Mr. C's Blog

Hi Parents,

Please check the assignment notebooks. I feel it is a big waste if a student completes an assignment, but forgets to bring it school the next day. Only half credit can be issued.

Also, all tests have to be signed (high or low). Students are instructed to write " get test signed" in their assignment books. A demerit must be issued if a test is not signed. I regret when this has to be done. It can be very stressful for some students.

Last week in Math, we began the chapter on graphs. Beside learning how to read graphs for understanding, the students were quick to learn how to predict trends beyond the range of a graph.

This week we will cover statistics and how to organize data. The organized data will then be analyzed. Related word problems will also be worked on. See student assignment notebook to follow where we are in the text and what the homework assignments are.

In Social Studies, the students will learn latitude and longitude. The students will be making their own "location" device to tell where they are in the world without the use of an electronic GPS.

The remainder of the week will focus on the study of the Spanish exploration of America. Again, textbook pages and assignments can be followed by examining the student assignment book.

Hi Parents,

Well, this is the last week of the first Tri-mester. It really flew by. Report cards will be distributed on Friday, November 20. Parent - Teacher conferences begin the week of November 23.

The fifth graders are so nice to work with. They listen, are very respectful (thanks to your great upbringing, parents), and work hard.

This week, in Math, we begin Chapter 5, Multiplication of Whole Numbers and Decimals (page 118). Please refer to and continue to monitor the Math notebook and assignment book. Mrs. Reimer has done a great job teaching handwriting. The fifth graders' handwriting is very clear for the most part.

In Social Studies, we continue to study Spanish exploration in the Americas. ( Lesson 3, page 66). An interesting subject matter will be the study of the ancient Aztec and Incan Empires. I'm sure you remember the exploits of Ponce de Leon, Hernando Desoto, and Balboa ( not Rocky).

On Wednesday, November 11, each fifth grade student will be given a special patriotic-themed sheet of paper on which they will write a thank-you letter to a veteran. We owe them so much.

Hi Parents,

Sorry, I did not have a blog last week. Everything continues too run smooth and steadily progressing through. Report cards were outstanding. The students are working hard.

This week is extremely short. On Monday we will have Accelerated Math, and Tuesday we will have Social Studies. Both days end at 11:30 AM.

I just received confirmation that the trip to Springfield will be on Thursday, May 20, 2010. I think the fifth graders can come late to school the following day (Friday), which happens to be Fisher Feat.

After Thanksgiving week I will send home all necessary forms for signatures and an approximation of the cost. All the fifth grade teachers will need chaperones.

This trip will be the first under my direction. If you have fun you can thank me. If you do not like the trip, you can blame Mrs. Hughes and Miss Avram.

The teachers and I will do some brainstorming on how to lower the per pupil cost. The past years the busses used were plush and comfortable. I suggested to Sr. Jean about using school buses. For bathrooms, each could pull two porta-potties on a trailer. Students who needed to use the facilities would go out the rear door and walk a plank to the porta-potties. Sr. Jean nixed that idea because she said what if it is raining.

I still have time to think of something. If any parent has an idea, please let me know. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving, and I thank you for doing such a great job raising your children.

Sincerely,
Mr. Ciezadlo

P.S. No turkeys were harmed in producing this blog.