Have you learned something new about the human body? I've discovered so many new things these past few weeks. Did you know that people who floss their teeth every day live longer than people that don't? Did you know that it's actually bad for your body's internal clock when you sleep late on the weekends?
As the students and I wrap up our study of the human body we've taken advantage of this time to discuss all that we've learned, it's been fun! All students took a Human Body Exam last Friday to practice our test taking skills and today we reviewed many of the answers. It's also a great opportunity for us to discuss test taking strategies.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
To help us decorate our Valentines Day containers. If you're able to help next week please let me know. Thanks!
We need a spelling volunteer for this Friday, are you able to help?
WORD ORIGINS
5th Graders are now working on word origins for their weekly spelling practice. For this reason their word lists are much more thematic than they're used to in the past. All 5th graders have a list of abbreviations to use when doing their word origins. In addition, they are looking for the following: word's original definition, date of origin, and country of origin. Students may work on their word origins as homework OR as class work.
If your son or daughter doesn't know the meaning of a word, it's a good chance this word will end up as a word origin study word!
31 January 2011
28 January 2011
Waukazoo Winter Games
The games begin Monday! Attached to this message you'll find our class' schedule for the winter games.
Tina Klein will be taking pictures during the events this year. I'll be uploading pictures to the student council site where they'll be available for purchase or download. The WZ student council site is: http://zoocouncil.blogspot.com
Tina Klein will be taking pictures during the events this year. I'll be uploading pictures to the student council site where they'll be available for purchase or download. The WZ student council site is: http://zoocouncil.blogspot.com
24 January 2011
Spelling Bee
Congratulations to our very own, Sam, for taking first place in the Waukazoo 5th Grade Spelling Bee! Sam will move on to compete with the 2nd place winner, Sophia, at the regional spelling bee in February.
CONGRATULATIONS, SAM!
21 January 2011
Art Opportunity
Art Classes at the Holland Area Arts Council
Mrs. Art has asked me to share that she is offering a seven-week class at the Holland Area Arts Council for young artists. This class is offered on Thursdays after school from February 3 - March 17. The class is a lab school for Hope College arts education majors but it's also a wonderful opportunity for the kids to connect with Mrs. Art!
If you're interested, please contact Mrs. Art at 616-403-6394. Please let me know if you are considering signing your child(ren) up for the class. My girls are interested and we could make arrangements to ride share to class each week.
Mrs. Art has asked me to share that she is offering a seven-week class at the Holland Area Arts Council for young artists. This class is offered on Thursdays after school from February 3 - March 17. The class is a lab school for Hope College arts education majors but it's also a wonderful opportunity for the kids to connect with Mrs. Art!
If you're interested, please contact Mrs. Art at 616-403-6394. Please let me know if you are considering signing your child(ren) up for the class. My girls are interested and we could make arrangements to ride share to class each week.
20 January 2011
CLASSROOM UPDATES
What's going on with the human body?
Students will be giving in class presentations to each other this Friday on their foundational knowledge about the human body. With their project partner, they will each present about their body system. They'll be able to share and learn from each other facts about the body system, organs, functions and more.
Students are also hard at work on their "healthy body" brochures. These are teaching tools the kids are developing reflecting on HOW to keep their particular body system healthy.
Within the next week, watch the blog for photos of the body systems as well as the brochures.
Pink Out
The 2nd annual pink out event is coming soon! On Friday, February 11 students and staff across the district will work together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Daytime activities occur in the individual buildings—at Waukazoo we want to see students wearing pink! Teachers will be able to wear jeans based on a donation to the American Cancer Society. The activities extend into the evening, beginning at 5 p.m. and include pregame and game activities during the West Ottawa vs. Jenison varsity basketball game. Students will be bringing home an order form of "Pink Out" merchandise, including T-shirts, silicone bracelets, pom-pons, pink beads (only $.50) and more. On the order forms, you'll have the option to preorder pregame tickets (not the game). It should be a great evening, and it's a wonderful way to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Spelling Bee
This past Monday the 5th graders participated in a 5th grade class spelling bee. The three 5th grade winners (But aren't they really all winners…kudos to the students that participated, regardless of who's the winner!) were Sam G, Lucy V, and Erin M. Sam, Lucy, and Erin will be participating in a 5th grade spelling bee at Waukazoo next Monday. Two 5th grade winners from Waukazoo will move on to the regional spelling bee mid-February! Good luck to all our spelling bee contestants.
Reading & Writing
Students continue to read nonfiction in class and learn about its features and structures. They will learn a few strategies to add to their "strategy file" to make reading nonfiction an easier and more manageable task. However, as this unit winds down they will begin working in small groups to read and discuss a novel of their choosing. This is a perennial favorite! Furthermore, 4th grade readers have been asked to read a fantasy novel and 5th graders a novel of historical fiction. These novels will then serve as mentor texts as students begin to write fiction in writing workshop. Many have been eagerly anticipating this next unit of study. In fact, our class will be a demonstration class for my next writing training meeting in March. It's a compliment to the children that I was able to volunteer our classroom (and my teaching)!
Students will be giving in class presentations to each other this Friday on their foundational knowledge about the human body. With their project partner, they will each present about their body system. They'll be able to share and learn from each other facts about the body system, organs, functions and more.
Students are also hard at work on their "healthy body" brochures. These are teaching tools the kids are developing reflecting on HOW to keep their particular body system healthy.
Within the next week, watch the blog for photos of the body systems as well as the brochures.
Pink Out
The 2nd annual pink out event is coming soon! On Friday, February 11 students and staff across the district will work together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Daytime activities occur in the individual buildings—at Waukazoo we want to see students wearing pink! Teachers will be able to wear jeans based on a donation to the American Cancer Society. The activities extend into the evening, beginning at 5 p.m. and include pregame and game activities during the West Ottawa vs. Jenison varsity basketball game. Students will be bringing home an order form of "Pink Out" merchandise, including T-shirts, silicone bracelets, pom-pons, pink beads (only $.50) and more. On the order forms, you'll have the option to preorder pregame tickets (not the game). It should be a great evening, and it's a wonderful way to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Spelling Bee
This past Monday the 5th graders participated in a 5th grade class spelling bee. The three 5th grade winners (But aren't they really all winners…kudos to the students that participated, regardless of who's the winner!) were Sam G, Lucy V, and Erin M. Sam, Lucy, and Erin will be participating in a 5th grade spelling bee at Waukazoo next Monday. Two 5th grade winners from Waukazoo will move on to the regional spelling bee mid-February! Good luck to all our spelling bee contestants.
Reading & Writing
Students continue to read nonfiction in class and learn about its features and structures. They will learn a few strategies to add to their "strategy file" to make reading nonfiction an easier and more manageable task. However, as this unit winds down they will begin working in small groups to read and discuss a novel of their choosing. This is a perennial favorite! Furthermore, 4th grade readers have been asked to read a fantasy novel and 5th graders a novel of historical fiction. These novels will then serve as mentor texts as students begin to write fiction in writing workshop. Many have been eagerly anticipating this next unit of study. In fact, our class will be a demonstration class for my next writing training meeting in March. It's a compliment to the children that I was able to volunteer our classroom (and my teaching)!
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