February 18, 2020
Important Dates:
****Interim Reports were posted to FOCUS today. Please review them with your child.*****
Friday, Feb. 21st Camp forms and money due.
Thursday, Feb. 27th Students will meet their counselors
Friday, Feb. 28th this is the last day for Reading Counts for FEB.
March 10-12 CAMP LANOCHE
Camp Update:
Our trip is rapidly approaching. We are still in need of many empty two liter soda bottles.
Also, please remember to send in forms and money by Friday the 21st, chocolate bars and t-shirts by Friday the 28th.
Reading News: We continue with our novel studies of A Week in the Woods and Fish in a Tree.
All Reading Counts quizzes for February must be taken by Friday the 28th.
Math News: Topic 11 is a long one! We will have a quiz on the first 6 lessons tomorrow (19th) and then we will begin working on dividing fractions. Any extra practice on Khan Academy or Getmoremath.com can only help deepen your child's understanding of these concepts.
We will say farewell to our chicks on Thursday! Thank you to all who have hosted our little friends.
Thank you for all of the thoughtful Valentine's gifts. It is truly appreciated.
February 4; 2020
We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb. 14th. Students are encouraged to bring in a small Valentine for each of their classmates. If they choose not to, that’s fine. We will be passing them out during morning choice time. We have 22 students (there may be a reward for writing out the names by hand in cursive😉) Student names are listed below:
Alyssa A. Max K. Ava M.
Mikael A. Orion L. Paola O.
Peyton A. Brady L. Austin P.
Kush B. Kamryn P. Noah R.
Ziad T. Hanna V.
Massimo D. Julian M.
Sara D.
Drake D.
Jackson F.
Ryleigh G.
Elsie H.
Jaliyah J.
January 27, 202
Jan. 28 Walk-a-Palooza Pep Rally
Feb. 5th Field Trip to Symphony (King Center)
Feb. 10 Third Interim period ends
Feb. 21 Camp La-No-Che money and forms are due
Feb. 27 Campers meet their counselors
Feb. 28 Oodles of Noodles/Book Fair
ELA Update:
February Reading Goal: One historical fiction novel, a trueflix book from the Thirteen Colonies section, one trueflix (Science) TBA
We are starting the novel: A Week in the Woods , Please be sure that your student keeps up with the nightly reading assignments as there will be a quiz each day. The quiz grades will be compiled into one ELA comprehension grade.
Math Update: The Topic 9 test was online and has been graded. You may review the test with your child by going through Launchpad to the Pearson website.
Topic 10 covers Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers. This is a short topic, the quiz will be this Wednesday and the test will be Tuesday the 4th. We continue to work through the 100 days Countdown to FSA as a way to review skills.
Writing:
We are working on expository essays. The DBQ will be one of the graded pieces and then we will do a second after completing the DBQ. We continue to work on writing stamina and staying on task for the entire process from reading the passages, to planning to writing the first draft, revising and editing.
January 13, 2020
Important Dates
Jan. 14: Moe's Spirit Night
Jan. 15: Report Cards issued/PTO Meeting
Jan. 20: Holiday for all
Jan. 23: Awards Ceremony
Camp Update:
The monies due form was sent home last Friday. All money is due by February 21st. Checks made payable to Manatee Elementary or cash are acceptable forms of payment.
This week students will be writing down the names of 3 other students that they would like to have in a patrol with them. We guarantee that at least one of the students on their list will be in their group. Permission forms and Medical forms will be sent home in a few weeks.
READING NEWS:
This week we are reviewing previously taught lessons (summarizing, theme, characterization). We will also begin a novel study of "A Week in the Woods".
The vocabulary roots for this week are : plur, multi, mega and poly. Vocab. packets are due Wednesday and the quiz will be Thursday.
Please encourage your child to keep up with the nightly reading and to spend some time analyzing the reading to write thoughtful responses on the Reading Log.
MATH UPDATE: We have started Topic 9 Adding and Subtracting fractions, this topic involves many different skills (greatest common factor, least common multiple, prime and composite numbers, prime factorization, divisibility rules) In addition, we have started the Countdown to FSA packet. Students will receive a worksheet with 4 days of practice of skills we have learned so far this year. On the fifth day we will have a quiz on those skills. Tuesday, the 14 will be our first quiz.
December 20, 2019
Important Dates
January 8th Students return/ End of second Nine Weeks
January 15th Report Cards issued.
January 20th Holiday for All
January Reading Goal: One novel of choice (must be approved by Mrs. Coffin, and one Trueflix: Human Body. Friday, January 31st will be the last day to take the quizzes.
Dec. 2, 2019
Reading Goal: Several students have yet to take any of the 4 required tests for the current goal. A week from Friday is the last day for quizzes: (12/13) Please help your child make a plan to complete this requirement.
Camp Update: The packing list for camp is under the Important Documents tab. The list is quite lengthy and many of the items make awesome stocking stuffers for the holidays!
Math: We will test Topic 7 on Wednesday the 4th. It is important that your child review the lessons prior to the test and to review the homework/quiz pieces to be prepared.
Holiday Gift Exchange: The class voted today to have a holiday sock exchange. I am sending a letter home tomorrow with details. Each student is asked to buy a festive pair of holiday socks, fill them with an assortment of treats, tie them up with ribbon and bring them in by Monday, December 16th. Please let me know if you choose not to have your child participate.
November 20, 2019
Important Dates:
11/25 Interims posted to Focus
11/25 and 11/26 5th grade science rotations
11/27-12/1 Thanksgiving Break
12/2-12/6 Manatee Gives Back Collection
12/8-12/13 Holiday Shoppe
Reading Update: Reminder: the last day to take Reading Counts quizzes for the Nov./Dec. goal is December 13th. Biography Project is due and presentations will begin 12/9. Details are posted in Google classroom. Students were given a rubric for the Web and the presentation on 11/18.
Math Update: We continue to work on Decimal Division. I am finding that there is a weakness in the understanding of basic place value, which translates into big problems with decimal division. Please take every opportunity to review this with your child. A great way to review is to talk about money (dollars and cents) and how to write them accurately. Divide large monetary amounts by different numbers and decimals to strengthen these concepts.
It is important that your child utilize the Math notebook when completing homework and to prepare for quizzes and tests. Unlike previous years, there are multiple skills learned during each topic and they need to be reviewed in order to do well on the assessments. I am holding off on the Topic 7 quiz to reteach the lessons. There will be assignments through Khan Academy.org that will require a parent to sign off after the student spends 20 minutes working (efficiently!)
Holiday Celebration:
Typically, we plan a holiday party for the second to last short day before winter break. If you are interested in helping to plan this, please let me know! (12/19)
November 1, 2019
Important Dates
Nov. 4-Science Project Boards are due
Nov. 6-Social Studies Projects are due
Nov. 8- Fall Picture retakes
Nov. 11 - Holiday for All: Veterans' Day
Nov. 15 Interim Ends
ELA News:
The reading goal for November/December is
1 biography (this cannot be a "Who Was..." Book) There are several biographies on Trueflix and any one of them would be fine.
Trueflix: 1 book from Animal Kingdom
1 book from Ecosystems
1 novel of your choice (it must be approved)
The last day to take tests will be December 13th
We will complete our analysis of "Punkin Chunkin" (informational text) We will then read "Elisa's Diary"(realistic fiction) in the Journey's textbook and focus on identifying the theme of the text.
We will continue to work on Opinion Writing on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will have the 120 minute Opinion Writing Assessment.
Math News: We are working through Topic 6 Multiplying Decimals. We will have a quiz on Tuesday.
The Topic 6 test will be Friday, Nov. 8th
Camp:
Today (11/1) I sent home a camp letter. We are in the process of reserving campsites and need to know how many students will be attending this year. Just a reminder: students who do not attend camp will be expected to be at school and will do many of the Science activities that we take to camp, along with Reading and Math. If you could fill out the form and send it back ASAP, we would greatly appreciate it. If you have questions regarding camp, please let me know.
October 16, 2019
https://www.smore.com/fau69
Click on the link to view the Manatee School Newsletter (2020 FSA dates are included)
Oct. 18 Harvest Hoedown
Oct 21-25 Red Ribbon Week
Oct 24 Award Ceremony 9:15
Oct 24 Conference Night www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EAAA82AA4F58-october3
Conference Night:
The conference night sign up is linked above. Please sign up for a slot if we have not yet met to talk about your child's progress this year.
ELA News:
We have been learning to identify main idea and supporting details of informational texts. This skill will be tested on Friday the 18th. Also, the vocabulary test for this week will be on Friday due to the Monday student holiday. Next week, we will resume the normal schedule with the test on Thursday.
October Reading Goal: Students should be well on their way to completing the reading goal for this month. (one science fiction or fantasy novel, two trueflix books: Extreme Nature and The Ancient Maya)
Writing: This week we have been working on developing opinion essays. Reminder: graded writing assignments may not be done at home.
Math Update:
Topic 5 covers Division with two digit divisors. As the numbers get bigger, so does the opportunity for errors. Please remind your child that he or she should be estimating and checking all work. We will have a quiz on lessons 5-1 thru 5-4 on Monday the 21st.
Report Cards
Report cards will go home on Friday, the 18th. I will have the students complete a reflection piece with a plan for improvement for the 2nd nine weeks. Please review this plan with your child and talk to them about ideas to keep them accountable.
FYI: Several of our tests have been online. You can view the tests and scores by going to the textbook websites through Launchpad. Your child can help you navigate the sites.
September 27, 2019
Important Dates:
Wed., Oct. 2: Walk to School Day
Wed., Oct. 9: Camp Information Night
Oct. 11: End of first nine weeks
CAMP:
On Wednesday., October 9th we will have a parent information night at 5:30 in the Media Center.
At this time we discuss our camping trip, including costs, transportation, chaperones, qualifications, food and activities. Please mark your calendars.
MATH Update: Topic 4 will cover dividing by one digit divisors. We will start this on Monday, the 30th.
ELA Update:
On Monday, we will finish our novel study of Frindle and the final test will be Tuesday.
We will then begin to look at informational texts and work on describing how authors use reasons and evidence to support their points.
Our vocabulary skill for the week will be prefixes: in, ir, im and il.
The Reading Goal for October will be one fantasy or science fiction novel* Please make sure to get it approved by Mrs. Coffin, One Social Studies TrueFlix: The Ancient Maya, and one Science TrueFlix: Extreme Nature.
September 6, 2019
Important Dates:
9/10 5th grade Spirit Night at Blaze Pizza (download the flyer above:)
9/10 Fall Fundraiser ends
9/11 1st Interim period ends
9/13 Picture Day
Here is the link for the information that was presented on our Curriculum Night.prezi.com/ajt5ocuyprwu/?token=878859c853dd706ff33b0fe661fb911fa41016ccb5d642d9aed48293cb642312&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Reading Update: The Reading Goal for the month of September is to read a chapter book that is within 200 points of your child’s current Lexile Level (it must also have a Reading Counts quiz), two TrueFlix books: for Social Studies it is one of the Maps books listed under Information Literacy and a second TrueFlix from the Science side under the Experiments category.
On Monday, 9/9, we will have the comprehension test for "A Package for Mrs. Jewls". Students should review the "RACE" strategy for answering short response questions.
Tuesday we will begin our novel study of Frindle. Although this is a fairly easy read and some students have read it in the past, we will be studying the character development and point of view at a deeper level. Please be sure that your child keeps up with the nightly reading assignment. Frindle may be used for the Reading Log. Beginning next week, the Weekly Reading Log will be taken as a comprehension grade. Students should be writing book titles correctly (capital letters and underlined) and doing their personal best on the written response piece.
We will continue to work on the vis/vid, aud, phon roots for vocabulary next week. The test will be on Thursday. Reminder: we are collecting $4 per student for the Scholastic News magazine. Please send in money by 9/12.
Math Update: We will continue to work through Topic 2. The test on it will be Thursday, 9/12. Topic 3 will cover Multiplying Whole Numbers. We will be doing our second round of Timed tests the week of 9/23.
The Science Fair information was sent home today (9/6) Students who did not complete a project over the summer should have their question approved by Wednesday the 11th.
August 23, 2019
Important dates:
Aug. 26 PTO fundraiser begins (packets were sent in folders on Fri.)
Aug. 29 5th grade curriculum night
Sep. 2 Labor Day Holiday
Sep. 11 1st interim period ends
Curriculum Night: Next Wednesday we will be holding our 5th grade information night. At this time we will discuss 5th grade expectations and how best to help your child succeed this year. We will also discuss our grading policy. Student attendance is optional at this meeting. Hope to see you there.
ELA news:
Next week we will read "A Package for Mrs. Jewls" in the Journeys textbook. We will be learning about plot structure, identifying character traits and determining point of view. There will be daily classwork involved in our learning and anything that doesn't get completed during class time will have to be done as homework in order to be ready for the next day's lesson.
OUr vocabulary root for the week will be: hydr, aqua, mar/mer
Writing: Sentence structure (subordinating and coordinating conjunctions) fragments
Math Update: We will begin Topic 2 Adding and Subtracting Decimals, compatible numbers, rounding and estimating.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding what we are doing in the classroom.
August 12th, 2019
Important Dates:
Kindergarten Color Days:
MOn. 8/19 Wear Red
Tues. 8/20 Wear Orange
Wed. 8/21 Wear Yellow
Thurs. 8/22 Wear Green
Friday 8/23 Wear Manatee Shirt
Mon. 8/26 Wear Blue
Tuesday 8/27 Wear Purple
Wednesay 8/28 Wear Black
Thursday 8/29 Wear Brown
Friday 8/29 Wear your favorite color
August 29th 5:30 5th grade curriculum night