Bring Your Fifth Grader to PT Conferences

Time to sign up for parent-teacher conferences already! Parents, as you consider scheduling a time to meet with me, please choose a time when your fifth grade child will be able to attend our conference. I consider these as parent-teacher-student conferences. I would strongly urge you to bring your fifth grade child along. Having your child attend our conference will better enable you, me, and your child a chance to discuss issues from each of our unique perspectives. We are also better able to discuss not only academic performance, but also behavioral issues, social growth, and organizational skills.

Thank you so much for your continued support and cooperation.

Social Studies Ch 3 Test Coming on Monday, Nov 2

So you're probably wondering why would he keep postponing that social studies test? Mr. B says to just get it done! I am sorry! I know many students have been preparing lots already. The reason is this: we haven't yet finished the chapter. The new social studies materials are wonderful, but I'm finding out that when my materials say an activity should take 45 minutes, I need to double that! I am confident chapter 4 will be better...I just won't announce the test until the day before! (Just kidding!) Hang in there, keep rehearsing for the test, and those diligent students will do very well!

Science Ch A3 Test Coming on Wednesday, Oct. 28

Don't panic...this test will be a "take-home" test. Students are to use their books, notes, all worksheets, and lab sheets to help them get the best possible grade ever! Students will begin this "test" during class on Wednesday, but should plan on taking it home to go over it again before turning it in on Monday, Nov. 2.

Social Studies Ch 3 Test Coming on Monday, Nov 2

To help your child prepare for the chapter 3 social studies test, he or she should take the Internet tutorial (Click here for this tutorial.) Printing out and returning or emailing the results page prior to the test will earn students some bonus points. Students should also review the work they did in their Interactive Student Notebooks and class handouts to help prepare for the test.There are seven Native American cultural regions...know the details for each one.

Alec's Video Online

Here's a link to Alec's winning video, complete with sound effects:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid28806274001?bclid=29491180001&bctid=30481858001

Happy "Healthy Lung Month"...Our Second Field Trip

Our second field trip is scheduled for this coming Thursday, Oct. 15 from noon to 2 PM. We will travel with sixth graders to the Children's Health Education Center. Fifth grade students will celebrate Healthy Lung Month by participating in a presentation on the respiratory system. We'll learn the parts of the respiratory system, the respiration process, things that harm the respiratory system, diseases & infections, and how to keep the respiratory system healthy. Students are encouraged to visit http://www.bluekids.org/educators/swf/Double/motion.html to play Double Escape and http://www.bluekids.org/educators/swf/Dive/diaphragm.html to learn respiratory system vocabulary in Dive to the Diaphragm in preparation for this trip. We thank our parent chaperons, Kaylee's mom & Matt's mom, for meeting helping us on the trip.

Finally, here's your chance to earn science bonus points through a voki. Here's what to do for bonus:

• Research the nutrient iron
• Create a voki comment on my voki
• Make your voki (avatar) look pretty much like you, use your real voice, and use a background location that could be real
• Tell what iron does for your body, where it can be found, and list at least three foods that you have in your home that are good sources of iron

The due date for your voki bonus is Friday, Oct. 16. ALL OTHER VOKIS WILL BE DELETED.

Science & Social Studies Tests Coming Soon

This week we will have our Ch 2 science test on Wednesday, and our Ch 2 social studies test on Thursday.

To help your child prepare for the science test, read through the Chapter 2 Review on P70-71. The Chapter Main Ideas contain key concepts. Helps that may be used on the test include:

• Graphic Organizer Ch A2
• Ch 2 Lesson Packet (3 lessons)
• Ch 2 Review (assigned 10/6)
• Personal notes, flash cards, etc.
  

To help your child prepare for the social studies test, he or she should take the Internet tutorial (Click here for this tutorial.) Printing out and returning the results page prior to the test will earn students some bonus points. Students should also review the work they did in their Interactive Student Notebooks to help prepare for the test.

Attentions Parents Of Volleyball, Soccer, and Cross Country Participants!

We need your action shots, from all of our St.Jacobi fall sports, for our school newspaper! If you can help out, please contact Peggy Prekop. Thanks!!!