Wow, February is almost over! We are very busy here in the classroom, therefore it is extremely important for students to keep up at home. Students should be reading their historical fiction books NIGHTLY. Students will be receiving an updated reading schedule tomorrow in class. This schedule will permit them valuable class time to create their scrapbook here at school. If students are not done with their book by March 12th, they will have to complete this project at home. Scrapbooks are due by March 16th. If you are wondering about this project, students have had the direction sheet for about 1 month now and the scrapbook has been addressed in previous blogs.

Reminder - poetry books are due next February 28th. Students have had the chance to write poems as we learn the various types of poems each day. Honoring our Heroes is due February 24th.

Social Studies - students will have an assessment on World War II this Wednesday. We have been reviewing daily in class and will have a final review tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 21st. Use this link for further review: http://www.superteachertools.com/jeopardy/usergames/Feb201207/game1329440713.php

Thanks to all parents that sent in a reply to our persuasive letters. We thoroughly enjoyed your letter.

Please refer to Mrs. Longyear's and Mrs. Hazlett's blogs for science and math information.

Dear Parents,

Thank you to all parents that have written a response to our persuasive letters. We are thoroughly enjoying your replies.

Students should be actively working on their poetry book. Each poetry form is being introduced, discussed and practiced in class. As long as students are using their class time wisely, their poems will be written in class. Please encourage them to use this time to work on their poems. By doing so, they have teacher support, if needed. At home, the students should be working on illustrations for their poems, the table of contents and the glossary. As you are aware since everyone signed the poetry packet, this project is due February 28.

Students have been assigned a World War II book to read. Independent class time for reading is limited, so they should be making time to read at home as well. They have a schedule to follow to ensure they will get the book done in time. Students will be making a scrapbook to demonstrate what they have learned from their chosen book. The scrapbook should be constructed at home. (yes, you can help w/ the design if you like). The written work will be completed in class. I will link the schedule and directions for the scrapbook to the blog when I return to school tomorrow.

Valentines Day - if your child would like to bring in Valentines, please make sure he/she has enough for every student. We are also encouraging students to bring in an extra Valentine for the "Valentines for Veterans" program. Please do NOT have the students write any classmate's names on the outside of the envelope. (a classlist will not be provided) It is much easier to distribute if they can simply pass out 1 valentine to each person, and they do not have to search out 30 students. I appreciate your help with this.

Stock Market Game has officially begun. Some groups have purchased a stock. Class time will be given this Wednesday to buy stocks. If you have ideas or knowledge about the market, please discuss this with your child. Along with the Stock Market game, comes a wonderful writing opportunity. Any interested student can enter the "InvestWrite" competition presented by the SMG. I will be discussing this in class, and the link is attached for your use. The deadline for the entries to SMG is April 6. These entries must be judged by me prior to submitting them to SMG. Since our spring break falls on this date, I would like all entries to me by March 27th. The writing topic is GREAT this year and the awards are even better! Please check out the link. http://www.investwrite.info/

As we work on our poetry unit, we are also learning figurative language. It is important that students can distinguish between the types of figurative language. We took a preliminary quiz - results were not too good for over 80% of the students. Encourage them to study these terms at home, as well as at school. They will be expected to recognize figurative language within a passage in the CRCT. These include: alliteration, idiom, hyperbole, metaphor, simile, personification and onomatopoeia. They have notes to refer to for study.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to all parents and students. Garrison Mill has once again received the Platinum Award. We could not do it without your support.

February will fly by. Have a great month.

Dear Parents,

It seems unusually early to be addressing this topic, as this usually doesn't happen until after spring break, but we are asking for support, encouragement, and the occasional "kick in the tush" regarding efforts in class. We are now in the "down and dirty" stages of 5th grade. Focus on CRCT and meeting standards is at the center of each classroom. We can not have students slacking off at this point. Please remind your students that they come to school to learn. It is vital that they pay attention in class, continue to put forward their BEST effort, use the strategies we have discussed on assessments and listen (oh, did I say that one already). Silent and listen have the same letters for a reason!

On another note:

There will be a parent workshop sponsored by the GM Counseling Department and PTA on Friday, February 3 at 9:30 AM in the GM PTA Room. The topic will be "Tween Talk"- Dealing with minds, bodies, emotions, independence and discipline. The speaker will be Jennifer Vann.

Students have begun their poetry unit in class. As you know, they will begin their poetry project, which is due February 28th. If class time is used constructively, poetry will be written and completed in class. The final presentation of the project though, will be completed at home. Students should not delay. The table of contents and the glossary, are lengthy and can be started as recently as yesterday :) I expect the final product to be something you can be proud of and will want to keep for years to come.

For those of you that have responded to your child's persuasive letter - thank you so much. We have thoroughly enjoyed sharing those responses and seeing who has been successful with their persuasive techniques. You, in return, have written wonderful counterarguments! Thank You!

This week, students will be choosing a World War II historical fiction book. I have a wide variety of books to choose from, but I am limited in some copies. I would like to know in advance if your child has a Kindle or some other e-reader that would permit him/her to have a copy of the book at home. (this is, of course, if you are willing to purchase the digital copy for them). If this is the case, please email me a.s.a.p. before I make the final selection for your child.

In addition, I have had some students interested in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. Unfortunately, I only have 1 personal copy of this book. If your child would like to read this book, and you can secure a copy, whether through purchase or the library, I will allow those students that meet the reading level of the book to read it. I would like a letter showing parental permission for this book though since it is quite intense.

I appreciate your help and support with this historical fiction unit.

Dear Parents,

I just wanted to let you know that, as a gala auction item, I am offering a "Movie and Pizza."

This will be for the auction winner plus 3 guests. Approximately 2 hours of fun in the classroom after school.  Date and Time to be worked out between teacher and parents.

The Gala Auction will be held February 4, 2012 at Olde Towne Athletic Club from 7 to 11 PM. Tickets are on sale at http://gmefoundation.org - $35 and $45 at the door or you can Download 2012GALATicketformto purchase tickets in advance. Visit the website for a sample of items to bid on. All proceeds go back to GMEF.

The proceeds will be used to improve our school by providing funding for programs such as technology, educational curriculum and facility improvements. The GMEF will accumulate and distribute resources beyond those provided by Cobb County or the PTA, in order to further enhance, foster and enrich the educational experiences of all students at Garrison Mill.

Thank you for your support!

Dear Parents,

IMPORTANT REMINDER - Science Fair Project due January 18th. Students should be actively working on this.

HIGHLY recommended books - The Hunger Games Trilogy. I couldn't put them down!

REMINDER:  Boys need to bring in the following items in January (as stated in the school supply list): 2 boxes of Kleenex, 2 boxes of Ziploc bags - (1) quart size and (1) gallon size, Paper Towels, Lysol wipes. (we have enough hand sanitizer)

ALL students should have a good supply of pencils for the remainder of the year. 

We will begin discussing the upcoming Stock Market game this week.  Students will participate for 10 weeks in this state and national competition starting the week of January 30th.  If you have invested in the stock market, or have knowledge of investing strategies, please share these with your child. 

Both classes will begin persuasive writing this week.  Students will be making a request through this letter.  They will be writing and delivering this letter next week.  Be on the lookout.  We would appreciate you responding in letter format.  We will share your responses with classmates.  (have fun with these!)

Edmodo is back.  Students will be expected to complete 4 questions about our upcoming chapters in Out of the Dust by Friday.  Most students will have time in class to complete these, but some may need additional time at home.  Please make sure your child has completed this assingment by Friday. 

Remember to check Mrs. Hazlett and Mrs. Longyear's blog for math and science information.

Our quilt has been safely delivered to twins! The family that received our quilt sent their heartfelt thanks and a promise to come visit Garrison Mill. Their twin babies were born early, at 26 weeks and only about 2 pounds each. They have spent the last month in the hospital and truly deserved some good news. Mama cried as she read the student accounts of each quilt square. We wish them all the best and hope to hear good news about them real soon. (I have pictures, but had a hard time attaching them here).

A special thanks for all the wonderful Christmas presents - too many to mention separately here. Here's wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.