5th Grade News...

What an "awesome" week... even Mr. G said that it was a great week. Most all students have finished their World War I Reports and have them on display on the bulletin board, cork strip, or in the classroom.

Best of all, in reading we are really getting into the "meat" of our novel, "Mildweed"! Things are really going down fast in the Ghetto. Life is getting so difficult for Janina and Misha. Nevertheless, they still seem to be able to bounce back. I think having each other and their "special" relationship is what keeps them going. Both characters have begun to "see the light". They are not as naive as they were in the beginning of the novel. Jerry Spinelli is such a fantastic author. His characters are so "alive" and truly develop and change over the course of his novels.

Today, we finally see the significance of the "Angel" and "Milkweed". We had an awesome discussion of the symbolism of these two items in Spinelli's novel. It seems hard to believe that we will probably finish "Milkweed" this next week. Don't you wish it could go on forever? I really don't want to say "Goodbye" to Misha and Janina...

I love sharing this novel with you...

Have a great weekend... Love you... Mrs. P

"Milkweed" is really starting to
"touch" our hearts...

4th Grade News...

We had another grrrreat week.

In reading we finished our selection "Boss of the Plains" and the skill of Generalization. It was quite an interesting selection about the man who invented the "Stetson" hat. He was quite an awesome character.

In writing we are continuing to improve our "Expository" writing. We are becoming quite adept at peer conferencing. Mrs. Peck/Ryan/and Ross cannot conference with everyone every day... but we CAN help each other with our writing... We had a special treat on Wednesday... Mrs. Kornblum came in with a special visitor to conference with some of us.

Thank you, Mrs. Kornblum...

Let's kick our Expository Writing
up a "notch".....

BAM!

Conferencing with our "Teachers"
and our "Principal"...


"Cameron, how about trying some sensory
details?"


"Mario, how about putting in a simile?"


"Mackenzie, have you thought about this
transition word?"


"Mekhi, let's think of another reason..."

Peer Conferencing on our "Expository"
Writing...
What's Positive/Some Suggestions...

CONGRATULATIONS GATORS



Go Gators...Mrs. Costiloe "proudly" wears
her orange and blue... what's on your feet???

Mrs. Peck spent Saturday participating
in a "Chili Cook-Off" at her Church...

The "Chili Cuties" didn't win... but we
sure had FUN!!!

5th Grade News...

We had a great week! Like my 4th graders... the Apes came back from break ready to hit the ground running. Everyone is working on publishing their World War I reports. They are wonderful! All of you have managed to put your "voice" in the report. I'm so proud of you. I know you have worked "long" and "hard" on these reports and they show it.

In reading our skill this week was "Author's Viewpoint". I think everyone now understands the difference between viewpoint and purpose... Mr. G gave us a great example using the viewpoint of how World War I started from the "perspective" of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Black Hand. This week in reading our selection is "Katie's Trunk"... our skill is Cause & Effect.

I know we will have another great week...

Love you... Mrs. P

What do you get when you plant
potatoes in Mr. G's backyard for
6 months?????


"What did we just eat???"


"I haven't got a clue..."


"I think I've seen these before..."


"It's not bad..."

"
"Mine turned to DIRT!"

This week's STAR Students...
Congratulations Trenton & Ashely!


World War I Reports are starting to
appear on our bulletin board...


Working on our weekly Selection Test

It's "Auction Time"...


Mr. G checks bank account balances...


The bidding begins...

4th Grade News...

It was great getting back to school after the holiday. I was soooo impressed with how everyone got right back to work. We started our Expository Writing and everyone is moving right along. This week in writing we will be doing "Mixed" Prompts. "Can you look for the clue words and figure out if it is Narrative or Expository??? I know you can. We will do a little more "peer" conferencing and then... conference with OURSELVES to revise and improve our pieces. We had an unexpected visitor during Writing. Mrs. Kornblum came in... she will be popping in from time to time to conference with individual students in writing.

In Reading we started a new story. We read about how the "Steson" hat was invented. It was really interesting. Our skill is "Generalizing". We came up with some great examples of valid and non-valid generalizing.

It Math we are getting ready for our Winter Calendar Math Assessment. In Social Studies we are learning about the Native Americans in Florida. We are looking forward to our field trip to St. Augustine when FCAT is over.

You all were great this week!

Love you... Mrs. P

4th Grade STAR Students...
"Congratulations", Tyran & Tyler


Our FCAT Writing "Stoplight"...
PLAN... WRITE... CLOSE

We "LOVE" Calendar Math...


Calendar Math Activities...


Preparing for "Winter" Calendar Math
Assessment...

Extended Day Fun...


Julian stretches out for a score...


Extended Day Boys enjoy a game of
"Hoop" Ball...


Is this an archeological dig???


Extended Day "Girlfriends"...


"Come on up Mrs. Peck...

Mrs. Peck's Extended Day Class...

I don't know if everyone knows that I do Extended Day on Wednesdays and Fridays. I have an awesome group of 4th/5th Grade boys and girls. They always finish their homework and help to clean up Mr. G's room at the end of the day. I look forward to being with them two days a week... and I think they look forward to my "Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!!

Monica, one of my extended day students
won 1st place in the 5th Grade Spelling Bee...
We're PROUD of you, Monica!


Alex holds my extended day class record
for completing one of Mr. G's Blog Puzzles


Some of my extended day students relax
in Rm 71 and take in some quality reading
time...


Oh... they love to relax in the "TUB"...

Flag Raising...

We had our January Flag Raising today. It is becoming an activity to look forward to each month. Our patrols do an excellent job, leading our school in their spirit of patriotism. We always go back to class feeling proud to be an American.

4th Graders enjoy Flag Raising


We love our Patrols...


5th Graders waiting for Flag Raising to start

4th & 5th Grade News...

It's great to be back at school! I missed all of you even though my break with my family was awesome. My camera is tired... so no pictures today.

In 4th grade we started on our Expository Writing. Did you like the writing I modeled for you? I really do love Leggos! Our new reading skill is Generalizing. You came up with some great examples. Ask Mr. Gibbon's 5th grade literacy students about what a "faulty generalization" can do to a group of people!!!!!

In 5th grade we are finishing up our rough drafts of our World War I reports. Can't wait to see them up on the bulletin board. In reading we will be discussing Author's Viewpoint. That's a little different than Author's Purpose... you'll find out tomorrow.

Love you all...Mrs. P

HAPPY NEW YEARS......

Hopefully, you and your family have had a wonderful start to 2009. I know the Peck family did! Just being all together was the best way to start the New Year. Today we had our "Traditional" Southern New Years Day Dinner... Ham, Black-eyed Peas, Greens, Stewed Tomatoes, Cornbread, and Brown Bread.

While they were cooking I took down all the decorations and packed them away. It was exciting because I had some "new" ornaments to date and add to my collection.

Tomorrow will be a sad day... Andrew and Madison return to Nashville. But they will be back in May to have a family reunion down in south Florida for my dad's "90th" birthday. Can't wait!

Enjoy the rest of your break. Looking forward to getting back in the classroom with you... I have missed you!

Love you... Mrs. P

"Sniff...Sniff"
Time to pack the decorations away.


Good-Bye Pickle ornament...
See you next year....

Madison & Chase New Years Eve...
Let's get this night started!!!!

Chase had his own "PRIVATE" party
for the kids up in his room.....

"No Adults Allowed"...

Of course Mrs. P crashed the party!


The Peck Family bringing in the New Year...