McCulloch

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   April 13, 2009

Notes: I hope everyone had a fantastic spring break!  Hopefully we can get everyone on track for the upcoming CRCT next week. This week we will be reviewing and studying math, science, social studies, and grammar. The homework for the week will be to review previous quizzes and notes for all the above mentioned subjects.  

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We continue our study of constructive and destructive forces. Please continue to prepare for the upcoming CRCT by reviewing material presented earlier in the year. Use your old quizzes and class notes.

Social Studies:  Our WWII unit ends this week. A unit test will be next week. Use your notes and study guide to prepare. ALSO...you have a special assignment due this Friday. Give it your best! 

 

Math:  The week before the CRCT I will be reviewing CRCT prep questions.

 

Language Arts: The students will be reviewing for the CRCT and will learn some additional figurative language concepts.

Reminders:   

Tuesday, April 14th- Chick-fil-A night 5-8pm

Wednesday, April 15th- Fifth Grade Panoramic picture (wear gray class tshirts) and Cap and Gown Pictures.

Thursday, April 16th- Meeting of parents for rising 6th graders at Lovinggood MS 6:30pm

April 21-27th- CRCT Testing

Have a beautiful week!

 

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                  March 24, 2009

Notes: I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather. As we count down to Spring Break and the upcoming CRCT there is a lot to be done. We will be reviewing math skills, language arts, science, social studies, and reading. Please help your child prepare and organize themselves to study for the CRCT. Study time over the break will be critical to picking up where we left when we return from the break.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We continue our study of constructive and destructive forces. Please study these notes for the upcoming CRCT.  I plan to give pop quizzes on the material presented daily in class, so be prepared!!

Social Studies:  Our big WWII unit continues.  We will focus on the attack on Pearl Harbor  (Students, what did this lead to?) and talk about the U.S. and Great Britain’s plans to rescue France.    Look for another QQ this week.

 

Math: The unit for the fourth nine week period covers area of a circle. We will spend a fair amount of time learning this concept.

 

Language Arts: The students will be working on WWL 19, Spelling Unit 21, and DOL21.  In grammar, we will cover prepositions and figurative language. We will continue to read our novel Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Students should expect a quiz or worksheet covering the assigned reading chapters.

Reminders:   

Thursday, March 26th- Lovinggood Middle School- Meeting for parents of rising 6th graders 7pm

Go for a bike ride!!!           

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   M 24, March 16, 2009

Notes: I hope everyone had an opportunity to come to the Friday Night Talent Show. Kyle, Noah S., Alexia, and Emma were fantastic!! Congratualtions!! The fourth nine week period begins today. We have four weeks before the April CRCT, not including one week of spring break.  Report cards go home on Thursday, March 19th.  

Math: This week we will take the last third week math Torch test. The students will have completed and reviewed one hundred questions on material presented throughout the year. We will be sending home a inventory of skills that they will require additional assistance on by next week.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: The students will begin their study of constructive and destructive forces. We will begin with landforms in Georgia. We have a lot to cover before the CRCT so hang on and study hard!!

Social Studies:  We are continuing along in our new unit on WWII.  There is so much to discuss and so much to review as we plow through this.  Study those notes and be ready for a quiz anytime!  Soon . . . I'll be telling you about a big end-of-the year project!

 

Math: The unit for the fourth nine week period covers area of a circle. We will spend a fair amount of time learning this concept.

 

Language Arts: The students will be working on WWL 18, Spelling Unit 20, and DOL20.  In grammar, we will cover prepositions and figurative language. We will continue to read our novel Island of the Blue Dolphins.  Students should expect a quiz or worksheet covering the assigned reading chapters.

Reminders:   

Monday, March 16th- Stevi B's and Hillgrove Baseball Night 6pm

Tuesday, March 17th- Lovinggood Middle School Counselors come to visit 5th grade- 1:15pm

Thursday, March 19th- Report Cards go home and Sparkle's Skate Night 6-8pm

Thursday, March 26th- Lovinggood Middle School- Meeting for parents of rising 6th graders 7pm

The rain has gone and the sunshine returns!!!           

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   February 24, 2009

Notes: Wow! The kids are working, studying, and preparing for all of the upcoming tests over the next few months. Please keep up with your child and continue to check over homework, quiz them for tests, and continue to review math and reading for the April CRCT.

Georgia Writing Assessment: The students are working very hard as we prepare for the upcoming Georgia Writing Assessment next week. The assessment is on Wednesday, March 4th. The students will be given two hours to take the test. One hour to formulate their ideas and come up with a rough draft. The remaining hour will be to edit and write a final draft.   

Celebration: After the Georgia Writing Assessment we will celebrate by making our favorite dishes. The children wrote about their favorite dishes and how to make them on an informational paper this past winter break. They also had to write a persuasive paper to convince you to allow them to make the dishes and bring them into school. Now we are going to put their words to the test!! Please allow your child to bring in their dish on Friday, March 6th. Please avoid using glass if your child is carrying the dish to school, especially on the bus. If you would like you may bring the dish into the school in the morning and we will refrigerate it and or heat it up. Thanks in advance!

Counseling: On February 28 from 9-12pm, John Rosemond, psychologist and leading parenting expert, will hold a parenting seminar at the North Cobb Christian School located in Acworth/Kennesaw. The cost is $5.00 and you must preregister. For more information, to to www.ncchristian.org . For more information on John Rosemond go to www.rosemond.com .

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We are completing our study of circuits this week. We will have a lab which will test our knowledge and understanding of the parallel and series circuit and of insulators and conductors. Students can expect a quiz on Thursday reviewing the material mentioned above.

 

Social Studies:  We'll finish up our study of WWI this week and have another open book/open notes assessment next week.  Then we will begin discussing the Roaring 20's and the Great Depression era.

 

Math: The unit for the nine week period covers measurement, volume, capacity, multiplying and dividing fractions with modeling, and percents and decimals.  In my class, the students are working on math Quarter Practice CRCT Tests and CRCT Prep tests at the end of every chapter of the math book. Please continue to review the conference skills sheet with your child. The retest of the 70 question test will take place next week.

Language Arts: No DOL or Wordly Wise this week. Our focus is writing narratives and adverbs for the week, and Spelling unit 17. GA Writing Assessment is on March 4th.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                 

Friday, February 20th- Cosmic Bowling and Bingo beginning at 6:30pm

Tuesday, March 3rd-Early Release- students are dismissed at 12:15pm

Wednesday, March 4th- GA Writing Assessment

Have a great week,           

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   February 17, 2009

Notes: This week is very short considering we lost Monday and Friday is a field trip to the military museum. The students should plan to wear their gray class tshirts. We will plan to leave after math in the morning and return to eat lunch when we get back at about 1pm.  

Take Home Folders:Folders will go home on Wednesday, February 18th.

Six Flags Reading Program: The Six Flags Reading Program is due today. 

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We are finishing up magnetism with a small quiz and will begin circuits, specifically series and parallel.

 

Social Studies: We will continue to discuss WWI this week as we study about our nation in the early 1900's. Quick Quiz very likely!! 

 

Math: The unit for the nine week period covers measurement, volume,capacity, multiplying and dividing fractions with modeling, and percents and decimals.  In my class, the students are working on Quarter Practice CRCT Tests in math. They are assigned a specific number for homework and expected to work the problems out and then bring them in so that we can review them as a class.

Language Arts: We completed our study of the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  The students will watch the movie during lunch and recess. It has been a lot of fun reading the novel together. No DOL, Spelling, or Wordly Wise this week. Our focus is writing narratives and adverbs for the week. GA Writing Assessment is on March 4th.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                 

Tuesday, February 17th- Six Flags Reading forms due to your teacher.

Thursday, February 19th- Chorus- Large Group Performance Evaluation at Piedmont Baptist Church- Performance begins at 9:45am and students will be gone from school from 9-1pm

Friday, February 20th- Patriotism/Military Fieldtrip- permission form went home 1/16/09

Tuesday, March 3rd-Early Release- students are dismissed at 12:15pm

Thanks,               

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   February 9, 2009

Notes: We had a very busy week. The students are keeping up and hanging on. Congratulations to Noah Lewis who won the fifth grade Science Fair. Noah received his medal last night at the PTA meeting. Way to go , Noah!! Noah will be showing us a DVD of his testing the rockets with his grandfather. The next step of the Science Fair is to attend districts at Pickett's Mill on the 19th of February. Good Luck!!

Have a Heart: Next week Student Council will be selling heart to benefit the Cobb County Humane Society. The hearts will be available for .50 and $1.00 each. Students may write messages to their friends and family on the hearts. They will then be hung on the wall outside the 4th and 5th grade hall.

Six Flags Reading Program: The Six Flags Reading Program is underway. Students will be expected to read six hours of personal books (those required by your teacher do not count).  The students are expected to log and then have a parent sign the form. Forms are due to your teacher by February 17th.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We are ending our lesson on static electricity. The students have class notes, an experiment using static electricity, and a review sheet to help them study for a quiz on Monday. Please help your child study. Our next unit will be on series and parallel circuits.

Social Studies: We are beginning our unit on the early 1900's including a study of WWI.  Should be interesting!  Taking notes will again be a big part of the unit - and reviewing those notes before each quick quiz as well.  They pop up about once a week.   Thank you so very much, parents, for making our "melting pot" food day celebration so successful.  We enjoyed every single dish and appreciate your hard work in making it happen for us.  

Math: The unit for the nine week period covers measurement, volume,capacity, multiplying and dividing fractions with modeling, and percents and decimals.  In my class, the students are working on Quarter Practice CRCT Tests in math. They are assigned a specific number for homework and expected to work the problems out and then bring them in so that we can review them as a class.

Language Arts: We will continue to read the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  The students are keeping up with the reading assignments. They can expect a quiz on chapters 8-10 on Monday. Next week we will also cover Spelling Unit 16 and Wordly Wise L17. We will begin adverbs on Monday and we continue to work on writing narratives for our upcoming GA Writing Assessment on March 4th. No DOL this week.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                 

Tuesday, February 17th- Six Flags Reading forms due to your teacher.

Thursday, February 19th- Chorus- Large Group Performance Evaluation at Piedmont Baptist Church- Performance begins at 9:45am and students will be gone from school from 9-1pm

Friday, February 20th- Patriotism/Military Fieldtrip- permission form went home 1/16/09

Thanks,               

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   February 2, 2009

Notes: It was great to see everyone at Conference Week. Thank you for rearranging your hectic schedules and making it in to discuss your child's progress. I appreciate the hard work both you and your child have put into this year. I truly enjoy teaching your children. Thank you, again.  

Front Office: Just a reminder... Parents (or anyone else) picking up a student(s) in our car line must have the light blue sign with the eagle watermark. This is our best attempt to safely dismiss students to the correct person. These are made by PTSA (or the front office). If a parent would like an extra sign they must make their request in person or with a written/signed note.

Student Council: Have a Heart week will take place February 9-13. Students and parents will have the opportunity to purchase a paper heart for $1.00 (large) or $.50 (small). There will be space to write a message and the heart will be hung on the wall for all to see. Students may make the purchases between the time of 7:15-7:50 near the fifth grade hall. All proceeds go to benefit the Cobb County Humane Society.

Six Flags Reading Program: The Six Flags Reading Program is underway. Students will be expected to read six hours of personal books (those required by your teacher do not count).  The students are expected to log and then have a parent sign the form. Forms are due to your teacher by February 17th.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We continue our unit on electricity and magnetism this week. We will begin with static electricity, atoms, and their charges. The students should bring home their class notes every night so that they can study. Pop quizzes can be expected on all material taken in class.

Social Studies: 

Math: The unit for the nine week period covers measurement, volume,capacity, multiplying and dividing fractions with modeling, and percents and decimals.  In my class, the students are working on Quarter Practice CRCT Tests in math. They are assigned a specific number for homework and expected to work the problems out and then bring them in so that we can review them as a class.

Language Arts: We will continue to read the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  The students must keep up with the reading assignments. They can expect quizzes on the assigned chapters. We will also cover Spelling Unit 16 and Wordly Wise L16. There will be a mid-year quiz on all the grammar covered to this point on Wenesday, February 4th. I sent home blank practice posttests on Friday to help students study. No DOL this week.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                 

Wednesday, February 4th- Early Release Day- Students are dismissed at 12:15pm

Thursday, February 5th-Chorus to Hillgrove High School for a cluster concert- 11-1pm

Tuesday, February 17th- Six Flags Reading forms due to your teacher.

Thursday, February 19th- Chorus- Large Group Performance Evaluation at Piedmont Baptist Church- Performance begins at 9:45am and students will be gone from school from 9-1pm

Friday, February 20th- Patriotism/Military Fieldtrip- permission form went home 1/16/09

Thanks,               

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   January 26, 2009

Notes: It's Conference Week! I will meet with all of you to discuss your child's growth and progress as we prepare for the upcoming CRCT tests. If you have forgotten your scheduled time, just send me an email or you can even call the front office to verify. I'm looking forward to seeing you all.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: The students did very well on their Inherited Traits quizzes. Thank you for the extra studying help with your child. It paid off. We will begin a unit on electricity and magnetism this week. The students will be learning about electricity, circuits, and magnetism. Get ready to be shocked!

Social Studies: We'll finish up our unit on industrialization and immigration. We'll have an open book assessment with our notes as well. Don't forget, next Wed. is our foo day celebration (a notice went home last week). Parents, please let me know ASAP if you are interested in contributing. We would certainly appreciate it and I know the students would get a lot out of it.

Math: To begin this third nine week period, we wil be covering measurement, volume and capacity.

Language Arts: We will continue to read the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  The students must keep up with the reading assignments. They can expect quizzes on the assigned chapters. We will also cover Spelling Unit 15 and DOL17. We will end our study of adjectives this week and will have a quiz on Wenesday, January 28th. Please remember there will be a mid-year quiz on all the grammar covered to this point the following Wenesday, February 4th. Please pull out all the grammar quizzes and worksheets and begin reviewing them. Wordly Wise will resume the week after conferences. Due to the nature of the week, some of the above might be subject to change.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                 

Conference Week- January 26-30th- School is out at 12:15pm (2 hours early). See you there!

Wednesday, February 4th- Early Release Day- Students are dismissed at 12:15pm

Thursday, February 5th-Chorus to Hillgrove High School for a cluster concert- 11-1pm

Thursday, February 19th- Chorus- Large Group Performance Evaluation at Piedmont Baptist Church- Performance begins at 9:45am and students will be gone from school from 9-1pm

Friday, February 20th- Patriotism/Military Fieldtrip- permission form went home 1/16/09

Thanks,               

Michele

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   January 20, 2009

Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed the three day weekend. I could get use to those... The students have been working very hard. Last week they took a mock writing assessment to prepare them for the GA Writing Assessment on March 4th. The kids were very focused for up to one hour periods and completed the essay in two hours total. Good Work!

Nutrition Aisle: Remember, if you would like to take advantage of the snacks being offered in the cafeteria, they are on sale in the morning during breakfast for $.50-.60 per snack.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We are ending our study of inherited traits, learned behaviors, and dominant and recessive genes. The students have a quiz this coming Wednesday (1/21) covering their class notes and the information read in the textbook. I asked the students to begin studying last week and have been reviewing in class. Please help your child review the material nightly and then quiz them to see if they are learning the concepts. They need your help.

Social Studies: We'll continue to talk about the many changes taking place in our country the last half of the 1800's. We'll focus on immigration this week. Students, do you know what a "melting pot society" is and why the U.S. is an example of one?  We'll celebrate this fact wilth an upcoming food day tentatively  planned for the first week in February.

Math: To begin this third nine week period, we wil be covering measurement, volume and capacity.                              

Language Arts: "The best laid plans of mice and men..." I need to put the word teacher in there somewhere.... My goal was to begin the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  It didn't happen. So, this week we will begin reading the novel in class. We will also cover Spelling Unit 14 and DOL16 and continue studying adjectives. Plan for a quiz on adjectives the week of conferences. In addition, the following week after the adjective quiz, there will be a mid-year quiz on all the grammar covered to this point. Please pull out all the grammar quizzes and worksheets so that you will be ready to review them. There will not be any Wordly Wise this week due to the shortened week.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                 

Conference Week- January 26-30th- School is out at 12:15pm (2 hours early). See you there!

Wednesday, February 4th- Early Release Day- Students are dismissed at 12:15pm

Thursday, February 5th-Chorus to Hillgrove High School for a cluster concert- 11-1pm

Thursday, February 19th- Chorus- Large Group Performance Evaluation at Piedmont Baptist Church- Performance begins at 9:45am and students will be gone from school from 9-1pm

Friday, February 20th- Patriotism/Military Fieldtrip- permission form went home 1/16/09

Thanks,               

Michele

 

McMessenger                                                                                                                                   January 13, 2009

Notes: I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the New Year.  We are off and running and the students are keeping up with me :) We have a lot of ground to cover before the scheduled CRCT in April. 

Nutrition Aisle: The cafeteria is offering snacks at reduced prices than you will find at the supermarkets. Students may purchase their daily snack at $0.50-0.60. A letter was sent home last week regarding this and the program begins January 14th for a trial run. In addition, Mrs. Roberto has set up a nutritional letter with nutritional information. If you are interested in reading this letter, please visit the Still website.

Academics:                                                                                                                             Science: We are presently studying inherited traits, learned behaviors, and dominant and recessive genes. Students can plan for a quiz next Wednesday covering their class notes and the information read in the textbook. Please start studying now. Your child should review the material nightly and it would be helpful if you quiz them to see if they are learning the concepts.

Social Studies: Our new unit, Industrialization and immigration, continues. Students, can you find out what it means when a huge corporation or business tries to take over all the smaller ones around it? (starts with an "M"!)  Who does this hurt?  And...what keeps prices down for us as consumers? (starts with a "C"!)

Math: To begin this third nine week period, we wil be covering measurement, volume and capacity.                              

Language Arts: This week we will be working on DOL15 and WWL15. We will begin reading the novel Bridge to Terabithia.  The students wrote their informational essays over the holidays and I really enjoyed hearing them. They also wrote a persuasive essay to "persuade" you to let them make the recipe at home and bring it in to the class to share with their classmates. I will set up a date in the next few weeks to plan for our "feast." This week we will be taking a "mock" writing assessment on informational writing.  This is to prepare them for the March Writing Assessment. We also began our study of adjectives.

Reminders:                                                                                                                                  Monday, January 19th- MLK Holiday- No School! (Stevi B's Night)

Conference Week- January 26-30th- School is out at 12:15pm (2 hours early). See you there!

Thursday, February 5th-Chorus to Hillgrove High School for a cluster concert- 11-1pm

Thursday, February 19th- Chorus- Large Group Performance Evaluation at Piedmont Baptist Church- Performance begins at 9:45am and students will be gone from school from 9-1pm

Stay warm!

Michele

 

 

 

Have a blast this weekend!

Michele