Thursday, May 14, 2015
ELAC Meeting
Parents, you're invited to our last ELAC meeting of the year on Thursday, May 28 at 8:20 in the staff room. We are so excited to have one of our very own Country Lane first grade parents, Elda Vergara, talk about her journey as an English learner and how she has learned to help her son as he learns English as well. We would love to have you there! If you have any questions, please e-mail Chelsea Armann at carmann@moreland.org
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
THANK YOU!
I wanted to take a moment to thank all of my 5th grade families for the lovely flowers, cards, and surprises last Friday. I was touched by your kindness and thoughtfulness. Thank you for making me feel so special on Teacher's Day!
Fondly, Mrs. Grove
Fondly, Mrs. Grove
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Hello Fifth Grade Parents!
School
is flying by and we only have 6 ½ weeks
left! It is incredible to see how
responsible and mature these fifth graders have become! They are looking taller, older, and more like
middle school students every day.
Writing
We have completed our unit on persuasive and opinion writing. Your child is already an expert at convincing
you to do almost anything. Don’t be
surprised if you get a formal letter requesting their latest request! Grammar and quick writes are also a focus
this trimester. All of our 5th
graders have signed up with Google Classroom where many of their tasks are
being assigned. Be sure to have them
share some of these assignments with you.
Students are currently working in their Literature Circles. Students are flexed among our four classrooms
to work in small reading groups. They
had to plan out a four week timeline of reading, create three critical thinking
questions, respond to two Depth and Complexity questions assigned on Google
Classroom, hold meaningful discussions about the reading assignment, and
reflect on their progress.
Social
Studies
While
investigating the various colonies, students practiced note-taking, created
foldables, and worked in small groups to write a newspaper. Students are now studying the events leading
to the American Revolution. Students
have been placed into groups of three or four to create posters for one of
these events. This week, we will hold a “Town Meeting”, where students, as
patriots, will voice their concern about the English government.
Science
We have just finished the Earth’s Water and
Earth’s Weather units. As we prepare for the Science STAR testing, we are
simultaneously studying Physical Science in regards to Types of Matter and
Changes in Matter, and science concepts from across grade levels. Testing
is on May 11 and
May 12.
Math
We
are completing units on area and volume and getting ready for the SBAC. This
will be given to students on May 13-15
Each student may continue work on their Khan Academy accounts at any
time. 6th grade will be sending over placement tests for students to
take at the end of May.
Smarter Balance Testing
As
you may know, Moreland School District will not be giving the STAR test for
Math and English Language Arts. Instead,
students have been busy preparing and practicing for the SBAC on line for these
subjects. Fifth graders will, however, be taking the STAR for Science. We would like your child to login at home to
show you what the Smarter Balance test will look like, as well as give them
more opportunity to continue their practice while at home. Please see the following links and directions
below to assist you with the website.
Scroll
down to the box: Take Practice Training
Click
the green box: Practice Training Test
Scroll
down again to the next green box:
Student Interface & Training
Login
and Password are already set to “guest” – Sign in
Select
Grade 5
Click
on “yes”
Select
desired Practice Test
Please
feel free to check out the Training Tutorials:
Scroll
down until you find:
-
What
is a Field Test?
-
Let’s
Talk Universal Tools”
If
you would like to see the student video:
Fifth Grade Celebration
Mark
your calendars for Friday, June 12 for our wonderful fifth grade
celebration. Your child will hear their
last story read by Mrs. Ott, hear a few words of wisdom from Mrs. Ruddy, and
watch a slide show of pictures sent in by you of their career here at Country
Lane.
Where: Multi-Purpose Room
Time: 10:30 a.m. –
12:00 noon
*We would
like to keep this event low-key and to clarify that this is not a
graduation. We ask that you do not bring
balloons or gifts to the event. Thank
you for your cooperation.
Upcoming
Dates to Remember:
May
Friday, May 1 – International
Faire
Thursday,
May 7 – Latimer 6th Grade Parent Information Night
Tuesday,
May 5-8 – ELA SBAC
Monday,
May 11-12 – Science STAR
Wednesday,
May 13-15 – Math SBAC
Friday,
May 15 – Art Show and Auction
Wednesday, May 20 - Open House 6:30-7:30pm
Monday, May 25 – Memorial Day – No
School
Wednesday, May 27 – Field Day 9-11:30am
Friday, May 29 – Last Day for AR
quizzes/All library books due
June
Thursday, June 4 - Literacy Day
Friday, June 5 – Family BBQ
Monday, June 8 – Early Dismissal (1:40)
Tuesday,
June 9 – Early Dismissal (1:40)
Thursday, June 11 - 5th Grade pool
party! 9:00-1:00 – Early Dismissal (1:40)
Friday, June 12 - 5th Grade Celebration 10:30-12:00
Last Day of School out at 12:15
Thank you each for all you have done in
making this an incredible year and helping your students be so successful in 5th
grade!
Sincerely,
Miss Smith, Mrs. Grove, Miss Bustillos,
and Miss Enrico
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Spring Conferences 3/19 - 3/20
Dear 5th
Grade Families,
Our second
trimester is over. How is that possible?!!
Please look for your child’s report card
on March 18th. Conferences for
upper grades are optional. Your child’s
teacher will or in some cases already has contacted families of students for
whom we have concerns. However, if you have concerns or questions, please feel free
to email us to schedule an appointment in person or on the phone.
One question that
comes up quite frequently this time of year is, “What is the best middle school
placement for my child?” Moreland has
three 6th grade options for the 2015/16 school year, all of which
offer strong academic programs. They
are: Moreland Middle School (6-8), EDS
(TK-8), and Latimer (TK-6.) Country Lane
5th graders automatically attend MMS unless they are accepted
through the Open Enrollment process at EDS or Latimer. If you wish to complete Open Enrollment
paperwork for EDS, be sure to do so before March 31. (The Open Enrollment period for Latimer will
be extended to allow parents to attend their Information Night on April 30 ( May 7) before making a decision.) We encourage
you to visit both the EDS and Moreland Middle School sites. Tours and shadow days are available. You may also sign up for a K-5 tour at Latimer
to get a feel for the campus. You know
your child best and the environment they need in which to flourish.
Your 5th
graders have been preparing all year for their transition to middle school. Structuring multiple projects, giving shorter
time-lines on projects, rotating to other classes, note-taking, test
preparation, organizing and maintaining binders are all opportunities and
skills your child has experienced this year.
We are here to
answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Miss Bustillos Mrs. Grove Miss Smith Miss
Enrico
Friday, February 13, 2015
Friday, February 13
Our last morning has been bittersweet. We are anxious to get home to our own beds,
but it is hard to leave this beautiful vista and the learning in the
out-of-doors. We packed up and have our
luggage ready for the buses. Breakfast
included french toast, fresh fruit, hot cereal, and cold cereal. With a shorter hike today and one last lunch
with our field instructors, we will be heading home soon.
1. We will be leaving Science Camp between
12:00-12:15. Mrs. Grove will call the
school to let them know we are on our way home. Should there be any delays or
traffic issues, we will contact the school office.
2. Please pick up your child at 1:30 p.m.... As
students exit the bus, they should gather their luggage and plastic bags. It is extremely important that you check out
with your child's teacher.
We hope you see the same growth and changes in your child
that we had the joy of witnessing during this tremendous week at camp.
Enjoy your President's Week off....the teachers will be napping a lot!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Thursday, February 12
Lots of sleepy heads this morning! Today was a little more difficult to get
up. Three days of hiking can burn a lot
of energy. Students headed to the
Cypress Room for journaling and morning announcements. As usual, breakfast was delicious. Food choices included scrambled eggs or eggs
with sausage and cheese, hash brown potatoes, granola muffins, a variety of
cereal, yogurt, and a wide selection of fresh fruit! Two more groups headed to Muir Woods today
for their forest ecosystem exploration.
Two groups explored the Marine Coastal Lab and Fish Bowl. One group headed up and over Ice Plant Hill
and explored the tide pools at the beach. We have had another sunny
breath-taking day at the coast. Many
students are realizing that we go home tomorrow and are a bit
disappointed. They miss their families,
but are truly enjoying this wonderful experience. As their teachers, we have observed such
growth and confidence in so many of our students.
**If you happen to see any of our parent chaperones upon our
arrival on Friday, you might want to give them a big thank you! They have been so patient and supportive with
your children. They have encouraged them
when the hiking got tough, sat with them if they seemed sad, helped with boots
and clothing issues, checked to make sure they were showering and eating a
healthy/balanced meal. We couldn't have
done it without their sense of humor and patience! THANK YOU FROM THE 5TH GRADE TEAM!
******************************************************************
******************************************************************
When students returned from hiking, there were stories of
building sand replicas of the Headlands Institute's water shed, team
challenges, amphibian life cycle, tree skits, and camouflage games. After a sunny free time, we did our daily
journals and ate another amazing dinner.
It was pizza and salad night with hot minestrone soup. Our final evening program was a
campfire. Students participated in skits
and camp songs around a blazing fire.
The night is cold and clear with beautiful stars. Students are heading back to the dorms for
their last night's massive sleepover.
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