Happy Holiday!!

Wishing you the Merriest (and goofiest)  of ALL Holidays!!!

To our parents:

Love, Room 51

Book Trailers

Ms. Golbon's WIN class has create Book Trailers.  Take a look:)

http://schools.district279.org/wd/classrooms/9-classrooms/grade-5/134-win-book-trailers-golbon

Box Top Labels

Woodland is having a Box Top Competition!  Which class can collect the most box tops!  Start collecting and bring them in!

Book Orders

Book Orders were sent home today.  They are due back by December 12th.

New I Cans

The next engaged, new learning's for room 51 will lead us right up to winter break.

Here is a summary:

Writing
We are writing a persuasive letter about a topic we feel passionate about:)

Reading
The focus is on a writing strategy called ACE (Answer, Cite Examples, Expand).  The strategy will assist us in answering comprehension questions in a more meaningful, insightful way.

Math
We continue to work on Decimals Galore!!  Reading, writing, plotting, representing in different forms, adding, subtracting, rounding, comparing, graphing, and applying to word problems!

Social Studies
We will experience a simulation of what early European Explorers went through as they ventured their way to new land!

 

PJ/Electronic Day Tomorrow!!

Tomorrow, Tuesday the 25th, we will be having a classroom celebration! 

We have worked for the entire trimester on filling our bucket with bucket fillers!  Our bucket is officially filled!  The class has chosen to have an electronic/PJ day to celebrate all of the good deeds our scholars have done to maintain our happy classroom.!

SO...

WEAR PJs TOMORROW!!
BRING A BLANKET or SLEEPING BAG!
BRING A STUFFED ANIMAL!
BRING YOUR ELECTRONICS AND YOUR BOARD GAMES!

No Word Work Homework this week!

Basket Theme: Creative Minds!!

Silent Basket Theme!!

Creative Minds: Art Basket

Turkey Bingo is presenting baskets for a silent auction again this year!  Let’s come together to make a plump basket to help raise money for Woodland!

Our theme we have picked for room 51 is ART supplies, titled:  Creative Minds!

Please pick up any type of Art supply for our classroom basket.  We need all supplies in by Thursday the 20^th.

Thanks in advance for your participation! 

Our Current I CANS

Dear Parents,
     Room 51 has enjoyed the first days of playing in the snow!  An energized air has resurfaced in our room and we are learning rigorously!

A snapshot of our current I CANS

     READING

           I can use details from the story to support the THEME.  

           I can identify kind of conflicts and explain how the character overcomes each one. 

     WRITING

        I can write a memoir.

        I can use the writing process to revise and edit my draft. 

    HEALTH

      Our class is with Ms. Golbon right now during Health.

    MATH 

      I can find the perimeter and area of triangles, rectangles, parallelograms, and complex figures. 

      I can read, write, and represent decimals. 

Please contact me at any time with questions!

Brenda

        

New Parent Resources

Please take some time to look at all of the new links I have put on my blog.  There is wonderful math and reading support/activities for extra practice at home.

I especially recommend Moby Max!  Please encourage your student to work on Moby Max at home whenever they can!!

I have included log in information for both Moby Max and Biblionasium!

Happy Learning!!

Moby Max!!

Dear Parent,

We are excited to implement a new web-based curriculum called MobyMax in our classroom.  MobyMax is tailored to your child's individual needs, and I think you will be very impressed by how fast your child will excel while using Moby.  Moby's features include:

-Placement tests that accurately identify where your child excels, and where his or her "missing skills" are
-Targeted instruction to "fill in" those missing skills
-Systematic review sessions that ensure that your child retains 100% of what he or she has learned

Best of all, your child can access Moby from your home computer at any time.

Login steps for [Student]
1.  Please go to www.mobymax.com/signin
2.  Enter Woodland Elementary
Username: [First 5 letters of last name00__]
Password: [birthday ex. 112004]

Once logged in, your child will immediately start the lessons and begin improving his or her missing skills.

You can sign in as a parent as well by selecting "Parent" from the drop-down menu and entering your child's username and password.  You will be able to monitor your child's progress and even send messages to me.

Sincerely,
Ms. Tollas

PS…please let me know if you need any assistance!

Try Biblionasium!!!!

Dear Parent,

I am pleased to tell you that I have enrolled our students on a website called BiblioNasium, Where kids flex their reading muscles. BiblioNasium connects educators, parents, and the kids to create a reading community that will encourage your child to read more.

Kids can keep track of their favorite books, log their daily reading, and win virtual awards. I can setup our class’ recommended and required reading lists, as well as, assign reading challenges.

Although you do not need to join as a parent, there is also a parent component and you and your child can access BiblioNasium from home. As a parent you will then be able to see my reading lists, monitor your child's independent reading and even set up family reading challenges. If you wish, you may also want to give your child permission to connect online with friends to see what others are reading, to read book reviews, and to receive and recommend books.

To help your child login from a home computer

Go to http://www.biblionasium.com

From the top right-hand corner, select “Members sign in”, Kid’s Sign in (it is their regular log in.

Username: first 5 letters of last name00____

Password: birthday (ex. 112003)

To Join as a parent

Go to http://www.biblionasium.com

From the top right-hand corner, select “Join Us” and follow the instructions. You will first be asked to provide your child’s username and password (see above). That will connect your account to your child and to our classroom.

Together, with the stimulation of this website, I believe we can motivate your child to read something different, something new, and something more challenging. I hope you will encourage your child to use BiblioNasium daily.

Sincerely,

Ms. Tollas

Week of Oct. 27th-Oct. 31st

Subject     Standard                                                                                         Homework

Reading            I can create ask questions at different levels while reading grade level text.                           Read 30 minutes a night

Writing             I can write a memoir.     

Math                 I can convert and use the metric system of measuring.      2-3, 2-4, 2-5

                          I can find the perimeter and area of rectangles.

                          I can find the area of right triangles and parallelograms.  

                          I can find the area of any triangle.

Word Work    I can apply my patterns to my writing.                                  Word Sorts

                                                                                                  

Reminder for MONDAY!!

WACKY HAIR DAY to celebrate Colby's birthday!! 

40 Book Challenge Video

Room 51 worked on planning, implementing, and editing a video put on by 5th grade students about reaching their 40 book challenge this year.  It was played on WDTV with the hope that it will inspire other scholars this year to reach for their dreams!!

Typing Practice at Home

Many families search for a keyboarding/typing product to use at home. Many years ago Osseo Area Schools worked with Sunburst to offer our families a discounted price for Type to Learn.

If interested in purchasing for home practice,  parents should call Kelly Johnson, at Sunburst Digital, directly. Her phone number is #1-800-321-7511, extension 3374. **

Week of Oct. 20th-24th

Subject     Standard                                                                                         Homework

Reading            I can infer while reading grade level text.                           Read 30 minutes a night

Writing             I can write a memoir.     

Math                 I can convert and use the metric system of measuring.      2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5

                          I can find the perimeter and area of rectangles.

                          I can find the area of right triangles and parallelograms.  

                          I can find the area of any triangle.

Word Work    I can apply my patterns to my writing.                                  Word Sorts

                                                                                                                             Due Friday       

WIN TIME 

We will be starting WIN (What I Need) Time Tuesday.  Your scholar has been placed in a group based on their needs.  The various groups will include:

1.  Fluency Group

2.  Comprehension Group

3.  Word Masters Group

4.  Reading/Technology Group

If you would like to know what group your scholar is in, please email me and I will be happy to share with you. 

Retest for UNIT 2 MATH will take place on Thursday and Friday this week. 

Enjoy this beautiful fall weather!!

Brenda Tollas

Welcome to MEA week!

Greetings Room 51 Parents!

     I am so looking forward to seeing all of you and having a little time to connect during conferences!  Getting to know our scholars has been an absolute thrill for me.  We have such a caring, engaged, and hilarious classroom!

Monday, a math test will be coming home.  Please look over the test with you child, sign, and return back to school the next day.  All tests will be kept in their assessment binder.


Wednesday is UNITY DAY!!!!
This is a day that we stand up against BULLYING!!!
WEAR ORANGE!!!
Also, we will do an art project with a younger grade making capes!  Those capes will be used to SOAR around the school:)



Enjoy your 4 day weekend with family and friends!!

Sign Up For Conferences!!

Please make sure you have signed up for conferences!  I very much look forward to this time to connect with you!

To schedule online, go to:
http://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Woodland_Elementary_School

or call
763-315-6400 to let us help you get scheduled.

Conference Dates are:
October 13, 14, and 21
8:00-9:00am and 4:30-7:30pm

Welcome to the week of Oct. 7th!

We will be full swing into our academics this week!

Social Studies:  Students have been researching the first Americans!  Each group has been finding facts and crafts about a specific tribe.  They will then present a google presentation with their information, along with an art project that represents their tribe.

Reading:  We will start this week with visualizing realistic fiction!

Math:  The properties of multiplication have been a little more difficult for us.  So, we are going to spend another couple days on this concept and hope to test by Friday this week on Unit 1.

Writing:  Assist your student in thinking about a time in their life that was important to them.  We will be embarking on our first writing project:  Memoirs!

Efficacious Learner Traits:  Your scholar will evaluate themselves this week on how they feel they are doing on their efficacious traits:  problem solver, resourceful, skilled communicator, responsible, self directed.

• 5th grade will be adding some helpful resources for parents on our web page.  I will also add them to my blog for easy access. 

Reading Calendars!

October reading calendars are coming home today!  Before today, students were keeping track of how many minutes they are reading every night in their planners.

Now, they can start recording their minutes on their reading calendars!  Their goal is to read 30 minutes for 5 nights a week for a total of 600 minutes a month.

Students need to turn in at least 6 out of the 8 reading calendars this year to earn their reading medal:)

Happy Reading!!

Words Their Way

Words Their Way Parent Information Letter

Dear 5^th grade parents,

We will start our first word study (spelling) unit this week.  The fifth grade team uses a research based program called Words Their Way which focuses on the developmental needs and learning styles of children through word study.  The purpose of word study is to provide students with many opportunities to manipulate words, use critical thinking skills, and generalize word patterns or meaning.  Another benefit of Words Their Way is that it differentiates instruction allowing each child to work at their appropriate instructional level. Along with direct instruction of skills at their level, students will spend work on meaningful word study throughout the week independently.

After introduction of their new words on Monday, homework will then be sent home.  There will not be a “formal” spelling test each week.  Instead, assessment of patterns will be through the students writing.  The ultimate goal is for students to transfer patterns to their daily writing.  I will be looking in their writing for transition of skills to obtain their grade in spelling.

Please look for an explanation of spelling homework to be sent home this Monday.

I am excited about the opportunity to work with your child using

Words Their Way. If you have any questions about Word, please feel free to contact me.

Brenda Tollas

tollasb@district279.org

Welcome to September 22-26!

• We have just finished up our ELF Camp where we spent 2 weeks learning about the efficacious learner traits! 

1.  Problem Solver
2.  Resourceful
3.  Skilled Communicator
4.  Self-directed
5.  Responsible

We will be recognizing and expecting these traits throughout the year!

• We are now embarking on learning our routines for our reading and math workshops; in addition to, our writing process time.  
• Tuesday the 23rd, will be the first time the students switch classrooms for their math workshop Students stay with their homeroom for their core lesson of the day, but then they will switch classrooms for their workshop time.  Their workshop time is a time we differentiate the activities to meet the needs of all students.  The classroom they go to will vary from unit to unit based on the knowledge they show of a particular skill. Please let me know if you have any questions!
• Social Studies will be starting this week!  We are starting on the study of
  Ancient American Indians! 
• 40 book challenge is officially starting!  I sent home a parent letter to explain the challenge for the year.  In case you did not see it, here it is:  

40 Book Challenge 

                                                                                                  September 22 , 2014

Dear 5^th grade Parents, 

Our 40 Book Challenge starts today!  I am challenging your fifth grader to read 40 books by the end of the school year. I believe they will do it!

The goal of the 40 Book Challenge for young readers is to get students to leave their reading comfort zone and explore new reading genres. Ultimately, I would love to see the students’ love of reading flourish, as well as for students to make big academic gains in reading. Let’s face it; the best way to become a better reader is to read… VORACIOUSLY.  The 40 Book Challenge helps with this!

Although 40 books sounds like a lot, it works out to about one book a week. This can be accomplished by reading during our independent reading time at school and spending time reading daily at home. Some books, like shorter non-fiction books, can possibly be read in a day or two. Other books will obviously take longer to finish. By making the right book choices, I am confident that all students will be able to achieve the goal of reading 40 books in class and at home this year.

In their 40 book challenge notebook, the students will be keeping track of the books they read.  Please make sure your child is reading each evening. This is their homework.  Check in with your child often, and ask about the books they are reading.

More information:

*Each book must be read by your fifth grader.  No picture books will count toward their goal.   Books they read in class/at home and books that are read aloud by a teacher count in their 40 book total. Students may not count books that they have previously read (although I know it is fun and rewarding to reread favorites).

*Students will keep track of the genres they read in their 40 book challenge notebook. However, the books don’t have to be read in any order. We will be talking about the different genres in class.

*For each book read, the students will write down the title, author, genre, and number of pages. They will track their progress through each book by writing a reading response about the part they just read.

*Books must be a minimum of 100 pages.  Students have information regarding longer books or combining shorter books to equal one book.  Check with me if you are unsure of a specific book.

The purpose of this challenge is to get your fifth grader reading books they might not normally choose and to increase their love of reading.  Thank you for your support at home!

Ms. Tollas 

Pajama Day Tomorrow!

Birthdays

In room 51, we love to have fun and create a loving community on each student's birthday!  On each student's birthday, they are able to pick a "theme" for the day.  This theme will often have to do with clothing/dressing up or bringing things from home.  Please, do not buy things/clothing for these fun days.  Room 51 has been told that we just use what is at home.  

Tomorrow, to celebrate one of our scholar's birthdays, we will have a pajama day!  It is OK for students to bring one stuffed animal and/or glow sticks if they have any.

Happy Monday!!

WEAR ORANGE TOMORROW!!!

It is safety day tomorrow, Friday the 12th. 

Wear orange AND any kind of safety gear (pads, helmets, safety glasses...). 
Also....

Its the FUN RUN and BARBECUE!!!  

This Friday

This Friday will be our Fun Run and BBQ!  

Our Fun Run will start at 10:45. 

The BBQ will be at 11:25. 

Please join us for one, or both!! 

Bus Safety

                                               Bus Safety

A study guide for the Bus Safety Test went home today.  We will test on Bus Safety on Thursday! If your scholar is not sure of any answers on the study guide, make sure they bring it back to school and ask!

Here's to SAFETY week!

Welcome to the second week of 5th grade!! 

We are spending the first two weeks experiencing classroom rules/routines, collaboration, Bus Safety, and goals.  

The Kick Off To ELF CAMP!!!! 

We have also engrossed ourselves in community and character building activities!  

ELF camp is an adventurous time where students will move from classroom to classroom to learn and practice efficacious learner traits.

This time is very essential in creating a caring, trusting, and safe community where we all feel comfortable to help each other and take risks.

Homework will not be started until NEXT WEEK!

Welcome to 5th Grade!!!

I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have moved to 5th grade and to be working with this outstanding team! The year brings so much anticipation for the fun, connecting, and learning that will happen!