December News and Events

Hello Parents and Students,

Wednesday, December 12:

Vocabulary/Spelling Test - Units 3 and 4

Friday, December 14:

Math Quiz - Multiplication two and three digit multiplication

Wednesday, December 19

5th Grade Christmas party from 11 to 12:30 pm.  

We could use a few parents to help or to donate some snacks/drinks.  

Please email Nina Mueller or Jo Dudley if you wish to help or donate.

Thursday, December 20

Christmas Program

Christmas Book Report - Due Jan 25 (but get a jump over the break!)

- More info coming soon... scroll to the bottom of this post for more info...

Student Council Christmas Spirit Events!

DECEMBER. 10-19

Christmass Accessories from  - FREE!!

Santa Hats, Christmas socks, christmas scarfs, pins, earrings, etc...

Christmas Grams 

 -  Four for a $1 - must use bills... no coins

 -  on sale - Dec. 3- 14 (Delivered Dec. 18-20)

DECEMBER 19 

Pajama Day - Dec. 19 FREE!!

- Students must still wear tennis shoes... NO SLIPPERS OR UGGGS!..

- Reminder: Wear clean, appropriate pajamas for school...no spaghetti straps or bare mid-drifts.

DECEMBER 12-14

- Candy apples and popcorn PRE-SALE $2.00

(delivered on Dec. 19)

DECEMBER. 19 

Christmas Movie Day - - FREE

- In parish hall 

- Upper grade movie (gr. 5-8)  - 10:50 - 12:30

- Lower grade movie (gr. pre-K-4)   1:10 - 2:30

- Need parent volunteers from 8:30 - 11:00 to help with popcorn - please contact Mrs. Lennon - lennonsjs@me.com

BOOK REPORT IN A BOX… OR BAG…

After reading either Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink or Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes design a container that will hold clues about your book.

Container (box or bag):

•     Decorate so it relates to the book and …
•     Include the following inside:

·      Questions-

o   Five general questions about the book

o   Five question you asked yourself while reading the book

·      Vocabulary-

o   Create a 10 word glossary of words unfamiliar to you from the book

§  Be sure it looks like a glossary… word, p.o.s, def., synonyms and antonyms.

·      Things-

o   Include 5 items that have a connection to the story.

Presentation:

·      The final part of the book report is presenting your book in a box.

·      You will summarize your book and explain your container and the things you included.

·      Reports should be approximately 3 minutes long. Be sure to include elements such as setting, characters and conflict. Bonus points awarded if student discusses the theme and examples from the story.

Points:

Container -                             10 pts.

Questions -                             10pts.

Vocabulary -                          10pts.

Things -                                  10pts.

Presentation-                         10 pts.

Bonus -                                  5 pts.

Total __________________ 50 pts

Book Report is due Friday, January 25

Book Report - Due Nov. 30, 2012

Cereal Box Book Report

Due: Friday, November 30

OBJECTIVE: Students will demonstrate their knowledge and comprehension of a novel by reading a self-selected book and creating a “cereal box book report” at home. Students will “decorate” a real cereal box with illustrations and information related to the book they read using the directions below.

GRADING: Students will be graded on neatness, creativity and the inclusion of all the elements listed below: characters, setting, plot, vocabulary, summary, illustrations, title, author and “star rating” given to the book. 

FRONT OF BOX: Use a piece of white or light colored paper to cover the front of your cereal box.  (You will probably want to create the cover before gluing it on your box.)  Include the name of the cereal and a picture. Invent a name for the cereal that is related to the title of the book and sounds like a cereal. Do not use the exact title of the book.  Choose a shape for the cereal as well as colors and ingredients that all relate to the book. For example, for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you might invent a cereal called Wizard Wands, a toasted oat cereal in the shape of miniature lightning bolts. 

RIGHT SIDE: Make a list of ingredients that includes the story elements Characters and Setting.  Under the heading "Ingredients," list the main characters and write a sentence about each one. Then describe the setting. 

LEFT SIDE: Write a summary that describes the main problem and the solution of the book.  Try to use words that will “grab” readers’ attention and make them want to buy your cereal. 

BACK OF BOX: Design a game that is based on the story using vocabulary from the book. It can be a puzzle, a word search, a word scramble, a maze, a crossword puzzle, a hidden pictures illustration, or any other fun activity that might be found on the back of a cereal box. Make sure it includes information from the book.

TOP OF BOX: Include the title, author, number of pages, and number of stars you would give this book if you were a book critic.  The maximum number of stars would be 5. 

PRIZE (optional): Cereal boxes often include a prize. Your prize must be something the main character could have used in the book or something that reminds you of the main character.  You can even include a picture of the prize on the front of your box to let the reader know what is inside the box.

**This cereal box book report information sheet will also be posted on the 5^th grade blog (lennonsjs.blogspot.com)

Parent Conference Week

Hello All,

A few reminders:

1) This week is parent conference week.  If you still need to sign up for a conference, please do so ASAP!
2) Scholastic Book Orders are due on Thursday - See below for a link to the scholastic website.
3) Red folders with student work went home today.  Please sign the first couple of papers, so I know you have gone through the bunch!

Thank you!

Parent Conference Schedule below:

Scholastic Book Order Forms

Hello All,

Help get more books for our classroom library....order your scholastic book order online!  Click the link to go straight to our classroom page, your orders will be delivered to St. Jerome and distributed with the rest of the students' orders when they arrive!

https://orders.scholastic.com/J6LTW

Week of October 29

Schedule and Upcoming Tests/Quizzes 

Monday 10/29
Religion: Ch. 3
Social Studies Unit 1 Test (Postponed from Friday)
- Be sure you have your one page front and back "study sheet."

Tuesday 10/30
Science: Ch. 4

Wednesday 10/31
Halloween Parade - 8:30
Half Day Schedule - Dismissal at 12:30

Thursday 11/1
All Saints Day Mass 8:00am Please arrive to school by 7:45

Friday 11/2
Math (Simple Solutions): Lessons 5-8

Vocabulary: Unit 2

Math Notes 9-26-12

I will begin to add these notes to the "Math" section.  Click the tab above to access the notes in the future.

These notes below will help with tonight's homework, math wkbk. p. 6 - #'s 1-20 ODDS only - Please be sure to write the problems and the answers!

Click the images below to enlarge for better viewing.

9.26.12 Simple Solutions

I will begin to add these notes to the "Math" section.  Click the tab above to access the notes in the future.

These below are questions some students had regarding the Simple Solutions Lessons 5 and 6. Click on the image to enlarge.

Today's Math Notes

Back to School Night Info

As Requested...

Back to School Night Info!

Important things to remember:

     Promptness

1. Be on time to school!  This is a big part of student success!
2. *** On Fridays, we walk our "little buddies" to mass.  Please be sure to be here by 7:45, so we can fulfill our responsibility!

     Body Awareness:

1. Make sure your child's uniform (and P.E. uniform) fits comfortably.  Buy uniforms a size up, to be prepared for growth spurts.
2. This helps students to be comfortable while in school and keep their minds on their school work!

     Homework & Math Facts

1. Math facts drill every night!  "Math Minutes" were sent home last week... be sure to check on this with your child.  
2. For parents, a read that may change your life...it changed mine! Ending the Homework Hassle by, John Rosemond.

Information to refer back to:

1. My email: LennonSJS@me.com (safe to your contacts). 
2. Or, here is a direct link: LennonSJS@me.com
3. Save this blog address and/or become a member of the blog 5th Grade Blog

Teachers:

Mrs. Lennon  - 5^th Homeroom

Mr. Del Toro - 5^th Science

Mr. Brandlin  - 5^th Social Studies

Mr. Joseph   -  5^th Music

Mrs. Klasila  - 5^th P.E

Late/Absent Work:

Late work will be accepted the following day at a reduced grade.  It will count as a “Homework Missing,” which builds towards mandatory attendance at the “Homework Room.” 

Absent work may be obtained by: calling ahead to pick up by a parent or sibling or on the day of the student’s return, check the homework book and check with teacher to confirm assignments.  Absent work is due the following the student’s return to school, (unless other arrangements are made).

Grading:

Grading will follow the school grading scale in the School Policy Manual (can be found online).

Daily Work Habits Grading:

Work Habits grades can be found in the student planner each day and are based on the student’s productivity in the classroom.  Grades are represented by:

O = Outstanding

G = Good

S = Satisfactory

NI = Needs Improvement

Teacher Conferences:

I am available by appointment only.  Please schedule by email LennonSJS@me.com  or you may write me a note in the student agenda.

Thank you in advance for your support of St. Jerome and the fifth grade.     

Sincerely,  Mrs. Lennon                      

Schedule:

Monday/Wednesday:     

2:00 – 2:45      Spanish

Tuesday/Thursday:                

2:00 – 2:45      Science

Wednesday Only

P.E. 

Fridays

***Arrive at school by 7:45 for mass!  The fifth grade are responsible for their "little buddies" in first grade.  We walk them to church, so we need to be here early so we can fulfill our responsibility.

TIME	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
7:55-8:00	Opening Exercises				***Arrive by 7:45 8:00- 9:00 MASS
8:00 – 8:15	Religion	Religion	Religion	Religion
8:15 – 9:45	Language Arts	Language Arts	Language Arts	Language Arts	9:00-9:45 Language Arts
9:45 – 10:35	Math	Math	Language Arts	Math	Social Studies
10:35-10:50	Recess	Recess	Recess	Recess	Recess
10:50–11:30	Religion	Math	Religion	Math	Math
11:30–12:30	Social Studies	Social Studies	Social Studies	11:45-12:30 Music	Language Arts
12:30-1:10	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Dismissal
1:10 – 2:00	Religion	Language Arts/C.Lab	PE	Religion
2:00 – 2:50	Spanish	Science	Spanish	Science
2:50-3:00	Closing Exercises

Communication

1. Planner (Agenda)
1. Daily work habits grade
2. Positive reinforcements
3. Missing assignments
4. Parent and teacher notes
2. Phone calls or email – LennonSJS@me.com
3. “Office Hours”

Attendance

1. Important part of school success.
1. Being on time allows students to prepare for the day and get collected before the school day begins.
2. Absences are a part of the school year, but eliminating unnecessary absences insures school success.

Homework

1. Daily homework is written on the board.  Students copy the assignments into their planners.
2. Homework is completed at home in a specified location (or after school care).
3. Parents sign the planner each night (or morning).
4. Missing homework affects work habits grade.  Three missing assignments equal “homework room.”  Please see homework room and detention policies in the School Policy Manual.

How you can help at home

1. Provide a quiet place for homework and set an ending time for daily homework.
2. Have students read for pleasure every night (10-20 minutes)… or read to them!
3. Check that homework is neat and complete.
4. Sign planner!
5. Ask them about school!

Curriculum:

•       Please see me for any comments of concerns regarding the curriculum.  Below is a skeleton of the year.  There is a lot more “meat” to cover as well..

–      Thank You!

•       Math

–      Foundation for pre-algebra and algebra

–      Solidifying knowledge for junior high

–      Number sense

–      Fractions, decimals, percents

–      Geometry formulas

–      Simple Solutions and Math Text

•       Religion

–      Main focus: Sacraments

•       Also focuses on the liturgy

–      Projects:

•       Sacrament Group Project

•       Saint Report

•       Social Studies

–      From early explorers through the American Revolution and statehood.

•       Language Arts - Includes:

–      Reading, English, Vocabulary

•       Reading

–      Novels, (spread out throughout the year):

•       Dear Mr. Henshaw

•       Sign of the Beaver

•       Caddie Woodlawn

•       Assorted plays

•       Reading Anthology

•       English

–      Grammar development and sentence structure.

–      Developing their thoughts, supporting ideas and creating the “perfect paragraph,”

•       …which translates into learning how to structure the three and five paragraph essays.