3 Day Weekend... 3 Day Week.... and Another 3 Day Weekend!!

These 3 weeks are kind of weird, aren't they?  However, we still need to "keep calm" and stay in control, right?  We had such a great indoor snowball fight celebration from Cadet Pride points, that I'm excited to set a new goal and activity for us!  So, even though it's a good schedule, the best thing you can do is SHOW that you can handle it, right?!

Carter gets Ethan to laugh!

I thought you'd want to think back to the fun we had on Friday with the Valentine activities we did with "Honey, I know you love me, but PLEASE don't smile!"  These pictures are SOOO  HILARIOUS!  Be sure to share them with families!

Brady can barely hold himself together to try and get Carter
to laugh.

Carter gets Josh!

Landen has NO PROBLEM getting Jackie to laugh!

We thought Emily was immune to anyone's charm
until Ethan went to the lengths of his creative
mind and blew her a kiss!  (Yep, that was
Mrs. Sorenson's idea) AND it WORKED!

Also, don't forget all of the Random Acts of Kindness that we need to be doing!  Let's week was the "official week" but there's never a time that RAK won't be appreciated!  So, check out the bulletin board for a new one from last Friday!  Another 5B caring heart STRIKES again!  Let's try to do more on Tuesday!  I'll be ready with my camera if you tell me who or where I need to be!

The BIGGEST reminder for this week is.... 

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES on Tuesday and Thursday! Remember, your family can come in ANY time during that hour block.  They do NOT have to worry about the specific time slot online.  We'll have more time to practice on Tuesday during the day so you feel comfortable and confident to lead a professional, serious conference!  And yes, I bought the cookies!  They are ready, too!

Here's a quick reminder for this week's schedule - remind families, too!

Tuesday - Conferences, 1 hour early out

Wednesday - Normal :)

Thursday - Conferences, 1 hour early out

Friday - No School!  Another 3 day weekend!

Finally, Happy Presidents' Day!  Did you realize our US Presidents are the reason you did NOT have school on Monday?  If not, shame on you!  If you did, good for you!  Either way, I'll know you checked the blog if you check out this link about interesting facts about some of our former US Presidents!  Browse through the list (pictures and captions) of weird facts.  Find one you think is REALLY weird or strange.  Write down the President's name and the interesting fact you liked. After we do the Pledge, bring your paper with you to the floor and get ready to share the weirdness from our country's past!  

Nothing Random about 5B's Cadet Pride!

Although this is International Random Acts of Kindness Week, 5B isn't being random at all about their behaviors, choices and respect!  The most awesome thing about 5B is that it doesn't need to be a special week for you to show what amazing caring hearts and minds you have inside!  We have 3 of our classmates who has put purpose and effort into doing something caring for another so far this week!  Check out the bulletin board on Thursday for the 2 that did it today!  Sneaky and thoughtful!

Also, today was such a treat to have Amanda share her experiences (good and bad) as a writer, poet and former 5B student!  5B, please remember that once you're a part of this family, you'll always be welcomed home, just like Amanda!  5D got to enjoy her sharing as well.  You can see how interested they were in listening to her share.  Both classes were TOP NOTCH listeners with the best Cadet Pride EVER!  So proud of both classes!!

Tomorrow is our BIG CELEBRATION for our 6,060 points for CADET PRIDE behaviors! It's not quite "The Hunger Games"..... we'll call it....  "The Snowball Games"!  We will only have 15 minutes to enjoy this fantastic reason to celebrate! So, we'll have to have excellent self-control and listening before we start.  Emily and Tyler, your teams are set up below.  You will have the protective shields, but remember, you are leaders of a team.... they are your responsibility to keep safe and plan strategically!

Team Emily!
Ethan
Josh
Brady
Jason
Lyli
Annabelle
Noah
Alaina
Andrew

Team Tyler!
Tim
Cameron
Carter
Dylan
Kyleigh
Jacy
Jordan
Landen
Jackie

I'll be in it for the Free-For-All portion, but these will be set for the Team portion!

I'll know you checked the blog.... if you can give a helpful reminder of advice to how we should go about playing with Cadet Pride.  I'll ask for you to share your advice with the class right away in the morning.  After the pledge, I'll make this statement, "We can't hide our Cadet Pride EVEN when we throw snowballs."  At that point, stand up and I'll call on you to share your helpful advice to the class so that we have a respectful BUT fun activity!

Arc Attack Was AWESOME!

 Wow!  It's a good thing I don't need my hearing to write this blog because my ears are RINGING still!  But it was such a cool event to see! My eyes and brain are thinking...WOWWWWWZA!!  My ears are say, "What did I ever do to you?"

I know there were a lot of questions for the Arc Attack group members that didn't get asked.  Mine was about that white mat on the stage and what it was made of to not burn through the stage with all of that current!  

This will be your blog proof... I'd like to know either a question you had for them (that was not already asked) or something you'd like to learn more about after seeing/hearing Arc Attack!

Click on the is TodaysMeet Link

No, this is not a picture I took.  They said there was no
photography allowed.  I got this from the website.  I didn't
realize they had come all the way from Texas!  

Reminders for the Rest of the Week...
All Week... Finding People and Places to Leave Random Acts of Kindness Notes (Even though Cadet Pride is NEVER Random)

Wednesday:  Math Test, Math Review Page Due, Coffee Talks for some

Wednesday:  Make-Up Guidance Class

Wednesday:  Special Guest coming to Literacy Class - A Poet!

Thursday: INDOOR SNOWBALL CELEBRATION!! Captains Emily and Tyler... prepare to lead your teams to victory!  

Friday:  Valentine Exchange (optional) :)

REALLY QUICK BLOG!

Tomorrow... Field Trip!!

Tomorrow... CADET PRIDE 100%!

Tomorrow...  More Conference Preparation!

Tomorrow... BLUE SHIRT!

Tomorrow... your proof will be for the blog...  Take the number of "o's" from the word tomorrow and divide it BY the number of "r's" in the word tomorrow.  Write the answer as a decimal!  Show me your work on a note in the morning!

If you want more division practice before your test on Wednesday, visit this link below!
Click Here!  (It's called Math Monster from the Math Playground website)

6060 Cadet Points!!!

Woo-Hoo, Baby!!!

Your Cadet Pride has been simply outstanding, and it shows by your point total on Friday!
Goal = 6,000 points
Actual Points Counted = 6,060!!!
As each of you left on Friday, you whispered to me who you'd like to "pelt" during our indoor snowball fight celebration planned for Thursday after P.E. Well, it looks like some of you should be worried because....

Conference Sign Up...
I have 10 of our 20 5B classmates signed up for conferences as of Sunday afternoon.  The link will close down on Wednesday, Feb. 11 (this WEEK), so your parents will have to call the school and ask Linda to sign you up.  School Number:  563.547.2300
Here's the link for your family to sign up for yourselves though!  Click Here

Let's see if we can get all 20 kiddos signed up BY WEDNESDAY!  I may throw in something EXTRA on our Indoor Snowball Fight Day if we can do this!!  

Field Trip on Tuesday!

Check out the video for Arc Attack (Click Here)!  This looks like one of the best shows I will have ever been to at the Gallagher Bluedorn Theater in Cedar Falls, IA.  I can't WAIT!!

We'll be leaving around 10:00 a.m. on a chartered bus.  It's only about an hour away, so we don't need TOO many extra items, but you are welcome to bring a device of your own to play school appropriate games, apps, music, etc. while on the bus ride.  Using it for Snapchat, texting, Face Time, calling classmates, etc. will not be allowed.  If using your device inappropriately or in some way the teachers have clearly stated "no" to, results in your device being removed.  So, keep in mind why we are going on this trip, right:)  Getting your WIFI hooked up with the bus, however, will NOT be the teachers' priorities as we get going!  So, be patient and respectful if bringing a device along.  Also, it will be YOUR responsibility to keep track of it.  It can NOT come into the theater with us though, so you'll be leaving it on the bus, unattended.

If anyone wants to bring a DVD for the ride, we could maybe put it on for the ride there and back.  If you have one that is school appropriate, bring it MONDAY.  I'll hold onto it and keep it safe for Tuesday;-)!

Blog Proof... Hmm...  How about this?  We have SO MUCH to do this week, and our time will be cut short because of our trip to Cedar Falls on Tuesday, Mrs. McCabe is making up guidance class on Wednesday AND our Valentine Exchange on Friday, that we'll need EVERYONE to be putting forth 100% effort to accomplish our activities!

Here's your proof...  Look at the list of encouraging statements below.  Decide which one you think would be BEST for you to follow! When you come in Monday morning, sit in your new home (remember, we switched spots) and stare at the floor.  Don't chat with anyone, go STRAIGHT there.  When I say, "What's your advice for the week?", you tell me the phrase from below that you're going to follow!  Be sure the phrase you choose makes sense with the question I'm asking!

Another Great Week...Wrapping Up!

My goodness... It is difficult (notice I did not say the "h" word) to come up with new and creative ways to compliment you, 5B!  So many of you have just shown the most amazing, model behavior for Cadet Pride that I could ever ask for!  So, thank you, thanks, gracias and many other versions of thank you!





Tomorrow will be MOVING DAY!  You've been in these "homes" all of January and the beginning of February, so it's time to move on!

The way I know you'll have checked the blog is if you go to the TodaysMeet link and list any spot you have NEVER sat at.  That could be a general area like "I've never been on a blob before" or "I've never been on the stools."  Or it could be "I've never sat on the the brown futon, but I have sat in 2 of the other comfy chairs before."  So, be honest.  Your classmates have good memories, so there's no use in trying to sit in a spot again when others know the truth:)



Lastly, remember, (thanks to Brady!) that Friday (tomorrow) is the first Friday of the month and is designated as Cadet Nation T-shirt Day!  If you can't find yours, then just be sure to where something that shows your support for our school spirit - BLUE!  I'll have a special reward for those who make the effort to do this!  That will be in addition to those who show blog proof!!

Remember...
Blue Parent Notes (4 of you)
Pester Parents about Signing up for Conferences - you MUST be present to lead:)
Coffee Talk Reading Pages

Not a Wacky Wednesday.... WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Boy, oh, boy, did our day fly by or what?  I can't believe how quickly our time went by!  Imagine if we had guidance?  We wouldn't have had time to really get a good start on our conference presentations.  Everyone seemed to take their "job" seriously and get a little more comfortable with the idea of leading. And the creative heart art projects?  They really are fantastic!  I'm so jealous of those of you who could come up with your own ideas!

We have had SUCH a super routine of listening, learning and Cadet Pride!  I can't wait to see how many points we are at now!  Will we need to start planning our...

Indoor Snowball Fight!!

Reminders for the Week...

Coffee Talks - Biggest Klutz, Stone Fox, and Clue at the Bottom of the Lake (Thursday) and Barcode Tattoo (Friday)

Orange Coffee Talk Note - returned...(2 students)

Blue Conference Note - 1/2 sheet returned (a few students)

PESTER FAMILIES to SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES - at a time YOU are there!

Social Studies TEST - Thursday!

I'll know you checked the blog if write a cinquain poem about this topic:

Snowball

______________, ______________ (2 adjectives)

_________________, ___________________, ________________ (3 ing verbs)

_____________________________________________ (3 - 6 word phrase)

_______________ (synonym)

Have a great night! Maybe we'll need to plan for our celebration even this week! Who knows?!

Another Super Day!

Based on Mrs. Branum's point of view, 5B is BACK to being her DREAM CLASS!

That's right, baby!  Bring it on!  

I feel the same way about 95% of the time!  Ya know that other 5%?  It just sometimes kinda gets forgotten, but, hey, mistakes are proof that you're trying, right?!

Hopefully everyone got home safely with the extra snow today.  Maybe you even got to do a little outside play time!  Either way, rest up, because I'm going to work you pretty seriously tomorrow with only a 1/2 day of school!  Lots to do and only a little time to do it!  

But no whining, please, because if it were back in the Colonial days in America, kids had a much tougher life!  In fact, I'll know you checked the blog if you come in find the answer to this question:  What happened if you didn't behave in school during the Colonial times?  You'll prove it by coming in the classroom and finding this book on the coffee table (there will be several copies of it).  Turn to pages 24 - 25.  Take a picture with your iPad and read to find the answers!  It's pretty crazy!  Grab a GREEN TICKET and write the answer that SURPRISES YOU THE MOST!  Show it to me finally!

Also, here's a bonus for you for social studies...  3 questions that I KNOW will be on the test are below.  I asked Mrs. Suckow for a little "heads up"!  If you can answer these, you'll have a great start to your test on Thursday!

1)  What was the reason that the New England Colonies started?

2)  How did MOST of the Middle Colonies make their money?

3)  What were the Southern Colonies most known for?

Tomorrow...  Be ready!   Student Led Conference Preparation!

We will start preparing for our Student Led Conferences.  In order for your families to see you as the true leader in this conference, you have many steps to follow to show you are in charge:)  

Tomorrow...  Be ready!   Throw Back into Mrs. Sorenson's 5th Grade Heart Art Project!

If you want to check out some ideas before class, visit these 2 different sites with ideas.  If you'd rather come up with your own ideas, that's great, too!

Heart Art Ideas Website #1:  Click Here!

Heart Art Ideas Website #2:  Click Here! 

Emily's Squirrel Dance Worked!!

Thank goodness Emily did the ancient squirrel ritual dance to help us all be at school on time today!  We are lucky we were able to be on time.  Remember, every time we are late or don't have school, we have to make it up later on anyway:)  So, we might as well be here when we can!  Right?!

After I rushed out today for an appointment, my family went to Teluwut for supper.  As we were walking out, we ran into Mr. Bieber.  He made a special effort to bring up how 5B has really been back in the groove and is doing a fantastic job getting ready for the concert!  Now, that was truly "music to my ears"!  It's so awesome to be at some random place and get pulled aside to be given a compliment like that! And really, it wasn't even for me!  It was all YOU!  Bravo, 5B!  I'll know you checked the blog if you grab a green ticket when you come in Tuesday morning.  Write MUSIC CLASS on the back, and show it to me!  That's how I'll know you checked the blog!  Be sure not to tell ANYONE else about it.  I want to see who is checking the blog and who is just watching their friends!! :)  Yep, that's me... Mrs. Sneaky Pants!

Other MAJOR Reminders...
1) Coffee Talks this week!  Be ready with your Think Page COMPLETELY filled out, all of the pages read, and ready to discuss:)
2)  Orange Note explaining Coffee Talks to parents and invitation to donate juice - signed and returned by 4 more of our 5B darlings, please....
3)  Social Studies - Triangular Trade worksheet
4) Blue Conference Note - Need to return the 1/2 sheet to be sure we cover all topics at your conference. We will begin working on your conference on Wednesday of this week!  Must be prepared, right?!

Ok, well, it's getting late and I've got to get to the fitness center!  I slept in this morning thinking we'd be having a late start - oops!  My bad!  Let's have another super-dee-duper day of laughing, learning and.... um... what else starts with L?  Hmm... That's your 2nd blog proof!  What word could I add there?  Write that word on your green ticket, too!

I saw this cute compliment cartoon earlier today!  Thought it would be fun to share!

Well, well, well! We can't complain that we don't have any snow??

What's with all this white stuff?  I think I'm going nuts!
Heehehee!

I REALLY hope I get to see 5B for a full day of school on Monday!  Last week was a 2 hour delay.  I know our band members would probably like to have class BOTH days this week if possible!  Let' all do an ancient squirrel ritual dance that holds off the incredibly strong winds to allow us safe routes to school on Monday, ok?!  Make it a good one!  If you are home and checking the blog, I'd love a pic or video of what your squirrel ritual dance looked like!


Well, after school on Friday, Isaiah came with a special envelope filled with letters for you!  Mrs. Marr and the transition kindergarden kids took time to make us a special package!

 We'll have to check them out and be sure to return the special effort to them as well!  I'm hoping we'll be making another trip to their room for a February!  Let's brainstorm something sweet we could do for our little buddies!

I can't believe it is actually FEBRUARY already!  This month is probably our busiest one of the year! See below for all of the events we have to work around!

Monday, February 2 - Groundhog Day!  Will we have 6 more weeks of winter?
(I'm guessing, um... NO DOUBT!)

Wednesday, February 4 – 3 Hour Early Dismissal

Tuesday, February 10 – 5^th Grade Trip to UNI in Cedar Falls, IA

Friday, February 13 – Valentine Exchanges

Monday, February 16 – No School  - Presidents’ Day

Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Thursday, Feb. 19 – Student Conferences

Friday, February 20 – No School- Teacher Compensation Day

Wednesday, February 25 – 3 Hour Early Dismissal

See what I mean?  Crazy, huh?!  Also, we'll be getting some important papers to go home on Monday (maybe Tuesday) that will need to get your families.  This will be your blog proof!  I'll want you to ask me, "So what are these so-called important papers you're yakking about, Mrs. S.?" I won't give them to you right away, but I'll be happy to get you a Cadet Pride ticket for your responsibility of checking the blog!

Also, remember to bring in your January Book-It calendar to cash it in for a free personal pizza from Pizza Hut!  

Yummy to my (or should I say YOUR) tummy!

Also, remind your families (and YOU!) about your coffee talks this week!  Be sure you are getting your assigned pages read and writing down thoughts on your recording page to help have a deep discussion.  I've read each of these books, and they have OODLES to talk about!  

If your families wanted to donate juice, that's fantastic!  Just bring it in, and we'll be sure to drink it up!