Saturday, March 5, 2016

I'M SORRY

It has been brought to my attention that I have severely angered MANY parents by my recent blog postings. I am so, so, so very sorry.  There are not enough words in this world to adequately convey my feelings of regret in you disdain with my musings.  Those postings most definitely WERE NOT anywhere close to my intentions whatsoever.  I simply wanted to give my side of the story because I believe I know that I have been painted in an extremely negative light over the course of the past few days since I tendered my resignation, but have not been allowed to have contact with anyone or speak my truth.  As you know there are always two, if not three sides to every story.  You have been hearing one and now you are not allowed to hear the second without repercussions.

I did resign and I resigned for very personal reasons.  I should NOT have elaborated upon them in any way shape or form here on this blog for the 5th graders to interpret. I should NOT have put them (the sweet, sweet students) in the middle of this very adult situation.  It was so extremely wrong of me and I will forever be regretful of my choice in those actions. I was not thinking it through and the full consequences of these actions.  I must reiterate that am sorry and will be forever sorry for doing that.

I am an honest person and writing has always been my outlet.  It is how I express my emotions.  Did I take my writing too far The past couple of days? Absolutely.  Did I forget my audience? UNDOUBTEDLY!!! I was angry and I was emotional.  However, Am I unstable as I was called? ABSOLUTELY NOT.  Just extremely emotional over a raw situation.  I am so sorry for dragging the 5th graders though things that may be over their heads.  I also want you to know that I NEVER gave them my phone number.  I have however, shared my personal email.

Anyway, the point of this is to offer my sincerest apologies for my blog posts that have offended you.  It was not m intention to offend you, but clearly I have and that truly, truly upsets me in knowing this.  I still cannot rest easy having now apologized, but I can at least know that you've heard my sincerest, most heartfelt apologies.  I only want the best for your children.  I truly love them endlessly and not seeing their faces daily is the hardest thing I have ever done.  Thank you for your understanding and I hope to have your forgiveness.  I truly love your students more than words.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

...this isn't goodbye

...not for a loooooongshot.

My dear, sweet baby babes,

I am so, soooo very sorry that I did not get to say good bye today.  You see, some things came up and we did not get to say our goodbyes...our final goodbyes and give over final hugs. Goodbyes are the WORST aren't they?!?  Truly.  Especially when you don't see them coming. So many things are left unsaid, words left unspoken, thoughts left at the brink of lips, things welled at the tips of tongues and beating at the edges of our hearts, ready to burst like lava out of a swollen volcano. My goodness, goodbyes STINK, don't they?!? Indescribably. Did you forsee this one coming?  I SURE didn't.  I didn't anticipate it in the slightest.  Like, AT ALL.  Here I am, getting ready for work...ready to see my lovey loves (you) and all of a sudden, I'm there, telling my stories...yet here I am now at home...writing you this...a goodbye note of sorts. What a sudden turn of events.  An instant change. But is this how it all ends for us this year?  I doubt it.  I may be gone from 5th grade for you guys, but I hardly doubt I am gone for good from your lives.  I'll be popping up here and I'll be popping up there.  You certainly can't get rid of me THAT easily. With all that said, I must implore you: STAY IN TOUCH, okay?  PLEASE email me (abbybthomas@gmail.com) ...PLEASE call me.  I want to be at your games, I want to be at your events.  I. WANT. TO. Let's go to the park.  Lets go to the movies.  Let's go paint pottery.  Let's go to lunch.  Let's go to House of Boom.  Let's get Ice Cream.  Seriously.  Let's do it all!!!  I love it and I'd love nothing more than see you and spending quality time with you.  Hit. me. up. I will NOT be calling or texting you...let's make that abundantly clear, okay?!?  But please contact me, okay?!? ASAP!  Miss you ALREADY.  

Much love forever and always,
Mrs. T

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Flashback 22 - Vocab Read & Reason; Crossword sheets; Math Links

Recent and NEW Math Skills Links:

Properties of Multiplication Basketball GAME
Multiplying Numbers ending in Zeros pirate GAME

Math #2: we are doing this TOMORROW!!! 
Multiplying Money VIDEO 
Multiplying Money Tutorial 
Multiplying Money PRACTICE 


FLASHBACK NUMBER 22:
9.23.15

DUE THURSDAY, SEPT. 24TH

DUE THURSDAY, SEPT. 24TH 

TURN IN FIELD TRIP PERMISSION FORMS AND MONEY!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Flashbacks 20 & 21 and Vocab pages

These are for my friends who were absent, did not get done, or in today's case...did not use their time wisely.  If you are one of those friends who did not use their time wisely this morning, please see to it that you complete your flashback questions this evening to turn in to me tomorrow morning.

ALSO: below these are screenshots of the Divide and Conquer and Making and Writing Words Vocab sheets that are due tomorrow for my few friends who are unable to access their Edmodo groups.

9.21.15

9.22.15

VOCABULARY WORKSHEETS DUE TOMORROW (Wednesday, Sept. 23rd)
**also posted on Edmodo**


Loser Comprehension Assessment Short-Answer Response ANSWERS

Loser Comprehension Assessments have been graded and entered into Sycamore (they will be posted on Friday), but you will be seeing short answer responses with points possibly subtracted for missing parts.  I assumed questions may arise as to what the indicators were for exhibiting an exemplary response to earn full credit on these responses and thus, I am posting them here for your review. Please look over these with your student and discuss where he/ she may gone wrong or what he/ she may be missing.  Many students did well, but some were lacking insightful analysis which has been the topic of focus for maaany weeks now :)




Monday, September 21, 2015

updates on classroom happenings...

Hello all!  Just a few links and updates on classroom happenings...

In LANGUAGE ARTS, we are studying Sequencing order within text.  We identified signal words that help us to identify chronological order:

first, next, then, finally, last, after that, second, third, to end, during, after, soon after, in conclusion, meanwhile, before, simultaneously, or when dates or times are given, etc.

We discussed why these are important and why it would be important to identify the sequence of events within a text.  We practiced by using a timeline and also noted the nonfiction text feature present upon it (the timeline itself, dates, pictures, captions, bold print, headings, etc.)  Students also wrote about their typical afternoons home and used signal words to move from one activity to the next.  They quickly learned that every bit of their lives fall in chronological order.

We also read THIS text and then practiced with THIS super fun mummy making activity!  The kids were SO into it!  How can you help your student at home?  Discuss the sequence of your nightly events and routines.  Have then use signal words when articulating how their afternoons carry out. Point out directions on recipes or in assembling a toy, furniture, or something of the like.  Note how following directions in the specific order listed is imperative for success in completion with the task at hand.

ALSO: Please know that I am grading, grading, grading the students' Loser Comprehension tests and whew, they were DOOZIES!  Overall, I am extremely proud of the synthesis and analytical stance that many students took about our beloved Zinkoff.  There were really some higher order thinking skills involved within this test and our kiddos persevered to completion!  Once I finish grading those, I will move to grading their projects.  The creativity of these 5th graders is out of this world and I am truly impressed by their connections to this summer reading book.

What's up NEXT WEEKin L.A.?!? We begin REALISTIC FICTION, the first of our many genres of study. It's actually perfect because we just completed our reading of Loser which is a work of Realistic Fiction.  I have asked that the students check out another book classified as realistic fiction during library time so they have it throughout our unit.  Bridge to Terabithia is an excellent example, but I am happy to have any that your student finds best fits his/ her reading style/ preferences.

Here are some activities to do with READING this week with your student at home:

VOCABULARY: I did not go over Divide and Conquer today...whoops!  I was SO excited to begin sequencing...yes, seriously!  That I flat out FORGOT.  Yikes.  Thus, we will be reviewing it tomorrow, but here is our divide and conquer sheet for your perusing/ viewing pleasure and then I will also upload it to Edmodo for the kids as we will be going over it tomorrow.


MATH:
We are learning about the Properties of Multiplication so I played THIS song.  We are also learning about the patterns of multiplication (9 x 4 = 36, so 90 x 40 = 3,600 and so on).  Finally, our big to do this unit is multiplying by 3-digit numbers.  I would still like the students to be practicing with the rounding of decimals.  They can do this by visiting THIS baseball game, or THIS soccer game, THIS Decimals place-value football game, and THIS or THIS decimals adding or subtracting game.  We played these as a warm-up in class and I promised the students I would post them here :)


I'll be back with many more updates of classroom happenings soon :)

P.S., Sign-up for conferences!!!!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Book Report Menu Rubric

We will be completing these IN CLASS Thursday, September 17th, but this is how the students will be scored!