January 25, 2010

Homework – Monday, January 25, 2010

Write each vocabulary word on a note card and write the definition on the back.

1. amazingly                                            6. volunteered

2. celebration                                           7. suspects

3. decorate                                              8. honor

4. detain                                                  9. spectators

5. festive                                                  10. reluctant

January 15, 2010

 January 14, 2010
This is the link for this week's homework.  This work is important because we are working on enhancing our vocabularies in preparation for the FCAT.  DUE FRIDAY 1/15/2010

  lesson 15 vocab.pdf

January 5, 2010

-Welcome back!  I trust that your winter break was relaxing and enjoyable.  Mine was wonderful!  I opted not to travel this time and am so glad that I didn't have to deal with long drives or airports.  I can tell that many of the students stayed up late over the break because we had some nodding on Monday.  I must admit that I am struggling to get up in the mornings and this weather doesn't help a bit!  As previously stated, please make sure your child comes to school with a coat or heavy jacket.  Although some students INSIST that they aren't cold, I don't want any weather induced illnesses to occur on my watch.

****EARLY RELEASE DAY TOMORROW****

-LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...SCIENCE!  On Friday, January 15th, Mad Science of Jakcsonville will bring a wonderful in school field trip to NBE to enhance our science curriculum.  The children will engage in exciting hands-on activities, participate in inquiry-based discussions without having to leave the school.  The cost of the in school field trip is $3.00 per student and is due to us by Tuesday, January 12th.  Please send CASH ONLY in the exact amount; a receipt will be provided.

-We went on a field trip to the Florida Theater to see a musical entitled "Freedom Train."  It was about the life and mission of Harriet Tubman.  I thought that the producation was creative and entertaining.  I peeked at the students and most of them were engaged.  As a teacher I can appreciate when something holds their attention for longer than five minutes.

-This week we are reading "Katie's Trunk" in the reading textbook.  Our focus is cause and effect.  Our spelling words have the suffixes -ment, -ian, -ist, and -ness.  I did spelling a little differently this week.  Instead of choosing a list (regular or challenge), I had the students to replace the words they spelled correctly during the pretest of the regular list with a word from the challenge list.  If they spelled a word incorrectly, they would be responsible for learning the word and mastering its spelling.  We will pick up with Social Studies next week continuing with our exploration of the American Revolution.
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12/10/2009



-Oh, the weather outside is frightful....Parents, I'm not just your child's teacher, I'm also a mommy.  When the temperature dips below 62, I'm hunting for a jacket.  I have told the students that it's against my mommy code to let them outside without a jacket when it is cold.  Some of the children disagreed, and one even replied, "SO!" Despite the opposition, I am sticking by my guns.  Please remind your child to bring a jacket to school on those cooler days.  Thank you.

-The science test has been postponed until Tuesday, December 15th!

-The Social Studies test covering chapter 7 is still tomorrow, December 11th!  Here are some questions to help them out: 

12/10/2009

Study Cheat Sheet –

1) Why did the British Parliament need to tax the colonies?  How did they lose so much money?

2) Why did Parliament create the Townshend Acts?

3) How did the colonist work together to oppose British actions?

4) Why were the colonists upset about the new taxes?

5) Think about the effect of the Proclamation of 1763.  In other words, what happened as a result of the Proclamation of 1763.  How was this part of the cause of the Revolutionary War?

-We will have a holiday party on Wednesday, December 16th,
1:30 -2:30 in room 219! 
Pizza and drinks will be provided for the party.  We are asking each student to bring in one item as a snack for everyone (we have 30 students).  Also, if you would like to make a donation to the pizza or drinks, it would be greatly appreciate. 

**Parents are welcome to attend.  Thank you in advance for your help!!

-Information for the Science Fair including due dates and a guide have been posted on Mr. Summersgill's website.  Please click the link on the right.  If you have any trouble with the website, please email Mr. Summersgill at summersgis@duvalschools.org

-We will be showing the movie Akeelah and the Bee in honor of next week's spelling bee.  The movie is rated PG, so if you'd rather your child didn't see it, please sign the notification that was sent home today.

-The NBE Spelling Bee is Tuesday, December 15th at 9:00 a.m. in the cafeteria.  If you are the parent of a contestant, please come out to show your support!

******The deadline to turn in money for the field trip to see "Freedom Train" on January 5th has been EXTENDED to no later than Friday, December 11th at 9:00 a.m.*********


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12/09/2009
-All money and permission slips for January's field trip to the play "Freedom Train" is due Thursday, December 10th!

-There will be Social Studies and Science test on Friday, December 11th!

-SCIENCE FAIR display boards are on sale for $5.00!!

-We will have a winter holiday celebration on Wednesday, December 15th.  We are accepting monetary donations to help fund the classroom event.  If you would like to assist in other ways, please contact us via email or phone.  We appreciate all of your help!!



Announcements - UPDATED 11/30/09

-Please submit money and permission slips for the field trip no later than Thursday, December 10th-

- American Revolution biography outline is due on Friday, 12/4/09
Please check the "What We're Working On in Reading and Writing" link on the right for website suggestions.  Feel free to email me with any questions-

-Progress Reports will be sent home on Friday 12/4/09.  If you have not received your log in and password for the Parent Portal, please see the Front Office.  Don't forget to bring a picture id.

-We are working on our research reports.  Each student was assigned a historical figure from the colonial time period.  Our first due date is Friday, December 4th.  Students will need to submit their outlines. 

- District Writing Prompt on Wednesday, December 2nd

-Math and Science Benchmark Assessments on Thursday and Friday (December 3rd - 4th)


Welcome to Room 219




Meet your teacher

My name is Arin Johnson, and I am your child's 5th grade ELA teacher.  Mr. Summersgill and I co-teach in the same classroom.  I look forward to an exciting year with all of you!

***Mr. Summersgill also has a page.  Please see the link on the left side of the screen.***

I have taught with Duval County Public Schools for the past five years and am currently pursuing a Masters in Reading Education.  Please feel free to contact me at 714-4601 ext 219 or via email johnsona20@duvalschools.org.