The Start to Another Fabulous Year!

Welcome to the Leapin' Lizards! I can't believe that the 08-09 school year is just around the corner! I am so excited to meet all of you at our Fifth Grade Orientation at the end of August. Reeths-Puffer Intermediate is a exciting building in which to teach and learn. We have planned a year packed with fun experiences and lasting memories!

This blog is where I will attempt to chronicle what we are doing in class and post reminders about upcoming events. Please visit often as I plan to update a couple of times a week. I also have a brief webpage on the Reeths-Puffer district website: http://www.reeths-puffer.org/profiles/Pamela___Renner_Profile/

I look forward to meeting each of you as the school year starts! This will be the best year ever!

Time Is My Nemesis (Ooooh Sparkle!)

Okay, so time is not always my friend. I have been ultra busy and apologize for neglecting my blog. School has been crazy with recent visits to the county jail, courthouse and 911 dispatch. We saw our judicial system in action! It was very interesting to actually see the criminal process and see how what we are studying is actually implemented.

Today, we migrated to the high school to watch the dress rehearsal of Cinderella. Wow, was that jam-packed with figurative language! My kids who are obsessed with vocabulary were have a hay day! We'll just have schedule some more appointments with their vocabulary therapists!

As a matter of fact, we will be diving into the Unit 5 words starting on Friday. Look out! You never know where they might be hiding in the real world.

In Social Studies, as we continue to learn about the 13 British colonies, we will begin to thread in information about federal, state and local governments. Please take time to talk to your kids about these different levels and how they affect our everyday lives.

Remember Friday of next week is no school (for kids, not adults!). It is also the end of the third marking period. Oh my! Only one more marking period to go and so much to cover! Yikes!

Jobs in the Real World

Students brought home a career survey today. They are to interview an adult that is employed full time. Most were talking about interviewing their parents. Please take this opportunity to talk to your kids about the realities of the working world. Later this week, I will be showing students the ugly world of the adult finances. Why is it important to have a job with health insurance? How much money do you really take home after taxes? And what bills are reality when it comes to juggling your money? I think this will be an eye-opening experience for them. It shall be interesting!

Remember that conferences are Wednesday and Thursday. Further, Thursday and Friday are half days (for students, not us!) I look forward to seeing all of you this week.

Pocohontas: Real or Fiction?

For the past few classes we have been studying the details of Jamestown, the first English permanent colony. We've learned about several key players that took part in the Jamestown story: John Smith, King James, John Rolfe, Powhatan and Pocohontas. Yes, Pocohontas is a real person from history. Many students were able to relate to the Disney movie dedicated to her. Unfortunately, they often perceive movies as historicial truth. Hopefully, students have been able to create a new (more accurate) understanding of this period in time. Students will receive a practice test this week. Please ask your child about the practice test and take time to review the information. There will be a test the following week.

Wednesday and Thursday are Parent/Teacher Conferences. Specific times have been sent home with each student. Please return the slip confirming your attendance at your child's scheduled time. We look forward to meeting with you! See you this week.

Will We Ever Have a Normal Week?

Normal? What's that? It seems that we have been off schedule for the last couple of weeks with all the snow days and camp. And as we look ahead, we have mid-winter break and conferences to prevent us from having a full week until March. Whether that's good or bad, it's the way the scheduling cookie is going to crumble.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the parents that volunteered their time to brave the cold at Camp Pendalouan. It was frigid and snowy, but the kids had a great time! We had one of the best camp staffs yet. They were very energetic and knowlegeable.

Congratulations to all the students that made the first and second marking period honor rolls. It was exciting to see how many families were able to attend last Tuesday's assembly. Keep up the hard work and you'll continue to earn honor roll privileges!

Conference forms went home last week with students. Please fill out times that work for your family and return to your child's language arts teacher. Look for a confirmation letter with your scheduled conference time to come home in the next week.

Camp Pendalouan Here We Come!

Well, it's finally here ... the highly anticipated overnight fifth grade camp experience. We have a jam-packed schedule that involves mostly outdoor activities. For example, students will be a part of orienteering, bird watching, ice rescue, survival skills and cross country skiing. We can promise you that when your kids come home, they will be tired and worn out. You're welcome, in advance! We are going to have a blast!

An important note went home today with last minute reminders. Please be sure that students have extra clothes, outdoor gear and overnight supplies. They will also need a sack lunch for Thursday. I cannot stress enough how important it is that the kids come prepared. Ready or not, here we come!

Second Semester Spectacular

Congratulations! We've made it half way through our fifth grade journey. Before we know it, June will be here and I will be begrudgingly crying my ugly cry.

But for know, we are very busy in Social Studies understanding the social impact of two historical leaders: Wilberforce and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is amazing how many similarities these two seemingly different men actually have. Today, students organized their ideas about how these two compare. Tomorrow we will be writing compositions with their ideas and supporting every idea with at least two details. Soon, we will be moving into the colonial period of our nation's history. It is my hope to integrate economic concepts with our knowlege of historical content.

As usual, in Language Arts, we never seem to have enough time. We recently finished our New Year's Resolution essays and our TEAM letters. We will be going to the library tomorrow. We are always working on integrating writing, reading, conventions and strategies that make a difference.

Remember camp is at the end of next week. Be sure to pack warm clothing and extra layers. My philosophy is that you can never have enough.