Focus on Fifth

Water Conservation Program Gets Media Coverage

Last Friday some of the students at Dowell were part of an assembly that was a kick off for our water conservation project.

This project caught the attention of the WSB news crew and Dowell was featured on the Channel 2 noon and 6:00 pm news.   In addition to the assembly students will be participating in essay and poster contests. They will also be reminding friends to chant “1,2,3, that’s enough for me”, when they are at the water fountain.  The lunchroom staff is implementing several water saving plans.

Students can hear water conservation tips each morning on the kids news cast.  Way to go Dolphins!  We are doing our part to help during the historic Georgia drought. 

Essential question: What is a drought?  What is the wood for a food shortage?

Schedule

12/14 PE

12/17 Music

12/18 PE

12/19 Science

12/20 PE

12/21 Holiday Assembly

Book Talk

  Ask your student to tell you about Junie B. Jones or Max Malone and the Great Cereal Rip-Off.  We are almost done and will soon test on these books.   We finished Love, Ruby Lavender and are taking our AR tests now.  Check the AR printout for scores.

In Language Arts we have been studying verbs, linking verbs, helping verbs, and verb tense.

Essential Question; What is past, present, and future tense?

    Math

We have begun our unit on geometry.  It is vital that students become familiar with the vocabulary used in this unit.  Beginning on page 360, you can find many of the terms we will be using in class.  Please help your child study and review the terms.  That will make all the difference in doing well or not in the chapter.  Essential question?  What are concentric circles and how did we use them for art work?

Field Trip and

Holiday Party

Please remember that the second payment for our April field trip is due Friday, December 21. The payment is $11.  If you prefer to pay the entire $55 that would be fine.  If your family has been blessed this year and would like to make a donation for a child who is unable to pay, please feel free to do so.  Just jot us a note and seal it in an envelope with the money and we’ll gladly accept it!

Also, be sure to send in your holiday pizza party money. We are requesting $3 per student as well as a food donation.  The brownies, cookies, Sprite, candy or cherries should be sent in no later than Wednesday December 19.  That way if we need additional items we will have time to purchase them. Thank you so much for all the help in sending these items for our party.

Kids Korner

What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees? ‘Horn’aments!Hahahaha

Mrs. Daniel and

Mrs. Dean would like to wish each of you a

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Newsletter November 29

Test Scores

Test scores for the fall ITBS have been sent home.  Also included was a parent brochure explaining the scores. If you have any questions, please contact either Mrs. Dean or Mrs. Daniel. We have found that the ITBS is a very good predictor of who will struggle with the CRCT in April. If your child scored below the 50 percentile in reading or math total, there is reason for concern.  The best intervention is good attendance at school and practicing on the computer.  Information about logging on to the website for CRCT practice has already been sent home.  If you do not have computer access you may want to consider using the public library computers.

Breakfast with    

         Santa

Please join us on Dec. 8 from 9 am to 12 noon for breakfast with Santa.  For $3 per child you can have breakfast with Santa, make crafts,

watch a video and have lots of fun!  We also need volunteers. If you can help please call

Kathy Layberger at 404-401-7059

Schedule

11/30 PE

12/3   Computer

12/4   Art

12/5   PE

12/6   Music

12/7   PE

12/8   Science

12/9   PE

12/10  Computer

12/11  Art

Book Talk

We are thrilled to report that 9 of 11 students scored 80% or above on our Stone Fox and Julian tests!  Next time, we are working for 100%. We began new books this week.  Ask your student to tell you about Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business, or Max Malone and the Great Cereal Rip-Off.     We are almost done with Love, Ruby Lavender and will take our AR tests soon.  Our next  read aloud if a very funny Christmas book entitled Soup on Ice by Robert Newton Peck.    

        Math

We are now adding and subtracting fractions with confidence.  Coming up – adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  It would help so much if parents would work with students to be sure they understand basic multiplication and division facts.  Thanks!

Field Trip and

Holiday

Party

Please remember that the first payment for our April field trip is due this Friday, November 30. The payment is $11.  If you prefer to pay the entire $55 that would be fine.  Also, if your family has been blessed this year and would like to make a donation for a child who is unable to pay, please feel free to do so.  Just jot us a note and seal it in an envelope with the money and we’ll gladly accept it!

Also, be sure to look for a letter from us about our holiday pizza party.  We are requesting $3 per student as well as a food donation.  Please ask your child for the letter.

Kids Korner What do Santa’s elves learn at school?  The elfabet!

Newsletter 5-07

Dowell Honors Veterans

Friends and relatives who are veterans were honored last Friday.  For several weeks, Dowell Elementary has been hard at work posting scrolls with names and pictures, collecting money for veteran causes, and Friday we hosted a breakfast for these special

Americans.  It was a small way to honor such

sacrifice.  We are blessed to know so many men and women who have given years of their lives so that we can enjoy our freedom. 

  School Blogs

In our last news letter we informed parents that we had decided not to do a blog.  Because some parents let us know that was the best way to keep inform them, we have decided to blog.  Please be patient with us as we attempt to get our blog up and running.  We have posted all previous

news letters and will continue to send a hard

copy home with each student.  You may check our blog by linking to it from the Dowell home page when you

Click on Mrs. Dean /Mrs. Daniel

Schedule

Tues. - Music

Wed. – PE

Thurs. – Sci. Lab

Fri. –  PE

Mon. - Computer

Tues. - Art

Book Talk

We have completed our guided reading novels, Stone Fox and Julian Stories.  Look for AR scores on these books later this week.  We are enjoying a read aloud entitled Love, Ruby Lavender.  This funny yet serious story is about a country girl who loves chickens and her grandma.  While learning to accept the death of her grandpa she has to learn to share her grandma with a new cousin.  Lots of fun characters and some real life lessons make this a great story.  Ask your

student to tell you all about it.  I would like to clarify some rules about

AR.  We want everyone to be working hard on

raising those reading levels. No one may test below level.  Students may check out one AR

book and one book of their choice, but they

MUST test two times per week.  This is the reason for choosing shorter books.  The students who are reading chapter books will need to test according to their goals set by the teacher.  These people are Daniel, Justin, and Linzie.

Math

We are now adding and subtracting fractions! It sure is easier if you know your times tables!

Word of the week

Cornucopia = a basket containing fresh fruits and vegetables

Giving Thanks

First, a huge thanks for your donations for the McKelley family.  Your compassion and kindness was overwhelming.

As we give thanks this year let us be especially grateful for our military men and women and for our freedom.  Let us also be thankful for family and friends.  We are especially thankful to have your children in our class.

Kids Korner What side of the turkey has the most feathers?  The outside! Hahahahaha

Newsletter 4-07

Drug Awareness and Prevention

This week we have been celebrating our “Say No to Drugs” campaign.  Thanks to parents who returned stars with anti drug pledges.  Thanks also to Mrs. Karen Brown (teacher) and her three children who helped plan and implement all the activities for this week.  The decorations are beautiful and we have had many opportunities to discuss making good, healthy choices in life.  We also had fun wearing sun glasses, sports attire, and even pajamas!.

 

School Blogs

A few parents have asked about our blog.  This year it has come to our attention that very few families in our class have computer access.  In addition to that, we have been given an extensive list of ‘rules’ regarding our blogs and

safety issues with using names and pictures, etc.  It seems to be (at least for now) more time efficient to use the paper news letter. We will continue to keep you updated if there are changes in our plans.

High Tech – High Touch Our ‘in house’ field trip was a great success.  We learned a lot about inherited traits, from a real scientist! Thanks again to parents whose donations made this possible.

Next Week’s Schedule

Mon. –  Art

Tues. - PE

Wed. – Music

Thurs. – PE

Fri. –  Science Lab

Book Talk

We have begun our new class novels and boy, are we enjoying them.  From adventure to humor, there is nothing like a great book.  One group is reading The Stories Julian Tells.  This is a funny story about two brothers and the trouble they get into.  (We think Julian looks a little like our John!) The

other group is reading a new classic, StoneFox.  This is a story of a very courageous boy and his dog, Searchlight.  Ask you student to tell you

about the book he or she is reading.

Math

We have begun our unit on fractions by first looking at what a fraction really is.  We used our new manipulatives so that we could see how 2/4  and 1/2 are really the same number with different names.  We also have begun reducing fractions, also known as simplifying.  If you have forgotten your fractions, parents, and need a refresher, feel free to

e-mail, call, or stop by.  Remember, you should be there to support your child and answer questions but homework should be a short practice of work that was introduced at school.  Don’t let homework become a battlefield for your family.  If you have concerns in this area, call us right away.

Kids Korner

Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?  He didn’t have the guts!  Hahaha

Newsletter 3-07

Fall Testing 

  We began the CoGat  Intelligence Test on September 26 and 27. 

And the

Iowa

Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) on October 1^st.  Testing went very well.  Students worked hard and completed all areas of the test.  We are thrilled to report that each of our students were present every day and our class had NO make ups!  Thank you parents for making sure your student arrived at school each day, ready to go!  We hope to have scores for you by mid November.

Kids Korner

What did the frog order at the fast food restaurant? Flies and a Croak! Hahaha

Upcoming Events

Please be sure to read the flyer sent home about the Fall Festival.  It will be here at Dowell on October 19^th, from five until eight pm.  There will be lots of games and treats! You will be able purchase tickets ahead of time if you would like.

Our in house field trip is set for next Wednesday, October 10.  Please be sure your student is in school for this wonderful science experience.  Thanks so much to those parents who made the $9 donation.  This covers all materials and the scientists fees.

Report cards for the first nine weeks will be sent home on October 2.

More info at our school website.

www.cobbk12.org/~dowell

Next Week’s Schedule

Mon. –  Art

Tues. - PE

Wed. – Music

Thurs. – PE

Fri. –  Science Lab

Book Talk

Our class has read and tested on 114 books!  We are reading at 81% accuracy.  When we reach the 500 mark, look out for party news!

New class novel studies begin next Monday. 

Math

We are working hard to learn all about decimals.  We can now add, subtract, and multiply and divide decimals.  Please review with your student the rules for each of these operations when decimals are used.  There are really good examples in the math book if parents need a ‘refresher’.

News letter 2

Birthday for the Constitution

On September 17, 1787 the American Constitution was signed and became the framework of laws for our nation.  We read books, watched a video, and ate red, white and blue popsicles!  We are proud to be Americans and to learn more about our country.

Fall Testing 

  We will begin the CoGat  Intelligence Test on September 26 and 27. 

And the

Iowa

Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) during the first week of October.

     There are several things you can do to ensure success.  First, be sure your student eats a healthy breakfast.   Plenty of sleep is a must for success!  Try getting to bed even a little earlier.  Have clothes planned and laid out the night before.  Pack book bags and lunches the night before.  Try to be sure everyone has a happy, stress free morning  and gets to school on time with two number 2 pencils.  Thanks parents for

helping your boy or girl do his or her very best!

             

Upcoming Events

Math night at Publix has become an annual event.  Please join us on Thursday, October 4 for a night of MATH fun!  Last names N-Z are invited at 6:00 pm.  PTA mtg. 7:00-7:20 and families with A-M names will participate from 7:20-8:00.  Wear a Dowell t-shirt of any kind to be eligible for a prize.  Hot dogs, drinks, and treats will be for sale.  You must bring Please join PTA if at all possible.  $5.00 per person. 

More info at our school website.

www.cobbk12.org/~dowell

Kids Korner

When is a baby like and NBA player?  When he dribbles! Hahahahahaha

Next Week’s Schedule

Mon. – PE

Tues. – Computer

Wed. – Art

Thurs. – PE

Fri. – Music

Book Talk

AR test results for our most recent guided reading book will be available soon.  Be sure to note how well your student did.

  We are reading a new book called Wanted: Mud Blossom.  It is a funny story about a family and their dog who is on trial for the murder of the class hamster.  Ask your student to tell you about the main characters and especially about Mad Mary – she’s the scary one!

Math

We are working hard to learn all about decimals.  We can now add, subtract, and multiply decimals. 

Newsletter 1

Welcome Back! 

What a super group of fifth graders!  We are off and running.  We have a great class and are already hard at work on the many things we have to accomplish this year.  Check our newsletter every other week for stories, pictures, events and other exciting news from our class.

Events

Thursday, September 6,

PTA Open House

No meeting – go directly to you student’s classroom.

Please join PTA if at all possible.  $5.00 per person. 

More info at our school website.

www.cobbk12.org/~dowell

Kids Korner

What was the spider doing in the computer lab?  Looking for a good

web site! Hahahahahaha

Next Week’s Schedule

Mon. –PE

Tues. – Science lab

Wed. – PE

Thurs. – Computers

Fri. – Art

Book Talk

Please be sure to ask your student about the book we are reading in group.  One group is reading Amber Brown is not a Crayon and the other group is enjoying Class Clown. Find out today which group your student is in and get the details on these funny books that teach important lessons.

Also, be sure to look for your student’s AR report in this Thursday’s folder.  Sign and return it, please.  Question and remind your students that AR reading and testing is the single best way to raise reading levels and improve reading skills.  It is a class requirement.  Students will read at their own pace and on their own level.

Congratulations!

Our first group of workers has been selected and is doing a wonderful job with 5^th grade responsibilities. We are so proud to recognize our first two safety patrols,

Ruth Yalew and Johnathan Chambers-Tift.  Thanks for helping keep order and safety a priority at Dowell.

Also, showing real pride in our country are two boys who raise and lower the American Flag each day.  They are

John Richardson and Jose Patino.

Justin Clemons, an avid reader himself, has been trained and will begin work later this week in the

Dowell

Media

Center

.  Thanks to these students who are going above and beyond the regular school day to show real responsibility.  Each student will have an opportunity to have a special job at some time during this year.  Thanks

for all you are doing fifth graders!