Mr. P's Note Home!

Volume 7  Issue 35                                                           May 11, 2010

 

The Worst Can Often Bring About the BestÉ

And with our class it has.  It is incredible the amount of help that has already been given to our two families that have been affected by the flooding on May 1-2.  There is much more to do at a later date.  Please donÕt forget to go to the link on our class webpage to see whatÕs needed and sign up to help in the near future!  Our parents and students rock!

 

May Calendar HighlightsÉ

ENCORE Trip – May 13

Learning About Stars Weeks – May 17

John Seigenthaler – May 17

EWTA ÒWaffle HouseÓ for Mr. PÕs class – May 18

Star party at Vanderbilt – May 21 (tentative)

Field Day – May 24

Awards Day – May 26

Yearbook Signing – May 26

Last Day of School – May 27

 

 

Evening with the Arts RescheduledÉ

The Meigs annual Evening with the Arts scheduled for Friday, May 7 has been tentatively re-scheduled for May 18.  Our class is planning a poetry Òwaffle houseÓ complete with waffles and fun.  Although the official Òcoffee housesÓ have been removed from the modified EWTA schedule, our class still plans to present the poetry that weÕve spent time developing in our Òwaffle house.Ó  Watch for more details very soon on the class web.

 

Learning About the Stars WeekÉ

Dr. Taylor, from BettyÕs Brain, and Mrs. Ericka will be with us the week of May 17 for LERNING ABOUT THE STARS week!  It will culminate with a cool visit to the portable planetarium the last week of school!  We will also have a field trip (at night) to the Vanderbilt astronomy class star watching facility to have a star party, which is what viewing the night sky is called.  This field trip is tentatively planned for Friday night, May 21.  Our optional weather date is Tuesday, May 25.  A letter will go home this week.

 

 

John Seigenthaler Visiting May 17É

Our visit from John Seigenthaler has been re-scheduled for next Monday.  Students have been doing some individaul research and will visit the library in the morning for a research lessonwith Mr. P and Mrs. Parks.  Students may begin to submit questions via our learning blog by visiting the John Seigenthaler link on the class website.  The entire fifth grade will be participating in this event.  Watch for the hallway display at the end of the week.

 

Mr. PÕs Student of the WeekÉ

¥May 10-14, 2010        

                              Dallas Knight

Be sure to read about Dallas on the electronic ÒStudent of WeekÓ board in Mr. ParsonsÕ room and on the web in the password protected area soon.  

Next weekÕs student of the week. . .    Mrs. Purcell-Orleck

 

Items to Bring. . .

Ÿ  Red Tuesday Folder Signature ChartÉ

Ÿ  CORRECTED WORKÉ

 

Dates to RememberÉ

05.17.10        READING LOG dueÉ

05.17.10        PERSONAL JOURNAL #176-180 dueÉ

05.17.10        John Seigenthaler visitÉ

05.17.10        LEARNING ABOUT STARS weekÉ

05.18.10        EWTAÉ

05.21.10        STAR PARTY at Vanderbilt astronomy deckÉ

05.24.10        Fifth Grade Field DayÉ

05.26.10        Fifth/Sixth Grade Awards DayÉ

05.26.10        Yearbook SigningÉ

 

 

25pts: Secret Word = ¥see the websiteÉ

 

 

 

 

For Additional News Items & Info Check:

http://www.flyparsons.org/notehome.html

 

On The WEBSITE ONLY:

 

 

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRAÉ

It pays to check the website, tooÉ

 

This WeekÕs SECRET WORD (May 11):

25pts: Note Home Secret Word = ÒHalf-MastÓ

 

Mr. PÕs SECRET INFORMATION LEAK:

www.flyparsons.org/everybodysomebody.html

 

TEAM SHIRTSÉ

As always, please watch the website to know which days our class will wear our class shirts in the future!  The next date to wear class t-shirts is Wednesday, April 28, and maroon class shirts is Friday, April 30.

 

[GRADESPEED]: Check it OutÉ

UPDATE!  Gradespeed.com will update again later this week  The updates will reflect the past week.  Late work has been recorded as of April 30.  Notice any missing assignments.  Please submit them each week with the Tuesday Folder Sheet.

 

A Special CouponÉ

Print and clip this coupon below for a special REWARD. To get the reward, please obtain a parentÕs signature that states your parent has checked gradespeed.com.

 

COUPON


StudentÕs Name    ______________________________________________________________

ParentÕs Signature ______________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________  Secret Word: _______________________________________

 

 

Classroom RemindersÉ

1). Click on the button labeled ÒGRADE 5Ó for links to our on-line textbooks!

2). Poetry Portfolios due May 13-14.

3). The Social Studies winners and pictures coming soon.  More info at http://www.flyparsons.org.ssfair.html

4). We are still in need of batteries.  We need AA batteries, but especially need AAA bateries.  We are also needing tissue.

5). Our class will be studying World War II and the Civil Rights Movement.  Check it out at http://www.flyparsons.orf/WW2.html    

6). Link to thte blog at http://www.flyparsons.com/blog

7). Check the HOMEWORK webpage nightly!

8). Bring running shoes and water to drink on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Move and Groove in the gym!

9). SOUNDS READING baseball game: Saturday, May 15.

 

More About Which to Mark Your CalendarÉ

ENCORE Trip – May 13

Learning About Stars Weeks – May 17

John Seigenthaler – May 17

EWTA ÒWaffle HouseÓ for Mr. PÕs class – May 18

Star party at Vanderbilt – May 21 (tentative)

Awards Day – May 26

Yearbook Signing – May 26

Last Day of School – May 27

 

Tissues & Batteries NeededÉ

Our clickers and TI-Nspire calculators are in need of power.  AA batteries are needed for the clickers and AAA batteries are needed for the calculators.  If you are able to donate, please send those to school at your earliest convenience.    

 

Number the StarsÉ

We will be reading the Newberry book, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.  The 1989 book published by Laurel Leaf, a division of Random House costs around $8.00.  Students are encouraged to purchase their own copy of the book to keep and make notes in while we study it.  We will begin reading/studying the book in conjunction with our study of World War II.  Copies can be obtained at any bookstore of on-line at places such as www.amazon.com. 

 

https://gradespeed.mnps.orgÉ

Grades are on-line at gradespeed.mnps.org.  Parents and students have a password to check each subject in order to view grades.   This should be done each Tuesday.

 

TwitterÉ

Parents have another way of staying connected to our class.  Log on to www.twitter.com on your computer or cell phone and follow our class.  Mr. P posts daily updates about whatÕs happening at www.twitter.com/meigsmagnet.  It is not necessary to sign up a twitter account to view our class tweets.

 

Personal JournalsÉ

Monday, May 17 is the next date for personal journals to be checked.  Entries #176-180 will be checked.  All entries are to be at least one paragraph in length and hand written in the personal journal composition notebook.  Typed or lose papers will not be accepted.  There will be no late journal grades this time.  If it is not turned in on Monday, and completed, a zero will be assigned.  Please be diligent in staying caught up!

 

RRR/DemeritsÉ

Students, please be reminded about the three Rs!  You must be respectful, responsible, and resourceful.  The administration has reminded you on announcements about the dress code, tardies, and  Mr. P is reminding you about listening in class and doing your work.  Several students have received demerits lately as a consequence for continually breaking these rules in class.  You must try your very best to be organized and responsible.  We are approaching the end of fifth grade and your adjustment to middle school should include being on time with all of your work as well as giving 100% during class and with those heretofore mentioned assignments.  Thanks!  -- Mr. P

 

HomeworkÉ

Many thanks go to all of the students who are faithful in turning assignments in on time regularly.  We do, still, have a few students who are continuing to be neglectful in getting assignments in at the appointed time.  Students, please be reminded that failing to turn assignments in on time is going to affect your report card grade.  Please make a new commitment to keep up to date on homework and make your parents, teacher and yourself proud!

 

Quizlet.comÉ

Thanks for the awesome website Mrs. Knight.  Parents and students may use this website to create practice quizzes to study for any tests or review concepts.   Mrs. Knight makes spelling test Quizlet links each week and offered to share her link each week.  That link will be posted each week on our website.  Please take advantage of this service.  It is very helpful.

 

TuesdaysÉ

Students receive graded papers in the Red Tuesday Folder every Tuesday. All papers do go home on Tuesdays.  If for any reason they do not arrive, let Mr. P know.  Students may correct any and all assignments and assessments for some of the credit (points) back. Those corrections are to be stapled to the Tuesday Folder Signature Sheet.  Mr. P then re-grades the corrections and put the points earned in a category on Gradespeed labeled extra credit.  The original grade does remain, while the points earned by making corrections are cumulated in that extra credit category.  As mentioned, student grades are on-line at https://gradespeed.mnps.org.  Parents and students have a password to check each subject in order to view grades.   This should be done each Tuesday and recorded on the Tuesday Folder Signature Sheet.

 

HOMEWORK WORDS = Special RewardsÉ

Kids, be sure to check the ÒHWÓ webpage for the HOMEWORK WORD each day.  Each week a special reward will await those who follow through! By the way there are also chances for secret words on Twitter and the Tuesday Note Home from time to time!  Please look and donÕt forget!

 

 

Mr. PÕs ProceduresÉ

Students, the following are reminders of specific classroom procedures:

o   Push your chair in when you leave your desk.

o   Have your agenda signed daily.

o   Locker breaks are 7:45AM, and 2:45PM.  Students should remember to take all materials from the locker at that time.  Keep all materials in your locker until needed. 

o   7:45AM morning work is posted on the television each morning as you arrive in the classroom.  This is due at 8:15AM along with your daily tech task and all homework.  Students, be sure to be prepared everyday and be on time with all of your assignments. 

 

NotesÉ

¯  Hey kids, remember to send your Tech Task (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday) via e-mail.  Please send it to Mr. P [james.parsons@mnps.org]. Your tech task should be saved on your computer as a MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD DOCUMENT with your name and date in the title.  Attach the document to an e-mail to send it to Mr. P.  DonÕt forget to include your name and the date in the title of the e-mail.  Doing this will save paper!

 

 

 

Bye ByeÉ