Newsletter December 23rd

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

It’s finally here.  Winter Break.  I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy time relaxing with family.   

Your child has picked his or her top choice for Wax Museum.  When we return in January, I will have a biography ready for your child to read and take notes.  We’ll have plenty of time to do our research when we return so there is no need to do any work over the break.

We’ll be taking Winter Maps testing the first few weeks back.  Math Maps will be on Tuesday, January 17th and Wednesday, January 18th .  Reading Maps will be on Monday, January 23rd and Tuesday, January 24th.

You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures including a video of Erika’s “Who Knew” at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/.

Dates to Remember

Kinard’s Incoming 6th Grade Family Night  - Thursday, January 12th from 6:00 to 8:30.  

Preston’s Incoming 6th Grade Family Night - Tuesday, January 17th from 6:00 to 8:30.

Symphony Field Trip - Thursday, January 19th 10:00 to 12:00

School of Choice deadline - January 27th.

Wax Museum - Thursday, February 16th from 6:00 to 7:00

Happy Birthday

Happy early birthday, Erika!

Birthdays

We celebrated two birthdays this week.  Happy Birthday, Sam.

Happy Birthday, Chase.

Newsletter December 9th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

It is here, winter weather.  Please encourage your child to wear clothes that allow him or her to be outside for about 25 minutes each afternoon.  Recess is important and the kids go out unless the temperature drops below 15 degrees.

One of the big projects that students do in fifth grade is Wax Museum.  If you have older children who completed the project at Zach in previous years, you’ll notice some changes.  One big change is the timing.  We’ll have our presentation night Thursday, February 16th from 6:00 to 7:00.  Please mark your calendar.  

In the last few weeks we’ve been studying the Scientific Method and Chemistry.  I’ve posted a few pictures of the young scientists at work on our classroom blog.

We celebrate a few summer birthdays this week.  Happy kind-of-half-birthday to Chase and Sam.

In place of a holiday party on Friday, December 23rd, the fifth grade team thought the kids might enjoy ROAR reward time after lunch where they could use their tickets to buy into different opportunities.  Students will have the opportunity to watch a movie, have extra recess, participate in a Breakout Box, or snack, snuggle, and read.  Students may choose to save their tickets and go to a study hall where students can read, draw, write, or complete missing assignments.

You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/.

Dates to Remember

Winter Break - Monday, December 26 - Friday, January 6th

Kinard’s Incoming 6th Grade Family Night  - January 12th from 6:00 to 8:30.  

Preston’s Incoming 6th Grade Family Night - January 17th from 6:00 to 8:30.

School of Choice deadline - January 27th.

Wax Museum - Thursday, February 16th from 6:00 to 7:00

Science

Using the Scientific Method to determine which brand of gum makes the biggest bubble. 

Posting a picture of our atom.

Separating powder from water.

We learn by from our successes and our failures,

Using filters and screens to separate mixtures

Newsletter November 18th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

Report cards came out today. Please review it with your child, keep the report card, sign the envelope, and return the envelope to school.  If you and your child are concerned about a subject, please contact his or her teacher in that area.

Our emails are:

Mrs. Eberle - leberle@psdschools.org

Mr. Kenna - jkenna@psdschools.org

Mrs. Nimlo - jnimlo@psdschools.org

Mr. Norton - jnorton@psdschools.org

Mrs. Oster - jeoster@psdschools.org    

In your child’s Friday Folder, you should find some information regarding Preston and Kinard.  Kinard’s Incoming 6th Grade Family Night is January 12th from 6:00 to 8:30.  Preston’s Incoming 6th Grade Family Night is January 17th from 6:00 to 8:30.  If your child is choosing to attend Kinard, keep in mind that the School of Choice deadline is January 27th.  You do not need to complete a School of Choice form for Preston if you are in their boundary area.  I would recommend attending both information nights if you have not decided which middle school your child will be attending.

You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/.

Dates to Remember

Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 25th

Winter Break - Monday, December 26 - Friday, January 6th

Newsletter November 11th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

I hope everyone got outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather on Friday.  

For our unit on the Scientific Method, I am conducting my own little experiment that I shared with the class on Thursday.  My hypothesis is that students that study about 5 minutes each night will do better on Friday’s test than those who wait until the last minute.  Those students that participate get extra credit on their test.  To study, the students have their Science Spirals as well as quizlet link in our google classroom.

How is homework going?  The expectation is that your child will read a self-selected book for 20 to 30 minutes each night as well as about 20 to 30 minutes of Math practice.  From time to time, we do assign projects to extend the classroom learning.  At the beginning of the project, we send home a note with the expectations and due date.  Your child should be able to complete these projects mostly independently.

You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/.

Dates to Remember

Turkey Drive - Wednesday, November 16th

Scholastic Book Fair - Monday, November 14th - Friday, November 18th

Angel Tree - Tuesday, November 15th - Friday, November 18th  

Report Cards come home on Friday, November 18th.

Thanksgiving Break - Wednesday, November 23rd - Friday, November 25th

Winter Break - Monday, December 26 - Friday, January 6th

Newsletter November 7

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

Students have been doing a great job showing ROAR in specials.  On Thursday, they earned their 10th 5 star day in a row earning them Monster Doughnuts.  They also earned over 400 points earning them an “Everything Day.”  We’ll celebrate on Monday, November 7th.  Students may wear their jammies and bring a comfy chair to sit in.  At the end of the day, they get to have free choice time.  I do allow them to bring in electronics for free choice time.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the Halloween party by either donating supplies, helping to set up and clean up or running a game.  The kids had a good time.

You should be receiving an email soon about a Parent Survey in which you can give feedback on your child’s teacher, me.  I know that we all have busy lives so I wanted to let you know that I value your feedback.

Next week is a short week.  The students don’t have school on Friday to allow the teachers to get report cards completed.  Your child’s report card will come home on Friday, November 18th.

You can find all the newsletters for the year and other fun pictures at our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/.

Dates to Remember

First Trimester ends Thursday, November 10th.

No School/ Teacher Work Day - Friday, November 11th.

Turkey Drive - Wednesday, November 16th

Scholastic Book Fair - Monday, November 14th - Friday, November 18th

Report Cards come home on Friday, November 18th.

Halloween

Happy Birthday

We celebrated two birthdays this week.  Happy Birthday, Ben.

Happy Birthday, Adrian.

Newsletter October 21

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

What did you think of student-led conferences?  Our goal was for students to start reflecting on and to begin to take ownership of their own learning.  Although I feel like I could have done some more coaching before the conference to prepare the kids, I think each student did an amazing job.  If you’d like to give me feedback on our student-led conferences, please go to the following link and complete this survey. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4RJzTMAjrXcO4JRaEhiE1yM81_bDOYrmO6vNH4YnNWw_tgw/viewform

Thank you for donating to the ZEF fund this year. I used part of the funds allocated for my classroom this year to purchase the stability balls and cushions for our flexible seating.  In the past, I have purchased books for our classroom library, supplies for conducting experiments in Science, and supplies for hatching the chickens.

Thank you Katherine Bell for organizing our all-fifth grade Halloween party and the parents that have already signed up to volunteer or bring supplies.  If you have not had a chance to look at the sign-up genius that was sent out, please do.  We still have a few areas that have not been filled.  We are also looking for 3 corn hole games.  If you have one that you would be willing to let us use, please contact Katherine Bell at lulubell_slc@yahoo.com.

On Halloween, Zach Elementary celebrates with an all-school costume parade that starts at 2:15.  After the parade, the fifth graders will head to the cafeteria for an all-fifth grade Halloween party.  Please keep the following in mind when thinking of a costume. Costumes must be elementary-age appropriate. Keep in mind that we have young children viewing the parade.  Masks are acceptable for the parade only. This means that masks cannot be worn before/after the parade in the school. Students need to be able to dress in the costume independently; makeup and hair can be done prior to school. No toy weapons (follow the student code of conduct).

The National Honor Society of Fort Collins High School would like to invite children of all ages to our annual Halloween Carnival! The carnival will take place on Saturday, October 29th from 5-8pm at Fort Collins High School. The cost of admission is $3 or 2 cans - with all profits benefiting the Food Bank of Larimer County. Bring your family for a SPOOKtacular night of facepainting, Pin the Face on the Jack-O-Lantern, Haunted Hallways, and more! Email nhsfchs@gmail.com with any questions you may have."   

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our class classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/, you can find some fun school pictures there.  We have two new birthday videos.

Dates to Remember

Halloween Parade - October 31st at 2:15

All-Fifth Grade Halloween Party - in Cafeteria immediately following the parade.

First Trimester ends Thursday, November 10th.

No School/ Teacher Work Day - Friday, November 11th.

Report Cards come home on Friday, November 18th.

Newsletter October 7th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

ECO Week was a blast. Although it was cold and windy at times, we had beautiful weather and the kids had a great time. We have a few items that were left behind at Eco Week so take a look in the hallway at our Eco Week lost and found if you think your child is missing something. We will have all “lost items” on display during conferences.

   Fall conferences start next, Thursday, October 13th.   Conferences are 20 minutes long so please arrive on time. Please remember these are student led conferences – so students need to attend!  If we find we have more to discuss than the 20 minutes will allow, we will schedule another time to meet so I can honor everyone’s time.        

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our class classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/, you can find some fun school pictures there.  I posted a video of the kids eating lunch the first day up at the CSU Mountain Campus.

Enjoy your weekend.

Dates to Remember

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - Thursday, October 13th and Friday, October 14th

Halloween Parade - October 31st at 2:15

All-Fifth Grade Halloween Party - in Cafeteria immediately following the parade.

Newsletter September 30th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

Thank you to the parents who were able to make it to the Halloween party planning meeting.  If you signed up to volunteer but were unable to make it to the meeting, you should be receiving an email soon with ways to help.

Since we’ll be leaving straight for the CSU Mountain campus on Monday and won’t be coming into the classroom, I didn’t send home Friday folders today.  I’ll be sure to send them home next Friday.

Fall is in the air and it looks like this might be another snowy year at ECO Week.   Please keep that in mind as you help your child pack.  Don’t let the weather here in Fort Collins fool you.  Gloves and extra layers are going to be essential.  

I have almost everyone signed up for a conference time. If you did not get the link or the times available don’t work for you, please let me know.  In fifth grade, we have student-led conferences so please plan to bring your child with you.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our class classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/, you can find some fun school pictures there.

Enjoy your weekend.

Dates to Remember

Eco Week - Monday, October 3rd - Wednesday, October 5th

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - Thursday, October 13th and Friday, October 14th

Halloween Parade - October 31st at 2:15

All-Fifth Grade Halloween Party - in Cafeteria immediately following the parade.

Dodgeball

All-fifth grade dodge ball game at recess.

Newsletter September 22nd

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

Great job students and parents.  All the Eco Week forms are in. If you haven’t sent in your payment, please do as soon as you can.  Medication Administration forms and medicines need to be brought to the nurse’s office by Monday.

Eco Week is just around the corner so I thought I would give you a few reminders.  Encourage your child to start drinking extra water starting now as it helps prevent altitude sickness. Students should arrive at school on Monday, Oct. 3rd at 9:05.  Please plan to be at Zach at 2:00 on Wednesday, Oct. 5th to pick your child up.  I gave your child a reminder checklist about packing on Thursday.

I sent out an email on Wednesday with a link to sign-up genius to schedule a conference time.  If you did not get the link or the times available don’t work for you, please let me know.  In fifth grade, we have student-led conferences so please plan to bring your child with you.

Our final States test will only include knowing the location of each state. It will be on Thursday, September 29th.  There are a couple of links in our History Google Classroom for studying.

I posted a few pictures to our classroom blog http://khalesclass.blogspot.com/ of Birthday celebrations and pictures from our day.

Enjoy your weekend.

Dates to Remember

Halloween Party - Parent Planning Meeting - Thursday, September 29th at 3:40 in Mrs. Oster’s room

Eco Week - Monday, October 3rd - Wednesday, October 5th

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - Thursday, October 13th and Friday, October 14th

Happy Birthday

We celebrated another belated birthday this week.  Happy birthday, Dylan.

Happy Birthday

We celebrated another birthday this week.  Happy belated birthday to Trinity.

Newsletter - September 16

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

Thank you to everyone who was able to make the Eco Week meeting on Thursday.  If you were not able to make it, I sent home your child’s packet with him or her in today’s Friday folder.  Please look over it and let me know if you have any questions.  Eco Week forms and payment are due by next Thursday, September 22nd.  Please make note that all Medicine and Medication Administration forms should be taken directly to the nurse’s office and no medicine or Medication Administration forms will be accepted after Monday, September 26th.

In Friday folders, you received  an envelope containing your child’s individual score reports for the CMAS(PARCC) English Language Arts and Math Tests that they took last spring.  Please look over the information and letter that explains the reports.  You may also go to http://www.parcconline.org/resources/parent-resources  or http://understandthescore.org  for more information.  

In fifth grade we have student-led conferences in place of Parent/Teacher conferences.  I will hold most of my conferences on Thursday, October 13th.  On Wednesday, I will send out a Sign-Up Genius through email for you to schedule a conference time. If you know you need a specific date and time,  please feel free to send me an email, and I will do my best to make that date and time work.

We are reaching the end of our States and Capital’s unit.  Next Thursday, the students will be tested on list 4.   Our final test will only include knowing the location of each state. It will be on Thursday, September 29th.  

One last item.  I strongly believe that teacher and parent communication is essential for student success.  I promise that if I have any concerns that I will contact you immediately.  Please feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any concerns or would just like to give me feedback on how the year is going for your child.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend.

Dates to Remember

Collaboration Day - No School - Friday, September 23rd

Halloween Party - Parent Planning Meeting - Thursday, September 29th at 3:40 in Mrs. Oster’s room

Eco Week - Monday, October 3rd - Wednesday, October 5th

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - Thursday, October 13th and Friday, October 14th

Newsletter - September 9

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

It’s been another wonderful week in fifth grade.  The kids worked hard taking the Reading and Math MAPS test.  The entire fifth grade team is so proud of their test taking strategies and the effort given by each student.  

Just a reminder that next Thursday in the flexroom from 6 to 7 is the Eco Week Parent meeting.  If this is your family’s first child attending Eco Week, please attend this important meeting.  We’ll be giving tips for packing, describing our days and nights, and answering any questions.

The kids have been walking laps and earning sticks before school and at recess in preparation for Eco Week. This is a great opportunity to break in new hiking boots or check that old hiking boots still fit. Ask your child if he or she has been completing his or her activity Log.  The number of sticks each student collects and their activity log will be used to help select students for the hikes at Eco Week.  

If you would like to help with the All-Fifth grade Halloween party, there is a planning meeting on Thursday, September 29th at 3:40 in Mrs. Oster’s room.  If you’d like to help, but can’t make the meeting, send me an email and I’ll put you on the list of parents to contact.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Dates to Remember

Eco Week Parent Meeting - Thursday, September 15th from 6 to 7

Collaboration Day - No School - Friday, September 23rd

Halloween Party - Parent Planning Meeting - Thursday, September 29th at 3:40 in Mrs. Oster’s room

Eco Week - Monday, October 3rd - Wednesday, October 5th

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences - Thursday, October 13th and Friday, October 14th