New Website!

I will no longer be using MrsGoerend.com for parent communication.  Please start checking: http://blogs.waukee.k12.ia.us/bgoerend/

Early Out Tomorrow, August 31

Remember that tomorrow, August 31, is a 1:40 dismissal for students. 

Newsletter

We've had a great first week and a half in room 406!  We are starting to really get into curriculum after talking a lot about PBIS expectations.

We are starting a unit in Science on variables.  Be ready to talk with your students about the experiments they are conducting and how variables affect the outcomes.

In Social Studies we are thinking about what we know about Native Americans.  The students will start identifying areas of the Native American culture that they are interested in, develop essential questions for study, and research resulting in a ending project of their choice.  Tonight your child should bring home a lunch and volunteer form from for our upcoming field trip to Kuehn Conservation. I have a misprint on the form.  The field trip is on Thursday, October 6th, NOT the 8th.

I hope you've seen a Study Link come home in Math to learn that we are currently studying factors.  In Reading we are laying a foundation for the independent work the students will do in our Reader's Workshop.  Discussing the expectations and building reading stamina are important for success later in the year. 

I will keep you updated as my website will change in the next few months to a location and format more consistent with the new Waukee CSD Website.

Lastly, if you are interested in ordering a homecoming t-shirt, they are $10.  The design and order form can be found here.

Girl Talk Program

The ISU Extention Office is offering a Girl Talk program for 5th and 6th grade girls and their parent/caregiver.  If you would like more information about this program, check out their website.

Another FABULOUS Day!

Today we had another FABULOUS day!  We worked on building our reading stamina.  We are up to 15 minutes of uninterrupted reading time where all students are on task.

Tomorrow you will have the opportunity to decorate your Writer's Notebook.  Don't forget to bring any decorations you would like!

Curriculum Night

For those of you who couldn't make it to curriculum night, or for those of you that were here that would like to refer back to the presentation, here it is!

It's Friday!

What a great week!  Today the students wrote some, read some, listened a lot, and got to know each other some more.  Many of the students made it a goal to make new friends this year, so we also talked about what you can do to make friends! 

I know I have this over in the important dates, but remember that Curriculum Night is this coming Tuesday, August 23.  Fifth grade's time is 7:30-8pm.  The presentation for our class will be in our classroom!  I hope to see you all then!

Also, if your child was here at the end of the day, I sent home a note about party donations and volunteers.  Please return this to me by September 9.  Your parent homework yellow sheet is due this Monday.  I've loved reading the ones you have turned in so far and will get back to you to answer questions (if you had them) soon. 

Have a restful weekend!  Next week we will jump into all of the subjects!

Day #2

We had another great day today.  All students have shared their items about themselves.  I hope you are seeing that we have a class that has a great deal to offer with our varieties of interests and talents.  I hope that you understand how much you can learn from each other and how much you can learn and accomplish together.  This is going to be a fabulous year!

Food Information

I forgot to write about this yesterday.

We discussed snack yesterday.  The main points of our discussion were:

1. No chips, cookies, or candy.
2. Bring a portion only for that day.
3. If you have extra snack left, please seal it up in a baggie and take it home.  We don't want food left in lockers over night.

Also, our student with a peanut allergy CAN have cakes/cupcakes from the grocery store that may contain traces of nuts, so these items will be allowed for party and birthday treats.

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Great First Day!

We had a WONDERFUL first day of school today.  We spent some time getting to know one another, talked about some expectations in various areas of the school, labeled supplies, and read.  I know there are many great days to come in fifth grade! 

Parents, your student is bringing home a short "homework" piece for you.  I know you gave some short information about him or her on the note card at open house, but this is your opportunity to tell me more and ask any questions that you have.  I would like it returned by Monday.

Students, don't forget to bring a washcloth or old sock for a whiteboard eraser.  Also, if you didn't bring in some items to tell us about you, please bring them tomorrow.  We will continue to share them as the days go by.

Tomorrow is a band day.  Please do not bring your instrument.  If you would like to join band, you may go tomorrow as well. 

Thank you for a GREAT day!  I am looking forward to this year!

Welcome!

Welcome to new parents and students for this 2011-2012 school year!  This is a place where I will post important classroom information.  If you would like to have the updates to this page emailed to you, enter your email address in the box on the left side of the page. 

We are going to have a wonderful year!