Update on Research Paper

In December students were told to have a topic for the academic fair that they could write a research paper on.  In January each student told me the topic that was chosen.  Each student was given an important dates and Information packet that tells exactly what is expected of them.  During science I went over the packet in detail and Important Dates with each class and answered all questions.  During another science class we went over what a rough outline is and what it should look like.  It was explained to students that their 4-5 subtopics would be their "What" I am looking for as I am researching. The rough outline was due Feb.1

Ms. Noonan then began using their weekly library time to go over how to record their sources, and how to search and use Internet sites.  She gave each 5th grade student  a packet called The Big 6 Skills and went over this packet and went over it and told students they are to record their sources in this packet to help them write their bibliography page, and a sheet of good sites for students to use.

 Ms. Tresselt stepped in and took a class period to teach each class how to use notecards.  This time fell around Feb. 17th the first notecard check.  Students were told for this check to have a couple cards per subtopic and told them the next check they should have a good 5 per subtopic.  That brings us to the second notecard check March 3rd.  This check is used to make sure students are researching their topics along this process.
After spring break, I am going to have all notecards brought in and teach the students the next step, which is taking all the notecards for each subtopic and organizing them in the order they would like them presented in their papers.  Once they are organized, then all the student has to do is combine those facts, into paragraphs and write their rough draft.  It is like writing 5 mini expository essays which they know how to write already.The rough draft would be due then April 11.  Then students have until April 20th to tweak it and hand in their final copy April 20th.   April 7th will be a bibliography check, students will use their packets and Ms. Noonan will explain how to just copy the information they wrote in their packets as a page.

We are adding another 2 class periods on how to write and organize notecards.  Ms. Tresselt will be going over this again and we have added an additional card check on March 17.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Few Items

If your child has not returned their permission form to walk to Julian on Thursday, please get that back to school by Wednesday.

Student sketchbooks are due when they come back to school on Tuesday.

ISATS begin next Monday.  In previous years I have not given homework during  this week.  The only homework I give is for the student to be in bed by 8:30 pm and to bring a note from you stating that each day.  Students will earn their 2 raffle tickets for each returned note.

As students continue with their note cards, please make sure they are only putting ONE  fact or paraphrase on a note card  and recording the page number and source on the back.

On the last science quiz that is posted on my blog, I have included the short response answers for those that did poorly and did not get the correct answers copied down.  Please pass this along to the other parents in the 5th grade.

Julian Orientation

Students will be walking to Julian next Thursday Feb.24th for their student orientation.  They will get to meet some of the staff, learn about how the middle school is set-up, and take a tour of the school.  We will be leaving at 8:30am and will be back for lunch around 11:30.  A permission slip went home on Tuesday.  If you have not seen this white permission slip, please ask your child. 

 Julian will be holding a Parent Orientation on March 16th.  We have not received the time as of yet.  If you are a parent new to Julian come this fall,  please make sure you  attend this informational meeting!

Two IMPORTANT items

Monday is Valentine's Day.  If students bring valentines to school they are to bring one for EACH student, and please have them include the 3 inclusion students in our room.  I told students on Friday they don't need to bring any extra candy or snacks.  If a piece of candy is on the valentine they are passing out, that is fine.  Instead of a party, students will be rotating among three stations in our classrooms.  Stations consist of decorating cupcakes and ice-cream,  making valentine cards for a nursing home, and playing a word game.

This Thursday is the first notecard check for the students' research papers.  It was brought to my attention that Ms. Payton's students were the only students that learned this method.  Ms. Tresselt will be going over how to use notecards on Tuesday.  I do still expect students to bring their cards on Thursday, divided into their subtopics according to their rough outlines.  Each separate stack should have a notecard on top stating the subtopic.  If your child is working with another student, they must have their OWN set of notecards to write their OWN research paper.

Change in Math Homework Tonight

Due to Career Day yesterday, we were unable to take the Unit 5 test.  We took it today, and will be starting Unit 6 tomorrow.  Tonight's homework therefore is not Studylink 6.1.  If all math boxes are completed  and corrections, your child has no math homework tonight.