Sadowski update 4/29/15

Congratulations!  Your kids did amazing on the M-step!  14 total hours on their rear ends and not one complaint!  I'm so proud of how each of them tried their best!

   

     During the M -step the kids filled up their reward marble jar. They also got to 100% of their reading goal before any of the other classes and earned a pizza party. This will take place tomorrow afternoon.  I'll go pick up the pizza's during lunch recess.....I'll keep them in a hot bag so that they stay warm and then after our last switch (math, science, social studies) we'll have our reward and relax!  This will occur at 2:30.  

  Kids will be allowed to bring pillows (though I personally now have 23 pillows) or blankets to relax on .... they can bring electronic devices and we'll start a movie... With an hour we won't get through it all but we can pick it up again later before the end of the year.   I also have cups, plates and 2 liters so I don't think we're going to need any additional food for this reward.

Friday is a BUSY busy day!   We'll start off the day with the spelling test.. then we'll go to the 2nd grade economics sale. Items at the economic sale range from 25 cents to $1.00 with most items being .25 or .50.  Kids can buy whatever they wish, however I do not allow the consumption of mountain due, surge or other energy drinks during the school day. If they buy them, they'll have to wait until they get home.  I also will only allow two treats from the sale to be eaten before lunch.  Otherwise I'll be peeling them off the ceiling due to sugar highs.

We will eat an early lunch on Friday.  Kids will get their lunches at 11:10 and we're going to try to eat and get on the busses to go to the Rock and Mineral show by 11:30. We should arrive by noon... which will give us a full hour ( 12- 1:00 p.m.)  we'll get back on the busses by 1:15 to head back to Sunset Lake for the Walk- a-thon at 2:00.  So their day is action packed from beginning to end!

On Monday May 4th the kids will have the opportunity to try out instruments to decide whether or not they want to participate in band next year.  They will usually bring a slip of paper that lists what instrument they "got".  Know that this instrument is merely a recommendation, and is not the only choice your child has for instruments if they should choose to be in band.  I recall that they told me that I should play the clarinet.  Well.... I wanted to play trumpet... not a clarinet. Whatever your child wants to play they will WANT to practice more and will usually do better on. The recommendation is merely a way to try to ensure that sixth grade band teachers don't have 50 of one instrument and nothing of another for the upcoming year.

For students that choose band, you will have the option of renting to own your child's instrument. This is a good way to go if your student isn't sure that they will stick with band more than a year.  All you owe is the fees for one year of rental.  Know however, that ebay is LOADED with instruments at rediculously low prices. I can't even sell my trumpet online because I refuse to sell it for the low price they are going for right now. Most sellers have a return policy and money back guarantee.  You can take it to Marshall Music over behind the mall when you get it to have it checked out if you think something might be amiss and then return it if necessary. Everyone I know that has purchased an instrument in the past few years via ebay has been very happy with both the price and the quality.  Something to consider to save some extra $!

Friday May 8th, all 5th graders will be going to the outdoor education center for the afternoon.  I will make sure I pack and Epi pen just in case we have any reactions with bee stings etc.  We will be back by the time the busses roll.

Friday May 22nd is the final field trip of the year to the Wolf Lake fish Hatchery and to South Haven beach.  This is an amazingly fun trip!  We only have one bus signed out to go as many of you stated that you wanted to drive your own child. I will be sending home a form this week for you to sign stating that you are driving your own student.

5th grade graduation is on May 29th at 9:00.  

Can't believe we're already in the last month of school!  Where did the time go?

Spelling list for this week is as follows:

captive

register

ourselves

organist

density

wedge

biplane

radios

drummer

counselor

batteries

triweekly

gently

loneliness

juggler

ranches

midstream

ginger

installment

semidarkness

Thanks!

ticks!

If your kiddos like to play outside start checking them for ticks!  (already?  I know!)

Was out last night walking the property and came in with a tick on my wrist cuff and three on my pants leg... and I wasn't even in tall grass!

And I'm not the kind of person that believes most things that are put on-line before investigating myself... but there is a link floating around about a new tick disease that makes you really sick not long after being bitten.... A few were news 3 links so please be aware!  Have your kids check themselves closely when they come in... and check their hairlines and scalps in the morning... if they've been missed that's where they usually cling overnight.

And with those creepy crawly thoughts firmly affixed in your brain... have a great day!

Sadowski update 4/13/15

First... thank you so much for all the emails and messages regarding the loss of Bear.  They have meant a lot!

2nd... Celebration of the Arts is coming... see the following from Patty Heintzleman below:

Plan to attend the VCS Celebration of the Arts on Tuesday, April 21!
Here is the info :
The VCS Fine Arts Department celebrates the arts
with an evening of music, drama, dance, film and
visual art. This event features artwork by all grade
levels displayed throughout the high school, a film/
video showcase and dance presentation in the PAC
and will culminate in a collage concert, performed in
the gymnasium, featuring all performing ensembles in
the district.
Artwork by all grade levels 5:30 Lower level of the HS
•
Film/Video showcase 6-6:30 in the Auditorium
•
Dance presentation 5:30-6pm in the Auditorium
•
Collage concert featuring all perfomers 7pm in the HS gym
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Free Admission


3rd... Spring Picture day is this Thursday, April 16th.  Since 5th graders are M-step testing in the morning their pictures will be in the afternoon.

4th..... The art teacher has requested the following materials for an upcoming project:
Any object that is highly detailed and can fit in a zip lock bag. Things needed are things that can leave an impression in clay. action figures, little army people, critters, coins with nice raised surfaces etc. Non fragile, non breakable items only.  Fabric with raised patterns can work too.

Students will bring the items home after they use them and clean them back off. A flyer is coming home in their mailboxes today.

5th Spell list this week:
generous
message
stranger
grudge
margin
energy
oxygen
genius 
college
lodge
imagine
stingy
apology
gentleman
arrange
pledge
region
damage
ledger
average

Science

Starting this week we will be getting a shipment of tree frogs and hermit crabs to our classroom. 

The purpose of these critters is to mimic scientists who conduct "field work" when studying an animal species for research into their behaviors, instincts, etc.

At the end of our unit, I will have four tree frogs, and four hermit crabs available for adoption.
The kids will learn all about what each animal needs as far as habitats and cages go.... I will also provide a detailed list of needs for each.
Frogs will need a container that allows for dirt or peat moss and some green leaves plus a little water dish. They will require small crickets... not the big ones. Most bait stores have them for $1.00 a dozen.  MV pets on westnedge has them 10 for $1.00.  10 crickets will last one frog about two weeks.  Meal worms really don't move around enough to trigger their prey drive so unless you can locate some unusually wiggly ones I'd stick with crickets.

Hermit crabs are much easier. Sand in the bottom of a container with a water dish they can crawl in and out of and a container of food and their good to go. They are highly social... and do better with a buddy. You can usually buy another one for $5.00 at pet supplies plus.  They also need another shell larger than what they are wearing as when they grow they change shells.  These are usually .25.
In order to be considered for a crab OR a frog (one or the other, not both) I need a note from you that states your child's name.... what species they want and that you will provide a home for it until it dies or you pawn it off on someone else who will keep it until it dies. Tree frogs are non native species and cannot be released.  Better yet, if your child really wants one, let THEM write the note and you sign it!  lol!  Scrap paper is fine.

To keep it fair for everyone, signed notes only please..... no emails.  As I get the notes I will number them.  The first four notes for frogs get a frog. The first four notes for crabs get a crab.  I will take 10 notes for each though... as I have had it happen before that when I get ready to send them home in May the first 4 kids have changed their minds.

Also know that we sometimes have a frog or a crab die.  If your child is number 4 and their species dies, they won't get one.  

I also have available RIGHT NOW guppies.  They don't need a big tank... they don't even need a filter. They're hardy little suckers and tend to reproduce quickly... but they usually eat their own kids so no worries there.  These are left over from the 4th grade unit.

That's it.  Email, call or text if you have any questions.
269-321-1530 (school)
269-501-3969 (cell)

sadowski update 3/16/15

Happy warm Monday!

Lots going on this week.

Tuesday 1:20 - 1:40 is our book fair slot.  Kids that have money can shop... kids without money can still shop and look at the available items.

Tuesday 6:30 - 8:00  Literacy night at Sunset Lake Elementary!  Come and join us for the book fair, reading and A.R. testing and other book related activities!

M-STEP testing.   The M-Step has replaced the M.E.A.P.  And if your kiddos thought that the meap stood for Mean Evil Annoying Paper, I can't imagine what they're going to call the M-Step because this test is SO difficult!  Unlike the MEAP that we weren't allowed to look at, The M-Step has lessons that we are required to teach specifically for the test. The kids then have to use the information we give them, (no prior knowledge allowed) to complete the tasks on the test. The amount of information they are expecting these kids to reference, pull items from etc. is enough to make MY head spin so I'm seriously worried about their mental health during this testing period.

Testing starts the Tuesday we come back from spring break.  The kids will have one test a week for the next three weeks.  Writing, Math and Social Studies. Due to the fact that a lesson has to be taught prior to them testing PLEASE make sure they don't have any dentist , doctor or other appts. from 9 - 12:30 for those three weeks.  We really need them here!  

Please also make sure that during this time they are well rested and that they are having some sort of breakfast in the morning.  

April 2nd is records day.... No school for students that day.

spelling list for this week..... s, es, and ies endings.  

 soldiers

pianos

essays

chiefs

treaties

countries

luggage

skis

characters

badges

valleys

places

beliefs

envelopes

essays

badges

palaces

heroes

latches

countries

treaties

groceries

diaries

gentlemen

loaves

Upcoming Objects in the Sky Test

The Objects in the Sky final test is this Friday, March 13th.  Students have in their folders everything that they need to study for this test. Materials they should have are:

A moon cootie catcher

A seasons cootie catcher

A moon phase book

Their orange science book.... they especially need to study the venn diagram on the eclipses.

3 warm up sheets of questions from the last 3 weeks.

Students will need  to know the following:

1.  How the tilt of the earth affects the number of daylight hours in the northern and southern hemispheres.

2.  How the tilt of the earth affects the transition of the seasons..... not the distance of the earth to the sun. (The earth's orbit is an elliptical....but it’s actually physically closer in its orbit to the sun during the winter.... not the summer)

The two MAIN reasons we have seasons is due to the tilt of the earth and the angle of the suns rays shining directly or indirectly on the earth.

3. The gradual decrease in daylight hours is what causes animals to migrate, grow longer fur or change fur/feather color for the upcoming winter....not gradually cooling temperatures.  Decreases in daylight hours also triggers the mating season of many species. (for example white tailed deer)

4. Increases in daylight hours cause animals to shed their winter coats and change into their summer coats.  Increases in daylight hours also triggers the return migration of our summer birds.

5. June 21st and December 21st are both Solstice dates, signaling the shortest and longest daylight hours for the year when the earth is tilted as far on its axis toward or away from the sun that it’s going to get for the rest of the year.

6.  June 21st has the longest daylight hours for the northern hemisphere. The farther north you go, the longer the daylight hours. For example, on June 21st, Fairbanks Alaska experiences 21 hours and 49 minutes of daylight. The sun doesn't set until 11:47 p.m.and rises at 1:58 a.m.  And even with the sunset, it doesn't get truly dark during the month of May, June, and July... the sun just briefly hides behind the tallest mountains and night is more like a light dusk or dawn.  After June 21st, daylight hours begin to get shorter.

7. December 21st has the shortest daylight hours for the northern hemisphere.  The farther north you live, the longer you have darkness as you approach December 21st.  Fairbanks has approx 3 hours and 43 minutes of daylight... sunrise is at 11:00 a.m... and sunset is at 2:40 around December 21^st. 

8. While we are having winter, the southern hemisphere is experiencing summer and vice versa

.

9. Equatorial zones typically have fairly constant temperatures and very few changes in daylight hours as the equator gets the most direct rays of the sun. In other words they don’t experience many seasonal changes.

10. March 21st and September 21st are both Equinox dates.  The word "Equinox" means "equal"  There is typically the same amount of daylight and darkness on these two days.

11. The two solstice dates are 6 months apart. The two equinox dates are also 6 months apart. 

12.  Moon cycles. They began these last year in 4th grade.  In addition to being able to identify the different phases of the moon they will also learn the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse and be able to tell how each is also similar.

13. The main source of light and heat in our solar system is our Sun.  Our sun is a star but we still call it the sun.

14. The rotation of the earth causes day and night.

15. The Orbit of the earth around the sun takes one year.

16. Students should be able to explain through drawing the moon, earth and sun, when the moon is in its "full " stage, New moon stage, 1st quarter stage, and last quarter stage.

17. The moon cycle takes approximately 28 days. (Some scientists say 27.3... some say 29.5... some say 28.5... we use the 28 as the average of all of these. 

18. The apparent motion of the sun across the sky is due to the rotation of the earth on it's axis. The earth turns toward and then away from the sun each day giving the sun the appearance that it is moving across our sky.

19. The rise and fall of ocean tides is caused by the moon's gravitational pull as it orbits the earth.  Tides are highest during a New moon due to the combined gravitational pull of the moon and sun.

20.  If you have a full moon tonight, it will be 28 days until the next full moon. If you have a 1st quarter moon tonight, it will be 28 days until the next 1st quarter moon.  The same is true of all the other phases... whatever phase you see, it will be 28 days until you see that same phase again.

21. The Earth is different from other planets in our solar system in that it is the only planet that has oceans and lakes made up of water (H2O)

22. Students will need to be able to list 2 things that they know about a lunar eclipse, 2 things that they know about a Solar eclipse, and one thing that both eclipses have in common.

Sadowski update 2/11/15

Tuesday February 17th the 4th and 5th graders will have their performance at the High school auditorium.

Students are asked to wear black or dark pants.  Girls wearing skirts are asked to wear leggings under their skirts due to the fact that they're going to be moving about on the stage quite a bit, and the entire lower section looks "up" from a vantage point below the stage.

Shirts can be any color of the rainbow... red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and lilac.

Mrs. Heinzleman has asked that they wear dress shoes if they have them. Again if they're growing so fast its hard enough to keep them in tennis shoes let alone dress shoes, whatever they have is fine.

Students need to be in the music room between 6:30 and 6:45 for a last minute mini rehearsal. The program will begin at 7:00

During the school day on the 17th all the 5th grade teachers are being pulled out for round #2 of Dibels training.  Dawn Phelps will be my sub. I have full confidence that the kids will be awesome as usual.

Spell list for this week is as follows:

dishonest 

dislike

disagree

disobey

impatient

impossible

imperfect

impolite

incomplete

incorrect

inactive

informal

nonfiction

nonsense

nonstop

nonviolent

unsure

unknown

unequal

unbutton

Thanks so much!

owl call listening opportunity

 
Owl Call listening opportunity this Wednesday night at Binder Park zoo.. This is a free event.

See information below:

 Owl lovers, bird watchers and everyone else is invited to the February Battle Creek Brigham Audubon program featuring a night hike through Binder Park Zoo in search of owls.This is free community event will take place Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at Binder Park Zoo.

A night hike offers an opportunity to hear all sorts of intriguing animals, especially owls. Participants should dress for cold weather but should not bring flashlights. The walk will be on flat terrain.

  Leading the night hike will be Barry County residents Josh and Kara Haas. Josh Haas is the president of Battle Creek Brigham Audubon. He is known for his bird photography and co-owns Glances at Nature Photography where he and his father sell their work, provide lessons and workshops and lead trips around the Midwest. He has years of experience caring for and handling birds of prey as well as giving bird lectures and leading trips for local nature centers.Kara Haas is the science education and outreach coordinator for the Kellogg Biological Station. She has a bachelor of science degree in biology from Hope College and master’s in early childhood education from Western Michigan University. She oversees community outreach at KBS and coordinates teacher professional development. Kara is an avid birder and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She is also the treasurer for Battle Creek Brigham Audubon. “Seeing and hearing the excitement in people when owls come in or call nearby is something both Kara and I love to experience,” said Josh. “Leading outdoor programs and getting people outdoors to enjoy all of Michigan’s seasons is our passion.

”This family program is open to everyone and provides an opportunity to hear various owl species, such as the Eastern screech owl, barred owl or even the powerful great horned owl.

     A short Battle Creek Brigham Audubon business meeting will begin at 7 with the night hike starting at 7:15 p.m. The meeting will begin in the Cross Administration Building (Binder Park Zoo office).For more information about the zoo, call 269-979-1351 or visit www.binderparkzoo.org.To learn more about Battle Creek Brigham Audubon, check www.facebook.com/BCBrighamAudubon or email bcbrighamaudubon@gmail.com.