I hope you have had a nice holiday season.  The next few weeks will be full of many activities.

Tuesday After School:  Study time after school will resume this week.  I am available until 4:00 to help with math and homework.

Weather:  It is cold and children do go out for recess.  Please make sure your child is appropriately dressed for winter.  A winter coat, hat or hood, gloves, and boots are necessary.  If the children want to play in the snow, they must have snowpants as well.  I would prefer that boots not be worn in the classroom, so children do need to have shoes with them.

Speech:  All of our 5th grade students participate in a speech contest.  The children will be receiving information about the speech and its topic on Monday.  Writing most of the rough draft will take place in school.  Writing the final copy and practicing will take place at home and school.

Reading:  We will be reading Hatchet by Gary Paulson in reading class.  It is a story about survival in the Canadian wilderness.

Science:  Activites will take place this week dealing with river tables for Earth's Changing Surfaces.  Lots of fun with water and dirt!

Social Studies:  We are entering into the Revolutionary War period of time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Connie Campbell

Book reports are due Tuesday, December 23.  It will be an oral presentation about a book of choice.  One of the questions the students need to address is why they chose the book.  We will have an extended snack afterwards with hot chocolate.  One parent has volunteered to bring in muffins.

If you are looking for stocking stuffers, I have some ideas.  Some students are finding they have a short supply of the following items - pencils, pens, colored pencils, a ruler, scissors, a hand held pencil sharpener. 

There will not be a spelling list next week.  Instead we will be having a spelling bee.

Have a wonderful time with your children over the break.

Connie Campbell

I will not be available for after school help this Tuesday and the next (December 16 and 23).    After school homework help will resume on January 6.

For this week:

No Scholastic News.

Spelling - unit 15

Book Report is due December 23.  It is an oral presentation.  The children are aware of the criteria, but I plan to go over it again with them tomorrow.  Time will be set aside on Friday, during the reading block, for working on the presentation.

The colonial style letters will be mailed this week.

If you have not signed and sent the report card envelope back to school, please do so soon.

On Tuesday, December 23, I plan for us to have an extended snack time after the book report presentations.  I will provide hot chocolate for the children.  If some of you would like to provide some fruit, muffins, or juice, please let me know.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me.

Connie Campbell

We had a wonderful time on the field trip to York.  I want to thank the parents who went along as chaperones.  The trip was a success in part because of their assistance.

The report cards went home last Friday.  Please sign and return the envelope.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Important Dates: 

Wednesday, December 10 - Early release Wednesday (Even though it is a half day, it is an academic day.  Reading, Spelling, Math, DOL are taught that day.)

Friday, December 12 - No School

Tuesday, December 23 - Last day of school before the Holiday Break

Writing:  The children will be writing letters this week to relatives or friends.  They will be written in a style similar to communication in the Colonial Days.  The letters will be folded and sealed (no envelopes) and mailed.  If your child has not already asked for an address, they will soon.

Spelling: Unit 14

SN:  Yes, there is Scholastic News this week.  The questions are due Thursday, as there is no school on Friday.  I will give some extra time in class Tuesday to work on this assignment.

Math:  We have finished Unit 5 (fractions) and have started Unit 6 which deals with organizing data, as well as addition and substraction of fractions. 

Social Studies: We are continuing the study of the colonies.

Science:  We will begin working on the next unit of study - Earth's Changing Surfaces.

Reading - Book report is due December 23.  It is a book of choice and will be an oral presentation.  If you will be leaving early for the holidays, the book report will need to be presented earlier.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me,

Connie Campbell

York Field Trip:  Permission slips were sent home for the York Field Trip.  Please ask your child if you have not seen one yet.  The field trip is Monday, December 1, the day after the Thanksgiving holiday.  Please be sure to pack a snack for your child.  We will eat the lunch we prepare at Jefferd's Tavern.   I would like everyone to dress as if it were in the 1790's. Because of the time of year, I do want the children to bring their modern day coats.

Holiday Fair:  The Holiday Fair is Thrusday, December 4 from 9:00-5:00.  It is open to the public and is a major fund raiser for us.  Classes will go on as usual during the day.  Our class will go to the fair at 11:00-12:00.  If you wish, you may join your child at that time.  We are in need of parent volunteers for our Gift Wrap Table during the day, the White Elephant Table, and the Bake Sale area.  Let me know if you can offer us an hour or two.  Also our class is putting together a theme basket to be raffled off at the fair.  The theme is Plants and Gardens.  Your donations would be greatly appreciated.

There is Scholastic News this week.

Spelling -  Unit 11.  Pages 48-50.

We are finishing up the Energy Unit in Science.

Social Studies is being combined with reading class.  We are studying the Colonial Period of our country.

If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. 

Connie Campbell

The Indian posters look great.  The Pow Wow is tomorrow (Nov. 7) in the gym.  All of the 5th grade Indian posters and art pojects will be on display.  If you get a chance, stop by and view the children's work.  The display should be ready by 9:00.  Our class will be going at 1:00.

I have met with some parents already for conferences and have several scheduled for next week.  The following times are still available for next week:

Monday (Nov. 10) 3:30, 5:00

Wednesday (Nov. 12) 4:00, 4:30

Thursday (Nov. 13) 7:45 AM, 3:15, 3:45

Friday (Nov. 14) 7:45 AM, 3:15

If we have not scheduled a conference, let me know if these times work for you.  If not, we can come up with other times.

York Field Trip:  Our trip to York is Monday, December 1.  If you are available to go as a chaperone, please let me know.  I need to have 4 parents, but all are welcome.  Just let me know ahead of time, as York Historical Society needs a head-count.

Holiday Fair:  Thursday, November 4, 9:00-5:00.  This is a school fund raiser that has been happening for many years.  We have 2 activities the class is doing.  We are collecting items for a Plant and Garden box that will be raffled off at the fair.  The class is also in charge of the gift wrap table.  I could use some adult help during the school day, as I will be busy teaching.  If you can give me an hour or two, that would be great.  During the day we will be having classes. The students will get 45-60 minutes to visit the fair.  I will let you know the time we will be going.  At 3:00 I can be at the gift wrap table.  If students would like to stay after school to help with the table, they may.  I need a note giving permission for the student to stay and the time you intend to pick up them up. 

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

Connie Campbell

Below are days and times I am available for conferences for the next 2 weeks.  Let me know what works for you.  If you need a late afternoon or early evening, I can make those arrangements.

Monday  Nov. 3  3:00, 3:30, 4:00

Tuesday, Nov. 4  7:45 AM, 4:00

Wednesday, Nov. 5 7:45 AM, 3:00

Thursday, Nov. 6  7:45 AM, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00

Monday, Nov. 10  7:45 AM, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00

Wednesday, Nov. 12 7:45AM, 4:00

Thursday, Nov. 13 7:45AM, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00

Indian Posters are due Tuesday, November 4.

Scholastic News (Nov. 3 issue) - questions due Friday.

Spelling - Unit 9 Pg. 40-42

Math - working on division.  Please review facts with the children.

Have a good weekend,

Connie Campbell

Here are some of the assignments for this week:

Book Report - due October 28

SN - due October 31

Spelling - Pg.36-38 and test on Friday

Indian Poster due November 4

Math - finishing Unit 3 about geometry

Inidan legend - editing tomorrow and final copy by Friday

Connie Campbell

I forgot to mention in the last blog about After School Help.  Last week I was unable to stay due to a meeting, but this week I am planning to stay after school Tuesday to give help with math and homework.  All students are welcome to stay until 4:00.  There is no late bus leaving from Sea Road, so parents need to make arrangements for the children to be picked up.

Connie Campbell 

985-1105 or ccampbell@msad71.net

Book Report - The book report (an animal story) is due October 28.  It will be an oral presentation.  The children have the criteria.  Part of reading class on Friday will be set aside for the children to work on their presentation.

Indian Poster - Some time will be reserved for writing paragraphs next week for the poster.  The poster is due November 4.  They will be on display Friday, November 7 in the gym.  You are welcome to come and view them.  The class will be going to the gym at 1:00 to see their work and that of the other 5th graders.  Putting the poster together will take place at home.  Talk with your child about their plans for the poster.  They have seen some examples from previous years.

No Scholastic News next week.

Spelling - Unit 7.  Monday-pg.32, Tuesday-pg.33, Wednesday-pg.34, + study for pretest

Math - Keep studying multiplication facts.  We're working on geometry.

Indian Legends - The children have been listening to some legends from various Indian tribes.  Students will begin writing their own Indian legends next week.

Have a great weekend.

Connie Campbell

 I have a favor to ask.  Could you please drop me a quick email letting me know if you are receiving this blog?  I know 18 people of subscribed, but do not know who.  This information will help me do a better job of communicating.

Thank you,

Connie Campbell  ccampbell@msad71.net

Below are some important dates.  Please note I have changed the due date of the Indian Poster.