Who Wants To Visit the Beach?

All that talk about coastlines and oceans and tidepools and cute, adorable sea otters makes me so homesick!  I loved some of those beautiful pictures you drew of today's surface features.  I wish I could have heard every single story you each had to share.  I think we'll journal about them tomorrow!

Get ready tonight for your tests tomorrow...the reading test on Tom Sawyer and the Chapter 2 test in math.  Practice a couple long multiplication and division problems after you help your mom set the dinner table and put your dirty clothes in the laundry, but before you brush your teeth!  :-)  I'll see you all in the morning!

You're terrific!  Mrs Cardinal

Creepy Caves and Collosal Canyons

That Naica giant crystal cave in Mexico was amazing!  I'd love to go there, except I would hate the high temperatures and sauna-like feeling inside. Here's a cool picture I found showing it!

I hope math goes well for you.  Those word problems are pretty tough...don't think you can do one in just a minute or two.  Like any project, it takes great planning so take the time to draw the models correctly first.  Find out what each unit is, and then go from there.  If you get frustrated, you may come in early tomorrow and we can work through it.

Have a great day!  Mrs Cardinal 

Eggplant

Did you know eggplant is a sign of fall in France?  Do you know what famous dish is made from eggplant?  A red ticket for the first person who QUIETLY tells me tomorrow!

Hope you are able to look online for the information you need to finish the science packet.  You'll be amazed at all you learn about some of the surface features on our planet.  I'm looking forward to hearing some interesting trivia about caves and canyons tomorrow. 

Are you reading any good books this week?  We are almost done with Gilly Hopkins.  I'll leave a suggestion jar on my desk for recommendations on what to read next.  I have a couple ideas, but I'm open to suggestions.  There are just so many good books out there that it will be hard to decide.  Have fun at home...make sure you fill out your reading log NEATLY and COMPLETELY every time you read!  Stay healthy...we have a few kids out sick this week already.  See you tomorrow!

Mrs Cardinal

Hello Weekend!

Great job testing all week and especially today.  Parents, you should have gotten two presents from your 5th grader today:  a progress report with a signature page attached (due Monday!) and also the results from their NWEA testing.  We will be testing again in the spring and are hoping to see progress.

Have a great weekend!  Get ready for more science next week.

Your teacher,

Mrs Cardinal

Dozen May Kenny Cents Tomb He

Well, did you like having to read things that were disorganized?  It was kind of fun, but imagine a teacher with math homework that is disorganized so badly that she can't find the answer.  Picture your mother trying to find your homework when you call her and she can't find it in your bedroom.  Or you're late for your football game because you can't remember where you left your helmet.  It's all part of being orderly.  And that all leads to respect.  As Michael so eloquently put it, "If you don't take care of your stuff, you show that you disprect the parents who bought it for you."  Right-O!

Anyone guess who the hero of the week is?  Great musical artist, part of the romantic period, born in Poland, a pianist....hmmm.  If you guess, tell the office first thing tomorrow!  I think I know.

Study hard.  See you tomorrow.  Eighth Ink York Rate!

Mrs Cardinal

Whew!

Almost done with testing.  You are all being terrific and respectful in the testing room when you finish your individual tests.  Thank you!  Tomorrow put on your science caps for our final NWEA test.  And be sure to have a good book to read.

Speaking of good books, the reading logs will be due on Friday.  Sure hope you have all been keeping up.  Remember, I'd like to see that you are reading quality books on your downtime.  No junk!  Just the good stuff.  If you don't know what that would be, look on the list in the classroom or the link I've provided on this blog.

Make sure you show your parents the missing assignments letters I sent home.  Parents, ask your child today if they got one.  If so, I need it signed and returned with the missing work.  If you are looking at engrade often enough, it shouldn't be a surprise. 

We have a lot of tests in the next few days so keep on studying hard.  Keep looking at spelling city, practice writing the names of the states and capitals, listen during our review on civilizations, ASK ME for help if math is still fuzzy to you...take the bull by the horns 5th graders!! 

That's all...I'll see you manana!  Mrs Cardinal

Orderliness

We sure had a productive afternoon.  Every once in awhile it's good to look inside our desks, our closets, our sock drawers, isn't it?  But don't just look...do something!  We learned that by being orderly, we show respect to the parents who bought us nice things, to the classroom as a whole because we want our class to look nice, and to ourselves because we deserve a clean and neat work area.  Thanks for cleaning out your desk.  Please keep your pencils in their zipper bags and your extra paraphernalia (ooo...cool word!) on your shelf.  Remember my favorite quote:  A place for everything and everything in its place!

Great job on your NWEA.  Two down, two to go!  Tomorrow is language.  Parents, we will have the scores pretty much immediately.  Please don't hesitate to ask me if you have any questions or concerns.  See you all tomorrow in our orderly classroom!

Fondly,

Mrs Cardinal

NWEA Week

Hi 5th graders.  You looked lovely for your pictures today.  May I first congratulate you all on being the most awesome and respectful class I've had the pleasure to spend my day with since school started!  Thank you for reading quietly during our test until all were completed, and for getting to your picture session and lunch so quietly.

We have one more day to learn about the Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilizations.  We'll review in class Wednesday and take a test on Thursday.  Don't you just love those camel cousins?

I can't wait to read your creative stories on Friday.  Keep on writing.  Remember our goal to be starting writing by 8:03.  I gave out a lot of red tickets today...super job! 

NWEA testing continues tomorrow.  We'll be taking a reading test.  Be sure to have a book with you to read when done!  That's all...study hard and then play hard and be ready for another great day tomorrow!

You're the best!

Mrs Cardinal,

Friday!

Just a couple reminders today.  Notice I've added to the list of helpful websites.  Also I'm going to have the homework for the day, but you still need to write in your planner and not count on me.  I will have a plan in place on Monday for our red tickets.  I appreciated those of you who really tried hard to be in an attentive position so I could teach.  Bella especially tried hard.  Great job! 

Don't forget to dress your best on Monday for school pictures.  Also, be ready for our NWEA testing which starts Monday.  Get a good night's sleep and make sure you have a book to read.  Check engrade this weekend!

Yours...Mrs Cardinal

Proverbalicious!

Wow, Fifth Graders!  I can't believe how much you got done today!  I know we spend a lot of time on math, but it's so important to know how to divide (especially when you're dividing skittles!)  Those of you who need the copies of how to do that math, it is on your desk.  Let me know if you're still having a hard time with it.  Tomorrow we start order of operations.

I loved your Aztec city you made today.  Thanks for working hard on it.  Remember to keep filling out your notes so you will be ready for the test next Wedanesday.  Speaking of tests...three tomorrow!  Spelling, vocabulary and southern states.  Study hard!!

Have a great night.  Don't wait until the eleventh hour to study or you'll have to eat crow.  Take the bull by the horns and work hard.  Use spelling city to kill two birds with one stone.  And when you look at your great scores on your tests, you'll be able to count your blessings!

Your teacher, Mrs Cardinal

From Mayans to Aztecs

We are now learning about the Aztecs...you definitely don't want to ask about them at the dinner table! 

Great job kiddos on the long division with two digits.  It's a bit tougher but I know you all can do it! 

Are you studying for your tests on Friday?  Use those helpful links on the computer.  They almost make studying FUN! 

A few upcoming dates to be aware of:
     Monday, Sept 19th:  Picture Day
     Mon-Thurs, Sept 19-22:  NWEA testing
     Wednesday, Spet 21:  Test on civilizations

* * Please have your student bring the completed order form on Monday to give to the photographer. Order forms were previously sent home with your student and are also available online  at http://www.mylifetouch.com/. These pictures will be used for the yearbook so all students will be photographed regardless of an order form. Students are  required to wear their school uniform for fall pictures. Spring pictures will be a Free Dress Down day. If you have any questions you can contact Lifetouch at 866-955-8342.
That's all for today!  Mrs Cardinal

Mayan Monday

We started a new chapter in history.  We will be studying Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilizations this week.  Did anyone figure out my favorite animal and where it's from?

Get ready for fun math tomorrow.  We are going to be doing long division so be sure to pay attention as we practice.  I will try to make it as fun and delicious as possible! 

Thanks for the awesome mobiles.  You certainly have shown that you understand the LITERAL meaning of the idioms we're focusing on this year.  I loved the effort pout into them.  They certainly dress up the room well. 

Speaking of dress ups...I can't wait to see how many you used in your elephant essays.  Keep discovering new strong verbs and quality adjectives to use for your next essay.  The more you read, the more you expand your vocabulary and the better writer you will be...I promise.

See you in class! 

Mrs. Cardinal

A Great Start

Hey Fifth Graders!  We are well into the year now and I hope everyone is feeling like an important part of the Courageous Climbers.  I think each one of you is adding such a great personality to our class.

So far we've studied some of the major lakes of the world and have learned about most of the fifty states.  We have another states test this Friday and I hope you study hard this time.  Remember to try studying like Khylee mentioned.  Write the names of the states and capitals often and you should do well.  Be ready to study my favorite animal this week...anyone know what it is and where we'll be learning about?

In math, we've been working on multiplying and have just started dividing.  (I think we'll have to do a little more review on multiplying after looking over last week's homework.)  Remember, if you don't know your multiplication facts quickly, practice them fifteen minutes a night!

Hope you liked science last week.  The volcano was fun to watch...I hope to show you more volcano videos when we have time in class.  We will work on history this week and pick up science again next.  

You are really getting great at your writing.  I know it's laborious to have to write the dressed up sentences, but it's paying off because your volcano essays were really good.  I'm looking forward to reading all about elephants next Tuesday (that's when the essays are due!!!!)

That's about all for now.  Have a great week and remember to read every night and log it!  

Your teacher,

Mrs Cardinal