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Newsletters
Fifth Grade News                   November 8, 2007


Welcome!
Our school year is well under way. We’re looking forward to meeting all of you at conferences. You surely have noticed that your child brings home a Friday letter each week. For us this serves as a way to communicate with parents. Due to the short week, we thought it would be helpful for you to have a newsletter from us. From here on out, we will be sending a monthly newsletter.

Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop
In reading the fifth graders are reading books of their choice in book clubs. Our goals are for them to become independent readers who can carry on an in depth discussion about literature. Students are expected to spend at least 30 minutes a night of uninterrupted silent reading. Please help your child find a quiet spot without distractions. In addition, ask them about what they are reading and feel free to ask us for an extra copy of their book if you’d like to join the club. In writing, we are finishing our short stories so they will be ready to share at conferences. We hope you enjoy the creativity and the craft of writing that the students have worked hard to achieve.

Math
We will be sending home the test and checklist for Unit 2 on Monday. Please go over it with your child and sign it so that your child can return it on Tuesday. Thank you!

25 Books - “Reading Volumes”
The entire district will be participating in the 25 Book Program again this year and the students appear to be up to the challenge. We will accept a completed 25 Book Form that is available in class or a short note from an adult stating that the student has completed the book and engaged in a conversation about it. In keeping with the theme of balance, we advise students to mix their methods of reporting throughout the year.

Homework
The District homework policy recommends that fifth grade students do about forty five minutes each night. Some suggestions to help your child include: a fixed time and quiet place to work, conversation about the concepts, real interest in the quality of the work, and consistency. Every student has a planner that should be updated daily. Students are expected to come to class with completed work and be ready to learn. We included the address to our class web site at the end of the letter. The web site has a link to our homework assignments and is updated each day around 4 PM. Their planner will remain the primary tool as students organize and are held accountable for their work. We are very deliberate about the quantity of homework that is assigned each night. The hope is that math and silent reading will remain the primary focus as the year progresses. We also strongly believe that encouraging outdoor exercise to be part of the evening routine is beneficial for all kids.

Fifth Grade Groveland Web site
Please take a minute to look at our web site. In addition to daily homework, you can find a plethora of information on our web site about the Reader’s & Writer’s workshop models, standards, and the fifth grade curriculum.

Thank you for the start of a great year and supporting your child!

Sincerely,
Jeff Sambs and Marta Hanson

groveland.spps.org Click on Fifth Grade and then on Mr. Sambs’ or Mrs. Hanson’s class.

Fifth Grade’s Daily Schedule

8:50-9:15   Morning Work
9:15-9:30   Morning Meeting
9:30-10:30   Reader’s Workshop
10:30-11:20   Writer’s Workshop
11:20-12:10   Specialist
       (Science, Music, or Gym)
12:10-12:30   Read Aloud/Spelling
12:30-1:15   Lunch/Recess
1:15-2:30   Math
2:30-3:20   Content
       (Geography/Government or History)
3:20-3:36   Dismissal Procedures

Reminder: Conferences are on Monday (Nov. 19), Tuesday (Nov. 20), and Wednesday (Nov. 21). We look forward to seeing all of you!

*

Contact Information

Jeff Sambs
jeff.sambs@spps.org
Room# 3102

Marta Hanson
marta.hanson@spps.org
Room# 3104

Groveland Elementary: (651)293-8760

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