Strong Stuff

WEEK OF JANUARY 30

2012-01-27T12:29:00.000-08:00

Argonne Field Trip
Argonne field trip permission slips will be coming home on Monday. They will be due back to me by Friday. The field trip for our class will be February 16.

Too Good For Drugs Program
During our 4th session of T.G.F.D., Deputy Seward discussed peer pressure and the difference between positive and negative peer pressure. Students learned and practiced many strategies for dealing with negative pressure, such as the "broken record" and "state the facts." Once again, students received a homework assignment that should be completed with their families to reinforce the ideas shared during session 4.

From the School Office...
Somehow, some parents have a copy of the unadopted calendar. Friday, February 17, was originally scheduled as a Teacher Institute-- that is not the case any longer. We will be in school that day. We do have a Teacher Institute on Tuesday, March 20. Also, Friday, May 18, (not Thursday, May 17th) is another Early Dismissal/SIP Day. The correct calendar is on the website on the left under "calendars" -- "11/12 School Year"; this is the calendar that was adopted & revised on June 14, 2011.

Subject Update:

Spelling - The Lesson 19 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 be working on our writing skills next week.
Reading - We will be identifying cause and effect relationships using a variety of instructional materials. This week, we will read Katie's Trunk in our literature books. 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 - Students will continue to learn about different forms of energy and how energy is changed from one form to another.
Social Studies - We will hear about the events in Boston that brought Britain and the colonies closer to war.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will take a jump back in the textbook to Chapter 4. This chapter works on number theory and fractions.

Important Dates:

Feb. 1 - Six Flags Read to Succeed Forms Due!

Feb. 2 - T.G.F.D. Session 5

Feb. 9 - T.G.F.D. Session 6

Feb. 14 - T.G.F.D. Session 7

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Parties

Feb. 16 - Argonne Field Trip

WEEK OF JANUARY 23

2012-01-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs Program
During our 3rd session of T.G.F.D., Deputy Seward discussed decision-making. Students learned how the decisions a person makes impacts their character and reputation in either positive or negative ways. Once again, students received a homework assignment that should be completed with their families to reinforce the ideas shared during session 3.

5th Grade Spelling Bee
Congratulations to our classmate, David, who was one of two winners in the 5th Grade Spelling Bee! He will participate in the District Spelling Bee on January 24 at 1:00 p.m. Way to go, David!!

Subject Update:

Spelling - The Lesson 18 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 review about pronouns. The Unit 6 Pronouns Test is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24.
Reading - We will continue our focus on the skill Author's Viewpoint. We will also be reviewing the familiar skill of prediction and working on extended response. 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 - Students will learn about some of the different forms of energy and how energy is changed from one form to another.
Social Studies - We will begin Chapter 8 :The Road to War. Students will hear how the colonists were troubled over new tax laws put in place by King George III and Parliament.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students are learning formulas for calculating the volume of rectangular and triangular prisms, and cylinders. The Chapter 10 Test is scheduled for Thursday, January 26!

Important Dates:

Jan. 20 - Check Student Progress Via ParentConnect

Jan. 24 - District Spelling Bee (PV - 1:00 p.m.)

Jan. 25 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Jan. 26 - T.G.F.D. (Session 4)

Feb. 1 - Six Flags Read to Succeed Forms Due!

WEEK OF JANUARY 16

2012-01-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs Program
During our second session of T.G.F.D., Deputy Seward discussed the importance of communication. We learned that communication involves a sender and receiver of information and that messages can be sent verbally and non-verbally. Once again, students received a homework assignment that should be completed with their families to reinforce the ideas shared during session 2.

Classroom Spelling Bee
Congratulations to our top speller, David, and our runner-up, Madison; winners of our Classroom Spelling Bee. These students will represent our class in the 5th Grade Spelling Bee on Wednesday, January 18. Good luck!

Parent Traffic Alert!
Please make sure you read the parent traffic alert that went out earlier this week from the office. Especially now with all the snow on the ground, we want to keep our children safe!

Subject Update:

Spelling - The Lesson 17 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 learn how to avoid double subjects, and use "we" and "us" correctly. Then we will review all about pronouns. The test is tentatively scheduled for the following Tuesday, January 24.
Reading - This week, we begin our focus on the skill Author's Viewpoint. In this skill, students will identify how the author feels about the topic they are writing about, as well as indicate words, phrases, or sentences in the text that help to "reveal" this viewpoint. This skill provides excellent practice in using the text to support answers. We will also be reviewing the familiar skill of prediction. 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 - As we begin Chapter 15, we will learn about energy. Energy has a very special meaning to scientists - the ability to cause change in matter.
Social Studies - The students will continue to learn about the French and Indian War when the French, British, and Native Americans fought for control of a large part of North America. The Chapter 7 Test is scheduled for Friday, January 20!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will explore solid figures and learn formulas to find surface area and volume.

Important Dates:

Jan. 16 - No School (M. L. King, Jr. Day)

Jan. 18 - 5th Grade Spelling Bee

Jan. 19 - Too Good For Drugs (Session 3)

Jan. 20 - Check Student Progress Via ParentConnect

Jan. 25 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Feb. 1 - Six Flags Read to Succeed Forms Due!

WEEK OF JANUARY 9

2012-01-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

Prairieview Needs Market Day Help!
Please be advised that it is Prairieview's turn to volunteer for Market Day and this Saturday is our first time. If you can help, please report to Lakeview at 8:00 a.m. Thanks in advance!

MAP Testing
Our class will be taking the MAP tests for Reading on Monday and Math on Thursday next week. Please encourage your child to "DO Your Best," and make sure your child is well-rested and eats a nutritious breakfast!

Looking Ahead... Lakeview Parent Meeting
There will be a meeting for interested parents regarding the Lakeview schedule for next year
on Monday January 9 at 7:00 p.m in the Lakeview gym. They will have a presentation
outlining key components to the schedule as well as provide sample schedules of students that
are involved in enrichment and/or support classes.

Too Good For Drugs Program
Deputy Seward from the DuPage County Sheriff's Department visited our classroom on Thursday for our first session of T.G.F.D. A letter explaining more about the program was sent home with students. Also, students received a homework assignment that should be completed with their families to reinforce the ideas shared during session 1.

Spelling Bee
We had a practice bee this past week to help students understand the rules and procedures of our official "Classroom Bee". Our Classroom Spelling Bee is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10. Our classroom winner and runner-up will participate in the 5th Grade Spelling Bee on Wednesday, January 18.

Six Flag's Read to Succeed Reminder
This is just a reminder that students participating in this reading program need to return the forms to me by February 1st. You may turn in forms prior to the due date if the reading goal is reached early!!

Subject Update:

Spelling - The Lesson 16 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 our study of pronouns. Students will learn how to use "I" and "me" correctly, replace possessive nouns with possessive pronouns, write contractions with pronouns, avoid double subjects, and use "we" and "us" correctly.
Reading - We will continue our focus on main ideas and supporting details and summarizing non-fiction text using The Golden Lion Tamarin Comes Home. 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 are learning about chemical changes and how they are different than physical changes. The Chapter 14 Test is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11!
Social Studies - The students will learn more about the Spanish expanding their claim to land in what is now the Southwest region of the United States, as well as the French exploring the Mississippi River.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will continue their work with geometry in Chapter 10. They will learn about circles and use formulas to find the circumference and area of circles.

Important Dates:

Jan. 9 - MAP Testing (Reading)

Jan. 10 - Classroom Spelling Bee

Jan. 10 - MAP Testing (Math)

Jan. 12 - Too Good For Drugs (Session 2)

Jan. 16 - No School (M. L. King, Jr. Day)

WEEK OF JANUARY 3

2011-12-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-18T12:59:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-10T13:43:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

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)

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 21

2011-02-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
Our 6th session of T.G.F.D. focused on facts about tobacco. The students did not receive a homework assignment; however, they were encouraged to share and discuss the information with parents.

Many Thanks...
Thank you to Mrs. Raso, Mrs. Morton, Mrs. O'Connor, Mrs. Repole, Mrs. Mate, and Mrs. Scheiblein for planning and/or attending our Valentine's Day Party. We all enjoyed the food and fun! Also, thanks to Mrs. Markovski and Mrs. O'Connor for helping with the Argonne field trip. The class learned so much from the experience!

Subject Update:

English - We will reinforce our knowledge of adjectives with a "Hinky Pinky Adjectives" activity. Then we will create a list of "positive adjectives" about classmates to use in another enrichment activity.
Science - Now that we understand the two basic types of energy, we will learn about different forms of energy in Lesson 2. Do you know what form of energy comes from the sun?
Social Studies - The students will review about the colonies' dangerous decision to declare independence from England before reading about the Patriots at war under the command of General Washington.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 21 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 identify and learn how to use figurative language like onomatopoeia and idioms! We will be using a variety of instructional level materials. We will also complete some activities to continue our preparation for the upcoming ISAT tests.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will review for the Chapter 4 Test scheduled for Wednesday, February 23. The next chapter will continue our work with fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 21 - No School (President's Day)

Feb. 23 - T.G.F.D. (Session #7)

Feb. 25 - End of 2nd Trimester

March 1-3 - ISAT Testing

March 4 - No School

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14

2011-02-10T17:07:00.000-08:00

Important: Argonne Field Trip Notes
There are a few important announcements regarding our Argonne field trip on Tuesday. Please remember to send your child with a sack lunch and drink (no lunchboxes). Everything must be disposed of after we eat lunch. Also, students must be in long pants and closed-toed shoes. I don't think that will be an issue with the weather we've been having!

Too Good For Drugs
Our 5th session of TGFD focused on more strategies for dealing with peer pressure. The students received a homework assignment to reinforce the concepts presented. Once the activity is completed, the sheet must be signed by a parent and returned to school by Wednesday, February 16.

Valentine's Day Reminders
Students will be able to exchange valentines within their own classrooms on Monday. Please remember that students should not bring candy treats as part of their valentine exchange. Thanks in advance for following these guidelines!

Subject Update:

English - The students will review how to compare with adjectives and write proper adjectives correctly. The Unit 4 Adjectives Test is scheduled for Thursday, February 17!Science - We will begin Chapter 15 about energy. The students will learn the difference between potential and kinetic energy in the first lesson.
Social Studies - The students will hear how the American colonies decide to declare their independence from Britain as we begin Chapter 9.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 20 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, in order to help us succeed with our ISAT tests, we will be writing an extended response using a fictional piece. We will also be identifying character traits using a variety of instructional materials.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will take an open-note homework review on Monday covering lessons 4-7 (converting between decimals and fractions, finding equivalent fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, and converting between mixed numbers and improper frations). Then we will learn how to add and subtract fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Party

Feb. 15 - Argonne Field Trip

Feb. 16 - T.G.F.D. (Session 6)

Feb. 21 - No School (President's Day

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7

2011-02-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
Our 5th session of TGFD was postponed to February 9th due to the snow and school closings.

Valentine's Day Tidbits - Reminder
The classroom Valentine's Day Party will be on Monday, February 14. 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 each student in their classroom. Students were given a current class list. Also, students should not bring any candy treats as part of their valentine exchange - any candy treats brought in will be sent back home with students. Thanks in advance for following these guidelines!

Subject Update:

English - The students have learned that adjectives describe nouns or pronouns. They tell what kind or how many. Next, students will work with articles and demonstratives, and learn how to compare with adjectives.
Science - The Chapter 14 Test is Monday, February 7! Then we will begin Chapter 15 about energy.
Social Studies - The students have read about "the shot heard round the world" that marked the start of the American Revolution. We will finish the chapter by reading about the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Chapter 8 Test is scheduled for Thursday, February 10!
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 19 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 practice writing an extended response using a nonfiction text. This will help us succeed when taking the ISAT tests! We will also be identifying cause and effect relationships using a variety of instructional materials.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - An open-note homework review is planned for Monday covering lessons 1-3 (divisibility, prime and composite numbers, prime factorization, factors, and GCF). Then we will learn how to convert between decimals and fractions, write equivalent fractions, and compare and order fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 9 - T.G.F.D. (Session 5)

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Party

Feb. 15 - Argonne Field Trip

Feb. 16 - T.G.F.D. (Session 6)

WEEK OF JANUARY 31

2011-01-28T14:29:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
Our fourth session of TGFD focused on making choices and the people who might influence the choices we make. The students did NOT receive homework this week, but this would be a great topic for a family discussion at the dinner table!

Valentine's Day Tidbits - Looking Ahead
The classroom Valentine's Day Party will be on Monday, February 14. 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 each student in their classroom. Students were given a current class list on Friday. Also, students should not bring any candy treats as part of their valentine exchange - any candy treats brought in will be sent back home with students. Thanks in advance for following these guidelines!

Subject Update:

English - The students will finish their expository writing pieces. We will also begin our next grammar unit on adjectives.
Science - We will review all about matter to prepare for the Chapter 14 Test scheduled for Thursday, February 3!
Social Studies - The students will hear about Paul Revere's famous midnight ride and the official start of the Revolutionary War!
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 18 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 practice writing an extended response using a nonfiction text. This will help us succeed when taking the ISAT tests! We will also be identifying cause and effect relationships using a variety of instructional materials.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue in Chapter 4 as we explore factors. Students will identify factors, learn methods for prime factorization, and find the greatest common factor (GCF) of a given set of numbers.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 2 - T.G.F.D. (Session 5)

Feb. 9 - T.G.F.D. (Session 6)

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Party

Feb. 15 - Argonne Field Trip

WEEK OF JANUARY 24

2011-01-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
Our third session of TGFD focused on decision making. The students received a homework assignment to reinforce the concepts presented. Once the activity is completed, the sheet must be signed by a parent and returned to school by Wednesday, January 26.

2nd Trimester Progress Check
Please continue to check your child's progress via ParentConnect. I encourage parents to review grades weekly with their students. It helps them better understand how each and every grade has a direct effect on their overall average!

Help Wanted
Would anyone be able to supply drinks for our upcoming Valentine's Day Party? You would not need to attend the party, simply send in the refreshments. Please email or send a note with your child if you are willing to help us out.
Also, I need 2 chaperones for an upcoming field trip to Argonne. Please let me know by Tuesday if you are interested. Due to security at Argonne, these chaperones would need to bring a valid driver's license for identification on the day of the trip. Our classroom is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 from 9:30 - 1:30 (permission slip coming home soon).

Subject Update:

English - The students will work again with expository writing. We will explore different ways to better elaborate on our ideas.
Science - We will review about physical changes of matter before reading about chemical changes and how they are different.
Social Studies - The students are learning about the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 17 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 to understand the author's viewpoint and to distinguish between fact and opinion using instructional level materials.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students should be reviewing for the Chapter 10 Test scheduled for Tuesday, January 25. Then we will move into Chapter 4 about number theory and fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 22 - Mrs. Strong's Winter Party

Jan. 25 - District Spelling Bee

Jan. 26 - T.G.F.D. (Session 4)

WEEK OF JANUARY 17

2011-01-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
Our second session of TGFD focused on communication skills. The students received a homework assignment to play a special game of charades with their families to reinforce the concepts presented. Once the activity is completed, the top portion of the page must be signed by a parent and returned to school by Wednesday, January 19.

2nd Trimester Progress Check
January 14 marked the 2nd trimester midpoint. Please be sure to check your child's progress via ParentConnect. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me right away.

Special Recognition
Congratulations to our Classroom Spelling Bee winner Makaila Scheiblein and runner-up Zach Bandyk! They will represent our class in the 5th Grade Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January 18. We wish our spellers the best of luck!

Subject Update:

English - The students will review all about pronouns on Monday to help prepare them for the Unit 6 Pronouns Test on Wednesday, January 19. We will finish the week with some creative writing as we compose winter haikus.
Science - We will learn how matter changes states. The students will also learn about density and the difference between mixtures and solutions.
Social Studies - At the end of first lesson, British warships and more soldiers arrived in Boston Harbor, worsening the tension between the colonists and Britain. The next lesson will discuss the events in Boston that brought Britain and the colonies closer to war.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 16 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 be determining the author's viewpoint as we read selected stories. We will also be focusing on the difference between fact and opinion.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will continue in Chapter 10. They will learn and apply formulas for finding the volume of rectangular prisms, triangular prisms, and cylinders. A homework review is planned for Thursday.

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 17 - No School (M. L. King Day)

Jan. 18 - 5th Grade Spelling Bee

Jan. 19 - T.G.F.D. (Session 3)

WEEK OF JANUARY 10

2011-01-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
Deputy K presented our first TGFD lesson on setting goals. (Officer Stejskal was unable to hold the first session, but the students will meet her next week.) The students received a homework assignment to set a goal with their families. This page must be completed along with a parent signature by Wednesday, January 12. Students were told that they will earn a participation grade for Science/Health by completing these kinds of assignments on time and demonstrating appropriate behavior.

Subject Update:

English - The students will learn how to use possessive pronouns and contractions with pronouns. They will also learn how to avoid writing double subjects and determine when to use we or us.
Science - We are learning about the properties of matter. Students should be able to tell you the difference between an atom and a molecule.
Social Studies - "No taxation without representation!" That was the protest cry of the colonists over the Stamp Act of 1765 imposed by the British government. Next week, students will hear more about the problems between Britain and the colonists.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 15 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 be working on story structure using a story map template while reading various literature selections.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will continue in Chapter 10. The students will complete a short open-book homework review on Monday. Then we will identify different solid figures and learn how to calculate surface area and volume.

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 11 - Practice Classroom Spelling Bee

Jan. 12 - Juggler Assembly about Bullying

Jan. 12 - MAPS Testing

Jan. 12 - T.G.F.D. (Session 2)

Jan. 13 - Official Classroom Spelling Bee

Jan. 14 - 2nd Trimester Midpoint - Check Student Progress!

WEEK OF JANUARY 3

2010-12-16T16:48:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs
We will be starting the "Too Good for Drugs" (T.G.F.D.) program which is sponsored by the DuPage County Sheriff's department. Officer Millie Stejskal will visit our classroom weekly to discuss issues such as making good choices, peer pressure, and substance abuse. Students will earn a participation grade for Science/Health by completing assignments on time and demonstrating appropriate behavior. More detailed information will be sent home after our first session on Wednesday, January 5.

Subject Update:

English - The students will learn about pronouns. Pronouns are words that can be used in place of common or proper nouns in sentences.
Science - After Winter Break, we will begin a physical science unit, "Properties of Matter."
Social Studies - Tension started to build between the colonists and the British government when King George III made the Proclamation of 1763. As we head into Chapter 8 in January, we will hear how this tension got worse when King George III decided to tax the colonists to help pay off debt created by the French and Indian War.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will work with Lesson 14 words starting Monday, January 3. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Thursday, January 6. (No Spelling/Reading groups on Friday.)
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - When we come back from break, we will be learning more about the structure of a story through story mapping.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will continue in Chapter 10 after Winter Break. We will quickly review about perimeter and area of polygons, then learn how to find the circumference and area of circles.

Mark Your Calendar:

Dec. 18 - Jan. 2 - Winter Break!

Jan. 5 - T.G.F.D. (Session 1)

WEEK OF DECEMBER 13

2010-12-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Holiday Service Project Reminder
Don't forget about our Holiday Service Drive organized by our Project Challenge students. We are looking for donations such as new toys, new games, toiletries, and food for the needy families in the Darien area. All donations are due on Monday, December 13. Thank you for opening up your hearts to help make the holidays a happy one for those who are less fortunate!

Subject Update:

English - The students should be preparing for the Unit 2 Nouns Test scheduled for Tuesday, December 14. Then we will put the finishing touches on our expository writing pieces.
Science - We will complete an activity to apply some of the ideas we have learned about adaptations and human interactions with ecosystems.
Social Studies - The students will review about the Spanish, French, and English fighting for control of the land in North America. The Chapter 7 Test is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will not have a spelling lesson next week.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - Students will draw conclusions while finishing up our work with "A Boy Called Slow." We will also practice summarizing and predicting with skill pages and fictional reading material.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will begin Chapter 10 about perimeter, area, and circumference.

Mark Your Calendar:

Dec. 13 - Holiday Service Project Donations Due!

Dec. 13 - All School Concert (9:30 a.m.)

Dec. 13 - Cadet Band/Choir Concert (7 p.m. at LV)

Dec. 16 - 5th Grade Bowling (9-11 a.m.)

Dec. 18 - Jan. 2 - Winter Break!

WEEK OF DECEMBER 6

2010-12-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

Junior Achievement Has Come to an End
During session 4 and 5, Mr. Blocker discussed many more business concepts. He also shared many examples of well-known entrepreneurs, such as Milton Hershey and George Ferris, who used the resources readily available to them to create something new and amazing. The students learned a wealth of information, and we thank Mr. Blocker for his time and dedication to bring this great program to our classroom!

Paper Recycling Fundraiser Reminder
Just a reminder that we can now raise money for our district by recycling paper! Please collect any paper you are going to throw away or recycle (no cardboard) and either send it to school with your child or drop it off at the green and yellow "Paper Retriever" bin in the Lakeview parking lot.

Holiday Service Project Reminder
The students of Project Challenge are participating in a Lion's Club Holiday Drive. Please donate new toys, new games, toiletries, and non-perishable food for the needy families in the Darien area. If you wish to participate, you will need to bring the donations in by December 13.

Subject Update:

English - The students will apply spelling rules to form plural nouns correctly. They will also recognize the difference between singular and plural possessive nouns and learn how to write them correctly in possessive phrases.
Science - We will do a fun, hands-on activity called "Deadly Links" to review the ideas from Lesson 3. Then students will prepare for the Chapter 6 Test on Thursday, December 9!
Social Studies - The students will learn about Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet exploring the Mississippi River. This led to new French colonies in North America. We will also begin reading about the French and Indian War as the British, French, and Native Americans fought for control of a large part of North America.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will work with Lesson 13 words starting Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - This week, all fifth graders will review the skill of drawing conclusions. They will also be introduced to the skill of author's purpose. Students will learn how to read a text and decide if it was written to persuade, inform, or entertain. They will use the acronym PIE to help them remember these three important terms.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn about tesselations and identify shapes that can tesselate on a plane. Then students should be ready for the Chapter 7 Test on Thursday, December 9!

Mark Your Calendar:

Dec. 13 - Holiday Service Project Donations Due!

Dec. 13 - All School Concert (9:30 a.m.)

Dec. 13 - Cadet Band/Choir Concert (7 p.m. at LV)

Dec. 16 - 5th Grade Bowling (9-11 a.m.)

Dec. 18 - Jan. 2 - Winter Break!

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22 AND 29

2010-11-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

Junior Achievement
During session 3, Mr. Blocker discussed production. The students had fun assembling ballpoint pens to better understand how to make a product as efficiently as possible.

Fullersburg Woods Talk
On Tuesday, November 23, a presenter from Fullersburg Woods will be coming to talk with the 5th graders about ecosystems. They will focus on food chains, the energy pyramid, and how everything in our world is connected. This fits in great with Chapter 5-6 of our science!

Paper Recycling Fundraiser Comes to Prairieview
We are happy to announce that we can now raise money for our district by recycling paper! Please collect any paper you are going to throw away or recycle (no cardboard) and either send it to school with your child or drop it off at the green and yellow "Paper Retriever" bin in the Lakeview parking lot (near the fence by the Prairieview playground). The bin is available for drop offs 24/7. The more paper we recycle, the more money we can make! Do something good for our schools AND the environment!

Holiday Service Project
The students of Project Challenge grades 3-5 are participating in a Lion's Club Holiday Drive. We are looking for donations such as new toys, new games, toiletries, and food for the needy families in the Darien area. If you wish to participate, you will need to bring the donations in by December 13. Remember that some of these families live right here in Darien. So let's help these families have a happy holiday season!

Subject Update:

English - The students will finish up some work on expository writing. Then we will begin a unit on nouns. Students will learn how to identify nouns in sentences and determine if nouns are common or proper.
Science - We will read about ecosystems changing over time and how those changes affect the organisms living there.
Social Studies - The Chapter 6 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23! Then the students will learn about the Spanish expanding New Spain during the 1500s and 1600s by establishing colonies in Florida and New Mexico.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will work with Lesson 12 words starting Monday, November 29. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday, December 2.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - We will continue to review summarizing, drawing conclusions, inferencing, identifying author generalizations, visualizing, and word work with vocabulary words using our realistic fiction novels until December 2nd. Next week, we will review main ideas and details using our skills workbook. Our work with extended response will continue as well.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will complete some activities to review and enrich our knowledge of polygons and line segments. A Chapter 7, Lessons 5-7 Homework Review (open-note) is planned for Tuesday, November 30. Then we will get into congruence, transformations, and symmetry.

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 23 - Picture Retakes

Nov. 23 - 5th Grade Fullersburg Woods Talk

Nov. 23 - Junior Achievement (Session 4)

Nov. 23 - Report Cards

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15

2010-11-12T20:17:00.000-08:00

Looking Ahead to 2nd Trimester
Please remember that here at Prairieview, we suggest that students set personal goals for the grades they would like to earn each trimester, and then work towards those goals the entire trimester. Students are NOT given opportunities for extra credit assignments; however, teachers may provide bonus points on various assignments throughout the year. Also, the late
homework procedure for 2nd Trimester is as follows:
1 day late - minus 15%
More than 1 day late until unit test is taken - minus 25%
After unit test is taken - a zero is entered in the grade book

Junior Achievement
During session 2, Mr. Blocker discussed the three types of resources - natural, capital, and human. He also continued to talk about supply and demand. We look forward to next week when Mr. Blocker will share about production.

Subject Update:

English - The students will continue to work on expository writing.
Science - We will read about symbiosis and predator-prey relationships.
Social Studies - We will be learning more about everyday life in the colonies, including how children studied and played, religion, and common meals. The Chapter 6 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23!
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - The Lesson 11 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday. *Please note that all pretests and tests must be written in cursive starting 2nd trimester! Some students may need extra practice of handwriting at home to ensure proper letter formation on these tests.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - We will continue our work with extended responses using questions from our realistic fiction novel, The Kid in the Red Jacket. Furthermore, we will continue to review summarizing, drawing conclusions, inferencing, identifying author generalizations, and visualizing. We will continue our word work with vocabulary words as well.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn about different types triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons as we move ahead in Chapter 7.

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 12 - End of 1st Trimester

Nov. 15 - Prairieview PBIS Recognition Assembly

Nov. 17 - Junior Achievement (Session 3)

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 8

2010-11-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Trade Fair Tidbits
What a creative group of students! I was amazed at the variety of handmade items available for trade at our trade fair. I hope the students shared some of their experiences with you and talked about how "supply and demand" affected their trading.

Conference Reminders
I will be sending an email reminder of your conference date and time soon. If you did not sign up for a conference at Curriculum Night, I will assign you a time that is still open. Please respond promptly so that I can make necessary changes to the schedule and offer time slots that become available. Thanks in advance for your help!

Subject Update:

English - The students will be working on expository writing. This will allow students to practice and apply their skills in writing different types of sentences using correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.
Science - Now that we have taken a close look at the barn owl, we will read about other organisms and how they compete and survive in an ecosystem.
Social Studies - We will learn more about early colonial life as we read about cities, towns, and farms. The students will learn how these areas were alike and different.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - The Lesson 10 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - We will begin writing extended responses this week. The strategy for writing a good response is to remember the letters IEIEIE, which stands for Idea, Evidence, Interpretation, Evidence, Interpretation, and Extension. Fifth graders should be familiar with this technique. Furthermore, we will continue to review the skills of summarizing, drawing conclusions, inferencing, identifying author generalizations, and visualizing while reading the novel The Kid in the Red Jacket.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn how to identify different types of lines (perpendicular, parallel, and skew). There is a homework review activity scheduled for Wednesday, November 10. Then we learn about different types of polygons.

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 10 - Junior Achievement (Session 2)

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

Nov. 12 - End of 1st Trimester

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1

2010-10-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

Junior Achievement
During our first session with Mr. Blocker, he introduced the class to many core concepts used in business today. One of the ideas covered was supply and demand. This ties in beautifully with what the students are currently doing in Social Studies as they plan and prepare for our upcoming trade fair!

Halloween Festivities
We all had fun during the parade and parties Friday afternoon. A special thanks to Mrs. Scheiblein for coordinating the party for us, and thank you also to Mrs. Daly, Mrs. Silva, Mrs. O'Connor, and Mrs. Mate for attending/running the activities. A final thank you goes to the Zowaski family who provided drinks. I hope everyone enjoys even more Halloween fun over the weekend!

Subject Update:

English - Students should be preparing for the Unit 5 Capitalization and Punctuation Test scheduled for Wednesday, November 3.
Science - Did the students tell you about their virtual owl pellet dissestion? Although the students thought that experience was pretty cool, next week they will get the opportunity to dissect a real owl pellet. Each student will identify the prey eaten by their owl, then we will work to draw some conclusions about the data gathered as a class.
Social Studies - To better understand about working and trading in the colonies, students will participate in a classroom trade fair on Thursday, November 4. Students have all received information about trade fair expectations and grading to share with parents. We will be making the special signs for our trade fair on Wednesday.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - The Lesson 9 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - This week, we will review all the skills we have studied so far this school year. Specifically, we will be summarizing, drawing conclusions, inferencing, identifying author generalizations, and visualizing while reading a realistic fiction novel.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will be jumping ahead in the textbook to Chapter 7: Plane Geometry. The students will begin by identifying and naming points, lines, rays, planes, and angles.

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 2 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

Nov. 10 - Junior Achievement (Session 2)

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

Nov. 12 - End of 1st Trimester

WEEK OF OCTOBER 25

2010-10-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

Junior Achievement
Our class will be starting Junior Achievement on Wednesday. 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.

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:

English - Students will review how to write quotations using correct capitalization and punctuation. Then students will begin to review all of Unit 5 to prepare for the test scheduled for Wednesday, November 3.
Science - We will preview some of the Chapter 6 concepts such as predator-prey relationships and adaptations by studying the barn owl.
Social Studies - We will prepare for the Chapter 5 Test scheduled for Tuesday, October 26. Then we will take a closer look at colonial life in the next chapter.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - The Lesson 8 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - During our CORE reading, we will continue to analyze and complete various types of analogies. We will also continue our work on the skill of drawing conclusions and making inferences while reading fictional texts.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn how to solve decimal equations. There will be an open-note activity on Tuesday to assess student understanding of lessons 7-10. Then we will spend a day reviewing all of the various concepts from the chapter to prepare for Thursday's Chapter 3 Test.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 27 - Junior Achievement (Session 1)

Oct. 29 - Costume Parade and Halloween Party

Nov. 2 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

WEEK OF OCTOBER 18

2010-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

MAPS Testing
Students have been doing a great job concentrating and putting forth their best efforts during our MAPS testing. There is one more test to complete on Thursday, October 21.

Leaf Project Reminder
Don't forget to bring in your prepared leaves on Monday, October 18th!

Subject Update:

English - Students will learn how to use quotation marks, other punctuation, and capital letters correctly when a speaker's exact words come at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence.
Science - The students will review about energy and ecosystems to prepare for the Chapter 5 Test scheduled for Wednesday, October 20! Students will also use their prepared leaves to create a "Leafy Critter."
Social Studies - We will learn about the 13 English colonies established along the east coast of North America. These colonies were divided into three regions. We will read to discover how the regions were alike and different, and how religion played a role in the founding of new colonies in these regions.
Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - The Lesson 7 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - Our CORE reading skill this week is analogies. All fifth grade students will learn how to analyze and complete various types of analogies. In addition, all students will begin focusing on the important skills of drawing conclusions and making inferences while reading a fictional text.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will complete an open-note homework review covering Chapter 3, Lessons 4-6 on Monday. Then we will move on to dividing with decimals and some problem solving where we need to interpret the remainder of our division work. *Reminder: There are many new concepts being taught in this chapter. I am trying to break it into three different sections to assess student understanding throughout the chapter before getting to the final test. You may want to check in with your child to find out how they are moving along in this chapter.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 20 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Oct. 21 - MAPS Test: Math

Oct. 21 - Prairieview Fall Book Fair (6:30 - 8:00 p.m.)

Oct. 22 - Bus Driver Appreciation

WEEK OF OCTOBER 11

2010-10-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

MAPS Testing
There is a new testing system being employed by the district this year. MAP stands for Measures of Academic Progress. These tests will be taken beginning next week, in the areas of Language, Reading, and Math. Students will take a series of multiple choice tests in each area on the computer. The program computes a score, which is then placed along a continuum to show each student's individual progress. It will even be able to show what particular areas each student excels at, and the areas in which they may need some additional support. We are hopeful that this new system will make our instruction for our students even better!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Due to MAPS testing, there will be no spelling lesson.
English - Students will recognize the importance of commas when we read, "Eats, Shoots, and Leaves." Then they will learn different ways to use commas correctly. Students will also learn how to write interjections.
Mrs. Strong's Reading Group will continue to work on identifying main idea and supporting details with various texts. Students will also continue their "word work" with homophones and homographs.
Science - The students are learning how energy transfers from one organism to another in food chains and food webs. Also, please notice a green packet of information sent home with your child Friday. It explains how to collect and prepare leaves for a special fall leaf project we will complete in a few weeks. Leaves are due October 18!
Social Studies - We will learn how more English colonies were eventually established because people left England in search of religious freedom.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will review about metric measurement and scientific notation, and learn about multiplying decimals. *NOTE: There are many new concepts being taught in this chapter. I am trying to break it into three different sections to assess student understanding throughout the chapter before getting to the final test. Several students struggled on our first (open note) homework review. You may want to check in with your child to find out how they are moving along in this chapter.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 11 - No School (Columbus Day)

Oct. 12 - MAPS Test: Language Arts

Oct. 15 - MAPS Test: Reading

Oct. 20 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Oct. 21 - MAPS Test: Math

WEEK OF OCTOBER 4

2010-10-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

Reminder - Student Progress Check
Friday, October 1 marked the 1st trimester midpoint. Please be sure to check your child's progress via ParentConnect if you have not done so already. If a student is working below grade level expectations, a progress report for those subject areas below expectations will be coming home via U.S. mail. Please review, sign, and return those as soon as possible.

Subject Update:

Spelling - The Lesson 6 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
English - We will be starting Unit 5 about capitalization and punctuation. It begins with a review of the punctuation used with each of the four types of sentences. Then we will identify and capitalize proper nouns and adjectives, and learn how to write many common abbreviations correctly.
Reading - This week our core reading group (homeroom) will be learning about homonyms/homographs and multiple meaning words. Mrs. Strong's skill-based reading group will focus on identifying main idea and supporting details within nonfiction text.
Science - The students are currently learning how plants are able to produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Students should be able to explain how different structures (parts) of the plant help it get water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight to complete this process.
Social Studies - We will review about the first successful English colony of Jamestown. Then we will hear how the search for a Northwest Passage led to the founding of Dutch and French colonies in North America. Thank you to the Daly family for sending in some great "artifacts" for us to display in the classroom. It will help us get a better understanding of early colonial times!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students are learning how to estimate the sums, differences, products, and quotients of problems involving decimals. As we practice adding and subtracting decimals next week, students will be able to apply estimation as a strategy for checking if their sums or differences are reasonable. Late in the week, we will get into scientific notation and multiplying with decimals.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 1 - Check Student Progress

Oct. 11 - No School (Columbus Day)

Oct. 20 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27

2010-09-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

Student Progress Check
Friday, October 1 marks the 1st trimester midpoint. Please be sure to check your child's progress via ParentConnect. Parents will only receive progress reports if a student is working below grade level expectations or if a parent has requested a report.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Review Lesson 5 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
English - We will be finishing up the unit by correcting run-on sentences. Students will take the Unit 1 Test on Thursday, September 30. Students may want to review using the extra practice sections on p. 55 - 62 in the English textbook.
Reading - This week our core reading group will be learning about generalizations in texts and recognizing the difference between fact and opinion. Our skill-based reading groups will also focus on the skills of generalizing and fact vs. opinion. We will read aloud "Intown Animals" to begin identifying generalizations together, and then enjoy another story entitled "Grizzly Bear Family Book" to continue working on the skill.
Science - We will review the tools and inquiry skills used by scientists, as well as the scientific method, to prepare for the "Getting Ready for Science" Chapter Test scheduled for Tuesday, September 28. Students should review their notes, class assignments, and text to prepare for this first science test! The "Review and Test Preparation" at the end of the chapter would be very helpful for students to try at home!! Then we will begin Chapter 5 about energy and ecosystems.
Social Studies - We will hear about England's first attempt to start a colony in the Americas. Unfortunately, this colony at Roanoke Island did not turn out to be a success. We will also read about the Battle of the Spanish Armada.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We have been learning how to solve algebraic equations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students should be preparing for a Chapter 2 Test on Tuesday, September 28. Then we will move into Chapter 3 about decimals.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 30 - Picture Day!

Oct. 1 - Check Student Progress

Oct. 11 - No School (Columbus Day)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20

2010-09-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

Did You Know?
Our science text can be accessed online at thinkcentral.com. Check out the Prairieview page of the district website for instructions on how to access, as well as a quick link to the site!

Reminder from the Gym
The PE study guide for the soccer test went home Friday. Have you seen it yet? If not, please ask your child about it. The PE soccer test will be Wednesday. Please help your child review for this test.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 4 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Thursday (since there is no school on Friday).
English - We will be identifying simple predicates, learning about "you" as the implied subject in imperative sentences, and learning how to use conjunctions correctly.
Reading - This week our core reading group will continue word work with prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Our skill-based reading groups will continue to read tall tales to identify the parts of a narrative and distinguish between details that are exaggerated and details that are realistic. Students will also continue to use visualization to better understand the characters, setting, and events in these stories.
Science - We will review the inquiry skills used by scientists before learning about the scientific method in Lesson 3.
Social Studies - On Monday we will review for the Chapter 4 Test scheduled for Tuesday, September 21! Students have been encouraged to review their notes, assignments, and text to prepare well for this first test! Then we will learn how certain European countries struggled to found colonies in the New World.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will review about algebraic expressions, and then learn how to solve algebraic equations. Ask your child about the difference between an expression and an equation.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 24 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

Sept. 30 - Picture Day!

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 13

2010-09-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

Magazine Drive Kick-Off
Please look for a packet of information in your child's backpack on Monday regarding our Magazine Drive. This is a huge fundraiser for our district and we appreciate your support!

Student Progress
Parents should monitor student progress using ParentConnect. It is suggested that you and your child review grades weekly to note any achievements or areas of weakness that may need attention. If you do not see graded work in the "Keep at Home" part of your child's binder, you should find it in the subject area folders. Many graded papers are kept in subject area folders until the end of a unit so they may be used as study tools for tests.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 3 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given Friday.
English - We will be identifying the subjects and predicates in sentences. The subject tells who or what the sentence is about, and the predicate tells what is or what happens.
Reading - This week our core reading group will focus on the skill of affixes and roots. An affix is a small word part that can be added to the beginning, middle, or end of a root word. Students will learn the meaning of various affixes and how to put them together with a root word. They will then apply this skill to find the definition of both familiar and unfamiliar words in context.
Our skill-based reading groups will begin on Monday. Students will find out Monday morning who their skill-based reading teacher is. During skill-based reading we will be using Tall Tales to practice visualization and to look at story structure.
Science - Lesson 2 introduces the different inquiry skills scientists use. The students will also learn the difference between an experiment and a simple investigation.
Social Studies - The students will continue to learn about the Spanish conquests in the New World. Later in the week, we will hear about life in New Spain as the Spanish begin to settle these new lands. The Chapter 4 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will learn to find, describe, and extend patterns in a sequence of numbers. Then we will review for the Chapter 1 Test scheduled for Wednesday, September 15. Chapter 2 will then introduce us to the world of algebra!

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 13 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off

Sept. 24 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7

2010-09-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

5th Grade Curriculum Night
Don't forget that 5th Grade Curriculum Night is Tuesday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. It will begin with a brief presentation by Principal Schultz in the multi-purpose room. Parents will then have the opportunity to visit the classrooms and sign up for homeroom conferences that evening. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Subject Update:

Spelling - A pretest will be given on Tuesday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words, and a final test will be given Friday.
English - We will begin Unit 1 by distinguishing the difference between complete sentences and fragments. Then we will identify the four types of sentences - declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.
Reading - This week in reading we will be focusing on context clues. The students will learn how to identify words within the context of a story.
Science - We will continue to learn about the tools used by scientists. Students will complete an investigation in order to experience some of the tools hands-on.
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 learn about the order of operations and different math properties. Students will also learn how to evaluate problems before solving them in order to choose an appropriate method of computation (mental math, paper and pencil, or a calculator).

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 6 - No School (Labor Day)

Sept. 7 - 5th Grade Curriculum Night (6:30 p.m.)

WEEK OF JUNE 1

2010-05-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

End of Year Picnic
Our "Summer Olympics" school picnic day is Tuesday, June 1st. Hot dogs, chips, water, and ice cream 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 2nd. Any students who did not purchase a yearbook may do so on a first-come-first-serve basis on June 2nd; they will go on sale after morning announcements. The cost will be $10.00 and children wishing to purchase should have the exact amount. Checks can be made out to Prairieview. There is a limited supply. Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid for at registration. A flyer was sent out on November 12, 2009 and orders were due by Tuesday, December 9, 2009.

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 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 24

2010-05-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

Sack Lunch for 5th Grade Bowling Day
Since the 5th graders are bowling in the morning, students will need to bring a sack lunch on Friday, May 28. Parents are also asked to limit snack money in order to prevent overindulging. All too often, students return to school with upset stomachs. The main objective of this activity is to encourage enjoyment of social exercise. Thank you in advance for your help!

Subject Update:

Spelling - We will continue working with the Lesson 34 word list which focuses on words with silent g or h in certain letter combinations. There will not be a test over these words.
English - The students have learned about adverbs and adverbial phrases and clauses. Now they will apply all they have learned this year about grammar as they complete a "Mix-N-Match" booklet.
Reading - We will continue to review all of the reading strategies taught this year.
Science - The students will continue to learn about our solar system. Ask your child whether Earth is an inner planet or an outer planet.
Social Studies - We will learn about George Washington as our country's first president.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will have a "Perimeter, Area, and Volume Review" on Monday. Then we will revisit various concepts taught throughout the year.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 24 - Lakeview Choir Assembly

May 28 - 5th Grade Bowling (a.m.)

May 31 - No School (Memorial Day)

June 1 - All School Picnic

June 2 - Last Day of School & Report Cards

WEEK OF MAY 17

2010-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

5th Grade Lakeview Parent Night
Please remember that 5th grade parents are invited to a meeting at Lakeview on Monday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for parents to meet the faculty and administration at Lakeview, learn about the curriculum and programs offered at the middle school level, and tour the building. This meeting is for parents only; students will visit Lakeview during the school day on Tuesday, May 18.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 34 focuses on words with silent g or h in certain letter combinations. Due to a few extra activities in our schedule, there will not be our usual end of week test over these words. Instead, we will work with the words form this list over the next two weeks.
English - The students will write another persuasive essay early in the week. Then they will begin to learn about adverbs.
Reading - We will continue to review our reading strategies as students participate in small group discussions for the novel, CRASH. Our final activity will be a game of Jeopardy to test our knowledge of important vocabulary, characters, and events from the story! On Thursday, May 20, our class will visit Lakeview's library to check out summer reading books at the middle school level. Encourage your child to find some good books to keep practicing those reading skills this summer!
Science - The students will continue to learn what makes up our solar system. Our solar system includes the sun and all planets and other objects that revolve around it.
Social Studies - We have learned how delegates from the 13 states tried to create a stronger, central government when writing the U.S. Constitution. Next, we will read about ratifying, or approving, the Constitution. The Chapter 10 Test is scheduled for Friday, May 21!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will apply the formulas for area to help them find the surface area of 3-dimensional figures. Later in the week, we will learn about volume and how it is different than perimeter and area measurements.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 18 - 5th Grade Lakeview Parent Night (LV - 6:30 p.m.)

May 19 - 5th Graders Visit Lakeview

May 20 - School Spring Concert Assembly

WEEK OF MAY 10

2010-05-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

Character Counts Gym Shoe Collection
Don't forget to send in your old gym shoes next week. Shoes that are no longer usable will be sent to the Nike recycling center to be made into new items such as floor mats. Shoes that can be reused will be donated to people in need. Please keep the pairs of shoes together by tying or placing together in a plastic bag. Thanks in advance for helping us show that "character counts" at Prairieview School!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 33 focuses on words that use y as a short or long vowel.
English - The students will take the Unit 3 Verbs Test on Tuesday, May 11. Then they will work on persuasive writing.
Reading - We will continue to review all of the strategies taught this year as we finish the book CRASH. The students are doing a fantastic job responding to this book in their reading spirals, and we look forward to some great post-reading discussions in small groups.
Science - We are learning about the phases of the moon and eclipses. Ask your child which phase of the moon is the one we cannot see!
Social Studies - The students are learning how the Constitution helped create a stronger national government for our country.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We have discovered formulas to find the areas of squares and rectangles. Next week, we will learn how to find the areas of triangles, parallelograms, and irregular shapes.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 11 - Bubble Wonder Assembly

May 13 - 5th Graders to LV for "Oklahoma" Matinee

May 14 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

May 17 - 5th Grade Parent Meeting about LV

May 18 - 5th Graders Visit to LV

WEEK OF MAY 3

2010-04-30T15:10:00.000-07:00

Project Challenge Fundraiser
Students involved in Project Challenge have organized a fundraiser to support the ASPCA, a foundation working to stop animal cruelty. From now through May 28th, these students will be selling Smencils (scented pencils) for $1 apiece each morning in all of the grade level areas. Project Challenge students ask that you please support this worthy cause!

Goodbye Mrs. Cuzzone, Welcome Back Mrs. Swaekauski
It is bittersweet to announce that Mrs. Cuzzone's time with us has come to an end as Mrs. Swaekauski joins us again, back from her maternity leave. We thank Mrs. Cuzzone for her time and efforts in our classroom, and know that Mrs. Swaekauski will have a smooth transition back as we finish the school year.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 32 focuses on words spelled with the prefixes in/im, sub/sup, ob/op, and ad/ap.
English - The students will learn about some verb phrases that are often written incorrectly. They will also learn about verbs that are commonly misused, such as sit/set, let/leave, and can/may. The Unit 3 Verbs Test is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 11th.
Reading - We will continue to use the reading comprehension strategies and skills taught throughout this school year as we read the novel, CRASH.
Science - The students will review some of the cycles experienced by our Earth. Then we will investigate how craters are formed as we look to compare the Earth with the moon.
Social Studies - We will continue to hear about our new country's government. Some Americans pushed for a stronger national government while others were happy with their stronger state governments.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - There is a short Chapter 23 Test over perimeter scheduled for Tuesday, May 4th. Then we will begin to explore area in Chapter 24.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 3-7 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 11 - Bubble Wonder Assembly

May 13 - 5th Graders to LV for "Oklahoma" matinee

May 14 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF APRIL 26

2010-04-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

Student Progress Check
Parents should be reviewing grades throughout the trimester using ParentConnect. Since we are about halfway through our final grading period, it would be a good time to check your student's progress and discuss any concerns or acknowledge any accomplishments found. Student's achieving below grade level expectations should be receiving progress reports for the particular subject area(s) via U.S. mail. As always, contact me if you have any questions!

5th Grade Talent Show
Wow! A quick "shout out" to Jared for his performance on the piano keyboard during the 5th Grade Talent Show this past Friday. The class is proud to have such talent among us!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 31 focuses on words with the prefix ex.
English - The students will continue their study of verbs. Next week, we will have more practice of the present tense as we make verbs agree with our subjects, determine the correct forms of be and have to use with different subjects, use contractions with not, and recognize the correct way to write irregular past tense verbs.
Reading - We will continue to review the various reading strategies taught this year using the novel CRASH. Students have had some great discussions regarding some of the central themes to be found in the book and the traits our characters have portrayed so far. Thanks to parents for helping students think about the significance of our names - it helped to build some background knowledge before reading about the names of our two main characters, Crash and Penn.
Science - Now that we have learned about cycles on Earth, Chapter 13 will discuss cycles in space. The first lesson will tell about Earth's movement and the sun creating our different seasons.
Social Studies - The students will take the Chapter 9 Test on Tuesday, April 27. Then we will hear about the building of our new nation.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will find the perimeter of polygons and circles in Chapter 23. Students will be reviewing some of our work with algebraic equations as we develop formulas for the perimeter of some particular shapes.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 3-7 - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 14 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

May 17 - 5th Grade's Lakeview Parent Night

WEEK OF APRIL 19

2010-04-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

GeoSpace Program - Thanks Volunteers!
We would like to thank Mrs. Casey, Mrs. Brackett, and Mrs. Gonzales for helping with our GeoSpace program. It really helped to have several sets of extra hands in creating our spaces.

Spring Open House and Book Fair Tidbits
I enjoyed seeing so many families at our Spring Open House. We had been working diligently on several projects to share with you that evening, and it was wonderful to receive such positive feedback about them! A special thanks to the families of Brad, Maya, Jared, and Eva for generously donating gift certificates towards the purchase of books for our classroom library. Those new titles will be on the shelves soon!

Earth Day Celebration
Due to our early dismissal on Thursday, we will be celebrating Earth Day on Friday, April 23. Students might choose to wear their Earth Day t-shirts or pack a "no-trash" lunch to celebrate this special day.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 30 focuses on words ending with -or.
English - The students will continue to learn about verbs. We will apply spelling rules to help us form the present and past tenses, and use the helping verb "will" to write verbs in the future tense.
Reading - We will continue to reinforce the reading strategies taught throughout the year as we begin the novel, CRASH, by Jerry Spinelli.
Science - The students will review about the Earth's oceans to prepare for the Chapter 12 Test scheduled for Wednesday, April 21!
Social Studies - The next lesson will discuss how other nations helped the Americans in their fight against the British. We will also discover how this war finally came to an end.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn about customary and metric units for measuring temperature. A test over Chapter 22 is scheduled for Thursday, April 22!

Mark Your Calendar:

April 20 - Check Student Progress on ParentConnect

April 22 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

April 23 - Celebrate Earth Day!

WEEK OF APRIL 12

2010-04-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

Spring Open House and Book Fair
Please visit our classroom Thursday, April 15 between 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. during Prairieview's annual Spring Open House and Book Fair. The students will have several recent activities and projects on display for you to view.

Final Thoughts about T.G.F.D. Graduation
Thank you to all of the parents who were able to join us at the T.G.F.D. graduation ceremony. I think it is important to remember the advice given by Dr. Tiede and Deputy K that day. They said that the program should be a foundation - a starting point for family conversations about the value of making good decisions and staying drug-free. Deputy K certainly laid a firm foundation of facts and strategies, and I know with your continued guidance our students will do well in the future.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 29 focuses on contractions and compound words.
English - The students will be putting the final publishing touches on their Me Front Pages and starting our next grammar unit on verbs. A verb is a word that tells an action or state of being.
Reading - We will be reviewing all of the reading strategies taught this year as we read a short story about Yo Yo Ma, a world-renown cellist who has an interesting cultural background. We will also be finishing up our "Postcards from the Far East" projects by Thursday.
Science - The students will read about the forces that shape shorelines.
Social Studies - We will review the events, people, and harsh conditions during the Revolutionary War. We will read a picture book about Washington crossing the Delaware to help students really visualize the conditions for the American soldiers. This will help them with an assignment later in the week.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class -We will continue with customary and metric measurement. Math class will only meet Thursday and Friday due to the GeoSpace program schedule.

Mark Your Calendar:

April 13 - Mrs. Strong's GeoSpace Program (8:15 - 10:15)

April 15 - Prairieview Spring Open House and Book Fair

WEEK OF APRIL 5

2010-04-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

T.G.F.D. Graduation
Please remember that parents are invited to the Too Good For Drugs graduation ceremony on Friday, April 9 at 9:00 a.m. I am very proud of the students and their efforts during the T.G.F.D. program. I sincerely hope the students will keep the promises they have made to make good decisions and stay drug-free in the future!

Help Needed!
I need a few volunteers to help with our GeoSpace program scheduled for Tuesday, April 13 in our classroom from 8:15 - 9:15 a.m. No special skills are needed! Please email or call as soon as possible if you are interested.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 28 focuses on combining Greek word parts to form words. Knowing the meaning of the word parts helps you understand the meaning of the words created from them.
English - The students will continue working on their "Me Front Page" articles. The students will be visiting the computer lab to begin the publishing process as well.
Reading - We will focus primarily on summarizing, and touch on the other reading strategies, as we continue our unit on China. Students will be given instructions about a final project - "Postcards from the Far East." This activity will be in place of the monthly reading project for April.
Science - The students will continue to learn about the movement of the ocean.
Social Studies - We will read about Washington taking command and some of his victories. This will include the famous story of Washington crossing the Delaware to lead a surprise attack on the Hessians in Trenton.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will learn about customary and metric units of measurement as we begin Chapter 22.

Mark Your Calendar:

April 5 - School Resumes

April 9 - T.G.F.D. Graduation

April 13 - GeoSpace Program

April 15 - Prairieview Spring Open House and Book Fair

WEEK OF MARCH 22

2010-03-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
Deputy K met with students to review the various lessons and discuss their final T.G.F.D. assignment. The students received a hand-out describing a "promise letter" that needs to be completed by Wednesday, March 24. They also received an invitation for the T.G.F.D graduation ceremony to be held on Friday, April 9.

Naper Settlement Field Trip Reminders
Please make sure your child dresses for the weather on Tuesday as some portions of the program will take place outdoors. Also, your child will need a disposable lunch on the day of the trip!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 26 is a review of lessons 19-25. The format of the test is different than our regular weekly tests. Students will need to apply the rules or patterns taught in previous lessons in order to identify the misspelled word in a row of words. You may want to practice identifying misspelled words in a similar format using words from lessons 19-25.
English - The students will be working on an acrostic poem and lead story about themselves to begin a "Me Front Page" writing project. Most of this writing work will be done in the classroom.
Reading - As we continue our study of China, we will be focusing on using non-fiction text to practice the reading strategy of clarifying. March Reading Project - The "Exploring Expository" booklet (along with the non-fiction book that was read) is due Monday! Also, instead of a book project in April, we will be completing a culminating activity on China.
Science - The students will be learning about the waves in the ocean. We will also learn about currents and tides.
Social Studies - We will read about the American colonies declaring their independence from Britain in July 1776.
Mrs Strong's Math Class - The students will continue to practice adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. A "Math Quest" covering these concepts is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24!

Mark Your Calendar:

March 23 - Naper Settlement Field Trip

March 27 - April 4 - Spring Break

April 9 - T.G.F.D. Graduation Ceremony

WEEK OF MARCH 15

2010-03-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

Conferences Review
I appreciated the chance to meet with many of my homeroom and math parents during the week of parent/teacher conferences. There were some great discussions regarding current progress and future goals for students. As we move into 3rd Trimester, please remember that you can contact me at any time if questions or concerns arise.

Volunteers Needed
I need 4 parents to chaperone our Naper Settlement field trip on Tuesday, March 23 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please email or phone if you are available and willing to join us!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 25 focuses on words with silent letters.
English - We will do some activities to reinforce and enrich our knowledge of adjectives. Students will also use adjectives to write an acrostic poem about themselves.
Reading - Students will continue clarifying using non-fiction texts throughout the week with our focus on China. We will also use the internet to learn about the giant panda, an important feature of China's wildlife. March Book Project - The students should be finishing the reading of their chosen non-fiction books. The next step is to write the rough draft for each page of the "Exploring Expository" booklet. Students should check the directions and grade sheet frequently to make sure all expectations are being met. This project is due on or before March 22!
Science - We have learned about the salinity of ocean water and how this affects the freezing point. Next we will take a look at the ocean floor.
Social Studies - The students will review the events that have led up to the start of the American Revolution. The Chapter 8 Test is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will take the Chapter 19 "Quest" (quiz/test) on Tuesday, March 16. Then we will jump back to Chapter 13 about adding and subtracting fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 18 - T.G.F.D. Session 8

March 23 - Naper Settlement Field Trip

March 27 - April 4 - Spring Break

WEEK OF MARCH 8

2010-03-05T05:42:00.000-08:00

ISAT Testing Week - DONE!
I am so proud of the students for their diligent, hard work during a long week of testing. They took their time and kept their focus - they deserve a little rest this weekend!

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
This week Deputy K showed a power point presentation to provide information about inhalants and marijuana. The students were given fact sheets on both of these topics which need to be reviewed with a parent. These sheets need to be signed by a parent and returned by Thursday, March 11.

Parent/Teacher Conferences
If you requested a conference with either your child's homeroom and/or math teacher, you should have been contacted with a date and time to confirm. Please understand that conferences are scheduled for 15 minute time slots. It is necessary to end on time so teachers can remain on schedule for the next parents. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 24 focuses on words ending in -ar.
English - The students will learn more about proper adjectives before reviewing for the test. The Unit 4 Adjectives Test is scheduled for Thursday, March 11.
Reading - We will be focusing on clarifying as we identify main idea and details in non-fiction text. The students will be exploring the great land of China as we review this reading strategy. March Reading Project - The students have selected expository books to explore this month. The project directions, grading expecations, and rough draft sheets have been distributed and reviewed with students. This project is due on or before Monday, March 22!
Science - Chapter 12 will tell us about Earth's oceans as we continue this unit about "Cycles on Earth and in Space."
Social Studies - We will finally learn how the fighting between the well-trained British army and colonist militias began with a "shot heard around the world."
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will begin Chapter 19 which continues our study of geometry. It will teach all about plane and solid figures.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 8 - 11 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

March 9 - Report Cards

March 11 - "Wheel of Wisdom" Assembly

March 12 - No School

WEEK OF MARCH 1

2010-02-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-19T16:02:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

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)

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 1

2010-01-29T15:44:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.) Program
Deputy K was not able to visit our classroom as scheduled this week. We will look forward to session #3 about decision-making next Thursday.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 20 focuses on words ending in -ary.
English - The students will finish their study of pronouns. The Unit 6 Pronouns Test is scheduled for Thursday, February 4!
Reading - We will continue to work on making good connections to texts. We will also begin practicing some extended responses to our reading. February Book Project - The students will be exploring poetry during the month of February. There will be a "Poetry Ponderings" project introduced later in the month.
Science - The students will learn about the water cycle and different factors that can affect it.
Social Studies - Chapter 8 "The Road to War" brings us to an exciting part of our history. The English colonists become angry at their king because he is ordering them not to settle west of the Appalachians and wants them to pay taxes to help the country recover from debt. What kind of trouble will this cause in the colonies??
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will do a little more practice of comparing and ordering fractions. Then they will be learning how to relate fractions to decimals.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 2 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

Feb. 4 - T.G.F.D. Session #3

Feb. 4 - District Spelling Bee

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

Feb. 12 - Valentine's Day Party

WEEK OF JANUARY 25

2010-01-22T16:13:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs Program
During Session 2 of T.G.F.D., Deputy K discussed different ways people communicate and the importance of good communication between family members. The homework due by next Thursday is a family game of charades to review about communication skills.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 19 focuses on VAC words. VAC words have a single Vowel before a single Consonant in an Accented final syllable. You must double the final consonant when adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
English - The students will continue to learn about pronouns as they replace possessive nouns with possessive pronouns and use contractions with pronouns correctly. They will also learn how to avoid using double subjects in sentences and when you may use the pronouns we and us along with nouns in sentences.
Reading - We will be introducing another important reading comprehension skill - making connections to texts. There are three types of connections that can be made while reading: text-to-self, text-to-text, or text-to-world. January "Scrapbook" Reading Project - The students should be finished with their books and working on the final product. All students received their scrapbooks and index cards to use for the captions and photos. Please remember that the book and project must be turned in by Friday, January 29!
Science - Students will begin our next unit "Cycles on Earth and in Space." Chapter 11 tells us about weather and the water cycle.
Social Studies - We will finish reading about the French and Indian War. Students should begin to prepare for the Chapter 7 Test scheduled for Thursday, January 28!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students have begun to learn about fractions in Chapter 12. This week, they will learn about equivalent fractions and how to reduce fractions into lowest terms (or simplest form).

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 28 - T.G.F.D. Session 3

Feb. 2 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

WEEK OF JANUARY 18

2010-01-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

Too Good For Drugs (T.G.F.D.)
Deputy K met with the students for their first session of the Too Good For Drugs Program on Thursday. He discussed the importance of making good decisions and setting goals for themselves. Students were asked to share information about the program with parents and set a family goal together. This assignment (with parent signature) needs to be completed by Thursday, January 21.

Classroom Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Nauris for winning our Classroom Spelling Bee. Also, congratulations to Nadia for being our close runner-up. Both of these students will participate in the 5th Grade Level Bee on Thursday, January 21. Best of luck, spellers!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 17 is a review of lessons 10-16. As you may recall from the last review lesson, the students will be tested in a different way than our usual weekly tests. Students will need to apply the rules and/or spelling patterns from the previous 7 lessons in order to identify a misspelled word in a row of words. You may want to practice finding misspelled words in a similar format to prepare for Friday's test.
English - We look forward to reading through the students' expository pieces and providing some constructive feedback. Meanwhile, we will dive into a new grammar unit on pronouns. Pronouns can take the place of nouns in sentences.
Reading - The students will work on building vocabulary by creating words with roots and affixes. Students will determine the meaning of larger words by thinking about the meanings of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. January "Scrapbook" Book Project - Students should be finishing up their realistic fiction stories this week. Don't forget that the book and project must be turned in by Friday, January 29!
Science - We will review Tuesday about ecosystems to prepare for the Chapter 6 Test on Wednesday, January 20!
Social Studies - The students will learn about the French exploring and claiming the land around the Mississippi River.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will be doing some work with prime factorization and learning a neat Venn Diagram method for finding LCM and GCF that I recently discovered. We hope to begin Chapter 12 on fraction concepts at the end of the week.

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 18 - No School (M. L. King's Birthday)

Jan. 19 - Check Student Progress on ParentConnect!

Jan. 21 - 5th Grade Level Spelling Bee

Jan. 21 - T.G.F.D. Session 2

WEEK OF JANUARY 11

2010-01-08T16:02:00.000-08:00

IOWA Testing
The students will be taking the IOWA series of tests from Monday, January 11 through Thursday, January 14 during the morning. Please remind students of the importance of doing their best on these assessments!

Too Good For Drugs
We will be starting the "Too Good for Drugs" (TGFD) program which is sponsored by the DuPage County Sheriff's department. Officer David Kovotsky will visit our classroom weekly to discuss issues such as making good choices, peer pressure, and substance abuse. Students will earn a participation grade for Science/Health by completing assignments on time and demonstrating appropriate behavior. More detailed information will be sent home after our first session on Thursday afternoon.

Classroom Spelling Bee
We will hold two practice spelling bees and one "official" classroom spelling bee this week. The official classroom bee will determine a winner and alternate for the 5th Grade Spelling Bee on January 21. Students received information and word lists before Winter Break.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 16 focuses on words spelled with ch or rh.
English - The students have completed an expository organizer about their favorite place for a vacation. The next step will be to develop their ideas into a complete essay.
Reading - We will continue to work on clarifying information as we read. We will reinforce this skill as we read and take notes in Science and Social Studies. January "Scrapbook" Book Project - Student book choices have been approved, so they should now be dedicating about 20 minutes each night for reading. Remember that the project and book need to be turned in on or before January 29!
Science - The students are learning ways that humans affect ecosystems. This helps us understand the importance of protecting our environment. We should be ready to test over Chapter 6 the week of January 18.
Social Studies - We are reading about the Spanish colonies in Florida and New Mexico. We will discover that this led to uprisings between the Spanish and the Native Americans living on that land.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students have learned about multiples, factors, divisibility rules, and prime and composite numbers. It is important that students understand the difference between multiples and factors! We will review early in the week to help students prepare for a quiz over the concepts from Chapter 11, Lessons 1-4 on Friday, January 15. Students will have 2 days to review at home since they will be completing IOWA math tests in class on Wednesday and Thursday.

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 11-14 - IOWA Testing

Jan. 14 - Too Good For Drugs (TGFD) Session 1

Jan. 15 - Classroom Spelling Bee

Jan. 18 - No School (M. L. King's Birthday)

WEEK OF JANUARY 4

2009-12-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!
I wish you all a safe and healthy holiday season. I hope you are able to spend some quality time with family and friends, and may you return to school refreshed and ready to learn in 2010!

Reminder From the Lunchroom
Please be advised that beginning January 4, 2010, there will be a price increase for school lunches. The new cost will be $2.50 per meal.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 15 focuses on words ending in -ery.
English - The students will continue working on expository writing. We will review the structure of an expository essay when we return from break. Then we will work on developing our own expository writing pieces.
Reading - We will introduce another reading strategy in January - clarifying. We will also provide students with information about our January reading project. If you want to plan ahead, students could look for a good realistic fiction book to read after returning from break!
Science - Students will be learning about primary and secondary succession of a forest. We will watch a neat video to help us better understand the changes over time as a forest develops.
Social Studies - As we begin Chapter 7, we will hear about the struggle between the Spanish and other Europeans for control of North America.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will be starting Chapter 11 on number theory. This short chapter will provide us with more skills necessary for working with fractions. We will practice finding multiples and factors of numbers and learn the difference between prime and composite numbers.

Mark Your Calendar:

Jan. 4 - School Resumes

Jan. 11 - 14 - IOWA TESTING!

WEEK OF DECEMBER 14

2009-12-11T16:10:00.000-08:00

Prairieview Holiday Service Project - Thank You!
Thank you to each of the families who supported our service project in some way. We were able to provide a number of gifts for each member of our "adopted" cancer patient family. I am overwhelmed by the generous spirit of our school community!

Bowling and Tivoli Movie Day Reminders
Your child may choose to bring money the day of bowling for purchasing food and drinks from the snack bar. Please think about the amount of money you send with your child - we have lunch scheduled soon after we return from the alley! Also, although we will be eating lunch early on the day we go to the Tivoli for the movie, school lunches will be available.

Note From the Lunchroom
Please be advised that beginning January 4, 2010, there will be a price increase for school lunches. The new cost of a school lunch will be $2.50 per meal.

Subject Update:

Spelling - We will not have a spelling lesson this week.
English - Students will be reviewing how to write a strong introductory paragraph for an expository writing piece. Then they will learn how to write the body and concluding paragraphs. We will focus on the structure of the piece before Winter Break, and work on developing our own ideas for an expository essay when we return in January.
Reading - We will finish reading the novel, Night of the Twisters. The students will continue to practice asking "thin" and "thick" questions before, during, and after reading. We will end with some small group discussions to think more deeply about the characters and events of the book. On Friday, we will play a new game called "Vocabulary Taboo" to review the words we learned while reading!
Science - The students are working on storyboards to show how a wild animal might adapt to an unknown object entering its habitat.
Social Studies - We will work on map skills this week. Students will practice locating places using latitude and longitude.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will be reviewing certain skills which will help when we move into fractions after Winter Break. It may be a good idea to brush up on basic multiplication (and division) facts over break - it will help greatly when it comes to finding equivalent fractions and determining if fractions are in lowest terms!

Mark Your Calendar:

Dec. 17 - 5th Grade Bowling (a.m.)

Dec. 18 - Tivoli Movie Day

Dec. 19 - Jan. 3 - Winter Break!

WEEK OF DECEMBER 7

2009-12-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Prairieview Holiday Service Project
Please notice the reminder flyer sent home with your child Thursday. Several students have mentioned that they plan to bring items on Monday, but as of now, we have only a few gifts in our collection box. If you are not able to shop for a gift, please consider sending a cash donation which would allow me to shop Tuesday evening for any items still needed for our family. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Donations are due Tuesday, December 8!!

Parent/Teacher Conferences
I hope that all of you found our time together as informative and productive as I did. Thank you for your insight and requests for suggestions that can be done at home to ensure the success of your child! Please remember that you may contact me at any time to discuss questions or concerns that arise as we continue through the year together.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 14 focuses on words formed by joining prefixes to roots.
English - Students will be finishing up their study of nouns. We will review plural nouns, learn about singular and plural possessive nouns, then prepare for the unit test. The Unit 2 Nouns Test is scheduled for Friday, December 11!
Reading - We have introduced an exciting story entitled, Night of the Twisters, by Ivy Ruckman. The students will continue to practice the skill of self-questioning, as well as review the other reading skills covered so far this year, as we read this novel. Since we are reading a book together this month, there will not be a December book project.
Science - The students will review the ideas from lesson 1 early in the week. Then they will begin a small project based on the picture book, The Great Fuzz Frenzy. This humorous story involves a group of prairie dogs that must adapt to a strange object - a tennis ball - being dropped into their tunnel. The story clearly shows the habitat of the prairie dogs and some of their unique behaviors while adapting to something new in their environment. The students will be challenged to develop a story board to show how another wild animal might adapt to a strange object entering their little corner of the world.
Social Studies - Students will review all about colonial life as we prepare for the chapter test. The Chapter 6 Test is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will "evaluate" addition and subtraction problems to determine if they should use mental math, paper and pencil, or a calculator to solve. Then we will learn how to decide if an estimate or exact answer is needed when solving word problems. The Chapter 6 Test is scheduled for Thursday, December 10!

Mark Your Calendar:

Dec. 8 - PV Holiday Service Project Donations Due!

Dec. 17 - 5th Grade Bowling

Dec. 18 - PV Tivoli Movie Day

Dec. 19 - Jan. 3 - Winter Break!

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 30

2009-11-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

Prairieview School Service Project
Please make sure you review the service project information that went home with your child, and think about how your family might participate in this year's efforts. Don't forget that all donations need to be at school by Tuesday, December 8th! Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 13 focuses on the prefixes dis, un, in, and mis.
English - Students will start the next unit on nouns. A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. The first few lessons have students identifying nouns in sentences, distinguishing between common and proper nouns, and applying rules to spell plural nouns correctly.
Reading - We will introduce the reading strategy of self-questioning. Good readers think of questions before, during, and after reading. These questions could be "thin" or "thick." Thin questions are ones that can be answered by information right there in the text. Thick questions require thinking beyond the words of the text. We will be practicing these two types of questions together as we read about hurricanes and tornadoes. November Book Project - The Biography Shape Book project (along with the biography that was read) is due Monday, November 30!!
Science - The students will be learning about plant and animal populations, competition, and adaptations.
Social Studies - We will read about daily life in colonial times. We will learn how education, religion, free time, and certain foods were important to people in the colonies.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will begin Chapter 6 about addition and subtraction of decimals.

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 Parent/Teacher Conferences

Dec. 1 - Yearbook Orders Due!

Dec. 1 - Report Cards

Dec. 4 - No School

Dec. 8 - Prairieview School Service Project - Donations Due!

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16 and 23

2009-11-12T16:33:00.001-08:00

Junior Achievement Program - Thank You to Mr. Laviste
Our Junior Achievement program has come to its end. We learned a lot about natural, capital, and human resources, starting and running a business, and the concept of supply and demand. Thank you, Mr. Laviste, for volunteering your time to bring us this valuable learning experience!

Yearbooks,... Get Your Yearbooks Now!
Please notice the yearbook order form sent home with your child. Now’s the time to place your orders. (Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid at registration!) Yearbooks are $10.00 and the deadline for orders is Tuesday, December 1, 2009. Please make checks payable to Lifetouch, and please make sure your student’s name, teacher’s name, and grade level are marked on the order form.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 12 focuses on the suffix -ous.
English - We will continue to learn about the use of quotation marks to show a speaker's exact words. Students will practice using capital letters, quotation marks, and other punctuation correctly when writing quotations. We will review the whole unit on capitalization and punctuation later in the week. The Unit 5 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24!
Reading - We will continue to work on the skill of making inferences. Next week, the students will focus on making inferences about characters. They will use the details given in a text to help them "infer" certain traits that describe the characters well. November Book Project - Students should be taking notes while reading their chosen biographies. The notes can then be used to write rough drafts for each page of the shape booklet. Don't forget, this project is due Monday, November 30!!
Science - The students will be introduced to some of the important concepts from Chapter 6 - predator/prey relationship, competition, and structural and behavioral adaptations - while watching a wonderful video about barn owls. Then students will have the chance to perform both a virtual and hands-on owl pellet dissection. As you can see, we have some exciting activities ahead of us!
Social Studies - The students should be thinking about the skills they possess, and how those skills could be put to use to make homemade items for our classroom trade fair. By participating in our trade fair, students will gain a deeper understanding of supply and demand, as well as develop a better understanding of the bartering and trading that went on during colonial times. Please refer to the hand-outs for participation expectations!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will learn how to compare and order decimals next week. They will also "draw conclusions" by thinking about the details given in word problems. The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Thursday, November 19!

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 19 - Picture Retakes

Nov. 20 - End of 1st Trimester

Nov. 25 - 27 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 - Parent/Teacher Conference Week

Dec. 1 - Report Cards

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9

2009-11-06T11:14:00.000-08:00

Robert Crown Field Trip Notes
Your child received an informational booklet from the Robert Crown Center. This booklet reviews information learned during the Michael or Linda program, depending on which program your child attended. It may serve as a valuable tool for parents, as the students may have questions following their field trip experience.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 11 focuses on words formed by adding the suffix -ly to adjectives ending with -al. When you add the suffix -ly to the adjectives, they become adverbs.
English - The students will review the many uses of commas. Then we will learn how to use quotation marks correctly. Writing quotations correctly can be difficult for students because it requires the correct use of commas, capital letters, and end marks, too. We will spend several days on quotation marks to focus on the three places a quotation may appear in a sentence: at the beginning, the end, or in the middle.
Reading - We will introduce another important reading skill - making inferences. We will model this skill using a short story, "Art of the Needle and Loom." Then the students will practice making inferences while reading a story about the boyhood of Sitting Bull, a leader of the Lakota Souix people. November Book Project - All of the students' book choices have been approved. The next step for students is to read the biography and make notes on the designated worksheet. Students should be reading a little each night in order to finish the biography and project by the end of the month!
Science - The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10! We will play a review game on Monday to help students prepare. The next chapter will continue our study of ecosystems as we learn how ecosystems change over time, both naturally and as a result of human activities.
Social Studies - The students will learn about life in the colonies. The 13 colonies produced a wide variety of goods and developed valuable trade routes. Please look for information next week about a classroom trade fair!!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will begin Chapter 5 about decimals. The students will learn about the place values of decimals (through the thousandths place). They will also learn how to read and write decimals correctly, identify equivalent decimals, and compare and order decimals.

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 10 - Junior Achievement (5th session)

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

Nov. 12 - Character Counts Assembly

Nov. 19 - Picture Retakes

Nov. 20 - End of 1st Trimester

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2

2009-10-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

Halloween Happenings
We had a lot of fun during our Halloween festivities! Everyone got in the spirit of things with the costume parade. Then we headed to the rooms to decorate our pumpkins. We would like to thank Mrs. Casey and Mr. Gonzales for helping us decorate our pumpkins while listening to some "terror-ific" tunes. Also, thanks to Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Kasher for supplying treats and drinks. We must congratulate Cannon for his prize-winning pumpkin. It must have been a difficult decision for those judges, though, since we saw many creative and amazing pumpkins! Ask your student about the storyteller at the end of the day. Maybe your child could retell the story of the talking skull to you,... if you dare to hear it!

Robert Crown Field Trip
Since we may get back after our normal lunch period begins, we are requesting that the students bring a sack lunch on the day of the field trip - Friday, November 6.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 10 focuses on words ending in consonant + y and vowel + y. The students will learn and apply spelling rules to add the suffixes -ed, -es, and -ing. (We are skipping Lesson 9.)
English - The students will be learning ways to use commas. Commas can be used to separate items in a list, directly address someone, or interject a thought. We will also do some creative writing at the end of the week as we write our own tall tales. This activity will strengthen our writing skills while demonstrating our knowledge of tall tale elements.
Reading - We will read a few more tall tales to identify exaggerated and realistic details, as well as visualize the interesting characters, settings, and events. November Book Project - Students will receive information about the November "Biography Shape Booklet" project on Monday. Please look for the parent letter regarding book choices that needs to be returned (with the chosen biography) by Thursday!
Science - The students will learn about the energy pyramid and nitrogen cycle. We should be ready to test over Chapter 5 during the week of November 9th.
Social Studies - We will do some review activities early in the week. On Monday, we will review using the same true/false format the students will use on the upcoming test. On Tuesday, we will play "Colonial Bingo" to review about the early colonies in North America. The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4!
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will do some problem solving using the "predict and test" method (also known as "guess and check"). We will review expressions, equations, functions, inequalities, order of operations, and the predict and test strategy for the Chapter 4 Test on Thursday, November 5!

Mark Your Calendar:

Nov. 3 - Junior Achievement (Session 4)

Nov. 6 - Robert Crown Field Trip (Sack Lunch!)

Nov. 10 - Junior Achievement (Session 5)

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

Nov. 19 - Picture Retakes

WEEK OF OCTOBER 26

2009-10-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

Halloween Reminders
Don't forget that our Halloween festivities will be held on Thursday, October 29! We will start with a costume parade at 12:30 followed by pumpkin decorating and snacks in our classroom at 1:00. An assembly featuring a storyteller will end our afternoon celebration.

Students will be changing into costumes in classrooms designated for boys or girls. Please understand that students will not be able to visit the washrooms for changing or application of make-up.

Please remember that students need to gather and bring items for decorating the pumpkins donated by our PTO. Some materials may be provided by parents helping with the celebration, but it is asked that students provide their own materials as well. Keep in mind that no sharp objects or carving utensils will be allowed. Be creative - you never know what everyday items in your home could help create the most amazing pumpkins!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Due to our Halloween festivities and no school on Friday, we will not have a spelling lesson this week.
English - Students will learn how to write common abbreviations and titles correctly.
Reading - Students will enjoy reading another tall tale as they identify exaggerated details and visualize the interesting characters. Reading Project - Mystery Puzzle Projects are due Wednesday, October 28! Students will need to turn in the mystery book along with the puzzle pieces in a ziploc bag.
Science - We will read about food chains and the flow of energy from producers to consumers to decomposers.
Social Studies - Students will read about the original 13 colonies. They will complete a map of the 13 colonies to identify the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. Students will also discover how the resources of each area of colonies is different.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will learn how to write and work with equations, functions, and inequalities.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 27 - Junior Achievement (Session 3)

Oct. 28 - Robert Crown Parent Meeting (PV 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)

Oct. 29 - Halloween Festivities (12:30 - 2:20 p.m.)

Oct. 30 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

WEEK OF OCTOBER 19

2009-10-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

Art to Remember
Art to Remember packets recently went home with your child. Please notice that the packet (with or without orders) is due back at school by Tuesday, October 20th!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 8 is a review of lessons 1-7. The students will be tested over words from these lessons in a different way than our regular lesson tests. Students will need to understand and apply the spelling rules taught in previous lessons in order to identify a misspelled word in a row of words. You may want to practice identifying misspelled words in a similar format using the words from lessons 1-7.
English - The students will begin the week reviewing what they have learned about writing fantastic introductory paragraphs for expository essays. Then we will begin Unit 5 about capitalization and punctuation.
Reading - We will begin to focus on another important reading skill - visualizing. Students will learn to use story details to help them understand or "picture" the text. While working on this reading skill, students will be reading many tall tales. The characters, settings, and events in tall tales are wildly exaggerated - providing wonderful details to help us visualize the stories. Reading Project - Students should be finishing up the reading of their mysteries and starting to complete their rough draft story maps.
Science - We will continue to learn about plants producing their own food. We will even sing a little song to help us remember the things plants need in order to make food through the process of photosynthesis!
Social Studies - The students will discover that many early English setters came to North America in search of religious freedom. We will read about the Pilgrims and the Puritans.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will learn the order of operations and how to solve problems involving variables. We will also discuss certain math properties and try to show examples of each using algebraic equations!!

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 20 - Junior Achievement (Session 2)

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

Oct. 22 - Prairieview Book Fair

Oct. 27 - Junior Achievement (Session 3)

Oct. 28 - Robert Crown Parent Night (PV 6:30 p.m.)

Oct. 30 - No School (Teacher Institute Day)

WEEK OF OCTOBER 12

2009-10-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

Robert Crown Field Trip
On Tuesday, I will send home the permission slip for the Robert Crown Field Trip. Please complete and return the bottom portion of the form by Friday, October 16th.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 7 focuses on words with soft and hard g sounds.
English - Students have learned that expository writing needs to start with a strong introductory paragraph. They learned that they must "hook" the reader, or rather grab the reader's attention, with their very first sentence. Next week, we will work on adding sentences to our introductory paragraph that "reel the reader in" and finally "release" the main idea to the reader.
Reading - We will do some final activities focusing on summarizing stories. October Book Project - Students should currently be reading their mystery books. While reading, students may want to jot a few notes on a post-it like we practiced in class. This will help them complete their rough draft on the story map worksheet. Don't forget the project and book need to be turned in by Wednesday, October 28!
Science - We will begin our next Science unit "Interactions Among Living Things." Chapter 5 will discuss energy and ecosystems.
Social Studies - Students will learn how the search for the Northwest Passage led to the founding of French and Dutch colonies in North America.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students should review Chapter 3, Lessons 1-4 for a quiz scheduled on Wednesday, October 14! Then we will move ahead to Chapter 4 about algebraic expressions and equations.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 12 - No School (Columbus Day)

Oct. 13 - 5th Grade Assembly about Disabilities

Oct. 13 - Junior Achievement - Session 1 (rescheduled)

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

Oct. 22 - Prairieview Book Fair

WEEK OF OCTOBER 5

2009-10-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

Junior Achievement
We will begin our Junior Achievement program this week. Our Junior Achievement volunteer, Mr. Laviste, 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.

Halloween Party Changes
By now you should have received an email regarding the changes this year for our Halloween festivities. I think the students will enjoy the activities planned. Room parents, you should be receiving a separate email regarding your role in the day. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 6 focuses on the plural forms of words ending in s, z, x, ch, and sh.
English - The students will be introduced to expository writing. We will determine the differences between narrative and expository writing, and then learn how to write a great introduction for an expository piece.
Reading - We will continue our work with summarizing. Ask your student to summarize a chapter book they are currently reading. They should be able to tell you who, when, where, and what is happening in the story. Also, you should have seen a letter come home about the October "Mystery Book Puzzle" project. The mystery book choice and parent signature letter is due Monday, October 5!
Science - Students should be finishing up their Paper Airplane Projects in order to share results on Monday. Also, we will be reviewing the tools, skills, and process used by scientists to prepare for the "Getting Ready for Science" Chapter Test on Wednesday, October 7!
Social Studies - We will learn about the founding of England's first permanent settlement in North America in 1607 - Jamestown.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will begin Chapter 3 about division. We will learn and apply a series of steps to find quotients when dividing by 1-digit. Our Mad Minute Mondays have come to an end, but students should continue to review basic facts throughout the rest of the year!

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 6 - Check Student Progress on ParentConnect

Oct. 8 - Jr. Achievement (Session 1)

Oct. 12 - No School (Columbus Day)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28

2009-09-24T12:44:00.001-07:00

Help Needed
For a future Social Studies activity, we will need pieces of brown paper bags. If you have any large brown grocery bags that you can donate to our classroom, please send them to school with your student on Monday or Tuesday. Thanks in advance for your help!

Bus Monitor Applications
Students who are interested in becoming bus monitors received applications on Friday. Please be sure to complete and return the applications by Wednesday, September 30!

Say Cheese!
Picture day is scheduled for Thursday, October 1. Please remember that all students will have their pictures taken that day for use in the school yearbook. Even if you are not ordering pictures, please bring your best smile!

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 5 focuses on words formed by a prefix and root.
English - The students will review all about sentences to prepare for the Unit 1 Test. Many students still have some difficulty identifying simple subjects and simple predicates. You may want to focus more attention on those concepts during your study time. There is a great "Extra Practice" section on pages 55-62 that may be helpful to review those concepts as well as the other concepts from this unit. The Unit 1 "The Sentence" Test is scheduled for Friday, October 2!
Reading - We will continue to work with summarizing. Book Project Reminder: September "Memory Bag" book projects are due Wednesday, September 30!! Students must have the bag with 5 items, the final copy worksheet, and the book ready to turn in on that day!!
Science - The students will learn about the scientific method in Lesson 3. This is a series of steps that scientists use when performing an experiment.
Social Studies - On Monday, we will play a review game to help students prepare for the Chapter 4 Test scheduled for Tueday, September 29! Later in the week, we will begin the next Chapter about different European countries trying to establish colonies in America.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will finish up Chapter 2 by enriching our understanding of multiplying larger numbers and doing some problem solving. The Chapter 2 Test is scheduled for Thursday, October 1!

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 29 - Final Magazine Turn-in Day

Oct. 1 - Picture Day

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21

2009-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

Checking Student Grades
Please remember that you may check student progress throughout the trimester using ParentConnect. I encourage you and your child to check grades weekly and set goals for future progress. As always, if you have any questions or difficulty checking grades online, don't hesitate to contact me.

Lunch in the Library
Please notice the flyer that went home with your child Friday. It tells about an exciting new opportunity for students to share about the books they have been reading. The first meeting is in October, so there's plenty of time for students to read or think about a book they would like to share. This would be a great way for students to hear about other books they might enjoy reading.

Good Personal Habits
Mrs. Heckman will be talking to the 5th graders on Tuesday about healthy hygiene habits. Did you know the #1 way to prevent sickness is simply washing your hands? Mrs. Heckman will share this along with other tips for staying healthy as we move into flu season.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 4 focuses on prefixes that end with a vowel.
English - Students will be learning about subjects in imperative sentences, conjunctions, and correcting run-on sentences.
Reading - We will be continuing our work with summarizing. Students are learning to identify the characters, setting, and plot of a story using a story map graphic organizer. Then the information on the story map can be used to write a summary in paragraph form. Don't forget that our September book project is due Wednesday, September 30! Students should be finishing their books and working on the rough draft worksheet. Please check in with your students to make sure they are on target for their deadline!
Science - Students are learning about the inquiry skills used by scientists. Ask your child how we used many of these skills (observing, measuring, recording, etc.) in our Wild Guess/Prediction Investigation with pennies and dimes!
Social Studies - We will read about life in New Spain and how Spain gained great wealth from their settlements in the New World.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will continue working in Chapter 2 about multiplication of whole numbers. We will explore different ways to multiply larger numbers.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 22 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Sept. 22 - Magazine Turn-in Day

Sept. 22 - Healthy Hygiene Habits Talk with Mrs. Heckman

Sept. 24 - Magazine Turn-in Day

Sept. 25 - Character Counts Assembly

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14

2009-09-11T19:35:00.000-07:00

Online Science Textbook
Next week, I will be giving the students directions for accessing the science textbook online. Students should keep these directions in the science folder of their binders to use when needed at home. Students will have a choice of using the online textbook or bringing home their textbook for assignments or test preparation. You may want to try accessing the online text prior to actually needing it! As always, please contact me if you have any difficulties or questions.

Magazine Drive Kick-Off
Please notice the Magazine Drive packet that was sent home with your child on Friday. Students attended a special assembly to hear how they can sell magazines to raise money for the school and earn themselves prizes.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 3 focuses on using the suffix -er to form singular and possessive nouns.
English - Students will learn about simple subjects and predicates. The simple subject tells exactly who or what a sentence is about. The simple predicate tells exactly what is or what happens in the sentence. We will reinforce our knowledge of simple subjects and predicates by creating subject/predicate poems at the end of the week.
Reading - Good readers make logical predictions based on both story details and personal knowledge. Providing "personal knowledge" to support predictions is often more difficult than finding details in the text, so that will be our focus early in the week. Later in the week we will introduce our next comprehension strategy - summarizing. September Reading Project - students should be finishing their books and starting to complete the rough draft page! Remember that students should be working a little each night in order to complete the project by the end of the month. I will be providing a final copy worksheet soon.
Science - We will be reviewing about the inquiry tools used by scientists before learning about the inquiry skills they use. Ask your child to tell you about 2 tools that can be used to measure something and 2 tools that cannot.
Social Studies - Students will learn about Spanish conquistadors establishing colonies in North and South America.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The Chapter 1 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15! Students should review their notes and various assignments to help them prepare for the test. Then we will begin Chapter 2 about multiplication of whole numbers. Please remember that students should be reviewing basic facts at home in order to meet our challenging goal of 30 facts on Mad Minute Monday!

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 22 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

Sept. 22 - 1st Magazine Turn-in Day

Sept. 24 - 2nd Magazine Turn-in Day

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 8

2009-09-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

Notes About Curriculum Night
Thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend Curriculum Night. I appreciated the time to review our 5th grade policies, curriculum, and some of my classroom routines and expectations. If you missed this event, you should find all of this information in your child's binder. Please carefully review it all, then return the bottom portion of the policy sheet and your child's Information Sheet as soon as possible. Also, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 2 will focus on words with the suffix -able. There will not be a pretest this week since we do not have school Monday. Also, I gave students the Lesson 2 list on Friday in case they wanted to start reviewing their words. Don't forget, they will be tested on Friday!
English - We will be reviewing the four types of sentences. Students have "flippy" notes to help them remember the new fancy fifth grade words for those four types. Then, we will be learning about subjects and predicates. Get your voices warmed up,... we will be learning a special song to help us remember those two necessary parts of a sentence!
Reading - Students will continue previewing and predicting using details from the story and their own personal knowledge. Also, we will do some Word Work with synonyms and antonyms. September Book Project Reminder - student book choices were approved and they should be reading 20 minutes each day to finish their books in the next few weeks.
Science - We will get hands-on and try out some of the tools scientists use as we read and take notes about them. Do you know what forceps are or why they are used??
Social Studies - Students have read about Christopher Columbus's discoveries and how his voyages led to the Columbian Exchange as well as other explorers to the New World. Students will write letters to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella next week pretending to be Columbus telling about his adventures and requesting funds for another voyage.
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - Students will estimate sums and differences and use estimation to check if answers are reasonable. We will also do some problem solving using the "working backwards" strategy.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 7 - Labor Day (No School)

Sept. 11 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off

Sept. 11 - Back-to-School Bingo (7 - 8:30 p.m.)

Sept. 22 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

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WEEK OF AUGUST 31

2009-08-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

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 Thursday, September 3 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. I look forward to discussing the curriculum, as well as some of the expectations and routines set for our classroom. If you are not able to attend, please look for information that will be sent home with your child next Friday.

FYI - Intramurals
4th and 5th grade intramural games will be starting the week of September 14th. Permission slips will be handed out next week. Forms are due to Ms. Stainman by Friday, September 4th.

Subject Update:

Spelling - Lesson 1 will focus on adding suffixes to silent -e words. The students will receive detailed information about our weekly spelling routine on Monday, but please note that students will be tested over their spelling words each Friday!
English - We have begun the year with some simple writing activities to exercise our creative minds. Next week, we will begin learning about sentences. Students will distinguish between complete sentences and fragments, and they will learn to identify the four types of sentences.
Reading - We begin the year working on the strategy of predicting. We will be predicting outcomes by using details given in the story and our personal knowledge. We will also confirm or revise our predictions as we read.
Science - What is a scientist? What tools does a scientist use? We will learn the answers to these questions next week!
Social Studies - The students will be learning about the early history of the United States. We will begin with Chapter 4 "Spain Builds an Empire."
Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will begin the year with Chapter 1 about place value. The students will learn how to write and work with numbers through the billions period.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 3 - 5th Grade Curriculum Night

Sept. 7 - No School (Labor Day)

WEEK OF JUNE 1

2009-05-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

5th Grade Celebration - WOW!
The 5th graders had a surprise celebration Thursday. It began with a special assembly featuring the Jessie White Tumblers. The tumbling assembly was absolutely amazing! It was followed by some fun with friends outside, and finally snacks and drinks. At the conclusion of the festivities, each student received a Lakeview Spartans book bag including a congratulatory certificate and "Things To Do" locker magnet. My class and I thank the parents who helped to make the event a success!

Yearbook Details
Yearbooks will be handed out to students on June 5th. Any students who did not purchase a yearbook may do so on a first-come-first-serve basis on June 5th; they will go on sale after morning announcements. The cost will be $10.00 and children wishing to purchase should have the exact amount. Checks can be made out to Prairieview. There is a limited supply. (Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid for at registration. A flyer was sent out on November 13, 2008 and orders were due by December 1, 2008.)

Last Week Reminders
Please check your bookshelves, and maybe even under the beds, for any books that may need to be returned to our classroom library. Also, I seem to be missing one of my bags that I sent home with absent work. If you find any of these items, kindly bring them back to school ASAP!

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies (Homeroom)

Science - Students will learn how humans affect ecosystems in both positive and negative ways.
Social Studies - We will read about a new kind of revolution - the changes in industry and inventions that helped poeple meet their needs.

Language Arts Block

Spelling - No spelling lesson this week.
English - The students will finish their Mix-N-Match books that review the parts of speech covered throughout the school year.
Reading - We will finish reading the novel CRASH. We will hold a discussion about the key points of the book and the way the characters changed and developed throughout the story. We will also play a fun game to challenge students to recall important details from the book.

Math Classroom

Math - We will finish the year off with some data and graphing activities.

Mark Your Calendar:

June 2 - Lakeview Library Summer Reading Info

June 4 - All-School Picnic and Assembly

June 5 - Last Day of School - Report Cards
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WEEK OF MAY 26

2009-05-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

Meteorologist Ginger Zee and the 5th Grade
Ginger Zee gave a fantastic presentation for our 5th graders about weather and working as a meteorologist. She will be letting us know when she plans to show the pictures of our 5th graders during her report - watch for more information next week!

Bowling Day Suggestion
The students are encouraged to bring a sack lunch on Friday, May 29th, the 5th graders day to go bowling. Since many students bring money for snacks at the bowling alley, they often fill up and cannot eat all of their lunches. If they bring a lunch from home, they will be able to bring any excess food home again at the end of the day. Thanks in advance!

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies (Homeroom)

Science - The students will continue to observe our model pond ecosystem in order to note any changes over time. We will also review about primary and secondary succession before learning ways people affect ecosystems.
Social Studies - We will begin Chapter 12 about our growing nation. The first lesson is about the U.S. turning 50!

Language Arts Block

Spelling - Lesson 32 focuses on words with the prefixes im, ob, sub, and ad. There will not be a test on Friday since it is a shortened week.
English - The students will review the different parts of speech learned throughout the year. They will work again with nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions as they create a "Mix-N-Match" booklet.
Reading - We will continue to read the novel CRASH. Ask your student to summarize the chapters read so far, and ask them to describe Crash Coogan and Penn Webb for you. To which character does your child relate best? Why? Remember, it is important to keep up with nightly reading assignments to do well on daily class work!!

Math Classroom

Math - The students are reviewing about perimeter, area, and volume. We have created a note sheet with the different formulas learned for these measures and how to label them. Students should prepare for a Perimeter, Area, and Volume Test on Thursday, May 28!

Mark Your Calendar:

May 25 - No School (Memorial Day)

May 27 - Robert Crown Field Trip

May 29 - 5th Grade Bowling

WEEK OF MAY 18

2009-05-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

Meteorologist Visit to 5th Grade
The 5th grade students have a special assembly with meteorologist Ginger Zee on Friday, May 22. Students should watch Ginger Zee this Saturday or Sunday on NBC Chicago News from 6-10 a.m., or 5 p.m., or 10 p.m. Be sure to pay attention to the tools she uses and the kind of information she gives about the weather!

Lakeview Visit and Parent Meeting
On Monday, May 18, the 5th graders will visit Lakeview in the afternoon to hear about life at the middle school. The students will also be taken in small groups to tour the building. Hopefully, this will help alleviate any 6th grade jitters the students may have as they look ahead to the next school year. The "Parent Night" for Lakeview is also scheduled Monday at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to attend if you have any questions regarding the "big move" to Lakeview!

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies (Homeroom)

Science - The students will finish their story boards about a population of animals adapting to some foreign object entering their world. Then students will learn how ecosystems change over time.
Social Studies - We will review about our earliest presidents, the new land acquired for the United States, and the War of 1812 as we prepare for the Chapter 11 Test on Wednesday, May 20.

Language Arts Block

Spelling - Lesson 31 focuses on words with the prefix ex.
English - The students will review prepositions early in the week. Then we will review all about adverbs and prepositions to prepare for the Unit 7 Test scheduled for Thursday, May 21.
Reading - We will continue reading the novel CRASH. It is important for students to complete nightly reading assignments so that they do well on our daily class activities!

Math Classroom

Math - The students will review lessons 1-7 about area of polygons before learning about volume. The Perimeter, Area, and Volume Test is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 22.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 18 - 5th Graders Visit Lakeview

May 18 - Lakeview Parent Meeting (LV 6:30 p.m.)

May 22 - Meteorologist Ginger Zee 5th Grade Assembly

May 25 - No School (Memorial Day)

WEEK OF MAY 11

2009-05-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!
I would like to wish all you moms a wonderful Mother's Day. I hope you are able to enjoy some time relaxing with your families.

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies (Homeroom)

Science - The students will hear a story about the adventures of a prairie-dog population when a tennis ball suddenly enters their underground world. How will the animals adapt to this unusual object in their habitat? Students will discover the answer before creating their own "what if" scenarios with a population of animals.
Social Studies - We will be discussing the travels of Lewis and Clark as we read more about "Jefferson Looking West."

Language Arts

Spelling - Lesson 30 focuses on words that end with -or.
English - The students will learn to use negatives correctly in sentences. Then we will learn about prepositions and prepositional phrases.
Reading - We introduced the realistic fiction novel, CRASH, to the class. This story will offer some great topics for discussion as we practice the many reading skills addressed throughout the school year. It will be important for your child to complete their nightly reading assignments in order to do well on the daily class activities!

Math Classroom

Math - The students will relate the perimeter and area of rectangles, use formulas to find the area of triangles and parallelograms, and find the surface area of 3-D figures. Note: Students will be allowed to use calculators for chapter reviews and the test, but homework should be completed using paper and pencil. This will reinforce our work with multiplication of whole numbers and provide some practice of multiplication of decimals!

Mark Your Calendar:

May 11: PV Spring Cadet Band and Choir Concert (LV 7:00 p.m.)

May 12: All-School Assembly about Wellness with Staley the Bear!

May 14: 5th Grade to LV to see "Guys and Dolls" Production

May 18: 5th Grade Visit to Lakeview

May 18: 5th Grade Parent Meeting for Lakeview (LV 6:30 p.m.)

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WEEK OF MAY 4

2009-05-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

Healthy Habits
We have discussed the importance of hand washing and other good hygiene habits in the classroom. With the recent concerns about the spread of the flu, we have reminded students to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and encouraged them to make use of the moist towelletes and hand-sanitizer in our classroom before eating snack and/or lunch.

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies (Homeroom)

Science - The students have completed their owl pellet dissection. Next, we will begin reading about animal adaptations, competition within a population, and types of symbiosis.
Social Studies - We are currently reading about George Washington, our nation's first president. During the week ahead, we will also learn about some of the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson.

Language Arts Block

Spelling - Lesson 29 focuses on contractions and compound words.
English - We have just introduced adverbs. Students are learning how to identify them in sentences. As we move ahead, students will learn how to compare with adverbs as well as take a closer look at the difference between adverbs and adjectives.
Reading - The students will continue to practice making connections to the texts they read. Also, in lieu of an individual book project for May, the students will be reading a realistic fiction novel as a class. We will use the novel to reinforce reading skills learned throughout the year such as understanding vocabulary, predicting, summarizing, and connecting.

Math Classroom

Math - The students will continue to explore circumference (the perimeter of a circle) early in the week. Then students will complete a "Chapter 23 Homework Review" to show their understanding of perimeter before moving to Chapter 24 about area and volume.

Mark Your Calendar:

May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 11: Band/Choir Spring Concert

May 18: Lakeview Parent Meeting (6:30 p.m.)
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WEEK OF APRIL 27

2009-04-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Prairieview Food Drive Reminder
Don't forget that the food drive ends Monday, April 27th! This collection is a great way to show that our school community cares for others. Also, the grade level that brings in the most items will receive a special reward!

Check Student Progress
Please remember that we have reached the last 6 weeks of school. Check student progress on ParentConnect! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, contact your child's teacher(s).

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies

Science - The students have been learning about the barn owl as we preview some of the concepts in Chapter 6. Ask your child to tell you about some of the adaptations this animal has for catching prey. Also, your student had a chance to perform a "virtual" dissection of an owl pellet. Students should now know the steps for their "live" owl pellet dissection on Wednesday!
Social Studies - The Chapter 10 Test is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th! Students should review the Preamble of the Constitution along with the key ideas from the chapter.

Language Arts Block

Spelling - Lesson 28 focuses on Greek word parts. (We will skip Lesson 27.)
English - The Unit 3 Verbs Test is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29! We will be reviewing in class on Monday and Tuesday. At the end of the week, we will introduce adverbs. Adverbs are words that tell when, where, or how an action takes place.
Reading - The students will continue to work on writing good connections. Connections should include three things: the part of the book they are connecting to; something in their life, in the world, or in another text that it reminds them of; and an explanation of how those relate.

Math Classroom

Math - The students will learn about perimeter in Chapter 23. They will learn formulas to find the perimeter of different kinds of polygons. This will review some of our work with algebraic expressions from earlier in the school year.

Mark Your Calendar:

April 27: Prairieview Food Drive Ends

April 28: Imagination Theater - All School Assembly

May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
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WEEK OF APRIL 20

2009-04-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

Spring Open House - Thanks for Visiting!
Thank you to all of the families who were able to visit Prairieview for the Spring Open House and Book Fair. It was nice to see so many students proudly sharing the products of their most recent school assignments and projects. Also, thank you for the generous gift certificates many of you gave toward our classroom library. I will have many new titles hitting the bookshelves soon!

Subject Update:

Science and Social Studies

Science - The students will learn about interactions between organisms in an ecosystem as we begin Chapter 6.
Social Studies - We will hear about the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the next lesson. Many students have recited the Preamble for me, earning themselves a Preamble pencil and knowledge that will help them on the Chapter 10 Test (which will be sometime during the week of April 27). For those students who have not memorized it yet, keep practicing!

Language Arts Block

Spelling - Lesson 26 reviews lessons 19-25.
English - The students will learn about verbs and verb phrases that are commonly misused. These include verbs that form contractions with have (Ex. could've, not could of), let and leave, learn and teach, sit and set, and can and may.
Reading - We will be creating our last few "Postcards from the Far East" as we conclude our unit on China. Students will also read a text about Yo-Yo Ma, a musician whose family originated from China.

Math Classroom

Math - Students will learn about elapsed time and the units of measurement for temperature before reviewing for the Chapter 22 Test scheduled for Thursday, April 23.

Mark Your Calendar:

April 21 - Check Student Progress at ParentConnect

April 24 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)
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