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