Karl’s Korner

Almost there . . . . can see the light at the end of the tunnel . . .”what a long, strange trip it’s been” (Greatful Dead, “Truckin’”) . . .some of the thoughts that run through our minds at this time of year.  As I look back on this school year, I am amazed and delighted at how my students, your children, have grown.  They have grown taller, they look older than when they did in September and they have grown academically and emotionally.

I remember them on those first few days of school, a little nervous and a lot confused: changing classes, different notebooks, so much responsibility (and that darn blue basket!) and a teacher who always made them find the answers themselves.  I know they have worked very hard; for some, harder than they have ever worked before.  As time went on, I watched them get used to the routine and adapt to their daily routines. I watched them get used to accepting responsibility for their own actions and their own schoolwork.  I watched them get frustrated when I wouldn’t give them an answer that they could (and should) find themselves; I watched some of them learn to accept the fact that math would not always be easy and learn how to correct their mistakes; I watched them grow up.

There is a huge difference between 4th grade and 6th grade; 5th grade is that bridge from childhood to adolescence; from elementary school to middle school and beyond.  I will be the first to admit that 5th grade is tough, really tough as I have tried to introduce the children to what will be expected of them in September.

As a parent of two daughters ages 22 and 20, I know how fast time flies.  One minute they are babies and you turn around and they are (well, almost) teenagers.  Fifth grade is a time of transition from little kids to a glimpse of the person they will turn out to be.  The changes that are coming are amazing (and fast!); I am glad to have been a part of their lives.  I hope as you and your children look back on 5th grade, it will be with fond memories (time is a great healer!), I know I will.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you, the parents, for your continued support this year. I look forward to seeing all of you on June 22nd at the “clap-out” when your children will bid Brooklake a fond farewell.

 I wish all of you a wonderful, lazy summer and the best of luck in middle school and beyond.

• Math:

  • no homework
  • textbook to be collected Thursday, June 11th
    • any textbook fines to be paid by Monday, June 15th

• Science:

  • all worksheets and lab reports due Monday, June 8th
  • Independent Study in Plants project binder due Wednesday, June 10th
  • textbook to be collected Thursday, June 11th
    • any textbook fines to be paid by Monday, June 15th

• Social Studies:

  • test on states, capitals, abbreviations and location on map on Thursday, June 11th
  • textbook to be collected Thursday, June 11th
  • any textbook fines to be paid by Monday, June 15th

Homework for the week of June 1^st:

Math:

·      No homework, but there will be the end-of-year/6^th grade test on Thursday.  This test will not impact the 4^th marking period grade

·      Sign and correct quizzes from 5/21 and 5/26 if you have not done so already

Science:

·      Plant worksheets and lab report are to be handed in as they are completed

·      Independent study project binder containing graded papers due June 10^th

·      http://web.fpks.org/groups/5bkkarl/wiki/6a592/Independent_Study__Plants.html  (link to project instructions on wiki; student will have to log in)

Social Studies:

·      States, capitals and abbreviations test June 11^th

o  Students need to know where states are located on a map; use the map on page 29 of the social studies text

Math:

1.no more OEQs
2.last math quiz May 26th (using the word problems written by the students)

Science:

* Independent Study in plants
worksheets must be handed in as they are completed, but no later than June 8th
binder check June 10th
formal lab report due no later than June 8th

Social Studies:

1.state report (on the wiki) due June 1st
2.states, capitals and abbreviations test June 11th
be able to locate the states on a blank map of the United States

• Math:
  • 4 word problems (on wiki) due May 20th
  • math quiz May 21st
  • no more OEQs
  • last math quiz May 26th (using the word problems written by the students)
• Science:
  • Independent Study in plants
    • worksheets must be handed in as they are completed, but no later than June 8th
    • binder check June 10th
    • formal lab report due no later than June 8th
• Social Studies:
  • Mystery Class:
    • mystery class wiki report due May 22nd
    • mystery class journal binder check due May 22nd
  • state report (on the wiki) due June 1st
  • states, capitals and abbreviations test June 11th
    • be able to locate the states on a blank map of the United States
    • download a list of states, capitals and abbreviations here

• Math:
  • 4 word problems with answers (on the wiki) due May 20th
  • NJASK practice scoresheet due at the end of the day tomorrow May 8th
• Science:
  • Independent Study in Plants
    • project binder check due June 10
    • hand in worksheets as you complete them
    • design your experiment be ready to discuss with me and plant your seeds
• Social Studies:
  • Mystery Class journal binder check due May 22nd
  • Mystery Class wiki project due May 22nd
  • state report (on the wiki) due June 1st
  • states, capitals and abbreviations test on June 11th

Math test grades are available by going online to https://student.learnia.net and logging in using your computer class login.  When you get to your assignment page, click on the “Math Quiz 5/1/2009 (Karl)” then click on “select”.  Your test will open up with your percent grade at the top.  You can view all of your answers and the correct answers.  If you are not happy with your grade, I will have an alternate assignment for you to complete.  I will use the higher of the two grades. (If you need it, the site code is LN02-0633)

• Math:
  • quiz tomorrow; make 3 x 5 cheat sheet
  • review study guide and chapters 14 and 15 in text
  • 4 word problems with answers (on wiki) due May 20th
• Science:
  • Independent Study: Plants
    • hand in worksheets as you complete them
    • be ready to discuss and plan your experiment next week
    • binder due June 10th with all completed and graded worksheets and lab report
• Social Studies:
  • Mystery Class journal binder check due May 22nd
  • Mystery Class wiki project due May 22nd
  • state report (on wiki) due June 1st
  • states, capitals and abbreviations test June 11th

• Math:
  • 4 word problems with answers on wiki
  • quiz on Friday - make a 3 x5 cheat sheet
• Science:
  • Plants worksheets due as you complete them
  • be ready to discuss the plans for your experiment next week
  • plants binder due June 10th
• Social Studies:
  • mystery class journal due May 22nd
  • mystery class project due May 22nd
  • state report due June 1st
  • states & capitals & abbreviations test June 11th