Busy Bees

We are so busy at school these days.  There is so much to learn and so little time to learn it.  That's why I need responsible 5th graders who will do their work in class right away and will do their homework each night.  Tomorrow is your math test...study hard! 
This week we are going to the zoo!  Start thinking about an animal you'd like to see there and research.  There are so many fun ones.  Click on this link to check out some of the 800 animals they have there:

http://www.hoglezoo.org/meet_our_animals/animal_finder/

Which one is your favorite?  Can you guess mine?
Love, Mrs Cardinal

NWEAWOW!

Great job on the testing this week 5th graders!  We set some goals and most of you soared high above them.  I really have a good feeling that you'll be even higher in the spring (May.)  I'll be sure to send home the results as soon as I have them (hopefully tomorrow).  You'll be able to compare this score to the ones you had in the fall.  The only direction we should be heading is up!
Many birthdays this week and next!  Tomorrow we'll sing "Happy Birthday" in Afrikaans.  Cool, huh!  Thanks to Andrew in advance for what he'll be sharing.
Today we learned about a responsible person in history:  George Washington Carver.  Did you know he found over 300 uses for peanuts?  How many can you name?  This sounds like a game.  No, I really mean it!  Anybody want a peanut?  :-)
See ya' tomorrow on Science Friday!
Love, Mrs Cardinal

We've all got class!

Okay all you homo sapiens, are you ready to really get classy now?  We are well into taxonomy and figuring out just where we fit into all the organisms in this world (or out of it for some of us!)  If we wanted to follow man, we'd be in kingdom: animalia; phylum: chordata; class: mammalia; order: primates; family: hominidae; genus: homo; species: homo sapiens.  (Notice that I put the species in italics!) 
Fat Albert sure showed us a few things about responsibility.  Be sure to share some of what you learned with your family tonight...better yet, show them!  And speaking of responsibility, you have permission slips that need signing.  I also need quite a few report card envelopes back with signatures. 
Keep studying hard and get a good night's sleep.  Tomorrow we take our NWEA reading test.  Make sure you are ready to do your best (one of your "I wills" from Responsibility, right?) 

TTFN!

Mrs Cardinal

Geometry to Mycology

Today we began our unit on finding the area of triangles.  It seemed a bit rushed and we'll go over it again tomorrow.  For those of you who are reading this blog (way to go!!) just remember that the height is measured from the base to the vertex opposite the base...that vertex and its base NEVER touch!  And you draw a line perpendicular from the base to the vertex.  Any questions???

Mycology:  the study of???  Fungi!  1.5 million species of fungi on the planet!  Wow!  And to think we have only named 75,000 of them.  I wonder how many of those unnamed ones are in your desk???  Yuk!  On that note, enjoy the snowy evening.

Luv, Mrs Cardinal

Bubbles!

Your desks are so clean you can eat off them!  That was fun, blowing bubbles on the desks.  Way to go Ajax!  (If you need some recommendations on good dish soap parents, ask your kids!)  I like Science Friday and will continue, as long as you are able to handle the fun.
Report cards went home today.  Please sign the envelope and send it back so I know you got it.  I also would like to know if you didn't get the letter I sent home last week.  It had important info on it.
Bella's mom has said she'll help with the Valentine's Day party...anyone else willing to team up with her?
It's been pretty messy outside and I've had some kids come in from the playground with dirty pants.  My fifth graders keep asking to call home to get a change of clothes.  I have told almost all of them, "No."  I know they'll survive with dirt on them and maybe be even more careful the next day.  I'm a mom too and I hate getting called to the school for non-emergencies...I am assuming you feel the same.  If you feel otherwise, let me know so we can discuss options.

Have a great weekend...sure hope it snows!  Mrs Cardinal

Report Cards

I'm sending home report cards tomorrow.  They'll be in a white business envelope so please look for them.  I would like parents/guardians to sign the envelope and return that.  You keep the report card. 
I loved the responsibility raps we did in character today!  You all are talented on a moment's notice!  Tomorrow's Science Friday...I've got a fun experiment up my sleeves!  See you then.
From your exceptionally devoted instructor, Mrs Cardinal

Here's to the Fun-guys!

I just love this new math (well, new for me!)  Here's a quick rundown on what I expect in each model:  Neatness, complete sentence for answer, info box on right, vertical line to line up the bars, bars labeled, work shown on the right, tent with question mark, answer placed in blank on sentence, correct answer.  I can't wait to give you the big problem on Friday and see if you can answer it!!!
A letter went home to parents today...please look for it and read it thoroughly.  It explains our new "missing" policy.  It seemed to work the first two days. 
We have learned about the little kingdoms in science:  monera, protista and fungi.  We'll do a little more with them, then hit the plant and animal kingdoms.  Our animal kingdom will be celebrated on Groundhog Day at the Hogle Zoo!  I'll need a few drivers for that.  Does anyone have a membership there already?
Have a wonderful day...enjoy the snow!  I need to get home before I'm stuck here all night!
Love, Mrs Cardinal

Mistriss Mary

As we read The Secret Garden, we are seeing a little girl with a sour face become nicer and nicer.  Mary seems to be more curious in the outdoor world (being outdoors makes you healthy and strong!)  She finds that she has more friends as she likes herself more (learn to like yourself and then others will enjoy being your friend too.)  She wants to explore the corridors of her new home (explore the world and learn about new places!)  She begins to enjoy listening to Martha (be a good listener!)  She begins to be happier as a result!  And the happier she is, the more she smiles, the more pleasant she is and the more friends she has, making her even more happy.  Amazing how that works, isn't it!
The quarter is almost over...last chances to turn in missing work.  Check engrade...it's your responsibility!
See ya!
Mrs Cardinal

Algebra

All I can say is STUDY HARD!  The math test is a lot like your review which most of you did well on.  We'll look over your math once more tomorrow and then take that test!  Then it's on to geomety (but have no fear...we will continually review that algebra...and those fractions!

Irresponsible?  Yes, we all are in some way.  Be sure to work on that one teeny, tiny area that gets you down!  Put it on a stickie note by your bed so you can remember to continually strive to be a more responsible person!

Love, Mrs Cardinal

Geography Bee

Contratulations to the school Geography Bee winner (trumpets sound) Jonah Tauraa (loud applause)!  Way to go!  We wish him success in the next level!  Go Jonah! 

Have a wonderful afternoon...Mrs Cardinal

Have a great weekend!

Hope you liked the K-9 demonstration today.  I love dogs and was very impressed...I wouldn't want to ever be a bad guy!  Thanks to our heroes...all those in uniform who are taking responsibility to help others and making sacrifices in their own lives.  As we continue learning about responsibility this month, think of specific responsibilities you have at home and in the classroom.  I know I had to clean a few desks, find some books and papers, and do some end of day jobs for a few folks this week.  C'mon 5th grade...make it a point to, on your own, do the things you need to do to be an excellent student!
Next week is the final week of the quarter.  Hope it's been a good quarter for you so far.  Next quarter brings a few challenges--science fair, testing, and an essay a week!  Bring it on!

Love, (I really mean that!)
Mrs Cardinal

The Big Yellow One's the Sun!

We sure had a good laugh over Brian Reagan's description of the science fair.  Of course, you will all be more prepared and will not show up March 1st with a cup of dirt.....right?  And you know that it's YOUR project and not anyone else's......right?  I'll go over your idea with you the next few days so you can be sure to have an excellent experiment for the science fair.  I'd love to see some of you go on to the next level!

Bill Cosby was another fun moment today...ask about him at home.  He was a great comedian and is a hero because he showed responsibility in finishing and excelling in school in spite of circumstances.  Please follow his example...do well in school even if it's hard.  Push yourselves! You are capable of being the next generation of great scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers and political leaders!  See you tomorrow amazing 5th graders!

Responsibility



Leopard Gecko

 Today was all about being responsible students.  Be responsible for you actions when you sit next to someone and the teacher is trying to teach.  Be responsible for your voice as you are listening to the history lesson.  Be responsible to do your jobs in class each day without being told. Be responsible to complete your work on time and turn it in.  Be responsible to work well in your reading group to be able to answer questions and add to your group knowledge.  Be responsible to put your chair on your desk at the end of the day.  Be responsible to take care of what's been given to you.  Be responsible to care for your pets and siblings.  Wow...that's a lot of responsibility!

Sure missed you!

Seriously, I did!  And it's a new year and I have new goals and I hope you do too.  I mentioned today that there are only two weeks left this quarter.  We have a few more opportunities to excel in graded classwork and homework, but it's going to take maximum effort for some of you to achieve the grades you might want for yourselves.  Study!  Do homework!  And put your name on your paper so you get credit for your awesome work!!!!  (Note to parents:  When you check engrade and see missing assignments and your child swears he or she turned it in, check our missing name box in the classroom...I'm through playing Sherlock Holmes to try to figure out whose paper I have and will assign a 0% if there's not a name on work.)

We are starting a few new units this week...Exploration in history, classification in science, and The Secret Garden in reading.  Students are working in groups also, reading about an explorer; they will have chances to write and present a book report on it as well towards the end of the month.  They wrote beautiful "Best of Christmas" journals today and I asked them to take them home to share...please ask them about it.  Have a great afternoon!

Mrs Cardinal