Great End to a Busy Week!

5B,
I'm so impressed with how helpful, caring and generous all of you were with your time on Friday afternoon while visiting Country Winds Manor... from having conversations and helping residents with BINGO to painting to serving food to potting plants to laying mulch and picking weeds.  Nobody seemed to care that they were getting soaked to the bone as long as they were helping.  This is the group of 5B students I've grown to respect and adore throughout the year!  Thank you for your wonderful service to others.  I was really proud and inspired by your attitude and effort all afternoon!

Let's keep that same amazing approach towards yourself this week to finish off your last FULL week of school as a fifth grader and 5B Family member (we are family).  AHHHHHHHHHHHH.  I can't believe I just wrote that... last full week together!?!  The more routine we keep this week, the better we ALL will do!  I'll try to keep the waterworks turned "off" by staying in a regular schedule, and you do the same by ending your work working HARD, staying FOCUSED, and T.H.I.N.K.ing before anything else!

Ok, now for blog proof!  I heard from another student that poor Landen ran into a bit of a problem this weekend.  Whether you've talked to Landen yourself or not, I want you to find out what he did (what happened to him).  If you didn't chat with him, find him on the playground Monday morning and ask!  Then, whisper it to me as you walk in on Monday morning!  We have to look out for our family members!

Don't forget to keep track of those Cadet Dollars!  We'll continue using them (or losing them - oops!) for a special end of year activity!

More Busy Days!!

YIKES!  It has been OUT OF THIS WORLD busy in 5th grade!  However, the past 3 days of class time have been productive and full of hard workers!  A few of us need to get responsibility figured out (coloring of pages for our memory books), but work time was wonderful!  Keep it up!

LOTS of Fun at the Cadet Carnival Today with Kbuddies AND our own time!  It was really cool to hear that about 1/2 of the class's favorite part of their day was being with their Kbuddies!  That just warms my heart!

Remember that all 5 pages are to be done, colored and complete for tomorrow!  We'll be checking them in the morning! 

Also remember to bring ANY materials needed for your Egg Drop Experiment for building in the morning.  This will be fun to see what each group comes up with!  

BIG REMINDERS...

Nature Center Field Trip Tomorrow! Look at the list of topics you'll get to learn about!

Woodland Plants and Flowers - Nature Walk with a FABULOUS Guide

Bees - REALLY COOL to learn about!

Bird Identification - Binoculars to see up close!

Watersheds (we've heard about this at the Norman Borlaug Farm last fall) - Digging in soil!

Entomology - Studying BUGS!

As blog proof, which one do you know the MOST about already and which one do you know the LEAST about?  Write it down on paper please and show it to me in the morning!

D.A.R.E. Graduation Tomorrow NIGHT!

Wear your red D.A.R.E. shirt.

Wear pants, no shorts, leggings, capris.

Be there at 6:30.  

We are all excited to hear our 5th grade classmates share the D.A.R.E. essays aloud!  Way to go, Kelly and Daniel!  

LUTHER BOUND!

Super day again for fun experiences!

Awesome focus during Switch #1 today!  Wonderful Wackos have homework for Day 2 (schedule, classmates, and classroom)

Band students did a great job at practice!  There's no doubt how hard you work at your songs and learning!

Luther Trip!  So so so wonderful to meet up in PERSON with our friends that have been helping us for 1/2 of the school year!  We were so fortunate to have had this opportunity!  The books turned out truly, truly amazing!  So proud of all of that hard work, editing, teamwork!  I have some great pictures and 2 Pic Collages that Kelsey and Britain made, but they won't send through email for some reason!  Sorry!  I'll share them tomorrow:(

Good luck to the band students tonight for the concert!  If it wasn't Isaiah's birthday, I'd be stopping by to applaud you!

Blog Proof:  When you come in Wednesday morning, please follow these steps.  If you can't remember them, please write them down so you can do them without asking me for a reminder:)

1)  Write your Kindergarten buddy's name on the green wall (don't worry if you don't know how to spell it).

2)  Count up your Cadet Dollars.  Have them in a baggie.  Be sure your name is written on it.

3)  Check your email for the schedule for today (it won't be sent until you get there:)

4)  Sit like an ANGEL so I know I can trust you for modeling the correct Cadet Pride behavior with Kindergartners...    (sitting, not chatting, smiling, waiting for directions...)  

What an IMPROVEMENT for 5B!

Routine is our FRIEND!  I really see now how important routine is to our 5B Family (we are family)! The morning was super, lines were perfection and the end of the day planner was SUPERB!

The movie was excellent!  Here are a few fun pics!

Before....

During... close to the end!

It seemed everyone enjoyed themselves and a few even had a short little nap due to a busy weekend!  Oh, well, it was a reward for the wonderful growth shown on all of the assessments all year!  So proud of EVERYONE!

HOMEWORK!!!!

*Writing - 2 Pages - Written neatly, colored, drawn, designed with details!  

Remember to be specific and take your time!  This will be SO fun to look back on as you get older!

*Egg Drop materials

Prove you can be responsible and join in on the extra special events we have this week.  It was decided by the 5th grade teachers that students who struggled with work getting done, not being neat or not having everything ready for class could mean losing out on some of the special events!  I'd like to have ALL of my 5B Babies (Mama, Mama) with me!  

Blog Proof!  Isaiah's birthday is tomorrow, and he made a list of ideas for gifts in case his grandparents or cousins wanted to buy him something (how nice, huh?)....  Here's your job.  Look at the list of items below and try to decide which ONE of the items was NOT a real item on his list!  Tell me which one tomorrow as you come in:)

*track skid loader

*remote control boat

*football

*tiki torch

*glow in the dark ball

*tulip bulbs

*Under Armor shoes

*Paw Patrol stuff

*Yankees shirt

Yep!  That's his list!  All but one of them is TRUE!  

Happy Mother's Day!

Hey, 5B, hopefully you were able to spend a little time today reminding your mom, grandmas, aunts and other special "mom-type" people in your life that they are special to you.  If you wanted an extra something to share, this poem is a nice way to let them know that!  I saw a few of our 5th grade family and friends at the Heritage Events Center for the Mother's Day brunch!  Sweet families!  I hope you spent the day enjoying those special females in your life that make you feel loved, cared for, listened to and taken care of :)

This weekend was wonderful with weather and has allowed ALL of us to get geared up for full weeks of school with LEARNING, LAUGHING, LOTS of other LIVELY activities!  (I used alliteration!)

Last week had a crazy schedule and so many extra activities that we saw a side of 5B that we haven't seen in awhile.  Our self control was not present at all by Friday afternoon. This is how most of your faces looked after Mama Sorenson lost it....  And rightly so... It was obvious that Cadet Pride and remembering how to have respect for yourself, for others and our school was not a priority....

So, now, everyone has had a little time off to remember, to make an improvement and should be ready to get 5B's reputation back on track!  Here are some quotes to help inspire you...

Here's the WACKY WORLD of 5B THIS WEEK...
Monday, May 9
A.M. - Regular Switches
P.M. - Trip to Cresco Theater - Jungle Book

Tuesday, May 10
A.M. - 1 Switch, Band Rehearsal
P.M. - School sack lunches, bus trip to Luther, meet Luther partners, All School Band Concert @NIGHT

Wednesday, May 11 
A.M. - Help Kindergarten Buddies at Cadet Carnival, 2 Switches
P.M. - Some Reading Class, 5th grade Cadet Carnival

Thursday, May 12
A.M. - Building for Egg Drop STEM Project, Leave for Nature Center
P.M. - Continue at Nature Center with school sack lunches, return to school and practice for D.A.R.E. graduation, Official D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony @ 7:00 p.m. (be there around 6:30)

Friday, May 13 - Willing to take 1 -2 parent volunteers to join our afternoon of work here - Contact me if interested:)
A.M. - Regular Switches
P.M. - Country Winds Manor Service Project (old clothes, old shoes, work gloves if have)

Let's make our last 12 1/2 days together... (YEP... THAT's what we're done to now!!!)  the best memories that we can!  We've had an amazing year of fun, learning and special moments that make 5B such a special place.  Let's finish STRONG!

Blog Proof...  (this will getcha' a few Cadet Dollars to use at the Cadet Carnival)
Click on the Summer CountDown (at the top right of the blog).  Right down the amount of days, hours, minutes and seconds that are left that we need to display SELF-CONTROL!  Show me that paper when you come in on Monday morning!  

Missed You and Lt. Governor Reynolds!

So, how did the day go?  I wish I was there for more than the testing part of the day!  Did you like the STEM activities in Mrs. Suckow's and Mrs. Wilson's rooms?  I'm SOOO PUMPED to see/hear about your plans for the egg drop experiment!  Be sure you are looking for materials your group discussed and be responsible to get them back to school!  This will be SO much fun and a LOT of problem solving and deep thinking!

Also, how was the visit from Lt. Governor Reynolds?  How did it go?  Did she stay long?  What did she do?  What did you guys show her or talk about?  I'm bummed I missed it! If any of you had cards for her, I hope you were able to give them to her!  

Tomorrow will be almost as crazy of a day as today!  We'll start the day discussing more about Chris Norton, and I'll read a section from his book.  We need to be over at the high school for his presentation before 9:00 a.m.!  After his presentation, we get to have him join our 5th grade wing for a short face to face visit.  Be thinking about questions, comments or anything else you may want to  bring up to him while he's here!  

REMINDERS for THIS WEEK...
1)  Chris Norton tomorrow!  (Cards/poems/etc. to bring)
2)  Field Trip Thursday - Science Museum and The Works in Minneapolis area - leaving 6:30 a.m.!  Yikes!
3)  Tell parents about D.A.R.E. Graduation on Thursday,  May 12 (next Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. in the elementary gym.
**Remind me to ask you about another parent volunteer opportunity coming up next week!

OH!  And you know that list of events for MAY I sent home with you...? Remember how Monday, May 9 was the ONLY day that didn't have something planned?  Well, that's no longer the CASE!  With the amazing growth with all of the testing for MAPs, FAST and Iowa Assessments (we just got those back yesterday), the teachers and principal have decided to take all 3rd - 6th graders to the Cresco Movie Theater to watch a movie on Monday!  Talk about LUCKY DUCKS!  

 Blog Proof will be to add to the TodaysMeet Link (Click Here) about the favorite part of the day!  I'm curious what each of you will say!

Rest up for another day of excitement, connecting with the outside world and learning! Missed you guys today!  Hope you showed Mrs. Walter and Mrs. Fravel the side of 5B that I'm so sad to say goodbye to...  :(

Poetry Slam = SUCCESS!

5B,
I'm so proud of ALL of you!  Your poems were fantastic, and your courage and bravery were top-notch!  Such a great job, and I'm so glad so many families were able to be a part of it!  My phone is having some issues, so I'll be getting the pictures and videos shared, but right now, they are in the process of uploading..... I've been trying this weekend.  However, I will put them on our 5B at Crestwood Elementary Facebook Page, so be sure to have your families look there!

Last Friday started the CRAZY SCHEDULE for the next 2 weeks (or more!)... So, we'll just go day by day this week!

TOMORROW!
FAST Testing right away in the morning - This is the one you take on a laptop with headphones.  This is something we all need to take seriously and do our best on.  This helps us know how to finish this year and what your NEXT year's teachers should know about you as a reader!  So, this is saying a lot about you as a thinker and reader!

We will start RIGHT away... like ATTENDANCE, PLEDGE and TEST!  The sooner we test, the better the testing system works!  Also, we have a fun-filled STEM Day planned for all of 5th grade, so we want to get the testing done with, so we can focus on STEM activities!
If you want to bring yourself a little dry snack for the morning, you are welcome to.  It will be a completely OFF SCHEDULE day, so we will go through that in the morning!

Also... there's a possibility I will be gone Tuesday (tomorrow).  Isaiah has been sick, and I may need to be home with him :(  I'm not sure yet, so if I'm gone, there may be even MORE changes in schedules! Please be helpful, respectful and patient if this is the case!

HUGE REMINDER #1!

Box Tops and Milk Moola caps are still be collected until May 13!  Apparently, 5B has let the rest of the school get ahead!  Check out how many 5B has compared to almost EVERYONE else!  Yikes! We were in the top 3 lead last time around!  I think we've forgotten about this!  SO, if you have ANY of these hanging around your house, GET THEM IN HERE!  I'll go through our pail, too!  Let's see if we can AT LEAST get 100! 

HUGE REMINDER #2!

Lt. Governor Reynolds will be joining us tomorrow!  She is very interested in ST Math because it is a STEM.  She'll be stopping by to learn about your progress, interest, challenges, etc.  Here is a link to learn more about her and what she supports in Iowa.  Click Here!

HUGE REMINDER #3!

Field Trip on THURSDAY... LONG DAY! 

Be ready at 6:30 a.m. with lunch, drinks, backpack, etc.  

Leave at 6:45 a.m.

Busy day of learning, fun and travel to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN!

Return to Cresco approximately 6:15-6:30 p.m.

Blog Proof.... Get EVERYONE you can to come in and show they are 100% ready for a QUICK start to the day!  Talk to them out at recess.  We will keep the same jobs for Tuesday, so we can get the day started.  I'll know you've been talked to or helped others get ready by EVERYONE at their homes, with angel halos (ding) above their heads!  

Missed You Guys Today!

Thanks for all of the blog checkers on Thursday!  I got all the emails and was impressed on how many of you made the effort!  So lucky to have such responsible students who put in that extra "umph"!  I hope all of the goals you had for yourself were able to stay strong and make a great day!

I had a good day of learning, but it makes me realize that this is my last time being with a 5B class.... and I'm feeling VERY emotional about that!  I'm starting to feel like our days together are winding down.  It's a bit crazy to think how few days we have left together....

So... be prepared for Mama Sorenson to start bringing some waterworks! Be nice and understanding that you're my "babies" who are all growing up, and I won't have any new ones coming in:(

Ok, I'll move onto another topic... TOMORROW!
FUN DAY of POETRY!

Only blog proof is...
Be ready for DARE - your last day!  SHIRTS!  MATERIALS!

UPS and Downs...

Hey, 5B!
Today had its ups and downs again.  The chattiness and self-control was tough again for a lot of 5B (and other 5th graders, too).  That would be the down...  Mrs. McCabe's guidance lesson was a good reminder of how other people feel when self-control isn't used.

The UPs were the HUGE number of 5B students who checked the blog last night!  Thanks for meeting me in our secret spot with yummy treats!

Another UP was all of the Thank Yous I got for the doughnuts and later on for some gum that was handed out.  I think I even heard a few for the juice boxes at ST Math time!  I'm glad to hear more of these kind words.  For a while, I hadn't heard anything like that.  Great caring hearts!

ANOTHER UP was all of the work that has been accomplished in both writing and reading classes!  Keep it up!

Heads Up for TOMORROW!
1)  Mrs. Lensing will be there!

2)  NO SMARTBOARD again!  Joey, Camden and Aidan L. can lead all of the Attendance and Planner stuff on the green wall again.

3)  Is someone feeding Firefish?  Just checking!

4)  Luther Meeting!  Appear.in in reading class - will be sharing your POETRY SLAM poem!  Be ready!

5)  100% 5B Perfection (muuuaah!)

6)  Field Trip Permission Slips... if you really want to go on the trip....

Blog Proof!  I'd like you to come in and email me RIGHT away as you start your day!  Let me know 3 things you'll do to show Mrs. Lensing Cadet Pride.  Number them for me in your email.  Don't tell others what the blog proof is...  I want to be sure to award those who are putting in the extra effort!  (Like our doughnuts today!)

REMIND PARENTS

Poetry Slam!  Friday!  2:15 - 3:15 p.m.!  Library!

Talkative Tuesday...

Hmmm... So Monday's mellow behavior definitely moved over for Talkative Tuesday today!  Did you notice the alliteration I used in my sentences?  Monday, mellow, moved.... and Talkative, Tuesday, today?

A poet who didn't know it!  (snap, snap!)

Ok... short blog... but fun proof!

Keep this a secret!

We're going to be sneaky!  For blog proof, we are going to meet in the Discovery Center right away.  I won't be in the classroom.  You come STRAIGHT to the Discovery Center to read from Skeleton Man!  I'll REALLY know who is checking the blog by who shows up!  The rest of your class will be a wee bit confused!  Heeheeehee!  Keep the blog proof to yourself.  When you come to school in the morning, just walk to the Discovery Center like it's time to go to our classroom:)  See you there for some fun reading together!