Presenting at the School Board Meeting Tonight!!

Hey, 5B!
What a great, productive  and fun day today!  It's a long day for the 5 who volunteered to help present tonight!  So, be sure to ask them how things went!  You are all 5B Rock Stars to make everything happen with all of our Global Classroom activities!  So proud of everyone!

I'll keep it short since the board meeting begins in just a bit.  Be sure to share with your families the fun part of your days!  I'll be putting an Animoto video link up later tonight of all of the fun had during the Big Blast today!  So, check that out in the morning or sometime when you get a chance.  It will probably be pretty late when I post it.  There are some AWESOME photos of fabulous fifth graders funning in up!!!

Keep in mind any possible homework you have this week and assignments that could be worked on at home or on the Internet, should be taken time to do:)

I'll know you checked the blog if you ask one of these people:  Greta, Bryer, Gage, Delaney or Memphis what they thought of the presentation.  They will give you a yellow slip for asking:)  (You can only ask one of them though - not fair to ask all 5 of them and get 5 yellow slips).  As for Greta, Bryer, Gage, Delaney and Memphis, I'll know YOU checked the blog if you tell me if you would be willing to do something like this ever again:)?  Thanks!!

Keep up the great work, all of you!
See you soon,
~Mrs. Sorenson:)

CRAZY, BUSY, EXCITING WEEK AHEAD!!

Hello.. my little darlings,
It was another busy weekend for my family!  I did more Christmas shopping and found myself to be nicer, more patient and looking for good deeds to do for other people.
For example:
I held to the door for a family with a couple of kids and full bags.
I let someone go ahead of me in a line when I saw they had fewer items to buy than me.
I told the cashier to "keep the change" when I bought an item.  I wanted him to have it instead of keeping it myself.

As you can see, when someone reminds you how simple it can be to show caring, it makes you want to do it, too!

So, REMINDER!  This week we'll be making cards for random residents of Cresco.  If you have old, ready to recycle Christmas cards (that you've checked with parents), bring them in to donate them to our "reuse" pile.  Also, if you have any "crafty" items that you'd like to use to create your card (or to share with others - up to you), bring those for this week, too.

ANOTHER REMINDER!!  If you think that Santa will make time to run by 5B's classroom this week to see how things are going, (to see if you're naughty or nice) BRING a form of STOCKING to hang by your desk/table.  Tape it up right away.  Who knows?  Maybe Santa will sneak by while you are at recess or at P.E.  He's pretty sneaky and magical, ya know?

ONE MORE REMINDER!!! With our Big Blast on Tuesday, we want to do our best to show our Cadet Pride by celebrating our school's team effort in selling our fundraiser.  So, we want everyone to WEAR BLUE or CADET clothes on Tuesday!  You'll be running around like crazy, so we'd love to see BLURS of BLUE whizzing by us as we enjoy watching you show your enthusiasm!!

OH, WAIT, A REMINDER AGAIN!!!!  Don't forget to share with your families about Friday, December 21 (1-hour early out) but the READ and FEED we're doing from 1:30 - ??  When we're done celebrating reading, you are free to head home for the holiday vacation!

I'll know you checked the blog if you ask me, "What time are we Skyping with Texas today?"  I'll tell the class when we all get in the room!

Tomorrow is our LAST MONDAY of 2012 together!!!  Sniff, Sniff, tear, tear... YEEHAW!!!!

Working on Cadet Pride: Who will be our 4th Round Winning Team???

Hey, 5B, I'll just jot down some reminders and keep it short today.  We've had some definite chats about Cadet Pride, respect, and making good choices, so I'll not touch on that for now, ok?

Friday, Dec. 14 (tomorrow):  Paper Mache bowls for science due - no exceptions.

Next Week:  Oodles!!

Monday, Dec. 17 - 2 groups have reading assignments due!

Tuesday, Dec. 18 - Limo Rides, Big Blast and Board Meeting @ 7! (and wait, some LEARNING, too!)

Wednesday, Dec. 19 - Should be completing 2 pieces of writing to be due - 1 poem, 1 choice

Thursday, Dec. 20 - Social Studies Explorers project due - (for those who have that project), another "hang-out chat with our Connecticut friends to get to know them better!!

Friday, Dec. 21 - Assessments, Parents Read and Feed @ 1:30 p.m., and 2 hour early out!  

I'll know you checked the blog if you email me (if you want) or write down and show me on Friday morning 3 names of Connecticut classmates.  I can think of about 7 of them... I need to get to know the others though:)

See you soon!  TGIF!!!!!!!!!! (tomorrow!!!!!)

-Mrs. Sorenson

Perfect at times.... WAY too chatty at times...

5B, today started out with a bang with Gangnam style dance moves and fantastic Cadet Pride with writing and reading classes.  Then I really saw a change in self-control with talking.  You did a super job during our lunch in the room to watch astronauts and NASA workers share about Curiosity, the 
mars Rover.  Social studies then brought back the lack of self-control.  Let's get a handle on this, shall we?  I'm thinking the middle of December is WAY too late in the year to be showing some of those behaviors.  5th graders should be role models for younger grades.... not their equals as far as behaviors go, ok??????????  Let's make a Thurrific Thursday??  Deal??

Thanks for Tristan and Bryer's moms for volunteering to help supervise the Big Blast next Tuesday. I'm glad to have the chance to enjoy taking photos of you and being a part of the activities!  So, please thank your moms for me!!  The class thanks them, too!

We have a small group of students using ooVoo with our Middlefield, Connecticut friends with a poetry discussion.  Last week another group tried this, and we'll do another group next week, too!  This has been great to have more classmates!!

Also, thanks to the 4 students who are helping present at the board meeting next Tuesday.  I'll chat with you guys Thursday and Friday about your "parts."  You guys will do great!  All of 5B should be proud of our experiences and connections to outside our classroom!  Let's keep up the contacts.  Oh, and our new Texas friends want to Skype again next Monday to get to know you guys better! Of course, I said, YEP!!  We were hoping for that!"

I'll know you checked the blog if you ask me, "So how will we do Random Acts of Kindness like that lady did for you?"  I'll tell you the answer after we do attendance and pledge today!!

Get some sleep...think good thoughts for a Thursday full of self-control, ok?  Oh, and thanks to those of you who kept me "safe" today.  I survived the after school hours!  Hopefully, I'll make it to class tomorrow without getting hit!!  Wish me luck!

Short on Time... Have to Rhyme!

I'm writing a short limerick
because I need to be quick.
Isaiah to bed,
"Books, Mama" he said.
The clock is going tock-tick!

I'll know you checked the blog if you watch the Jib Jab link that Chase and Wyatt C. made today during band!  It's hilarious.   Click Here to see Wyatt C. showing off his dance moves:)  Tell me what you think of Wyatt's moves as you come in on Wednesday!

Go, Wyatt C.!

What Do You Know About Orange, TX?

Well, 5B, we keep learning more and more about our country and people who live in it!  We've gotten to connect with these great places!  Share our Global Classroom with your parents and family!

Our Connecticut Friends - Go ooVoo!

Canada helps with Halloween Story!

Mystery Skype #1:  Success!

San Diego:  Tried the Halloween Story but
couldn't get the Time Zone mess figured out:(

Mystery Skype #2!  Success!!

BIG REMINDERS!!
Come in RIGHT away Tuesday!  Gather anyone from 5B you see whether they checked the blog or not and come in to the classroom early.  I'll ask the recess aides to start sending in 5B students early.  We need to be ready for our "Connecticut Board Meeting" before 8:45.  I need to share with you some of the information that we'll be discussing.

Also, if you had interest in presenting at How-Winn.'s Board meeting on Tuesday, December 18 @ 7:00 p.m., be sure to get that note from your parents signed and returned for Tuesday!!

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in and tell me what you think of all of our Global Classroom activities... Like them?  Not like them?  Love them?  Want more of them?  Etc.??

See you right away!  Be ready to impress the "Big Guys"!

Another Full Week Ahead... Will the Snow Stay??

S'up, 5B!
I'm writing this post on Saturday night (thinking I may run out of time on Sunday), so I hope everyone enjoyed their weekends.  I did a little Christmas shopping in Rochester.

Never Too Old To Learn a Lesson
It was pretty busy with long lines...  I sometimes get a little frustrated with that.  So, I was being a little grumpy, waiting in line behind this lady that was taking a while.  I was wanting to get a warm apple cider in a hurry so I could get back to more items on my list.  I was getting more annoyed with this woman ahead of me because it seemed she just keep chatting with the cashier about other topics and wouldn't move on.  FINALLY, when she moved along, she looked back and smiled at me.  I was still annoyed, so I just gave her a quick grin and looked at the cashier.  She took my order.  While she was getting my apple cider with cinnamon, caramel and whipped cream (YUM!!!), I started getting out my money to pay for it.

The cashier saw me and said, "Oh, this is already paid for, ma'am."

 I was confused and said, "No, I think you're thinking of the woman who was just here.  I haven't paid you anything yet."

She laughed and said, "No, really, the woman in front of you gave me enough money for  the next person in line to get whatever they want."

It took me a while to realize what the woman had done.  She simply wanted to do a Random Act of Kindness for me in this busy, chaotic line.  I asked the cashier who she was so that I could write her a letter or send her a thank you, she told me that she wasn't allowed to share it.  It was the wish of this sweet woman that whenever she does this, she doesn't want credit for it.  She just wants to leave someone feeling happier than they were before.

Isn't that a crazy, sweet, amazing story??!!!!  It really worked!  Instead of feeling annoyed with lines, shopping and being in a hurry, all I felt was this warmth of caring and overwhelming gratitude for people like this thoughtful woman.  It changed my grumpiness immediately.  I'd love to try something like this with our class over the next few weeks.  We'll chat about it this week, ok?

Ok.. enough of my stories... I'll just do a few reminders below...
Monday -  2 groups of "Coffee Talks"
                 2nd Mystery Skype during Social Studies!!!  Game on again!  Would like to tweak our clues        
                 quickly on Monday morning:)
Tuesday - Helping Connecticut Friends present to their Board @ 8:45!  Keep getting more famous!!
Wednesday - Special Lunch Time Event -  a Surprise... You'll just have to wait and see!
Thursday -???  Nothing extra???  Pretty normal
Friday - Science Bowls due, NEW due date for Cadet Key Chains - they moved the date in case
             families wanted to buy them still!

I'll know you checked the blog this weekend if you look at the list of clues we have for IA for our 2nd Mystery Skype and think of a new clue to replace one of the old ones.  You may have to do a little research on your own, too!

Oh, and congrats again to the Purple Pancakes for their 2nd WIN!!!  You go, girls!!  I think the boys in 5B are ready to show you ladies that will not HIDE their CADET PRIDE anymore!  But, until then... the Magic Pencils are still in effect... as long as the Purple Pancakes have them and they are polite and respectful with them:)

Sorry it was a long one... Have a great rest of your weekend:)  Have fun in the snow!  Remember boots, hats, mittens, etc. for recess.  Also, Monday is P.E. so don't forget your shoes if wearing boots to school in the morning:)
Sorenson - Out!

Flying Into Friday...

Well, what a week?  It seemed to fly by.  With Gage joining us on Monday, Donavyn leaving for vacation Tuesday, Mrs. Sorenson gone Wednesday.... craziness happening in 5B!!


Today was a fantastic day for ALL of you!!  I am so impressed with yesterday's comments from our substitute teacher and today's on task behaviors!!  This is one top-notch class!  Keep it up.  Remember, it is extremely easy to get sidetracked or lose self-control, so be sure to stay focused, have fun and enjoy something new to learn:)

Fun with Global Classrooms
Be sure to tell your families about the Powerpoint Presentation slides you were working on today with our Connecticut friends.  Your slides looked great so far!  If you are interested in be a part of presenting to our board on December 18, please let me know, and we'll see if your parents are interested in having you help, too:)  Would love to have students explain your activities!  I know we get to help the Connecticut crew present next Tuesday, Dec. 11 right as we come in.  They are looking forward to having us sit in and share through ooVoo again:)  Yippee for our across the country sharing!!!

Christmas ornaments - Keep a-looking!  On Friday, we'll see who has found them so far!  That will give you some ideas of where I like to hide them!

Moving Day is Friday!  We'll be changing spots on Friday morning.  As SOON as you come in, please begin getting your stuff cleared out and ready to move to your new spot!  After we get situated in our new homes, you can start counting up your team's tickets!!!  Will the teams with "Color" (Purple Pancakes and Pink Fluff) keep taking over our competitions???? Or will a new team take control???  We'll have to wait and see!

I'll know you checked the blog if you write down the names of 3 - 5 people that you think you would enjoy sitting by and know can focus on your work with.  Make sure YOUR name is at the top.  Then add the names of people. Hand it to me as you come in, and start packing up:)

Safe Travels to Donavyn and Family...

***New Part of Blog*** 
This wasn't on the original post if you checked it early on Tuesday night.  Isaiah is sick again.  I'll be home with him on Wednesday.  Be sure to show your substitute teacher how amazing 5B is, leave her with a positive impression, like you did with Mr. Carver today.  OK?  There will be no switching because of the early out, so have a good morning of literacy, library and math.  Have fun afternoons.  Take care...and hopefully I can avoid getting what Isaiah has:(

We all wish Donavyn a safe trip....but most of us are quite jealous of his vacation plans!!!  Don't worry, 5B, I gave our little traveler a whopping amount of homework:) HEHEHEHEEEE!!  I'm guessing he'll still have time for some family fun though:)

Thanks for helping Gage see how respectful, caring, trustworthy and responsible 5B is.  We'll need to watch ourselves though a little bit.  As the week goes on, remember we're still modeling for him what it means to truly have "Cadet Pride."

I'll be putting up the 3rd ornament for Wednesday.  I don't think anyone found the 2nd one for today.  Keep looking:)

I'll keep it short.  Just remember a few things...
Book Orders due Wednesday
Early Out Wednesday
Library Wednesday
ooVoo and Google Docs activity with Connecticut got moved to Thursday, I think:(

I'll know you checked the blog if you find one of the Fingernail Painters right away on Wednesday morning.  They'll each have some paint to take care of your pinkies!  Oh, and please let Gage know what this is all about!

5B Family of 23!!

Gage officially joined us today!  We are happy to have him be a part of 5B, yeh!  I think his humor and respect will be a perfect fit for us!  I even saw Gage do better at some behaviors on his first day compared to some of the rest of us!!  Let's make sure we show each other and Gage what Cadet Pride looks like, sounds like, and acts like all of the time.  Okey Dokey?

One thing I forgot to mention for homeroom today was Book Orders are due on Wednesday.  Remember this.  Many of you had Christmas list ideas, so don't forget to share with your families.  I can keep them secret from you if your families don't want to spoil it for you:)  Or if you'd like the online code again, let me know and your parents can do it themselves if they prefer:) Click HERE for the online link.

As I'm sitting here writing this post, I have a minimized YouTube video of a Monster Truck Showdown in Mexico.  Isaiah thinks it's the most amazing thing ever!!  He likes anything with a motor and that's loud!  I thought of Wyatt S. and his love for cars.  I'll attach the link HERE if you feel like watching it.  I have to say that some of those jumps over the bus are quite impressive.  You'd NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS catch me in one of those things, but it's still pretty crazy to see them perform these stunts!

It's funny!  NO ONE found the ornament today!  I guess I'll hide another one to see if it gets found!  Keep your eyes peeled (oh, that's an idiom - doy!).  Remember not to tell people where they are though if you do see them.

ooVoo session went well.  I'm curious to see how Wednesday works with your partners.  I have the list of your Connecticut partners.  I want to see what you come up with.  Be sure to tell your parents that you'll be helping our Faraway Friends in Connecticut present our ideas to their whole administration of principals and superintendents.

I'll know you checked the blog tonight if you come in right away, find your attendance name on the Smartboard, get out a laptop and visit one of the Christmas Fun and Activities sites on the blog.  You choose, just be sure to do it alone, ok?

Let's Welcome Gage with Our Cadet Pride...

Fun News...
It seems like we've been waiting for our new classmate for a while!  We're all excited and anxious to meet him,  I can tell.  So who is Gage??  I'll know you checked the blog if you can come up with one question you'd like to know from him.  It could be about where he lives now, where he moved from, if he has any sisters or brothers, what his last name is, if he's in band, who might be his favorite teams, what kind of music he likes, why his family moved here, etc.  As you can see, we have a lot to learn about Gage!

We'll be playing a game on Monday morning so that Gage can get to know 5B, too!  Be ready to show him what it means to be a part of 5B, ok?!  Be sure to welcome him if you see him outside.  I'm guessing he will come straight to our room though instead of recess, but I guess we'll just wait and see.

If he is outside, could you help him find our 5B line, his locker and our room, of course?  I'll be watching for a new face!

Possible Bad News...

My son AND my husband have come down with the flu:(  NOT fun at our house.  I'm trying to help them feel better and take care of them  without getting sick myself, but I don't know if I can control that very well.  So, if for some reason I'm not at school tomorrow, that means the flu has found me as a victim, too.  I've heard it is going around a lot of classrooms, so BE SURE to WASH and SANITIZE hands whenever possible.  We don't want everyone sharing this!  I know we're trying to be "sharing" students, but this is one time you can be selfish and keep your germs to yourself:)

Classroom Change News

Whether I'm there on Monday or not, you'll notice that the classroom has some changes to it.  I didn't like that bench over on the corner, so I moved it back.  Herbie and the video chair got a new spot, too.  Hailey, your desk is off by itself (kind of like an island), and the table with Tristan, Syd, Bella, and Kelsey has been turned.   It seems we're running out of room, so I'm trying to give us a better option for space.  I did spend A LONG TIME cleaning up and getting pillows, stuffed animals, rugs, etc. in homes that can stay.  PLEASE show your respect and responsibility to take care of our 5B home.  OK?

*I'm not sure if we'll change desks on Monday or another day, so just stay put at your spots for a teeny bit longer.  We have a busy morning with Gage's activity AND an ooVoo session @10:00 with our Connecticut friends.  We'll be setting up Google Docs as partners with them and writing back and forth with them this week.

Ok.. I'll let you go.  Oh, but remember 2 things... 1)  Have a question for Gage to prove you checked the blog.  2)  Look for the first ornament of December in our classroom!  Don't share where it is though.   You can tell people if you see it, just don't tell them where, ok?

**Other reminders**
Wednesday, Dec. 5 - Early Out and Book Orders Due
Tuesday, Dec. 18 - Big Blast - Need parent volunteers!