Dear Parents, Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year! I know the holidays with my family were
outstanding -- I hope your holidays were also enjoyable. Thank you for the many other ways you and
your children have shown your thoughtfulness to me during this holiday season
and throughout the year.
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WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING AT THIS POINT IN SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD? 1. Your fifth grader should be gaining responsibility in doing homework
regularly. If your child does not seem
to be following through with completing homework, s/he needs your help yet in holding him or her accountable at
home. 2. You can help your child by asking to see his/her homework list. We
fill it out every Monday and add new items during the week, as needed. Your follow-through at home is so important in teaching your
child responsibility. Look at the due
dates, ask your child to explain to you what needs to be done, and set a time
for him or her to complete it. YOU CAN ALSO CHECK THE LEGACY WEBSITE
UNDER 5W HOMEWORK to check homework requirements. I update it weekly. 3. Your child should be learning how to study for tests.
Help him/her plan this into the schedule. Teach your child not to wait until the
night before. At this point in the year, homework not completed or handed in may be
given a failing grade. Most students
are doing a spectacular job showing responsibility with homework, and they
will hopefully continue to work towards being independent in this aspect of
their learning. |
GROWING IN GOD: In
Bible, we are beginning to
learn about Jesus’ ministry on earth.
This unit will give us lots of opportunities to use our creativity in
learning about the miracles, parables, and so on. Also, our devotional time this month is focusing on knowing God better and growing
more deeply in Him. Your children pray beautifully; please encourage them
at home to pray aloud.
SCIENCE FIELD TRIP: This Friday morning, January 6, we will be going to For the Kidz Gymnastics Center in conjunction with our Fitness Unit. Students will most likely want to wear shorts and a t-shirt under sweats on Friday. Your child will be able to enjoy all the wonderful fitness stations designed for our enjoyment! We’ll be gone between 10:40 and 12:20.
FRACTIONS, DECIMALS &
PERCENTS! As you may have noticed, 5th grade math has
many new and challenging concepts. The
good news is that your children are doing very well learning about them and
beginning to grasp some of the concepts.
The even better news is that the 6th grade math program reviews
most of what is being taught this year! This month, we are beginning to learn
about fractions, decimals, and percents, as well as graphs.
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BRING ON THE BOOKS READING PROGRAM STARTS TODAY! 1. Separate information has been sent home today with all the details of
this 6-week at-school and at-home reading program. 2. I am reading Ella Enchanted
and The Magician’s Nephew in
the classroom to students. 3. Any student who does not complete 2 books each week will be required
to stay in to read during recess the following week until that requirement is
met. 4. Each Monday, I will add an EXTRA BONUS for students who read 3
or more books successfully during the week.
To encourage more time for reading both at home and at school, they
will be allowed to skip a regular school assignment each week and use that
time for reading BOB books, IF THEY’VE MET THE 3 BOOK GOAL FROM THE WEEK
BEFORE. The first week’s bonus will be
given to those who read 3 BOB books between today and next Monday, Jan. 9. 5. Students will be keeping a Conference Journal of their BOB reading;
this will be used for both teacher conferences and student group conferences.
6. Students’
participation in the BOB program will be graded. Students’ successful
completion of 12 books is a participation grade of C; 16 books is a B; 20
books is an A. Conference Journals and AR comprehension of the books will
also be assessed. 7. I may be calling those of you who volunteered to be “BOB readers”
during the second half of the BOB program.
Usually students need a bit more help and encouragement towards the
end of the program. If this is
something you would be interested in helping with, let me know. Many thanks in advance! 8. 5th
grade will be having a special BOB READ-IN DAY on Tuesday, January 17 – an
all day of reading with some special twists. More on that later. |
Thank you for entrusting me with your child’s
education this year. Please continue to
pray for us and your child’s needs in our classroom. I would like you to especially pray for your
child’s spiritual growth and commitment to Jesus as we talk about that daily
during our morning devotional time and then see how that fits into our and
living all day long. It is always one of
my goals as a teacher to help your children see the way God loves and cares for
them in all ways. As always, know that
you may call or contact me anytime about any concerns or questions you may
have.
In Him,
Louanne Winkle
