Blue Heron 5^th Grade

  Newsletter

12-12-08

Dear parents and students,

There is only one more week of school in 2008! How time flies! Students have been collecting Social Studies’ Explorer Project research this week in class. They are progressing nicely. Starting Monday, we will begin to create their spheres, which will be a tri-circle of information that they collected from book and Internet research, and they will eventually hang around the classrooms. Most research is being done here at school, but if students would like to continue research over the weekend on the Internet, remind them to cite all of their sources, as per the directions on the yellow library paper from Ms. Wareham-Morris. The spheres are due January 9^th, the Friday we return from break. Students should plan out what they will be doing and visually using for their presentations at home over break. This is the only part of the project that will need to be accomplished solely at home. Please have presentations planned out by the 6^th of January, but ready to present (with a visual aid; such as a costume, PowerPoint, artifact, or poster) on January 13^th. Presentations need to be 2 minutes long.

Reminders/Updates:

• We have started our Unit 4 in math, called “What’s That Portion?”, about fractions, decimals, and percents. Please see the green math newsletter in the Friday folder from the Investigations resource that will give you both information about the unit and ideas to use at home throughout the next few weeks of learning.
• We will be celebrating the holiday season with our December S.O.A.R. Club party created and designed by the 5^th graders themselves. All 5^th graders will be invited to attend. They have already started planning this fun holiday lunch and afternoon of learning and games. More information is to come home from Ms. Thompson.
• Teachers are having a voluntary grade swap for an hour next week, and Mrs. Hernandez and I have decided to trade spaces during our reading next Tuesday. Look forward to some fun activities with our “new 5^th grade teacher”, students!
• Just a reminder, the last day of school for 2008 is Thursday, December 18th (not an early release). The students do not have school on the 19^th and will be off until January 5^th. Tuesday, the 6^th, will be the first day back.

Thanks to all who have brought in stuffed animals and warm clothing supplies for the Jeffco Action Center. The families who receive them will be very grateful. Have a great weekend!

                                                                                                Thanks,

                                                                                                Vallory Darting

                                                                                                Blue Heron Elementary