The Putney Post
West Homer Elementary--5th Grade
Dates to Remember
January 21- Vacation Day (No School)
January 25- Awards Assembly for Quarter 1 and 2 @ 2:15 in the WHE Gym
January 25- West Homer Movie Night in the Gym
January 25- Duct Tape Day
February 7 and 8- Parent Teacher Conferences (No School)
February 22- Twin Day
Classroom Happenings
Last week we started new units in nearly every subject. Students returned from Winter Break wide-eyed and ready to get back into the school routine. I was so excited to see them! In reading we started Wonder By: RJ Palacio. I strongly encourage you to visit the book's website and watch the book trailer http://rjpalacio.com/. In math we started our unit on fractions by taking a look at a Hershey bar. A Hershey bar is one whole, but it is broken into twelve equal parts. What are fractions? Where might we find fractions in our everyday lives? Fractions suddenly became more interesting when chocolate what involved! Our quarter 3 writing focus is persuasive essays. Students will be developing arguments/opinions and sharing their ideas through the essays they develop. This past week students wrote an essay sharing their opinion on which was better: The City of Ember book or movie. I encourage you to ask your child about their opinion and the reasons that supported their thinking. In social studies we compared and contrasted the original 13 colonies. Students took a look at the New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, and Southern Colonies and then created an advertisement to encourage others to move to their colony of choice.
What's Next?
This week we will continue to read Wonder by: R.J. Palacio. Last week our reading skill focus was identifying main idea and details. This week while reading students will practice summary writing, making personal connections, and asking questions. In math, we will continue our work with fractions by taking a look at mixed numbers and improper fractions. In writing students will discuss the recent change at Homer Safeway: reusable or plastic bags? After discussing the change at Safeway as a whole group, and then small groups, students will write a persuasive essay sharing their thinking about the change.
Report Cards
Quarter 2 report cards will be sent home with your child on Monday in a sealed envelope. I will send two copies home with those students who live in two households. If another copy is needed, or you did not receive the report card, please let me know.
Special Schedule
Our special schedule has changed this semester. Please note that band times have stayed the same (Monday and Wednesday).
Monday- Library
Tuesday- P.E.
Wednesday- Music
Thursday- P.E.
Friday- Music
Lipbalm for Lexile
Lipbalm, with the West Homer orca on it, has been purchased as a fundraiser for the library Lexile Project. The lipbalm will be on sale in the library starting next week. They will be sold for $2.00 each. Support the reading growth of WHE students by purchasing a lipbalm!
A Note from the Librarian
Over Christmas Vacation the Lexile Fundraiser Life of Pi at the Homer Movie Theatre was a great success. Everyone was very supportive of this reading project and loved the book marks the students made.
Trading reading points for prizes will take place during regular library classes the last week of January. This is a fun way to reward students for all the reading they have done. If you have any treasures that you no longer want (small toys and other trinkets), we are always open for donations for prizes.
Mark your calendars: on Friday evening January 25th we will show the movie Nim’s Island at the school to raise money for the Lexile Project.
Nim's Island is a Australian adventure-fantasy film directed by Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin and starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, and Gerard Butler. The story is based on the book Nim's Island by Wendy Orr.
Thank you for all the support—your children love books!
Lisa Whip
Cheryl Illg
West Homer Library
In Need of Lined Paper
Our lined paper supply is running low. If you have lined paper you would be willing to donate our class would really appreciate it.
Thank you for the many ways you support the 5th graders of room 317!
Bruins Basketball
Is your child intersted in learning how to play basektball?
Bruin Basketball is beginning its 2013 spring season in the West Homer gym.
Call Chris Etzwiler (235-1560) or Merlin Cordes (299-0303) for more information.
*MUST HAVE LIABILITY WAIVER SIGNED TO PARTICIPATE
Healthy Snacks for Movie Night
Would you be willing to provide individually wrapped snacks (homemade or store bought) for the January 25th movie night? If so, please let me know! All proceeds will go towards leveling the books in our school library.
Thank you for your help!
IXL Math Practice
Spelling and Vocabulary Practice
http://www.spellingcity.com/eputney/
Play games and get extra practice with our weekly spelling and vocabulary words on SpellingCity.com. If you need your child's password please let me know!