Just a few things to update you about…

Lindeman Lake Field Trip

Our class is heading to Lindeman Lake on Friday, October 2nd.  Permission slips will go home today and parents are welcome to attend.  Please make sure that you have an up-to-date criminal check completed.  We will be leaving the school at 10:30 so you can feel free to meet us at the trailhead parking lot at about 11:15.  If you are interested in joining us on the bus, please contact us to ensure that there is room.  We are travelling with Miss Warden’s class and space may be a little tight.  Everyone should bring a bag lunch along to eat at the lake.  We will return to school by 3pm.  

Reading Recommendations:  There are many times in the year that we are asked about good books for the students to read.  Here is a short list of some recommended books, authors, and series.  Please note that we have not read all of the books on this list so your discretion is advised.

Some of our favorite authors include:  Gordon Korman (realistic fiction, mysteries), Andrew Clements (realistic fiction, humor), Jerry Spinelli (realistic fiction, suspense), Katherine Patterson (fiction with girls as main characters), Gary Paulsen (realistic fiction, wilderness themes), Rick Riordan (fantasy), Kenneth Opel (animal fiction – for stronger readers).  The list could go on and on 🙂

Favorite Series:  I Survived (fictional stories based on real historical events), Island (kids shipwrecked), Artemis Fowl (fantasy), and Little House on the Prairie.

Here are a few individual titles that might appeal to your child.

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes (realistic, funny, boy, school, family, friends)

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner (boy tries to win dogsled race to save family farm)

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skeen Calling (everything a boy touches turns to chocolate)

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin (family, school, immigration)

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G Birney (class pet guinea pig tells the story)

Waiting for the Magic by Patricia McLachlan (family struggling with loss adopts 4 dogs and cats from a shelter. Brother and sister discover that they can hear the animals communicating.)

The Dragon’s Egg by Alison Baird (girl has pet dragon, bullying)

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein (night at museum, Chocolate Factory)

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Nazi Germany)

Happy Reading!!

Headphones Needed:  We have started to use the chromebooks more frequently which means we need the students to each have their own set of headphones or the noise level in the classroom gets a little out of control. 🙂

Individual School Photos will take place this Wednesday, Sept. 16th.  All students should wear FULL DRESS UNIFORM.

Girls:  black shoes, socks/tights, skirt, button up blouse, cardigan

Boys:  black shoes, socks, pants, dress shirt, cardigan

This week will start some of our regular routines.  Today we introduced our first spelling words to the students.  Mondays will be the day new words are introduced and Fridays will be the day that they are tested.  We generally do not have spelling on short weeks.

This year we have a very large range of spelling abilities.  As one of our classroom goals is to provide opportunities for success for every child, we have decided to have two different spelling lists.  We do not feel like it is fair to either the struggling spellers or the proficient spellers to have them complete the same list.  One group will not be challenged and the other group will have little chance for success.  We want to help develop strong spellers and to do so, we need to start at where the kids are, not necessarily at where they should be.  Once a term we will complete diagnostic tests to ensure that the students are progressing and make adjustments to the lists as necessary.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to either one of us.

List 1 words:

army, both, breakfast, climb, happen, children, grass, broad, noise, ready, brought, below, while, mountains, monkey, pull, beside, eagle, thunder, picture

List 2 words:

claim, measure, represent, position, suppose, arrange, similar, continue, appoint, touch, action, importance, justice, section, connect, connection, field, direction, term, veil

IMPORTANT NIGHT COMING UP:

Welcome to Mrs. Goosen and Mrs. Derksen’s grade 5 class blog.  We are so excited to be starting a new year with you and look forward to getting to know you and your families.

On the first day of school a letter will be sent home for parents.  It will be one of the last paper newsletters that you will see, as all class information, notifications, assignments, important dates, etc will be posted here during the year.

Please subscribe to our blog (on the right hand side bar) so that you will receive an e-mail when we make a new post.  Looking forward to a great year together!

It’s hard to believe that another year has come to an end.  We feel so honored to have worked with such a wonderful group of students this year.  We wish you all the best!  Have a wonderful summer and don’t forget to pop in now and then next year to say hello.  We’ll miss you!  Love Mrs. Derksen & Mrs. Goosen

Our class garden box is blooming and growing.  There are all types of delicious foods popping up and we are hoping to enjoy some of these before the end of the year.  As we approach summer, Mrs. Johnsrude is wondering if there are one or two parents who would be willing to come and collect produce from the garden boxes.  There will still be veggies throughout the month of July and it would be great to see that go to good use.  There will be several high school students who will continue to look after watering and weeding, but they need parents to come get the vegetables and distribute them to anyone who is interested.  If our class decides to just leave the boxes at the end of the school year, the high school students will use or donate the remaining vegetables that are harvested.

If you are interested in collecting the vegetables, please let Mrs. Derksen know before the end of school, otherwise our harvested food will be donated back to the community of Chilliwack.  Thanks!

Ideally, I would get a list of parents and their phone numbers and then we will set up a schedule for pick up.  My students would call the parents and they would come get the produce.

Just a reminder that there are some very important event dates coming up in the final few weeks.  Please double-check that you have them entered on your calendars.

Tomorrow!!  Thursday, May 21st:  Send 1 dozen cookies to school with your child for the Art Gala in the evening.

6:30-8pm:  ART GALA and TALENT SHOW.  Dress up and come out for a night of entertainment and check out the incredible art creations from the intermediate students. (Talent show from 7:15-7:45pm)

Monday, May 25th:  SPRING SING.  All students meet in their classrooms at 6:40pm.  Students should wear jeans or colored pants.  Spring Sing t-shirts will be provided in their classrooms.

Tuesday, May 26th:  Track & Field Meet for Track & Field Club Participants only.  All other students have classes as usual.

Friday, May 29th:  KNIGHT DAY & HOT DOG LUNCH (order forms available at office and must be handed in by next Wednesday.)

Wednesday, June 10th:  INTERMEDIATE FUN DAY!  Noon Dismissal.

Friday, June 12th:  BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM FIELD TRIP.  Permission slips will go home middle of next week.

Monday, June 15th:  CULTUS LAKE WATERSLIDES

Wednesday, June 17th:  Noon Dismissal

Friday, June 19th:  FINAL ASSEMBLY, early dismissal

On Thursday, the 2nd Annual Intermediate Art Gala will take place.  This year we have added a talent show which will take place partway though the evening.  The Art Gala will open at 6:30, refreshments will be served and creativity will be on display.  The talent show will begin at 7:15-7:45, with the evening closing at 8pm.  Stop by for a brief peek or stay the whole time, please note that students should not be dropped off at the event.  A parent/chaperone is required to be there with each student.

Every student in our class is responsible for bringing one dozen cookies.  They can be store bought or homemade & nut-free please!  Cookies should be brought to school on Thursday MORNING.  We’re looking forward to a lovely evening and can’t wait to see all the students dressed up!

Pizza Day:  just a note that the last pizza day of the year will be on June  9th.

Just realized that I forgot to post the pics I took from our Lindeman Lake hike.  What a fabulous day!  Thanks so much to the parents that joined us.

Here are a few dates to put on your calendar for upcoming field trips or intermediate special events:

TOMORROW:  Thursday, April 30th: Hike up to Lindeman Lake.  Meet us at the Lindeman Lake trailhead near Chilliwack Lake at 10:15.  We’d LOVE to have you join us!  Bring a picnic lunch and dress for mixed weather.

Monday, May 4th: Pro D Day.  No School

Thursday, May 21st:  Evening Art Gala & Talent Show.  More details to come.

Monday, May 25th:  Spring Sing:  our K-12 Annual Spring Celebration of Music.  (Evening event)

Tuesday, May 26th:  Track and Field Meet for those participating at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.

Wednesday, June 10th:  Intermediate Fun Day!  Noon Dismissal.

Friday, June 12th:  BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM.  The grade 5/6 and 6 classes will be heading to the Britannia Mine Museum for the day.  PLEASE JOIN US!!  This is an amazing field trip that we do every other year and you will not be disappointed.  More details will be released close to the date but save the date now.  We will be leaving around 7:30 am and returning about 5 pm.

Monday, June 15th:  Intermediate Waterslides Day at Cultus Waterpark

Friday, June 19:  Last Day of School