The end is just the beginning.

I can't believe the day has finally come.  All week I have been thinking about how the last day of school was going to go, and even with the ugly weather forecast, I think our class had a marvelous day (for the most part).  The final minutes were awful- trying to cram in the final goodbyes for the summer as tears were shed and hugs were being dished out left and right. Then the bell rang and out the door they went.

I am so proud of each and every one of your children, as they have grown so much in so many different ways throughout this year. 5th grade is one of the most challenging years because it is one of the most difficult points of transition in their young lives, and I believe they all did spectacular.  I am going to miss everyone of them very much next year, as it will never be the same. This may be the end of our year together, but is just the beginning of a beautiful and marvelous relationship in the days to come, as I will always be cheering for them from the 5th grade wing.

Once again, I want to say thank you to all of my parents. Without your support, understanding, flexibility and faith, this school year wouldn't have gone as well as it did. I know there were some challenging where your child might have told you some interesting stories, as no school year is ever without. But thank you for not only helping your child process and understand, but also believing my intentions were always good.

Summer Events:
I will keep all of you posted on those events here on the blog.

1. MCP LIBRARY
This summer I plan on being at the Middleton Public Library to read from 1-3 on Tuesdays- if that changes I will update it on the blog. I invite everyone to come and read with me. Usually we check in with each other and are so excited to chat again, reading doesn't always get accomplished (:P) but it's usually a good time.

2. BFG MOVIE
Also, I will be returning from Brazil on July 3rd- and the BFG movie will be released on July 1st.  BFG is my all time favorite book (changed my life as a 5th grader), and was a read aloud this year. I am going to try and go see it in theaters on July 5th - you are also welcome to come and bring your kiddo to watch the movie with me! I will try and bring enough snozzcumbers for everyone to enjoy.

3. MENCHIE'S FRO YO?
date TBD.


Feel free to email me over the summer if you have any questions or concerns coming up.

The Final Laps

I can't believe it is May already, and we are just a few weeks shy of these kiddos no longer being 5th graders! I am blown away and how quick the finish line is coming! I hope everyone had a wonderful mother's day, as I know the kids were SO EXCITED to bring you their crafty gifts on Friday! We had so much fun making them! They were trying very hard to not only make the gifts personalized, but also, to keep it a secret! I hope that they gave them to you! If they didn't- ask them! They might have forgotten it here! 

Here is a calendar of things to come for this month- as you can see it is much less filled up in comparison to April. 

The big things were are trying to tackle are the following: 

1. Memoir writing is due THIS FRIDAY. Hopefully, everyone can get their's printed and turned in on time, so we do no need to take away any extra time from Fantasy Reading/Writing, as that has been the unit the kiddos are chomping at the bits for. And I am so excited to start it with them!Please help them at home if they have some typing to work on! 

1.5. Fountas and Pinelle Testing is starting this week- so be ready for some new letters! Hooray! 

2. Spelling work is due every Friday, even though it is not listed on the calendar. 

3. WEB Field trip on the 18th at 11:35- please have the permission slips turned in by this Friday as well. If everyone has theirs turned in, I will try to reward them accordingly! 

4. This year on the last day of school, we are going to spend most of the day at the Middleton Pool. There will be some overlap with the 6th graders, but they are a great group and I know everyone will have fun. Permission slips will be coming out soon (probably next week), and we need some lawn games to have available in case the kids don't want to play in the pool. Please sign up on this SignUpGenius account if you would like to bring in some fun games! 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4ea8a62faaf85-5thgrade

As always, please shoot me an email if you have any questions or concerns. 

Best, 

Jen

If you are wondering about Madison Radical games, here is the home (Breese Stevens Field) schedule:

May 13 vs. Chicago Wildfire

May 21st vs. Chincinatti Revolution

May 27th vs. Minnesota Windchill

June 4th  vs Pittsburg Thunderbirds

June 11th  vs. Detriot Mechanix

July 10th@ Home vs. Indianapolis Alleycats

Back from Break

Welcome back from Break! 

I hope everyone had a blast! I definitely noticed a few of the kiddos returning with quite the tan! 

Here is a calendar for the month, as many of you requested to see. The plan is to be ready to start writing our last beast, memoirs by the last week of the month. This is ideal, but we are interrupted by the FORWARD state exams next week. 

With that in mind, please do not take your child out for any appointments or extracurriculars during the mentioned times. If it's impossible, we can make it work, but it's always easier this way. 

The calendar is set up Monday- Sunday. 

Couple things to take note other than the State exams:
1.  Human Growth and Development classes are this week at the end of the day. Please talk to your kids about what they are learning, as I am sure they have questions.

2. End of 3rd quarter is on Friday! Can you believe it! Grades will be coming out the following week.

3. The American Ultimate Disc League (a Professional Ultimate Frisbee league)  season is near and Madison's very own Madison Radicals are playing their first game of the season versus Minnesota Wind Chill on Saturday, April 9th, and Breese Stevens Field! It's a blast, and kids under 12 get in free! If you have nothing to do that day, come on down!

4. Colonial Day is coming!
With all of the talk about colonial life in social studies classes, with the impending American Revolution coming up, the entire fifth grade is partaking in Colonial Day! In the morning, we are hosting events for the kids to take place in our rooms and do various activities.  More information will be coming soon.

March Madness

This month has some pretty exciting events coming up. As per request, I am updating the blog with a plan for the week. Eventually, I'll create something for you to see the weeks ahead- but that's going to take a little bit of time after conferences are over.

So far this is the plan. If you've noticed in red, the kids are I are working on redoing our classroom contract. In an effort to help speed up our progress in writing and reading, there are a lot of us struggling with staying on task and using our time appropriately. Unfortunately, there is only so much I can do, so as a way to refocus ourselves, we are going back to the basics and spending a lot of time this week going over our expectations of ourselves and of each other. I am confident that this conversation will be continuing out throughout the whole month of March, being that Spring Break is in between, and should be the true test of their learning.

Parent Teacher conferences have been going very well, I appreciate everyone coming in after work and spending time with me! It's been a blast getting to see everyone again and gush about your child's progress this year. I will be going through a sheet I had the kids fill out with a bunch of information of a reflection on their progress so far this year, but as well as some test scores and writing samples.  Keep in mind the last time we talked, we've only legitimately completed one writing unit and are currently in the midst of another beast- the argument essay. I have been asking the kids since last week to do some research at home, as we don't have the luxury of getting Chromebooks out every day until May to look for facts. So if you're looking for some homework to make sure your child does,  please, ask your child about their topic they are writing about, and help them find some facts! They need at least 9 (3 for each reason)! Most of the topics are pretty straight forward and easy to find if they focus on what their job is.
I do not think that we will be completing the argument essay before Spring Break, but I would like to be ready to publish when we get back at the very least.

Spirit Month:
Unfortunately, due to the field trip we are taking this Friday, the kids will not be able to take part in any Spirit Night themed activities. So to make up for that, I am running a Spirit themed infused month, that includes 2-3 activities each week for the classes to complete before spring break. The kids will be doing everything from taking class pictures, dressing up, creating cheers, taking selfies, and the list grows on. Hopefully, next Friday, UW Band members will be joining us and playing for us as well.



Missing Dog:
After the READ IN last Friday, my stuffed Golden Retriever, Leliah went missing. If anyone sees her or knows of her whereabouts, she's a good dog: doesn't make a mess when eating, doesn't bark or use the restroom in the house. Please let me know, she is surely missed.

Hey F-E-B! RU, A.R.Y?

Happy Tuesday everyone! I apologize for the major delay in updating... it's been a hectic few weeks.

This month is the month of argumentation, kindness, and technology. 

We are working on our argumentative writing and reading units. I hope the kids have talked about it with you, they are working on two different projects right now. During reading, they have chosen a topic with a few other kids and are working on honing skills in developing strategies while reading. They are not writing about this topic- they are just practicing research skills. Some of the topics include animals in captivity, football and head injuries, healthy food, and using fidgits. The kids are using one of my favorite informational text resources, NEWSELA, to help find articles that not only help them with their research, but also help them read text at their levels. 

 During writing, the class is working on writing a letter to me on whether or not our class should adopt the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)  policy at school. When we originally started this discussion, the for and against line was down the middle. On Monday however, I polled the class again and the opinions were surprisingly against BYOD. Even with some of the other classes using BYOD, many of the kids are recognizing the strain more than the success. I was quite surprised.  By Friday, the kids should have figured out most of their claims and supporting evidence, and they will be writing a letter to me stating their opinions clearly. I encourage you to talk to them about it, and see what they think should happen. 

February is also the month of RAK, or Random Acts of Kindness. As a class gesture of kindness, last Friday the kids and I went up to the 8th grade wing and surprised the 8th graders with " High Five Friday." They had a ton of fun spreading the silliness and love, and are eager to do it again. Also, coming home are the "Boom Boom" cards. They are cards with RAK kids to do, register online and pass it around. If you see them at home, remind them to register it online. We are trying to get the most RAK at KMS. 

As an effort to push our education beyond the 21st century, I am trying to incorporate new uses of technology in the room. Last month we used a form of testing called "Plicker" and this month we tried Kahoot! Which is taking over education slowly and surely. Another resource the kids checked out today was Goodreads.com. The kids created a sign in and are updating their own personal libraries with books they have read, and what to read, as well as write reviews.  One of my favorite parts about Goodreads, is that it also has a way of connecting readers together by inviting friends, as well as provide book recommendations. I highly encourage you to check out the site, and create the library with your own kiddos. Keeping in mind this website is a resource for ALL ages of readers, I've asked the kids to be mature about the books, as I am sure they will see titles that are odd, just like they would see in a grocery store or at Barnes and Noble. This is the only time that I will ask the kids to use and join- if you feel uncomfortable with the kids using the site, feel free to delete their account. I am hoping that this will actually help answer the age old question," What books can I read next?" and encourage them to embrace reading outside of school. Please let me know of your thoughts :)

Lastly, we have two permission slips coming home. One is "Share the Reading", and the other is for the "Wizard of Oz". In February, the school is having an incredible event where the middle schoolers are invited to the elementary schools to embrace reading and model to the younger kids their own personal reading life. They spend about an hour at the schools working with the other kids, reading to them and talking to them. They also get a little time to say hi to their previous teachers if time permits. It's an awesome experience- I hope many of our kiddos join in the fun. On top of that, KMS is holding a reading challenge. Everyday the kids are to log ALL of the minutes they read, and then turn in their logs at the end of the month.

In March, I am planning another amazing school spirit month. Last year, we crammed a bunch of activities in one week, however, due to our field trip to Wizard of Oz on the day of Spirit Night (which unfortunately does not include 5th graders), we are spreading out the activities over the course of the month. This was a huge hit last year, and I am looking forward to these events for the kids.

Also, for Valentine's Day, please do NOT send your children in with any sort of Valentine candy or toys. Due to our policy in relation to allergies, and my attempts to keep the kids healthy, not to mention the equity questions, it's a no go in the classrooms for any toys, candies or trinkets. If your child wants to bring a valentine card in for the class, it has to be all or none. 

Hopefully that helps answer any questions you might have. Here's to having some snow finally melt away this month (hopefully)!!