MAGNIFICENT MONDAY, BABIES (notice, I changed the "y" to "i" and added "es"... Always Learning:)

This was SUCH an incredible day for listening, learning and living it up as a 5th grader!!!  Any other class could eat our dust with respectful behaviors!  I heard some excellent words about how tomorrow will be....
Good (DEAD WORD, Lawson!!)
Great
Magnificent again
TERRIFIC
TERRIFIC and TWISTED - (true because of band in the middle of the day)
TREMENDOUS!

And the most original that I heard as you were walking out the door....









was....









wait for it....












It's coming....




































Bump has been seriously stressing me out lately.  Each time I try to "bump" my photos I've taken to the laptop, it keeps saying that I'm not connected (fist, fist - I beatcha, I bet) to the Internet!! Yet, I know that I am...  I'm pulling my hair with this website's issues!  Hmm.. If you have extra time, please do a little research for me and see if you can figure this out.  Maybe there's a "Help" video or article out there??  If you find out, PLEASE share it with me!

Pictures I was excited to share with you...

#1:  Where's Skyper, the Global Explorer? - He was in Tanzania, Wyoming, a ski resort, Turkey and in Birmingham, Alabama!  What a busy guy, eh??  Congrats to Group 2 for finding him the most/quickest!  We need to get together and hide him for next week's contest!!

#2:  Revising/Editing Thanksgiving Stories on Google Drive - AMAZING discussions and work together!  Best I've seen ALL YEAR LONG!!  Woo-hoo!

#3:  Social Studies Work Time - Wowsa!  So on task!  I am SOOOO excited about tomorrow!

It would break my heart if we have anything but the same for tomorrow, so let's try not to blow it!   Oh, off the subject, be sure to check on Firefish tomorrow.  I hope he doesn't kick the bucket overnight due to Isaiah's over-feeding...grrr....

Ok, time to let you go... I'll know you checked the blog if you can find the 5 Idioms (doy!) that I hid within this post.  Remember, Idioms are phrases used that if you actually saw the event happening, it would look pretty silly.  Idioms represent something entirely different than their literal meaning.  Write them down... I'll be sure to treat you well for all of the researching...especially if you find ALL 5!

Rainy Weekend... Ewwww....

Hello my, 5B Angels.. (ding...ahhhh),

Hopefully you stayed dry this weekend, and out of the rain. Ewww..so dreary!  I think I'd rather have snow??  

I absolutely LOVED our Read Your Heart Out time for National Young Reader's Week on Friday.  I thought it was time well spent and something we haven't had much time to do since we switched our literacy groups.  I wish I had taken photos of you all reading!!  I was so comfy with my own book and blanket, that I never got up to capture the moments!  Oops!  Well, it was an amazing sight!  So, thanks for everyone for taking it so seriously, and finding enjoyment the style of reading you chose!  Bring those same books each day to Read Your Heart out a little bit every day.  

Let's see...Any big plans for this week?  Hmmm..

Monday:  

New Activity with Connecticut Class - Where's Skyper, the Global Explorer?!  Have you heard of Where's Waldo?  Well, it will be something like this, but of course, since we are Skyping with Connecticut, we'll call our missing man, Skyper - the Global Explorer:)  We'll be working in teams to compete to see who can find Skyper the quickest!  I am thinking it may be a good idea to review the map of the US and the world!  The quickest teams with the most points, will get to choose where Skyper is hiding for our next meeting with Connecticut!

New Math Groups - Your letter went home on Friday with your test.  Be sure to share it with your families, get it signed and return it to school Monday.  

Also, remember, the Chip Shoppe Delivery items are ready after school on Monday!  Be sure your families get this reminder and help pick up your items.  Most of the items need to be refrigerated, so taking care of them quickly is important.

Wednesday:

3-hour early out:)

I think those are the big ones to remember for the week.  Because we have our Skype and Global Classroom meeting on Monday, I'll hold off on the "Appiteasers"on Monday, BUT I'd love to hear your suggestions for ones to share with the class.  If you have tried free websites or apps that you think the class would enjoy, please email me:  ksorenson@howard-winn.k12.ia.us 

For the websites - the link so I can check it out first and make sure it's not blocked

For apps - the name (and if possible an image of what it looks like)

I'll know you checked the blog this weekend if you ask me, "Whose team am I on for Where's Skyper?"

Another Improved Day:)

Making it short tonight!

Reminders for tomorrow:
Mrs. Sorenson's Math - MB 3.11
Book-It:  Read with comfy pillow/blankets in the afternoon


Sorry.... so little time...
Hope for a FANTASTIC FRIDAY!

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in and do a SILENT chicken dance moves.  You know the song, right?  No singing or sound effects, but just do the dance without any noise:)

Here's a link if you don't know the dance/moves:)  Click Here! 

EXCELLENT IMPROVEMENT!

What a difference it was today with moving quickly, less chatting during transitions and most of us ready!  Woo-hoo!

I love that it left us time for APPiteasers and reading together from Out of My Mind  or Swear to Howdy!  If you get a chance or have a device you can download apps, ask your families about checking out:
Doodle Cat, KidsDoodle, Fotobabble, Kodable!

Paetyn and Haylee learned more about Kodable and Doodle Cat at recess today.  We still don't quite understand the purpose of Doodle Cat, so if you figured it out, PLEASE tell us:)



Let's keep it up for tomorrow!  Yippee!!

I corrected some math tests and some reading tests today after school!  Awesome work as well from our 5B students!

My "Bump" is not working well, so I couldn't get the pics from today from our guest speaker on the Native Americans of the Plains.  We will surely have to BUMP our photos from each in the morning. That's how I'll know you checked the blog. Whisper to me a reminder that we need to do this RIGHT after the pledge, ok?  Be polite, of course:)

Again, great job today!  Let's see it again tomorrow!

Hmmm... What do you think?

Please email me on what this picture represents based on how our day ended.  I'm going to leave it at that for tonight.  The details you add will really let me know how serious you are taking our class's behaviors.

Have a good (oops, dead word) - an enjoyable night.  I'm hoping for a different picture to share for tomorrow.  Thanks to some super role models our class has to look up to.  

Great Day of Learning for Veteran's Day!

What a special opportunity to hear firsthand the stories and experiences of our local Veterans.  Here are some pictures from today's assembly.  I know only 1/3 of the class got to blog about it today, so we'll make sure there's time tomorrow for the rest to share their reflections!  They also seemed to enjoy the slideshow we put together to thank them!   Be sure to share some of the questions and thoughts you had about what you heard today with your families.

In the area of math, I know all classes are reviewing and working on geometry skills before our math test on Wednesday.  In my math class, the students were busy working away on projects that show geometry in everyday situations:  baseball games, bicycle designs, pool table and art!

What angle measurements would help you play pool?

Does this bicycle design use geometric rules?  Will Cresco
Bicycles want to make it a real bike?

Does the abstract artwork of Kandinsky use geometry?

How will this design blueprint look at a larger scale?

What do angles have to do with playing baseball?  EVERYTHING!

Busy, busy, busy!  Also, we spent our afternoon reviewing the expectations of iPads and how to be respectful with them.  Super ideas were shared, but now it's time to put them into action.  With the iPads possibly going home in the next few weeks, we need to kick-it-up at notch with responsibility and respect.  Gotta it??  Good!  (wait, dead word.... FABULOUS!)

I'll know you checked the blog if you write one FACT and one OPINION from the Veterans today at our assembly.  Hunter and Paetyn, if you missed it, you can share from what we watched last week or something your family discusses with you, ok?

Also, as Hailey asked, here are a few websites that could help review for the geometry test in math on Wednesday.  Just click on the topic you would like to practice! 

Angle Measurements

Polygon Characteristics

Types of Angles and Triangles

Practice Place Value

Awesome 3-Day Weekend Hopefully:)

Rested up, 5B?
It was a great 3-day weekend for me!  That Friday off was sweet little vacation that gave me oodles of energy to start a new week!  Hopefully, you had some enjoyment, too!  I heard that a lot of you were going to the Late Night Swim at the CFC on Thursday night.  I ALMOST stopped by after conferences to check out everyone having fun, but I decided I might get splashed by some little sweethearts I know:)

Last week was short and goofy with the late start, but we packed in a bunch, didn't we?  Well, watch out...here's a full week with all sort of happenings.  Check out the list below for a heads-up for the week!  This week is NATIONAL YOUNG READERS WEEK!  One day this week, we are challenged to READ OUR HEARTS out...by reading from the beginning of the day until the very end!  You daring enough to take on the challenge???  This also the week that we would ask our principal, Mr. Adams to read to us in an usual place and way!  I haven't heard too many suggestions.  So, please, chat with your families for ideas that can take place somewhere on our school grounds, is safe and allows us to listen to him reading.  Mr. Adams is willing to try it.  I think it would terrible if we couldn't brainstorm something for him!!  I gave him a few ideas, but I'd still suggest more if you have something to share.

Monday:  Veterans Day and Special Assembly with Guest Speakers
Tuesday:  Start 2nd Writing Activity with McGregor 5th Graders!
Wednesday:  Global Classrooms with Connecticut - Try Again...This time with TodaysMeet:)
                     Special Guest Visitor -about Native Americans to connect with Social Studies!                                        Math Test for all classrooms
**One day this week - hopefully - Mr. Adams can be reading from an usual spot while we enjoy a story!
Friday:  Math Mixer - Regrouping activities again before the next unit and switching teachers for math groups!

Wowser! See, what a week!?

Ok.. So rest up if you haven't been able to, and we'll start off with a WHAM on Monday!  I'll know you checked the blog if you watch our video slideshow that was put together with your thoughts, photos, videos and symbols for what a Veteran is.  I think it turned out amazing.  Thanks for all of your genuine thoughts and words.  Our visitors will feel special to be thanked for their service.
Click:  Thank You, Veterans 2013-14

Also, be thinking of some questions you'd like to know about if you get a chance to ask these amazing men and women about their experiences.  Remember, though, to be respectful about the information you'd like to learn about.

The Chatty Bug is in the Air...Don't Worry, I've Got A Flyswatter!

Today was an improvement with the chatting during work or transition times, but that Chatty Bug is still buzzing around the room.  It's time we "swat" it!  I loved seeing the class take care of any down time with "Flee Fly" while I was explaining to Mrs. Bodermann today.  That's what 5B is made of!

Now, we just need to work on how music went with chatting and at lunch.  We will need to look at a new lunchroom seating arrangement soon if the volume continues to be as loud as it has been.  Enjoying your lunch and having some friendly across-the-table conversations, shouldn't require a whistle to be blown, right??

So, let's just get the Chatty Bug out of the air, learn from our mistakes and move on, ok?

I was so impressed with how serious everyone was in social studies today when we discussed Veteran's Day and the special guests we'll be meeting with on Monday, November 11.  I have the 2 videos we watched in class today below if you want to share them with your families or just watch them again yourselves.

Veteran's Day Tribute
I Fought For You

For our Thank You Slideshow, remember, some of you wanted to bring in items or look for pictures tonight that you could use with your video.  Please be sure your families approve before you bring in anything, ok?

Reminder - Thursday is a 1-hour early out for conferences and Friday is NO SCHOOL!!  Miss you:(

I'll know you checked the blog if you can think of 5 adjectives that describe Veteran.  I'll be helpful and give you 1 (if you want it).
1.  Courageous
2.
3.
4.
5.

Peace Out, My 5B Babies..

Twisted Tuesday.... Actually Went Quite Smoothly:)

So, let's see if our Wednesday will be our ONLY normal day of the week?  Usually we have Wacky Wednesday's, so now it's the complete opposite, huh?

I wanted to make sure to tell all of the 5B students and families who I saw on Monday, "Thanks SO MUCH" for being so supportive, having super discussions and being so open about how things are going in 5th grade!  This is the first year ever, I've had EVERY student show up at his/her conference!  Such responsible students and families!  Let's see if we can get do the same on Thursday night.

I know it's later tonight, so I won't keep you much longer.  I had Isaiah's conference after school tonight, too and then off to stuff my belly with Cresco Fire Department Pancakes!  Yum...but...oh, my tummy is a-hurting! The same goes for the rest of my family:)  I saw some of you there...and saw Morgan working!  Excellent "tray carrying"!

Ok.. here's your proof if you checked the blog.  We'll be taking the next few days in social studies to talk about a particular topic.  It will be a little "detour" from the Native American studies but an extremely important topic to remember.

Here's what you need to do.  Unscramble these letters to make the word we'll be learning more about.

S   T  R  E   A   V   E   N

Whisper in my ear as you come in on Wednesday morning!    Ok, time for Isaiah to start heading for bed!

Ready for a Short but Busy Week Ahead?

Hey, 5B,
I sure hope you guys all had a great weekend.  I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home.  Jason planned a fun (wait, fun is a dead word...um... exciting) water park and hotel weekend for our family!  We left right after school Friday and came home later on Saturday evening.  The only complaint I have is that I smashed my elbow on the side of the water slide.  YOUCH!  Man, it still hurts today... Oh, well, I shouldn't whine about it when I had a great time, huh?

Big Schedule Reminders for This Week:
Monday - Conferences Early out at 2:15 p.m.
Thursday - Conferences Early out at 2:15
Friday - DON'T COME to SCHOOL - I won't be here! (or anyone else:)

Other Reminders:
Please remember to come to your conference with your families!  I have some MAJOR exciting news and surprise to share with each of you at your conferences.  You WON'T want to miss it:) Hey, maybe ONLY those who come to their conference will get to have this special gift??  Hmm... Maybe...

Also, we'll continue to become amazing communicators through Edmodo with our Connecticut classmates on Monday.  We'll try some more writing activities with McGregor either this week or next, too!

I did some MAJOR tidying up the room this weekend...Boy, oh, boy?!  We are getting a WEE BIT TOO careless with our materials, the pillows and leaving iPADs OUT again?!  We'll have to make this a MUST-DO ticket to before we leave each day!  YIKES????  Please and Thank You... :)

For Monday, I'll know you checked the blog if you give me your BEST turkey gobble impersonation as you come in.  I'll give you a little something you'll use after attendance and lunch that connects (bam-bam with my hands) it!  Click here to hear a real one!