BACK TO SCHOOL AND BLOGGING AGAIN!

Our 5E class blog is up and running again. I hope you have all received this through our google group e-mailing reminder system. Please check out the AUTHENTIC blogspot using the highlighted link at the bottom of this e-mail "WHAT'S UP IN 5E?". The official blog contains pictures, fun surveys, educational websites and my introductory header.

So here's what we've been up to since school began last Wednesday (WOW, it's been over a week already!). As with the beginning of any new school year, we've slowly been establishing our classroom routines and getting to know each other through various fun activities.
Here are just some of the routines we have begun:
Daily edit (first thing every morning...except Monday!)
Journal writing (every Monday)
Reading logs (Daily silent reading time)
Read aloud (at the end of the day)

As a HUGE Olympics fan, I couldn't help but continue with the Olympic theme as we began our new year together. It's been amazing how well the qualities and ideals that come with the Olympic Games also tie into our beliefs as to how we see our class working as a team and caring about each other . We've been discussing mottos, creeds and oaths that the Olympic athletes take before they participate in their respective competition. The insights and perspectives of your children are well-thought out and show the signs of being a very mature and caring group of individuals. I really look forward to a fabulous year working with this class!!!
Along with all our "deep thinking" we've been having fun matching the official Olympic pictograms with their correct sport. This week, the students have been coming up with their own "event" to represent for the 2012 Olympic games. These will be on display the night of Open House (along with other surprises!) What an imaginative and creative group!

We've also begun our first math unit of the year, Statistics (graphing!!). I thought it was the perfect tie in with the Olympics as new records are made and many statistics need to be managed. As you've probably already heard, we had a yummy math experience last Friday as we graphed the different ways we like to eat our Oreo cookies! This week the students have been taught how to use Microsoft excel and Create-a-graph programs to make their graphs on the computer. Watch for some survey questions coming your way as we continue to practice our graphing skills. On Monday, the students will be participating in Math Olympics!

You're probably wondering what those Pringles cans were all about as you were munching away on your child's first "homework" of the year! The students are creating time capsules about themselves which they will be opening at the end of the year. The time capsules include such things as their "Favorites", the outline of their hand size, a picture of them on the first day of school with some first day thoughts, and much, much more!! The students have a good laugh in June as they compare themselves to those first few days in grade 5.

Next week, we will begin to follow our timetable a little more closely as we start to tackle our core subject areas more directly! Mrs. Rappaport was very excited to be working in our classroom this year to share her expertise in Health, Language Arts and particularly with the "Roots of Empathy" program. I, too am excited to bring what I learn during my course work with Web 2.0 tools into our classroom learning experiences this year!

I look forward to meeting you all at the Linden Meadows Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 16th. In grade 5 we have an informal agenda layed out for the evening. Your child will walk you through some of our daily routines, show you around the classroom and introduce you to me!

Thank you so much for a great start to the year by checking your child's agenda daily. Although the blog is an excellent communication tool, the agenda of your child remains a great source for personal dialogue between parents and myself.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the warm weather.

Mrs. Eby