Science Fair Projects Due Next Week!

Science Fair projects are due next week. Students will have Tuesday to work on thier final touches during science. In Social Studies students are nearly finished with the second stop on the journey. Several students need to finish their open book quiz at home this weekend. Honor awards and awards for attendance and citizenship were passed out today. Day seven of the writing project travel journal should be finished. A few students need to finish day seven over the weekend. The journals will be collected on Monday. Gullett carnival is tomorrow, hope all of our fifth grade students will come enjoy the fun. All students have a new nine-week reading log. It will continue to be checked on Monday mornings. We have a Veteran's day assembly next Friday and a fifth grade performance on Monday for the school, and on Tuesday night for parents. Costumes need to come to school on Monday. Student Council campaign begins on Monday, if you are a candidate, please read the information page you got in school today. Don't forget, Daylight savings time ends on Saturday night at midnight. We fall back an hour. We enjoyed learning about the day of the dead from our spanish instructor. Students are really, really enjoying spanish this year!

Outdoor School Trip is Coming....

Students brought home the list of ride assignment yesterday after school. Look for a new packing list and other updated Outdoor School information in the Thursday folder this week. Homework tonight is to solve of show good effort on the problem solving task involving a rainy vactaion. This should be inside of the students math journal, They also need to finish their day three travel journal that they worked on during writing at school. They need to finish (if they have not done so) thier science packet pages page 12-30 about the scientific method. The students have a guest teacher this week in science...welcome back Ms. Ely! If you would still like to order pictues, you can return the money and order form to Gullett or directly to Photo Texas for faster service. Second region notesheet for the region project in History Alive is due on Friday. If you have not already returned the permission forms for the Outdoor School, please do so ASAP. If you are a driver, we will need a copy of your drivers license and insurance on file in the office prior to our departure. They can make copies in the office.

Picture Day is Tomorrow!

Don't forget that picture day is tomorrow! We had over ten students forget to do thier homework over the weekend. Please check with your child to see if they completed theirs! Tonight for homework they have a math assignment with problems from the digit game and many need to gather more information for thier travel journal. Days one and two of the travel journal are due tomorrow. Many students also have History Alive homework to complete.

Waylon DeAtley

He's here!

Waylon Michaelson DeAtley was born today at 4:08pm. He weighs 7 lbs. and 13 ounces. Mother, father and baby Waylon are all doing great! Mr. DeAtley is going to send us some pictures of Waylon tomorrow so you will all be able to see him.

Thank you for a Wonderful Day of Conferences

We welcome the first of many student bloggers…..

Today we had a great day. Most conferences were done yesterday. If you haven’t had a conference yet be sure to organize a conference with Mrs. Valentino. In Social Studies we continued working on our Road Trip. In Math we worked on the estimation game, where we do a multiplication problem in our head.
In Science we did our first cancer lesson. Our homework tonight is to write science project summary (due Thursday) and “settle“ in a place in your home for social studies.
REMINDER!
Wear correct clothes for … PACER!

Important Thursday Folder Coming Home Today!

Hello all...there is a Thursday folder coming home tonight that has a lot of fifth grade specific and assignment specific information. Please find the science fair information packet (coming up in November), a conference time confirnation sheet, Outdoor School transportation information, school picture information (it is on October 19th) and a variety of other information. If you and your child are planning on joining the free Run for the Roses benefitting the Lance Armstrong Foundation as a part of our schools pilot program, the registration sheets sent home yesterday needs to come back to school tomorrow. Today students prepared their conference information for conferences on Monday as well as handwriting, grammar practice and an activity about salt in regard to mixtures and solutions. It was a reflective activity that followed the hands-on portion of the lesson from yesterday. In History Alive students did research for two of thier current major projects, the group social studies assignment on traveling with a group around the United States and the writing project of a travel journal in which one of the seven entries will be developed into a narrative realistic fiction story. This writing project will take us until the end of the first nine weeks and will be worth several different grades. More information to follow as we go through the process!

Outdoor School Meeting Tonight!

Tonight is our Outdoor School parent meeting at 7pm. We are hoping to see all of our students' parents here tonight! In math today we continued our study of multiplication and the use of multiple towers. We have also been reading travel type journals during reading and have been working on a travel journal as a whole class to help students prepare for their individual writing project involving the writing of a travel journal and a realistic fiction narrative. We are doing this writing project in conjunction with the project that students are working on in groups in social studies in which they are to travel to a region and locate interesting places to visit in those regions. In science today, students had to illustrate some writing that they had done before. The students also discussed the upcoming science fair which is in November this year...not far away at all. Our morning was very exciting as a balloon pilot brought a hot-air balloon and demonstrated both outside and inside. Ask your children about it. Thanks to our PTA for sponsoring this event. It came at such a nice time because all classrooms at Gullett have been working on physical science these first nine weeks and what a connection to the study of the states of matter!

Today was a fabulous Friday. Students worked very hard on their math test and their social studies quiz over the 50 states. In science the kids used different materials for separating mixtures and testing their hypothesis. They also mixed mixtures and solutions using tripods. Music was our essential area and we sang they sang songs in preparation of the Veteran’s Day assembly coming up. We met in groups and discussed a Time fro Kids reading activity and held our Friday drawing.

Parent Conferences Coming Soon

Today in the Thursday folder the students will be coming home with a note for signing up for a conference time. Please be sure to return it as soon as possible. Students will have a math test tomorrow as we finish up our first unit of study. We will begin an in depth study of multiplication and division next week, look for the family letter describing our next unit of study early in the week. Homework tonight… Math: Study for test; Social Studies: Study for 50 State quiz; Science: Solutions response page. Also…Planner check on Friday, and Thursday folder return of envelope. Before Tuesday next week, students need to pick out a comic strip for use in art. Students also need to bring a plastic bag for science.

Returning to Normal Schedule

What a great Monday! Students today worked in math on prime factors and prime factorization. They were able to practice their new found knowledge and will continue to do so in the days to come. Today in History Alive students continued to practice active listening skills and used role play skits. In Science, students talked more about dry ice and then drew experiments and observations conducted on Friday. We went to the library and learned about reliable information sources to use to conduct research. The students will be starting to research states and travel in an upcoming History Alive project as well as our first full writing project that will be a virtual road trip journal and realistic fiction story. Our spelling rule this week is the final (k) sound. Students have spelling homework tonight.

Dry Ice, Sounds and More...

Today students finished up the last missing problems on their benchmarks. They also had a lot of fun, new learning experiences. In math students were introduced to a sound measurement device with the assistance of Dr. Stroup. We measured decibels and watched as graphs were generated. Students will be designing a lunchroom measurement plan using the lesson learned in the cafeteria. Students were able to apply their knowledge of factors, multiples and factor pairs as they made decisions about the interval of time that sound would be measured. In science today students explored with dry ice. Students observed what would happen to dry ice when bubbles were in the middle of the dry ice air and normal air. They also dropped it into beakers of water and observed a change. In History Alive students watched a video about active listening in their study of social skills. They then practice the skills in a role play scenario.

Today marked the end of a long week of benchmark tests. We have been able to break up the testing enough to keep the students engaged in lessons in between tests, but everyone will be happy to get this assessment week behind us. Several students have a few problems left on a test or two, or have been absent and missed a test. All completion and make-up testing will take place tommorow and the schedule will resume. In History Alive the students have been busy working on a presentation for our morning assembly tomorrow. The entire fifth grade will participate in an informational production about our US Constitution, it is sure to be memorable. The students should practice thier song tonight in preparation. In science the students had to make scientific predictions about a wooden dial that was given to each group. Tomorrow in math Dr. Stroup from the University of Texas will be joining us as we apply our learned knowledge of factor pairs to a real world sound measurement activity. The students will be introduced to the TI-84 graphing calculator that they will use throughout this year in both math and science. Thursday folders are going to be going home today and will need to be signed and returned tomorrow along with the weekly parent required signature will also be checked in the morning.

Benchmarking Day Two

This week students will be taking beginning of the year benchmark tests. They do not count as a grade, but allow for teachers to develop lessons around the student needs. Yesterday students took the science portion, today the student completed math and finshed some of the science. We will move on to reading tomorrow and finsh up with writing on Thursday. We are all looking forward to returning to our regular class lessons. In History Alive today we studied and reviewed for our geography test tomorrow. In Science several students presented their space craft designed to land on a planet made of a substance students explored last week called Oobleck. We also started a handwriting and grammar practice program and the students are quite talented with cursive writing! Homework tonight is to read for the reading log and study for the geography test.

Unauthorized Comment Posted

A "comment" came to this blog that was in a forgein language was not intended for any of us. I am unsure of what it said, but as a result have disabled ALL abilities for comments (not posts from our classroom needing username and password) to this blog as a safety measure. I do not want my students to reach any inappropriate message by checking in with what should be a fifth grade classroom blog. There is a way to allow posting from "members of the blog only" which I will be working on developing. If you have any questions about this or any classroom topic please email me at avalenti@austinisd.org. Sorry for the interuption in comment ability, but I have to ensure that my students are kept safe and away from things we do not approve of. Check back tomorrow...we will still be posting everyday!

Back to School Night a Success

Thank you to all of the families that were able to make it on Tuesday night! It is so nice to meet and be able to talk with all of you. We have been keeping vey busy this week in the classroom. Tomorrow is our big RIF kick-off assembly! In Language Arts we have been continuing to work on develping reflective responses to literature through Reader's Response. Our spelling rule this week invloves words that have the (k) sound in them. Ask your child to take a look at their many sample words in their spelling spiral. In math we are continuing our study of the number system and how new math words are related to one another. (factors, multiples, prime, composite, square numbers) We continue to work on rigorous math problem situations. Students really seem to enjoy using their math skills in this way! For homework tonight students have one problem they need to work with and attempt to represent the problem/solution with words, numbers and pictures (this is what we have been modeling in class). Thursday folders went home today and contain information that is important to review. Planner signature check is Friday!

Library Day

Today was our first trip to the library as fifth grade students. Ms. Gooch overviewed all of this year's Bluebonnnet books. Many students in the class have read almost all 20 of them already. There were only three on the shelf for checkout so we will wait patiently until some are turned in. Ms. Gooch also reminded students that these books are also at the public library. In math students played a math game called Close to Zero. They have this tonight for homework. The game builds the ability to determine the difference between two numbers mentally and continues the develpoment of reasonableness and estimation skills. Today in Science the students used thier observation skills as they explored a substance called "Oobleck". Is it a solid or is it a gas? Ask a fifth grader! In History Alive today students found points on a map after taking a quiz on longitude and latitude. Back to School night is tomorrow night! It is from 6:00pm-8:30pm. K-2 classroom presentations will be from 6:00-7:00 followed by a brief PTA meeting in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:30. 3rd-5th grade classroom presentations will be from 7:30-8:30. Fifth grade parents will be visiting all three teachers classrooms ust as the students do each day! Hope to see you there!

Hola to Spanish!

Today students began the new spanish program. They met the new teacher and really enjoyed the lesson. This year spanish will focus much more on conversations and little on writing or paper/pencil tasks. Students were busy solving more math puzzles and learned what square, prime and composite numbers were. Students have a math problem for math homework. Thursday folders are coming home today, please review the materials and sign the envelope. Students need to bring the envelope back as well as have thier planner signed. In science today students went outside and became water molecules in an activity used to demonstrate water as it moves from a liquid to a solid to a gas. They also played a version of the millionaire gameshow on the computer in which they answered questions about molecules. In History Alive studnets practiced their map making skills as they colored maps of the world and studied latitude and longitude. Students needing to finish their maps need to do so for homework tonight.

Scientific Spelling

A new spelling program is being implemented at Gullett this year. It is called Scientific Spelling and will help students to learn reliable patterns and rules of the english language. This approach utilizes a multisensory strategy and teaches students to approach spelling scientifically as they analyze and use words. Today in History Alive students studied the concept of latitude and longitude in their unit on geography. In science, students reviewed their homework and discussed difficult questions about physical and chemical change. Homework tonight is to read for at least 20 minutes from a chapter book and to locate ten "Floss Rule" words in printed material around them. Back to School Night is next Tuesday, September 11th, mark your calendars.

Learning the Ropes of WOW

Today during our wet recess we were able to get outside under the canopy and learn the new stations for our extra activity time (WOW). Fifth grade has its very own cart full of materials to keep us active. In math we worked on developing an understanding of the concepts of factors and multiples and will start solving number puzzles tomorrow. We worked with partners and shared our first draft of our informational article and then turned it in for Mrs. Valentino to give us feedback. We wrote a response to our independent reading. In science we learned about physical and chemical changes. Mr. DeAtely burned paper and mixed vinegar and baking soda. He did this to show a chemical and a physical change. In History Alive we worked on map making skills dealing with the continents and the oceans. Our first day in Spanish will be Thursday at 11:15, we are looking forward to it! We sang the Fifty Nifty United States in music.

The First Week of School 2007

We are up and running at full speed in all of our academic areas. Our first 3rd-5th grade assembely was this morning and it went very well. We learned about eight national holidays that are celebrated in the United States including Labor Day. We will be interviewing someone at home about the work they do and writing an informational article, first draft. We worked on building rectangular arrays with tiles up to 25. Some students need to finish it for homework. In History Alive today we focused on social skills. We learned about getting the facts before a conflict occurs. In Science we learned about the states of matter. Specifically about the cycle of water from a solid to a liquid to a gas. A lot of students had a lot of questions about dry ice and liquid nitrogen. Dr. Hallock from UT will be bringing both to demonstrate. We had our first Friday drawing and went on a virtual spy misson with Ms. Hanna in art. What a great first week! No school on Monday. See you Tuesday!

Thursday Folders

Today we had an assembly to review the cafeteria expectations. Mrs. Firestone was here and gave tne presentation. When every fifth grade class has earned a spoon, all fifth grade students will be able to select there own seat. We worked on what a quality Reader's Response looks like and we looked at examples. In History Alive we previewed Chapter One and we read. In science we role played the opposite of what safety should be. It was really fun! Now we know how to be safe during our science labs. Thursday folders and planners will be checked tomorrow.

First Day of Rotations

Today we went to Science and Social Studies with Mrs. Cohen and Mr. DeAtley. We also worked with square tiles in math as we started our first unit of study, Mathematical Thinking at Grade 5. There is a letter for parents coming home about the current math focus. For homework we need to read for 20 minutes and finish any of Student Sheet 1 in math. Thursday folders will go home tomorrow with a lot of information.

Building a Classroom Community

Today we started our day in Art with Mrs. Hanna. We then completed a vest and a self-portrait to help get to know each other more. Stop by the fifth grade hallway board in a couple of days and take a peek. We also participated in a team building activity called "Warp Speed", and read a book called "First Day Jitters". Tonight our homework is to read for at least 20 minutes and record the time in our reading log. We also have a problem in our math journal to complete.

First Day of Fifth Grade

August 27, 2007

Today we learned a lot about each other, we learned about some of the school and classroom expecations, we organized our school supplies and tubs, and we had fun. For homework today, we need to complete two yellow pages in our folder, our parent needs to fill out our blue page and we need to read 20 minutes. We also need to bring back the folder with forms tomorrow. Hope everyone had a good first day!

Meet The Teacher

Don't misss "Meet the Teacher" coming up next Friday, August 25th! We are looking forward to seeing all of you. The building has changed quite a bit this summer with new doors, floor covering and more. See you soon!