Awesome, Relaxing Weekend!

Well, other than my old-lady voice, my weekend was relaxing and enjoyable.  I did some resting, saw some family, did some shopping and of course, some school work!!

I had a great time seeing all of your families last week for conferences!  I need to meet with one more family, but it was great that so many of you joined us at the conference.  Your families seemed very impressed with the birthday kits and tie-blankets.  I dropped them off at our Community Action office on Friday, and the workers were THRILLED at our donations!  I still need to get them the checks and cash that was donated by so many businesses and families.  I can't get over how proud I am of all of your effort and caring hearts!

Oh, and now that our friends from Connecticut have contacted me, I have the ending to our Halloween story!  I'll share it on Monday sometime.  That was such a fun experience. Each of the schools want to do it again!  Would 5B be interested, you think?  We'll chat this week about it.

This week won't be nearly as crazy as last week, but Tuesday is Election Day for 2012!  And we do have a 3-hour early out on Wednesday.  I also believe the Bridge Contest is coming down to its last 2 weeks!  I can't wait to see the bridges take on the weight challenges!

Many parents asked at conferences if they could offer any snacks to the class like at the beginning of the year, so of course, I said "SURE!"  So, I'll know you checked the blog if you ask me for the Snack Note as you come in on Monday.  I'll give it to you, so you can share it with your families.




See ya on Monday!!  Hopefully you are all enjoying the extra hour of sleep with the time change, too!  It will be nice to wake up with a little more LIGHT in the mornings:)

Happy Halloween!

It was a fun-filled day in 5th grade land today and a busy night tonight for most of us, huh?! Isaiah had a blast grabbing candy from people's candy dishes tonight.  He's definitely going to have to learn how to be a little less greedy in the future years!  But I have to say that the students I saw tonight (trick or treating) could teach him a wonderful lesson!  Great respect and manners to the 5th graders that stopped by my place!  Thanks for making a visit over:)

Remember, you can bring a snack tomorrow from your trick or treating adventures if you choose to.  We'll be having another WAY goofy schedule on Thursday with the early out again!  So, be ready for more out of the ordinary plans:)

Remind your families about YOU being at your conferences on Thursday, ok?  The 5B students who came to theirs on Tuesday, all survived and walked out without too many tears (just kidding!),  so I promise it won't be bad at all.  I LOVE having you at your own conference!

Ok, I'd better get going... Isaiah is screaming for "MORE CANDY!" and I'm NOT giving in!  So, I'd better get him to his bath.

Also, don't forget your Book-It Calendars for October!  I'll be happy to send you home for a 3-day weekend with a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut!  What a tasty little treat to enjoy over the weekend...just for YOU!

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in the classroom tomorrow morning and start working off the candy you might have eaten by doing some exercises.  It could be stretches, jumping jacks, toe-touches, high kicks, etc.  But don't chat with anyone.  Just come in start right up.  If someone asks what you're doing, just act like you don't know they are talking to you:)  Can't wait to see other people's reactions to your moves:-)

Don't stay up too late eating candy!  We still have SOME learning to take place before the 3-day weekend!!!

Awesome Read and Feed Turn Out for 5B!

Wow, 5B, be sure to thank your families for making the special trip into the classroom on Friday to help celebrate the Book-It program.  It was so great to see so many moms, dads, grandmas aunts, family friends, etc.  The excitement in both the eyes of the students and the adults was fantastic!  I loved seeing the students "teach" the adults about their life in 5th grade.  So thanks again for making the special trip. I'm happy to see families again this week at conferences:)

I hope your weekends were enjoyable, 5B.  I remember people talking about the haunted house, the movie in town, "dates" to go on, visits to Pinters, hunting plans, the bowling event, state cross country meets, etc.  It sounds like a  lot of fun was planned.

Your upcoming week will be another goofy one with early out days for conferences, a Halloween dance and NO SCHOOL on FRIDAY!!!  So, Monday will be the only "normal" day this week...if we call our class "normal" at all???  HEHHEEEHEHEEE...

Heres' a quick look at the week.  Please have your parents check this out so they have an idea for the week, ok?
Monday:  Normal (as far as I know, anyway)  May get our Halloween story back from Canada
Tuesday:  1-hour early out and conferences
Wednesday:  Fall Fest dance and Halloween costume in afternoon, bring costumes, no make-up, reread note to be sure you are following the guidelines (and of course, trick or treating for many of you that night:)
Thursday:  1-hour early out and conferences
Friday:  WHATEVER YOU WANT:)  No School:)

Remember how the weather has changed, so dress warmly for the mornings you're outside and regular recess times, too:)

I'll know you checked the blog if you draw a picture of your FAVORITE piece of candy to get at Halloween time.  We'll see what the class favorites are!  We know Jerry Seinfeld loved the "name brand" kind...not the orange marshmallow shaped like a peanut:)

BRRRRRRRR.... IT TURNED COLD!!!

I knew it was cold by the looks of your faces when you came in at recess today, but OMG, when I came out to my car after school....YIKES!!!!  So, that means you really need to think about wearing warm coats, hats, gloves, etc. from this point on.  Many of you come to school with light jackets or no hats.  Times are changing, so make smart choices about recess:)

Be sure to tell your parents about the many notes that came home today:
Reminders for Conference Sign-Up, Read and Feed (remember - healthy snack/drink)
Cresco Lanes Halloween Bowling Party
Cadet Pride 1000 ticket reward - Halloween DANCE!!!  Yippee!

We've had a great caring week with our projects!  We'll keep working on them Friday.  If anyone has any extra gift bags (like the size we have in the room), we'd love 5 more for our birthday bags.  Also, if anyone is willing to donate some ribbon for the last few bags, that would be AWESOME!  It's easy to see your Cadet Pride when you work on these projects.  I also took a peek at the acorns you filled out today.  I'm so glad you are able to catch either other doing such super tasks all day.  I know I don't see everything, so it's wonderful to have you notice the little acts of Cadet Pride that make 5B so special!  We'll be sure to share them Friday morning.

One thing to work on...... Hmm... Take a guess... Yep... the Chatter... Let's show our Cadet Pride with some extra self-control when standing, sitting, working with, waiting with, walking with, etc. our friends:)

I'll know checked the blog if you watch this silly Halloween cartoon.  Your proof will be to tell me what it is that made the witch so frustrated!  Write it down and give it to me as you come in!  You'll enjoy the reward for checking the blog!  Be sure to keep the answer to yourself, so others don't find out without doing their job of checking the blog!  :)

Worldly Wednesday in 5B!

My goodness, 5B.  I thought about all of the activities that we did today, and I am feeling exhausted!  I loved the small group ooVoo chats with our Connecticut friends.  We'll share what we learned about their school and daily activities tomorrow!  I was very proud of how you took turns, listened closely to their answers, and shared about life for Crestwood students.  I wish we would have asked how they liked the middle to our Halloween story!  I'll have to ask their teacher if they saw it.

Then, onto the Inquiry Projects!!!!!!  Please, please, please share with your families how well you worked, how serious you were about helping others, and the amount of time you spent today helping others!  I'll show some videos and pictures of what you missed from each other's experiences.  I wish I could have been at 2 places at once, but at least I'll get to see more blanket-tieing tomorrow, right?!

If you were with the shopping group, remember to see if your family has any birthday gift bags they'd like to reuse/donate for the extra items we were able to buy.  I believe we thought we needed 5 more of the same size we have in the classroom.  So, if you have those on hand, bring them on in.  Even if you were in the blanket group, you are welcome to bring them in as well.  OK?

Mrs. Sovereign was impressed with what she saw happening in the 5th grade rooms, too.  She showed me the videos she took of Isabella, Hailey, Memphis and Austin.  You guys did a great job explaining what our project was all about!  Awesome!

Reminders for this Week:
1)  HAVE PARENTS sign up or call to set up your conferences for next week!!!!  I'm still missing a few of you.  Also, remember, YOU should be a part of this meeting.  I'll send a note home reminding your families of the importance of this.
2) Read and Feed with parents on Friday, Oct. 26 from 9:30 - 10:10.  Bring a snack and drink and enjoy reading something funny, serious, scary, factual, suspenseful, strange, etc.  If you don't have a family member coming that day, we'll see if you can be "adopted" for the activity or you could choose a classmate to be your "family".  Even if your families can't make it, you are welcome to bring a healthy snack and/or drink while you read.  OK?

Alright, I'd better get to making some supper for little Isaiah!  But I'll know you checked the blog if you take one of the acorn papers from the front bulletin board that says "5B can be a little nutty!"  Bring it to the floor with you and to start our day.  I'm not sure if the projector is working yet, so we'll see how that part goes.

Also, remember to dress for the job you want to be when you grow up - one that contributes to the community and shows you have an interest in making a difference in the world.  No, a couch potato is NOT a JOB!!!  :)

A lot Accomplished Today! More for Tomorrow!

Well, 5B,
Our Halloween story was a hit!  The other teachers thought it was hilarious!  (Poor Big Bird:()  )  Be sure to tell your parents about our story writing.  It sounds like it will go to 2 different classes in Canada, and then be back to the U.S. by Monday:)  So excited to see how the ending turns out!

Here's the story if you wanted to share it with your families:

Nightmare on Elmo Street

“Ahhhhh!” Ernie screams as Elmo jumps out of the bushes.  Ernie sprinted down Elmo Street trying to get away from a ferocious Elmo. As Elmo chased Ernie down the street they passed an old abandoned church.  Elmo’s red, fiery eyes were shooting lasers at Ernies’ back.  Ernie was so scared he quickly entered the old abandoned church.

As Ernie entered he noticed red, oozing slime coming out of the walls.  The old, slimy, cobblestone walls were nearly demolished from aging.  The windows were poorly boarded up and moonlight was shining through the cracks in the boards.  There was a green shredded couch in the middle of the church.  An old chandelier hung by a thread over the green couch. Four dim candles flickered on the chandelier.

Suddenly as Ernie was approaching the old couch he felt a hand on his shoulder. Ernie turns around and nobody was there.  He thought he was going crazy.  Then he looks at the couch and sees a hippie.  

“You like me hippie costume?” snarled Cookie Monster.  “Have you met me friend, Elmo?” Cookie Monster laughed hysterically.  Ernie watched as spiders and black, gooey, slimy blood came gushing out of Cookie Monster’s giant mouth.  Elmo crept out from behind the green, shredded couch with a handful of bloody yellow Big Bird feathers.  Right when the ferocious Elmo crawled out, he whispered, “We’ve been waiting for you....” teeeheheheheee. 

We have a BIG DAY tomorrow with all of the blanket making and shopping to do for our Inquiry Project. For those of you who are staying back and working on blankets, I may ask Mrs. Sovereign and Mr. Carver to stop in and see what amazing work 5B is capable of. Be sure to explain to them how the whole project got started, the phone scripts, the calls, the plans for cutting blankets, etc. I think they'll be SO interested and proud of your caring hearts and deep-thinking minds!

Also, remember, we get to ooVoo with some students from CT in small groups tomorrow. Be thinking of questions you'd like to know from them. I'll make a list of ideas to have on hand if you're not sure what to ask. Knowing our class, I doubt you'll be too shy:)

Reminders:
Wednesday - Rock Star Day! Early-Out, and all sorts of LEARNING!
**Note, if you are walking to Fareway, think about what you're wearing and how far we'll be walking. You'll definitely want to wear tennis shoes or comfy walking shoes, ok? Also, think about the weather. It's supposed to be like today, so dress accordingly.

See you soon!
Mrs. Sorenson

Oh! I'll know you checked the blog if you ask SOMEONE (whether you're at home or at school) to read the Halloween story and tell you what they think of it! I'm curious how our readers will respond:)

A Lot to Look Forward to This Week!

Hey, 5B Rock Stars! (neneneenenenee)

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.  Man, it was nice out, wasn't it?!  Some of you mentioned you were heading to Pinters this weekend, so I bet that was a blast, too!

Busy Week Ahead of Us with Exciting Events:  Read below to get a quick reminder!

#1: Character Counts Week!  

Monday is Hat Day (Yes, I'm sure this time:)  Also, you can bring in food or personal care items to donate for soldiers to a drop off box near the office.  I'm excited to see what hats you have to show how proud you are to be making healthy choices!  Also, check out the back of our 5B door.  Each class was encouraged to decorate it to celebrate Character Counts.  Read our door before coming in and guess why I chose this theme??:)  We'll be doing an activity with this Monday.  

#2:  Inquiry Project is Making Awesome Progress!

With the money you've collected from your professional phone calls, I was able to get TONS of fleece fabric for the blanket project!  You'll be amazed when you see it!  And Mrs. Halverson was sooooo generous to donate some of her OWN fabric to our cause as well.  Be sure to thank her the next time you see her.  Then, I asked Community Action what kinds of food that may want.  I mentioned the birthday bag idea, and they LOVED it!  So, that's what the 2nd group will focus on buying!  You guys are really thinking with serious minds and caring hearts!  Norman Borlaug would surely be proud to say his hometown of Cresco is continuing his cause!  Wednesday will hopefully be our MAJOR INQUIRY WORK DAY.  Yippee!

#3:  Reminders:  

Tuesday, Oct. 23th - Picture Retake Day

Wednesday, Oct. 24th - Early Out Day

Friday, October 26th - Parents Read and Feed from 9:30 - 10:10 a.m.

#4:  Across the Nation Halloween Story:)

I thought you guys did a super job while using ooVoo on Friday.  I checked my emails from the other schools, but I still haven't seen what our title is. Remember, the votes were for:

*Your Mama's Coming

*Nightmare on Elmo Street

*My Homework Ate My Dog

Our next step will be to work on the story as a class.  I'm curious what Connecticut will have as the beginning of our story.  Get thinking about how you want a story to go.  

#5:  End of of Common Ground Theme in Literacy

As you know, we've finished our final story relating to this theme in our groups.   We've chosen an Inquiry Project that will be done this week.  We're kinda wrapping things up.  So, that means we'll be taking some assessment this week to see how much you've learned and what we can still work on!  OK?  Remember, READING is THINKING with Strategy...so I'd love to see what you're thinking! 

#6:  Conference Sign Up and Next Week Conferences

Just a reminder to you and your families to sign up online.  I see there are 14 of you who have signed up.  That means 7 of you still need to.  Most times on Tuesday are taken, so Thursday will be your best chance to have some options.  Also, remind your families that YOU are the most important person to be at the conference.  I'm excited to see both your parents and YOU!  

Ok.. I know this was a loooonnnngggg post.  So, I'll stop for now.  I'll know checked this blog post if you take all of the items OFF of YOUR LOCKER before you come in on Monday morning.  Replace them on the INSIDE of your locker to remind yourself to stomp out bullying and keep your Character Rainbow to say true to yourself.  Simply tell me, "My locker is clear!  I'm ready for the activity!"

The Chatty Bug is Starting to Spread... Let's Squash It!

We have some pretty cool things happening in 5B lately!  (Halloween story across the US and Canada, making phone calls to local businesses, bridge contests, backdrops for Character Counts Week video, and more!)  I can see why we're excited and have reasons to chat with each other.  My only concern is that we are letting our chatting get in the way of some of our learning.  It seems to be getting chattier as the week goes on, so as you may guess, I'm a bit worried about our Friday.  So, do what you can to help 5B show off what "they got".  OK?  Really hoping to see a change on Friday... otherwise we may have to take a break from some of the extra activities we're doing.  And let me tell you, I have another Skype activity planned that I think will be AWESOME!!

Speaking of the phone calls, I stopped by a few of the businesses today after school.  I have some money for the class project!  Yeh!  You guys really do ROCK!  We'll chat a bit more about the blanket-making project and the shopping for food trip on Friday.

A couple reminders:
Chip Shoppe Packet if it isn't in yet!
Next week (Oct. 22 - 26)  is Character Counts Week - Dress Up Days!
Next Wednesday (Oct. 24) is an early out.
Next Friday (Oct. 26) is our Read and Feed with Parents for Book-It from 9:30 - 10:10.

I'll know you checked the blog if you watch this REE-DONK-ULOUS video!  Isaiah thinks it's HILARIOUS!  He'll watch it, and when it's over, he instantly says, "Try Again!"  (which means he wants to do it again!) I'll know you watched it if you tell me what 2 fruits are in this video!

Let's see how you end the week, 5B.  Make yourselves and me proud:)

Busy Busy with Inquiry and Group Halloween Story!

5B,
I thought today had many new opportunities for us to learn about our real world:  writing scripts to make professional phone calls to local businesses AND coming up with Halloween titles for a NATIONALLY shared story!  I just think that is TOOOO COOOOL!  Don't you?  Be sure to tell your families about these fun activities!  (Don't forget to share with them about our ooVoo plan on Friday to meet with Canada, Connecticut, and California!)  We are definitely the Class of 2020 Learners, aren't we?

Don't forget to add a comment to the group Halloween story.  I saw some comments from other students/places after school today.  I saw you can also make a comment on someone else's idea.  I got a comment on mine!  That was fun to see:)  So, just add an idea to the Group Halloween story blog I showed you today.  Remember:
Name:  Cresco
Email:  ksorenson@howard-winn.k12.ia.us
Website:  leave it blank
Comment:  First Name - Title Idea
Submit!

Today was a better day!  Love it when I see 5B show their true Cadet Pride behaviors!  I thought the gum chewing expectations and consequences sounded fair.  So, if your family is ok with you chewing gum, you may try it for another day in our homeroom.  Remember, no gum outside of our room.  So that means you shouldn't be chewing gum AS YOU COME IN.  It should be after....right?!

I believe we have guidance tomorrow, so Mrs. McCabe can chat more about Character Counts Week (which is NEXT WEEK!!!! oops again by Mrs. Sorenson).

I'll know you checked the blog if finish working on your social studies assignment comparing the Pueblo and Navajo people.  If you're done with that, you can either Read to Self or write down more Halloween titles to add to our group story!

Oh, don't forget:
Chip Shoppe Fundraiser Packet
Parent Sign Up for Conferences
Make sure parents know about about next Friday's Read and Feed!

Well... Kind of a Roller Coaster of a Day...

We've had an amazing stretch of fantastic, on-task behaviors swarming around 5B.  Today was just a teeny tiny bit off track.  That's alright though.  We all make mistakes, hopefully learn from them and move on to make progress, right?!

Make sure to talk to your families about these topics:
#1:  Book-It Read and Feed - Oct. 26, 9:30 - 10:10 a.m.
#2:  Online Conference Sign Up - call Linda at the school if you are confused  at all.
#3:  Share the video of Nick, the amazing, brave, nice, determined, proud, funny, unstoppable, invincible man we saw today.  Talk to your families about him, and see how that changes their perspectives of the world, too:)

It's a short one today.  But here will be the MAJOR proof for those who check the blog.  Since the gum-chewing went so well with the MISIC tests over the past few days, I'm thinking we can give it a TRY in regular classes.  We will need to chat about the expectations, rules and consequences of any misuse of gum before we start though.  So, I'll know you checked the blog if you come in as usual in the morning, start making a list of expectations and consequences about gum use in 5B.

Here's a start for you...
Expectations:  
1. Only chew gum in classroom- no hallway, bathroom, recess, lunch              
2.
3.


Consequences:
1.  Any gum wrappers or gum found in classroom results in loss of privilege
2.
3.