October 7, 2015

I want to welcome Kyndall Nakken to our classroom.  She is a student teacher and will be with us for the next five weeks.  She comes from Arizona (Phoenix area), and is married with two cute young children.  Already, I can see that she will be a valuable asset in our classroom.  WELCOME!

I really enjoyed meeting with you all at SEP conferences.  I am always reminded at those times how much you love your children and want them to be safe and happy.

They are lucky young people to have the privilege of growing up in your homes.

Remember, you can find math assignments on the GOMATH site listed below, and you watch the ON THE SPOT videos (below) and learn how to do the math at home.  If students forget their math or are absent, they can find their assignment online.

The following letter has important info concerning the 5th grades as a whole. Please read and sign the slip that was sent home today.  

Thanks, Mrs. Payne

FIFTH GRADE NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 7, 2015

Parents,

    First quarter is dwindling fast.  We have two weeks left in this first quarter.  With this quarter quickly coming to a close, we ask that you view your child’s grades online, as well as his/her missing assignments.  If your child has assignments missing, please have them get their work into their teacher as soon as they can, so they can better their overall percent for first quarter, and also qualify themselves for Worker’s Holiday.

   The end of first quarter is on Friday, October 16th.  Students will receive their final printout on October 16th, but will have until Friday, October 23rd to get all of their missing work into their teacher. We want to remind you, that the 16th is on a Friday and students will be out for the Harvest Holiday Monday, October 19th through Wednesday, October 21st.   Worker’s Holiday will be on Monday, October 26th, from 2:00-3:15 PM. We will send more information about the Worker’s Holiday activity in the October 16th newsletter.

    We want to remind parents that picture retakes will be on Friday, October 23rd.  Be sure to mark your calendar if your child needs his/her picture retaken.

    Don’t forget about the Maturation Program!  This will be on Friday, October 30th, at 2:00 PM.  The boys will have their meeting in the gym and the girls will have their meeting in the library.  Students may go home with their parents after the program.

    Our Volcano Day is also coming up soon.  Please read the letter that will be coming home with your child today on how you can help them in making their volcano.  We will be setting off our volcanoes on November 3rd from 2:30 to 3:30, and hope that you will be able to come and join us; it will be a real BLAST!  In order to not get in the way of the buses that day, please park to the south side of the school on 500 south.

    We have really enjoyed your children so far this year, and really look forward to the rest of the year with them.  Thanks for all of the help and support you give us, we appreciate it.                             

                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                    Mrs. Little, Mrs. Payne and Mrs. Williams

**The next update will be posted on Friday, October 16.

Helpful Website for GOMATH help

thinkcentral.com

Log in with your child’s student number (students should know this number)

:e.g.  60123456

Password: gomath (no caps, no spaces)

Go Math-On The Spot Videos

GoMath videos for the State of California—pretty closely tied to our math program.

Choose: grade 5

Watch: Video correlated to desired lesson. (There is one example for each lesson.)

The following are also helpful math sites:

learnzillion.com  

Videos that explain all elementary math procedures.

Search: learnzillion

Click on: Learnzillion

In upper right corner click on: “Teacher Login”

Email: jet.warr@ironmail.org

Password: ironmath

Click on: Common Core Navigator

Click on: Grade band of interest.

Click on: Gray-folder icon of lesson you choose.

Choose: Video from menu.

khanacademy.org

Teaches and practices everything from adding 2 plus 2 to Differential Calculus.  Also has practice exercises where your child can earn points for fun.

mathantics.com  

Videos with clear, simple, entertaining (sort of…) explanations of math procedures.

September 23, 2015

5th Grade Newsletter

September 23, 2015

Coming up:

September 23- Progress Reports (Please look on your PowerSchool account).

24-All missing work must be turned in.

25-Worker’s Holiday (kickball tournament)

25-Fall Pictures

28,29,30-SEP Conferences

October 1,2-SEP Conferences

23-Reflections Contest

  23-Fifth Grade Hope of America Program

        Our field trip to Cedar Mountain went well, and we appreciate your help making sure your children were well prepared.  We hope it was a positive experience for all of them.

This Friday we will hold our first Worker’s Holiday. We realize that this is also picture day and students may want to bring a change of clothes for the afternoon. We  will be having a kickball tournament.  Remember, this is for students who have ALL assignments turned in, and who have an 80% or higher. All others will stay in the classroom and get caught up.  Today your child is bringing home a category total report, along with a Missing Assignment sheet (if s/he is missing any work).  All missing assignments must be turned in by tomorrow, Thursday, 24th.    

We are looking forward to visiting with you and your child during the week of September 28-October 2.  If you have not confirmed a meeting time, please do so as soon as possible.  Please bring your child with you to the conference so that we can discuss his/her progress and goals.  

Reflections Contest theme is Let Your Imagination Fly.  All entries are due October 23.  You may pick up rules and entry forms in the art classroom and utahpta.org.  We hope that you will encourage your child to enter.  

Our class has the privilege of performing with 800 other fifth graders from our area in the Hope of America patriotic program.  This performance will be held in the SUU Centrum on October 23.  Students will learn the songs here at school, but they were each given a CD so that they could practice them at home.  This should be an exciting event.

We enjoy getting to know your children, and helping them grow academically and socially.  Fifth grade is definitely the best grade to teach!   

Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Little, Mrs. Williams

September 9, 2015

                            Here's what's happening...

Progress Reports and Newsletters:    
           Your child should have handed you a progress report today.  This report will show all recorded assignments up to this date.  If your child is missing any assignments, you will see a "Missing Assignment" sheet attached.  All missing work must be turned in right away.  
       We are trying to use less paper, so this turquoise colored newsletter will be the last one we will send home for you to read. You can find all newsletters on this blog.  When you receive them, please let me know, so that I know you are up to date on what's going on in our classroom.  
       Also, in the future, we would like you to check your child's progress by going to PowerSchool.  If you don't have your PowerSchool login information, you will need to get that from Mrs. Griffith in the front office.  If you have a problem checking your child's progress report online, please let me know and I can make a hard copy for you. 

Electronic Forms: 
       If you have not yet signed the electronic forms for Safe Schools, Acceptable Use Policy, and the Media Release, please do that asap. I have been waiting until all parents have signed the AUP so that I can begin an Internet project with your students. 

Reading:  
       Do you know how your child is doing?  If your child's goal is to earn one of the higher awards (Presidential or Freedom), s/he should have read two or three books by now.  This week, the Response Journals are due tomorrow (Thursday) instead of Wednesday. 
       Our first book project is due on Wednesday, September 23.  I will send home a list of options your child may choose from to present his/her book to the class.  The book project needs to be about a BIOGRAPHY book. 
       

Cedar Mountain Field Trip, Monday, September 21: 
       We will be stopping at an extinct volcano, exploring Mammoth Caves, and hiking the Alpine Loop Trail at Cedar Breaks.  This field trip is in conjunction with our science unit on Earth Science.  
       Your child will need to bring a flashlight, long pants, sturdy shoes, a jacket, and water.  We will leave at 9:00 AM and return at 3:20 PM.  We will need parents to chaperone, so if you'd like to accompany us, let me know.

PTA Bash 'n Splash and other info:  
       Aquatic Center on Saturday, September 12 6:00-8:00 PM.  Swimming is free, but you may purchase tickets for the other activities.  Tickets will be sold in advance after school on Thursday and before school on Friday.  
       School shirt orders need to be in by September 14.  
       You can still sign up for PTA alerts by text or email.  
       Please link your Smith's shopping reward's card to South Elementary.  This is a good fundraiser for our school.  
       School Pictures will be on Friday, September 25.   

Parent Conferences (SEPs) will be the week of September 28-October 2. Please let me know right away if a certain day not good for you (or if one is best for you), or if you would like to meet me in the morning before school (7:45, 8:00, or 8:15).  

       As I get to know your students, I am impressed with you as parents and how you have taught them at home.  They are great kids with high standards.  Thank you for sharing them with me this year!
                                        
                                                -Jeanne Payne

P.S. Please sign the bottom section of the turquoise colored newsletter your child brought home today.  Send it back by Friday.  


         
       
   

A New Year--August 2015

       Hi parents, and those who care to read this:

     We've been in school now for one week, and I'm getting to know these 29 students-at least a little bit.   I with I could have spent time with each of you parents at Back to School Night, but the evening was rushed.  Hopefully, I can meet you all again and find out where these kids come from.

       MATH:  I need math helpers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:30-10:15.  Please let me know if you are able to spend some time with us.  I would love helpers to start next week, if possible.  (Mondays and Wednesdays are spoken for).  

       We spent the first three days reviewing multiplication tables and taking a math assessment, and now we are working out of the Go Math book.   If your student is not able to complete the math assignment in class, s/he needs to take it home and finish it.  Each day's math assignment is due the next morning.

     READING:  Reading Response Journals were due today (every Wednesday).  I counted 26 journals in the tote (which is great, since this is our first week, and two students out of our 29 were absent).  Please remind your child to read every evening.  Thanks!

     READING REVOLUTION BOOK CLUB:  Judicial Award-3 books per term (12 books per year);
Congressional Award-4 books per term (16 books per year);  Presidential Award-5 books per term
(20 books per year); Freedom Award (30 books per year).  

     To qualify for any reading awards, students must read one book of each genre: realistic fiction, historical fiction, science fiction/mystery, fantasy, fairy tale/folklore, award winner, information/poetry, and biography.

     LANGUAGE ARTS:  Our district has adopted a new LA/Reading program- CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts).  This is a comprehensive program that includes reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling, and speaking.  I won't send any spelling words home for the first few weeks or so of school.

     SCIENCE:  We are learning about tectonic plates and their role in creating changes on the face of the earth.  How do scientists know what's deep down in the earth?  (Ask your chid to explain).  Today we learned about models and "drilled" to the center of the "earth".

     SOCIAL STUDIES:  Who really discovered America?   Why was this continent named America?
(Again, ask your child :).

     Orchestra begins on September 8, but no instruments are required on that day.

     First Lego League:  An ambitious parent has taken this on, and has agreed to be the coach.  The FLL is a competition organized for 9-14 year olds, focusing on a real-world topic related to the sciences.  (Info at http://www.firstlegoleague.org/)   If your child would like to join South Elementary's team, s/he will need to submit a one-page essay indicating why s/he is interested in joining.  They can only accept 10 team members.  They will meet weekly for practice, then compete against other local teams on January 16, 2016.
      You can email the Kelli Price at: kelliannprice@yahoo.com  or call 607-220-6313.

     We sent home a reminder to sign the AUP, Safe Schools, and Media Release forms on our South Elementary website.  If you haven't done this, please do it asap, so your child can use the Internet here at school.  I'm eager for my students to do some research for Social Studies, but I'm waiting until all parents have signed.   Let me know if you have trouble with this.  (I know for me, it's so much easier just to sign a real piece of paper.  I'm sorry I have to ask you do this!)

     Thanks for all the time and effort you invest in your child.  This is a class of hard-working, considerate young people.  It's obvious they have had good training at home.

      Please contact me for any concerns you may have.
                                                   Thanks, Jeanne Payne

May 2015

Dear Parents,

         This has been a wonderful year!  I've had a great group of students and supportive parents, and it doesn't get better than that!

Just a few things you need to know:

1.  Our Track and Field Day is on Thursday at CHS track.  We are in need of some parent volunteers to help with the track and field events.   If any of you have a few hours you could spend there, we could really use you between 9:00 and 1:00.
If you can help, please let me know by tomorrow (Wednesday) so that we can give you an assignment.

2.  I just sent home your child's SAGE test scores.  They are in a stapled packet.  This will tell you how your child scored in math, science, and ELA (reading/language arts).   Let me know if you have questions about that.

3.  Each student will also bring his/her math practice book.  In the back of this book is a section that will help students get ready for 6th grade.  Please have him/her work on this section during the summer break, so they won't fall behind.  Also, they should continue practicing their time tables.

       Thanks for your help throughout the year, chaperoning field trips, volunteering in the classroom, and the help you give at home.  I couldn't do this without your support.  Have a great summer vacation.  I'll be thinking about these students when they enter CMS as new middle school students.

I'll always be cheering for them!
Jeanne Payne

May 2015

APRIL 29, 2015  5th Grade Newsletter

  Calendar for May:

April 30--Reading/LArts End of Level Test (Mrs. Payne's class)
May:

1--Reading Celebration.  Sponsored by our wonderful PTA and held during school.

5--Mrs. Payne’s class takes the 1st session of the Language Arts End of Level test.

6--Mrs. Williams & Mrs. Little’s classes take the 1st session of the Math test.

5--Orchestra Concert (joined with CMS), 6:00 PM.

6--CMS Open House, 6-8 PM.  We encourage you to take your child, tour the

    school, and meet his/her teacher.

7--Mrs. Payne’s class takes the 2nd session of math test.

8--Mrs. Williams & Mrs. Little’s classes take the 2nd session of the Math test.

8--Battle of the Books.   Parents, we need help running this, from 12:30-2:30.   If you can donate your time, we’d love to have you..  Thanks!  Please contact us right away if you can help from 12:30-2:30,

11--Zion Field Trip.  

       We have plenty of chaperones.  Thanks for volunteering!  Your child needs to bring water, walking shoes, and a home lunch (if applicable).  It may be good to bring a hat or sunscreen.  We will be hiking.  

       If you haven’t already paid $3.00 for the IMAX Theater movie, you can still send that to school.  Thanks!

12--Last day to turn in Reading Revolution Book Reports  (Mrs. Little’s/Williams’

   students)  *No more stickers on the chart!

12--Last day to turn in Reading Response Journals (Mrs. Payne’s students)

    *No more stickers on the chart!

12--Present State Reports (Mrs. Payne’s class)

14--Judicial Award (ice cream sundaes)

14--Orchestra Concert, 1:00 PM.  We are excited to see our 5th graders perform!

15--Costume Check for Great American Heroes Program.  Please bring costumes so we can make sure you are ready to go on stage.  If you need help finding a

costume, let us know and we’ll see if we can help.   Students need to have their

parts memorized.  They received scripts on April 29.

15--Congressional Award (Movie & Popcorn).

18--Presidential Award  (Breakfast in the Park)  *We will ride the bus to the Canyon Park @ 9:00, eat breakfast, play, then walk back by 11:30..  

19--Great American Heroes Program,  10:00 (K-3) and 2:00 (4/Parents).   You can

    take your child home afterwards.  

20--Tent Day--WORKER’S HOLIDAY

20--Mrs. Smith (school secretary) is retiring.  An open house will be held in her honor in the school library 2-4 PM.  You are welcome to drop in.

21--Track Meet (Field Day) at CHS track.   This will last most of the day.

22--Last Day of School

Whew!  Can you believe this schedule?   We’ll continue to squeeze in reading, writing, and arithmetic, especially since we have more high stakes testing ahead of us.  We are still in major review mode, and we really appreciate your child being in school every day.  Once this testing is over, our learning takes on a different shape..  A little more relaxed and a little more fun.  Yay!   

Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Little’s students are writing an ABC Book, and Mrs. Payne’s class is working on State Reports.  These reports will be presented on May 12 and 13th.  

The last newsletter will be posted on Wed., May 13.

Your help and support are invaluable to us as teachers.  Thank you for helping us with your child’s education.  We love each one of these 5th grade students!

                        Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Little, and Mrs. Williams

April 30 will be the last day I (Mrs. Payne) will collect Reading Response Journals on a weekly basis. For the next two weeks (or until the 12th of May), students need to hand them in ONLY when they have completed reading a book.  

April 20, 2015

Dear Parents,

I forgot to update this blog when I sent home the latest notice about your student's progress.  So here it is:

End of Level Testing will be--
     Science-    Thursday, April 23
     Lang. Arts-Thursday, April 30
     Math #1-   Tuesday, May 5
     Math #2-   Thursday, May 7

Notice the change in the math dates.  

Saturday, April 25--Kite Flight reading incentive. Turn in reading sheets at the 
                            CMS, get a free kite.  10:00-3:00 PM.  Our school gets money for this :)
Thursday, April 30--Magic of Writing entries are due.  
My students are all working on their fantasy/science fiction stories about a planet called Wakyabi and its humanoid, insect, and animal organisms.  Their creatures have specialized structures and variations that help them survive in their environment.  These stories will be entered in our Magic of Writing contest.
Since the computers are being used for testing, your child may need to finish his/her story at home.

We are finishing up our study on World War 2, and will read about the Korean, Vietnam, Cold War, then our current War on Terrorism.  We won't spend a lot of time on these wars, but if any of you parents have served in one of them, we'd love you to visit our classroom and tell us about your service. 

These dates are coming up in May:

Friday, May 1-Reading Celebration, here at the school.  This is sponsored by the                                  PTA and is centered around the author, Mo Willems.
Monday, May 11-Field Trip to Zion ($3.00 to see the movie in the IMax Theater).
Tuesday, May 12-Tour CMS  (We'll walk there and back).
Thursday, May 14--Battle of the Books  (We'd love some of you to volunteer).
Thursday, May 14--Orchestra Concert @ 1:00 PM
Friday, May 15-Judicial & Congressional Awards (Ice Cream Sundaes &
                         Movie and Popcorn)
Monday, May 18-Breakfast in the Park (for Presidential Award winners)
Tuesday, May 19-American Heroes Program (10:00 & 2:00)
Wednesday, May 20- Tent Day (Worker's Holiday)
Wednesday, May 20- Awards Assembly for Reading Revolution and Patriot
                     Awards
Thursday, May 21--Field Day at CHS track
Friday, May 22--Last Day of School.

Whew!  Not a lot of time left over for reading, writing, and arithmetic, but I'll do what I can to fit it in.  Let me know if you would like to chaperone our field trip, help with the Battle of the Books, or help with Breakfast in the Park.  

     Once again, thanks for your continual support!   

                                         Sincerely,  Jeanne Payne