Classroom Calendar

Sunday, October 14, 2012

We have been having a great time in 5th grade so far.  I can't believe that it is already time to go off track!  We have been having so much fun in class.  It has been great to see how much your children are enjoying math time.  Almost everyday when the bell rings for them to go out for recess they are disappointed that math is over and sometimes ask if they can just stay in.  I love that they are engaged and enjoying the learning process! 

It would be very beneficial to read and use your new math skills while we are off track.  We have been learning about adding and subtracting decimals, estimating decimals, etc.  It would be a fun activity to take your child with you to the grocery store and have them estimate how much the bill will be!

Your child's mystery book report is due on Tuesday, October 16th.  This is the art and craft book report.  He/She needs to be prepared to present their project and say a little bit about the book they read.  ( I sent a rubric home about 2 weeks ago).  

Our class store is going to be Wednesday morning.  Thank you to all of you that have sent things in for the students to "buy".  I know our class is really looking forward to this activity.  Our Halloween party will start right after lunch on Wednesday.  Because the rest of the school is still on track and having a normal day, we cannot dress up for our party.  The school is having a "blackout" day for all D-Track students.  This is going to take place of dressing up.  (If the school allowed the D-Track students to dress up this day it would be very distracting to the other students in the school.)

I hope you have a fun and safe off track!  Remember, we come back November 12th.  If you have any questions or concerns while we are off track just e-mail me (karen.masina@jordandistrict.org) and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Happy Halloween!  See you in November!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

We have been very busy these last couple of weeks.  Your children have just finished up learning about matter in science.  Mrs. Frost was very impressed with our class and the class average on the matter test.  Good Job!

This week starts another science rotation. We will be learning all about electricity with Mrs. Jaroscak.

Last week we finished our fractions unit in math.  I know some of the students are very relieved that we are moving on.  (There will be plenty of fraction review so your child won't forget what we worked so hard to learn.)   The class earned an 80% class average on their fractions test so we were able to have a math party.  (This explains the talent show that we had last Friday.)  

Math Unit 2 is all about decimals and place value.  If your student is struggling in math you can try the district math website: JSD Math Website  This site offers parent and student math helps.  

***Remember***
Your child can re-do any assignment that they would like to.  (With the exception of tests and quizzes.  Please take advantage of this opportunity.  

The next couple of weeks are going to be busy and fun.  I am looking forward to seeing some of you come in and volunteer in our classroom.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  karen.masina@jordandistrict.org


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  I promise to do better as the year goes on.  Your children did a magnificent job on their book reports.  I loved the costumes they put together.  Thank you for helping your child with this.  It turned out to be a great activity to do and I know the students all learned a great deal about explorers. 

There are just a few items that I want to make sure you are all aware of.  First of all, we will be having our Math Unit 1 test next Tuesday.  Please help your child study for this.  A good way to do this is to just review homework that has been returned to them.  We will be reviewing Unit 1 this week and again on Monday. 

I sent out book orders in the Monday Messages yesterday.  If you are interested in ordering books, the orders are due next Thursday (September 27). 

Please make sure you are really looking through the Monday Messages papers.  There are important notes from the school and P.T.A. that are in there, along with your child's graded work.  It is also a good idea to hold on to graded work until the end of the term.  As hard as I try to make sure everything has been put into skyward there are times when things don't get recorded.  The only way to ensure that your child doesn't have to redo the assignment is to bring it back in to me and show me that it was graded.  (I try really hard to be perfect but I do make mistakes.) 

Please e-mail me with any questions, concerns, or needs.  I want to make sure we have a great year.
Thanks!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

We have had a fun week learning about different early American explorers.  The students were put in groups and put together some outstanding posters on the explorers assigned to their groups.  Along with learning about explorers in class your child has been assigned an explorer to do a book report on.  I sent home a list of students and explorers assigned to them today.  Please look for this in your Monday Messages packet.  This is the only book report that doesn't actually have to come from a book.  If you cannot find a book on your explorer you are more than welcome to use a reliable internet source.   This book report is due next Friday, (September 14th) and is an oral impersonation of the explorer.  I do not need anything written handed in.  Your child will be graded on his/her oral presentation and the information they include in that presentation.  I sent a rubric home last week that shows exactly what I will be looking for.  

As always, if you have any questions please email me.  

Sunday, August 26, 2012

 We have had a successful first week of school!  I have loved getting to know each one of your children and look forward to having a fun year with them.  

You will be receiving information on book reports, Brilliant Bobcat, and the Young American Award this week.  Book report due dates will be posted on the blog calendar so please watch for those.  

The Young American Award is in it's second year at Butterfield Canyon.  This is something that is optional for your child.  I would love to see the entire class get this award.   Passing off the Young American requirements will also cover some of the Brilliant Bobcat requirements.  

We will start spelling this week.  Our spelling program is different than what you are normally used to seeing.  If you read through the disclosure statement sent home last week, there is more information on spelling in there so please refer to that.

If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail me and let me know.  It is very important that we work together to ensure that your child has a successful fifth grade experience.


Book Orders were sent home today.  (Monday, August 27th)  If you would like to order online our class code is HXNYP.   Orders are due next Tuesday.  (September 4th)


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Welcome back to school! I am looking forward to an exciting year. This is my first year using a classroom blog. I hope that it will be a useful tool for all of us. Please check the blog once a week for important announcements and calendar items. I will also be uploading pictures of activities we will be doing throughout the year.

This year we will be implementing the Math Common Core to our curriculum. If you would like to learn more about the Common Core click on the following link: elemmath.jordandistrict.org This is a very useful site that the district has put together to help you understand what you will be learning this year.

 The fifth grade team has decided to integrate social studies and science into language arts this year. Much of your vocabulary and language arts assignments will have to do with social studies or science. Doing this will make it possible for us to make sure you learn everything you need to learn this year.

 ** August 16th from 4:00-5:00 is our Back to School Night/Open House. You will be able to find me in the gym. (Our classroom will not be available).
** First Day of school is August 20th. Remember to check the school blog for a list of supplies:butterfieldcanyon.blogspot.com

I am so excited to meet all of you.


This is our classroom calendar.  This is a good way to stay up to date on assignments and upcoming events.  Make sure to check it at least once a week.