Baltes Buzz

January 12, 2012



REPORT CARDS!
REPORT CARDS are coming home tomorrow! Please make sure you ask your child for the envelope. Please sign the signature card and send the envelope and card back to me next Tuesday.
I will be sending home math goal sheets next week. These will be the 1st and 2nd quarter goals that your child chose to work on before CRCT. This means they still need extra help in these areas. If you need extra resources, the Internet has great websites. See the “Website” section at the end of the newsletter. Don’t forget to use the OAS website for practice. A letter with the username and password went home last month.

Curriculum Night
Next Thursday night, 1/19, is our curriculum night. We will be showing you different ways to help your child with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter math concepts. It is from 5:30-7:30pm. From 5:30-6pm, is an important CRCT Presentation in the cafeteria. 6-7:30pm will be for 3 breakout sessions: Primary Math Games in Gym, Intermediate Math games in classroom, and Online resources and support in the Labs. All of the information is on the yellow sheet in the Thursday folder. Please come if you can!

Glue Sticks
Help! We are STILL in need of glue sticks!!!! We use glue sticks every day and are running low. Please send in a big pack of glue sticks for your child. This will ensure that important notes will stay securely in student journals.

Looking Ahead
January:
16th- NO SCHOOL
19th- Curriculum Night
27th-31st- Book Fair

Specials
Tom.- PE
Tues- Computer Lab
Wed- Math Lab Thur- Science Lab Fri- PE Mon- Music


Curriculum Corner
Reading- Please continue to read 20-30 minutes every night with your child. Make sure he/she knows what the story is about and understands what he/she is reading. Reading with your child is one way for you to know if your child understands what he/she is reading. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, as we want them to understand and NOT just read words.
Math- Please review multiplication facts through the 12’s with your child. I am STILL noticing students are still struggling with their facts. They need to know the exact answers and know them quickly. We started our geometry/ measurement unit. We have talked about congruent figures. Some synonyms we used were: clone, identical, and exact. We have also started working on finding area for rectangles, squares(review), and parallelograms. Next week we will explore area of triangles and irregular polygons. PLEASE look at the math journal for steps on how to find the area for all of these polygons. Also, please continue to do extra practice, at home, on all topics we have learned so far!
Science- What moves from place to place, allows us to use electronics, and see in the dark? You guessed it! Electricity. We are learning about static electricity, electrical circuits, conductors/insulators, and magnetism.

Anchor Tip of the Week
When driving down the street, have your child look at different addresses and tell you whether it is a prime or composite number using their divisibility rules, or just tell you if it is divisible by 3, using the “ADD” rule.

Great Websites

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-5

Great math practice

http://sheppardsoftware.com/

Practice in all subjects

**Don’t forget about the OAS website for CRCT practice!

Dinner Theater – Sponsored by the Dowell Singers

Come see and hear select classes from each grade level, the Dowell Singers, Recorder Club, and more as we start the season off with music and celebration!

Thursday, Dec. 8th - 5:30-6:30 PM
Performance - 6:45 -7:45pm
Dowell Cafeteria

For only $3, dinner will include:
1 slice of pizza, salad, drink, and cookie

November 17, 2011



Glue Sticks
Help! We use glue sticks every day and are running low. Please send in a big pack of glue sticks for your child. This will ensure that important notes will stay securely in student journals.

Barnes and Noble Night
Can you believe December is right around the corner? On December 1st from 5:30-7:30pm, Dowell will be hosting Barnes and Noble night at the Barnes and Noble on Dallas Hwy. Please come and enjoy a performance by chorus and exciting read alouds by our own students! It will be a fun-filled, festive event.

Fall Break Challenge
Can you believe we will be out for a whole week next week!! I know the kids are excited for a break. I am presenting the kids with a challenge next week.


Looking Ahead
November:
21st-25th- Thanksgiving Break

December:
1st- Barnes and Noble Night
8th- Dinner Theater
21st- Holiday Party
23rd-Jan. 8th- Holiday Break



Specials
Tom.- Science Lab
Mon.(11/28)- PE Tues- Music Wed- PE Thurs- Art
Fri- PE


Curriculum Corner
Reading- Please continue to read 20-30 minutes every night with your child. Make sure he/she knows what the story is about and understands what he/she is reading. Reading with your child is one way for you to know if your child understands what he/she is reading. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, as we want them to understand and NOT just read words.
Math- Please review multiplication facts through the 12’s with your child. I am STILL noticing students are still struggling with their facts. They need to know the exact answers and know them quickly. We are continuing our work on Fractions. We have almost conquered the world of improper fractions, mixed numbers and equivalent, and simplifying fractions. We started adding and subtracting fractions. We will continue this concept after break. Please do extra practice at home!
Social Studies- We started our unit on the Westward Expansion. We have driven cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas, and

Anchor Tip of the Week

Ask students what ONE of their goals from the last 9 weeks is and focus on that topic for 5-10 minutes every night. Congratulations to Essence who has been working on one of her goals every night and has become an expert on it!! Way to go Essence!

Great Websites

http://math-play.com/Factors-and-Multiples-Jeopardy/Factors-and-Multiples-Jeopardy.html

Research:

http://cvl.cobbk12.org

-Use to look up exciting information about animal you are research

November 3, 2011



Glue Sticks
Help! We use glue sticks every day and are running low. Please send in a big pack of glue sticks for your child. This will ensure that important notes will stay securely in student journals.

Barnes and Noble Night
Can you believe December is right around the corner? On December 1st from 5:30-7:30pm, Dowell will be hosting Barnes and Noble night at the Barnes and Noble on Dallas Hwy. Please come and enjoy a performance by chorus and exciting read alouds by our own students! It will be a fun-filled, festive event.

Thanksgiving Food Drive / Quarters for Turkeys
Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Dowell

PTA will begin its annual Thanksgiving food drive next week. All collected food will go to Dowell families who are in need of assistance this holiday season.

Your food donations may be placed in boxes labeled by grade in Dowell's lobby from Monday, October 31st - Friday, November 11. Please donate food as designated below:

Kindergarten: Cake Mix, Frosting
1st Grade: Cornbread Mix, Biscuit Mix, Gravy Mix, Gravy in Jars, Drink Mix
2nd Grade: Instant Potatoes (Preferably Mashed), Boxed Stuffing Mix
3rd Grade: Macaroni, Rice, Dried or Canned Beans
4th Grade: Canned Fruit, Cranberry Sauce
5th Grade: Canned Vegetables


Looking Ahead
November:
8th- Student Holiday (No school)
10th- All Pro Dads
11th- Last day of Food donations for Thanksgiving Drive
21st-25th- Thanksgiving Break

Specials
Tom.- Math Lab
Mon.- Science Lab Tues- None Wed- PE Thurs- Music
Fri- PE


Curriculum Corner
Reading- Please read 20-30 minutes every night with your child. Make sure he/she knows what the story is about and understands what he/she is reading. Reading with your child is one way for you to know if your child understands what he/she is reading. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, as we want them to understand and NOT just read words.
Math- Please review multiplication facts through the 12’s with your child. I am STILL noticing students are still struggling with their facts. They need to know the exact answers and know them quickly. We started working on our unit of Fractions. We are exploring the world of improper fractions, mixed numbers and equivalent fractions. Next week we will simplify and compare fractions. Please do extra practice at home!
Science- We started learning about mass and how to find the mass of an object. We will continue exploring the world of matter by looking into magnification and continue learning about physical and chemical changes.
Grammar- We will be reviewing homophones, and prefixes and suffixes.

Anchor Tip of the Week

When your child is struggling with a math concept, give them a problem completely worked out. Have them copy it exactly and then do it on their own without looking at the completed problem.

Great Websites

http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/

This is a great website for math and science topics. There are FUN how to videos!

http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/invasion/invasion.html

Great grammar practice!

October 6, 2011



Cultural Heritage Festival
On Friday, October 14th, Dowell will be hosting the first annual Cultural Heritage Festival. There will be food, dancing, and displays from at least 11 different countries! So bring the whole family and come out and enjoy!

Box Tops
Don’t forget to send in Box Tops! All Box Tops are due soon. They go toward a good cause.

ITBS Testing
ITBS testing is next week (October 10th-14th)! We will be testing all week. Please make sure students eat a healthy dinner and go to bed early the night before each test. Each morning, please make sure they eat a healthy breakfast full of protein! Please remind them that even though this is not the CRCT, this test is just as important.

Conference Week
Conference week is coming! Look in tonight’s Thursday folder for the conference sheet. Please cut off the bottom and send it back to me letting me know if the scheduled time is okay. I will try to be accommodating, but please remember that I can only stay so late. Please be mindful that this is only 1 time out of the year that I need you here at the school maybe a little earlier than the time you may get off work. Thank you for your consideration.


Looking Ahead
October:
14th- Cultural Heritage Festival
24th-28th- Conference Week



Specials
Tom.- PE Mon.- Computer Lab
Tues- Math Lab Wed- Science Lab
Thurs- PE Fri- Music


Curriculum Corner
Reading- Please read 20-30 minutes every night with your child. Make sure he/she knows what the story is about and understands what he/she is reading. Reading with your child is one way for you to know if your child understands what he/she is reading. We have set our AR goals for this 9 weeks.
Math- Please review multiplication facts through the 12’s with your child. I am STILL noticing students are still struggling with their facts. They need to know the exact answers and know them quickly. We have been working on modeling multiplication and division of decimals. Most students are good at the modeling, but still struggle with multiplying a 2 digit by 2 digit and basic division. Please review these concepts at home.
Today we started on Percents and will be exploring algebra with decimals next week.
Social Studies- We have been working on the Civil War unit. Ask your child about the major battles of the War and the important people from the war.
Grammar- We have reviewed nouns, verbs, and pronouns, as well as the four kinds of sentences, so far this year. Please continue to review the different parts of speech and how you would recognize the verb tense in a sentence.

Anchor Tip of the Week

Cut up index cards and create multiplication flashcards for your kids to practice. It’s cheap and easy!

Great Websites

http://www.kwarp.com/portfolio/grammarninja.html

http://www.schooltube.com/video/5608133fbf0fb07a1408/Personal-Pronouns (Personal Pronouns video)

Join us for some math fun…

MATH Night at Publix
Tuesday, October 4th

Location: Publix at Dallas Highway
(2500 Dallas Highway)
Times
5:30-6:15 Session 1
6:15-6:30 PTA Meeting
6:30-7:15 Session 2

Don’t forget to show your pride and wear your Dowell t-shirt! Parents please help your child participate in all activities.

Join us for some math fun…

MATH Night at Publix
Tuesday, October 4th

Location: Publix at Dallas Highway
(2500 Dallas Highway)
Times
5:30-6:15 Session 1
6:15-6:30 PTA Meeting
6:30-7:15 Session 2

Don’t forget to show your pride and wear your Dowell t-shirt! Parents please help your child participate in all activities.

September 22, 2011
School Pictures
Don’t forget to dress nice for school pictures tomorrow! We will be taking pictures right before specials. If you want to purchase pictures, please send in the money envelope as well.

ITBS Testing
ITBS testing is right around the corner. We will be testing the week of October 10th-14th. Please make sure students eat a healthy dinner and go to bed early the night before each test. Each morning, please make sure they eat a healthy breakfast full of protein!

Conference Week
Conference week is just ahead as well! Next week, I am going to send a preferred sign up time sheet home to each student. Please circle which are your preferred times and days. I will try to be accommodating, but please remember that I can only stay so late. Please be mindful that this is only 1 time out of the year that I need you here at the school maybe a little earlier than the time you may get off work. Thank you for your consideration.


Looking Ahead
September:
21st- Welashey birthday
22nd- Amari birthday
Tomorrow- School Pictures
Singathon (2:30-6pm)
30th- Mrs. Baltes birthday!! Woohoo!!


Specials
Tom.- PE Mon.- Art
Tues- PE Wed- Computer Lab
Thurs- Math Lab
Fri- Science Lab

Curriculum Corner
Reading- Please read 20-30 minutes every night with your child. Make sure he/she knows what the story is about and understands what he/she is reading. Reading with your child is one way for you to know if your child understands what he/she is reading. We have set our AR goals for this 9 weeks.

Math- Please review multiplication facts through the 12’s with your child. I am STILL noticing students are still struggling with their facts. They need to know the exact answers and know them quickly. We have been working on modeling multiplication of decimals. Most students are good at the modeling, but still struggle with multiplying a 2 digit by 2 digit. Please review these concepts at home. We will be starting on modeling division of decimals next week.

Social Studies- We have started our Civil War unit. Ask your child about the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. They should know a little about the book and why it related to the Civil War. We will take a look at some of the major battles of the War next week and then focus on a few important people.

Grammar- We have reviewed nouns, verbs, and pronouns, as well as the four kinds of sentences, so far this year. Please review the different verb tenses and how you would recognize the tense in a sentence. This last week we focused on synonyms and antonyms. We will be using these in our writing next week.

Anchor Tip of the Week

Create a “Homefun” bucket in a quiet place in the house. Let this area be your child’s homefun area so it is familiar and easy for them to focus. Place paper, pencils, colored pencils, etc in their “Homefun” bucket. This will ensure they have all materials to do their homefun each night.

Great Websites

http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-5

http://www.mrcoley.com/math.htm

August 25, 2011
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to school! I can’t believe it is already the end of the second week. Time flies when you are having fun.
I would like to brag on the whole class. I am so impressed with the good manners I am seeing from everyone. I love how everyone says, “Yes, ma’am, no ma’am, please, thank you, etc.” Thank you for raising them with such nice manners!
We have many fun and exciting things coming up this year, so read the newsletter (comes every other week) for important dates, information and academic tips.

Movie Night
Bring a comfy chair and get ready to enjoy the movie “Rio” on the big screen here at Dowell. Tomorrow night, 8/26 at 7:00pm, you and your family can come watch the movie. Tickets are $2.00 each. Popcorn, hotdogs, ice cream, and drinks will be sold as well.

Specials
Tom.- Music Mon.- PE
Tues- Art Wed- PE
Thurs- Computer Lab
Fri- Math Lab

Looking Ahead
Tomorrow- Movie Night at 7pm
September:
5th- Labor Day (School Closed)
8th- All Pro Dads (7:15-8am)
15th- Open House
6:30-7pm PTA Meeting
7-7:45pm 3-5th
22nd – I-Moms (7:15-8am)
23rd- School Pictures
Singathon (2:30-6pm)

Curriculum Corner
Reading- Please read 20-30 minutes every night with your child. Make sure he/she knows what the story is about and understands what he/she is reading. Reading with your child is one way for you to know if your child understands what he/she is reading. Be looking out for AR goals coming soon!
Math- Please review multiplication facts through the 12’s with your child. We have been working on place value and value of decimals, as well as comparing them. We will be learning about divisibility, factors and multiples next week.
Social Studies- We just finished talking about how our rights as citizens help us live a better life. We learned that the Bill of Rights gives us many of these rights!
Science- We will be starting on our constructive and destructive forces unit next week. Some main concepts you will see is: erosion, deposition, weathering, earthquakes, faults, and volcanoes.
Grammar- We have been talking about nouns and verbs. We will finish up verbs with verb tenses and move onto the kinds of sentences next week.