TEAMS WORKING

AS WE CONCLUDE our fourth week in fifth grade, I am so pleased with the progress we are making as learners and the efficient teamwork of this class.  Although not every aspect of all daily procedures are in place, we are well on our way to understanding the routines of each week. 

INTERACTION in the classroom is essential to learning.  Students often consult with members of their team and work together to solve problems.  During our word studies, students tutor each other from a developmentally appropriate spelling list.  In math class, student partners often collaborate to formulate equations and solve problems.  "None of us is as smart as all of us."

Seth and Jordyn work together on locating objects based on latitude and longitude.

OUR SOCIAL CONTRACT has been under construction for a few weeks.  Today we identified and agreed upon the basic elements of our classroom contract:  respect, selflessness, encouragement, kindness, safety, listening, safety, inclusion, responsibility, time management, and fun.

THE CLASSROOM COUNCIL is a response to the quality of leadership in this class.  The council will not only assist in planning special events, but they will be an integral part in helping with general classroom operations.  The following students met with me for our first Classroom Council meeting this week:  Lauren Streng, Owen Becklin, Gabby Scott, Colin Yetzke, Brooke Babbitt, Jordyn Nichols, Micah Simmons, Justine Wolffis.  Lauren and Owen also represent our class on the school Student Council.

Our fifth and sixth grade Student Council recently met before school in the Media Center.

PARENT CONNECT allows parents and teachers to dialogue about current academic and social topics at White Pines.  Open to all parents, the group met for their second meeting this past week as they discussed fifth and sixth grade mathematics.  Their next meeting will focus on the topic of reading and will be held on Thursday, October 10.  All Parent Connect evenings begin at 5:30 and conclude at 6:45.  Child care is provided.

Owen and Owen use calculators to help determine a common denominator while adding and subtracting fractions.

THE STUDENT HANDBOOK for White Pines is online.  Although we have looked at a few sections of the 23-page document in class, please be sure you and your child have reviewed the contents of the handbook.  I will be sending home an agreement the school has requested for a parent signature regarding your review.  Click HERE to go to the online student handbook.

SCHOLASTIC SCOPE is a new language arts magazine that we will be sharing with Ms. Westerman's class this year.  SCOPE offers a wide range of genres including informational and narrative nonfiction, short fiction, infographics, debates, speeches, and dramas based on myths, classic literature, and history. Click HERE for the online version and a variety of activities for the October 2013 issue.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION for our team of is scheduled for October 30-31 at YMCA Camp Pendalouan.  Thank you for returning all the requested forms and for volunteering to help with these two days outside of the classroom.  Click HERE for a camper checklist of items students should and should not bring.

NEW CLASS, GREAT TIMES

TIME FLIES when you are actively engaged in creating a new classroom community.  We have now completed 12 days of school and it is exciting to see the 29 students in our class come together as learners.  I am very impressed with the ability of this class/team at White Pines. 

We are off to a great start!  Click on any photo for a larger view.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION is set for October 30 and October 31 for our team.  The $60 registration fee is due this Friday, September 20.  Your check should be payable to GHAPS.  If you are interested in serving as a chaperone these two days, please contact Mr. Chittenden via email (chittenk@ghaps.org) as soon as possible.  The camper/student health form and high ropes course consent form is also due this Friday.

SOCIAL STUDIES is an important part of the content presented in fifth grade.  Our first test will be tomorrow, September 19.  Our focus has been on learning basic geography language and its application to reading maps, understanding various land forms.  The test permits open notes (not textbook) and students will use a learning response system to take the paperless test.

MATHEMATICS is an area that the fifth grade MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program) will feature in October.  Our first unit of study in Everyday Mathematics Common Core addresses comparing, adding, and subtracting fractions.  These are challenging concepts, but we are making excellent progress in our understanding.

THE STUDENT PLANNER is an important communication tool.  Please check your child’s planner daily for a listing of assignments.  Students should “flag” their assignments as completed, in progress, or as homework requiring completion.  Please sign your child’s planner daily.