The First Full Week of School!

Dear Parents of Room 10,

Our year together is off to a great start.  I have been really impressed by how well your children have settled into our routine.  Overall, it has been a very smooth transition into fifth grade.  My focus right now is to help them transition without talking. As I mentioned last evening, this is a particularly chatty group. But they are sweet, hardworking and very bright!

It was really nice to have the opportunity to meet many of you last evening at our Open House.  I always feel a tad rushed and tend to talk really fast, so if there is anything you need clarified, please let me know.  Your children worked really hard this week as we prepared to “dazzle” you last night with their self-portraits, crossword puzzles and letters.

            At this point, all of your children have been tested in reading fluency, and a base-line score has been established.  I will begin reading comprehension assessments shortly.  I also plan to administer an assessment to identify specific reading skills that need to be re-taught.  This particular assessment, which I have been using for quite some time, is fairly quick and painless. Hopefully we will begin small-group instruction very soon.

            On the science front, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our crayfish.  The children are very excited to learn about these creatures.  Until they arrive, we are focusing on ecosystems, and the children have enjoyed getting outside to observe nature during science class.

            Here are some photos that I took this week of the kids working on Open House projects and during science class.

            

First Day of School 2016

Welcome to 5th Grade!
       We had an amazing beginning to our new school year.  Despite the oppressive heat, the children are settling in nicely. Thus far they have gone to three of their specials:  library, physical education and music. On Monday they will go to art.  Monday thru Thursdays our specials begin at 2:30pm, and on Friday the children have Music at 1:45pm and Choir at 2:30pm.  Having consistently scheduled specials makes it much easier for me to remember!!

      This morning we attended the "Welcome Back" assembly followed by our first meeting with our second grade buddies.  This year we will be working with Mrs. Gentile's class.  Also, Mrs. Doemel joined us before lunch to talk about our new science and social studies programs.  We will begin changing classes for science, social studies and math on Monday.

      Next Thursday night, September 15th, is our Open House. You will begin by coming to Room 10 where I will talk about our classroom and my expectations.  It will be followed by a 15-minute visit with your child's math teacher. Finally we will all meet in the cafeteria for a science program overview and Nature's Classroom presentation.  I look forward to meeting all of you on Thursday evening.

      I am attaching the first of many pictures I will take over the course of the school year.  Some of them didn't come out as well as I would have liked because of the intense sun.  But at least you will have a glimpse into your child's first day in fifth grade.  

                                                                     Take care, 

                                                                     Lester Betor & class

Welcome to 5th Grade!

      We had an amazing beginning to our new school year.  Despite the oppressive heat, the children are settling in nicely. Thus far they have gone to three of their specials:  library, physical education and music. On Monday they will go to art.  Monday thru Thursdays our specials begin at 2:30pm, and on Friday the children have Music at 1:45pm and Choir at 2:30pm.  Having consistently scheduled specials makes it much easier for me to remember!!

      This morning we attended the "Welcome Back" assembly followed by our first meeting with our second grade buddies.  This year we will be working with Mrs. Gentile's class.  Also, Mrs. Doemel joined us before lunch to talk about our new science and social studies programs.  We will begin changing classes for science, social studies and math on Monday.

      Next Thursday night, September 15th, is our Open House. You will begin by coming to Room 10 where I will talk about our classroom and my expectations.  It will be followed by a 15-minute visit with your child's math teacher. Finally we will all meet in the cafeteria for a science program overview and Nature's Classroom presentation.  I look forward to meeting all of you on Thursday evening.

      I am attaching the first of many pictures I will take over the course of the school year.  Some of them didn't come out as well as I would have liked because of the intense sun.  But at least you will have a glimpse into your child's first day in fifth grade.  

                                                                     Take care, 

                                                                     Lester Betor & class