PARCC Testing Starts this week

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful and relaxing vacation.

Beginning Tuesday, we will take the first of three English Language Arts PARCC tests.  Please be sure your child is well rested, has a healthy breakfast, and brings a healthy snack.  Your child should also have a book to read should they finish the test early, though I don't anticipate many finishing early. We have many testing days ahead of us so wish us luck!

Family Recipes

Before Thanksgiving I had the idea of collecting family recipes from my students. For homework students were asked to bring in a copy of the recipe, as well as a picture.

Using google docs, students wrote the recipes and then copied them into the app Book Creator.

 This led to the creation of a class family recipe book.

You can also find these recipes on the students' kidblog pages. 

They would love it if you visited and left them a comment.

Click on the image below for the ibook version of their recipe book which is accessible on an iPad in either book creator or ibooks.

Click on the image below for the PDF version.

Tech Tip:

When opening the digital book on your device you will get this message.

Choose either Open in iBooks or Book Creator. 

The Hour of Code

The goal for Hour of Code is for tens of millions of students to try an hour of coding during December 7-13, in celebration of Computer Science Education Week.  This opportunity gives every student a chance to learn computer science skills.  It helps teach problem-solving skills and creativity.  We are all very lucky to be part of this wonderful celebrations!

Below are the students working hard solving problems and creating computer games.

Preparing for SGT DelGuidice

Today we started our letters to SGT DelGuidice.  He will be visiting our class on Friday, December 18, 2015.  SGT DelGuidice is a former Masco graduate and is currently serving in the US Army.  He has written to my class for 3 years now and is very excited to meet this year's class.  Last year while he was in Kuwait, my class sent care packages to his squad and wrote letters to the soldiers.  They sent us pictures and wrote back to the class.  It was exciting for the students!  Having SGT DelGuidice visit will be a special treat.  We will have a special day planned for him.  Stay tuned!

Writing a letter to SGT DelGuidice.

Writing a letter to SGT DelGuidice.

Hard at work writing a letter.

Hard at work writing a letter.

SGT DelGuidice and his squad

Year Book Help Needed

The Yearbook Committee is asking for classroom parent volunteer(s) to capture classroom memories throughout 2015-2016.  These photos can be easily uploaded onto the website for use in the upcoming yearbook, and will help us capture the great 2015-2016 school year memories.  Please contact Cathy Phillips (cathycphillips@gmail.com) or Linda Ross (lindaschoi@gmail.com) if you or others are interested.  Thank you.

Reminder

Tomorrow our class will be taking a trip to Strawbery Banke.  Please dress for the weather.  It is expected to be about 10 degrees cooler than it was today.  The museum is also located along the water in Portsmouth, NH so it might be a bit cooler there.

We were also asked not to bring glass bottles or cans.  So please do not send your child with either of those items. Remember a bag lunch with all items that can be thrown away. Lastly, please be on time. The buses will leave promptly at 9:00 A.M.

Thank You!

Cardboard Challenge 2016

Last week the students showcased hours of hard work.  All fifth graders came together as one grade to display their hard work and determination. The students were inspired by a young boy named Caine from LA.  You can see his story here:

 http://cainesarcade.com/

Below are some pictures of our class and their incredibly creative games.  These are the results of planning, building, rebuilding, and final models.