A Package For Mrs. Jewls, Test- Friday, September 26

breath

wobble

blister

crush

direct

promise

grasp

numb

hymn

shovel

gravity

frantic

swift

feather

comic

bundle

solid

weather

energy

stingy

Revolutionary War

teacherlink.ed.usu.edu

For the last few weeks we have been working on our Revolutionary War projects in social studies. The students created RSA Animate Style videos as an overview of some of the topics we discussed in class. This has been a multi-step collaborative effort and the I can't wait to see how they turn out. When you try something new there is always a learning curve, so I am taking notes on how to improve the videos for next year, but my guinea pigs did a great job this year!

I will be uploading the videos as they are finished. Check back often to see if yours has been published.

The Revolutionary War

French and Indian War

Unfair Taxes and Acts

Rebellion

The Boston Tea Party

The Ride of Paul Revere

Battles of the Revolutionary War

The Continental Congress

The Declaration of Independence

The King's View of the Revolutionary War

Dear Families and Caregivers,
This week, we’ve been learning about healthy habits that can enhance your children’s performance on standardized tests. Many studies have shown that it is not only what kids know, but also their ability to demonstrate what they know when taking tests. These healthy habits will help your children do their best:
· Getting regular exercise energizes the brain. Exercise before studying or test-taking can help concentration and aids in memorization.
· Eating breakfast fuels the brain. Low-fat whole grain foods like cereal, oatmeal, and bread are good brain foods. Add some protein, including milk, yogurt, nuts or eggs. For natural sweeteners, fresh or canned fruit and juices are recommended. Avoid sugary breakfast foods, since the energy they supply doesn’t last as long.
· Getting adequate sleep helps children learn. Children need 10 to 11 hours of sleep a night. Cut out active play and screen time at least an hour before bed. Help your children establish a regular bedtime routine so they can fall asleep easily on the nights before testing.
· Practicing deep-breathing exercises to reduce the stress that interferes with your children’s ability to think, concentrate, and problem-solve. If you see your kids stressing over homework or an upcoming test, remind them to practice deep breathing so they can get back on track.
Practicing these healthy habits regularly will help your children learn better every day. Regular practice will also produce optimal results when they really count - during standardized testing.
Your support will help your children be ready to test their best during MAP testing on April 23-25!

Health Lesson: Ready, Set, Test! This health lesson was made available to your student's school by Mercy Children's Hospital.

4/17 Thursday Folder

MAP Testing

Dear Fifth Grade Families,
The MAP test is quickly approaching. We have been preparing for the test by doing some released MAP items from previous years, reviewing tricky math concepts, and working on comprehending reading passages. It is very normal for the students to be nervous about the test and to be honest, I am too!

To bring some encouragement to the students and help with their nerves, I am asking a favor: think of someone in your child’s life who is important, inspirational, or just someone your child thinks is awesome! Some examples include: mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, babysitter, grandma, grandpa, teacher, etc. Once you have chosen the person, please have them write a letter of encouragement to your child. When the letter is complete, please send it to me in a sealed envelope with your child’s name on the front (shhh… this is a secret!). The letters are due back by Tuesday, April 22.

On the first day of MAP testing, Wednesday, April 23, I will hand out the letters for the students to read. They will be so surprised and hopefully, it will give them that extra boost to “do their best on the test!” Please let me know if you have any questions!
~Miss Tate

End of the Year Events

April
17, 4th quarter progress reports
18-21, spring break- no school
23-25, 5th grade MAP test in the AM
30, 4th & 5th grade musical
May
9, field day @ PHS
13, City Museum field trip
20, trivia day
21, 5th grade breakfast, DARE Graduation, and kickball game
22, picnic
23, Aloha Day- last day of school

4/3 Thursday Folder Note

April Book Report

In April, the 5th graders will be reading a biography for their book report. The book can be from home, the classroom library, or from the school library, but the person they choose to read about needs to needs to be approved by your child’s teacher. They can use more than one book to find the information that they need. 
The book report is to be completed at home. 
We will be using the information that they collect to do a project in May. The person that they choose should be someone who is/was a positive role model, has done something great and/or who has been a positive influence on history. 
This month’s book report will be due on Wednesday, April 30. If the book report is not turned in by the due date your child will lose 10% off his/her final grade each day it is late. After 3 days they will receive no credit. Attached you will find the book report guidelines. 

Follow this link or click on the notebook below for a digital copy of the book report. 

3/27 Thursday Folder

3/20 Thursday Folder

March 21 Spelling Test

Here is a link to practice spelling words for the test on Friday, March 21.
http://www.bigiqkids.com/teacher/SpellingVocabulary/misstate.php

Math Paper Slide Videos

What is a Paper Slide Video:
One-take video method
Collaborative
Student-designed
Quickly published
Unedited / rough
Standards-based
Engages digital learners
No expertise needed
Opportunity for learners of all abilities
Appropriate for all grade levels and subjects 

My 5th and 6th grade math classes started a paper slide project that will be ongoing throughout the quarter. I attended an educational technology conference this week and learned about paper slide videos with Lodge McCammon. Just like the name implies, this technique actually involves the sliding of papers to create a movie. Students are placed into a group to illustrate visuals on blank paper, write scripts that explain these “slides”, and then videotape the delivery of the script while moving the slides in time with the narration.  No expensive programs, no special effects, no fancy editing—just some paper, a few markers, a well-rehearsed script, and an easy to use video recorder, and you’ve got a very cool end product! (http://edutech4teachers.edublogs.org)
We have started recording our Math Paper Slide Videos! Check out the finished videos below.

Sara and Miss Tate

Jacob, Matthew, and Coby

3/6 Thursday Folder

Our Project Was Funded!!

 

I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed, so I just created a request for my classroom at DonorsChoose.org:

Telling Digital Stories

Give to my classroom by February 28, 2014 and your donation will be doubled thanks to DonorsChoose.org. Just enter the code INSPIRE on the payment page and you'll be matched dollar for dollar (up to $100).

If you chip in to help my students, you'll get awesome photos and our heartfelt thanks.

Thanks so much,
Miss Tate

P.S. If you know anyone who may want to help my classroom, please pass this along!

Thursday Folder Note

Colonial America Research Projects

Settlers came to America to find religious freedom and to make money. They settled into 13 colonies, areas that are now the states known as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Georgia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Delaware. Last quarter we studied the 13 Colonies and life in Colonial America.
Although we have started talking about the American Revolution, we are wrapping up our Colonial America unit with a collaborative research project. Over the last month the students have been working in small groups to research one of the colonial regions of the 13 Colonies. They will be presenting the information on a glog. "A Glog is created using a very easy to understand, drag and drop interface that is relevant, enjoyable, and scalable for students of all ages and learning styles. A Glog is an interactive visual platform in which users create a “poster or web page” containing multimedia elements including: text, audio, video, images, graphics, drawings, and data." -edu.glogster.com

We are finishing up our 13 Colonies Glogs! Check back to see if yours has been posted.

Blake, Macy & Sara


Alex, Blake, Coby, & Taylor


Alexa, Emilie, Eric, & Landen


Cheyenne, Elana, Jacob, & Josh


Callum, Jonni, Josh, & Kayla


Katie, Kevin, Samantha, & Savannah

I found a new tool!

I have created an app for the smart phone and other devices that will allow you to easily keep up with the happenings in our classroom! Snap a picture of the QR code below with your devices QR code reader to easily visit the link (http://my.yapp.us/LDKG4L). 

Read Across America

http://www.manheimlibrary.org/

The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, Read Across America. Now in its 17th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources. (www.NEA.org)

To celebrate Read Across America we will be participating in daily activities at school as well as Skyping in guest readers from "across America."

The Cat in the Hat will be in our building on Monday. Look in your Thursday folders for the daily themes and activities for next week!

February 20 Thursday Folder Note

3rd Quarter Progress Reports

www.clipartheaven.com

Progress reports were sent home on Thursday. With all of the snow days we have had there are only 1 or 2 grades in each subject. I do not feel that these grades were a true representation of how your child is doing at this time. I will try to send home a reading and language arts progress report next week, after we have a few more grades in the grade book. Thanks for your patience as we deal with Mother Nature!

Valentine's Day Party

sugarandspicenc.com

Our Valentine’s Day party is Friday, February 14. We will celebrate with Valentine’s, electronics, games, and snacks. Bring in a decorated box if you would like to participate in the Valentine’s Day box contest!

Here is a list of students in our class. If you plan on bringing Valentine's, please bring one for everyone in the class.

Miss Tate's Class:
Katie, Macy, Landen, Sara, Savannah, Alex, Kayla, Cheyenne, Blake J., Emilie, Eric, Joshua L., Coby, Sam, Blake R., Jacob, Kevin, Elana, Josh S., Jonni, Callum, Alexa, Taylor

Schoology

This semester I would like to start using an Advanced Learning Management System (LMS), called Schoology, in language arts. Schoology makes it easy to create online academic content. The students will be able to log into this site to check assignments and to submit writing assignments that are completed in the school computer lab. Students in my math class are already familiar with this program and will be using more of the features available on the site. All of the classes that I create are private and are not accessible to anyone without a special code. Therefore, all student information is private.

A letter was sent home today with instructions on how to register your child for my Schoology class. If they are already registered for one of my other classes, I was able to transfer them to this class and they will not need to be registered. If you are not able to register your child from home or would like me to do it for you, please write me a note on the letter and return it to school with your child.

Our blog is back up and running!

I am FINALLY able to edit the classroom blog from school! I will try to keep it updated and post at least once a week about what we are doing in class. Look for the new features that I added: "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" poll questions and 5th Grade Fun Facts. Check back often to see what we have been up to.
~ Miss Tate

Flipped Classroom

Things have been a little different in my math class this year than what you (and your child) are used to. We are implementing a teaching model known as a “flipped classroom” model. The basic concept behind a flipped classroom is that what was traditionally done in the classroom becomes homework and what was traditionally done at home (homework) is done in the classroom. Crystal Kirch, a nationally renowned teacher who uses this model, describes the flipped classroom in her video. Please take a few moments to watch her video.

A “flipped classroom” switches around the traditional order of teaching with the purpose of creating a more in depth and supportive environment in the classroom when the teacher is present and able to help students. The direct instruction or lecture portion of the class will become the homework. This will primarily be in the form of watching videos that have been produced either by myself or someone else. Students could also be asked to read sections from the textbook. After students watch the video or read the text, they will take notes on vocabulary, content and problem examples. When students come to class the next day we will briefly discuss what they heard in the videos and answer any questions they may have. The rest of the class time will be used for practicing the concepts from the video (homework in the traditional setting) and doing activities intended to enrich the curriculum. There will still be assessment of student learning through quizzes and tests. In addition, there will be some additional outside work such as projects, reviewing for quizzes and tests, and occasionally finishing work that could not be completed in class.

The “flipped classroom” allows for students to receive a more individualized education where my actual face-to-face time with them is being used effectively. This results in them understanding the content at a higher and deeper level than before. Also, it challenges students to learn how to take charge of their learning and manage their time. Lastly, it provides time for more “Higher-Order Thinking” discussion during class time, helping students to become reflective communicators and to think more deeply about the subject.

For more information on the flipped classroom, check out these links:
- The Flipped Classroom Infographic-  A new method of teaching is turning the traditional classroom on its head.
- WHAT is the Flipped Classroom?
- Flipped Classrooms Provide a New Way of Learning
- Turning Education Upside Down

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

The popular saying “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” was first coined by Charles Caleb Colton. Imitation writing is taking the work of a 'master' writer and using the structure and patterns as a form to learn and work from. Together we analyze the features of a writer's poem focusing on the language and style of the original writer. The students then create their own parody of the poem based on the original model. By imitating good writing, the students will become better writers themselves.

We read the book "Quick as a Cricket" written by Audrey Wood to try our hand at imitation writing. We analyzed Ms. Wood's writing and talked about the language and style that she used throughout the book. The students noticed that she used an ABCB rhyming pattern (the second and fourth line of every stanza rhymed). They also noticed that each stanza has two sets of opposites, the first two lines and the last two line. The coolest thing about this book is that it is all written using similes!

After analyzing the language and style we were ready to start writing our own stories. I will upload them to a link on the right when we complete them.