Earth Day has come and gone, but shouldn't Earth Day be "every day?"

Students have been very busy with Earth Day activities.  It started on Thursday 4/21, when the boys and girls were given "Earth Day" braclets made out of white yarn and a green bead.  This bracelet is a reminder to keep our Earth clean.  Later that day we planted flower seeds into biodegradeable containers using potting soil. Some of them have already begun to sprout!  Last, but not least, students have been going into all the classrooms from kindergarten to 4th grade, demonstrating and helping the younger kids plant their tree seedling to take home.  It's good to know they care about the Earth because the future is in their hands.

It looks like some of them have a "green" thumb when it comes to growing plants.  Congrats!

"Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Giff

Students in our class drew their own version of Hollis's pictures that  were described in the novel "The Pictures of Hollis Woods."  Come on in and take a look...they did a great job! 

We also watched the movie, and then students did a nice comparison of the book and the movie.

Yeah! PSSAs are over! That doesn't mean school is over!

   Our 5th grades have recently finished 3 grueling weeks of PSSA testing. The students seemed confident, and after quickly glancing over some of their work they should be confident.  The most important thing is that all of the students gave it their best shot, and that's all we can ask.  So congratulations girls and boys.   But remember, it's back to business as usual because we still have a lot of school material to cover.  So don't quit just yet?  We are on the home stretch....keep up the good work. 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

"Horton Who???" No, it's "Horton Hears a Who!"

In celebration of Dr. Seuss, we had a door decorating contest. Believe it or not....WE WON! Way to go! There were sooooo many great doors to pick from so we would like to say"Great Job" to all those who participated.

It was also was "crazy hat" day!!!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss. Thanks for

giving us all those great books!!!!!

!

Learning the Presidents...so easy a baby can do it?????

We are learning all the Presidents. Take a look at this video...you would think it is so easy since a baby can do it. Well our class knows them all too!!! Do you????

Try this: We sing this to the tune of "Ten Little Indians."

Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Polk, and Taylor, Filmore, Pierce, Buchanan.

Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, and Hayes, Garfield, Authur, Cleveland, Harrison, McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover.

Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, and Carter. Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush....Obama is the last one!

Getting ready for Valentine's Day

A Valentine 4 U

Every day I come to school

to teach and encourage you.

This valentine that I give

has a special message in which to live.

Be the one to take the lead,

knowledge is the power that you need.

So if you think that I care not,

I want you to know that I care a lot!

by Mrs. Parks

written especially for the 5th grade class of 2010

SNOW REWARD 2010

It took awhile, but our class earned another 10 tacks for good behavior. We decided to take advantage of the new snow and the warmer temperatures for our extra 30 minutes of recess. I think the kids had blast. And, our thanks to Mrs. Alexis for dropping off the hot chocolate and brownies.

Snow Delays

....and the snow keeps on coming.

What a week we have had...Monday off, Tuesday and Wednesday 2 hour delays, Thursday was our only regular school day, Friday is already a 2 hour delay and it could end up canceled entirely.


I love the delays...sleeping in for an extra hour or two....the days off are nice, but they will catch up with us later since we have to make them up.

Enjoy the snow...and be safe.

Happy New Year

It's hard to believe that 2009 has almost come to an end. I'm looking foward to ringing in 2010! I've made my New Year's resolution...how about you??? Happy New Year's to all!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!!!!

Don'y you just love the snow this time of year. It looks like we are going to have a white Christmas after all.

10 more days until Christmas!

You better watch out...only 10 more days until the big guy comes. He's making a list, checking it twice.....looking to see who is naughty or nice (to their teachers especially). What list are you on this year? You have a few days....make the most of them to get yourself on the right list!

NOUNS AWAY!!! Today we set up 6 stations to review and improve our use of nouns. Each group had a poster, magazines, advertisements, and newspapers to use to make a collage about nouns....common people, places, things, as well as proper people, places, and things. After each goup rotated through we shared our posters. By the end everyone was "nouned-out!!!"

Voyage of the Mayflower

Check out the student's journey "Across the Wide Dark Sea." Students recreated the voyage of the MAYFLOWER and wrote a journal account as if they were aboard the Mayflower.

Turkey Talk

Did you ever wonder how a turkey feels when they wake-up on Thanksgiving morning? Well our

students wrote a story from the turkey's point of view. Will Tom or Tina turkey be Thanksgiving dinner? You'll have to come check out the stories for some "turkey talk."

Our thanks to Mrs. Startare (art teacher) and our wonderful PTA for putting together such an awesome fieldtrip to FALLINGWATER. Fallingwater is a house designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1934. The house, built partly over a waterfall, is more breathtaking in person than one could ever imagine. I think this was the best fieldtrip that I have been able to attend. I definitely want to go back soon.

Do you have your costume yet?

How many witches will we see?????

With our Halloween party right around the corner, the question is...do you have a costume yet? Are you making your costume, borrowing your costume, or buying a new one? Let us know. Then tell us about the best "treat" you received or the best "trick" that someone played on you.

Did Columbus discover America?

Today is Columbus Day, however the students watched a video at www.brainpop.com that explains why it is such a controversial day. Did Columbus really discover America? Share the video with someone you know and then ask them if we should continue to recognize this holiday. Did you known there are 22 states that do not observe Columbus Day at all, plus many of the Native Americans put on protests because of the brutality their ancestors faced because of Columbus's actions. Tell me what your thoughts are?

Ten Tacs = 30 Minutes

Well our class finally earned their 10th tac for good behavior, so today we went to the gym for 30 minutes of free play. The majority of the class opted to play dodge ball, while the others did their own thing with some of the gym accessories. After observing for awhile, I decided to participate. First, I tried walking with a few of the girls on some type of styrofoam stompers. It was harder than it looked, plus it made my thighs really hurt. I must be out of shape. However, I made it about 3/4 of the way around the gym before I fell off. Not bad for my first time trying. Then, I decided to play a little dodge ball. Poor Brandon, I think I got him out 3 or 4 times. He told me to watch out next time. I hope there is a next time for them. I have seen some improvement....so congratulations class....I know you can do it.

Woolly Mammoth Video

We are studying the Ice Age and the migration of people to North America during that time period. This is a video that our social studies classes watched and discussed about a Wooly Mammoth recently discovered in 1997. Share this video from the Discovery Channel with a family member or friend. I think it is pretty cool and so will they. Just double click on the link below and it will take you directly to the video. Let me know what they think.

TitleChapter: The Wooly Mammoth http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetID=95797c5b-7b77-4dcf-b36a-f0a5934e0791&productcode=US

Brainpop

Check out BrainPOP at home. Here's all you have to do....go to www.brainpop.com
There are free educational movies to view. Some come with quizzes and activities.
Let me know what you think? Which ones did you watch?
Mrs. Parks