Making Magnets

We've been learning all about magnets this past month.  Today we actually made one!  It was an electromagnet and we used a copper wire, a battery, some electrical tape and a bolt.  The magnets were weak but they definitely worked!  We also learned that it's not smart to connect the battery terminals with a copper wire!  Science is cool!  (Or hot when you connect the battery terminals with a copper wire!)

We have a profuse amount of end of unit tests this week.  Your student came home with a math assessment for chapters 1-4.  Feel free to peruse it to see what your 5th grader should know at this point in the year.   It is due on Friday but so is the reading responsive essay.  And don't forget we have a spelling/vocabulary test on Friday.  We plan to review history tomorrow and take our end of unit test Friday.  Whew!  Making up for that long vacation last week! 

Your desks are uber clean right this minute and you'll be ready to work hard tomorrow!  Have a productive and fun night! 

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Welcome back!

It sounds like everyone had a restful Thanksgiving break.  I did!  We went to see my family in Sacramento, the capital of, hmmmm....what was that state???  I think the best part of my entire break, aside from multiple hugs from my nephew, was watching the Muppet Movie...best movie of the year!! 

We only have three weeks until our next long break.  My goals for that time period are to finish another chapter in math (algebra!), learn all about England's rule, learn to write a research report, read Sherlock Holmes, and play with electricity!  Should be a busy three weeks.

I am using my lunch hours every day for small working groups in math and grammar.  Ask your student if he or she is in one.  They are required by me but your child shouldn't be in more than two.  I hope this extra time, along with a little extra work, will be what your student needs to build some skills that may be weak. 

Thanks for loaning your child to me each day.  I love our class so much!  Mrs Cardinal

How Do You Keep a Turkey in Suspense?

Are you ready for a break?  I know I am!  I would love nothing more than to curl up with a blanket all weekend and read a good book!  There are a few I'd like to read:  I want to finish Don Quixote (the original version which weighs a ton!); also I have the final book in the Inheritance Series; and I recently got a biography on Daniel Boone that I'm dying to begin.  I hope you are all in the middle of a good book.  How are you liking The Hobbit?  Definitely one of my favorite all-time books.  I hope you are listening to every detail while I read it aloud.

I noticed that there were quite a few of you this week who failed to turn in the reading responsive essay.  Ouch!  That's 25 points in your reading grade you won't receive.  Please remember...if you turn something in late, it's marked down, and if it's later than the Monday following when it was due, I will probably not even grade it.  Please take a moment to look at engrade and see how you are doing. 

Don't forget our Thanksgiving lunch tomorrow.  Everyone who signed up for something needs to bring it or we'll not have all the ingredients for our soup.  If you didn't plan to participate, you will still eat school or home lunch with us and "hang out" and do what we are doing.  On a tangent...if you haven't emailed me back yet with the "yes" or "no" about having your picture on the blog, please do so.  I need to know so I can remove pictures immediately if necessary!

See you tomorrow!  Love, Mrs Cardinal

P.S.  The answer to the above question:  I'll tell you tomorrow!  :-)

Renaissance Market a Success!

What a fun time I had today!  Thank you 5th graders and parents for doing such a great job preparing for this market.  The "doo dads" were absolutely priceless!  I have pictures below from the days events. Just click on the link!
 https://picasaweb.google.com/LoriCardinal/2011_11_17RenaissanceMarket?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKvg0ojR6736gwE&feat=directlink

It's definitely a do-over for years to come.  I also plan to do something similar at the end of another unit (to be decided.)  The only change I will make is to ask for more parent support.  A HUGE thank you to Mrs Tauraa for organizing it and basically running the entire show!

Don't forget about our Thanksgiving lunch next Tuesday!  Everyone is signed up to bring something.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Be Nike!

Just do it...that's what I always say.  Today we talked about taking the initiative.  The fifth graders are full of great ideas on ways to take the initiative at school.  From opening doors for people to picking up trash, there are so many ways they can make a difference!  Way to go!

Can't wait until the Renaissance Market tomorrow.  I'm really excited to see what kinds of amazing crafts and goodies are brought.  Feel free to drop in and see what's going on.

And on that subject (dropping in), I know it's been a little more somber around here with some new policies about late homework and end of day routines.  My job as your 5th grade teacher is to do my very best to teach these great kids what they need to know and to make them excited about it.  I've been havinga  hard time doing that with some of the boisterous happenings whenever my attention is being focused on one student or another.  It's difficult to teach when work is not turned in and when everyone is not "on the same page."  If a student fails to do his or her homework on time, it's automatic lunch detention for them with a note home and a late grade assigned.  I know it's tough, especially for the first timers, but in the long run, it will be better for all.  I appreciate your support in this area.

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Sunday or Wednesday School?

Wow...this whole Reformation era is pretty interesting.  There is so much that we are learning about the Protestant Reformation and soon, the Catholic "reformation" that one student said, "This feels like Sunday School."  It's amazing how much religion shaped our history and how much it is shaping our world right now!  Equally interesting is the impact that some scientists made during that same time and how their actions contradicted the church.  I think we are all learning a lot which will make some great dinner time conversation at home!

That reminds me...everyone signed up to bring something for the Thanksgiving lunch.  Make sure you ask your student about it.  They can bring the nonperishable items (chicken, noodles, soup mix) anytime, and the other items on Tuesday morning. 

That's all for today.  Even though there is a constant clamor from my gregarious bunch of fifth graders, I truly enjoy every minute with them...am I a lunatic or just an amateur? But then, I am going off on a tangent now, aren't I?

Have a great day!

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Important letter!

Today I sent a parent letter home.  I hope you got it.  If not, feel free to say something to your child like, "What do you mean, you didn't remember to bring that very important BRIGHT ORANGE piece of paper home...the one that Mrs Cardinal said was VERY IMPORTANT and asked you to bring home tonight."  Then have them bring it home tomorrow.  Thanks!

Mrs Cardinal

Renaissance to Reformation

Today we began learning about seven men who had such an impact on the world.  Galileo, Copernicus, Calvin, Luther, Zwingli, Ignatious, and Gutenberg.  They made amazing changes in science, religion and communication.  Each 5th grader picked one of them and will write a report this week. The report is due next Tuesday before the break, as well as their life-size person.  Those should go home tomorrow for them to begin decorating.  I am excited to see what they learn about those men, and maybe see them apply that energy to their own passions. 

Speaking of energy, I have noticed way too much of it at the corners of the classroom during transition periods.  When it's time to line up for lunch or get packed up for the end of the day, there has been inappropriate behavior.  Please remind your student about their need to practice self-control.  I am emphasizing it in class but a few reminders from home will only help. 

We are getting excited about our Renaissance Market this Friday.  All "doo-dads" your student has made must arrive at school with them on Friday morning.  We will open market at 10:15.  If your child has a clothing accessory he or she wishes to put on to put them in the Renaissance mood, it is okay by me!  We'll be holding the market upstairs in our classrooms and in the adjoining teacher's room.  Feel free to peek in or help with crowd control if you like!  Thanks for your help at home.  I am looking forward to seeing the crafts that were made.

Be sure to keep up on engrade to spot missing assignments.  Remember that after the following Monday, it's considered a "0" and will not receive a grade.  Thanks for your support!

Mrs Cardinal

Veteran's Day

It was fun sharing stories today about veterans whom we know.  Remember to thank one tomorrow as we honor them as a country.  The are amazing citizens who have made so many sacrifices for our country. 

Thanks for all the jars and jugs you're bringing in.  You'll see very soon why we need them.  It all has to do with science.  We'll hopefully do a few more fun things with magnets tomorrow if time permits.  The best way to ensure that time permits is to work quickly and quietly and stay in our seats.  Can you please help with that? 

Remember, tomorrow we yell "Bingo" at the correct moment.  Make sure to remind me!  Until then...have a great day.  Don't forget to study and make sure your reading responsive essay is done and in your backpack to turn in! 

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Renaissance Scholars

That's what you all are.  I challenged you with a very difficult end of unit test because I knew you were capable.  You showed me you could rise to that challenge.  Great job!  I wanted to see that you could apply what we've learned and you did.  I'm proud of you!  Way to be courageous climbers!

And your states reports...another great day of presentations.  I am enjoying them thoroughly.  Thank you for the effort you've put into them.

Sorry we didn't get to science today.  I promise you a fun day of learning all about magnets tomorrow and no history!  Well, maybe just a smidgeon!  Notice how I worked on states a little today...be prepared to use the things you learn in this class all year and forever more.  I don't want all that hard work you did on learning the capitals to get thrown away. 

That's all for now...you are the best! 

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Vote!

Our voting simulation todaywas on the silly side, but I hope it gave you an understanding how lucky we are to have a say in our country.  We have the right to vote for people, for laws, for ways to make our community a better place!  Don't ever take that for granted.  As citizens, we have priveleges and we also have things we are expected to do.  We call those "duties." Take cleaning up our environment, for example.  You awesome fifth graders have taken on that duty and I tell you, the playground is looking great!  Keep it up! 

Another duty many brave people take on is the duty to serve our nation.  This Friday we are celebrating veterans, past and present.  I've asked you to ask your family members for any stories about heros you may have.  They might be about people you are related to or some you know, or just great stories you've heard of.  We'll spend some time sharing those great stories as we continue to learn what makes a good citizen.

I have a couple needs from parents.  First, I could use about 20 baby food jars with lids.  If you have some, please send them in.  I also need plastic throwaway containers...cottage cheese and yogurt (32 ounce) would be great.  Please send those in as you get them.  I'll need them by around Thanksgiving.

Remember that homework should only be taking about an hour each night, and that includes reading for 20 minutes.  If it gets to be more, call me immediately and we'll figure out how to make adjustments if needed. Thanks for all you do. 

Mrs Cardinal

Quick Note

Hi everyone.  Hope your long weekend was GREAT!  We are finishing up with our Renaissance unit this week and will be taking a unit test on Wednesday.  Your student should have brought home a study guide.  It's been such an interesting time period to study.  We'll continue our walk through history in Europe as we find out about the Protestant Reformation. 

Math brings some review this week on fractions.  Today we worked on adding and subtracting...tomorrow we'll review word problems.  When I mentioned it, I heard many groans from the class so we'll probably stay there a few days to make the pain long and slow!  Face it boldly kids!!  Real life math is why we study this anyway.

Be preparing for your oral reports on states...we'll hear them all this week. Parents, please listen to your student at least once before he or she comes to class.  The report should be about two minutes long and have all the required information (see the original letter that was sent home for details!) 

That's all for today!  Mrs Cardinal

Parent Teacher Conference Week

I'm having such a great time, meeting with all you wonderful parents.  Thank you for taking the time to be here so we can discuss how the school year is going.  Every student is important to me and my goal is to take them from whereevery they are and challenge them, taking them higher and higher. 

I hope your student has talked some at home about our Renaissance Market.  I have decided to have it during school on the 18th.  Of course, I need to run that by coach because I want to do it in the gym, but it will be for sure that week.  I didn't want to conflict with the Silent Auction on the 11th.  For the Market, make sure your student has at least ten items to "sell."  It should be inexpensive, something they made (unless you're a baker and then it must be store bought), and not a time-consuming project.  I've given them some ideas in class.  Let me know if you have questions about it.  They will be "spending" the money they've "earned" in class last quarter. 

Don't forget the states report and float that are due next Monday.  I hope it's a fun project which shows off their creativity!  I'm looking forward to seeing them and hearing their presentations!  Thanks again for all you do!

Mrs Cardinal