Tomorrow is already Thursday???

My goodness, our weeks just fly by!  Did you guys know that this Friday is the end of the 3rd quarter??!!!!  That's just redonkculous (yes, that's a made up word...sometimes that is necessary for a surprising event):)

You guys have had such an amazing week.  Everyday, the morning routine is respectful and planner time is quiet and respectful, too!  We need Kayden, Jordan and Grace to count our Cadet Pride slips on Thursday.  I'd be surprised if we haven't met our goal.  Days have been filled with role model behaviors.  Keep it up!  The movie on Monday will be a fun reward for such great behaviors!  Remember, if your family wants you to (or is allowing you to) have popcorn and water, you need to bring $2.00 to school Thursday OR Friday, so the Cresco Movie Theater can plan for everyone on Monday.  We found out today in our meetings, that 4th and 5th grader get to be in the balcony!  Whooo-hoooo!

Here are a few reminders...
#1:  Book-It Slips for February are due TOMORROW!!!  You must meet the minutes AND have a parent's signature on it in order to count
#2:  Math Homework:  Pages 200 & 204 for Mrs. Wilson
#3:  For Friday:  A picture book to read, a healthy snack & drink for our Buddy Reading Day
#4:  By Friday:  $2 if you want popcorn and water for Monday's movie

I'll know you checked the blog if you watch the Animoto link that one of your classmates made.  Click On This Link Write a short comment on a post-it note to your classmate you made this.  Sign YOUR name to it, and give it to that person.  I'll look through the comments to see who checked the blog!  He/she did a great job!

Read Across America Week!

Thanks for a great week, 5B.  I hope you enjoyed Friday, too!  I thought the bus ride and play was a great way to end a super week.  We have 1 week left to earn the Cadet Pride slips we need in order to go to the movie, so let's make sure we get those counted up!

As you read in this post's title, this coming week is Read Across America.  I gave you a little heads-up about this on Friday, but a note will be sent home one day this week (probably Monday) letting you know about any special activities or items needed from home.  

In literacy, we'll be doing a few extra activities as well.  I was hoping I'd get some help from you on this.  I'm trying to track down these specific Dr. Seuss books.  If you are willing to share them with us this week, could you please bring any/all of them to school on Monday?  The more copies the better, so if I get a bunch of the same, that's ok!  

One Fish, Two Fish

The Cat in the Hat

The Cat in the Hat Comes Back

The Lorax

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Fox in Socks

I'll know you checked the blog this weekend if you either bring in one or more of these books, or you simply tell me you didn't have any of these at home!  

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
― from Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Field Trip Friday!

5B,
Your poems from last night's post were so great and creative!  You're each a poet, even if you didn't know-it!  (See, I can rhyme, too!)

Of course, you should have heard this about 10 times now, but if you need reminder #11, here it is...
Field Trip Friday:
Must Bring....  CADET PRIDE, own lunch and drink
Can Bring...  electronics, cameras, small pillow, backpack with book, etc.

It looks like the weather will be cooperating with us, so I'm guessing we'll be having a normal arrival to school.  I have no doubt that we'll have a fabulous time enjoying a fun experience visiting the theater and another chance to learn about a time period in our history that we can learn from.

I'll know you checked the blog if you share with your families the video we watched today in class.  Click on the below link to view the same one we saw today.  Have your parents write a note saying they watched it with you (have them sign it, too please:)  This will be a great way for them to get an idea about the play we are about to see tomorrow.  Click Here for Blog Proof

Thanks for another great day!  And remember to eat your broccoli, 5B, (especially you, Trista)!  Heeheheeheee..

Teeny, Tiny Post...

I'll know you checked the blog if you finish this rhyme...

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I checked the blog,
______________________

Peace Out, Homeys...
~Mrs. Sorenson

4-Day Week, 4-Day Weekend & Another 4-Day Week!!!

Wow, I wonder what it will feel like to  attend school for 5 full days in a row again?  I can't even think of the next time we will actually have a 5 day week until May????  That is bizarre, don't you think?!

Well, I'm hoping your weekend was as enjoyable as mine.  Wait, let me start over.....  AFTER THE HOURS and HOURS of SCRUBBING LIPSTICK OFF OF MY FACE, I had quite an fun weekend!!!  I don't know what I was thinking!!!??  I guess I do what I can to encourage READING, huh??  I still had a faint redness all around my mouth through Friday afternoon/evening.  We went to a hotel that had a waterpark in it, and I think the chlorine from the water is what FINALLY got it all off of my face!  I'll have photos up on the Smartboard on Tuesday to refresh your memory, and then I'll add some to the blog to share the event with your families, too!  All I will say is, "You're welcome for being such a easy-going, open-minded teacher!!!"

I thought last week was filled with all sorts of fun and excitement.  The play, finally finishing Blabberize, getting an extreme make-over!  I truly enjoyed all of it.  Those were all activities that helped "end" our units in literacy, social studies and celebrating the January Book-It participants.  We NOW are starting fresh back into new units in both literacy AND social studies.  So, we'll have to get back into a routine of check-ins, calmness and an overall feeling of "mellow".  So, I'll know you checked the blog if you greet me Tuesday morning with the phrase, "They call me mellow yellow"...  Click on this link to hear the original version of this song back in 1966.  It's pretty groovy and smooth to get you in a "mellow" mood:)  

Here's a short update of events for this week...
Tues.:  Literacy in morning, Group Band
Wed.: Normal???
Thurs.:  Nutrition Visitor Coming, Literacy in morning
Fri.:  Literacy in morning, Visit UNI in Cedar Falls for Play, wear blue & white (or Cadet clothes if possible), bring own lunch and drink, get home in time to dismiss for the weekend:)

Quick Week!!???

Wow, this is crazy??!!  It's already the end of our week!!  Now, we have just have one crazy, fun-filled but   always respectful and responsible day left.  Today's effort (and the past week's, too) was great with the patience filming our play.   You guys all did an amazing job, so you should feel proud of yourself.  I know I am quite impressed with our future actors and actresses.

Because today was quite out of routine, we had a bit more relaxed behaviors.  Let's try to remember to get back on task a bit faster tomorrow, ok?  We have a lot of fun and goofy activities, but we also have learning to take place, of course.  You'll have a pretty normal schedule in the morning, and then our play and snacks in the afternoon.

Here are your reminders for tomorrow...
*Backwards Day (for those who brought in January Book-It slips)
*Dress up Mrs. Sorenson (I'm kinda nervous....)
*Bring snack for watching Inquiry "How America Was Founded" Play
*Get as many Blabberize done as possible

I'll know you checked the blog if you tell me "Don't for get your camera so we can take lots of pictures of our dress-up day!"  We surely do not want to miss having memories of this day, huh?!

Take care, ya'll and see you Thursday (remember, no school Friday OR Monday)

Ready or Not, Here Comes Our PLAY!!!

Well, 5B Actors and Actresses,
Are you ready??  Hopefully you've got your lines memorized by now!  We'll be doing some recording on Monday, Tuesday and maybe a bit on Wednesday if we need to.  Of course, on Thursday, you can sit back and relax!  We'll watch all 3 sections of the play starring 5A, 5B and 5C students!  Oh, you're all so famous!!  Great job on the scenery!  I know people have been staying after school and coming in early to help get it all done on time, so thanks to those who've offered their time!  We appreciate it.

Remember, I told you Monday would be a weird schedule?? Well, check it out when you come in Monday morning.  It's on the whiteboard for you.  Tuesday will be the same schedule.  Oh, and if you're in band, you'll still have lessons, but there will NOT be group band on Tuesday due to the 1-hour early out.

We had a couple "Oops" last week with behavior, but you turned it around just like you always do.  Keep up the great effort, super energy and willingness to learn.  It's a short week this week, but we've got all sorts of ways to show off our Cadet Pride and knowledge!

Ok.... Looking at our Week....
Monday & Tuesday - Conferences - 1-hour early outs
Have your parents double-check their sign-up time.  Remind them that we've changed from 20 minute time slots to 15 minute ones, so our time together will fly by quickly.  Also, remember, this conference is all about YOU! So, of course, you should be there, too:)
Monday
1)  Similes DUE!  Drawn, colored, kept neatly without wrinkles or tears.  I'll collect them right away in the morning.
2)  Continue Recording Our Blabberize Speeches - We'll see if the laptops cooperate with us.
3)  Recording Our Play!!
4)  Unit 3 Reading Assessment ~ Yeh!  A chance for you to show off your knowledge!
Tuesday
1)  Valentine's Day - Bring your Valentines/candies if you wish to share them with the 5B Sweethearts
2)  Continue Recording Our Blabberize Speeches - We'll see if the laptops cooperate with us.
3)  Recording Our Play!!
4)  Unit 3 Reading Assessment ~ Yeh!  Another chance for you to show off your knowledge!
Wednesday
1)  Recording Our Play - if we need more time...
2)  Normal Schedule - What's normal again??
Thursday
1)  Dress-Up Day for 5th graders who participated in the January Book-It Challenge
2)  Dress-up Your Teacher Day ~ I'm scared!!
3)  Viewing our 5th Grade Inquiry Project/Play ~ Covering How America Was Founded
4)  Maybe Skype with Senorita Rachel???  We'll see. She is in Rome, Italy for a few days... LUCKY!
Friday
Sleep IN!!

Ok, I know this was a long one...  But I'll know you checked the blog if you try to identify the 5B classmates in this cartoonized photos.  Write them down and tell/show me as you come in on Monday morning!    Look carefully:)  Good Luck.  You should have 5 names to share with me.

Scenery Looks Fab!!!

5B,
You did a great job changing your behavior from science with Mrs. Halverson to the remainder of your day.  The scenery looks sooooo fabulous!  You also were very respectful with your time in reading class today when finishing your reading selections, working on similes.  I had a great time working with you on the actions/expressions for your parts in the play.  You were definitely showing Cadet Pride like I know you can and often do.  It seems we just have had some "off" days.

I'll keep it short tonight...
Reminders for Friday and Next Week
Friday - bring coffee cups for literacy and props if you have any for the play, SCIENCE TEST!
Monday - Recording some play scenes, 1-hour early out for conferences, coming to conference
Tuesday - More recording of play scenes, 1-hour early out for conferences, coming to conference, Valentine's Day (if you want to bring for others!)
Wednesday - pretty normal
Thursday - Watching Finished Play as a 5th grade class, Dress-up Day for January Book-It Participants, and Mrs. Sorenson's Make-Over (YIKES!!!!!!!)
Friday - NO SCHOOL :)     

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in right away (EVEN BEFORE DOING ATTENDANCE), meet on the floor WITHOUT saying a word to anyone else.  Hopefully others will follow your lead.  We have a busy more and many things to cover before even switching classes at 8:50.  Help us out by being a role model!

Tiring Week...

5B,
I don't know about you, but I am feeling soooooo tired this week.  I don't know if it's the "out of routine" work in literacy with planning and setting up for our play or what, but boy, I definitely feel whooped at the end of each day.  The scenery and props are looking great, and that's after only 2 days!  We will do a bit more tomorrow, but I think we're moving pretty fast.

My only complaint about how the last 2 days have been going is how messy the room has been left at the end of the day.  Today I found candy wrappers, bandaid wrappers, paper scraps, markers, crayons, homework, and many more items left on the ground.  The papers on the coffee table were scattered everywhere, along with other items.  I know this because I spent about a half of an hour cleaning up these areas after school today.... I'm feeling like my house (with a 2 year old) is a lot like our classroom of 5th graders..... Hmmm... Any ideas on how to solve this little problem??  Hey, I do! I do!  How about we clean up more carefully, and anything we move, we put back! Yippee for my amazing and original ideas!!!  Betcha you couldn't have thought up something as marvelous as that, huh?  So, let's see if we can improve in this area tomorrow, OK?

Reminders...

1)  Parents sign up for conferences online (or for any questions at all, just call 563.547.2300 and ask for Linda to schedule the conference for you)
2)  Valentine's for next Tuesday (totally optional)
3)  Memorizing parts for play (add your own actions, too!)
4)  Note to return from parents about concerns (bring back by Friday)

I'm guessing you already noticed the fish at the top, right of the blog.  It's too cool!  If you move your mouse around in that area, the fish will follow it thinking it's food!  If you click anywhere in the box, it will leave "fish food" for them and they'll get all excited!  Funny!  This will be your way to prove you checked the blog.  Tell me which colored fishy is your favorite!

Oh, and Senorita Rachel emailed to say she's free tomorrow (Wednesday) for a Skype session with us.  She'll have more photos from Spain for us to discuss!  Always something new to learn, huh?!

Another Short One...

Howdy, 5B!

I'll keep it short again in case you have Super Bowl plans, study plans, outdoor plans or just don't feel like being on the blog for very long!

It appears the Valentine's vote went over quite well...and without a doubt "CANDY" seems to be the majority favorite!  As you can see, I added a new poll to the left side of the blog.  This will be a way for you to share how you checked the blog.  Vote for the way YOU spend your Super Bowl.  Just tell me what you voted for when you come in on Monday!

Other things to remember for Monday...

1) Bring money for carnations for Valentine's day (if you want)

2) Bring book orders/make orders online (if you want)

3) Study for Social Studies Test (whether you want to or NOT!!!!)  Just a friendly reminder:)

Ok.. that's it!  Have a great rest of your weekend.  See you bright and early on Monday!  Oh, and we're keeping the same jobs from last week since it was a shorter, goofy week.  

Also, if you haven't finished your "Heart Art", work on that as you come in on Monday morning please. 

Thursday Surprise!

Well, well...  I guess I was quite surprised about no school today.  How about you?  I know we have a lot to do, but I definitely enjoyed another day off with my family.   Isaiah slept in until almost 9:00 this morning!  Hopefully, some of my 5B Babycakes got to do the same!

If you didn't check the blog from Wednesday, go back and read the post before this one.  It'll give you a way to prove you checked the blog.

News!!!
5B WON the Dress Up Your Teacher Book-It Challenge - 5B (16 handed in completed), 5C (14 handed in), 5A (13 handed in)... That means 43 students took the time to read, make the goal, get their parent's signature and were responsible enough to bring it in on the expected day.  The teachers are SOOOOOO proud of you!  It was so close!  Remember though, the teachers decided it would be even MORE fun to have those of you who participated get to dress up your homeroom teacher and then have a dress up day for our classes.  This "dress-up" day will be on Thursday, February 16!  So, start getting your ideas, plans ready!  We'll have a fashion show to "model" the teachers' new looks!  Yikes!

Reminders or Updates....
1) No Social Studies Test on Friday- we'll move it to Monday!  That doesn't mean you shouldn't be studying tonight!
2) Last Fun Freaky Friday is tomorrow for those from Group 2 (make-up from snow day).
3) Carnation and Book Orders are due by Monday... Of course, it's good to bring it in early, too.  I have extra forms in the room if you need more.
4) Conference Online Sign-Up - remind your parents to sign up before next Wednesday.   Also, make sure your parents know that they should only be signing up with me as your homeroom teacher.  If they want to chat with Mrs. Halverson or Mrs. Wilson, they'll have to email, call or make an appointment for another day since the conference days/nights are filled with homeroom students.

Ok, well, I guess I'll see you for one last day of the week!  You have art AND guidance tomorrow, so the day will go by quickly, I'm guessing.  Also, if you have ANY props or crafty items at home you want to use for background stuff for the play, PLEASE bring them for Friday.  We'll start some work on it in Literacy!

Hope you enjoyed your day off!  Also, I'll know you checked the blog if you checked yesterday's blog!

A Short One...

Hey, 5B,
I just wanted to say you did a great job making it through an extremely busy, work-filled day.  It seems like we barely had a minute to breathe today before moving onto another activity!  The room was buzzing with learning!  So, thanks and great job!  I wanted to give you a reminder about showing the note about conferences to your parents and bringing in a note proving your parents saw the note.  I know 4 of you already did because your parents signed up for a conference time already!

Don't forget to be thinking about your props and ideas for our play!  Thanks to Payton's parents for the boxes for our play!  We appreciate your help!

To prove you checked the blog, find the white and pink letters, in order and put them together.  There are 2 words you will spell.  This is the game Isaiah played with me the other night.  We'll play this at some point this week!  Whisper to me the game or write it down.  See you soon!