First and foremost, thank you for the beautiful flowers that were sent to me and thank you to your kind words sent via email or in person. I truly feel blessed to have such a caring community of parents. Last Monday a plethora of parents came in and THANK YOU for volunteering your time and efforts.
This week is going to be busy:
Math: I have graded the test that covers lesson 1.1-1.8 in our Everyday Math Curriculum. The children will have a prime factorization, exponent quiz on Wednesday, as well as another test on Friday, October 10th, that covers exclusively divisibility, place value, and rounding (the children have also wanted me to include multiplying and dividing by zeros because it is fun). We will begin Unit 2 this week, so please expect a Unit Letter to go out this week.
Reading: Reading assessments have been graded and this week we begin to work on reading strategies that will help us look more closely at texts. Also, we will be starting to work on independent reading and writing letters about the reading in class. Next week, we begin LDC again with Ms. Gee. Both Ms. Gee and I have discussed in detail about how important it is to read each day in LDC. To ensure we are all on the same page, a comprehension test over what was read will be given each day. The Circuit given by me in class indicates that perhaps reading needs to be monitored more closely.
Science: Vocabulary Test is Tuesday, October 7th. We are wrapping up the nature of science objectives and will work on scientific tools and lab safety for the remaining of the week. A nature of science common assessment in scheduled for next Tuesday, October 14th. Our next science objective is life science, which will also be the major focus for our Biodiversity Unit scheduled to begin in November.
Social Studies: We will complete our migration projects by Tuesday, October 7th and children should be ready to present by Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 8:00 a.m. I will email out a schedule tomorrow. If your child is not complete by tomorrow afternoon, then I have indicated that they can take it home to work on it for a 10 pt. deduction. Over 12 hours of class time has been dedicated to this assignment, which is all we can afford to give it. I have closely monitored research, as well as note-taking strategies, and the majority of the children will be ready by Wednesday. Our migration unit concludes this Friday, and we start our next planner next Monday; therefore, a summative assessment will also be given Friday, October 10th, 2008 over the unit. (Usually this would have taken place on Wednesday, but migration research took longer than expected…which is O.K.)
Language Arts: This week, starting Tuesday, your child will have nouns homework, one sentence each day where they have to label nouns. Next week, they will be tested on roots/stems, as well as spelling words and nouns again ☺. Our next IB Unit, “News and Views, “which starts next week promises to make Language Arts something to look forward to, I promise!
This Friday, October 10th progress reports will be handed out, as well as the graded work binder. I can start scheduling conferences as soon as possible.. Just send a letter with your child, email me with a time, or write it outside my classroom, where the schedule will live for the next two weeks. I can always add more dates after October 15th,
Wednesday: October 8th:
10:50 -11:15
11:15- 11:35
Friday, October 10h
10:50- 11:15
11:15-11:35
3:00-3:30
Monday, October 13
10:50- 11:15
11:15-11:35
3:00-3:30
Tuesday, October 14
10:50- 11:15
11:15-11:35
3:00-3:30
Friday, October 15th
10:50- 11:15
11:15-11:35
3:00-3:30
I am sending a parent survey home in Tuesday’s red folder so that we can have some focus should you wish to meet. It will include how you view your child’s strengths and weaknesses and how we can work together this year to get your child ready for 6th grade. Just as an FYI- schools begin accepting applications for middle school usually first-second week in November. Yes, your babies are growing up! I will be there to hold your hand throughout this application process, so not to worry… you first timers ☺
Please, as always, I am only a click away!
-------------------------------------------------------
September 26, 2008
Dear parents,
The week of September 29- October 3rd marks the official return from Ike with a full week, regular instruction, test, quizzes, and yes homework. As crazy as it seems, some have actually told me that they miss having homework ☺
For the upcoming week we will be very busy:
Monday- study for the language arts test: 10 spelling words/Vocabulary from Word Explorer and nouns (common and proper as well as distinguish from singular possessive and plural possessive nouns). (Ms. Blakeslee’s class is now Monday afternoon).
Tuesday: Language Arts Test. Science quiz for the scientific method (they will get to use their notes).
Wednesday: The Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish test.
Thursday: Circuit Test
Friday: Math Test for lessons taught 1.1 -1.10 in Everyday Math.
Special events this week:
Monday: Graded work Binder goes home ☺
Thursday and Friday: We will present the migration powerpoints.
Friday: Art a la Carte lesson, Frida Kahlo by the lovely Shellynda Martin.
Special thanks to :
• Esteban Gago and Allison Bell for coming in this week to help with migration research.
• Ramiro Salas for sending in Neurons Information with visual
• Maria Perez-Schroeder and Mike Schroeder for organizing the bike giveaway for Aidan
• Keri Carter, Ginny Martin, Maria Perez-Schroeder and Mom, Allison Bell, and Angie Sigmon for helping with items for surprise party for Aidan
• All those who helped with bike donations for Aidan.
• All those that volunteered to help with the Cultural Language Assistant.
• Each and every one of you for bringing me children that are excited about coming to school and fifth grade ☺
This week flew as Monday was Labor Day and who could forget Wacky Wednesday? Amidst the rubble of what seemed a well-planned out sub-day, it was nice to hear such positive comments about your children’s maturity and commitment to finish all their work. I am so lucky to have such supportive and understanding parents...that did not have me arrested for child abuse.
How exciting is it that OPEN HOUSE is next week on the same day for everyone. NO stress for parents with multiple children, right? Well, in an effort to avoid missing out on valuable information from your child’s other teachers, I will hold two sessions of the same Open House on September 9, 2008 (to help some of you be in two places at one time); the first in Spanish from 7:00-7:30, the second one in English from 7:30-8:00.
As I mentioned to the children, I ooonly spend 35 hours with your children each week, and all I am asking for is thirty minutes (violins playing in the background). I hope to see everyone there to unveil…(drumroll) the class website . For those of you who have not send in any pictures, now is the time to feel guilty and quickly send in some pictures.
Well…as you may have been told, we are, in fact, attending Camp Olympia (not Cullen) this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, September 10-12th. No need to worry as it is the same paperwork, same procedures, same drive, same activities just a different side of Trinity. It pleases me that most, if not all, children are planning on going. I think that Camp is a great experience and it was nice to hear many parents agree that their other children have thoroughly enjoyed being away from their parents/siblings/and teachers for a few days. They will miss us but come back with new friends and wonderful dinner conversation for the days that follow.
FYI for next two weeks:
Math: we will focus on rules for divisibility, prime and composite numbers, decimals as fractions, and rounding numbers.
Science: We will work on lab safety, rules, and the scientific method. (P.S. Great scientist projects).
Language Arts: Word Explorer vocabulary words: persuade, barren, abandon, feeble, realistic, treacherous, emerge, acquaintance, plentiful, and persist. Spelling Words: cannot, easier, enough, happened, and happily. Parts of speech: nouns and verbs.
Reading: Reading, Circuit, in LDC: A book about collection of stories from migrant farm workers.
Social Studies: Continue with the study of migrating groups; begin to find topic for migrating group research power point (more information to follow). Note: Test on Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish on Wednesday, September 17th and family interview/family tree due on Tuesday, September 16th.
SEE YOU ALL ON TUESDAY… RIGHT?
Questions/comments: I am only a click away!
Ana
-------------------------------------------------------
August 28, 2008
Dear parents,
It has been such a busy week learning procedures and expectations for fifth grade and for a new teacher. Nevertheless, the kids have done an amazing job and I have to commend you as well for getting everything they needed and then some...It is great to have such support. I can tell it is going to be a great year. Before the week ends...I just wanted to touch base.
Math: We are continuing with Unit 1 in everyday math and we will try for two lessons per week. We are also learning how to "take notes" when solving math problems and will have an small quiz tomorrow in class. The children were asked to take journals home to brush up on what info. they needed to solve problems. Next week, we hope to have a test on Friday with skills taught up to Lesson 1.4. The children always will be held accountable for info. that is included in math journals (which will sometimes have homework assigned according to class need), which always serve as study guides.
Science: Thank you to all who have signed off on the reports; everyone has a scientist to research and kudos to those that have already started their research. These projects are due next Wed. Sept. 3rd. It was interesting to view the students own artistic creations of what scientists look like and do today in class:
Language Arts: This week, we have been reviewing nouns, spelling words (five of them), and learned some stems and meanings. The children are aware that this knowledge will be tested next Tues. (Language Arts test normally fall on Monday, but given the holiday... Next week, we will take a break from stems/roots and begin Unit 1 in the Word Explorer, five new spelling words, and we will work on verbs...
Social Studies: We have been working on how to take a simplified version of Cornell Notes in class using our Spanish social studies book. Next week, they will have to do some note-taking at home. We will also finish completing Immigrant Kids and have a new home project, which will be to interview family members. The children will get practice next week on how to interview somebody....interview forms will go out next Tuesday. Like any home project, the children have one week to complete.
HW: Thank you to your support on homework, getting agenda, notes signed; I know that it can get ovewhelming...but it all serves practice for what lies ahead...I truly appreciate it!
JOBS: Thanks to those that submitted resumes. It was great to read them and the children are working hard to earn those tickets!
CAMP NEWS: Important News Bulletin! 5th grade camp is tentatively set for September 10-12. This year we were not scheduled to go...but just today approx. at 2:30 got a call that this date was available. It has been approved and we are awaiting paperwork; Look for more news to go out early next week!
Questions/Comments: I am only a click away!
Have a great Labor Day weekend,
Ana Z-Hicks
-------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 2008
Dear Parents,
I hope that you all have a great summer and are well-rested and excited about the new year.
On Monday, August 25 please look for a parent letter to go out. It needs to be signed and details what to expect in 5th grade Dual Language. Also, the big packet with all the forms is also being sent home. Please...I need those forms in as soon as possible.
This week:
Math: We begin working on Unit 1 in Everyday Math, as well as reviewing landmarks.
Science: We are beginning Science off with learning about Lab Safety and Rules. Next Tuesday, September 2, a report on a famous scientist is due. Information will be handed out tomorrow.
Social Studies: We begin our first IB Unit on Migration. We will be focusing the majority of the content in Spanish and will work our way through this material with the Social Studies Book in Spanish and read alouds. Your child is being given a textbook in Spanish and English. The English one stays home as a reference.
Language Arts: We begin this week with a spelling assessment and will be working on nouns, as well as pre-fixes.
Reading: We will integrate our IB Unit with Reading through a read aloud in class, Immigrant Kids.
Our class website should be up and running by the end of this week, so look for the update on schoonotes as to when it can be accessed. Until then, please send in more summer school pictures. Thank you to those that I have received already.
Also, please try to have school supplies as soon as possible.
Any questions/comments, please feel free to email me.
Mrs. Zamarripa-Hicks
Education Gateways makes no warranty for SchoolNotes.com.
Information on this site is generated by the users. The views
expressed are not necessarily those of Education Gateways or its members, and
Education Gateways is not responsible for user's conduct on SchoolNotes.com.
