Keep These Things In Mind

Dear Dragonfly Families,

This week is going to fly by very quickly, and I wanted to highlight a few dates, events, and projects for you to be thinking of in the coming days and weeks.

1) Assuming the weather is compliant and we have school on Friday, December 16th we will be having a small "class party" involving a read aloud game and "Mug Exchange". This Mug Exchange is tradition we are starting where every student brings in a coffee (hot chocolate) mug to exchange in our read aloud game. I will supply mugs to those who are not able to bring one in. The mug can be anything, but the more interesting the better. Please wrap the mug before bringing it in. Some students have been filling the mug with something sweet. This is optional. We will exchange mugs then have hot chocolate. Students can begin bringing mugs in any day this week, but Friday is our deadline. 

2) Book Report Projects are not due on Friday, December 16th, but rather on Tuesday, January 3rd. The two acceptable reading genres are Realistic Fiction and/or Fantasy. I can help students who need some guidance finding a good book. In addition, I have created a link on my blog (mrpfaffsclass.blogspot.com) to both the LINCC (county library) database as well as a Lexile database where students can look for books based on genre and their Lexile # (sweetspot - Zone of Proximal Development-ZPD included in report card envelope).  The various projects that each student can choose from can also be found on the blog. If you need a copy of those project ideas, please let me know and I will copy the packet for you. I want all my students to work on those this week so that they are able to enjoy their vacation. 

3) On Wednesday, December 14th from 1:00 pm - 1:40 pm there is a 5th grade choir performance (those performing with the choir group will be performing only). Parents of those children should have a flyer in their child's HW binder today. Regardless, anyone who would like to hear the singers perform are welcome. 

Thanks,

Mr. Pfaff

Jog-A-Thon

Dear Families,

Tomorrow, October 21st is our annual Jog-A-Thon event. This fundraiser culminates with a 30 minute running event Friday morning. If you have collected donations please make sure that they come to school with your child tomorrow morning. In addition, please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for activities and being outside, it could be wet. The theme revolves around being a "Superhero" so students are allowed to wear capes or simple accessories that are not considered weapons. Simple masks over the eyes are allowed, but nothing creepy or outside the superhero theme is accepted. They will only wear these items during the actual event, and will be put away during the academic day.  Also, each student will receive a Jog-A-Thon T-shirt to wear during the run. I'm hoping for dry weather, and know it will be an exciting overall event for our school. Thanks for your support of our activities and students.

-Brian Pfaff

Book Report Projects due October 10th

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

As you may have noticed from your child’s homework binder (on the Reading/HW Log, October calendar and Weekly HW Checklist), we have a book report project that is due next Monday, October 10th.  I have asked students who need a hard copy of the possible book report/project options to let me know so that I can make a copy to send home.  In addition, if students need supplies to complete their project I need to know as soon as possible. There is a pdf version of this book report project list under "Helpful Links/Websites", to the right of the page.

This month I have asked the class to choose from either a mystery or biography book/text.  I have several options in the class, and have encouraged students to take their books back and forth between home and school.  This report does not carry with it a required presentation in front of the class, but that option will be provided.  If you have any questions about these reports/projects please email or call me at your earliest convenience.

Thanks,

Brian Pfaff

(503) 353-3270 ext. 39127

pfaffb@nclack.k12.or.us

Walk To Math Groups

October 3rd, 2016

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

This week our fifth graders will begin our first round of flexible math groupings that we refer to as Walk To Math (WTM). As a result your child may receive math instruction from one of the other fifth grade teachers for the course of a unit/ trimester.  

The concept behind WTM is centered around students’ receiving math instruction at their individual level. We all know that students’ construct meaning in different ways, and at their own particular pace and style. Mathematics is unique in that lessons and topics often build in progression upon previous math skills and concepts. Therefore, if students have not mastered the previous skills and concepts, they are often confused and have difficulty grasping the new ones completely. We believe that WTM will provide us the best opportunity to ensure your child’s success.

In addition to WTM, we will continue to support math procedural proficiency with ongoing math fact practice/assessment as well as other supplemental programs within the homeroom setting.  

Please feel free to contact your child’s homeroom teacher with any specific questions or concerns you may have. Below you will find all the fifth grade teachers’ email addresses for your convenience throughout the unit.

Sincerely,

The Fifth Grade Team

Mike Jette       Brian Pfaff Stephanie Schie

jettem@nclack.k12.or.us       pfaffb@nclack.k12.or.us schies@nclack.k12.or.us

Letter from Mr. Pfaff

Dear Dragonfly Families,                                       

My name is Brian Pfaff (pronounced P’-off) and I couldn’t be more proud and excited to be your child’s teacher this year for fifth grade.  Fifth grade was a pivotal year for me in many ways.  I take the responsibility of making sure that this year is equally defining for your child as they begin their transition into middle school.   I have so many exciting units, stories and projects to share, and I can’t wait to get started.  Our theme for the year is perseverance.  I can promise that it won’t always be easy sledding this year, but I will do everything I can to help each child realize their true abilities and talents.  What a special year to be a Dragonfly!

Before the first day of school I want to tell you a little bit about myself.  I grew up in Bend, OR and went to college at Oregon State University and graduate school at George Fox University.  As for my professional experience, this will be my 17th year teaching elementary students. The past 16 have been with the Beaverton School District.  My wife Melissa is a first grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School.  My five year old daughter Charlotte will be joining Melissa as a kindergarten student at Riverside. She dances and bounces wherever she goes,  and loves dramatic fairy tales.  Her sense of humor and curly hair seem to embody her whole personality.  My son J.J. is four and appears to be a “chip off of the old block”.  He loves sports, and is very passionate about every challenge he faces.  This summer as a family we spent time camping at Lake Billy Chinook, and visiting Rockaway Beach for the 4th of July weekend.  In addition, I coached several tennis camps through the North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District. My family would often visit me at the park in Happy Valley to play in the splash pad. All of us this fall will be hitting the soccer pitch together..  While Charlotte and J.J. will be playing soccer on the same team, Melissa and I will be joining forces to do the coaching.  As you can see we enjoy doing most activities together.

In my many years of experience I have learned that good teaching begins with making your child feel safe and honored within an inclusive classroom community.  At Verne Duncan Elementary School we want all of our students to come together as a learning community made up of wonderfully unique individuals. My philosophies as a teacher revolve around modeling how to be safe, respectful and responsible. In turn  I expect the students to demonstrate those same character traits with one another.

As I work to create thoughtful, engaging and high-demand lessons, I expect students to be equally thoughtful in their responses, being actively engaged and working to their full  potential.  

Parents, would you assist me in getting to know your child?  I want to better understand what motivates your child, and see how you view your child as a learner.  Please take a moment to share your thoughts and insights with me.  Attached is a survey with questions you may choose answer.  You can mail this survey to me at school, send it in an envelope to school with your child, or just email the information to me.  Thank you for taking the time to do this.  In addition, the fee for supplies this year is $28.00. You can give that to me in the form of cash or a check. I have done my best to make sure that we all have the highest quality supplies to be successful this year. Let me know if you have any questions about supplies.

Information about our fifth grade policies, homework and other expectations will be sent home during the first week of school.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns.  If some questions require a face to face meeting I am available most afternoons.

Brian Pfaff

Verne Duncan Elementary School

14898 SE Parklane Dr.  Happy Valley, OR 97015

(503) 353-3270 ext. 39127

mrpfaffsclass.blogspot.com

pfaffb@nclack.k12.or.us