Happy Birthday

We celebrated Jackson's birthday by learning a little bit about him. Great job on your Who Knew, Jackson.  Hope you had the best birthday ever.

Newsletter - August 26th

A Peek At What We are Doing in Fifth Grade

Whew! The first few days have just flown by!  If the whole year is like this, it will be spring before we know it.  I have a wonderful group of kids in my class. I think all of the parents out there need to pat themselves on the back. You have done a great job of raising them.

Thanks for being so on task and sending back all the needed forms that went out in the Zach folder.  If you haven’t gone through the folder yet, please sign the necessary forms and send them back to school on Monday. Most of the money for the planners and the Time magazine subscription has been received, but if you haven’t sent it in yet, please do so.

If you were unable to make the Back to School night meeting on Thursday, I put a copy of your child’s student profile in his or her Friday folder.  Please make any changes and sign the last page.  If you could return the form in the Friday folder on Monday, I would appreciate it.

      Just a reminder the Eco Week Parent Meeting is Thursday, September 15th from 6:00 – 7:00 in the cafeteria.  This is a very important meeting, so please plan to attend.

Today, your child is bringing home his or her Friday folder and planner – both will come home at the end of each week.  The Friday folder contains your child’s work from the week as well as any forms, etc. that may need to be complete and returned to school.  In addition, your child has a ROAR Reflection sheet which is stabled in his or her planner. Please take a few minutes to review these with your child then return the folder and planner at the beginning of each new week.

I started a blog this year (https://khalesclass.blogspot.com) that I will use to share pictures from the classroom as well as my newsletter.  I will posting some pictures on twitter @HalesHomeroom.  

Dates to Remember

Zach Fall Festival - Friday, August 26th from 4 to 7

Labor Day - No School - Monday, September 5th

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

Collaboration Day - No School - Friday, September 23rd

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

Back to School Night

This link will take you to the Back to School night presentation.  

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1T3RM0E1ty1aKTpMrUbLHmHRGC6iDh-y9G_OpBLlUE3o/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

Welcome to Fifth Grade

Where did summer go?  It seems like only yesterday I was sitting in my backyard enjoying the beautiful Colorado weather.  How did you spend your summer?  Did you go on a trip?  Did you play with friends?  I hope you had a great time.  Before you know it, it'll be May and we'll be wondering where the school year went.
Here are few dates for your calendar.  Thursday, August 25 from 6:45 to 7:15 is Back-to-School night.  At this meeting, we'll be talking about what to expect in fifth grade.  Thursday, September 15 from 6:00 to 7:00 is the Eco Week meeting.  Parents, if you've never had a child go to Eco Week at Zach, it is important that you attend this meeting.  Eco Week is Monday, October 3rd - Wednesday, October 5th this year.

I'm looking forward to a great year.

Who is Mrs. Hale?

Hello!  I am excited to be your fifth grade teacher. With Eco Week & Wax Museum, fifth grade is going to be your best year at Zach Elementary.

In 2002 when Zach opened and my daughter joined the first kindergarten class, I started teaching part-time as the Advanced Reading teacher. Four years later when my son, Jeremy, started kindergarten, I switched to full-time and Fifth Grade, and I love it!  I love the books we read like Sherlock Holmes and The Secret Garden.  I love using the scientific method when we study plants and animal classification.  I love learning about the European Explorers and the American Civil War.  I love reading the powerful narratives and insightful Wax Museum research papers written by my students.  I love hiking to the B17 crash site at Eco Week.  I love watching 5th graders become student leaders in 5th Grade LEADS. I love it all!

In 2001, my family and I relocated to Fort Collins from Texas.  We were drawn to the beautiful mountains and the quality of life.  My husband, JD, works as a Sales Manager in Denver.  My son, Jeremy, is currently a tenth grader at Fossil Ridge High School. and my daughter, Mallory, is a sophomore at Colorado University in Boulder.

When I was a little kid, my dream was to become a writer.  I wrote for my high school paper and studied Journalism in college, but I think, in my heart, I always wanted to be a teacher.  So like many college students, I changed my major.  After graduating, I went on to get my Masters of Education in the area of Reading Instruction.

Needless to say I love reading.  When I am not reading, I am either working in my garden, walking two very cute dogs, or tending to my chickens.  My family and I also love to go up into the mountains and camp.  I recently learned how to ride a dirt bike so I can go riding with my husband and son.

I am looking forward to a great year of fun and learning.

Smiles, Mrs. Hale