Time for the MCA's

The following note is going home today regarding the upcoming MCA tests. Please ask your student about it, if they do not show it to you. Thank you!!

April 6, 2011

Dear Families,

During the next few weeks students will be taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments known as the MCAs.  You will receive your child’s score (usually before school starts next fall), which compares him or her to other children in the same grade level throughout the state of Minnesota.

We will be testing in our Reading and Math groups.

Reading Tests:  Tuesday, April 12^th & Wednesday, April 13th

Math Tests:     Eaton: Wednesday, May 4^th and Thursday, May 5th

                           Schaefer: Monday, May 2^nd and Wednesday, May 4th

                           Sorlie: Monday, May 2^nd and Thursday, May 5th

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT EVERY STUDENT

IS HERE ON THE DAY OF THE TEST!

Brain research shows that in order for a student’s brain to operate at it optimum, it needs plenty of rest and good nutrition.

Looking for some ways to help your child be prepared?

·        Encourage your child to work hard everyday.

·        Start the day off right the morning of each test:

1.     Get a good night’s sleep

2.    Eat a nutritious breakfast

3.    Keep a positive attitude

·        Help your child to arrive at school on time.

·        Ask your child how the test went after each testing date.

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We want to make sure this important information gets home.

Please sign and return the bottom part once you have read this letter.

Please feel free to call us with any questions/concerns.

Parent Signature______________________________            Date________________



Science Unit: Levers & Pulleys

Discussing their hypothesis during our lever experiment.

Testing their hypothesis with their materials.

Teamwork!

We learned about all three classes of levers and that they each need a fulcrum, force, and effort.

Next we learned about pulleys.

We tested different ways to lift a milk jug off the ground with pulleys.

Multiple ideas were tested. Then students recorded and discussed their observations.

Valentine's Day party

 We enjoyed a game of blowing tissue hearts across the room with straws. 

 

 

 

 

 Both teams showed a great amount of teamwork and everyone participated!

 Fun times with friends!

Thank you to our room moms, Mrs. L., Mrs. W., and Mrs. H. 

for their time in organzing our classroom parties this year!

Science Projects

Each 5th grade student will be responsible for completing a science project by the beginning of March. In class, students have identified a problem that they are interested in researching. They are now working on finding facts about their problem and will complete a research paper soon. Students will also be required to complete an experiment relating to the problem they identified. This project will require some work to be completed at home. Please ask your student what they have selected to study for their project. They will need to do an oral presentation at the end of the project, so it will be good practice for them to explain to you what they are studying. There are many pieces to this exciting project . . . more details and specific expectations will come as we get further along in our process.

Holiday Party 2010

The students enjoyed their holiday party, even with the early out the day before and the late start that morning. Snow can't stop our excitement! We enjoyed karaoke, food, and fun together. Hope everyone is now enjoying their winter break!! See you in 2011!!!

Ornaments!

The lunch supervisors made winter ornaments for everyone! We were really excited for the thoughtful gifts.

Thank you--Joni, Ruth, Renee, and Barb!!

Unit 4 Test

I returned the unit 4 test to my math students today. I encourage you and your student to go over the test together. I told the students that we'll continue to work on division since it is a gold standard that they'll need to master this year. The steps that we follow are: divide, multiply, subtract, check, bring down, and then start over again. (The acronym they know is "Does McDonalds sell cheese burgers.") Ask your student why we use this acronym . . . then watch them go through the steps. It does work quite well! Thanks for your help in your student's learning.