Genre Projects

Each month, students are assigned a genre project for a specific genre. They are expected to read ONE book in that genre, quiz on it if required (most are), and complete the project by the last school day of the month. Students may complete their genre project any time during the month and turn it in early. NO LATE WORK will be accepted due to the amount of time students have to complete this monthly project. Genre projects count as two reading test grades, so be sure to do your best work!

At the beginning of every month, I encourage students to go ahead and check out their required genre book and read it so that they aren't scrambling at the end of the month. Parents, please help monitor their progress so that no one is frustrated near the end of month. Thank you!

This month's genre is realistic fiction. Realistic fiction books are make believe but seem like they could be real. They are set in modern times (instead of in the past like historical fiction). Some great authors of realistic fiction include Beverly Cleary, Louis Sachar, and Gary Paulsen. This month's project is a simple book report that can be found HERE. (All students will receive one copy of the genre project; I am adding it here for your convenience.)

Specials

Our class "specials" are from 9:25 to 10:10.

Monday- Art or Writing (8/15- Writing, 8/22- Art, etc.)
Tuesday- Music
Wednesday & Thursday- PE
Friday- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Lab

8/16

We've gotten off to a good start and are starting to follow our more normal school day schedule (even if it's a bit crazy). Each day, I will try to post the day's homework and other info that you might need. I may or may not get to the blog each day, so please rely on your child's agenda. Thanks!

Next Tuesday, 8/23, is 5th grade Open House at 5:30. We hope that you can make it!

Tonight's homework:
Study times tables for Thurs. speed test.
Finish sp. (spelling) 3x each (two times cursive, one time print).
Work on sp/voc (vocabulary) WS (worksheet)- due Fri.
Begin working on DITB ("Drops In The Bucket") 1, which is also due Friday.
Read at least 20 pages today (school reading counts toward that quota).

Happy Birthday Jordan!

We hope you have a great day today and always!

Meet the Teacher(s)

First, thank you to everyone who came by today for "Meet the Teacher!" For those who weren't able to make it, we'll see you at 8:00 in the morning in room 213!

I'd like to offer a quick intro of myself, our team teacher, and our student teacher. My name is Haley Dyer, and this is my 19th year teaching. I'm sure this year will be my "lucky 13th" year in 5th grade! My educational background includes a BA in French and an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education, and I am also a National Board Certified Teacher. I'll be teaching our class English/Language Arts, math, and social studies. I'm married and have two daughters (8th grade and 5th grade), a dog, and a cat. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, scrapbooking, and camping.

Ms. Traci Martin will be teaching our class reading and science. This is her 23rd year of teaching, having spent the majority in 5th grade. She has also taught kindergarten and 3rd grade. She has a specialist degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her doctoral dissertation. She has two (almost grown) sons. You can find her blog HERE.

Mrs. Molly Cousin is a Blairsville resident who is completing her education degree through the University of Phoenix having already earned her associate degree from Young Harris College. She will be certified kindergarten through eighth grade, but her favorite grade is 5th. Her favorite subject is language arts. Her goals include teaching students the knowledge and skills they need to be successful and have high self-belief, develop skills in instruction, motivation, and assessment, and use technology and materials to the advantage of students.

Now that you know a little about us, we'd love to hear from you. Leave us a comment to introduce yourself!

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Dear new 5^th grader and family,

Welcome to 5^th grade! I’m excited to be working with you and look forward to a successful, positive year together. It’s going to be great! Feel free to email me this summer so that I can get to know you better and visit my class website (info below). UCES will host a drop-in Meet the Teacher on August 10^th from 1:00 to 3:00. I’m in classroom #213, on the top floor of the building where the elementary lunchroom is. I can't wait to meet you and let you see your classroom before school begins on Thursday, August 11^th.

Fifth grade is academically challenging yet full of rewards that come with responsibility. It is very important for students to maintain skills over the summer, especially multiplication tables (0-12). You'll definitely need to know them in 5th grade math. You can easily practice your math skills in the kitchen (measurement) and figuring out totals/making change while shopping. Plus there are lots of fun, free math websites (see mine for links).

Please continue to read and write over the summer. You can find lots of interesting books and magazines at the public library. I encourage you to write in a journal this summer. Entries could include places you go, things you do, etc. Continuing to read and write will help you maintain fluency in these areas.

I anticipate a successful 5th grade year full of growth and discovery, and I know you do, too. Please be sure to look over the attached suggested supply list. Students need to come to school prepared each day. Organization, responsibility, accountability, and hard work will lead to success.

I look forward to working closely with each of you. Research and past experience indicate that students are more successful when parents take an active role in their children's education. I’m counting on you. See you in August! Have a safe and happy summer.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Haley Dyer

(hdyer@ucschools.org)

Suggested Supply List for Mrs. Dyer Grade 5 2011-12

· a good attitude and willingness to try

· binder (Zippered binders tend to last longer.)

· five tabbed dividers to use for reading (red), English/language arts (orange), spelling & vocabulary (yellow), science (green), and social studies (blue)

· 5 packs of loose leaf notebook paper - wide ruled

· a blue spiral notebook (100 or more pages) for math

· number 2 pencils

· colored pencils

· glue stick

· a red and a blue folder with prongs (plastic folders last longer)

· another pronged folder with 25 sheets of paper and a pencil for Technology

· hand-held pencil sharpener with lid

· dry erase marker to use with student boards

HELPFUL HOME RESOURCES: ruler, scissors, glue, dictionary

Websites

You'll notice the tabs at the top of the page linking to different websites by subject area. Please email me your suggestions for great websites for kids! You can reach me at hdyer@ucschools.org. I'd love to hear from you!