First Week in 5-2

Hello 5-2 Families ~

I hope you are enjoying a peaceful weekend, despite the gloomy weather we seem to be having today!  Perfect weather to curl up with a good book, or play a family game :)  After spending some time getting to know your children, I understand we have a few competitive board gamers in the crowd!

Important Dates:

Parent Night ~ Wednesday, 09/02 6:30-8:30 ~ Please join us on Wednesday night to learn about curriculum and classroom expectations. Our presentation will begin in the classroom promptly at 7:10pm, and end at 7:45pm.  Looking forward to seeing you all there!

5th Grade Annual Egg Drop ~ Thursday, 09/03 ~ Check the blog for updated pictures throughout the day!

Band Parent Meeting ~ Wednesday, 09/16 7:00-8:30pm ~ Join Mrs. Kuzmanoff in our Commons for a presentation on 5th grade band.

What's Happening in 5-2

We spent the first two days in 5-2 getting to know each other, learning routines and exploring classroom organization - they were all excited to explore our classroom library and check out a book yesterday.  We will be establishing more reading expectations and routines when we begin our new reading curriculum next week, but hopefully many of your children brought home a book to read over the weekend.

What's in the Sack? ~ It was so much fun getting to know many of your children yesterday morning as they shared their 5 treasures with the class.  I just love seeing pictures of families and dogs, hearing stories of favorite vacation spots, seeing medals and trophies, and learning about their favorite hobbies.  And they all seem to take great pride in sharing who they are with their classmates and with me :)  We're still excited to learn more about many of their friends as they plan to bring in their What's in the Sack? next week!

5th Grade Goals ~ After that, we spent some time discussing our goals for 5th grade.  We talked about the importance of reflecting on our past and using that to guide our decisions for the future.  Not only did we set up and post our goals for the year, but we discussed the specific ways we can achieve our goals.  It's difficult to accomplish anything if you don't know how you're going to get there!  I was so impressed with the maturity of your students as they committed to specific ways they will improve themselves this year!  Look for their goals and committments on our Putting Our Best Foot Forward bulletin board when you visit our classroom next week!

Edmodo ~ We also spent some more time on technology yesterday as students learned how to download and complete an assignment on Edmodo, then turn it back in.  I was not only impressed with their competence using technology yesterday, but also the leadership so many of your children demonstrated as they learned, then turned around and helped each other!  They had fun filling out the Interest Surveys and sharing some information to help me get to know them a little better.  Have them show you around Edmodo a little more this weekend - they should be able to show you the document they completed and turned in.  You can even read their responses.  I'll be enjoying their responses and responding to all of them this weekend!  Next week, they'll learn how to read my comments and even check their grades online. 

Patrol Training ~ Yesterday afternoon, they were super excited to do Patrol Training and choose their positions.  It was refreshing to see how excited all of your children are to serve as good role models this year!  With all the construction and changes in routines this year, it is especially important that we have Patrols on duty around the building keeping our community safe.  A Safety Patrol letter was sent home via backpack yesterday to explain our Safety Patrol program and expectations, but you can also find the letter on my website just in case it was misplaced.  I will also post the Patrol Schedule and Handbook for reference this weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions about Safety Patrol!

FLIPS & FLOPS ~ Finally, we ended our day with a discussion and writing exercise about the BEST moment of our summer, and the WORST - our FLIPS and FLOPS of summer.  The students worked on these independently, and I will be using them as a baseline for their writing skills.  Some students did not finish the assignment in class, so they were asked to complete them at home this weekend.  They will be due on Monday morning.  Please allow them to complete them independently at home.  They will not be graded, but will help me get to know them as writers.  I'm looking forward to reading all about their summer vacations next week!  Look for them when you visit our classroom for Parent Night!

Next week, we will continue to learn routines and expectations, and engage in some exciting team building exercises...Robot Build, Grebigol, and of course, our Annual 5th Grade Egg Drop on Thursday!!  Be sure to stay tuned to our blog that day - I post pictures all day long as our event unfolds :)

Whew!  What a full couple of days we had!  I just love the energy and sense of community in our classroom this year.  The students are excited for the year ahead, and look forward to taking on the challenges of 5th grade.  I will share more about the upcoming year at Parent Night - hope to see you there!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns at all, please do not hesitate to send me an email or set up a time to meet.  Have a fantastic weekend!

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”  Aristotle

Cheers ~

Theresa Fowler

First Day!!

Hello 5-2 Familes ~

What a great first day in 5-2!!  We spent the day getting to know each other a little better, playing a few games, and already jumping into some technology.  (Thank you to all of you who already replied on Edmodo!)  I had a blast spending the day with your kids...I hope they had as much fun as I did!   You all have such delightful, respectful children...pause and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done :)

I just wanted to give you a quick heads up that a BUNCH of paperwork came home today.  I know...a BUNCH of paperwork from the paperless teacher doesn't make sense (ha ha!), but I promise you -  it won't be a regular occurrence!

I didn't want you to miss anything, so here is a list of all the things that your child should have brought home:

Tenth Inning Letter - this needs to be signed by you and returned to school.

Million Words or Less - this is your homework ;)

Homework Policy

Lunch Menu

If you're missing any of those, all the documents are linked on my Website page.  There are a few other notices on that page that will come home tomorrow.  Feel free to download them all if you're interested.  The Lunch Menu came from the front office, so you won't find that one linked.  If you need an extra one, please just remind your child to ask me for one.

You'll find a few quick snapshots of your kiddos in the Opening Day Assembly and in class after this post....thought you might enjoy them.  Look at all those smiles!! 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a peaceful evening - they should sleep well tonight ;)  I know I will!

"No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure." - Emma Goldman

Cheers ~ 

Mrs. Fowler

Welcome to 5-2!!

Hello 5-2 Families :) 

I hope this blog finds you refreshed after a relaxing summer and ready for a new school year!  I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you, and to tell you how excited I am to be your child’s 5^th grade teacher!

I have had the privilege of working at Olive-Mary Stitt for the past twelve years, with the majority of my time spent in 5^th grade.   I hold a Master Degree in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University, and an undergraduate degree in Information Systems and Accounting.  I am also a dedicated mother of three boys, ages 21, 20, and 17, and one step-daughter, 28, all who have taught me the many joys and trials of parenting.

Your students are part of a Paperless Classroom this year.  As they will learn, “paperless” means “less paper”, rather than “no paper”.  The students will be using significantly more technology in their daily work and communication in the classroom, and significantly less paper.  Fear not, this does NOT mean you will be expected to provide more technology for your children at home!  They will be given the choice with every homework assignment to take it home on paper, or to complete it online.  We will discuss this expectation in more detail on Curriculum Night on 09/03/14.  

*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ***

Ø  Please have your child bring a water bottle each day to keep on their desk – especially during these last few days of summer.  It can get warm in our classroom after recess or PE, and this will cut down on the number of trips to the water fountain.  Wrapping the water bottle in a sock will help to reduce the amount of condensation on their desks.

Ø  Students will be allowed to have a snack around 11:00 each morning – please be sure this is a healthy snack (fruits and vegetables only!)

Ø  Lunch will be from 12:10-12:40 for the first half of the year.  All 5^th grade students will be eating and having recess together.  It is important that your child knows each morning if he/she is going to eat a hot lunch, a cold lunch, a sack lunch from home, or if they will be going home for lunch.

Ø  Students will be taken outdoors for recess every day - please be sure your child is wearing appropriate footwear this time of year.  Flip-flops and Crocs are discouraged as many students have received injuries wearing these types of sandals on the playground.

Ø  Specials Schedule:

o   Art will be on Tuesday from 10:15–11:00.

o    PE & Music will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:10-11:10 – please be sure your child wears or brings in gym shoes on those days.

o   LMC will be on Mondays from 10:40-11:10, please help your child to remember their library book due dates. 

Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions.  The best way to contact me is via e-mail: tfowler@sd25.org . I check my e-mail throughout the day, but generally respond only in the evening, unless there is an urgent need for a quicker response.  If you would rather leave me a voice mail, you are welcome to call me at (847) 506-6999 x7856.  

I look forward to getting to know your children better over the next several weeks.  I am truly excited for this year and am looking forward to working with your child as well as with you.  

Looking forward to seeing all of you next Wednesday, 9/2 6:30-8:30pm for Curriculum Night.  Please look for further communications from me in the form of emails, as well as website and blog updates.

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

William Butler Yeats