. We will also read how President Washington organized the executive branch.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 27 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - This week we will complete Jacob's Rescue. There will be a vocabulary quiz for chapters 17-21 on Tuesday, May 2nd. The students are making flashcards to help them prepare for the quiz. Later in the week we will introduce a fantasy novel. Skills we will be focusing on are character traits, figurative language, and story mapping.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue Chapter 9 on integers. There will be an open-note homework review on Tuesday. Then we will learn about adding, subtracting, and multiplying integers.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

May 12 - 5th Graders Visit Lakeview for Musical

May 13 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

May 16 - 5th Graders Tour of Lakeview

May 16 - 5th Grade Parents Lakeview Meeting (6:30 p.m.)

WEEK OF APRIL 25

MAP Testing
Our class will be taking the MAP reading test on Monday and math test on Thursday. Students have set goals for improving their scores. Eating a healthy breakfast and getting a good night's sleep will help them do their best!

TGFD Graduation Highlights
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend the graduation ceremony. I truly hope the students put into action the strategies they learned during this valuable program. It was inspiring to hear Mrs. Kotovsky, Deputy K's wife, share some of her personal experiences in life as she emphasized the importance of educating children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. We also enjoyed hearing one of our own classmates share his "promise letter." Great job, Adam!


Subject Update:

• English - Students will review verb tenses on Monday. Then they will prepare for a quiz over Lessons 1-8 of the verb unit scheduled for Wednesday, April 27. This will include action verbs, direct objects, main and helping verbs, linking verbs, and the different tenses of verbs.
  
• Science - We will continue Chapter 11 on weather. Lesson three focuses on weather patterns. We will learn how weather conditions are measured and how these measurements can be used to predict the weather.
• Social Studies - We will continue to learn how the states ratified the Constitution and later the Bill of Rights. The Chapter 1o Test is scheduled for Friday, April 29!
  
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 26 on Tuesday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students will continue to read their historical fiction novels, focusing on the skills of author's viewpoint and cause and effect. Those reading Jacob's Rescue have a vocabulary quiz over Ch. 9-16 on Tuesday.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will start Chapter 9 on integers. The first few lessons introduce positive and negative numbers, absolute value, and comparing and ordering integers.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

April 25 - MAP Reading Test

April 28 - MAP Math Test and Wheel of Wisdom Assembly

WEEK OF APRIL 18

Spring Open House and Book Fair - Big Success
Thank you to all the families who were able to attend the Spring Open House and Book Fair. The students enjoyed sharing their many activities and projects with you! Also, I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with so many of you again.

Center Cass District 66 Eat Out - Panda Express
http://www.ccsd66.org/PTO/FundRaisers/Panda.pdf
Fifth graders made many decorations during our China unit. Maria Davilla of Panda Express will have many of them on display Thursday, April 21 for the District Eat Out. Stop by and check them out!


Subject Update:

• English - Students will be learning about the present, past, and future tenses of verbs and how to spell present and past tense verbs correctly.
  
• Science - Lesson two focuses on what conditions affect the water cycle. We will describe the changes in the water cycle and learn how the water cycle relates to weather.
  
• Social Studies - The students are busy learning the Preamble (the introduction) to the Constitution. Students who can recite this to me before the test will receive a special token of their accomplishment. All students will need to know it for the test. This week we will read how after a long debate the states ratified the Constitution and later the Bill of Rights.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - No spelling lesson this week.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students have been assigned one of two historical fiction novels about the Holocaust: Jacob's Rescue or Goodnight, Maman. This week we are focusing on the skills of author's viewpoint and cause and effect.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The Chapter 8 Test on ratios, proportions, and percents is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19! Due to TGFD Graduation, an early dismissal day on Thursday, and no school Friday, we will not start Chapter 9 on integers until the next week.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

April 20 - T.G.F.D. Graduation (8:30 a.m.)

April 21 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

April 22 - No School

WEEK OF APRIL 11

Geospace Thank Yous
Thank you to Mrs. Rosignal and Mrs. Repole for helping during our Geospace program. The program brought to our school by the DuPage Children's Museum enriched our knowledge of geometric shapes and solids. Students received a coupon for one free adult admission to the museum in Naperville as a thank you for participating in the program.

Spring Open House and Book Fair
I look forward to seeing everyone at the Spring Open House and Book Fair on Thursday, April 14 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Student work and projects will be on display for your to view, and there will be a great selection of books at the Book Fair.

Looking Ahead... Robert Crown Center
A field trip to the Robert Crown Center has been scheduled for June 3rd. There will be an informational meeting for parents the evening of May 23rd. Parents who attend this meeting will get an overview of the program and have an opportunity to ask questions. Permission slips and more information will be sent home in a few weeks.

Subject Update:

• English - Students will put the finishing touches on their "Me Front Page" special edition newspaper and begin learning about verbs.
  
• Science - Students will review the causes of weather and learn about the water cycle.
  
• Social Studies - At the end of Lesson 1, we learned that Congress had asked for representatives from all the states to meet for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation. Lesson 2 will teach us how these delegates ended up replacing it with a new Constitution instead.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 25 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students have been assigned one of two historical fiction novels about the Holocaust: Jacob's Rescue or Goodnight, Maman. We are focusing on the skills of drawing conclusions, author's viewpoint, and cause and effect as we read these novels.
  
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue to apply our knowledge of proportions by calculating indirect measurements and using map scales and scale drawings.

Mark Your Calendar:

April 14 - Spring Open House and Book Fair (6:30 - 8:00 p.m.)

April 20 - T.G.F.D. Graduation (8:30 a.m.)

April 21 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

April 22 - No School

WEEK OF APRIL 4

Thank You For Your Help
Thank you to Mrs. Repole, Mrs. Daly, and Mrs. Scheiblein for chaperoning our field trip to Naper Settlement. The students really learned a lot through this experience. Best of all, we made it through our day before the cold and drizzle!

Too Good For Drugs
The students need to write a "Promise Letter" as their final T.G.F.D. assignment. The letter must be completed by Wednesday, April 6. The students received a hand-out explaining how to write the letter. Also, a T.G.F.D. Graduation has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m. Please look for your invitation that was sent home with your child.

Looking Ahead... Help Wanted
I still need one more classroom helper for the Geospace program on Wednesday, April 6 from 9:15 - 11:15 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested!


Subject Update:

• English - Students will begin writing a narrative piece about a major achievement for their "Me Front Page" special edition newspaper. We will also begin our next grammar unit on verbs.
• Science - After break, we will start an Earth Science unit about weather. Lesson 1 discusses the causes of weather.
• Social Studies - As we start Chapter 10, we will learn how the Articles of Confederation, our first plan for our government, had several weaknesses.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - There will not be a spelling lesson our first week after break.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students will start a novel study focused on historical fiction. Students will be assigned one of two books: Jacob's Rescue or Goodnight, Maman. We will be reviewing the skills of drawing conclusions, author's viewpoint, and cause and effect as we read these novels.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We have started Chapter 8 about ratios and proportions. Students are learning about ratios, rates, proportions, and similar figures.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 26 - April 3 - SPRING BREAK!

April 5 - No School (Teacher Institute)

April 6 - Geospace Program

April 14 - Spring Open House and Book Fair

WEEK OF MARCH 21

Naper Settlement Field Trip Reminders
We will be visiting Naper Settlement on Wednesday, March 23. Students will be participating in indoor and outdoor activities on this trip, so they should dress appropiately for the weather. Also, students will need to bring a sack lunch clearly labeled with their name.

Too Good For Drugs
Deputy K talked to students about the dangers of marijuana and inhalants during our final session of T.G.F.D. The students received information sheets about both of these topics that can be shared and discussed with parents. On Monday, I will introduce a "Promise Letter" assignment that will need to be turned in by Wednesday, April 6. This allows students the option to work on it before, during, or after Spring Break. Also, a T.G.F.D. Graduation has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead... Help Wanted
I still need one more classroom helper for the Geospace program on Wednesday, April 6 from 9:15 - 11:15 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested!


Subject Update:

• English - Students will start formatting and typing their "Me Front Page" special edition newspaper. They will also write an article for their paper about short and long term goals.
• Science - We will finish Chapter 15 by reading about how people use energy resources. Then students will prepare for the Chapter 15 Test scheduled for Thursday, March 24!
• Social Studies - In the next chapter, students will learn about the United States' struggle to form a new government after the war.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 24 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - We will continue our study of China. The students are using the facts we have researched together, as well as some independent research, to create a travel brochure for China. This will reinforce the use of main idea and supporting details. The travel brochure will be due at the end of the week. We are mostly working on it during class.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Tuesday. The concepts that will be covered are: multiplying fractions and mixed numbers, reciprocals, dividing fractions and mixed numbers, and solving algebraic equations involving multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

March 23 - Naper Settlement Field Trip

March 26 - April 3 - SPRING BREAK!

April 5 - No School (Teacher Institute)

April 6 - Geospace Program

WEEK OF MARCH 14

Too Good For Drugs Update
Unfortunately, Deputy K was not able to visit our class this week, but he will be back on March 16th for our final session of T.G.F.D. He will be discussing the dangers of marijuana and inhalants.

Help Wanted
I still need one more chaperone for the Naper Settlement field trip. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are available for this all-day trip on March 23rd!

PBIS Recognition Assembly
The students participated in a special Hawaiian day and recognition assembly for PBIS on Thursday. Congratulations to Samantha for being recognized as a student who has shown respect, responsibility, and safety at Prairieview.


Subject Update:

• English - Students will be working on an expository essay about the importance of saving money for the future.
• Science - The students will learn how heat, or thermal energy, is transferred.
• Social Studies - We learned how the American Revolution finally came to an end. Next week, students will review the important points from Lesson 4 and prepare for the Chapter 9 Test scheduled for Thursday, March 17!
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 23 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - We will continue our study of China. We are focusing on identifying main idea and supporting details using research materials. The students will be using non-fiction China books from our Prairieview library, the internet, and other sources. Students will continue to use their clarifying and monitoring skills as they dig into the information!
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will review division of fractions and learn about solving algebraic equations involving fractions.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

March 16 - T.G.F.D. (Final Session)

March 23 - Naper Settlement Field Trip

WEEK OF MARCH 7

ISAT Testing,... DONE!
5th graders concentrated hard this week during our testing. They all deserve a pat on the back for staying focused and keeping a positive attitude! Thank you to Mrs. Mate, Mrs. Morton, and Mrs. Awad for sending in healthy snacks for us to enjoy and "refuel" between tests.

Reminder... 3rd Trimester Homework Expectations
We have now officially started the 3rd Trimester of fifth grade. During this trimester, the late homework policy will be the same as Lakeview's policy. This will help the students realize the importance of getting work completed on time and the penalty that will affect their grades for late work. It will also help make a better transition to Lakeview.
1 day late - minus 25%
More than 1 day late until test is taken - minus 50%
After unit test is taken - a zero is entered in the grade book
*Ungraded work that is turned in late will result in 2 points off the bank of "homework completion" points for the particular subject area.


Subject Update:

• English - We will be woring on writing. Students will be gathering quotes about them and writing them correctly as part of a "special edition" newspaper page all about them. They will also begin another expository piece.
• Science - The students will review the different forms of energy before learning how heat, or thermal energy, is transferred.
• Social Studies - We will learn how other countries joined forces with the American army to defeat the British.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 22 on Tuesday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - This week we will begin our study of the fascinating country of China. We will focus on identifying main idea and supporting details while reading various research materials. As we read these non-fiction materials on China, we will be using our monitoring and clarifying skills.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue working with fractions as we begin Chapter 5. We will learn how to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 7 - No School (C. Pulaski Day)

March 10 - T.G.F.D. (Session #8)

March 10 - PBIS Recognition Assembly

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 4

Too Good For Drugs
Our 7th session of T.G.F.D. focused on facts about alcohol. The students did not receive a homework assignment; however, they were encouraged to share and discuss the information with parents.

ISAT Testing Tidbits
5th graders will be taking the ISAT tests on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning between 8:15 - 11:00 a.m. Please take time to talk to your students about the importance of doing their best on these standardized tests. Also, please make sure students get plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast each day. A snack break will be taken between tests each day.

3rd Trimester Homework Expectations
We have now officially started the 3rd Trimester of fifth grade. During this trimester, the late homework policy will be the same as Lakeview's policy. This will help the students realize the importance of getting work completed on time and the penalty that will affect their grades for late work. It will also help make a better transition to Lakeview.
1 day late - minus 25%
More than 1 day late until test is taken - minus 50%
After unit test is taken - a zero is entered in the grade book
*Ungraded work that is turned in late will result in 2 points off the bank of "homework completion" points for the particular subject area.


Subject Update:

• English - We are currently working on a descriptive writing piece using lists of "positive adjectives" the students created about their classmates. We will finish typing our final copies, and display them in the room.
• Science - The students will continue to learn about different forms of energy.
• Social Studies - We will continue to read about the Patriots at war under the command of General Washington. Then we will write "letters home" from the point of view of a soldier in Washington's army.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - No spelling lesson due to ISAT testing.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - On Monday we will be learning about the use of personification and how it makes reading and writing more interesting! The rest of the week the students will be taking ISAT tests during reading time.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will be reviewing a variety of math concepts prior to ISAT testing on Monday. Students will be taking the ISAT math tests during the remainder of the week.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 25 - End of 2nd Trimester

March 1 - Report Cards

March 1-3 - ISAT Testing

March 4 - No School (Conference Week)

March 7 - No School (C. Pulaski Day)