MERRY CHRISTMAS

TODAY is our last day before the holidays.  I trust you and your family will have a joyous Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  The Chittendens plan to celebrate with some Christmas caroling, worship, skiing, family gatherings, and even a run in North Muskegon on New Year's Day.  Cheers to you and yours!  Here are a few photo highlights from the recent class potluck at our home.

Andrew, Sara, and Caitlyn decked out in their holiday attire.

Harry, Chyna, Hailey, and Zack enjoyed some great food.

Sara, Jacob, Devon, Joe, MaKayla, Samantha, and Jessica
enjoyed prime seating at the Chittenden dinner table.

These people (and dog) truly do look hungry.

Josh, Cameron, Cassandra, Caitlyn, Jonathan, and Harper
camped out in the media room for dinner.

Zac, Andrew, Autumn, and Alexis
relax around the coffee table.

 Singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas" was awesome!

'TIS THE SEASON

OUR CLASS CHRISTMAS POTLUCK will be at the Chittenden Home tomorrow evening from 6:15 to 8:00.  Students should wear casual dress (no jeans, tees, or sweatshirts) and bring a dish to pass: last name A-K (dessert); L-R (main dish); and S-Z (salad).  Please drop off your child in front of our house; do not pull into the drive.  Proceed to the end of the cul-de-sac and return back to Pruin Street. Click the LINK for a map to our home.

A HOLIDAY CONCERT will be presented by the Lake Hills' choir, band, and orchestra this Monday morning, December 13, at 9:00 in the school gymnasium.  Parents and friends are invited to attend.

Zack uses the interactive whiteboard to demonstrate fraction and decimal equivalencies on a number line.

IN MATH we are concluding our fifth unit of study. Our focus will now shift from fractions to geometry once again. Understanding fraction concepts is important because the techniques students learn for fractions are exactly the same ones they will need for parts of algebra. If we don't understand and master the ideas for fractions, we will find learning algebra difficult.

Katie Mueller will be teaching Spanish to our class during the second trimester.

SNOW CAMP is on the calendar for Wednesday and Thursday, January 26 and 27.  Information about camp tuition balances will be sent home tomorrow. After the holiday break, students will receive information about our schedule and what things they will need to bring for the two days of outdoor education.  If you are interested in chaperoning this event, please contact Mr. Chittenden as soon as possible.

Sara, Joe, Devon, and MaKayla play Monopoly during our first compliment party.

OUR ONLINE CLASSROOM has provided a great meeting place to respond to each chapter we are reading in the C.S. Lewis novel, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."  Students take a 10 question quiz after our reading and receive instant feedback on their comprehension.  They then plot their results on a bar graph.  We will soon begin applying our knowledge about thesis statements and essays to writing about this classic work.

THANKSGIVING TIME

OUR THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE continues through this Friday, November 19.  Students are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to school.  Fifth grade students should bring canned vegetables or canned fruit.  Cash/check donations are also accepted.  We hope to provide food baskets for some 50 area families this year!

THE PLANETARIUM at White Pines Middle School will be our destination on Wednesday afternoon, November 17.  We are fortunate to include this activity in our field trip schedule this year.

TTQ runners take off from the Gene Rothi Field at Grand Haven high School.

TOTAL TREK QUEST completed their 5-kilometer run at Grand Haven High School last Saturday morning. The air was brisk, but it didn't stop our 16 third, fourth, and fifth grade boys from conquering the trail run.  Hundreds of boys, friends, and families from throughout Ottawa County participated in the event.

Team Lake Hills and their coaches geared up and numbered for the big event.

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE is our focus of study as we finish the first trimester of fifth grade.  This C.S. Lewis classic is a part of the "Chronicles of Narnia."  A new film in the series, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, will appear in theaters is December.  Students access our online classroom to check their comprehension of what we read.

Josh and Cameron attempt to enjoy the sardines and crackers as skeptics watch them encounter the same snack Lucy and Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe enjoyed.

THE SNOW CAMP FUND RAISER begins this week.  Fifth grade students will be selling World's Finest Chocolate candy bars to help raise funds for their outdoor education at YMCA Camp Pendalouan in January.  All money from the sales of their kits must be returned by Thursday, December 2.  Please submit this payment in the form of a check or money order payable to Lake Hills School.

DATA AND STATISTICS using pumpkins can be a lot of fun.  We spent part of our afternoon determining mass and circumference along with recording statistical landmarks.

Kayla and Cameron begin to dig out and count the pumpkin seeds to help us establish range, median, mode, and mean.

Andrew determines the circumference of the pumpkin using a centimeter tape measure.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES were a great success.  Thank you for your 100% participation in these important meetings.  Report cards will be sent home on Friday, December 10.

THANKSGIVING RECESS is from November 24 to 29. Students will have only two days of school next week.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, November 30.

THE GALES OF NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER is right around the corner.  Hopefully, you have been able to witness some of the fury of Lake Michigan this week. Traffic was backed up into Spring Lake on Wednesday evening to get a glimpse of the spectacular shoreline show.

Great photo taken by Marc Blondin, a long time friend of mine.

THE FUN RUN was held on Thursday afternoon, October 21, to help the PTA in their efforts to fund a variety of school activities this year.  Our classroom goal is to raise $1200 and we've almost reached the halfway mark.  Students are asked to bring in the pledges they collected for Lake Hills as soon as possible, but before this Wednesday, November 3.  Thank you for your generous support of this primary fund raising effort.

Fifth graders begin their Fun Run to help support our school.

TOTAL TREK QUEST continues to train for their 5-kilometer run on November 13 at Grand Haven High School.  Sixteen third through fifth grade boys are enrolled in the program this fall.  It has been a pleasure to work with them along with Coach Levi and Coach Landon on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. 

Albin, Andrew, Cameron, and Ben and the TTQ team in a Thursday run.

OUR HALLOWEEN PARTY today was a big success.  Walking tacos, fruit kabobs, and refreshments were a big hit.  Special thanks to Wendy Walters for coordinating this event.  Check out the photographs of each team in costume.

GOOD TIMES ARE HERE

OUR FUN RUN is set for Thursday, October 21.  Help the PTA reach their budget goal and support the fun run with your generous donation.  Come join us for this major fundraiser.  Students should wear sports shoes, bring a water bottle, and dress in our grade color, GREEN.

TOTAL TREK QUEST involves third through fifth grade boys in an after-school running program in preparation for a 5 kilometer run at Grand Haven High School in November.  Members of the team from our class include Harry Reck, Ben Reck, Zack LaVercombe, Andrew Walters, Cameron Nogar, and Josh Huttenga.

The Total Trek Quest team forms a tunnel at the
end of their 3-mile Wildwood Springs loop.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION is a wonderful part of fifth grade life at Lake Hills.  Students will participate in two days of Snow Camp on January 26-27 at YMCA Camp Pendalouan.  Our candy bar sale will begin on November 17.  Thank you for sending in the recent request for these kits.  Students can earn their entire tuition for camp by selling two kits of America's Finest Chocolate.

Alexis and Cole partner together for a game of Factor Captor.

OUR STUDENT COUNCIL meets once or more each month with the principal and provides leadership in the school and community.  They assist with the Thanksgiving Food Drive and operate the school store.  Our class elected Caitlyn Cooling, Alexis Walker-VanSingel, and Andrew Walters today as representatives to the fifth grade student council.

Harper and Josh tutor each other during our word study/spelling.

MEAP TESTING begins next Tuesday at Lake Hills.  Fifth grade students will complete assessments in reading on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The following week students will complete a math assessment on Tuesday, October 19, and a science assessment on Wednesday, October 20.  Please do not schedule any appointments for these test days.  All students MUST complete the Michigan Educational Assessment Program.

GEOMETRY was the focus of our second math unit.  Students will take a test on Monday which will focus on determining the perimeter and area of rectangles, parallelograms, and triangles.  We have also continued a review of multiplication factors and products.

OCTOBER ARRIVES

THE CRISP AIR is a pleasant reminder that my favorite time of year is here.  It was also an "awakening force" during my 6-mile bike ride to school a few times this week.  That same force is providing stamina in the classroom as we are now quite settled into the routines of our busy schedule. This is a great class!

THE FUN RUN is a wonderful way for students, parents, and staff to help raise money for our PTA in their efforts to provide support of various initiatives at Lake Hills.  On Thursday, October 21, we will help raise money for field trips, educational assemblies, Spring Fling, and other projects by participating in a healthy event of running and walking for dollars.  Our classroom goal is to raise $1200 for our school.  The Fun Run will replace all PTA fund raising efforts--and make life much easier for all of  us at Lake Hills. Thank you for supporting our first Fun Run!  ONLINE PLEDGES will accept all major credit cards and PayPal securely.

THE PTA helped make several wishes come true during this week's Scholastic Book Fair.  They donated FIVE books I requested for our room library.  Two books are by author Mary Downing Hahn; another is from an award-winning author, Frances O'Roark Dowell; a Newberry Honor book by Jacqueline Kelly; and the fifth is an interesting title, "The School of Fear," by Gitty Daneshvari (an interesting name).

ART CLASS with Mrs. Sipe is a favorite Friday morning special.  Students have been constructing tissue paper collage boxes.  They are made from card stock, tissue paper, acrylic glitter glaze, sequins, metallic paints, corks, glass globs, and sea glass.

Alexis dries her glazed tissue paper in art class.

I ENJOY teaching social studies to both fifth grade classes.  Recently, we completed a basic study of geography in preparation for our focus on American history.  This week we have considered how American Indians adapted to different environments in North America.  Students enjoy taking their social studies tests using our CPS response keypads.

BOXTOPS for Education are a "painless" way to help us at Lake Hills. Students may still bring the boxtops for an October 10 and October 20 pickup.

MEAP testing is soon upon us.  This past week we have focused on a review of many concepts in mathemtics--numeration, algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics.  Last week we completed our first unit test and our class average score was an impressive 88% achievement.

Harper's Superdad and Supermom drawing for the book fair.

A GREAT START

THE FIRST WEEK of school is already behind us.  It is a pleasure getting acquainted with new students as I begin my 25th year of teaching.  Some of you may be interested in my personal blog and a recent post about my adventurous summer.  Please feel free to visit http://kirbylane.blogspot.com.

This is a great looking class!

THE RELAY FOR LIFE will be held at White Pines Middle School this Saturday and Sunday.  I will be participating in the signature event for the American Cancer Society in memory of my father who passed away from prostate cancer in 1996.  Information about how students can contribute was send home today.  If they purchase a $1 footprint or $5 star, we will display them outside our classroom.  Thank you for your generous giving.

Caitlyn and Zac help display books from our room library.

WE BEGIN SPELLING today.  Each student will be assigned a developmentally appropriate word list for the week.  Their "scorecard" should remain in their BBT folder as we peer tutor throughout the week and test on the given words on Friday.  Please return the results of the placement test that was sent home today.

TOTAL TREK QUEST begins this Tuesday after school.  Students may bring their registration forms and fee with them for the 4:00 to 5:30 practice at Lake Hills. I will be assisting Coach Levi Pulver as the group prepares for a 5K run later this fall.

Finding a "just right" book is not always easy.

INDEPENDENT READING is very important in fifth grade.  During the first trimester students should be completing at least 55 pages per week from books of their choice.  They should have at least 2 books they are reading, one for home and one for school.  Students are asked to "write about their reading" in their Response Journals using a Reading Response form.

A BUS EVACUATION PRACTICE will be conducted tomorrow morning, September 14.  All students will be trained in what to do in a busy emergency.  Please drop off students who are car riders in fron t of the lower pod and direct them to the bus area so they can join the practice.

WELCOME TO FIFTH GRADE

THANKS for finding our class blog.  Here is a short video about the journey we will share together.  Take a few minutes to listen to it; then write down the 3 things I suggest that are important to any successful journey.  Bring that list with your name and your parent's signature on it to the first day of school and I will have something special for you.

FIFTH GRADE ORIENTATION will take place before school begins this year on Tuesday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m.  It will also include an ice cream social for all students and parents.  This is an important opportunity for me to meet students and their families, so be sure to mark this date on your calendar.

SCHOOL BEGINS on Tuesday, September 7, at 8:53 a.m.  Be sure to bring the gear that was mentioned in the letter you recently received.  The first day is a full day of class and students will be dismissed at 3:52 p.m.

MY FAMILY is important to me and you will probably hear me talk a lot about them.  Here is a brief glimpse of the Chittendens.

Kirby, Shelby, Susan, Jeff, and Theresa

Our daughter, Shelby (right), is shown here with Theresa, our exchange student, on graduation day from Spring Lake High School.  Shelby will attend Community Based Instruction in Grand Haven this fall.  Theresa returned to Germany this summer after spending a year with our family.

Our son, Jeff, worked with the district technology team this summer.  He is shown here (foreground), wiring our classroom for the new media cart and interactive whiteboard.  Jeff attends Grand Valley State University and is interested in computer science and education.

THE ODRAM (One Day Ride Across Michigan) involved about 85 cyclist traveling from Montague to Bay City on Saturday, August 21.  My training partner and friend, Jennifer Mason, and I are pictured here in Blanchard after stopping for lunch about halfway through the journey that took 10 hours, 50 minutes.

2010 FIELD DAY

FIFTH GRADE FIELD DAY is always a highlight for our students at the end of the year.  Although it was a very warm day at Lakeshore Middle School, the enthusiasm and excitement seemed greater than ever.    Specific standards are established for ten different events from which students select three.  Every student receives a ribbon for their personal achievement in these individual events.  In addition, each school also participates in two team events: the 400-meter relay and the tug-of-war.  Parents, teachers, and many volunteers join together to create this fun event for students of our elementary schools.

STUDENTS from Lake Hills, Ferry, Griffin, Robinson, Mary A. White, Rosy Mound, and Peach Plains schools join in the National Anthem as field day begins.

STUDENTS wait patiently to participate in the 50, 100, and 400-meter runs.

LUKE doesn't waste any time entering the obstacle course.

SAVANNAH is in good form flying her way through the obstacle course.

MAC puts his relay team effort into high gear near the finish line.

RELAY TEAM members Trey, Mac, Luke, Lauren, Andrea, Leah, and Mrs. Baker took second place in the 400-meter relay.

THE TUG TEAM does their best in an attempt to defeat Peach Plains in one of the longest endurance efforts of the entire day.

TUG TEAM members Griffin, Jimmy, Toby, Devin, Alex, Catherine, Josie, Lynn, Talia, and Shianna join Mr. Chittenden on the field.

CLASS PLAY COMING

TIME JOURNEY 2 is in production mode and we'll open on Tuesday, May 11, for two afternoon shows for students. We also have performances on May 12 and 13, concluding with a Thursday evening show for friends and families at 6:30 p.m.  Students will remain after school on May 13 for a movie and a cast dinner prior to the evening performance.

Mac, Talia, Drew, and Amanda rehearse the final scene of the class play.

PRODUCTION T-SHIRTS should be here tomorrow.  Let's designate the next TWO MONDAYS to promote the play by students wearing their tees.  In other words, students should wear them to school on May 3 and May 10.

SPECIAL THANKS to several adults who are assisting with production aspects.  Diane Mahacek compiled the biographical information of each student and we will dedicate the next blog post to the entire cast.  Annel Olthof is coordinating the History Maker's costumes and coordinating the cast dinner.  Dawnice Harloff is providing set decorations for the Edison laboratory.  Jeff Chittenden has helped with set modifications, lighting, and sound effects.

SCENE ONE from the play will be performed for the GHAPS Board of Education at the beginning of their meeting this Monday evening, May 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center at Lake Hills.  Students performing include Cooper Sale, Shane Cannon, Luke Staskiewicz, Ashley Priebe, Natalie Newell, Drew Henman, Savannah Lemmen, and Mac Mahacek.  Students need to report to Room 15 by 6:45 p.m.

OUR FINAL PERFORMANCES of Time Journey 2 will be on Thursday, May 13, at 6:30.  Family, friends, and the public are invited to this performance, so arrive early for a good seat.  Rooms 15 and 16 will be open for our evening audience.

UNDERWRITERS help us with the cost of production.  Although our expenses are less than $500 this year, we rely on the support of individuals, families, and businesses for contributions to our class account.  Please let Kirby Chittenden know by Wednesday, May 5, if you would like to help underwrite this year's play.  We will recognize you, your family, and/or business in the program for a $20 donation.

PLEASE REMEMBER that cameras are not permitted during the play, so take pictures before and afterwards.  We will also be posting pictures on our web log that you can download.

THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD and Principal Mike Shelton welcomed our class to White Pines Middle School today.  Students enjoyed a preview of coming attractions as they spent the day with sixth grade students and middle school teacher getting acquainted.  Parent Night will be held this Tuesday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m.

TOTAL TREK QUEST will run the 5-kilometer Tulip Time race this Saturday morning.  Room 15 students participating in the run include Luke Staskiewicz, Nick Davis, Drew Henman, Mac Mahacek, and Mason Harloff.  Mr. Chittenden will also be running with them at the 8:00 a.m. event at Christ Memorial Church in Holland.

EARTH DAY BIKERS to school included more than 20 fifth grade students...plus a few parents. As a result, Wednesdays have been designated as an unofficial ride-your-bike-to-school day.

NO SCHOOL next Wednesday, May 5.  Teachers will be in professional development for the day.

SPECTACULAR FIELD TRIP

THE FIFTH GRADE classes enjoyed a wonderful field trip to the Celebration Cinema IMAX and the Grand Rapids Museum on Friday, March 26.

At Celebration Cinema we witnessed "The Mysteries of the Great Lakes" and traveled to the "inland seas'" to view some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth on the 50' x 70' IMAX screen.

We would like to thank our parent chaperones for joining us in our travel:  Mary Ann Noordyk, Shelley Cannon, Dawnice Harloff, Marietta Ackley, Wendy Sale, Lee Miracle, Angela Mitchell, Traci LaFrance, Diane Mahacek, Ken Worthem, Annel Olthof, Tina Hirr, and Char Merz.

Below are a few photo highlights of our afternoon at the Grand Rapids Museum.  

 

STUDENTS listen to a museum docent who explains what early American shopping at a department store was like on the streets of old Grand Rapids.

TRANSPORTATION has changed considerably in the past century.  Lynn, Ashley, Drew, Trevon, and Shianna stand outside the horse-drawn streetcar that once belonged to the Grand Rapids Street Railway Company in 1885.  

EVEN BIKES looked much different than they do today.  Trevon attempts to ride this high-wheeler from the past.

THE STEAM ENGINE from St. John's Table Company in Cadillac sits between the first and second floor of the museum.  Sadie, Hans, Brady, Alea, Morgan, and Miciah stand below the large flywheel of the 1905 Corliss-type steam engine.

THE FURNITURE CITY has defined Grand Rapids since the 1860's.  Cole, Mac, and Devin continue their scavenger hunt in this area of the museum.

THIS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP of Michigan was constructed in 1940 from plywood crates.  Back row: Savannah, Mason, Trey, Cooper.  Front row: Garrett, Amanda, Natalie, Jimmy, and Taylor.

THE TOWER CLOCK was built in 1888 for the Grand Rapids City Hall.  Nick, Luke, Michael, and Shane record information at the working clock during the scavenger hunt.

THE COOK CAROUSEL PAVILION overlooks the Grand River and attracts a lot of attention from museum visitors.  Mason, Drew, and Hans get ready for a ride on the restored 1928 carousel.