Missed You ALL!

Hey, Everyone!
I was thankful for a lot of things during this break, but I will be honest with you... I'm very thankful for my wonderful 5B Family to see again on Monday.  It was great fun seeing relatives, shopping, hanging out, getting our Christmas tree and pretending to care about football, but I am glad to get back to see each of you!  I only got 2 photos so far of our classmates!  I may have to do some double duty Cadet points for those students who send me the emails/photos!  Very impressed!

Also, if you didn't tell your family about our door getting 2nd place, be sure to still tell them!  It was all of your families who made it such a great door!  If your families didn't see the finished product, here it is and our celebration photo!

Also, a congrats needs to go out to the Pink Polk-a-dotted Underwear Team for their win last Tuesday!  It was a little weird searching this team logo...  Just remember to all who read this blog... It was the KIDS' who named their teams - NOT me!

Ok.. we have several things to remember to do or bring for Monday and this week. Here are some visual reminders for you:)

Book-It Reading Calendar for November!  Please bring in with a parent signature confirming you read during the month of November - I know Brady did for sure!  I think he made it through 2 of the 3 Maze Runner Trilogy! Let's feed those brains with reading then tummies with pizza!  Remember, ANY Pizza Hut works! 

Whole Group Band.  You have a concert coming up on December 8, so you don't want to be forgetting to bring your instruments for practice time.  We've had a lot of cancelled individual lessons, so take advantage of your group time!

Items for Literacy still needed:)  Remember if you had agreed to bring in something for our big project, PLEASE remember them.  We need them Monday for sure:)  I'll be bringing in some of Isaiah's, too!  He'll surely remind me that they are NOT to stay for forever... He's pretty protective of his toys... like some other kids I know:-)   If you can't find your green note for permission, just have your family write a note saying it's alright to share your toys for a few days at school.  They'll come home on Wednesday for sure (if families want them back by then!).

Lastly, I'll know you checked the blog if you come in Monday morning and LOOK at the new

Attendance Board for December!  Meet up on the floor and just stare at YOUR NAME and what OBJECT it is.  I'll know you checked the blog when I say, "Ok, close your eyes and tell me!"  At that point, you close your eyes, raise your hands and I'll call your name aloud.  You tell me what your object your name was on for the Attendance Board:)  For example, if "Kelly" was written on a Santa hat, I'd say "Santa hat."

After band we'll share about breaks, upcoming events and how the next 15 days will go!  Yep, only 15 days of school before our NEXT break.... we've got to show our BEST Cadet Pride during these busy days!

Most A-MAZING Monday EVER!

It was SUCH a productive day, 5B!  Wowser!  Everyone was SO on task, SO focused, and SO responsible for their time in literacy with the reading activity and working on their published piece! Let's have another one like that, ok!?!

Remember, Tuesday will be a goofy day with a mixed up schedule.  We will share our writing pieces (at least what we chose to publish for now) and also as many of the Passion Projects that we can.  Landen did a super job keeping us informed about mirrors, his home-made periscope and his extra facts.  Great job making it so interactive!

With Tuesday being TOTAL UP TUESDAY, we will get RIGHT to our attendance and pledge and split into our TEAMS for this week's CHAMPIONS! Will the Pride Knights take on another win or will they get booted off of the throne!  Oh, and Magic Pencil Holders.... I've decided to let you keep your pencils and use them for real now.  No need to return them to me:)

Some Reminders for Tuesday:
Published piece -done and ready to share
Art homework
PENCIL (sharpened) for math and social studies
Soc. St. test shared with families AND returned (for those who need to)
Drink (optional) - no caffeine or energy drinks
My 5B Angels (ding...Ahhh!) again!

Here is a sneak peek for being a good audience member when someone is sharing his/her writing with you tomorrow in class.  Visit this link to listen and see a published piece written by an author like you!  As an active listener, you should be able to point out something positive that you enjoyed to the author when they are done.  There are several pages, so be sure to listen to the whole thing.  Share with me your compliment or positive comment that you would have given the author if you could.  Whisper it to me in the morning as you come in!

2 Day Week? Yikes!

Where did the cold and snow go?  Weird, huh?  I'm ok with it though.  Although Isaiah was SO excited to make a snowman Saturday morning with the wet and sticky snow!  He was talking a mile-a-minute about his plan for the first snowman of the season and here's what he ended up with...

Then, we headed to Decorah to do some errands and get some lunch.  When we came back, Isaiah was a sad little guy...  This is what it basically looked like:(

I told him that we would have A LOT more snow coming in the next months!  He accepted it better than I expected!


Ok, so, this week is going to be a "blink"!

For Monday, we have some extra activities and a few reminders...
1) Group Band
2) Skype with Pre-K Buddies - I sent over your "Thankful Pages"
3) Bringing in any items (with green permission slip) for upcoming project
4) Finishing up published piece - remember if you have stuff at home to bring it with you Monday!
5) Last day to earn points for your TEAM before Tuesday's Totaling Up for Champions of Week 2!


We have some special activities planned for Tuesday...  
1) One requires (if you choose) to bring in a drink for you.  It should be a single serving container that does not include pop or energy drinks.  Acceptable choices include:  water, flavored water, juice box, Gatorade, etc.  No, I'm not telling you what it is for yet:)  Heeheheee!
2) Mixed up schedule
3) Bringing in any items (with green permission slip) for upcoming project
4)  Sharing published pieces with others
5)  TEAM TOTALING
6) Pie, Oh, My (Which adult gets a pie in the face - and WHICH STUDENTS get to HELP?)


Ok, enjoy the rest of your day!  Stay dry! Remember that it will be wet and slushy tomorrow on the playground, so still where boots.  We don't want a room full of mud and wet spots all over:)

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in the room, and (WHISPER) ask me for one of our classmate's names.  I'll whisper the name of one to you.  Your job is to take one of our "Character Counts" compliments and think of something about that person you can compliment them about.  Be sure to put HIS or HER name on it, but NOT your own.  Be specific and thoughtful.  I'm thankful for all of you and your caring ways.  Show each other that, too.  Put it in the green bag and we'll share them Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving break!

Great to Get OUTSIDE!

I think most 5B students would agree that it was a relief to be able to be outside today....BUT it was DEFINITELY cold enough out that snow pants, warm coats, gloves/mittens, boots and HATS were necessary!  Too many of you were headed out today with shoes and regular pants/jeans.  As your 5B Mama... I'm worried about you.  If you do NOT have these things, PLEASE come tell me quietly on your own.  I can help you find some.  OK?  Remind your parents that 5B Mama is concerned for your health and well-being.  No need to freeze our toes and nose if we can control it, right?!


Hopefully your math and social studies tests went well yesterday and today.  I know it was a lot of testing back to back, but it sounds like you guys handled it pretty well!  Homework this week should be for those people who are discussing 'Blackfish" and the article for the mini Socratic Seminar.  Be sure you have read the entire article either on paper or online.  If you have Net Flix (I'm jealous if you do...), check with your family to watch the whole documentary, instead of just the trailer I sent you in a link.  Also, art homework is a fun one to brainstorm this week!  Check out these optical illusions to inspire your drawing for art.  Click Here!


Otherwise, I'll know you checked the blog if you come in,  put your turkey on the Smartboard for attendance, go STRAIGHT to your home without CHATTING or LOOKING at ANYONE AT ALL (even if they talk to you, don't give in).  Have a seat and stare at your feet until I come around and I say the magic words, "Tickle Me Elmo."  Then you can look up at the Smartboard.

Oh!  And here's a BONUS way I'll know you checked the blog!  Go to this TodaysMeet link to see what it is!

Pride Knights - First Week's Champions

Congratulations to the Pride Knights!  Hopefully your Magic Pencils have not run out of magic yet!

Over 1,000 points!  Way to go!

I'm so impressed with ALL teams the lowest scores were in the 800's!?!!!  That's some amazing Cadet Pride that you can't hide!  I loved seeing your excitement as you totaled up the points!

It was a great way to start the day!  Then, don't forget to tell you families about our Skype with Mr. Carver from Washington, D.C.!  How lucky are we?!

Be sure to study for your social studies test tonight.  This will be a big part of your social studies grade so far.  Show all of your knowledge about the Native American's history and homes.  

Tomorrow should be a pretty "normal" day.  So get your team "game faces on" to see who NEXT week's champions will be!  Let's celebrate the Pride Knights, but show them that they've got some friendly competition to worry about:)

With the weather being so stinkin' cold lately, I was excited to see everyone at recess time socializing, smiling, hanging out with each other and guess what?  No one was using electronic devices!  Wow!  Board games, Jenga, Apples to Apples, Styrofoam cups, etc. all made from an enjoyable recess time. So...  If you have a fun game at home that your family doesn't mind lending for a day or two while we are stuck indoors (not sure what it's supposed to be like), bring them in and we'll have some extra options for socializing at recess (IF we are indoors).  Thanks (but be sure to ask first).

Here's blog proof tonight...  To show what respectful and mature students we have in our 5B Family (We are family), I'd like you to give an original compliment to the Pride Knights Team on their win on this TodaysMeet Link.  Click Here:)  Your compliment can NOT be the same as someone else's above yours, so be sure you are thinking of special just for them.  IF you are ON the Pride Knights Team, then your job is to add a compliment or a positive comment to the other 3 teams, wishing them well for this week's competition!  This is truly a test of Cadet Pride - finding the good in others!  

Future Mamma Monday

Blog by: Carter and Emily

Reminders: Conferences tonight and Thursday (1 hour early out),
art homework,
math test tomorrow,
social studies test Wednesday,
tomorrow cash in day.

Little heads up on the cash in day, DO NOT be a poor loser.

Be a HAPPY BABY.

Keep going way down...
































Keep going...

























I'm not done...





























Ok we'll be done. Blog proof is to come in, get with your group while Mrs. Sorenson will be with the "tickets" and will judge you of how good you are together as a team. You will get in a circle with your group and do the wierdest dance you can come up with! Good luck! :)

5- good
20- great
50- I'm speech less
-15- not trying :(

Have a good rest of your night! (from Emily and Carter who wrote this blog!)

Now from Mrs. Sorenson:
Math tests skills you can review tonight for Mrs. Suckow's math test on Tuesday:  place value, adding and subtraction larger numbers and decimals, open sentences, multiplying different methods

Busy Week Ahead!

Well, 5B, I surely hope you are staying warm and hunting down mittens, hats, gloves, snow pants, scarves and boots for this week's windy, wintery weather! Boy, oh, boy, I'm NOT ready for this yet!  Please be sure you chat with your parents about warm clothes.  You're my little 5B Babies (mama, mama) at school, and I worry about your noses, fingers and everything else!

Remind your families that we have a 1-HOUR EARLY OUT on both Monday and Thursday of this week due to conferences.  Also, remember how important it is for YOU to be at your conference, right?  These even a chance to make some Cadet Cash from it!  Woo-hoo, Baby!

I was getting your Photo Booth pictures set up for conferences this weekend, and Isaiah saw some of the goofy pictures you took.  We decided to have a little fun with it.  Your blog proof is to look through the MANY pictures that Isaiah wanted to take and pick YOUR favorite one.  They are all pretty scary if you ask me!  Whisper me the # of the picture you liked best as you come in Monday morning.  Also, remember, it's a BAND day, so we need to hustle right away.  Lyli can get us started immediately without me saying so, ok, Lyli?!  I'm counting on YOU to take charge:)

Have a great night!  I'll see you all tomorrow day but some of you are LUCKY enough to see me AGAIN at your conference!  Such lucky little ladies and gents!

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We SURVIVED a DAY WITHOUT INTERNET!

Woo-Hoo! The Internet is back!

This is how some kids felt today when the announcement was made that the Internet was down...

I'm guessing many of you are feeling relieved and excited about life being back to normal:)  

Yes, I agree!  But we did make it through quite smoothly!

Reminders:

1.  Social Studies Homework:  Vocabulary Review Sheet!  Let's see responsibility!  

2.  FAMILY TURKEY PROJECT DUE FRIDAY! The ones that have come in are SO GREAT!  You are all so creative!  Thanks to family members who have helped out!

I'll know you checked the blog if you check out that Make-a-Flake website that I mentioned at the end of the day Thursday.  It's at the bottom of the blog, on the righthand side under Christmas activities.  But here's a quick link to it:  Click Here

Here's the one I made in like 5 little snips of my virtual scissors!  See how pretty and easy it is!  Ah, I love this website! 

So, the REAL proof is to email the flake you make!  Click on Save My Flake.  It will have you put in your FIRST NAME ONLY.  Then below that will give you the option to Email the Flake.  My email, as you most likely know is: ksorenson@howard-winn.k12.ia.us

I'll check them out as they come in!  Have a great night!  I think we are BACK on TRACK with Cadet Pride! The points are RACKING UP!

5B TEAMS Taking OFF!

Hats off to the Pride Knights, Mr. Pinky Fluffy Pants, the Pink Polk-a-Dotted Underwear and the Cadet Wolves!  I see team members showing pride and doing activities together quite a bit this week.  I've seen many positive behaviors, which means POINTS, Baby!  And yes, there have been some white (-15 points) tickets handed out, but hey, not a problem.  Just be sure you help each other out, encourage each other, be positive with each other, and show your Cadet Pride.  All team members will need to work together to make your team a SUCCESS!  

In general, I've seen an improvement in more self-control.  Hey, that Pep Talk you give the class worked!  Those are my 5B Rock Stars (neneneneneneneeeer)!

Since I missed the blog last night, I wanted to be sure to share out the Veteran's Day Tribute video that 5B and 5D created.  The images chosen, flag poses and the videos were so amazing that I wanted you to see it and share it with this your family.  Visit the link below to see it and show it off!

Veteran's Day Tribute Video

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in and grab a piece of white paper.  Do your best to make a paper snowflake by folding your paper and cutting it.  KEEP working on it as we do attendance so that the band kids won't be late!  

Hmmmm.....

Either a snowstorm is coming, a full moon or something is in the air lately.  Many 5th graders of 5B and 5D are struggling with 5th grade expected behaviors.  As I said today at the end of the day, I am concerned if we are using the T.H.I.N.K. strategy.  The 2 major concerns I'm focusing on is:  H - helpful and N - necessary.

This is what I'm seeing from many 5B students lately....

However, very LITTLE time is put into listening to the "angel" side that T.H.I.N.K.s through decisions like this....
Stopping him/herself from blurting?
Asking the questions whether or not running down the sidewalk to recess will get him/her caught?
Being on an app or website that you aren't assigned to?
Showing a speaker/reader your respect by sitting up, listening and blurting?
Yelling out in class a response that others are just answering?
Bringing homework home, completing it and then returning in?
Talking about weekends or movies when he/she is supposed to working alone?

We're in a bit of a rut, 5B.  We need to do something that will really help us remember how amazing, respectful, helpful, caring, responsible, inspiring, and trustworthy we all are!  Tomorrow, I'll share a plan with you to get us back on track!

We have some amazing role models in class, and each and EVERY one of you has a fantastic piece to add to our 5B Family. We wouldn't be the same without you, but we need the BEST part of you to make it happen!

I'll know you checked the blog if you can write an inspiring and positive pep talk to our 5B Family.  Click on this TodaysMeet link to share your pep talk. You know our 5B Family as well as I do. Help inspire each other to make a change!

Reminders! 
Art Homework
Social Studies Homework
NaNoWriMo - keep up the word counting!!

Parents still need to sign up for conferences - online:)
(Note went home today)

FAMILY TURKEY PROJECT!  I can NOT wait to see what you do!  This is due BY this Friday for our door decorating contest!  If you get it done early, PLEASE bring it in.  I know how creative each of you are!  I picture people who love Legos, TMNT, Maze Runner, drawing, gymnastics, music, video games, hunting/camo, animals, sports, etc.  Use what you LOVE to disguise this turkey and save his/her life:)  Just be thankful that YOU'RE NOT a turkey!! Heheeee!

Ok.. Here's the REAL Blog Post...

If you are checking BACK because I told you to check in the morning, BRAVO!  Thanks for being so responsible.  If you're checking for the FIRST time and this is the only post you've seen this weekend, then just ignore the first part I wrote:)

Ok.. The Maze Runner.... There are A LOT of differences!  Ugh!  I'll need to draw a venn diagram to see what is similar and different.  I'm trying decide how I feel at this point about how the book and movie differ....Hmm... I'll get back to you.

Book

Movie

VS.

Ok!  On Monday, we have a special reading event to celebrate

To KICK-OFF National Young Readers Week, these 4 administrators will take on a challenge....

Mr. Carver

Mrs. Jurgensen                            Mrs. Grimm

Mr. Felderman

to show their love of reading and inspire 5th Graders!  

5B will have 2 of these 4 visitors!  We don't know which ones will be coming to our room Monday.  That will be your blog proof.  When you come in on Monday morning, put a star by the 2 administrators YOU predict we will have visit our room Monday!  It will be up on the Smartboard!  If we had more time, we'd have all 4, but unfortunately their schedules do not allow that.

So..  who do you think it will be?  

Thanks of checking back! See you soon!

A LOT of EVENTS Today!

Woo-wee!  I'm tuckered out today.  We had a bunch of busy bees working/sharing today.  Here's a picture from our live webcast with Usher and getting to hear him sing "Without You".  Loved it!

USHER!

What a great role model for sharing the love of reading!  So glad we were able to make it work! We should be sure to thank these people for making it happen:  Connie Matt (from the kitchen), Mr. Wiley in the cafeteria, Mr. Natvig for moving P.E. and Mrs. Grimm for working it out!

CURSIVE DEBATE!

This was a FANTASTIC debate between classmates!  I was quite impressed by the evidence many of you cited from the articles about why cursive is good and why it should be left "to die."  The other class had their Socratic Seminar about cursive.  MOST of them thought cursive should be taught in school - starting tomorrow! So, I guess I'll be getting some cursive packets and activities ready! Boy, oh, boy, was I surprised!

Movie Trailer Time

Finally, our many days of work resulted in sharing our very realistic movie trailers based off of the short stories we read for Halloween.  It looks like we have several future movie producers and graphic artists on in our class!

Hopefully everyone got to the school to pick up their Chip Shoppe items.   It was brought to my attention that ONE of our 5B classmates said he/she never was told about the delivery day or time for Chip Shoppe.  Hmmm...???  I'm thinking this is a mistake.  I'd like to see how many of you recall the blue note that was sent home or the note we have on the planner at the end of the day.  Please add to this TodaysMeet Link if you remember EITHER of those places we mentioned the Pick Up DAY and TIMES.  I'm going to point out to our dear classmate that he/she must NOT have been paying attention the past 4 days we've been talking about it.  

Ok... Finally... I'll know you checked the blog if you have done your social studies homework (reading page 38 about what Winter Counts are).  Then, if you HAVE read it, you'll know what to do with these symbols.  There is a specific ORDER to read the symbols.  Using the picture below.  Make up your OWN Winter Count on a piece of paper using 5 of the symbols below.  It can be a totally made up story.  BUT, I'll really know if you did your reading if you are able to tell the story in the order that Winter Counts are read/told!  Muauauhaaaa... Yes, I'm checking on your responsibility! 

Here are the symbols.  Be creative.  You can use more than 5 of the symbols, and you can use 1 symbol more than once if you want that in your "life story."  Show me your Winter Count when you come in Friday morning!  Wow.. Friday already?!!

HUGE EVENT TOMORROW!!!!!!

I'm not even going to keep it a surprise because I'M SOOOO PUMPED!!!  I've been keeping this a secret since last week, and it's been tearing me up inside to NOT share it with you.  I had to get a bunch of things rearranged to make it happen...

So, do you want to know what it is?  Ok.. just a minute, I'll tell you some changes in the schedule first!

One big change is that P.E. most likely will be shortened tomorrow.  I know, that is a bummer.  I agree.  We have to shorten P.E. so we can eat lunch earlier - like at 11:40!  Yep, eating with the youngins'.  This only applies to 5B as far as I know.  Ok, so now is your mind turning?  Should I tell you now what the big event is?  Ok.. it's...  well, wait, just wait for a few more explanations!

So, we JUST had parents and families in last Friday to celebrate Book-It and the enjoyment of reading, right?  That should be all year round, not just during the Book-It months.  So, I was looking for some other ways to CONNECT (fist bump x2) with others about their love of reading.  I happen to find someone who thinks reading is important and inspirational.  So inspirational that he's willing to share his inspirations with us.  At noon (12:00 on Thursday, Nov. 6 - yep tomorrow), we will be watching a LIVE webcast with a well-known singer, actor and judge from the NBC show, "The Voice".  He's extremely talented, LOVES to share his feelings about reading and is GOING TO SING LIVE FOR US!!! Ahhh!!!!  I'm going a bit coo-coo over this!

Now, is it about time to find out?  Have I made you wait long enough?  Should I stop typing and just tell you already?!!!

Ok..  I'll know you checked the blog if you click on the link below to see WHO we are rearranging our morning schedule for!  Then tomorrow, when you come in I want you to find me a picture of the is singer/actor/judge on your iPad.  DON'T let anyone else see it. Come show it to me secretly, and I'll say "YAH, BABY!:

Click HERE!!  AHHH!! I'm SOOO EXCITED!!!
(Oh, and yes, we are signed up... you don't need to sign up for anything...Done!)

Other reminders:
Band Tomorrow
NaNoWriMo - be sure to work on that crazy amazing challenge you took on!
Chip Shoppe Pick Up Thursday - 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Conference Sign Up - online (remind your family please:)

Another Short One...

1)  Be sure to remind your parents to...

 if they haven't already!

It's a right given to us as
American citizens.
Let's not pass up the
opportunity!







2)  Go eat some PANCAKES with the FIREMEN of Cresco, IA!

This a tradition in our family
to go eat pancakes after we vote.
There's all-you-can-eat pancakes
and sausage!  Yummy!  I believe
it starts at 4:30 and goes through
7:00 p.m.  It's at the Cresco Fire
Station!







3)  WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!  
BE a NaNoWriMo-aholic! Go crazy!  Get that novel going!  Remember what your goal is!  Some of you are in the 20,000 word goal range and others are up to 40,000 words!  Keep the promise you made to yourself!

I'll know you checked the blog if you WRITE DOWN what special schedule change you THIINK we have for Wednesday.  Hand it to me:)

NaNoWriMo Challenge ACCEPTED... (by all but 4 of you!)

Now that you know what NaNoWriMo means, and you are courageous enough to take on a challenge that many 5th grade students would NEVER attempt, here we go!!  I'm so proud of those who are going to try this out...and if you said "no thanks" to begin with and decide you may want to start it, no problem!  I'll send everyone the link to get started and get you signed up so you can start doing your Word Count Calculator!  Then... the writing BEGINS!!!  (or maybe you're going to start tonight - that would be awesome!)  If you do begin before class on Tuesday, be sure to have it with you in paper form or use your Luther Doc to begin it.  You'll want to write, write, write you little hands off!

Be sure to tell your families of this MAJORLY HUGE task I'm CHALLENGING you with!  No other 5B class has ever been offered this!  More details in class tomorrow!

But be sure to come with SOME kind of idea where you want to start.  Like think of your main character....
Boy or girl?
Age?
Family members?
Have any hobbies?
Pets?
Good friends or mean people in her/his life?
Feelings about school?
Any talents?
Major pet peeves?
Favorite foods?
Sweet and caring or sarcastic or shy and quiet?
Any major fears?
Major problem he/she is going to have during this story?  Any ideas on how to overcome it?

These should get you thinking.  Remember a novel is a LENGTHY piece of fiction.  We don't want to know EVERYTHING in the first page or paragraph.  We want details, details, details to help us get to know your character(s) and picture what will make this your NEW favorite book.

Remind your families to SIGN UP for conferences!  You should be present, so pick a day and time that works.  Also remember, if EVERYONE in 5B can get his/her blue note about conferences returned, a sweet little surprise will be waiting for you:)  No PRESSURE!  Heheheee.

Ok, I'll know you checked the blog if you read the descriptions I have about my main character that I'm planning to write about for my novel.  After reading through them, try to picture my main character.  Then give me a suggestion for my character's name.  I'm looking for one that really "fits" so be realistic in helping me, ok?

Boy or girl?  Girl
Age?  14
Family members?  2 much younger sisters and 1 older brother - age 16
Have any hobbies?  watching YouTube and reciting movie lines
Pets?  1 dog and 2 cats, but not really a part of her daily routines
Good friends or mean people in her/his life?  close friend's name is Shannon, have been friends since they met at a hair salon when they were 4, nasty girl in her class named Monique who likes to make her feel nervous and many others are intimidated by (kind of a bully)
Feelings about school?  likes school, but really isn't a big part of the story
Any talents/special traits?  can see the future, but she doesn't know who's events they are until AFTER they happen
Major pet peeves? her older brother ignoring her and treating her like she doesn't exist - he never used to, happened just recently
Favorite foods? none, but chewing gum makes her more relaxed
Sweet and caring or sarcastic or shy and quiet? worried a lot, but has sarcasm ready when needed
Any major fears? none at this point
Major problem he/she is going to have during this story?  she's going to find out something terrible about one of her family members through her future reading.   
Any ideas on how to overcome it? she'll try to find out who it is so she can prevent it from happening

OK.. Now, what should my character's name be? Click on this link to share it with me on the TodaysMeet.  You can write a last name if you want also.  

Goodbye October... Hello November!

Wow, 5B, isn't this crazy?  We are already starting NOVEMBER!  That seems crazy to me.  Before you know it, we'll be taking a break for Christmas.  I can't get over how quickly our busy days just are gone.  But how lucky are we today?  We got to set the clocks BACK an hour!  Boy, oh, boy do I LOVE that!  The only part I do NOT love, is that it now gets darker sooner in the day.  Ugh... Me no likey!  (Yep, I sound like a caveman!)

First of all, please be sure to thank your family members who were able to come in and read and snack with you on Friday.  I think this is a record for 5B attendance!  I think we had 18 of 20 families who helped share the love of reading for Book-It's Kick Off!  It's obvious how important spending time reading and being with family!  (Oh, and the snacks are nice, too!)

I hope everyone enjoyed their Halloween evening.  I saw a few of you either trick-or-treating around town and some of you at my house.  Let's see... I think it was Josh and Ethan at first at my house.  I believe Kyleigh and Emily and a bunch stopped by later on, but my husband was handing out candy that time.  I'm sorry I missed you, ladies!  I know I saw Jacy with buddies out and about on Elm Street.  There were some 5D students, too - Hannah, Abby, Kendal... I must be getting old!  I can't remember at the moment.  Sorry if I saw you and didn't mention it.

Isaiah had a good time, too.  He liked giving out candy more than the trick-or-treating though, I think!  I'll have to remember that for next year.  His favorite item was the glow-in-the-dark wrist band from the fitness center.

A couple heads-up for this week...
Monday:
Group Band
Conference Online Sign-up is opens up at 9:00 a.m.!!  Remember, your parents should pick time/day that YOU are able to come to the conference, too. Use the directions on the peach colored note sent home from last week. The link is under the "Parent Information" tab on the school's webpage.

Tuesday:
If you haven't signed up yet for conferences, please do!

Wednesday:
If you haven't signed up yet for conferences, please do!

Thursday:
Group Band
Chip Shoppe Fundraiser Delivery - need to pick up items you ordered and deliver them to your customers (after school through 6:30 p.m.)

Friday:
If you haven't signed up yet for conferences, please do!

Remember to have your families return the bottom portion of the blue note that I sent home on Friday about any information that needs special discussions during our conference time.  If EVERYONE can get that sheet turned back in by Wednesday of this week results in something special!

I'll know you checked the blog this weekend if you ask me in a dramatic, very curious voice, "What is the MAJORLY HUGE task you are going to CHALLENGE us with, Mrs. Sorenson?" Be sure to add the extra expression!

It's a job I've NEVER asked ANY 5B class to do before!!!  You think you can take it on???????  Hmmm... We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?!  Muuahahahahaaaaaa!

And added bonus for checking the blog...  You can bring 3 pieces of Halloween candy from home to snack on during literacy class in the morning.  If you check the blog at school in the morning, then just do the regular part from above and tell me you checked at school and weren't able to bring it from home.  I just may have something for you:)  Remember though, no peanut products of any kind, right?

Ok.. Have a good Sunday night with an extra hour sleep:)