Week of 4/6/09 - 4/10/09

Highlights for the Week of 4/6/09 - 4/10/09 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling

Due to the 3 day week, there will be no spelling lesson this week.

Reading - China

We will be starting our final project for the China unit. Students will be combininbg information that they gathered about China's economy, geography, history, culture & animals to create a travel poster. Students will be doing all of the work for this project in school.

"Bite Into a Good Book" - Independent Reading Program

Thank you to all of the parents who sent in healthy desserts for our reading celebration! I hope that we have 100% participation in the third trimester.

English - Me Front Page

We will complete the typing for this project this week. Students will proofread and print the final edition of their own newspaper.

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

The chapter 5 TEST on fractions will be on Thursday, 4/9. We will review together on Monday.

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom

Social Studies

We have completed studying the American Revolution and will move on to the writing of the Constitution. Chapter 10, lesson 1 focuses on the U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation. Students will learn the words of The Preamble while singing to Schoolhouse Rock.

Science - Energy & Ecosystems

This week's focus will be food chains and food webs.

FYI...

Are you looking for a good book to read? Is your child looking for a way to stay busy over Spring Break? Join us for Family Book Club Night on Wednesday, April 29th @ 6:30 p.m. Simply go to the Center Cass 66 District website, click on "Prairieview", and read more about this great school event! You can then print a registration form and send it in. Please note that registration has been extended. If you have any questions, contact Lynda Slinger lslinger@ccsd66.org or Jennifer Cerney jcerney@ccsd66.org. Hope to see you there!

Have a safe & relaxing Spring Break!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/23/09 - 3/27/09

Highlights for the Week of 3/23/09-3/27/09 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Reading Class

Spelling - Lesson 24 - Words ending with "ar"

The final test for this week's lesson will be on Friday, 3/27. Words to Know are then - they & the vocabulary word for the week is intrepid.

Reading - China

Students will be turning in their pandas for our fifth grade "Pandas on Parade" on Monday. We will continue our study of China with a focus on the country's history this week. Students will also learn about the significance of the dragon in Chinese culture and create their own colorful dragons for our classroom display.

"Bite into a Good Book" Independent reading program
Just a reminder that every student must give a book talk in order to meet their reading goal for the trimester.

English -"Me Front Page" project

We will begin to type the newspaper project this week. Students have been working very diligently to create the different features of the newspaper, and I am looking forward to seeing their final editions!

Mrs. Bell's Math Class
This week we will finish the chapter on fractions with a look at fraction equations. We will not be testing until after spring break.

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

Social Studies

The last lesson of chapter 9, "A World Turned Upside Down" will be our focus on Monday and Tuesday. We will review the entire chapter by playing video Jeopardy on Wednesday, and have the chapter TEST on Thursday, 3/26.

Science - Energy and Ecosystems

On Monday, 3/23, students will take the open note/book assessment for Chapter 5, Lesson 1. Students should prepare for this by reviewing notes and the textbook. We will then move forward in chapter 5 with a look at food chains.

FYI...

Information was sent home this week about our "in school" field trip called "GeoSpace" on Wednesday, April 8th. This program is run by the DuPage Children's Museum and supplements our math curriculum by enriching students' experience with geometry. The fee for this event is due on or before Wednesday 3/25.



Has your child turned in his/her permission slip to attend the all school field trip to the Tivilo theatre on Friday, 3/27? We are still missing some slips. Students must have a signed permission slip to attend the outing.

(from www.google.com)

Have a Relaxing Weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/16/09 - 3/20/09

Highlights for the Week of 3/16/09-3/20/09 in Mrs. Bell's Classroom

Mrs. Bell's Reading Class

Spelling - Lesson 23 - Forms of "ad"

The final test for this lesson is Friday, 3/20. Words to Know are swimming-their & the vocabulary word of the week is incessant.

Reading - China

We will continue our journey through China with a look at the geography and climate. We will also investigate the Giant Panda and places to see in China using websites in the computer lab. Students will be assigned the "Pandas on Parade" project on Wednesday. Their completed project must return to school on Monday, 3/23.

Panda Website =
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/Panda

Sightseeing Website =
www.timeforkids.com/aroundtheworld

"Bite into a Good Book" Independent Reading Program

We have not yet chosen a date for our 2nd trimester celebration, but will do so shortly. The deadline for reaching the 3rd trimester goal will be Friday, May 22nd. Look for the 3rd trimester contract to come home this week!

Language Arts - Verbs / Me Front Page project

Direct objects and helping verbs will be our focus this week. Students will also be writing their lead story and goals paragraphs for the Me Front Page project. If you have not yet done so, please send an 8x10 photo of your child as soon as possible!

Mrs. Bell's Math Class

Due to our unexpected day off, the chapter 5 midchapter QUIZ has been rescheduled to Monday, 3/16. We will continue this week with a look at least common multiple, and addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators.

Mrs. Bell's Homeroom Class

Social Studies

The Declaration of Independence and the continuation of the patriots at war is on our schedule this week. Students will enjoy hearing the story of When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney, and writing a letter home from the point of view of a patriot soldier.

Science - Energy and Ecosystems

The process of photosynthesis will be our focus as scientists this week. Students will study how plants create their own food using energy, water & nutrients.

FYI...

It was such a pleasure to meet with parents during conference week. I appreciate all of the support that you provide for your children in their career as students.




Mrs. Karen Bell

Week of 3/9/09 - 3/13/09

Highlights for the Week of 3/9/09-3/1309 in Mrs. Bell & Miss Cronin's Classroom

Reading Class

Spelling

Due to the short week, we will not have a spelling lesson.

Reading - China

Our study of China has begun! During this unit, students will use a number of resources, including trade books, the internet, and periodicals to gather information about the fascinating country of China. This week the unit will be introduced with some pre-reading activities that will invoke prior knowledge. We will continue on by focusing on climate and geography in China.

English - Verbs & "Me Front Page" project

Our new unit in English is Verbs. This week we will study action verbs and direct objects. We will also begin a new project titled, "Me Front Page". Students will be designing a newspaper page that is all about them. This project will give students an opportunity to practice their skills in writing poetry, narrative text & expository text. In order to complete the project, I am asking that an 8x10 photo of your child be sent to school ASAP. Thanks for your assistance!

Math Class

Back to fractions this week! Students will learn how to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers, and how to apply our knowledge of fraction operations to algebraic equations. The midchapter QUIZ for chapter 5 is TENTATIVELY scheduled for Thursday, 3/12.

Homeroom Class

Social Studies
We have finished chapter 8, and the TEST has been scheduled for Tuesday, 3/10. We prepare for the test on Monday. Our next chapter is titled, "Declaring Independence". During this chapter, students will study the Declaration of Independence and the continuation of the Revolutionary War.

Science

We have completed our unit on Earth Science and will move on to Life Science with the study of Energy & Ecosystems in Chapter 5. We will begin with a look at how plants produce food.

FYI...

We have completed ISAT testing. Thank you for sending your children to school well rested and with a good breakfast. They worked very hard this week!

Don't forget that we have early dismissal (11:00) on Thursday, 3/12, and that there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, 3/13.

We look forward to meeting with parents who requested conferences next week.

Miss Cronin's last day is Thursday, 3/12. We will miss having her with us & hope that she will visit us in the coming months!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Mrs. Karen Bell & Miss Allison Cronin