Mrs. McCree's and Mrs. Torch's 5th Grade Blog

January 26, 2012

McCree/Torch Times

Doing Outstanding Work to Ensure the Love of Learning

 

A LOOK AT THE PAST FEW WEEKS

Math: We are finished with our fractions unit and have begun our unit on measurement.  The first part of our unit was learning about congruent polygons (polygons that have the same shape and size.)  Last week the children derived the formula for the area of a parallelogram and for a triangle.  We will continue to practice using the various formulas to find area.  Please make sure that your child knows the following formulas for finding area.

Square, rectangle & Parallelogram: Area = base x height or Area = length x width.

Triangle: Area = base x height divided by 2.

Hopefully you have seen your child’s homework this week regarding finding the area of irregular polygons.  This is a very difficult concept for the children to understand so any help that you can give your child on his/her homework would be great!  Your child should always have his/her math journal when completing the homework.

Reading/Language Arts: We have been exploring figurative language in poetry this week.  The children also began their literature circles.  Each night your child will be expected to read a specific amount of chapters from his/her book and work on his/her assigned job. This week every student is completing the Connector’s job. The children decide as a group what they will read each night.  They are also expected to read over the weekend.  Each Friday the children will meet with their group to discuss the book and go over their assigned job.  Students in Mrs. McCree’s group have also been assigned 3 activities to complete by next Friday.  Please ask your child to see the activities that he/she is completing.  We are looking for QUALITY workJ

Using and identify complex sentences was the area of study this week.

Social Studies: Our WWII unit began on Wednesday.

Writing: The genre of writing this quarter is persuasive writing.  The children began to prewrite and draft their persuasive essay.  Please ask your child what he/she is writing his/her persuasive essay on. 

Reading/Language Arts CRCT Practice:  Please make sure that your child is taking his/her time on the CRCT weekly homework.  These passages and questions are taken from the Georgia OAS, so they correlate directly to the standards that the children will be tested on for the CRCT.

Math Review Calendar:  Please make sure that your child completes 1 problem a night from his/her math calendar.  The children are also expected to complete this over the weekend.  It is so important for the children to maintain the many skills that they have learned in math and this calendar is one way to help!

 

 

Important Dates

February 2^nd: Cosmic Bowling

February 9^th: All Pro Dads

February 20^th: Presidents’ Day: NO SCHOOL

 

 

 

 

December 22, 2011

McCree/Torch Times

Doing Outstanding Work to Ensure the Love of Learning

 

A LOOK AT THE PAST WEEK

We have finished the Math and Reading/Language Arts Benchmarks!  These tests consist of all of the standards that your child has learned during the 2^nd Nine Weeks.  We use these scores to determine what we need to reteach and what we need to extend in in Math and Reading/Language Arts.  Please look for your child’s benchmark scores in his/her Thursday Folder once we get back from Winter Break.

Winter Break Challenge:  We are asking each child to read 2 chapter books or 2 picture books on his or her reading level over Winter Break.  Those students who do and who pass 2 AR tests will be invited to our celebration for dedicated learners the Friday we get back from break. 

SRI:

 Your child took the SRI this week.  This test is one way we measure your child’s reading comprehension level.  A score of 700-1000 is considered on a fifth grade reading level.  Please make sure that your child is reading every night.

Thank You!  Thank you for sending in goodies for our holiday party!  You helped make our holiday party a success and we greatly appreciate it!

Helpful Math Websites

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/dolphins/index.html (equivalent fractions)

http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_TugTeamFractions.html (comparing fractions)

http://www.mathplayground.com/Triplets/Triplets.html (equivalent fractions)

http://www.mathplayground.com/HauntedFractions/HFGameLoader.html (reasoning with fractions)

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/show_me/e622.htm (simplifying fractions)

http://ixl.com

 

Helpful Reading/Language Arts Websites

 

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/apostrophes_con_poss/eng/Introduction/StarterActivityPart2.htm

 

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/apostrophes_con_poss/eng/Introduction/MainSessionPart1.htm

 

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/apostrophes_con_poss/eng/Introduction/MainSessionPart2.htmm

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/english/caerphilly/adjectives/

 

http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/english/monmouthshire/choose_adj_monmouthshire.htm

Important Dates
December 23^rd – January 9^th: Winter Break

  January 16^th: MLK Day: No School

December 8, 2011

McCree/Torch Times

Doing Outstanding Work to Ensure the Love of Learning

 

A LOOK AT THE PAST 2 WEEKS

Congratulations to those students who completed the Thanksgiving Break challenge!  Those students were rewarded with an ice cream sundae party on Monday.  We are so proud of how many dedicated students completed this task.  We will give a Winter Break Challenge.  This will just involve reading 2 chapter books over the break and taking AR tests for both when we get back from break. 

Math: Last week we learned how to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators.  We will keep reviewing this standard during our Math R.A.P. (review and practice) and in our review math centers.  This week the students learned how to model the multiplication of a fraction by a whole number and how to multiply a fraction by a fraction.  Many parents are tempted just to teach their child the algorithm for multiplying fractions; however, the fifth grade standard is to MODEL the multiplication.  Please make sure that your child is using his/her math journal for help with the homework.

Division & Multiplication Facts: Please make sure that your child continues to study his/her multiplication and related division facts!

Reading/Language Arts: Non-Fiction text features continue to be the area of study.  We also learned about chronological order and author’s purpose.  We have been reviewing for the benchmark during Language Arts.   The children are doing a wonderful job during language arts; however, some are still having difficult with the following standards.  Please review the following skills with your child whenever you have time: Pronouns, adjectives, verb phrases, simple and compound sentences, multiple meaning words and the four types of sentences.

Writing:  The children have begun revising their “How To” essays.  Next week will be the start of our research papers.

Science: We have been reviewing constructive and destructive forces, states of matter, physical and chemical properties, and physical and chemical changes for the Science Checkpoint test that will be administered on Friday.

Progress Reports:  If your child received an Academic Alert please make sure that you have signed it and return it to us.

Holiday Party! Please send in the $2.00 for pizza at your earliest convenience.  We appreciate all of your donations and support for making the holiday party a success!

Ways to help at home

1.     Please make sure that your child reads for at least 30 minutes a night. They need to complete at least one section on the reading log each night.

 

2.    Study multiplication facts.

 

 

1.     Please check your child’s behavior log nightly. Weekly Behavior Reports need to be initialed daily (including Fridays).

 

2.    Please check your child’s homework and reading log for quality work!

 

 

 

Important Dates

 

December 8^th: Dinner Theater

 

December 21^st: Holiday Party

 

December 23^rd: No School

 

December 26^th- January 9^th: Winter Break

November 17, 2011

McCree/Torch Times

Doing Outstanding Work to Ensure the Love of Learning

 

A LOOK AT THE PAST 2 WEEKS

Math: We our diving into our Fractions Unit!  There are so many standards/concepts that your child will be learning in regards to fractions.  We realize that this can be very overwhelming to some children and work with small groups each day to ensure that your child is getting his/her needs met.   It is also so important that you help your child in any way possible at home and make sure that your child is using his/her Math Journal to assist them on their homework.   Your child has learned the following fraction concepts:  1. How to use fractions and decimals interchangeably.  2. Using improper fractions and mixed numbers. 3.  How to find equivalent fractions.  4. Simplifying fractions.  5. Comparing fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators.

Multiplication Facts: It is so important in fifth grade for children to know their multiplication facts.  Every Wednesday we will take a timed multiplication test.  This is not for a grade; however it is important for success in fifth grade math.  Please help your child study his/her multiplication facts through 12 each night if he/she is still having difficulty.  Thank you!!

Reading/Language Arts: We have been revisiting main idea and supporting details in non-fiction text this week.  We have also reviewed simple and compound sentences.  Today’s language arts lesson was on using apostrophes in contractions and to show possession.

Writing:  The children have begun drafting their “How To” essays.  Please ask your child what he/she is writing his/her “How To” on.

Social Studies:  The children have been reviewing World War I and will have a quiz on Friday.

 

Messy Friday!  Please have your child wear something on Friday that they don’t mind getting a little dirty.  We will be doing an Art project.

Thanksgiving Break Challenge!  Students were given the opportunity to accept a Thanksgiving Break Challenge.  We are pleased to say that the majority of the kids welcomed our challenge.  The Thanksgiving Challenge consists of Reading, Language Arts and Math CRCT review.  Children who complete the work to the best of their ability will be rewarded with a celebration on the Friday we get back from break.  We are so proud to have so many dedicated learners!

Ways to help at home

1.     Please make sure that your child reads for at least 30 minutes a night.

 

2.    Study multiplication facts.

 

 

3.    Please check your child’s reading log and behavior log nightly.

 

4.    Please check your child’s homework for quality work!

 

Important Dates

November 21^st-25^th: Thanksgiving Break

 

December 1^st: Barnes and Noble Night

 

December 8^th: Dinner Theater

 

December 21^st: Holiday Party

I'm Back!!

Dear Parents,

    I am officially back from maternity leave and am very eager to get back to teaching and learning!  I just wanted to take this time to tell you a little about myself and my classroom expectations.  I am originally from Michigan and attended Michigan State University. GO SPARTANS! This is my sixth year teaching fifth grade at Dowell.  I taught first grade for two years in the Atlanta Public School System before coming to Dowell. I am very excited for the remainder of the school year and want to make your child’s last year in elementary school a very special one. There are so many fun things to do and learn in fifth grade, and I can't wait to get started!

Stay-Tuned:  Ask your child what he or she is studying, and look in his/her homework folder and agenda every night.  It is my goal that your child can tell you something each night that they learned and something that they would like to learn more about.  Also, please keep an eye out for the bi-weekly newsletter. This will help you keep up with important happenings in our classroom.   I will also send home progress reports/academic alerts or make phone calls if I feel that your child is not progressing as expected.

 

Ask Questions:  If you have any concerns or are wondering why something is happening, please feel free to call or email me at any time.  I welcome all concerns, ideas, and feedback that affect your child or our classroom.   If something is not working, I am more than willing to talk.   My email address is joanna.mccree@cobbk12.org The school phone number is (678)594-8059

 

Homework:  Students will have homework every night except for Friday.  They will also have a reading log that will need to be completed daily, including the weekends.  I expect students to read his/her chapter book over the weekend.  Students will be expected to write assignments down in their agenda.  Please sign the bottom of the behavior log each night.  A signature lets me know that you saw the homework that your child has  and any behavior issues or concerns.  I encourage you to set a scheduled time for your child to complete his/her  homework each day.   Students should be able to do most assignments independently, but do help if it is completely necessary.  If you notice that your child is not able to do an assignment on his or her own, please send a note or write a note to Mrs. Torch or to myself on the assignment.  We will contact you if your child is falling behind or turning in poor work. 

 

Reading at home: It is so important that your child reads for at least thirty minutes each night and completes his/her reading log.  They will be expected to record the title of the book that they read and the amount of time spent reading at home.  They will also be expected to complete the various activities for that specific week.   Your signature will verify the time your child spent reading.  Also, please make sure that your child has complete QUALITY work! 

Once again, I am so excited for this year! I became a teacher not only to teach children the essential skills that they need to be successful in school and life, but also because I want to make a positive impact in every child’s life.  I look forward to a wonderful and productive year with both you and your child.

Sincerely,

Joanna McCree

 

Below you will find the standards/concepts that we have worked on this week:

Math: We have been continuing to review how to find the mean, median, mode and range of a set of data.  Please encourage your child to use his/her math journal for any assistance that he/she may need with the homework.  We have also begun our units on Fractions.  Today the students learned about improper fractions and mixed numbers.  They have also learned how to use fractions and decimals interchangeably.  We will continue to review these fraction concepts next week.

Reading/Language Arts: The students have been learning about the difference between fiction and non-fiction text characteristics.  We have also been studying homophone.  Ask your child to sing you the song that we learned on Tuesday and Wednesday!

Social Studies: The Transcontinental Railroad has been the area of study this week.

Writing:  We have been continuing to work on our Fictional Narratives this week.  Informational Writing will begin next week.

Important Dates

November 8th: No School (Election Day)

November 10th: All Pro Dads

November 15th: 5th grade VIP Lunch

Nomber 21st-25th

 

McCree/Torch Times

It was so nice to see so many parents showing up to open house!

We appreciate all of the donations coming in from the Wish Tree! Parent involvement and support is a vital part of the academic success of our 5th graders this challenging year!

I just found an excellent website full of links for fun 5th grade skill games:

http://addfifth.net/LearningLinks.htm

 It's hard to believe, but there are only 3 weeks left of the first quarter. Here are the standards we are currently covering:

Math: Modeling the Multiplication and Division of Decimals, Multiplying and Dividing with Decimals, and Analyzing patterns when multiplying decimals by 10, 100, 1,000, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001.

Please have students practice multiplication and division math facts! Each student is responsible for memorizing these facts as soon as possible!

www.multiplication.com

Social Studies: Causes of the Civil War, Major Battles and Campaigns of the Civil War, Important Historical Figures of the Civil War

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/civilwar.htm

Science: Constructive and Destructive Forces 

http://addfifth.net/Destructive.Constructive.htm

*Check out the new Science Vocabulary Games on:

http://www.spellingcity.com/mollytorch/

Reading: Identifying similarities and differences between the characters or events and theme in a literary work and the actual experiences in an author's life. Recognizing Figurative Language (Personification, Similies, Metaphors, and Hyperboles)

Grammar: Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences, Subject and Predicate Review, Review of Possessive Pronouns, Interrogative, Explanatory, Imparative, and Declarative Sentences, and Editing  

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/quizzes/index.html

Spelling: Words Their Way Sort #5 (suffixes -ful, -ness, and -less)

http://www.spellingcity.com/mollytorch/

Writing Workshop:  Revising Personal Narratives using Grabbers (mystery statements, humor, dialogue, and onomatopoeia), Transition Words and Phrases,  Strong Verbs,  Showing Not Telling (using specific nouns and carefully chosen adjectives to appeal to the senses), and adding Take Away Endings

http://addfifth.net/Super%20Six/index.htm

 

McCree/Torch Class Navigating 5th Grade Together! 2011-2012

Dowell Elementary

                  

 

Welcome to 5^th grade!

We have been very busy in the first two weeks of school! Listed below are some of the topics that we have covered so far.

Math:

Place Value to the Thousandths, Comparing and Ordering Decimals, Multiples, Factors, Prime and Composite Numbers

Practice these 5^th Grade Math Standards on: www.IXL.com

Social Studies:

Bill of Rights, Amendments to the Constitution, and Due Process

Science:

Constructive and Destructive Forces (volcanoes, earthquakes, faults, weathering, erosion, deposition)

Reading:

Analyzing the themes of books (the take-away messages), and Reading Fluency

Grammar:

Parts of Speech review, nouns, action verbs, being verbs, verb phrases, linking verbs, and pronouns.

Spelling:

Words Their Way Sorts 1-3, Suffixes and Prefixes

Play spelling games and practice our sort words on our link:

http://www.spellingcity.com/mollytorch/

Writing:

Descriptive and Narrative Writing

Classroom Expectations:

S.T.A.R. Students

Sit Up

Track the Speaker

Ask and Answer Questions like a Scholar

Respect Others

 

Parents,

     Thank you for all of the items donated from our wish list! We appreciate your generosity! We still have several students who do not have scissors, so if anyone has any extra student scissors please send them with your student to school.

     Our classroom can be chilly at times! We only spend 15 minutes of our day outside at recess, and the rest in the classroom. Please send a sweater, or light jacket for your student to wear when needed.

     We will be in touch very soon with the parent volunteers to discuss how you can help out at school. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of students this year! Ask them about our chance jar and our class celebrations we are trying to earn.

Open House is on September 15^th. Details about Open House will be sent home with your students. We look forward to the opportunity to meet all of our students’ parents!

Please feel free to e-mail us or call the school with any questions.

 

Sincerely,

 

Molly Torch                                                                            Joanna McCree

Molly.torch@cobbk12.org                              Joanna.mccree@cobbk12.org

Dowell Elementary School (678) 594-8059

 

 

 

             May 5, 2011

Dowell Elementary

Mrs. McCree’s Memo

Doing Outstanding Work to Ensure the Love of Learning

 

A look at our Week

The past two weeks have been focused on CRCT remediation for math and reading.  We have been reviewing essential skills and concepts that will help any student who needs to retake the math and/or reading portion of the CRCT this month. 

Important Reminders: Please send back your child’s middle school registration form and self addressed stamped manila envelope.  It is very important that I get all of these documents back ASAP! 

5^th grade picnic: The fifth grade picnic will be held on May 25^th.  The picnic is for 5^th grade students only.  We ask that any parents who would like to eat with their child during the last week of school come on either the 23^rd, or 24^th.

5^th grade end-of-the-year activities

Please note the following dates on your calendar.

May 24^th:  5^th grade awards ceremony (See invitation in this week’s Thursday Folder)

May 25^th:5^th grade picnic/ Last Day of School/5^th grade Walk of Honor

Walk of Honor: The walk of honor is the 5^th graders final walk through the Dowell hallways. The children walk each hall and are greeted by younger students cheering and saying good-bye.  I suggest anyone coming to the Walk of Honor arrive at school no later than 1:45.

Fifth Grade T-Shirts on Sale: 5^th grade t-shirts are still for sale.  They are $6.00 each.

Other Important Dates

May 6^th: Dowell Movie Night @7-10pm

May 10^th: 5^th grade Field Day

May 19^th: All Pro Dads Dinner

 

 

 

 

Computer Center: Week of 4/18/11

Click on the following link to learn more about reference materials.  You may play the game when you are finished answering the questions.

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/o/referencesourcesl.cfm

  

 

April 14, 2011

Dowell Elementary

Mrs. McCree’s Memo

Doing Outstanding Work to Ensure the Love of Learning

 

A look at our week

The children have completed the Reading, Language Arts, and Math portions of the CRCT.  Tomorrow the children will take the Science test, and the Social Studies test will be on Monday.  Please continue to make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a good breakfast.

Thank You!  Thank you so much to all parents who made their child a sign of encouragement for the CRCT and who also wrote them a letter.  The children seemed very excited when they walked in Tuesday morning. I could tell that they felt very special!  Please remember to send in the other item that I have requested ASAP for the last week of school celebration.

CRCT Remediation: Your child will participate in the CRCT Remediation if they failed the Reading and/or Math portion of the CRCT in 4^th grade.  The remediation curriculum is what used to be taught when Cobb County Schools offered summer school.  I will be teaching both reading and math throughout the day to those who qualify.  If your child DID pass reading and math last year, they will go to another teacher to complete various activities and projects.  The remediation schedule will be altered once the CRCT results are received.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

5^th grade end-of-the-year activities: Please note the following dates on your calendar.

May 24^th:  5^th grade awards ceremony (8:00am – 10:00am)

May 25^th: Last Day of School/5^th grade Walk of Honor

 Fitness Night Reminder!

ALL ACTIVITIES are FREE!!

 

When: Thursday, April 21^st from 5:30-8pm

Where: Dowell Elementary

What and who will be there?

Special guests: *Kennesaw State University  

*Living Waters Martial Arts Studio    *Gold’s Gym

*Cobb Parks and Recreation     

*Cobb County Food & Nutrition

*Osborne High School JROTC

Services: *FREE Vision and Blood Pressure screenings

*Nutritional and fitness tips from nutrition,

health and fitness experts

 

 Zumba (free) at 6:30pm.

 

 

Come join the many fun activities and learn about how to stay healthy!

 

Field Trip Reminder: Our field trip to the Georgia Aquarium is on April 28^th.   Please send in the $18.00 donation if you haven’t already done so. Thank you!

Fifth Grade T-Shirts on Sale: 5^th grade t-shirts are still for sale.  They are $6.00 each.