First Full Week of Summer...

Hey there, former 5B'ers!

I have no clue if anyone is checking the blog anymore, but I just thought I'd throw out a "Hey, how's it going?!"  to everyone.  I was just checking my "Goodreads" account to add a book to my "currently reading" shelf.  I started the Divergent series, book 1.  So far, me likey!  It takes place in the future of what used to be Chicago.  Life is WAY different.  At the age of 16, you need to choose 1 of 5 life styles you will live for the rest of your life.  You take a test to help you decide what life is best for you.  It's actually quite interesting and makes me think what it would be like to live like this.

Oh, and I am excited to share I got a Kindle last week!  I'm reading Divergent on it.  It's so nice not to have to turn pages against the wind and be able to sit outside without having the blinding light reflect back at me as a I read!  I added a list of books I'm trying to read this summer.  I wonder if anyone wants the challenge to read the same books or to compete with me.  Anyone up for the challenge??  Let me know by either leaving a comment on the blog or emailing me.  Bring it on!

I hope you're enjoying the first days of your summer vacation.  Take time to soak them in.  Just as our school year flew by so quickly, summer will do the same.  So, enjoy your ball games, swim teams, vacations, babysitting, trips to water parks, chances to sleep in, etc.  I know I'm trying to make each day count!

Take care and don't be a stranger!  Email, stop by or wave if you ever see me!

2011-2012 Last Blog of the Year...

I can't believe I'm writing this blog, 5B.  It's just crazy to me how quickly our year has just come to an end.  I know Tuesday will fly by too quickly, and I won't get to stop and realize it either.

Here are your last reminders or heads-ups as a 5B student...
*We are missing 1 Plants Alive book, so could you PLEASE look through your stuff that you brought home tonight to make sure you don't have it.  If you find it, PLEASE, PLEASE bring it with you tomorrow.
*You'll finally find out what our staples have been saved for!!
* Tomorrow is a 3-hour early out (if your families need a reminder for that).
* Report Cards will come home tomorrow.
* Don't forget book bags still for tomorrow.  We have a few things you'll want to keep safe until you get home.

Your Last Blog Checking Proof...

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in and HUG me...saying 

"I'll always be a part of the 5B Family".  

I better bring extra tissues tomorrow.  I'm going to be a MESS!!!!!

Movie Day, Huh?

Wow, you got your fair share of movie time today, didn't you guys?  In music class AND social studies!  Goodness, me!  I guess that means it's BACK TO WORK on Friday, doesn't it!

Make sure you get your blue notes home to your families about our "picnic" lunch on Monday.  We don't want you going hungry that day, do we?

Also, MANY of you still need to return your green slips for 6th Grade Information.  This will be considered your first real assignment to middle school.  I wouldn't want the teachers in 6th grade to wonder about your responsibility, so please have them in by tomorrow.

Another reminder... If you have your book bin at home, please return that tomorrow as well.  I'm starting to collect the different materials so we have time to remind you later, too.

I'll keep this post short and sweet.  Click on this link to prove you checked the blog.  Just tell me what the video is showing a lot and what the topic is.  I think you'll recognize it in some way...heheheeeeee...

Our Last Official Wednesday Together...

5B,

Can you believe it really is coming to the end?  I know a year always comes to "an end", but for some reason, it seems unreal to me how quickly the year has flown by.  This week is flying by EVEN faster!  I was looking through some photos and videos of us throughout the year, and I actually started getting tears in my eyes!!!  My babies are almost all grown up and moving out....

We'll finish switching classes this week.  On Monday, we'll be doing some special activities.  I'll know you checked the blog if you VOTE  (top right) for what you'd rather do for lunch on Monday.  I'll ask the class again to get a majority.  You can tell me what you voted when you come in on Thursday.  

Here's your "LASTS" for tomorrow...

Last Thursday EVER as a 5B Family Member

Last Music class as a 5th grader

Also, check out the countdown to dismissal time on Tuesday, May 22!  Crazy!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hey, 5B, hopefully you were able to spend a little or a lot of time with your moms, step-moms, grandmas, aunts or anyone else who has taken care of you, loved you and made sure you were safe.  I had a great day with my family.  Isaiah and Jason took me out for a big brunch in Decorah.  I was so stuffed I couldn't even stop by the Whippy Dip for ice cream!  Maybe next time, I guess.  And now I'm sitting outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather while Isaiah paints on a picture of Thomas the Train.

Wasn't Friday's trip to St. Paul AWESOME?!!  My only bummer was that I couldn't be with all of my 5B Babycakes.  I have lots of fun pictures of my group while exploring the museum, but I don't have many of anyone else.  I guess we'll have to get some 5B Family pictures this week with all 23 of you here and HEALTHY! RIGHT?!

I think this week will REALLY test all of us as 5B students (and teacher).  With so many goofy, off routine events the past month or so, we NOW have a completely FULL week of school with NO interruptions or breaks.  That normally sounds fantastic to me, but I think we all will be dragging a bit slowly this week to get back into the routine of classroom expectations, less side-chatting, and yes, HOMEWORK.  Just because we're getting to the end of the year doesn't mean that we expect any less of you.  In fact, you're NOT off the hook until you officially start your first day of vacation on Wednesday, May 23rd!  Got it!!  So, no whiners this week or next...

*Homework Due Date Change*
Of course, I'll give time in class on Monday, but I need to move the 5th Grade Memory writing piece to be due on Tuesday.  Sorry.  You'll still get to bring  your snack and drink, but it will be for Tuesday, NOT Wednesday.

Also, Monday will be our last Nutrition class with Kaitlin.  So, let's see who remembers their May calendars for the final prize!

I'll know you checked the blog last night, if you come in and tell me which TEAM you think will be the FINAL winners for the 5B Competition.  Then head to your spots and find ANY remaining tickets you've been collecting to add to your team's last chance!  No offense to the other teams, but I am hoping for the #1's to win this one!  Of course, I'll be happy for any Team that comes out on top though.

Oh...and of course, another priority we have this week is to use up the rest of our 174 recess minutes from MISIC testing!  Wow, what a week.  This will be our very last full week together....let's make it he best one ever!!

Big Day Tomorrow!

It's here, 5B!  The big field trip is HERE finally!  I'm just as pumped as you are.  I LOVE this field trip.  You'll be seeing all sorts of new topics, ways to experiment and historical artifacts.  It's definitely a long day, but it's well worth it.

Things we did NOT chat about today...
Homework for next week:
Social Studies - Steps 1 and 2 of Outline due Tuesday
Writing - 5th grade memory piece due Wednesday
Reading - finish Inquiry Project next week

Reminders for Friday:
1) Be at school - 6:30 a.m.
2) Have lunch in cooler, 2 plastic container drinks, backpack, items to keep you happy, camera, money, small pillow, medications your family wants you to bring along to give to chaperone
3) Find your chaperone right away in the morning
4) Show Cadet Pride all day long
5) Have a GREAT DAY!


***ATTENTION***  There will be 2 sets of busses in the parking lot tomorrow morning.  5th grade is taking HAWKEYE STAGES busses.  Make sure you ask your chaperone before getting on the bus.  We don't want you heading to Des Moines with the 4th graders for their field trip again!

See you WAY BRIGHT and EARLY!!!

It's Sunday and I'm Still Burned!!

Well, 5B, I hope you didn't get as red as I did on Friday.  I was so glad it was a great day for our Track and Field Events, that I didn't think much about how much time we were outside!   Goodness me!  I looked like a lobster Friday night and Saturday.  I'm finally fading a bit.

I wanted to say congratulations to our 5B, 2nd Place Winners!  You worked hard, ran, jumped and threw with all of your might!  I couldn't ask for anything more!  I'm glad we got to celebrate with ice cream afterwards, too!

We were sad to miss Brooklyn, Kayden and Luis on Friday though.  I'm sure you'll fill them in on the events of the day.  Don't worry, you three, you'll still get your ice cream.

We have a CRAZY mixed up week this week!  Keep this in mind....we are NOT done with school yet, but it will kinda feel like it this week with so many "out of routine" events.  Here is the look at the week:
Monday:  NORMAL!!!!!  (Hopefully we're all back and healthy)
Tuesday: NORMAL (except for Twisted Tuesday because of Band...also, Band Concert that night)
Wednesday:  3-hour early out, Cadets for a Cause Activities all morning at High School Track, Community Interlude Dance, School Sack Lunches provided
Thursday:  Field Trip to Nature Center (note coming home Monday), bring OWN lunch, drink and extra water, tennis shoes, layered clothing
Friday:  Field Trip to Science Museum of Minnesota (leaving 6:30 A.M!!!!!), review note with "Must Haves" and "May Haves"

WOW, right?!!!  So, we will work your little tushies off on Monday and Tuesday, since the rest of the week is going to be wacky!  Be ready to focus on Monday!!  I'll know you checked the blog if you tell me which of the events we have going on this week you are MOST excited about!

Ready for Tomorrow?

Can you guys believe you are about to go through an orientation to be in 6th GRADE?!  I feel like it can't be that time of year already?  My 5B babies are almost all the way ready to move on and away from me!!!    I guess when it's been such an amazing year with such fun and respectful students, I don't want to let you go....  Now, I do have the ability to keep you in 5th grade though, don't I?  Muuuaaaaaahhh!

Tomorrow is a big day for many reasons....
#1) Orientation to 6th Grade
#2) 5B Shows What They "Got" in Track and Field Day
#3)  Ice Cream Celebration for MISIC Growth (Those who are sick, don't worry. I'll make sure you get your ice cream when you are back and feeling better.  Sorry you'll miss it though.  Feel better.)

And I think we forgot about this one...
#4) 5B's Own Team Competition!  I've decided with such a crazy week with sicknesses.  Let's wait until the end of Friday to collect the tickets.  We may have to count up the green ones though for the Cadet Pride Ice Cream treats they do over the loud speaker.  We'll see.

Remember to share with your parents the green note that came home today about a new drill we'll be practicing.  Also, watch the weather for what to wear/bring for layers tomorrow.  You'll definitely want a bottle of water for the afternoon.  I also thought that SUNBLOCK might be a good idea.  We don't seem to realize that we can get burnt pretty easily those first few really nice days!

I'll know you checked the blog if you come up with a fun, quick, friendly chant/cheer for 5B to use to pump ourselves up for the remainder of the year.  We could use it Friday (tomorrow) and the rest of the next few events we have planned.  I've got one of my own, too!

Get rest and see ya' later!

Short Update...

Today was MUCH better....but not back to the high standards that 5B has set for themselves.  So, we'll continue "disinfecting" the chatty bug germ (you guys had better names for it!).

Keep it up!  Can't believe we only have a teeny number of days left together....  Tear, Tear....  Sniff, Sniff..