Marching on...

Not that the State Writing Test is behind us, we are marching to the CRCT.

In math we have 4 more topics to cover and then the big review begins.

In reading we have nothing new to discover. It is time to start doing some heavy vocabulary work before the big test.

In social studies we are covering modern wars and the review begins.

In language arts we have 2 more chapters to cover in Shurley English. We will also be looking at editing and writing as it will be covered on the CRCT.

There are 5  weeks until the test with a week off for spring break, and we will be making it count.

Writing Test

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

It has ben an eventful week and there is more to come next week.

The Georgia State Writing Test is next Wednesday. We have been preparing for this all year. Recently we have been talking about how to use the prompt and how to start a prewriting. The most important element of their paper is their IDEAS. If the ideas are strong the spelling and mechanics will even out.

We have talked extensively about how to be sure students are answering the questions posed in the  prompt and providing reason, evidence, details, or examples to support their writing.

What can you do to help? 
1. Just relax - I know that the writing folder that came home was alarming for some, but I do feel that we understand the test and how to succeed. There are some sample papers that we will be looking at on the Georgia Department of Education website.
2. Be to school on time the day of the test with a good nights sleep and a positive attitude. The test starts at 7:55 on Wednesday, March 6.

Thank you and have a blessed weekend.

February 11, 2013

I was trying to think of something clever to title this week's website update, but I was unable to come up with anything.

The biggest thing coming up in our lives is the State Writing test in March. We have been writing like crazy people in all of our classes.
       In math we are always explaining why.
In science I hear that there is a big writing assignment being completed at home.
      In social studies we have finished writing about the atomic bomb and WW II.
In reading we are working on our literature circles and comparing and contrasting personal accounts for the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
      Finally in english, we are working on narrative writing.

I have been collecting our writing from throughout the year. This portfolio will be coming home next week with our latest 2 practice writing tests. Please look over the hard work your child has completed and return the folder to school. 

I will also be posting tips to help writers in the weeks before the test. 
Thanks, 
Mrs. Kennedy

Classroom Needs...

Dear Parents,

As most of you know we were hit pretty hard in Room 102 with the stomach bug! YUCK! All but my son was ill last month in our home. In order to prevent any more germs we need antibacterial wipes for the classroom. I wish that I could supply these all on my own, but  I need your help. If you could please send in a container of wipes this month - any brand will be welcomed.

We also could use more candy in our candy basket. I do not reward with candy often, but I do like to walk around with a treat during a long test or strong work session. Send in your sweet treats!

Thank you for visiting the classroom website. I hope that it has helped you to feel more connected and informed. It is not always the easiest thing for me to keep up with, but I am going to continue to work hard. Please email me any concerns or questions you may have.

Thank you for your support,
Mrs. Kennedy

MATH STUDY GUIDE

This is the study guide - your child will have examples and explanations written on the copy they are bringing home.

The test is the is same exact sheet the new problems written in for the students to work out.

These fractions are key to the next step in our study - word problems. Students need to know how to do these things in isolation very well, so they may do them in context with multi-step problems in the very near future.

Please email me any questions or concerns.

Fraction Study Guide                                                Test on Friday, February 1, 2013

1.     Define the parts of a fraction and write a definition of a fraction

2.     Simplify fraction using the GCF (greatest common factor)

3.     Add and subtract fractions with like denominators

4.     Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators

5.     Change a mixed number into an improper fraction and explain

6.     Change an improper fraction into a mixed number and explain

What's happening?

Homeroom - We have already collected money! Our class pledged $27 per lap. All students ran 35 laps!   The first collection and counting of FunRun money is Thursday, January 31.

Math - We have a pretty big fraction test on Friday. I am working on a study guide that I will post here later today or tomorrow.

Reading - We have been working hard to learn the different organizational structures that authors use in nonfiction or informational writing.  If your child is in my reading class, the test will be TOMORROW. They have a study guide, examples, and notes to study tonight.

Science - Ms. Dodd has started her unit on electricity. Students have already started exploring and learning with experiments and centers. If you have any toys with moving parts that they can take apart, please send them in as soon as possible.

English & Writing  - We are learning about narrative writing. Writing a story with characters, setting, plot, and conflicts that are solved. We are also adding another pattern to our Shurley English in Chapter 9. Look for a test sometime next week.

Thank you for your support.

Ice Day...

As I sit on my couch with my own kids on this 'ice day', I am thinking about all the changes that need to be made for one unexpected day off.

Tests & Quizzes and Projects: Student WW II projects were due first thing on Friday morning. Part 2 of the WW II test was going to be given on Friday as well. Starting on Monday, students will be going to Miss Dodd to start a 3 week science unit. So, I will be collecting all projects not yet turned in the Social Studies basket when I return on Tuesday. But Students should be ready to finish the test during Shurley English time on Monday. Topics: German aggression, Japanese aggression, role of women & African Americans, and the American household (gardens, rationing, working)

Reading Bowl: If you are on the Reading Bowl Team or you can get in touch with any members, please note that the system competition that was scheduled for today will be rescheduled for Monday.

Boosterthon: I am hoping that we will have at least part of our team for the first part of next week. I know that many of you brought in pledges the day of the FunRun. They need to be entered and any additional pledges need to be tallied. Remember that the first collection day for money is Thursday, January 31.

Monday: I am going to be out of town on Monday working with the PAGE Academy in Atlanta. Normally when a teacher is out, they will spend time gather materials, cleaning up, and writing plans of the substitute. Unfortunately, I was tied up on Thursday afternoon and had to leave quickly. I know that my classes will be well behaved and cooperative for the Mrs. Beall as she maneuvers a slightly different room on Monday morning.

Enjoy your day off! See you all on Tuesday!

*Please sign up to be a follower of my blog*

BUSY, BUSY WEEK!!!

This week has been so busy!

Just a reminder about a few things that are coming up tomorrow and Friday.

Thursday:

• FUNRUN at 9:15 - Tonight is the last day to collect pledges. Our class is holding at $17 per lap.
• Social Studies Test after FunRun  - Read over WW II notes - including leaders, events, aggression, and roles of women, African Americans, and American households.
• Social Studies Lap Books are due on Friday with no class time on Friday to work, but students will be able to work on them after the test tomorrow.

Friday:
Quizzes in MATH and READING. (This is only for the students who area in my math and reading classes)

• Math - fractions working with GCF and LCM
• Reading - organizational structures in passages. Students have homework tonight that will help them with this concept

Ms. Dodd would like to remind my homeroom to bring in their toys for the TOY TAKE APART project they will start next week in science.

January is Ending...

I am very shocked at how fast time is already moving just on month into 2013. When I look at the calender I become very aware of how close May truly is. From this point on, we are in a sprint to the finish. Try as I might, I have not been successful at slowly the year down after Christmas.

What does that mean for your children?  It means that we have work to do and we will be doing it with a strong sense of calm and ease.

Here are few things to remember for the last 2 weeks of January & the first week in February:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. - No School - Monday, January 21
• Boosterthon FunRun - Thursday, January 24 at 9:15 - Keep on getting Pledges!
• 100th day of school year & 1,000th day of school for 5th graders - Wednesday, January 23
• System Reading Bowl at GHS - Friday, January 25 at 3:00
• Resident Artist - Tuesday, January 29 at 11:00 - students will create a painting to bring home
• Practice Writing Test - Monday, February 4 at 9:50 - This is preparation for the state writing test given to all 5th graders in March

Let's look at the standards to see what we have to cover before the CRCT in April

Math 

~Fractions

~Measurement

~Graphing & Data

Reading

~Continue Reading Nonfiction Text

~Working with vocabulary and unknown words

~Review: poetry, drama, & fiction

Language Arts & Writing

~Narrative Writing

~Continued work through the Shurley English program 

Social Studies

~World War II

~Cold War

~Modern War

Science

~Electricity & Magnetism
~Constructive & Destructive Forces

Catching up...

I apologize for not being as diligent as I should have been with my website updates.

In fact I am embarrassed at how little I have not been using this site.

That will change! Starting today!

You can start by reviewing the pages on the right side to see, in detail, what we will be doing in each subject.

Coming up...

December:
Social Studies Test 1920s 7 1930s  (Ms. Dodd's classroom) - 12/20
Math End of Quarter Test  - 12/19 - 12/20
End of the Quarter - 12/21
Christmas Party - 12/21
Christmas break - 12/22 - 1/6  Return to school on January 7, 2013
Report Cards - 1/14

About Mrs. Kennedy

Welcome back! I am so excited to begin my 11th year of teaching.

My name is Kelly Kennedy and I am from Buffalo, New York. My family moved to Georgia when I was in high school and although I have not lived in Georgia that entire time, I do consider Georgia my home. After graduating I started college at the University of Georgia in 1993 and finished in 1997.

With my car packed, I set out on an adventure to Indiana to teach outdoors at a place called Bradford Woods. Students would come to our camp for 3 days of fun and learning. From here I packed up again and traveled north to Maine and a summer camp called Agassiz Village. Kids from Boston came to our camp for a week long experience in the mountains. There I was the nature instructor and had the best time showing kids from the city what outside was like far from their home. Back in the car again, I moved back south to Jekyll Island to teach kids about the ocean, marsh, and forest.

About this time I decided that I wanted to be a teacher in a classroom and was looking for a college to attend to get my masters. A good friend of mine was graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University and spoke highly of the education program there I was in Virginia for 3 years going to school and meeting my husband, Joshua.

We were married in 2002 and moved to Georgia very soon after. We have 2 children: Reilly, 5 years old & Rowan, 3 years old. A dog named Leonard who spends more time on the couch than anywhere else. We live in Flowery Branch on a small pond where we often go fishing and a large yard where we play hard.

I love reading, being outdoors with my family, swimming (floating really not swimming laps), and running. I do not like sweets, but love fruits and vegetables. I don't drink a lot of soda, but love coffee and water. I would rather go to a bookstore than a shoe store. I am early to bed and early to rise.

I am looking forward to working with you this year. If you have read this before Open House on Thursday you can be entered into a drawing. You have to write your name and the word TURTLE on a piece of paper.

34 Things You Need to Know in Reading - 5th Grade

34 Things You Need to Know in Reading in 5th Grade

1. There are two basic types of literature: fiction (made-up stories) and

nonfiction (true facts).

2. The characters are who are what the story is about.

3. The setting in a story is WHERE and WHEN the story takes place. Don’t

forget the WHEN part – morning, afternoon, or night? Which season? Past,

present, or future?

4. The conflict in a story is the problem the main character is facing. What

stands in the main character’s way of getting what he/she wants?

5. The plot of a story is simply the events that occur.

6. Dramatic literature is another word for a play. A play is broken down into

acts, which are broken down into smaller pieces called scenes.

7. Stage directions are part of the script of a play, or the part to be read

aloud by the performers. They are usually written like this: (speaks softly)

These words aren’t said aloud – they are directions for how the performer

should speak or move.

8. Figurative language helps form a special picture in your mind and help you

understand a special meaning in the story. Some examples are similes,

metaphors, personification, hyperboles, and puns.

9. Personification is a type of figurative language, giving a human quality to

something that is not human. (hint: human=person)

10. A metaphor compares two unlike things directly, without using the words

“like” or “as.” Ex: Our neighbor is an old bat!

11. A simile compares two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” Ex: Your

hair shines like the sun!

12. A hyperbole is a gross exaggeration used to make a point. Ex: I haven’t slept

for days!

13. Dialogue demonstrates when a character is speaking. It is indicated by the

use of quotation marks. Ex: Brian said, “Hey Billy, watch out for that

baseball!”

14. Authors use strong verbs and rich adjectives and adverbs to provide good

description in their writing.

15. Theme is the author’s message about life. It is NOT about the story – it is

what we can learn about life from the story.

16. The main idea of a story can be summed up with this phrase: SOMEBODY

WANTED BUT SO. Ex: In Beauty and the Beast: Somebody/Belle wanted to

save her father, but he was captured by the Beast, so Belle takes her

father’s place and learns to love the Beast.

17. A poem is written in verses, usually in an artistic and stylistic form. It is

composed of lines (verses). The groups of lines, sort of like paragraphs, are

called stanzas. Many poems rhyme, but they do not have to do so.

18. Rhyme scheme is the rhyming pattern of the end word of each line. Some

common patterns are ABAB, ABBA, AABB.

19. Alliteration is the repeating of the beginning sound of several words in a

phrase. It doesn’t have to be the same letter; just the same sound. Ex: The

giant juicy bowls of jello jiggled in the jet.

20. An onomatopoeia is a sound word. Ex: buzz, bam, whack, fizz, zip, etc.

21. A judgment is an opinion about what you’ve read. You must always be able to

support your judgment with evidence (proof from the story).

22. The author’s purpose is the reason an author wrote his/her work. Did the

author write it to make you laugh? To teach you a lesson? To provide facts?

To change your mind about a topic?

23. Common graphic features found in nonfiction are charts, maps, diagrams, and

illustrations.

24. A diagram is different from an illustration because it has lines and labels

pointing to parts of the picture.

25. Chronological order means that a piece of nonfiction is written in TIME

order, starting with the beginning going through the end in the correct

order.

26. Classification schemes is a way to organize nonfiction by putting it into

sections. Ex: in a book about animals, the sections might be: desert animals,

ocean animals, river animals, arctic animals, jungle animals, animals with 2

legs, animals with 4 legs, etc.

27. Cause and effect: the cause happens first, which makes the effect happen

next. Ex: Cause = I studied hard. Effect = I passed my test!

28. Context clues help you figure out words you don’t know. You use the other

words in the sentence to help you figure out what the unknown word means.

29. Prefixes come before a root word. Common prefixes are un- (not), re-

(again), dis- (not), and pre- (before).

30. Suffixes come after a root word.

31. A synonym is a word that means the same thing as another word. Ex:

synonyms for big might be giant, huge, enormous, etc.

32. An antonym is a word that means the opposite as another word. Ex: antonyms

for big might be tiny, little, miniscule, etc.

33. A homophone is a word that sounds the same, but it is spelled differently.

Ex: to, two, and too; also see, sea; knight, night; etc

34. A multiple meaning word is a word that is spelled the same but has different

meanings. Ex: bat means 1) a nocturnal flying mammal, 2) a wooden stick used

to hit a baseball, 3) to flutter eyelashes