Hopefully you remembered to....

This is always a tough week for everyone, I think.  I know I was pretty tired today, which means I will feel it even more on Monday and Tuesday of this week... I'm guessing many of our 5B Family (We are family...) will feel the same way!  So, try and get some extra rest tonight (EVEN IF IT FEELS EARLY!!!)


Click on the video to see which one the "sleepy animals" you think YOU might be sometime this week...  Click Here (funny video!)

The Poetry Slam was AMAZING!!!!  I'm so glad so many families members were able to join us.  I have to say...

to get speak in front of people... Our class, our families... 

SOOOOO PROUD OF EVERYONE!  

(Yes, even you, Brady!  You TRIED... and that's ALL that matters!!!)

I have some TERRIBLE news though about the Poetry Slam :(  I was using Andrew's iPad to record everyone's poems, and when I went back to watch them, there is a loud, annoying noise.  You can't hear the poems much AT ALL!  I was devastated!!!  AHHH!!!  So... that just means something exciting for all of YOU....  Hmm... I'll wait a bit to see if you start to infer what I'm saying....

Keep thinking....

Hmm... Are you starting to figure it out?

Yep... That means... 

So!!!!  Be ready to perform again for me!  This time we'll just do it in our classroom, but I bet you'll be EVEN MORE prepared!  I want to be sure we get a good video of each of them to put them together for a slide show that each of you can have:)  OK?   So, if that means you have props, bring them on Monday.  If you need a "grandma," then bring in a wig and glasses :)  

Reminders... for Monday

Band Monday - Hot Cocoa Party for some??

Social Studies Assignment

Poetry Slam (Take 2 items)

Other Reminders... for the Week
Tuesday - FIRST TESTS of our IA Assessments!  Let's DO THIS!
Wednesday  - 3 Hour Early Out and 2nd TESTS of our IA Assessments! Let's KEEP IT GOING!!
Thursday - Last TEST of our IA Assessments!  Let's FINISH THIS!

Friday - Friday the 13th... Ahhhhhhhh!  Spooky!  Twice in one year!! 

I'll know you checked the blog if you come in and tell me in a VERY positive, AWAKE and enthusiastic voice something that proves you WON'T ACT SLEEPY on Monday!  Choose any words you want!

One More Day Until Our....

Woo-Hoo!  I can NOT WAIT!!  I'm so excited for you guys to SHINE like you've never SHINED before in front of your 5B Family and your home family!   Take the suggestions from what your classmates said to some of the ones who practiced in the Discovery Center today. Most suggestions were....

  Loud and Clear!

 Slow down so we can understand...

 Add expression to your voice...

 Throw in some actions to go along with it...

I'll know you checked the blog if you write WHO is coming for our Poetry Slam tomorrow on this TodaysMeet Link!  If no one can make it (like no even Gma, Gpa, aunt/uncle, etc., don't worry, we'll get you paired up with others to have some poetry fun!

I'm off to the game in Des Moines right after school today, so I'm keeping the blog REALY simple.
Wish the Cadets LUCK!

Homework:
#CadetNation Shirt Day!  Or at least a blue or Cadet shirt:)
Poetry Slam - memorized!
Social Studies Worksheet:)

Better Day with Chattiness....But... There's ALWAYS Room to Improve:)

Yes, today was much improved with the "chatty disease" but there are still some lingering "germs" hanging about.... Let's squash those left overs, ok:)

Sadly, with tomorrow's half day and extra goofy schedule, I will barely see you :(  So, you'll have to show me that 5B Cadet Pride for the few moments when we ARE together, ok?

Band People:  NO GROUP BAND....but if you have lessons in the morning, you can plan on going to those!

This is a VERY short post tonight.. I had 2 meetings and now I'm off to church...  actually a little late...oops!

I'll know you checked the blog if you come straight in the room, and start "sniffing" for our 4th Safety Tip!  Lyli, I changed my mind... We ARE going to look for it on Thursday.  We won't wait until Friday!  So, get your little sniffers ready and wiggle those tails!  I'm excited to reward my little pup to a treat when he or she finds it!   Gooooood doggies!

Looks Like We Have an EARLY OUT on THURSDAY!

Hey, 5B!
Guess whose school just won their game at the Girls State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines today?!!!

YEP!  That would be your very own....

Crestwood Cadets!!!

So, that means that school will be dismissed at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday to allow families and fans to drive to Des Moines to be there for the big game!  How exciting! Wow!!!  Be sure to tell your families about this change this week.  That's so super....but that means that is one less day for you to be done with your published poetry AND your memorized poem for Friday's Poetry Slam!  Wowser!  Some of you have some MAJOR work to do!

Looking Ahead... 

With Iowa Assessments next week, I am glad that each one of you had a chance to think about how you have scored in the past and are so willing to make a goal for yourself to improve or increase your score!  I know I gave each of you a special reward possibility if you meet that goal!  I would be MORE than happy to grant these rewards to my 5B Babies (mama, mama)! Talk to your families about your past percents and what your goal is and HOW you'll work toward it!  I'll be sending home a copy of your red goal sheet tomorrow for you and your family to have.  

I can't wait to see you...

The school will get to see 5A's and 5B's videos for test taking strategies tomorrow!  I'm proud of our little singers!  Great work!

For blog proof, write down what DAY and what TIME we will be getting out of school early this week!  Show it to me as you come in Wednesday morning.  ALSO, have these words written down, too...  "Less chatting during work time."   We'll chat more about it after the Pledge is done. 

Later Gators!

Make Way for Monday Learning!

Another CRAZY day in the world of 5B!

When our band students took off right away to strengthen their brains and skills, the few students who were left were not quite ready to start their Monday!  See below how Emily, Ethan, Jordan, Kyleigh and Landen felt about their start to the week!  Yep!  Nap time in 5B this morning:)  This is NOT our typical start to our day OR what we do when others are in band... just clarifying:)

Then we woke up a bit, got the class back together and explored Dr. Seuss's story of....

....which, of course, connected (fist bump x2) to the STEM activity of making butter!  Hopefully your family gets to try some of your school-made butter tonight or in the morning!  It sure was yummy today!

But, of course, the most amazing moment I witnessed today was 16 5B students on their hands and knees "sniffing" out today's Safety Tip #1 for the IA Assessments coming up next week!  The howling was fantastic! Jason was the lucky pup today for finding the paper!  Who knows who the best sniffer will be tomorrow!  Yep, it's out there and hidden already!  More Scooby Snacks are waiting for you!

To keep your tribute to Dr. Seuss going, many of you took time to enjoy the Dr. Seuss Centers in library class that Mrs. Shekleton had set up for you.  Here's a picture that Emily shared with me!  I saw many of you working on the activities and even wanting to stay in at recess to continue some!  Sorry, it didn't work out today:(  Maybe tomorrow??

Ok, so I'll know you checked the blog if...you come in right away, place your "gold" in the Pot of Gold on the Smartboard.  Then write down what you wanted to share about your weekends!  I'd love to share AND read some from Hostage!  It's been way too long!  We'll look at book orders in between Art and Lunch!

For HOMEWORK...  Many of you have...

1) Poetry to publish - 3 original poems on special paper -your BEST, edited work!

2) Memorized poem - with actions/props/expression to entertain us on Friday!

3) Social Studies worksheet - British Battles

4) Some have math due Wednesday???

5) Time for Kids booklets - help our school:)  Get some bears! Bring in Tuesday!

6) Start March Book-It  - last month for Book-it!  Make it count!

Crazy Week Behind... Another One Ahead!

Well.. Let's see what we accomplished this past week, shall we?

through pictures

High School Celebration of Activities

A little freeze dance fun... Is Noah proposing to Carter????

But there's more....

PreK Buddies - Constructing with spaghetti and marshmallows!

PreK Buddies - Games and Social Skills

PreK Buddies - Can YOU make a machine out of 2 apples slices,
4 grapes, a 1/2 of a cheese stick and 2 toothpicks?

And still more...

Skype with developer of Skype Qik app!  Lots of learning here!

Just 5B acting "natural" one day as I walked in!!
Hilarious!!

And finally....

Time for Kids Assembly!  Don't forget to fill out the booklet!
If you can get 8 of those postcards addressed to 8 DIFFERENT people
you know, the Skittles and 2 bears are YOURS!  Bring in your booklet
Monday if you're done.  Tuesday is the final day to bring it in!

Ending our week with a play about the history of Iowa, Howard County and Cresco!

5B, your Wordle turned out fantastic! Check it out below!

Are you exhausted??  Nope!  Me neither!  That's just how we roll, isn't it!?

Ok, so for....

It's MARCH!! Woo-Hoo!  It definitely does NOT feel like it though.  It will be busy again this week, but we won't have so many different trips/assemblies to plan for! 

It will be busy with finishing up activities and projects we've started AND getting ready for the... 

11 of you volunteered to help with the video our class is in charge of!  I have it all ready for you.  There'll be some singing involved:)  Don't worry... you'll be fine! We'll do this Monday at recess!

Projects to Complete THIS WEEK...

STEM activity Monday morning (since we ran out of time on Friday)

Hand in Time for Kids booklets (Monday or Tuesday)

Publish neatly 3 original poems (by Thursday)

Memorize 1 poem for Poetry Slam (by Thursday) for dress rehearsal

Finish and edit Book Review with Luther students to post online to the world (by Thursday)

Prepare for Iowa Assessments (all week long)

And last... but NOT LEAST... on Friday, March 6 from 2:30 - 3:15....

I sent an email reminder to ALL of your families (and YOU, too) just so no one would forget:)  I'm soooooooooo excited about it!

This was a VERY long blog post this weekend.  Sorry!  But there's ONE last thing you need to know for this week!  I'll know you checked the blog if you go to the link below to see the one thing I did NOT mention on the blog...  Write it DOWN and show it to me as you come in Monday morning!

Click Here to See

Oh, and if you have ANY Dr. Seuss books at home... I mean, ANY, could you lend them to our class this week?  Be sure to check with your families first please! (be sure you have your family's name in them before adding them to our crate!)

IA Assessments Are ALMOST Here!

(Remember...no groaning... get that mindset to be positive and excited!)  Mrs. J seems to be pretty impressed walking into our classroom each time (and I don't think it's only because of the snacks).  Let's show her and yourselves and your teachers and your parents AND THE STATE that we've got it "going on" here at Crestwood Elementary!  Attitude is everything!  

Be sure you give your families the note that came home today about Iowa Assessments.  They are scheduled for March 10, 11 and 12.  We want everyone to be prepared, feel pumped and to have goals to meet!  

To help out the rest of the elementary, we need to create our video about Think and Search Questions.  This is a great way to work on since it takes patience and some real "searching" in the text to find the answers...  We'll have to find a TEENY bit of time to do this on Friday or take some volunteers who are NOT in band on Monday morning.  I'll know you checked the blog tonight if you come in and tell me if YES, you are interested in helping with the video or NO THANK YOU, I'LL PASS.

Other Helpful Information for Tomorrow!

We have another goofy schedule. Check it out below!

Attendance, Lunch, Pledge - normal:)

8:30 - 8:50  Cadet Time - RIGHT AWAY!

9:05 - 9:25  Reading Rally Assembly by Time for Kids

9:30 - 10:00 Social Studies

10:00 - 10:30  STEM with Mrs. Suckow

10:35 - 11:05  STEM with Mrs. SORENSON (huh? what?)

11:10 - 11:55 Music

Lunch 

Breaks

1:00 Load Bus to Cresco Theater

1:30 - 2:30  Play "History of Howard County"

2:45 Return to School

Work on Video, Hostage, Share Weekends

Wacky Wednesday and Wild Weather, Huh?!

I hope everyone got home alright with all of that snow!  Maybe some of you will actually get to do some outside fun and play!  I'm jealous if you are sledding, building snow forts or just tromping around in the new fallen snow!  I don't mind snow and cold if I'm bundled up:) So get yourselves covered from head to toe and get out there!

Be sure to share about...










Have your parents try out the same test you took today.  AFTER they take the test, show them the list below to explain what each means! Compare them to your score that you had today in guidance class. Are you and your parents alike or different?

Click Here for the TEST

Tomorrow is our Skype with Derek!  Talking to him about his app, Skype Qik, is a great opportunity for all of us to learn more about coding and how video chatting works!  I'll know you checked the blog if you add to the list on TodaysMeet.



Please share....
1) An important question that would helpful and interesting to find the answer to when talking to Derek
2) What we've learned about coding so far this year - not just the games you've used - actually what you KNOW about how to code or what steps are involved

Click here to share BOTH parts of the blog proof:)

I'll be choosing a student from our class (or maybe 2 of you) to introduce our school or ask a question based on what you share for blog proof:)

Started the Day WITHOUT your TEACHER!

This was ANY or EVERY teacher's dream to come into a classroom full of kids who got started on the routines withOUT the teacher even present!  I have bragged and bragged about you to all who I encounter today.  You are truly a class full of Cadet Pride!  Now, don't let that go to your heads and get overly confident or cocky.  Being modest and humble about your "AWESOMENESS" is what makes you so AWESOME!

So, keep up the amazing work.  I need to get more copies of green and yellow tickets made to shower you with them!  I owe you each one from today's line coming in from recess - that was top of the class modeling!

I said I'd let you know about the schedule change for Thursday through the blog!  Well, how many of you have heard of Skype?  (hahahaaa... yeah, like we haven't used Skype in class before - funny!) Well, Mrs. Vandervort as arranged for us to Skype with the lead developer of the Skype APP!  He's worked in London, England and Stockholm, Sweden and is excited to MEET YOU in 5th grade at Crestwood Elementary!  Too sweet, huh?!  He's willing to answer any questions you have about coding his Skype app, his job, coding in general, what other jobs he's had, what training he's done to help him at his job, whether or not he had coding classes in elementary, junior high, high school or college, etc.  We will only have 30 minutes with him on Skype, but it will be great to have ANY time at all with someone who has helped change our world through video chatting!  Maybe you don't use Skype but use Face Time or another app similar.  Maybe YOUR question might be about how they are similar or different.  I am so excited to make this happen for you!  A great shout-out to Mrs. Vandervort for setting it up!

Ok!  So, blog proof... Hmmm... Let's see.  Tomorrow is your 2 week meeting date with your Secret Mission Possible Leader, Mrs. McCabe.  I know you've been working on some of the Random Acts of Kindness with me, but have you been doing your secret mission over the past 2 weeks?  Hmm.. I'm curious... So, as you come in Wednesday morning, grab your pink secret mission folder, and bring it to me.  Show me how many you ACTUALLY completed over the past 2 weeks.  Mrs. McCabe will be coming at 10:45 for a check in and class.  Cadet Pride is NEVER RANDOM, so if you KNOW you have NOT finished all 14, then make a plan tonight (in the morning if you check then) on a post-it note and finish out your plans.  Find more people to do something nice, thoughtful, caring, sweet, inspiring, helpful, etc. for so we can be the class that ABSOLUTELY ROCKS the WORLD!  Add any of the extra ones you did tonight or in the morning.

Bring in that post-it note and just put it in your pink folder in the morning.  All of those secret missions don't need to be written on that white sheet, as long as you have them recorded somewhere and have them with you! (You can also count the one you did if you got your picture taken and are up on the bulletin board!)

Peace Out, Homeys!
Rest of the Week Reminders
Wed. - 3 hour early out, My Life in Dog Years, Coffee Talk, Secret Mission Folders due
Thurs. - You know the new special activity, Biggest Klutz Coffee Talk, Bar Code Tattoo Coffee Talk
Fri. - Special Reading Assembly, goofy schedule, field trip to Cresco Theater "History of Howard County"

A Great Start to a Crazy Scheduled Week!

Today was a super day, 5B!  Tomorrow will be a lot of fun being with our buddies.  I'm going to share on the blog what the Centers will be over at the Preschool so you have an idea of what activities you'll be helping with.  Mrs. Marr sent me an email explaining each center.  Read below:)

1. Murals in the hall of machines: 

On large paper that we are going to let students draw their own machine creations on. (robots, favorite machines, etc). 

2. Table structures: 

Student groups will be given a set of noodles and marshmallows and asked to create a structure using their materials. 

3. Floor Builders/Games: 

Choose between board games and/or some of our building materials we have had in the classroom for this unit of study.

4. Snack: 

Visit and eat a snack. Color some pages of simple machines if done early.  

5. Books: 

We have several boxes of books about machines we got from the AEA but we have not been able to read very many. They are great books- we just need lots of readers to get us through them! 

I'll know you checked the blog if you write down which of the activities YOU (as a 5th grader) are most excited about! ALSO, write down the name of your "buddy" or who you had last time at least.  

This will be a GREEN ticket for those who have this proof.... and sadly I'll start handing out white tickets to our "non" blog checkers :(  Yep... Hard Core is my new middle name:)