Science Symposium 2019

Good Morning 5B!

      Happy Thanksgiving! I sincerely hope that each of you enjoyed a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday. Ours was quieter than usual, but we enjoyed watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, cooking together and enjoying a delicious meal.

          I am attaching photos from the 2019 Ecosystem Science Symposium. Thanks to so many of you who were able to attend the symposium. I apologize to those who were unable to make it due to their work schedules. It is always difficult to find a time that will accommodate everyone's schedules. I know the children worked really hard to research their topics and develop a complete understanding of both the biotic and abiotic members of their ecosystem community, as well as photosynthesis and respiration.

       Currently, we are working on our first social studies unit of the school year. Our focus is geography, and right now the children are enjoying the "Cardinal Direction" game I created several years ago. Be sure to ask your child about the game. At this stage, children should know both the cardinal and ordinal directions, and I have been very impressed by how much they remember from previous years.

         Our holiday party is scheduled for Friday, December 20th at 9:30am. We will be celebrating with breakfast. I hope you can join us.  All are welcome to attend.

      Your child should have brought home an information sheet about the play and our first two rehearsals. It also included their role, Act and weekly practice time. All rehearsals are mandatory, and all cast/crew members should attend all scheduled rehearsals. Crew members will get their schedule on Tuesday, December 10th at our "read-through." 

          Enjoy the remainder of your weekend, as we anticipate our first winter snowstorm on Sunday and Monday.

                                                                                                       Enjoy the photos!

                                                                                                       Lester Betor & Class

Goodbye September, Hello October

Greetings from 5B!

      The new school year has gotten off to a great start!  I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it is to go to school every day knowing I have an amazing group of 26 fifth graders ready to give it their best. The children have received many compliments from Mrs. Bonacquist, and she has told them on many occasions that they the BEST!  Of course, we all like hearing that, and it motivates them to continue to be their own personal best.

      This week, the children will begin literacy stations. They will move through all eight stations by Friday. While they work independently, I will meet with each student to assess their reading level using the Fountas & Pinnell assessment kit. Next week, we will begin our first book club of the year while we focus on both theme and mood.  

      In writing, the children are finding a small moment to write about. We will spend time this week with refining the subject they will use for their first writing piece; a personal narrative. I am impressed by how seriously they take their writing. When their pieces are published, we will invite you in to read them.

      The worms should be arriving this week! How exciting is that? While we have done lots of preliminary work to prepare for our ecosystem unit, we will begin experimentation later this week.

       Has your child told you about buddies with Mrs. Reid's class? We have gone down to her room a few times so far this year, and they came to us once. In addition to giving them their weekly spelling test, we also work on language arts activities with them. This week, we are enjoying a STEAM activity. Your children are incredible role models to their younger peers.

      I am including some photos in this post. I have taken tons of pictures in anticipation of making scrapbooks in June. I will also use the photos for a class video that I will share with you at the end of the school year.  

       ENJOY the photos from "Hoola-Hoop" Ecosystems!      Lester Betor & class

Last Day of Buddies

Greetings from Room 10,

      Today was our last day with our Buddy Class.  Mrs. Gentile's Class and 5B enjoyed popsicles outside in the glorious weather, followed by fun on the playground. I am attaching the photos of your children with their buddies, thanks to Mrs. Gentile and her photography skills. Have a wonderful weekend!  Lester Betor & Class

Good Morning!

I just wanted to take a moment and check in.  Nature's Classroom, although cold and rainy, has been great! The kids are enjoying the experience. Yesterday, we took advantage of a few hours of clear skies to take a class photo. I am adding that to our Blog.  Last night, the children participated in team building activities, and tonight we will enjoy an Oregon Trail simulation.  Right now, the kids are in their Field Groups.  Have a wonderful day!!!

Friday MAIL

Dear Parents of Room 10,

      On Friday, I sent home three very important pieces of mail that I want to bring to your attention; one was WHITE, one was ORANGE and one was CHARTREUSE.

WHITE:  Your children and I had our yearly "personal safety" chat on Friday. This is sometimes referred to as "Good Touch/Bad Touch." This letter is meant to let you know that the lesson occurred, and it lists the objectives of the lesson. Please take a few moments to talk with your child about our class discussion.

ORANGE:  Because fifth graders are so busy the last few months of the school year, I sent home a list of important events, including dates, time-of-day and event. Although an occasional event might pop-up between now and June (including our end of year party), this is a pretty inclusive list. You may want to go "RETRO" and hang in on your refrigerator or just add the dates to your virtual calendar; whatever works best for your family.

CHARTREUSE: Nature's Classroom Information packet. There are two forms that must be completed and returned; NC Student Registration and Home and Health Information Questionnaire.  ALL FORMS (INCLUDING MED FORMS) ARE TO BE RETURNED NO LATER THAN THURSDAY, APRIL 18TH.) Please note that your final Bill will come home under separate cover.

Thank you for sharing your child with me!  Lester Betor

Pajama Day & Show and Tell

Good Morning!

I am attaching some photographs from our Pajama Day. The children posed with their special "Show and Tell" item. They did beautifully with explaining the importance of the item they brought in.  Enjoy!