Moving to 3rd Grade!

Next year (2016-17) I will be teaching 3rd grade!  My email is still hdyer@ucschools.org if anyone needs me over the summer.  You can find my 3rd grade website HERE.  (It is a work in progress!)

So Long but not Goodbye

The end of the year is such a bittersweet time.  We're all looking forward to summer break, but we're going to miss the friends we're leaving behind.  I wish the very best to my dear, precious students and their families as you journey from the elementary school over to the middle school.  It has been my pleasure and my honor to be your teacher this year.  You all mean so much to me!  I hope that you will keep in touch, because you will always be a part of me.  I think the following poem may say it best.

Best wishes to you all!  Thank you for a great year!

PJs & Electronics Tuesday!

Today we went through our signed papers and are bringing home some of our favorite work.  Please clean out backpacks daily (and send backpacks to school each day).  Thanks!

The students have earned pajamas tomorrow and they may bring electronics for some game time at school tomorrow also. 

Don't forget that Wednesday is the last day of school and that dismissal will begin about 11:30.  Thank you for such a great year!

5/20

Thank you to everyone who sent in party items and/or came and helped!  We had a nice celebration to begin winding down our school year.

Please remember that Wednesday is the last day of school and is an early release day.  Dismissal will be around 11:30.

SS & Science Brainpop Extra Credit

Here are some extra credit Brainpop opportunities to be completed no later than Thursday, 5/19.

Science: Cellular Life & Genetics:

• Heredity
• Mitosis
• DNA
• Genetic Mutations

 Diversity of Life:

• Seedless Plants
• Seed Plants
• Amphibians
• Fish
• Insects
• Invertebrates
• Mammals
• Vertebrates
• Reptiles

Social Studies: Economics:

• Assembly Line
• Banking
• Budgets
• Interest
• Stocks & Shares
• Taxes

Middle School Accelerated Forms

If you would like to participate in the UCMS Accelerated Program, please turn in your purple form NO LATER THAN Monday, 5/16.  I realize the form says Tuesday, but that is the day of our field trip.  I do not want the kids to miss the opportunity to sign up because we won't be on campus.  Thank you!

5/11

I will continue to copy & paste our info and update as needed with updates in red.

Th: Mod 17 quiz & ch. 7 science test
7:15 AM Parent Review Meeting
Thursday 5/12 is our FIELD DAY (12-2).  Popsicles are $0.50 and gatorade is $1.  Please bring a bottle of water.  We may get wet so dry clothes and shoes might be appropriate.  (Students will get their field day shirts to change into Thursday morning.)
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.

6:00 PM Rising 6th Parent Night @ UCMS

Fri: Mod 18 quiz
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS DUE!

Mon 5/16: Mod 19 quiz

Tues 5/17: Big Field Trip to Atlanta!  Arrive at school NO LATER THAN 7 AM!  PICK UP AROUND 6:45 PM!

Th 5/19: Unit 7 Test

Fri 5/20: CLASS END-OF-YEAR PARTY!

5/10-5/13

As you noticed if you checked your child's agenda, we are making up math assessments that we didn't take before the Milestones.  All of the math material has been taught and is being reviewed and assessed.  Here is the schedule for the week.  Tests are for math unless otherwise indicated

Mon: Unit 5 Test

Tues: Unit 4 Test
Study for Ch. 7 science test Thurs.
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.
*You are receiving a ton of info about 6th grade in signed papers.  Parent Night @ UCMS Thursday @ 6!

Wed: Unit 6 Test
Study for Ch. 7 science test Thurs. 
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.
BONUS spelling and vocabulary choice(s) are due by Thursday 5/12.

Th: Mod 17 quiz & ch. 7 science test
7:15 AM Parent Review Meeting
Thursday 5/12 is our FIELD DAY (12-2).  Popsicles are $0.50 and gatorade is $1.  Please bring a bottle of water.  We may get wet so dry clothes and shoes might be appropriate.  (Students will get their field day shirts to change into Thursday morning.)
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.

6:00 PM Rising 6th Parent Night @ UCMS

Fri: Mod 18 quiz
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS DUE!

Mon 5/16: Mod 19 quiz

Tues 5/17: Big Field Trip to Atlanta!  Arrive at school NO LATER THAN 7 AM!  PICK UP AROUND 6:45 PM!

Th 5/19: Unit 7 Test

Fri 5/20: CLASS END-OF-YEAR PARTY!

This Week's ELA: Therm and Socio

Spelling: Greek/Latin Roots #13 therm and socio

*Quizlet.com and SpellingCity.com are a great online site to study the meanings of these words.

*You need to know the definitions of these words as well as how to spell them for the tests on FRIDAY.  Use the definitions to help you study.

therm = ________________________________   socio = ___________________________________

1.             therm (n.) a unit of heat equal to 1,000 great calories  

2.             thermal (adj.) related to heat and temperature

3.             thermometer (n.) an instrument that measures temperature or heat

4.             thermostat (n.) a devise used to control the temperature

5.             thermos (n.) a container that is used to keep things warm, such as your soup; a double-walled container that keeps things warm

6.             endothermic (adj.) heated from within the body

7.             exothermic (adj.) requires heat to be absorbed from outside the body

8.             thermograph (n.) a devise that automatically writes down (records) changes in temperature

9.             thermodynamic (adj.) caused or operated by heat that has changed into different forms of energy

10.         thermophile (n.) an organism that has adapted to living in a very high temperatures (heat), such as bacteria or algae

11.         social (ad.) friendly; a person who enjoys companions

12.         unsocial (adj.) not social; having or showing a dislike

13.         association (n.) a group of people who have gathered based on similar goals or beliefs

14.         associate (n.) a fellow worker or friend (usually related to an office)

15.         antisocial (adj.) against the basic rules of a group; harmful to people in a group 

16.         disassociate (v.) to break ties with a group; to end a friendship; to sever a relationship

17.         sociology (n.) the study of how people get along

18.         sociopath (n.) a person who suffers from an antisocial mental disorder

19.         socialite (n.) a person who is important or of high rank within a specific, usually fashionable group

20.         sociogram (n.) a diagram that represent each person’s friends in a classroom or group

Summer Reading Suggestion

This website matches up books with movies.  These might be some fun reads (and views) for the summer!

5/6

Today the UCMS 7th/8th grade Panther band treated us to a fun performance.

Fifth graders will have the opportunity to sign up for band, chorus, and other "connections" over the next two weeks.  More info will be coming home Tuesday.

*Today's tests got bumped to Monday.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms!  Thanks for the great job that you're doing with your (our) children.

American History Review Videos

These videos may help you remember the highlights of American history.  Fifth graders are responsible for knowing about events and people from the Civil War to the present.

American History in 10 Minutes

A History of the U.S. in 11 Minutes

5/4

Today's testing went well.  We have social studies tomorrow afternoon and will then be finished with state testing.

Please study social studies tonight!
Also study spelling and vocabulary.

5/3

NO SIGNED PAPERS TODAY, but please sign & return the field trip permission slip.

HW:
Study for science Milestones test.
Finish AM if you didn't scan today.*
Finish SS ch. 30 if you didn't finish in class.*

*If students used their time wisely, they wouldn't have AM or SS HW.

5/2

Can you believe that we have less than a month of school left?!?  This week we have the science Milestone on Wednesday afternoon and the social studies on Thursday afternoon.

*Please wear sneakers Tues. & Fri.  The Rotary Walk has been rescheduled for Friday.

Scroll down for this week's ELA.

HW:
Work on AM if you didn't scan today.
Sci WB p. 160-163.
Study science CRCT review for Ch. 3 and ch. 4.
Write spelling in ABC order in agenda.

This Week's ELA: Tract and Struct

Spelling: Greek/Latin Roots #12 tract and struct

*Quizlet.com and Spelling City are great online sites to study the meanings of these words.

*You need to know the definitions of these words as well as how to spell them for the tests on FRIDAY.  Use the definitions to help you study.

tract = ________________________________     struct = ___________________________________

1.             distract (v.) to pull a person’s attention in another direction  

2.             abstract (adj.) pulled away from direct relation to anything; impersonal as in attitude or views

3.             contract (v.) to pull together to make smaller in size or bulk; to pull inward; opposite of “expand”  

4.             attract (v.) to pull into something; to pull into oneself

5.             extract (v.) to pull out by force

6.             traction (n.) a pull to the arm or leg muscles to bring a bone back into place when it is dislocated  

7.             protract (v.) to pull out; to make something take longer; to prolong

8.             retraction  (n.) a statement or promise that is pulled back or taken back  

9.             subtract (v.) to pull some out, therefore having less left over

10.         tractor (n.) a powerful vehicle that pulls farm machines and hauls heavy loads

11.         construction  (n.) what is built; buildings that are created or produced

12.         destruction (n.) the act of taking down or destroying something that was built

13.         obstruction (n.) something that blocks the way of things being created or built; something in the way

14.         instruct (v.) to build knowledge

15.         instructor (n.) a person who helps someone build knowledge

16.         reconstruct (v.) to build again

17.         infrastructure (n.) the parts of a city on which the rest of the city was built around: roads, communication, transportation, and schools

18.         substructure (n.) the base, support, or foundation of a building

19.         superstructure (n.) something built on top of something else; the part of the building that was built on top of the foundation or base

20.         misconstrue (v.) to build the wrong meaning; to misunderstand; to interpret the wrong way

4/28

According to Dr. Martin, our testing proctor, the students worked really hard today on their math Milestones and followed directions well.  I am so proud of them!

We will take our science Milestones on Wednesday afternoon and social studies on Thursday.

HW:
Finish sci. WB p. 28-31.
Study SS ch. 9-12.

4/27

Testing has gotten off to a great start!  Thanks for your help keeping the kids rested, calm, and fed.  It really does help!

Please please please make every effort to get ready tonight for tomorrow so that you can be at school on time!  Tomorrow's test will probably take longer than any other day.

Here are some important dates & reminders:

• Field Day t-shirt orders are due by Friday if you'd like to buy a shirt.
• This weekend the high school drama and chorus will be presenting "Beauty and the Beast" at 6:30 Friday & Saturday night and 2:30 Sunday.  Come in costume Sunday for pictures with the characters!  Admission is $5/UC students are free.
• May 12 is 5th grade's Field Day starting at noon.
• May 12 is also UCMS 5th to 6th Orientation at 6 PM at UCMS.
• May 17 is our big field trip to Atlanta.  More info to come, but plan to drop off around 6:30 AM and pick up around 6:30 PM.
• Our end-of-the-year party will be on Friday, May 20.
• The last day of school, complete with a talent show, will be Wednesday, May 25.

HW:
Study for Milestones Math!
Review SS ch. 5-8.
Sci. WB p. 28-31 is due Fri.

4/25

ELA Milestones test is tomorrow morning!  Please go to bed early and eat a hearty, healthy breakfast.  We take the Writing portion Wednesday and Math on Thursday (in the mornings).

HW:
*Work on AM.
*SS WB p. 102 and study/review chapters 1-4.
*Sci WB p. 144-149 is due Wednesday.

NO SPELLING AND VOCAB THIS WEEK!

Milestones Testing Schedule

Here is the REVISED 5th grade Milestones testing schedule.  (I am reposting this for you; no changes from the last posting.)  I don't have exact times yet but this will give you a general idea.  Please do everything in your power to have your children here well rested and fed!  Thank you!  (Please note that our schedule matches the 8th grade schedule but is quite different from the other grades.  If you have children in multiple grades 3-8, you will want to note that we are not all testing the same subjects on the same days.)

Tues. 4/26 morning: English Language Arts
Wed. 4/27 morning: ELA Writing
Thurs. 4/28 morning: Math
Wed. 5/4 afternoon: Science
Thurs. 5/5 afternoon: Social Studies

Bill of Rights Quiz

Click HERE for a good practice quiz on the Bill of Rights.

4/20

Today we got to go to the BOGO FREE Book Fair!  The students had a great time picking out new books.  Here they are in the hall enjoying their new selections while waiting on their classmates to complete their purchases.  Thank you to the UC Board of Education for funding this worthy project!

After school today I will be going to New York as a chaperone for my daughters' high school band and chorus trip.  Thanks for your understanding and patience these two days that I am gone!  Please check agendas Thursday & Friday because I may not be able to post to the blog.

Work on AM!  Finish "My Little Book of Big Math Secrets" if you didn't finish in class.
Finish SS p. 93-96 if not finished.
Read your new book!

Milestones Practice

Go to the GoFar website to take practice tests.  You must have the test pass code(s) to practice.

4/14

Today the fifth grade had the amazing privilege of "Skype-ing" with Diary of a Wimpy Kid author, Jeff Kinney.  Thank you, Mrs. Maddaleni, for arranging this event and allowing the fifth graders to participate.  In addition to a Q & A session, he took us on a tour of his really cool writing studio.  Be sure to ask your kids about this cool event!

HW:
*Study Amendments 1-5 for quiz.
*Finish SS WB p. 85-86.
*Study spelling and vocabulary!

4/12

With signed papers today, you should have received a blue Milestones letter.  You can also search the blog for "Milestones" labels for info that has already been posted here.  We do need snacks for the testing days please!

Class and spring individual pictures went home yesterday.  Please return if not buying or remit payment soon.  Thank you!

HW:
*Work on AM.
*Study amendments 1-4.
*SS WB p. 80-82

4/11

We have room for more parents to go on our field trip on 5/17 if you're interested.  Students got a note to take home today with the information.

We had a very productive morning as we got back into the swing of things!  It sounds like most of all you had great breaks.  The afternoon was a little more challenging, so students have a little social studies to finish because of time they wasted.

*Work on AM if you are not a "math master" and/or if you have "old" work from before the break.  Any old work not completed by recess tomorrow will result in loss of recess until completed.
*Study Amendments 1 & 2 for quiz (first 5) on Friday.
*Finish SS WB p. 78-79.
*Complete vocabulary match.
*Write spelling in ABC order in agenda.

UCMS Theater Productions This Weekend

You're invited to join the UCMS theatre arts students on April 14 and/or 15 for their presentation of two great shows: Toy School and Interesting Ways to Get Detention. Thursday, April 14 show will be 3rd period and 5th period classes, and Friday, April 15 show will 4th period and 6th period class.  Both shows are family friendly and young kids will especially enjoy Toy School.  UC students and staff will be admitted for FREE, and general admission price is $5.  Hope to see everyone then!!!

This Week's ELA: Junct/Join/Jug and Rupt + Watsons 3

Spelling and Vocabulary: Greek/Latin Roots #10 junct/join/jug and rupt

Monday: Fill in the blank to match each word to its definition.  Write spelling words in alphabetical order in your agenda.

Thursday: Spelling and/or vocabulary choices for EXTRA CREDIT are due.

*SpellingCity.com and Quizlet.com are great online sites to study the meanings of these words.

*You need to know the definitions of these words as well as how to spell them for the tests on FRIDAY.  Use the definitions to help you study.

junct/join/jug = ________________________________

join                  conjunction    jugular            rejoin             junction          disjointed

conjoined       joint                conjugate       joint committee                                                        

1.        ______________________________: (adj.) not connected, having no flow in thinking

2.        ______________________________: (n.) a vein that carries blood back to the heart from the head; a vein that joins the head and the heart

3.        ______________________________: (n.) the place where two highways or two sets of railroad tracks cross or join

4.        ______________________________: (n.) a word that joins two phrases or sentences

5.        ______________________________: (adj.) to get together or meet; to become included

6.        ______________________________: (n.) joined together, combined, united

7.        ______________________________: (v.)  to meet or get together again

8.        ______________________________: (n.) a place or part of the body where two bones join together, usually so they can move

9.         ______________________________: (v.) to join together or match a correct verb in grammar

10.     ______________________________: (n.) a group of people with members from both Senate and House of Representatives who join together and meet to discuss issues

rupt = ___________________________________

disruption                   erupt               corrupt corruptible                 disrupt                        abrupt

interrupt                     bankrupt         rupture                        interruption

11.     ______________________________: (adj.) evil; dishonest; to break away from honesty

12.     ______________________________: (adj.) able to be influenced into doing something that breaks away from the rules; able to become bad

13.     ______________________________: (n.) something that breaks up what you were doing; an unplanned event that breaks up an activity

14.     ______________________________: (v.) to break up; to cause confusion

15.     ______________________________: (n.) something that breaks someone's concentration; bothersome; annoying

16.      ______________________________: (v.) to explode; to break out with force

17.      ______________________________: (v.) to burst or break open (usually a body part)

18.      ______________________________: (v.) to break into someone's conversation

19.      ______________________________: (adj.) sudden; unexpected; broken into what is expected

20.     ______________________________: (adj.) to be out of money; financially ruined; to "break the bank"

VOCABULARY: The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 (#3)

Study vocabulary words and definitions each night Monday through THURSDAY for your test FRIDAY.

1.     seniority - higher rank than that of others especially by reason of longer service

2.     insult – to treat, mention, or speak to rudely

3.     unveil - remove the cover from

4.     suitable - meant or adapted for an occasion or use

5.     dedicate - inscribe or address by way of compliment

6.     threaten - to utter intentions of injury or punishment against: "He threatened me when I tried to call the police"

7.     accustom - make psychologically or physically used (to something)

8.     determined - devoting full strength and concentrated attention to

9.     offended - hurt or upset

10. pathetic - deserving or inciting pity

11. surrender - a verbal act of admitting defeat

12. juvenile - of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people

*Measurement quiz (basic facts) will be Wednesday.

*Spelling and vocabulary tests for junct/join/jug and rupt will be Friday.

*The Watsons Vocab Test 3 will also be Friday.

*Amendments 1-5 quiz will also be this Friday.

4/1

Parents, the only thing that would have made today (April Fool's Day and the day before Spring Break) any worse would have been a full moon!  I am confident that students will be better behaved when they return from the break.  Thanks for your help in setting high expectations for behavior and learning.

I wish you a safe and happy holiday!  See you again on Monday, 4/11!



{By the way, April Fool's!  The kids were awesome today!!!}

Thanks to Andrew Y. for the funny and delicious prank!  They sent in doughnut boxes with a veggie and fruit tray inside instead of doughnuts.  (They did also sent in doughnuts.)

3/31

Study for your spelling and vocabulary tests!  Don't forget about The Watsons test 2.

Work on AM.

Please remember that next week is spring break!

3/30

Study for ch. 6 science test (tomorrow).
Finish spelling and/or vocabulary choices if you made below 85% on last week's respective test.
Study Watsons 2 vocabulary.

Snack Requests for Milesones Testing

The Milestones Test begins April 26 and goes through May 5.  Each class has been instructed to ask parents for snacks during their break in the middle of the test. My class has 23 students.  Could you send snacks?  Some students will be taking their tests in smaller groups in other parts of the building, so pre-packaged snacks will be best. Thanks for all that you do for our school and our students.

                                                Snack Suggestions

Cheese Crackers                       Teddy Grahams

Plain Crackers                          Fruit Roll Ups

Cookies                                    Goldfish

Trail Mix                                 Vegetables

Pretzels                                    **Juice Boxes

Granola Bars                            **Small Waters

Raisins                                    

Please do not send any snacks with peanuts or peanut butter since there are several students that are allergic to these products.

The fifth grade schedule for testing is:

Tues. 4/26 morning: English Language Arts
Wed. 4/27 morning: ELA Writing
Thurs. 4/28 morning: Math
Wed. 5/4 afternoon: Science
Thurs. 5/5 afternoon: Social Studies

Sincerely,

UCES Faculty and Staff