December 19, 2016

Dear Parents and Families we have had a great quarter! Track out is this Wednesday and we track in January 23rd. 

Here is a look back at all of the fun we had while learning this quarter:*Pictures can be seen on Twitter with my handle @anelson 210

• DC Trip

• Mystery Skype (the last one we won in Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada!)

• Lego Wedo 2.0

• Go Noodle Brain Breaks and Dance

• Walks on the Nature Trail and impromptu singing

• Trivia-Kahoot Games

• Read aloud's from Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul & My Librarian is a Camel

• Position Papers - Research Writing

• Heritage Day Projects

• Ecosystem Projects

• Creative Writing

• Analyzing Non fiction Text 

• Computing with Decimals

• Understanding and Plotting Coordinate Grids

• Human Growth & Development
• American Revolutionary War (Mr. Schoenebeck)
• Science is Fun - Body Systems 

• and so much more!!

I have enjoyed challenging your children and nurturing their academic development to prepare them for the Middle School. Parents thanks for your continued support at home in holding your child accountable for their own best work and other things. I look forward to seeing everyone in 2017!

December 13, 2016

Hello Parents,


Achieve 3000~

Please check Tuesday Folders for Home Edition Setup of Achieve 3000. Achieve 3000 is a program our county uses to increase reading lexile levels through reading nonfiction Text. The goal is for students to read the text and achieve a score of 75% on the multiple choice, on the first try. As a class we are aiming for each student to complete 6 articles a month between school and home. This has always been a part of our Daily 5, but I need your support to "check in" with your child as to getting this done.

 Starting next week an article will be a weekly part of homework. If your child does not have access to internet at home, he or she can complete that article at school in addition to the  two we do weekly for "Daily 5" at school. Thanks for your support, please let me know if you have any questions.

We will have a monthly celebration when we achieve our 6 articles per person. Our first celebrate reading day will be track in. We are aiming high and I am hoping to see some gains in lexile reading levels.

Thank you!


"Secret  Gift" items can be sent in with your child. The gift should be approximately $5 (5 and below). We will pass out on Tuesday during our learning experience.

December 12, 2016

Homework for this week due Friday:

• Read for Book Club
• Type Final Draft of Position Paper
• Study Ecosystem Vocabulary (previously seen) for Case 21. https://quizlet.com/93289830/ecosystem-flash-cards/
• Math Worksheet on Coordinate Grids

December 12, 2016

We need materials & helpers for our Holiday event, please sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044daca623a02-q2dayof

Thank you so much to our coordinating class moms and to those of you that have already signed up.

Ms. Nelson 5th grade class

Q2 Day of Learning

The Q2 Day of Learning for Ms. Nelson's class will be on 12/20 from 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm.  Parents who volunteer to help with stations and setup on the day of the event will meet just inside the front door of the school at 1:00 pm.

We've planned some fun activities for the kids.  The kids will tie dye some socks, make an ornament, go on a food chain scavanger hunt, have a snack, and get a gift from their Secret Santa.  Here is the itinerary:

• 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm:  Volunteer parents gather at front of school, donated items are collected, activities are setup.
• 1:30 pm - 1:45 pm:  Half the class works on tie-dye and the other half works on ornament decorating.
• 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm:  Kids switch stations and work on other craft.
• 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm:  Food chain scavenger hunt.  Winning team gets prizes.  Play dodge ball if there is extra time.
• 2:30 pm - 2:40 pm:  Go back inside, use bathroom if needed.
• 2:40 pm - 3:00 pm:  Decorate cupcakes and eat snack.
• 3:00 pm - 3:15 pm:  Secret Santa

We need a lot of supplies to make this successful.  Please look through the entire list before you sign up.  If you can donate multiple items it would be greatly appreciated.  If you do not plan to attend the event, please send in the items you signed up for with your child the morning of the event or drop it off at 1:00 pm at the front of the school.

Thank you in advance for your time and donations.

Date: 12/20/2016 (Tue.)

Time: 1:30pm - 3:15pm EST

Location: Ms. Nelson's classroom at Pleasant Union Elementary

Created by:

OB

Ovies Brabson

December 9, 2016

repost from Mr. Schoenebeck's Newsletter:

Hello parents,

Here are the points of interest for the upcoming week.

*Next week Wednesday (12.14.16) we will be taking the Reading Case 21 standardized test.  We give these tests quartly, and it is usually a good indicator of how students will perform on the End of Grade tests.  Please make sure your child gets enough sleep and eats a hearty breakfast.

*Next week Thursday (12.15.16) is the Science (Ecosystems) Case 21 test.

*Next week Friday (12.16.16) is the Math Case 21 test.

*Next week Friday (12.16.16) Pleasant Union will be showing "The Polar Express" in the gym from 6:30-8:30.  Bring a pillow and sleeping bag, come in your pajamas, and enjoy the movie.

*As we are moving through the 5th grade math curriculum, if you feel that your child needs extra help with specific math standards, here is a good website to print out your own practice worksheets along with answer sheets for them to check their work.  

http://www.commoncoresheets.com/SortedByGrade.php

I put the 5th grade math standards on the top of most of the work sent home for your reference.  The standards for this quarter are as follows: 5.NBT.7 5.OA.1 5.OA.2 5.OA.3 5.G.3 5.G.4 5.G.1 5.G.2  

We are currently working on 5.OA.3.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thank you.

Mr. Schoenebeck's Class Only

http://teachers.oregon.k12.wi.us/sundstrom/Environmental%20Science/Outcome%203/Ecosystem%20Energy%20WebQuest.pdf

Some of the links were broken. Here is how you can access them.

For question #3 copy and paste this link into Google :   (see me if you need help) http://www.cas.psu.edu/DOCS/WEBCOURSE/WETLAND/WET1/identify.html

For question #4 use a laptop only as it needs to access Adobe Flash Player.

For question #5 use this link http://www.ftexploring.com/me/pyramid.html

For question #7 http://chemistry.elmhurst.edu/vchembook/321foodenergy.html

December 5, 2016

Math Workshop Q2W7

New- Coordinate Grids, 2 dimensional figures, and Polygons (5.G.1-4)

Review-Write Simple Expressions (5.OA. 2) & Divide Decimal Word Problems (5.NBT.7)

A.) Mrs. Nelson Days 43-50 (new)

B.) Draw into your notebook an example of each word, see attached. Quizlet -Polygons(see blog- https://quizlet.com/_1kh0hu) when done drawing (Assessment on vocabulary Friday) (new)

C.) Khan Academy-watch videos with earbuds and take notes on Multiply and Divide Decimal word problems. Divide Decimals 5 minutes

Write Simple Expressions Video 10 minutes

D.) Problem of the Day

Homework: Due Friday
Multiply & Divide Decimals Worksheets
Type Position Paper
Read for Book Club
Study Math Quizlet Vocabulary

November 29, 2016

Homework for this week (Due Friday)

• Heritage Project is due this Thursday for Heritage Day (if you are bringing food requiring toothpicks to serve, utensils, napkins, or plates, please bring that as well).

• Spelling Test (see previous blog post for spelling city)

• Math Worksheet (Cumulative review)

November 24, 2016

Hello parents,

Happy Thanksgiving break, and safe travels to those of you traveling.  Enjoy your food and family.

Here are the notable dates for next week.

*Monday and Tuesday are our last two days of Human Growth and Development.  We have a question box available in class, but please be ready to discuss any questions with your child that they may have.  Here is a good 5th-grade appropriate website with resources and videos.

http://www.pgschoolprograms.com/programs.php?pid=1

*Thursday (12.1.16) is our Heritage Day.  Projects and Tri Fold Boards should be complete.  We will be presenting to parents from 2:00-2:30.  If you are free and can join us, I'm sure your children would love to show of their work.  That will be held in the cafeteria.

*Friday (12.2.16) is  early release.  Be sure your child knows how they are getting home on Friday.

*Friday (12.6.16) from 1:00-1:30 our class will be going to the PUE Holiday Shop.  If you would like to send money in with your child for that shop, please do so.

*Friday (12.16.16) specials is P.E.  Send your child with tennis shoes.

As always if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

November 21, 2016

Homework for this week due next Monday:

• Read for Book Club
• Work on Heritage Day Project (Trifold Board can be decorated how you like, please include flags. Heritage Day is in the cafeteria on Dec. 1st at 2:00 pm).
• Work on Research Based Position Project at home and school( Graphic Organizer, Outline, and Rough Draft)
• Study for Spelling Test next Monday https://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=41650427

This week in Math we are working on Order of Operations and Dividing Decimals. The class will have a quiz on Order of Operations on Wednesday and another test on Dividing Decimals next week(considering the first assessment -Day 67, was a "miss" and not a hit which we went over in class today). Ten Marks is an online program students may work on to reinforce both skills.

In Reading and Writing we are analyzing Nonfiction Text Structure by Comparing & Contrasting Text. We are also writing Research Based Position Papers. We have learned what a thesis statement is and students have been directed how to write this research paper with notes glued and written into Writing and Reading Notebooks.

In lieu of Social Studies - American Revolutionary War, with Mr. Schoenebeck, we have Human Growth & Development this week and the beginning of next.

Lastly, I have noticed an increase in middle of day emails regarding transportation changes, early pickups, and etc. Please remember due to the nature of managing and educating 25 children, I am unable to check email regularly. In the case of emergency changes, call the office. I will respond to emails within 48 hours.

Thank you.

November 14, 2016

Homework for this week due next Monday

• Order of Operations Homework with Bracing for Brackets on the back, &  Solve My Expression Homework. 
• Read for Book Club.
• Heritage Day Biography
• Spelling Words

In Class Resource

Math Workshop Q2W4

New- Order of Operations and writing Simple Expressions. Review: Multiply & Divide Decimals

A.) Mrs. Nelson Days 78—83 &MLL

B.) Independent Practice: Khan Academy Intro to Order of Operations (see blog). Take notes in MLL and complete practice problems. https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-arith-prop/pre-algebra-order-of-operations/v/introduction-to-order-of-operations

C.) Ten Marks- multiply decimals to the hundredths

D.) Problem of the Day

November 7, 2016

Wish list: Postcard stamps (24), snacks (pretzels / goldfish)  & Glade plug ins.

Homework for this week: Due next Monday

• Correct Mistakes from last week's "Dividing Decimal Word Problems" homework
• Heritage Day Project:* Interview an extended family member (10 questions) focus on questions related to historic events during his or her time, cultural celebrations, religious observations, and  etc. & 1 page biography from the interview.
• Read for Book Club.
• 2 liter soda bottles (2) due Tuesday

*Link to prospective interview questions: https://www.tempe.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=30255

November 3, 2016

 In Class Resource:

Math Workshop Q2W2-3

New- Divide Decimals and relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used. New: Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols. Review: Word problems with decimals (all operations)

A.) Mrs. Nelson MLL

B.) Independent Practice:

1-Learnzillion Code: D55YJ5R (go through the lesson and take notes in MLL) & Quizlet

2- Order of Operations Vocabularyhttps://quizlet.com/_2qfyod

C.) Ten Marks- Divide decimals to the hundredths

D.) Student Leader: Problem of the Day in MLL

November 2, 2016

Repost from Mr. Schoenebeck's Newsletter:

Hello parents,

Here are the important points for this week.

*We are in big need of see-through 2-liter bottles.  We will be making our terrariums this upcoming Tuesday (11.8.16).  The more bottles we get, the smaller the groups will be for the students to get more hands-on experience.  I currently only have one bottle.  We need two for every terrarium, so please send as many of those as you can.

*Human Growth and Development will be taught Monday and Tuesday, November 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th.  Wake County observes passive consent for teaching Human Growth and Development.  If you would prefer to not have your child participate in the Human Growth and Development curriculum for 5th grade please let me know before November 21st.

*Washington DC rooming lists are being finalized and will be sent home on Monday.  We tried as best we could to put students in rooms with people they requested to room with.  We also had to consider number of female and male chaperones.

*Yesterday I handed out information about an optional essay students may write.  We will choose one student from our class to participate in the honor of laying the wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  If your child would like to be considered for that honor, those essays are due next Wednesday (11.9.16).

*Next Tuesday (11.8.16) is election day.  Due to expected lines at the polls, Wake County will be operating on a two-hour delay.

*We are in need of more volunteers for this Sunday's Fall Festival.  Please see below for information regarding that festival.

Come out and celebrate fall with our school's first Fall Festival Sunday, November 6th from 2-5pm. We will have fun fall related games and crafts, a face painter and a magic show ($5)! Come out and enjoy a catered pork barbecue/chicken dinner and beverage ($10/adult and $5/child 12 and under) with friends and family from 3-5pm. Payments/reservations for the show and/or dinner must be made online at http://pueschool.corecommerce.com by Tuesday, November 1st.  We will need lots of helping hands to make this a successful event. If you are able to volunteer for an hour (or more 😉 ) during the event, please use the SignUpGenius. We look forward to celebrating Fall with you!! Hope to see you there! Questions? Please contact Heather Wilson at heatherandmckenna@yahoo.com or Michele Adams at adamsmca@yahoo.com.

*Next Thursday is Pleasant Union's Patriotic night at 6:30pm.  More information to come on that.

*Next Friday (11.11.16) is Veterans Day.  There will be no school next Friday due to that national holiday.

As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact me.

Thank you.

November 1, 2016

In Class Student Led Book Club Meeting Dates and Resources (discussion questions):

Esperanza Rising Monday and Wednesday 1:00 pm-

Please read to required page/ chapter and jot down new vocabulary, observations or questions you gain on the text. Here are the activities you will complete in your book club:

http://teacherpages.hallco.org/webpages/rcothran/esparanza_rising.cfm

Elijah of Buxton Monday and Wednesday at 12:30

Please read to required page/ chapter and jot down new vocabulary, observations or questions you gain on the text. Here are the activities you will complete in your book club:

http://www.readingforcomprehension.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Elijah-of-Buxton-Reading-For-Comprehension-Series-Bundle-SAMPLE.pdf


Woods Runner Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00

Please read to required page/ chapter and jot down new vocabulary, observations or questions you gain on the text. Here are the activities you will complete in your book club:

http://www.slsd.org/webpages/nott/index.cfm?subpage=1841476

Fever 1793 Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30

Please read to required page/ chapter and jot down new vocabulary, observations or questions you gain on the text. Here are the activities you will complete in your book club:

http://madwomanintheforest.com/pdfs/tg-fever2.pdf

Watson's Go to Birmingham: Small group with Mrs. Nelson

Tuesday & Thursdays 12:30 

November 1, 2016

Greetings,

I hope you are not reading this post while driving. Today we watched an impactful CNN student news segment on "DWD", driving while distracted. Talk to your kids about it as it was a strong reminder to us all about the risk versus rewards and technological solutions to prevent individuals from doing this terrifyingly  dangerous thing.http://www.cnn.com/studentnews

 We are in our 2nd week of 2nd quarter and things are well on the way. We started the quarter "diving deep" with Decimals. Last week we learned how to multiply decimals a variety of ways and this week we are learning how to divide decimals, one way. Here it is: http://www.math.com/school/subject1/lessons/S1U1L6GL.html. As students persevere with problem serving at home. Please encourage your child to estimate before problem solving, use strategies (CUBES & DMSBR) and write in margins. When your child completes a problem encourage him or her to check work (division can be checked with multiplication) and ask him or herself if the answer is reasonable.

In Reading, we are working on Annotating Text and Text Structure. We are reading a series of non fiction text related to Science (Ecosystems) and Social Studies (American Revolutionary War) units.
We also are working on grammar contractions and are developing writing for our "in class" ecosystems projects.

At home students should continue working on TriFold Board and elements for the Heritage Day Project. Friendly reminder to also send in two liter soda bottles for the Terrariums- we will be building next week.

Homework for this week (Due next Monday)

• Dividing Decimals Worksheet
• Heritage Poem & Recipe (printed out & doesn't have to match what is brought in for the event)
• Read for Book Club (varies) 
• No Spelling Homework this week

Lastly, please look out for an email/ sign up genius from Ovies Brabson related to our Track out day learning experience. We hope to be able to have a fun afternoon with parents involved/ leading some craft stations and activities. Thank you!

October 28, 2016

To All PUE Teachers.  Please distribute the following announcement to your classroom families:

Don't Forget to Sign Up for the Fall Festival Magic Show on Sunday, November 6!  Tickets are $5 a person for a 20 minute show.  The guest of honor will be Happy Dan, "The Magic Man".  The PUE PTA will also be hosting other festivities free of charge, including pumpkin bowling, face painting, candy mining, crafts and so much more.  Families may purchase Pork BBQ/ Chicken dinners for $10 per adult and $5 per child. Payments/reservations for the show and/or dinner must be made online at http://pueschool.corecommerce.com by Tuesday, November 1st.  

We still need lots of helping hands to make this a successful event. If you are able to volunteer for an hour (or more 😉 ) during the event, please sign up at Fall Festival.  

We are looking forward to celebrating Fall with you!!  Hope to see you there! Questions? Please contact Heather Wilson at heatherandmckenna@yahoo.com or Michele Adams at adamsmca@yahoo.com.

October 27, 2016

2nd Quarter Wish List:

1. Glade Plug In refills
2. Snacks (Goldfish or Pretzels)
3. Postcard Stamps
4. Halloween Candy for Prize Box or trinket toys
5. Fish Tank Filters/ Cartridges -Rite Size C for Penguin Power Filter fits Penguin 170, 200, 330, &350.

October 26, 2016

Repost from Mr. Schoenebeck's Newsletter:

Hello parents,

We have had a successful start to the second quarter this year.  Here are the points of interest for this week.

*If you have any clear or see-through 2 liter bottles, please send them in.  We will be using them to build terrariums.  The more bottles we can get, the smaller we can make the groups for more hands-on learning for the students.  You may send those in at any time.  Please send as many as you have.

*We will be doing a heritage project this quarter.  The students have already been told about the project, and various parts of the project will be due every Monday starting Oct. 31st going through Dec. 1st (when the entire project is due).  We want to make sure that your child is working on the project throughout the month and doesn't wait until the last minute to get things done.

*Tomorrow is Family Fun night for Spooky Science.  Please see Mr. Biles's emails for information about that.

*Monday is Halloween.  We are not permitting Halloween costumes, however, if your child would like to dress up as a character from a book, they may.  No masks will be allowed in school.

*As always, if you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Thank you.