Thurs. Nov. 21, 2013

Wishing you all a truly wonderful Thanksgiving next week.  May it be filled with the love and laughter of friends and family!

Homework:

Language Arts: PB 153 - verb tenses

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteach 10-3

           Practice 10-3 Q 1-14

Tues. Nov. 19th, 2013

Remember to be thankful for ALL you have!

Homework:

Spelling: SP 36 w/s spelling sort

Language Arts: GR36 w/s Verb tenses

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteach 10-2

           Practice 1-2 (Q1-4)

Mon. Nov. 18th, 2013

 

Happy Monday!  More Thanksgiving pictures will be coming this week as we lead up to next week's holiday.  

Take a moment to think about ALL you are thankful for!  Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know :)

Reminders:

Friday, Nov. 22nd is "Backwards Day"!!  Let your child have fun dressing backwards on that day!

Friday, Nov. 22nd is also our first Staff Appreciation Luncheon.  1st, 3rd and 5th grade parents are asked to bring in a dish to support and feed the wonderful staff here at Van Gogh.  There is a sign up in the office, or you can return the tear-off slip that was sent home in last week's Wednesday packet.

Homework

Spelling: ABC Order

Vocabulary: copy definitions

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteach 10-1

            Practice 10-1

 

Wed. Nov. 13, 2013

Apologies for not posting anything yesterday!!

Remember today, tomorrow and Friday are minimum days, with dismissal at 12:30 pm.  Brunch will be served at recess.  There will be no lunch served.

Homework:

Spelling: Syllables worksheet p.131

Language Arts:  Action Verbs GR 33

Reading:  RAZ Kids

Math:  Factor Tree w/s

Wed. Nov. 6, 2013

 

Happy Wednesday!

Reminders: 

Van Gogh is collecting food to help the YMCA and their Two Thousand Bountiful Tables project.  Please help make a family's Thanksgiving special this year by donating any unopened packaged cookies, or any other non-perishable food item.  All donations must be received by November 13th.

Homework:
Language Arts:  Possessive nouns w/s

Reading:  RAZ Kids

Math: Practice 19-5 (averages) Q 1-6

Tue. Nov. 5th, 2013

Happy Guy Fawkes Night!!

 

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

 

Today, people celebrate by lighting bonfires and setting off elaborate fireworks - similar to July 4th celebrations in the U.S.A.

 

Homework:

 

Language Arts - possessive nouns

 

Reading: RAZ Kids

 

Math: Decimal worksheet

Mon. Nov. 4th, 2013

 

Hoping everyone had a great weekend!

Reminders

Next week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, students will be dismissed at 12:30 due to parent conferences.

Homework:

Language Arts - Possessive nouns worksheet

                           Fact and Opinion worksheet

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math - Decimal subtraction worksheet

 

Happy Halloween!

 

HAVE A SUPER DAY AND A FUN TRICK OR TREATING EVENING - DON'T EAT TOO MUCH CANDY!!

While I'm not assigning homework today, I would encourage your child to read for 20 minutes at least - perhaps a spooky story would be fun! 

Wed. Oct. 30, 2013

 

Are you ready????

Homework

Spelling: 3 times cursive

Language Arts:  PB page 129

                             Fact & Opinion worksheet

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: decimal multiplication review worksheet 

Tues. Oct. 29th, 2013

 

What a cute pumpkin and cat :)

REMINDERS:

There are still a few students that do not have earthquake kits here at school.  A notice was sent home last week to parents of those students.  PLEASE be sure you put something together for your child and bring it to school as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Fall Fesitval Photos: - if you took any photos of students from Room 32, feel free to upload them to our Shutterfly website so we can all see how much fun they had.  Alternatively, you could email them to me and I will put them up.  Remember, the Shutterfly website is completely secure and no one else will be able to see them except you (if you have registered).

Homework

Spelling: SP 28 w/s

Language Arts: P.B. Page 128

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteach 5-5 Q 5-8 

Mon. Oct. 28th, 2013

 

Happy Monday!  This week I'll be posting some cool Halloween images to get you in the mood for Thursday!

REMINDERS:

Thursday October 31st is Halloween and we will be having our annual Halloween parade, beginning at 12:45 pm and ending at 1:30 pm.  Thursday will also be a 1:35pm dismissal.  
I'd like to put out a request for parent volunteers to help with getting the students dressed in their costumes.  If you can help, please come to my room on Thursday by 12:30 pm.  Thank you!

Trick or Treat For Unicef

Please remember to have your child collect money while they are trick or treating this Thursday, to raise funds for UNICEF - an extremely worthwhile charity that help children around the world who are less fortunate than others.

Homework
Spelling: ABC Order
Vocabulary: Copy definitions
Reading: RAZ Kids
Math: Reteach 5-5

Thank you and have a great week!
Ms. Bennett

Tues. Oct. 22, 2013

 

REMINDERS

Don't forget to send in your Scholastic Book Orders by the end of this week!

Homework

Spelling: SP25 w/s - contractions

Vocabulary: PB Page 105

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Practice 5-2, Q 1-6   

Mon. Oct. 21, 2013

 

Welcome to a new week!

REMINDERS

Here are a few reminders from Mary Huffman, our PTO president:

Urgent request for all families…please sign up to volunteer for an hour before, during or after the Fall Festival this Friday. In order to put events like this on, we need all families to participate. You can sign up in the office or go to www.friendsofvangogh.com and click on the volunteer spot link in the orange box.

We also need donations of water, soda, juice, nut-free candy, Halloween decorations and baked goods. If you have baked goods, please drop them off at the office on the 24th or 25th.

And please continue to sell your Luck Draw tickets. Return any extra tickets that are unsold so others can sell them. Remember that the winners of the Luck Draw will be chosen on the night of the Fall Festival and first prize is an iPad, second prize is a Kindle Fire and third prize is $100 in lottery tickets. Don’t miss out.

HOMEWORK:
Spelling - ABC Order
Vocabulary - Copy definitions
Reading - RAZ Kids
Math - Reteaching 5-1 Q 1-12
             Practice 5-1 Q 1-7

Thur. Oct. 17, 2013

Today is The Great California Shake Out!

We had a full earthquake drill at school today.  Students had to duck and cover in the classroom and then we all went outside onto the yard.  All the staff at Van Gogh have duties and responsibilities in the event of an earthquake e.g. search and rescue, first aid,  watching over the sudents, monitoring the LAUSD reunion gate etc.  Students remained outside while staff performed their duties.  Now is a good time to talk to your child about your own plans in the event of an earthquake.  Do you have your emergency supplies ready at home, in the car, at your office?   Did you remember to bring in a supply kit for your child at school?  While we all hope this never happens, we know that living in California, we are in earthquake land and being prepared is the best way to be!

Homework

Spelling:  10 sentences

Language Arts: PB Page 105 - plural nouns

                            PB Page 97 - comprehension - inferencing

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Division with decimals 

Wed. Oct. 16, 2013

 

THAT'S HOW I FEEL SOMETIMES!!!

HOMEWORK

Spelling: 3x cursive

Language Arts: GR 22 w/s - Plurals

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Practice 7-2 Q 1-8 only 

Tues. Oct. 15, 2013

 

Hope it's a great one for you all :)

Homework

Spelling:  SP22 worksheet

Vocabulary: P.B. page 96

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Division w/s Q 1-8  

 

Mon. Oct. 14, 2013

Another week begins!

Homework

Spelling:  ABC order

Vocabulary: Copy definitions

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Division of decimals

           Reteaching 7-1 Q 1-6

            Practice 7-1 Q 1-8 

Tues. Oct. 8, 2013

Ask your child what they learned today!

Homework

Spelling:  Practice Book Page 90

Vocabulary: Practice Book Page 83

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Division w/s Q 13-20

            (some students are to do just Q 1-4)

 

Mon. Oct. 7, 2013

 

Hope you all had a great weekend!

REMINDERS

Join us this Wednesday Oct 9th from 4-7p at the McDonalds at Reseda and Devonshire for the McTeacher Dine Out Night. Van Gogh gets a portion of all sales between 4-7pm including drive-through sales. Wanna see Mrs. Merloni make a McFlurry? Come to McDonalds on Wednesday.

Mark your calendars – the Fall Festival is coming on Friday, Oct 25th from 6pm to 8pm. There will be Trunk-or-treating, a spooky walk, pumpkin crafts, a maze and glow items.

In order to make this event successful, we need volunteers. Come out and sell tickets at the entrance or help sell drinks and food. There is something for everyone who wants to help. Sign up for a volunteer slot online or on the form in the office.

HOMEWORK

Spelling:  ABC Order

Vocabulary: Copy definitions

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteach 4-6 Q 1-3

           Practice 4-6 Q 1-6

This week's story in our Treasures book is "A Historic Journey" about Lewis and Clark.  The spelling words are available on SpellingCity.com

Thurs. Oct. 3, 2013

 

Reminders - please be sure to return the permission slip for use of your child in photographs on the school website etc.  This was sent home yesterday in their homework folder.  Thank you :)

Homework

Spelling - 10 sentences

Language Arts - Nouns worksheet GR 17

Reading - RAZ Kids

Math - Division worksheet Q 13-20

 

Wed. Oct. 2nd, 2013

 

Homework:

Spelling:  3 times cursive

Language Arts:  Nouns worksheet PB Page 79

Reading:  RAZ Kids

Math:  Division worksheet Q 16-25 

Tues. Oct. 1st, 2013

 

Homework:

Spelling: Word Sort Practice Book Page 70

Vocabulary: Fill in the blank Practice Book Page 71

Reading:  RAZ Kids

Math: Reteaching 4-4, Q 1-6

No other news to report.  Have a great day!

Ms. Bennett 

Monday, Sept. 30, 2013

 

Welcome back to a new week!

REMINDERS

1) If you haven't registered for the new Shutterfly website, please do so this week.  Again, if I don't have enough participants from the classroom, I won't spend the time keeping it updated.  This site is a great way for YOU all to share photos, information, keep up to date with everything that's going on.  You can even order photos that are on the site directly from Shutterfly.  Let's really generate a well informed and communicative classroom.

2) I'm sending home the Unit 1 Theme Language Arts assessment that your children completed last week.  Please be sure to sign it and return tomorrow.  Thank you.

HOMEWORK

Spelling - ABC Order

Vocabulary  - Copy definitions

Reading - RAZ Kids

Math - Reteaching 4-1 Q. 1-4 only

             Pracice 4-1 Q. 1-12

Have a great day!

Ms. Bennett 

Thur. Sept. 26, 2013

You know what this means?  One more day until FRIDAY!!!

Reminders:  Don't forget to register for the new Shutterfly website for Room 32 and check it out.  All the 5th grade parents should have received an email inviting them to sign up.  If you don't think it's worth maintaining and keeping up to date, then I won't spend the time.  I, however, really think it's a great place to share news and information - better organized than just having this blog.  Please let me know what you think.

Homework:

Language Arts - Main Idea worksheet

Reading - RAZ Kids

Math - Reteaching 6-5

            Practice 6-5

            (multiplying decimals with zeros) 

Wed. Sept. 25, 2013

Tonight's Comprehension Subject!

Homework:

Language Arts: Jack O Lantern Comprehension w/s

Reading: RAZ Kids 

Math: Menu Math Page 40 and 41

That's all for today :)

Ms. Bennett 

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013

This image matches tonight's comprehension homework!

Homework:

Language Arts: Trick or Treat Comprehension w/s

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Menu Math (adding tax)

Nothing else to report today.  Have a great evening.

Ms. Bennett 

 

Happy Monday!  Aren't they the cutest puppies? :)

Thank you to all who participated in the Spelling Challenge and raised money for Van Gogh.  As a school, we managed to raise over $9500!!!

This week, homework will be a little lighter in the Language Arts area.  We are in a transition week between units.  Our next unit, Unit 2, will begin next week.  During Language Arts time in the classroom the students are taking an end of unit theme assessment, writing a spooky story and reviewing comprehension strategies.

So talking of homework, here is tonight's!

Language Arts: Haunted Story comprehension

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Menu Math worksheet

That's all for now.

Ms. Bennett

 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

One more day until Friday!

 

REMINDER:

Tomorrow is the Van Gogh Spelling Challenge.  Please bring in your pledge money.  Have your child practice their words on Spelling City.  Don't forget to WEAR GREEN

 

Homework

Spelling: 10 sentences - choose 10 spelling words from this week's list and write 10 sentences using those words.  One word for each sentence.

Vocabulary: Practice Book Page 59 - fill in the blank

Language Arts: w/s Page 60 - drawing conclusions

Reading: RAZ Kids 

Math: Reteach 6-4 Q 1-6 only

            Practice 6-4 Q. 1-6 only 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

 

Happy Wednesday to all - only 2 more days until the weekend!

Don't forget that this Friday is the spelling challenge.  Please be sure to collect as much money as you can in pledges.  Anyone who turns in at least $20 will receive a free ice-cream coupon.

Please remember that Thursday and Friday this week dismissal is at 1:35 pm due to the first round of parent conferences.

Homework

Spelling: P. 58 word sort

Language Arts: P. 95 Run-on sentences

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteaching 6-2 Q1-3

           Practice 6-2 Q 1-4 

HAVE A HAPPY COW DAY TODAY!!

The Dairy Council of California will be at the school today with Bella the Cow!  Ask your child what they learned today after meeting the cow.

Homework:

Spelling: 3 times cursive

Language Arts: Practice Book Page 67 - run on sentences

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: finish worksheet we began in class today 

Monday, September 16, 2013

 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

News/Updates:

1) Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 17th is PICTURE DAY.  Make sure your child is dressed up and looking their prettiest and handsomest.  They may bring a change of clothes for after their photos have been taken.  We are scheduled for first thing in the morning.

2) Thursday & Friday of this week are shortened days to due first round of parent conferences.  Students will be dismissed at 1:35 pm.

3) Friday, September 20th is the day for our Spelling Challenge.  5th Grade's team color is GREEN - if your child has a green t-shirt have them wear it in support of their grade level.  Make sure your child is practicing their words on Spelling City.

Homework:

Spelling: ABC Order

Vocabulary: Copy Definitions

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteaching 6-1 Q. 1-4 only

            Practice 6-1 Q. 1-16 only

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

 

Nothing new today, so here's the homework!

Spelling: 3 x cursive

Language Arts: Comprehension P. 48

                            Practice Book Page 55

Reading:  RAZ Kids

Math: Practice 3-3 Q 1-6 only

            Practice 3-4 Q 1-6 only

 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Sorry, but it is!!

Happy Monday to all.  Hope you had a great weekend and are raring to go for the week ahead.

A few reminders:

Mondays - wear you Van Gogh Spirit Wear every Monday

Tuesday, September 17th is Photo Day - remember to dress up and look your prettiest and handsomest.  You can bring a change of clothes for after photos.  We are scheduled for first thing in the morning.

Friday, September 20th is the Spelling Challenge.  Please do your best to collect some pledges.  You can bring in the money at any time.

Homework

Spelling: ABC Order 

Vocabulary: Copy definitions 

Language Arts: GR7 - sentence combining

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteach 3-3

           Practice 3-3 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

REMINDERS:

* Please remember to bring in earthquake kits for your child.

* Please return the Safety Contract signed by your child and you

* The Spelling Challenge words are available on Spelling City - be sure your child is practicing.

Homework:

Spelling:  SP7 work sheet - spelling sort

Vocabuluary: Work sheet page 34

Language Arts: GR8 - sentence punctuation

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteaching 3-1

            Practice 3-1 Q 1-5 only

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW - SEE YOU ON FRIDAY! 

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

Happy Tuesday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend - it was maybe just a little too hot!  I hear it's going to get hotter by the end of the week.  Make sure your child is eating and drinking plenty of water this week.

Remember:

1) No school on Thursday, September 5th.

2) PLEASE BRING IN AN EARTHQUAKE KIT FOR YOUR CHILD

Homework:

Spelling: ABC Order

Vocabuluary: Copy definitions

Language Arts: Simple/Compound sentences GR7 worksheet

Reading: RAZ Kids

Math: Reteaching 2-6
            Practice 2-6 Q 1-6 only
            All work to be completed in notebook!

Please remember to have behavior chart and planner signed everyday. 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

 HAPPY THURSDAY TO ALL!

THIS WEEK'S THURSDAY IS EVEN BETTER THAN LAST WEEK'S!!  WHY? WE DON'T HAVE SCHOOL TOMORROW!

* It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

(I bet you just tried it!)

Have a great weekend!  May it be restful but fun and enjoy your Labor Day.

See you on Tuesday! 

Wednesday, August 28th, 2013

A HUGE thanks to all the parents who came to Back to School Night last night.  I hope you found the session to be informative and answered any questions you had about the current school year.  Remember, you can always reach me via email, this blog or phone.

Don't forget there will be NO school on Friday, August 30th, Monday, September 2nd or Thursday, September 5th.

5th Grade Homework
Spelling:  3 times each cursive

Vocabulary: worksheet page 22

Language Arts: Subject/Predicate page GR4

Reading: RAZ Kids
1) Listen
2) Read
3) Quiz

Math: Reteaching 2-4
          Practice 2-4

Back To School Night - Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2013

Good morning parents and students.
Please remember to come to one of my Back To School Night presentations this evening in Room 32, either at 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm.  This is an adult only evening, so please make sure you have made arrangements for your children.

It is very important that I see at least parents of my my 5th grade students this evening.  Parents of my 4th grade students, your priority should be to see Mrs. Haratian at her first session and if you can make it to my second session, that would be great!  I will be addressing both grade level curriculums that I will be teaching this year.

Homework tonight is VERY light because of this evening's activities.

READING:  RAZ KIDS
1) Listen
2) Read
3) Quiz

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all tonight.

Monday, August 26th, 2013

Happy Monday!!!

Good morning to all.  I trust you all had a great weekend and are well rested and ready for the week ahead.

REMINDERS 

Tomorrow (Tuesday, August 27th) is Back To School night.  There will be 2 sessions available for you to attend, the first at 6:00 a.m. and the second at 7:00 a.m.  Please do your best to attend one of those sessions, as I will be providing you with lots of information about the year ahead in room 32.

There is NO SCHOOL on Friday, August 30th, Monday, September 2nd and Thursday, September 5th.

For my 5th GRADE PARENTS - over the weekend I emailed you all individually, the usernames and password in order for your child to access the California Treasures Reading program and the Envision Math program online.  If you have any difficulties, please let me know.

Last week I sent home Scholastic book order flyers.  If you are interested in ordering books for your child, the easiest way is to do it online.  I provided the code that you would use.  You can also send in money to me and I will submit the orders on your behalf.  Book orders are due Thursday, August 29th.

HOMEWORK  (5th grade only)

Spelling:  ABC Order

Vocabulary:  Copy definitions

Reading: RAZ Kids

1) Listen

2) Read

3) Quiz

Math: Reteach 2-2

           Practice 2-2

Thursday, August 22, 2013

 

HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE!

A reminder that next Tuesday, August 27th is Back To School night.  There will be two sessions available for you to attend, one at 6:00 am and one at 7:00 a.m.  I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible during one of those times.   Additionally, please note that Back to School night is not the same as parent conferences - there will be time at the end of September set aside for parent conferences, unless you would like to talk to me sooner than that, let me know and we can arrange a mutually convenient date.

5TH GRADE HOMEWORK

Spelling:  Worksheet SP2

Language Arts:  Sentence Types GR3

Reading:  RAZ Kids

1) Listen

2) Read

3) Quiz

Math:  Place Value w/s

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

CALLING FOR PARENT VOLUNTEERS DURING P.E.

Mr. John Olevras, our amazing P.E. teacher could really do with some help during our 5th grade PE time.  If you are able to volunteer on Wednesdays from 8am - 9am, please let either myself of Mr. Alevras know.  Thank you SOOOOO much!

5TH GRADE HOMEWORK 

SPELLING:  10 sentences - choose 10 spelling words from this week's list and write 10 different sentences using a spelling word in each sentence.  Be sure to underline the spelling word you used in each sentence.

LANGUAGE ARTS:

1) Grammar sentence types w/s page GR2

2) Comprehension practice w/s page 11

READING:  RAZ Kids

1.  Listen

2. Read

3. Quiz

MATH:

Reteaching 1-4

Practice 1-4 

 

Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

No earth shattering news today, so I will just share what homework there is!

Spelling: 3 x cursive

Vocabuluary - w/s Page 10

Grammar - Practice Book Page 18

Reading: RAZ Kids

1) Listen

2) Read

3) Quiz

Math: Reteaching 1-3 Q 1- 6

           Practice 1-3 Q 1-6

 

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Good Monday morning to all.  I trust you and your family had a wonderful weekend, played, rested and went to bed early last night!!

This week begins our regularly scheduled programming.  We hit the books in Language Arts with our California Treasures curriculum.   In math we are continuing to work on place value and will be learning about tenths, hundredths and thousandths.  Place value is an extremely important skill for your child to learn and understand.  You can really help them on a daily basis, especially when you go shopping...point out those decimal places and have them name place value positions for numbers!

Here's a link to a very fun website with a game to help reinforce place value.  Trust me, your children will love it and will learn something too.

Spelling City is another great site for your kids to play around on.  (There’s even an “APP” for it!)  The best thing about the site is that not only are they going to have fun learning how to spell, the words they will be learning are the weekly spelling words.  Every week your child will be having a new spelling list and each of these lists are available online at Spelling City.  If you are not sure how to find Ms. Bennett's lists, just follow these very simple directions:

1. Go to spellingcity.com (or click the link above)
2. Click the tab "find a list"
3. Type in Lisa Bennett in the "search term"
4. Make sure it is set to search by "teacher name"
5. Click "search"

Voila!  It's as easy as that.

HOMEWORK

Spelling:  Copy spelling words in ABC order

Vocabulary: Copy definitions

Language Arts: Sentence Types w/s GR1

Reading: RAZ Kids

a)     Listen

b)     Read

c)     Quiz

Math: Place Value work sheet

Behavior Chart and Planner SIGNED by PARENT!!

Did you know you could help support our school with a click of a button and a vote for Van Gogh??  Click on THIS LINK and vote for Van Gogh and we could win up to $10,000 worth of school supplies.  Please feel free to share on any social media networks you can - the more votes, the more money!

DON'T FORGET TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!!

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27TH AT 6:00 PM.