Science

After all the craziness of Ameritowne subsides we will be jumping into our next science unit: Mixtures and Solutions.  This is a big unit with a lot of hands on experiments.  Because of all that is involved we are looking for donations.  If you are able to donate any times, please see our sign-up form.  This list is for all five of the fifth grade classrooms.  Your help is greatly appreciated!

To bring this unit to life, here is a link to the Foss Science page where kids can explore a bit more on their own.

I look forward to seeing you all this week and next at conferences.  If you haven't heard from me requesting to meet with you, then things are going well and moving along.

One last THANK YOU to all that have volunteered in any way to help our kiddos prepare for our field trip this Friday.  We cannot do this without the extra support and have loved having the students interact with other adults showing that education is valued all around us.  Have a great week!

Young Ameritowne

We are in full swing!  Our field trip is set and we will be headed to the Young American's Belmar location on March 14th.

If you haven't seen their website, I would check it out.  

They have many other great programs as well as summer sessions for those interested.

Monday, March 3rd - General Elections

    We conducted Primary Elections on Thursday to elect one mayoral candidate and one judge candidate from each of the five fifth grade classrooms.  Students then met in campaign groups on Friday to help their candidate create slogans and posters.  Working on campaigns were "paid" positions so students knew that they had to do their best but don't necessarily have to vote for the candidate they helped.

    Monday, the winners will again give speeches, this time in front of all fifth graders.  Each student will vote on a ballot and winners announced at a later time.  We do not announce winners before job interviews as we want everyone to have this experience.

Monday, March 3rd - Interviews

    During this time students will be pulled out to do a one-on-one interview with a parent volunteer.  As we want this experience to be as authentic as possible, students will be paired with an interviewer that they do not already know.  All students will hand over their job application, state what position they are trying to obtain, and then be asked a series of questions.  All questions will be generally the same and be broad as to allow for various student responses.  These interviews are mainly for the experience and will not be the only factor into determining job placement.

    I have been over with students that this experience is fantastic and fun all around and that the job they get won't matter in the long run.  I promise they will have a BLAST!  Placing 125 kiddos into jobs isn't an easy task and we try to do our best to make sure all are happy with the outcome.

Friday, March 7th - Job Training

    No matter what type of job student get, they will all be given a brief lesson on how to do their type of job (managers, accountants, service and sales, media, and quality).  

Monday, March 10th - Staff Meetings

    This will be when all the employees of a shop get together and speak for the first time.  This will be a time for them to understand their specific job responsibilities, discuss a Code of Ethics, decide on a business name, logo, and slogan, complete business forms (bank loan application, business license forms, etc.), and understand how their business will make a profit that day.  This is a longer process and each shop will be assigned a parent volunteer (who will also be with them on the day of the field trip) to help with the new information and answer questions.

Other lessons that will be completed as we gear up will be writing deposit slips, check writing, keeping a balanced checkbook, doing your part with philanthropy and understanding how they function, investing (stocks, mutual funds, and CDs), and understanding the difference between a debit card and a credit card.  Please help at home by reinforcing these concepts and having them help you with your check writing and records.  At this age, many banks allow for kids to open a checking account (The Young Americans Bank definitely does), and it might be something you would like to look into.

As you can see, a lot goes into this wonderful experience for our kiddos.  They are gaining knowledge in work ethic, financial literacy, civic responsibility, and problem solving, all the while, having fun!

Ameritowne

Our field trip to Young Ameritowne will be March 14th, 2014.  This is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in civic responsibility, financial literacy, and collaboration.  Kids and families absolutely love this exciting field trip and always rave about how important these skills are to their future.

Two fliers went home a few weeks ago: one was about the program itself, and the other was a volunteer opportunity form.  I am attaching that form here as well.  This field trip isn't possible without the support of families volunteering.  Please consider donating your time to our class.  There are a variety of ways to do this and a variety of time commitments.

I'm also attaching the field trip permission slip instructions.  This is a more expensive opportunity for our kids, so I like to extend the learning to the home.  Please consider collaborating with your child on a way to earn the money for this field trip.  What can they do at home or for you that will show them that money is earned through thoughtful work and time?

State Testing

As you have read from Jenny Brown's weekly Principal Updates, TCAP (formally CSAP) will be beginning shortly: March 4, 5, 6, 11, & 12.  Please make all possible efforts to have your kiddo in class these days.  It is a lot of testing in a short amount of time.  Please make sure that during this time your child is well rested and has eaten a great breakfast.  Sitting for such a long period of time and thinking that hard can really ware on a person.  Here is a brochure put out by the Colorado Department of Education for families concerning state testing.

I'm not a big believer in teaching test prep, but we will review a few things over the next two weeks just so students feel ready for these tests.  Also, we will talk about testing format.  I know these kids have made great growth this year, I just want them to be able to translate their wonderful thinking to these tests.

Social Media Use

We, as a fifth grade team, have had a few discussions lately about how our kids are using social media these days.  While we see the tremendous value in these outlets for our kiddos and their future, we are also concerned with some things that may be happening.  Below is a letter Mrs. Hawk sent out to families recently.  I'm not seeing a big problem in our class, but I wanted to share these thoughts as well.

As a side note, from a parent and teacher to other parents, I've been hearing a lot of talk amongst the kids in our class and throughout the school about Instagram accounts, texting, iMessaging, and more.  I'm sure that you have established a lot of rules and boundaries around using these types of social media with your children, but please make sure you are checking in and monitoring these accounts as many of the students are using them often, and I'm not sure they are always using them respectfully.  If you're interested, I've provided a link to a "Parents" magazine article just published which includes a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the impact of social media on kids.  

CCIRA

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know that I will be out this Thursday and Friday at a literacy conference.  Every year the Colorado Council International Reading Association holds a conference in the Tech Center that people from all around the country attend.  This will be my second time going and it is truly worth the time.  I will be learning the latest research, visiting with authors, and gathering great information to continue my growth in reading and writing instruction.  Here's the website if you are interested in what this conference has to offer.  Mrs. Dougan will be my substitute for both days while I am gone.  She is great and knows these kiddos.
Thanks again for your support!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching.

We will be celebrating on Thursday, Feb. 13th, from 3:00-4:00.  Please let me know if you are interested in planning this event.  If no one is able, we will play board games, exchange cards, and enjoy some treats.  Also, if no one is able, I will send out a sign up for the treats.  Thanks so much!

As far as cards go, students are welcome to exchange valentines in class as long as they bring one for everyone, though bringing cards is not mandatory.  I've included a class list here.  Please also send in a bag or box to collect your valentines cards in.  I know that at this age some kids are over decorating a box and just want to bring in a bag, while others know this is probably the last time they will have this experience.  No pressure, just do what works for your family.

Keep in mind that next Friday is a Professional Learning Day for teachers and there will be no school for students.