Fabulous Life of A Fifth Grader

A Visit from Betsy Ross

2010-04-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

What an exciting day we had today! Betsy Ross came to our class to visit. It was so great to meet the woman who sewed our first United States Flag. What an amazing person! We were honored!

Shocked and Amazed

2010-03-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Things are going great. I am amazed at all of the work we have been able to get completed. The students had to write a book. Sounds easy right? It was not because the one rule was you could not use any words. So they had to get creative. I was shocked and amazed at the stories that they came up with. I was blown away. They did a great job!

I thought I would give you a heads up on an important event we have coming up. May 26th @ 1:30 P.M. and on May 27th @ 7:00 P.M. we will be performing our 5th Grade program. We have been working on this all year and the time to shine is coming up! We will be sending home your child’s part during the month of April. Please help your child memorize their part(s). If you know your child will not be here for some reason on those dates please let me know as everyone will have a part in the program.

Thanks for everything you do!
Enjoy your Spring Break!

Hoppy Spring Break

2010-03-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

The weather is so nice and I am looking forward to Spring Break just as much as the students are.
I hope you have some great adventures planned. I have a great adventure planned but I thought it would be more fun if I gave you clues so that you could guess Where in the World Ms.Bator is going on Spring Break. So here are the clues:
•It is the 32nd largest city in the U.S.
•It is surrounded by five mountain ranges; the Tucson, Santa Catalina, Rincon, Santa Rita, and Tortolita mountain ranges.
•The capital of this state is Phoenix but that is not the city I am going to visit.

If you can figure out the state and city I am visiting I will give you a special prize. Good Luck!

PS. We will only have a reading log this week, which will be due on Wednesday. There will be no spelling or vocabulary since it is such a short week. Enjoy ☺

Persuasive Writing Test

2010-03-05T09:00:00.001-08:00

This year in fifth grade we get the awesome opportunity to be tested on our persuasive writing. We are going to do our testing on Thursday, March 11th. The test will begin at 9:00 A.M. so please make sure that you're here and on time. In order for this to go as smoothly as possible please try to avoid scheduling doctor, dentist, or any other appointments that day. Thank you so much :)

Conferences are coming up on March 17th and 18th. Don't forget to schedule a time to come in. I look forward to meeting with all of you.

I do need to close off the grades on March 11th in order to prepare the report cards. Please make sure all of your missing work as well as your correct and returns are turned in No Later Than March 11th.

Thanks for all you do :)

We are Going Off-Track

2010-01-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

I am sending home a reading log for while we are off-track. I don't require the students to read but you, as parents, sure can! I really enjoy reading and look forward to off-track time to catch up on all of the books that I have been putting off. I am amazed by all the adventures and places a book can take you. I love it! If you want to earn tickets for the end of the year drawing you definitely want to read and mark it on your calendar. Just turn in your reading log when we come back on track.

I really hope you all enjoy your off-track time. We come back to school on a Tuesday because of President's Day. Enjoy reading and I look forward to hearing about all of the awesome adventures you took :)

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-01-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

Time is flying and I feel like we have so much to do and so little time. We are wrapping up units before we go off-track and it is fun to see all that the students are learning. I love seeing how each person is different and what they enjoy learning. We have some great mathematicians, history buffs, and I am pretty sure we have some future Authors in our class. Each person is unique and I love it.

Next week is a short week. We do not have school on January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Enjoy your long weekend! As an added bonus our last day is January 22nd and then we are off for three weeks. I sent home a permission slip for our trip to Abravenal Hall. Please make sure that it is signed and returned before we go off-track.

A big Thank-you to all of you and your hard work. I know my students are working hard and learning a lot and I am pretty sure it is because they have such great support at home. Keep up the great work.

The Hustle and Bustle of December

2009-12-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Boy, doesn't December get busy? I know you all probably are busy with parties, baking, and shopping for the perfect gift. Our class is just as busy with researching, learning, and testing. We are currently working on our Holidays Around the World Powerpoint. It is great to see the kids getting excited about researching. I love it. We have also begun to learn about the 13 colonies, where many of our holiday traditions started. In math we are learning to do long division. This is where those multiplication and division is a must! Needless to say, we are working hard and playing hard :)
I am still in need of 3 parents that are willing to come up with an activity for our holiday celebration. We would like each activity to be from a different country around the world. If you are able to help with this please let me know. Thanks for everything you do!

Very Important Information

2009-10-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here is some very important information that I need to point out!

1. The last day that I can take late work or correct and returns is Oct. 16th for this term. I need to be able to get the report cards ready.

2. The Reflections theme for this year is, "Beauty is..." If you want to pass-off a Distinguished Cub goal you need to participate in this. These need to be turned in before we go off-track, otherwise you will need to bring that in on your own.

3. SEP conferences are on the 21st and 22nd. Be watching for information on getting signed up.

4. We would like to have a Halloween Celebration on Oct. 23rd. I am in need of having some parents to assist with that. If you can help please let me know. Thanks!

Happy Fall Y'All

2009-09-30T09:26:00.001-07:00

I hope you have a fantastic fall recess. Be safe and have a blast! We will not have a P.R.I.D.E. sheet to turn in on Thursday since this was a short week. I cannot believe how fast time is flying by. We are going to be having some fun things coming up in the next few weeks before we go off track!We will be having colonial day, a Halloween Celebration, Parent Teacher Conferences, and some fun learning about Explorers. I love this time of year! Speaking of Parent Teacher conferences, you will be able to sign up for a time beginning on Oct. 9th. If those times do not work for you please let me know. I can come in early or stay late after school.

Enjoy your long weekend and we will see you Monday!

Magical Math Facts

2009-09-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to hear the biggest and most helpful tip for having math success? If you're not ready for the tip then stop reading now, but if you are ready to change your life and your child's mathematical life then keep reading. Ready, here it is: master those math facts! That is it! That is all there is to it. I promise you that if your child can get those math facts down, without hesitation, they will find more success in math and it is something they will use the rest of their life. If you set aside 5 or 10 minutes a day to work on those math facts your child will get them mastered in no time. You do not have to go out and buy expensive flashcards. You can take index cards and have your child write the problem on one side and the answer on the other. I guarantee that if they master those math facts fractions will be easier, perimeter and area will be easier, long division will be easier. The list goes on and on. There is definitely magic in knowing those math facts!

Learning Opportunities

2009-08-31T14:35:00.000-07:00

We made it through our second week and things are going well. It is going to be a great year, with a lot of learning opportunities. This is the year that students learn that they are responsible for their learning. If we can make good habits now they will be successful throughout their lives. I promise that I will do my best to teach the material in a way that we can all learn but in the end it is up to your child whether or not they master these concepts. One way this can be accomplished is by having your child slow-down and take their time. More often than not students make little mistakes, whether it by that they don't read the directions or that they don't read the question completely. These are little mistakes that can be avoided if we slow down and take our time. Please remember that if your child is not happy with a score they get on their assignment, they can correct their mistakes and I will take the higher score. I can do this on anything except for tests. Sometimes correcting our mistakes can make the greatest learning opportunities :)

Thanks A Million

2009-07-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

I know that the school year has come to an end but I am thinking that maybe you might just check the blog just because. I wanted to do one last blog before the end of the year but I was in denial and didn't do it. Lame excuse I know. I just wanted to Thank all of you for making this school year such a great success. Each and every one of you will have a special place in my heart. This is just one of those years that was life changing. I am a different person because of my students and who you are. You are going places that is for sure! I also wanted to Thank you all for your gifts and for the surprise end of the year party. It was so sweet! I will miss all of you greatly but I know that you guys will be the best sixth graders. Have a fun and safe summer! I love you guys and I will see you next year.

Kickball Fun

2009-05-22T15:10:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say thank-you to all of the parents that came and participated in our kickball game! It was so fun to have you and the kids loved it! You all were so much fun. You helped in serving the students some humble pie ;) Thank-you for taking time out of your day to go back to fifth grade and play! We loved it :)

Bitter-sweet

2009-04-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, we all need a break and I do enjoy my off-track time but it just seems kind of bitter-sweet. There are so many things I am able to accomplish when I am not at school. There are sights to see and places to go. But I have to say that my students are greatly missed. I think about them all of the time and wonder what fun adventures they are having. Call me crazy but I love my students! I am thinking that this off-track time is a little sad, just because this is our last break before the end of the year. This year has flown by and I am now trying to figure out a way to stop time. If you have any good ideas please let me know. Until then, I hope you enjoy your break;)

Special Delivery

2009-04-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

Today was a fantastic Friday. We were busy as usual, but we were able to have spirit day. I loved that so many of the students dressed up to show what they wanted to be when they grow-up. The options are endless:)

Today I put with your child's homework a hand-out that shows what your child has passed-off for the Distinguished Cub Award as well as multiplication and division fact practices. As small as it seems, your child will have greater success in many, many areas of math if they can get those math facts down. So keep practicing. We will see you Monday!!!

Poetry Theatre

2009-03-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

March 11th is going to be our Poetry Performances. Each student will be performing their poem. Don't forget that this is a 50 point project. 25 points Is for having your poem memorized and ready to go on March 11th. 15 Points is for saying your poem with personality. Don't forget that you should pause at periods and commas. 10 Points is for having a prop. I think this is going to be great! I have been listening to and watching everyone practice and your are off to a fantastic start :)

Everything I have learned from Dr. Seuss

2009-02-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

Dear Dr. Seuss,

I just wanted to say that I look forward to celebrating your birthday on March 2nd. I have enjoyed all of your books and you are one of my favorite authors. I have learned so much from your books. Here is what I have learned:

*That cats are only cool if they are wearing a hat.

*I learned to count with one fish, two fish

* I also learned my colors from Red fish, Blue Fish

*I am not sure if I like Green Eggs and Ham but if someone ever offered me some I will try it because Sam did and he loved it.

*Anyone's heart can be softened. If the Grinch can anyone can!

* Much like the Sneeches, it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside it matters what is on the inside.

*And my all time favorite, Oh, The Places You Will Go, you can do anything if you set your mind to it.

So thank-you Dr. Seuss for showing that it is cool to Rhyme and for all the lessons you have taught through your books. You make reading fun!

Happy Birthday

Your Biggest Fan,

Ms. Bator

The Top 10 Reasons I Love My Class

2009-01-26T23:01:00.000-08:00

1. I love that everyday is different.

2. I love that everyone is so unique but together we are awesome!

3. I love that everyone puts a smile on my face at some point during the day.

4. I love that we have fun learning.

5. I love that everyone is willing to help each other be successful.

6. I love that I learn a new fun word almost everyday and the students are the ones who teach me.

7. I love that whenever the students see a picture of Michael Phelps they think of me.

8. I love that when I say it is time for math or reading that some students cheer so that they can add a card because they know I love it when they get excited about learning.

9. I love that we have great parents who put forth such a great effort to make sure we have a great year!

10 I love that when we are off-track I think about each student and wonder what they are doing, I love that I miss them when we are off-track.

Have a wonderful off-track time and we will see you soon.

Happy Valentine's Day

Mark Your Calanders

2009-01-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to remind everyone of a couple of special dates.

Jan. 19 is Martin Luther King Day so there is not school. Enjoy your long weekend.
Jan. 27th is early release for D-Track only. I hop you have a wonderful off-track time. Be Safe :)
Valentine's Day is when we are off track. So if you want to send your Valentine something and he or she is in our class please bring it on the 27th.

Candy Gram Time!

2008-12-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

If your child would like to give a gift to a friend why not send them a candy gram? Our student council decided to have a candy gram sale. Candy Grams will be sold for $o.25 during lunch next week. All of the money that is raised will be donated to Primary Children's Hospital so why not let you kids wish their friends Merry Christmas while helping other kids. Here are somethings to remember:

1. We can only give the Candy grams to students that attend our school.

2. Your child needs to know their friends first and last name as well as their teacher's name.

It is so fun to see the students' faces when they receive a Candy Gram. This is a great way to spread that holiday cheer :)

Gratitude

2008-11-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

My heart is always full of gratitude during this holiday season. I feel as though I have so much to be thankful for. Especially my fabulous fifth graders. Each and everyone holds a special place in my heart and I am so grateful for each one of them. They are so unique and bring such joy into our classroom. I do not mean to brag but I think I have the best class in fifth grade. Each child has a desire to learn, something, in one way or another. Each one has experiences to share that some of us have never had. Each one has a personality that brings out the best in others. This is a wonderful class and I am so grateful for them.

After having met so many parents at conferences I realized what a great influence you have been on your child. It is because of you that I have this great class where students are ready and rarin' to learn. So Thank-you to all of you for helping to kindle the desire to learn.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble till you wobble!

Parent Teacher Conferences

2008-11-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for Parent - Teacher Conferences. I love meeting my students' parents or guardians. You play such a huge role in their life. I was so impressed after reading the Who each student's hero was that most of them said their parents. That is so very impressive. I enjoy learning what your hopes for your student this year is and having you play apart in the goals your child will set at conferences, so that they may have a successful year. I look forward to meeting with you. See you next week:)

PS. Your child has a reminder note of the date and time your conference is scheduled for.

A Big Frankenstein Thank You

2008-10-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

I would just like to thank all of our wonderful moms who helped with Colonial Day and Our Halloween Party. You made both activities a great success and there is no way I could have done it myself. Thank you so much!

Enjoy Your Off Track Time!

2008-10-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

I am sure you will all have a great time off track. Many new an exciting adventures await you. I am planning on going to my home state to visit my family . This is going to be a very exciting visit as my sister is planning on having her baby and my brother will be returning from oversea duties soon. (I am hoping while I am home.) I am so excited.

I also plan on taking time to read each day. There is no homework while we are off track but I do encourage you to keep on reading. Your minutes read while off track will earn you tickets for the drawing at the end of the year and get us closer to our goal. Nothing can replace the adventures you will find between the pages of a great book!

Have a Happy Halloween!

Do you know Betsy Ross?

2008-10-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

Betsy Ross, my mom in disguise, was able to come and visit our class. This was such a great activity because the students were able to learn who was given the opportunity to sew our nation's first flag. There were quite a few of the fifth graders that knew who Betsy Ross was right off of the get go. But to my surprise, as I told adults about this activity, many people do not know who Betsy Ross is! I was shocked but I am proud to say that you can ask any of my fifth graders and they will know who she is! Thanks, Mom for coming in.

A Time To Reflect...

2008-09-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

Tis' the season for Reflections. Each year they come out with a theme. This year it is is "WOW" My thoughts are, "Wow! What a great theme!" There is so much that you can do with that. Many of you may be asking, "Wow, what?" but that is exactly what makes this theme so great! You can go anywhere with that.

As part of the Fifth Grade Distinguished Cub Award, students need to turn in a reflection. I am also requiring that students do this project for our class. It is up to you and your child as to whether or not you would like to submit the project, but each child in our class needs to do 1 project for this year's reflection. I say if you are going to do the project you might as well submit it! We will be working on some of it here, at school, but we will also need your assistance at home. Reflections are due on Nov. 3rd and no later to be considered. However, we will be off-track and so we need to have them turned in no later than Oct. 15th. Reflections will be graded. Your child will bring home more information, such as rules and regulations, today.

Thank- you for helping make this a success!

Welcome To Our Fifth Grade Blog!!!

2008-09-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share with you what is happening in our class. This will be a great tool for you, as parents and friends, to see what is happening in our class. I hope to put a new post on our blog weekly. That way you stay up to date. Fifth Graders are a ton of fun and we have the best curriculum. I hope this will let you see what our life is like in the fifth grade! Feel free to make comments and ask questions on here as well. I will do my best to reply. Come join in the fun!