Ho! Ho! Ho! So much to do!

As promised, this week is full of stuff to do.  Pageant practice, 5th Grade's all school mass practice, Secret Santa, and....one more thing?  What is it?  Its on the tip of my tongue!  That's right!  School!

My schedule has been shot full of holes.  The only thing I know for sure is that we will be having our Maya, Aztec, and Inca Unit Exercise tomorrow.  Also, we will have a Math exercise on Thursday.  Yeah!  It will be a blast for all.

If you have any questions, you can always call someone who cares. Mr Saavedra.  Mrs. Covey.  Florence Nightingale.  And of Course, Bob Barker.  If you are really desperate, go ahead and give me a jingle.  (Get it?  A "jingle?"  Christmas?  jingle Bells?  I crack me up!)

Seventh Grade Social studies has been "postponed" by Christmas activities for this week.  We will meet on Thursday to get back into the swing of World War I.  as for the Sixth graders I will see them twice this week:  Today and Thursday.  No exercises.  Just reading and reviewing and annotating.

TAKE CARE ALL!

Change! Glorious Change!

Well, I knew it would happen.  I need to change my plans on Exercises.  Here they are:

First, we will be taking the Religion Exercise on ADVENT Thursday, tomorrow.  No Vocabulary this week.  Social Studies will be pushed to Friday - With a slight chance to move it to Monday.  If I feel the kids are not ready, we will not take it on Friday.  Fair?

Thanks for your patience.

It's beginning to look a lot like that time of year....

That wonderful, fun filled time of joy and happiness!  Where smiles are abundant and the air is filled with glorious voices wishing all a "Merry Christmas!"  Right.  Let's get back to reality.

The next two weeks will be filled to the brim with our normal, everyday expectations and then generously topped off with Christmas Cheer:  practice for our All School Mass, Grandparents Day, Choir Practice, Evening Christmas Program, School Families celebrating the Jesse Tree, just to name a few that I know of. So, I am going to ask everyone to be patient and understanding, and, most of all, flexible!

Here is what I have planned for this week and next.  As far as exercises go, I am planning on giving a Math exercise on Wednesday,  Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas exercise on Thursday; Religion on Friday.  Next week Vocabulary and Spelling on Tuesday.  We will also begin The Renaissance  next week.  To coincide with that, I will need a 8X10 picture of your child.  We will be doing self-portraits in class.  It is my wish to have them complete by Catholic School week at the end of January.  If you don't have an 8X10, please try to get it enlarge at one of the local copy places.  It makes it easier for all to complete this task.  We draw on an 8X10 canvas board.  See?  Easy.  Especially for me.  (As it should be!)

Finally, Secret Santa.  Dollar a day Monday through Thursday.  Friday is $5.00 gift limit.  Emphasis on secrecy.  Wrap gifts in a bag with the students number posted on it.  Or put gift in bag with number listed.  Please help your child be a great Secret Santa.  There is nothing worse than a child with no gift from Santa.

What's happening in the Fifth grade?

Lots!  It is that time of the year when we have tons of things on the agenda and so little time to accomplish them.  So what does that mean for your child?  Lots of work.  No other way to put it.

I will, of course, make it fun.  For instance, in vocabulary I would love for the students to log onto the Vocabulary Workshop Website and use the available tools that will assist in the learning of the new unit words.  In Religion, we will be learning the new Roman Missal version of the Nicene Creed.  They will be responsible for an oral presentation next Wednesday.  I would love to finish up the Mayas, Aztes and Incas unit by the end of next week.  We should be able to accomplish that task with ease.

Finally, it was brought to my attention that my blog and my curriculum update have not been in sync with each other.  Sorry.  She is absolutely correct.  I have to tell you that sometimes the letter is a list of dreams.  It does not take into account all the various activities that jump into the schedule.  So, here is what I am asking you to be aware of:  Exercises listed on the curriculum schedule are best case scenario planning.  If you ask your child if they are having an exercise that is listed and they say no, we probably are not.  I always write down the exercises we will be having on the board.  Confirm by reviewing their assignment book.  I am trying to follow my letter more closely.  I will also list the exercises on the sidebar that lists homework.  As always, if you have any questions, just come see me.

Oh, one more thing!  "How the Grinch stole Christmas" play at the Olde Globe.  I need four parents as chaperones.  I need to transport 18 bodies in all.  Please let me know if you can help out.  Permission slips should be coming home today or tomorrow.

See!  I told you!  Lots to do and no time to do it!

Blog? What blog?

Wow!  Is it really Thursday?  I am so sorry I have dropped the ball on my blogging.  So to make up for it, I will compact 4 days into one!  Woohoo!

Star of India Trip is October 26th.  I have listed the following people as "Safety Officers:"  (A.K.A. CHAPERONES!!!!!) Lisa DeFabrizio, Matt Kalla, June Maeva, and David Mulvaney.  Remember to fill out the Liability Release form and the Adult medical form.  I am still waiting on some forms from students.  Please visit the website for the Maritime Museum of San Diego.  I provided the link to the right.  Once again, we are splitting this trip with Stella Marris.  I think it will be a blast with 36 children!  They will be able to do a lot more.  Finally, make sure you review what can and cannot be brought aboard the Star of India. 

Be on the look out for Progress Reports online Monday.  Please take a good look at how your child is doing.  If there are issues, we need to get them corrected now and not the day before report cards come out.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Didn't I tell you Halloween was just around the corner?  Next Friday is our Carnival.  I have been looking at the level of cooperation going on in this class.  Thank you for making this event a success and enjoyable!  (Who came up with this idea anyway? - Thanks Michelle.)

I think I am caught up.  Let's encourage each other to check out the blog.  It is an easy way for me to get information out to you between Friday Folders.

You may think its silly, but its not!

Parents,

Just to let you know, we have been doing some Superbrain Yoga in class during the ITBS Testing in order to rejuvenate the kids in between the various tests.  Silly?  Yes.  Effective?   More than you think.  I have put up a video link on the subject in the sidebar area.  Please take a moment to review it and see if you want me to include it in our daily routine or perhaps you can incorporate it into your morning routine.  Lord knows you have tons of spare time in the morning.  Seriously, check out the information.  I think you will be amazed.

Also, we will be completing the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) portion of our Testing on Monday.  Then the nightmare is over for the children.  Like I have said earlier, the kids have been troopers!  We will resume our regular schedule and play a little catch up on some of our subjects.

We are still in the midst of ITBS testing.

The children could not be more thrilled!  OK.  That may have been a little exaggeration on my part, but they are taking the various tests without complaint.  We should finish the "regular testing" today and start the cognitive abilities test tomorrow and completing it on Monday.  So, please keep your children well rested and well fueled.  It truly does make for better results.

With all this testing going on, my curriculum letter has been tossed out the window.  What we are covering is Math and Social Studies, and Mrs Valenti-Turskey and Ms. McQuade are covering there subjects as planned.

I received a comment on my blog last night that made me stop and think.  Mrs. McKenzie ask if I was going to include information about 6th and 7th grade Social Studies.  I had never thought to do that.  So, here we go!  6th grade is sailing through the unit on Judaism and Christianity.  We will be discussing section 5:  "The Rise of Christianity" in class today.  (Where would we be without Paul?)

As For 7th grade, we have been discussing the rise of America as a world power.  We have had some great discussions.  Most of our topics revolved around the influence of Hearst's and Pulitzer's use of Yellow Journalism  as a way to sell newspapers and influence public opinion.  Our current Assignment is creating our own "Yellow Journalism Headline."  It should take us a few days to get through this process.  I am expecting to finish this unit next week and have a test by Thursday.

That is all for now.

About the Curriculum Update...

Due to ITBS Testing schedule and our class schedule, we will only have a Math Exercise this week.  You may discard all other exercises that were scheduled.  ITBS is taking up most of the morning, so I have little instructional time with them.  We are concentrating on Math and Social Studies.  Their afternoon schedule is normal:  Science and Language arts.

One final comment:  I would love for you, my loyal followers, to spread the word about my blog site.  It is a simple way for me to communicate to everyone.  Issues such as the "Erroneous Curriculum Update" can be easily remedied using this effective communication tool.

Shooting for 100% classroom parent participation,

Mr. Turskey

Star of India! Forms, Forms, and More Forms!!!!

Parents,

Star of India trip is only 16 days away.  I will be reviewing my forms received so far.  Look in your child's assignment book for notes concerning  the needed forms.  I have also included a link to Maritime Museum of San Diego in my Suggested Links column to the right.  If you need forms, you can go to their website and download them.  Look for "Voyage of Hope."  You will need the student medical form, medication administration form, and the student liability form.  If you are a chaperone, the Adult medical form.


Thank you,

Mr. Turskey

What a wonderful week this was!

So, you think this week has gone by fast?  Or is it me?  With that being said, I really don't have too much to say.  The week was uneventful. 

Reminders:
     If your child has a rosary, please have them bring it to school. 
     Star of India is coming!
     Please review all the paper that was in the Friday folder.

Short and sweet.  Have a great weekend

Another week bites the dust!

Tonight is Friday eve!  Wooohooo!  Everybody's working for the weekend.....I should write a song about that.

This week has flown by.  Sorry for no update last night.  I need to really force myself to get into the habit of  blogging.  It is a nice communication tool.  I am hoping more people will follow my blog.  (For my two followers, thank you.  Now lets get the rest of the class online.)

We are having our Friday assembly tomorrow.  We will be praying the Rosary at every assembly in October.  October is the month of the Rosary.  If your child has a rosary, please remind them to bring it to school.  This weeks chapter in Religion is about sacramentals and how they reminder us God's presence in the world and, more importantly, in our daily lives.

A gentle reminder:  Tomorrow is a half day.

Our Star of India Trip is fast approaching.  I will start covering all the Sea Chanties and Sailor talk in the coming weeks.  I will be reviewing what forms I have received and start bugging people for the forms I need.  If you have them, please fill them out and return.  The cost is still going to be $50.

Next week we begin the ITBS testing.  Remember, this is just used as a diagnostic tool for the teachers.  To help your child perform at his or her best, make sure the get plenty of rest and have a good breakfast before coming to school.  A full stomach helps a powerful brain!

Thanks,
Mr. Turskey

Progress Reports? Already! My how time flies.

Well, the first three weeks of school have flown by.  I don't know about you, but it seems to me that we just started school.  September is a memory.  Now we race into the Season of celebrations.  Halloween is fast approaching.  Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Year!  Holy cow!

Kind of makes your chest tight doesn't it.   Speaking of tight chests, I want to keep you apprised of what we three teachers have been discussing.  We are trying to be better aware of what we are giving as homework and scheduled exercises.  We are mindful that four exercises on one day might give a parent pause.  I do want to say that I do not consider a Math exercise on the same level as a Social Studies exercise.  Math you need to know and practice every day.  As always, your continued input is welcomed.  We want this new program to be a successful venture.


We start the Maya, Aztecs, and Incas this week!  This unit of Social Studies is a favorite for the boys.  I don't understand why.  Oh wait, yes I do.  Human sacrifice.

Vocabulary Workshop Update

Parents,

Just to let you know, I am embarking on a new adventure!  I have set up the students with Usernames and passwords.  I have had the children glue this information in the front of the Vocabulary books.  This should prevent loss of information.  On this website, you can print out flash cards, crossword puzzles, word searches and play games.  I think it will be a great help to the kids.  Also, instead of covering a unit a week, I am slowing the pace down to a week and a half or two weeks.  We will still be able to finish the book before year end.  It is my hope that this new approach will further strengthen their vocabulary.

In social studies, we have finished covering World Lakes.  I am hoping to give the unit assessment on Friday.  It looks like there will be no vocabulary, spelling, math or Religion exercises that day so there should be no problem studying for this exercise.

That is that.  Have a great day.

A great week ahead!

Dear Parents,

This week will be filled with many challenges for your children.  Thursday we will be taking our very first Social Studies Exercise on the World Lakes Unit.  It is filled with questions that look at the uniqueness of each lake and what is special about their location in the world.  I have some Learning masters that we will go over in class beginning on Tuesday.  I am going to suggest that they start reviewing today.

We seem to be progressing in math quite well.  It is all review thus far.  I am quite happy with the new format in our Vocabulary books.  Each unit includes a new section that looks at tips for understanding  or finding out what a word means.  For example, Unit 1 discussed using context clues to glean the meaning of a word.

Have a great week

Is it really Friday?

My how time flies when you are having fun! Really? hmmm.  Anyway, the week has come to an end and we all survived.  The students seem to be adapting quite well to our new class schedule.  It is a refreshing experience for all involved.  Let's hope this is a continuing trend.

Today was a fun filled day.  We had exercises galore!  The students handled it very well.  As a treat, I decide to allow Mrs. Kalla to come in and share cupcakes.  She thinks it was for Macy's birthday, but we know better.  Thank you Mrs Kalla! 

Girl's JV Volleyball practices started today.  The Turners have offered their coaching expertise.  Yeah!  John and Stacy.

I spoke to several parents this morning concerning a change of date for our Star of India overnight trip.  The change was well received.  Monday I am planning on contacting both the Maritime Museum and Stella Maris.  I know this will result in a better experience for both schools.  As the saying goes:  "The more the merrier!"

I look forward to our Home meeting on Tuesday!

A change in the Star of Indoia Overnight.

Just to let you know, there is an opportunity to join forces with Stella Maris School.  I know the 5th grad teacher.  Her class (21) and our class (15) can join forces to make a better experience and a more cost effective one as well.  I would still plan on the four volunteers for chaperoning.  More information to follow.

And it begins.....

What better way to begin a new year than with rain.  It must be good luck!  This year is going to be full of change for the students.  New schedule. New teachers.  They seemed to handle both very well today.  Let's hope it continues. Fifth grade is a year of transition and this year will be no exception.  If you or your children have any questions, just stop by or give me a call.

Just to fill you in:  Ms. McQuade will teach science this year.  Mrs. Valenti-Turskey will handle Language Arts.  I will be teaching Social Studies to 6th & 7th graders!  Woohoo!

Today was interesting.  We moved some desks around to get rid of some "less than desirable" desks and replaced them with desks in much better condition.  We actually got to some instructional time.  We started Math, Social Studies, Vocabulary and covered our Math books.  We had some "timed" tests on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  The kids were so excited!  Homework includes finishing Math Lesson 1 Practice and Problem sets.  (You can expect Math homework everyday.)  For Vocabulary they will need to complete pages 10 & 11.  We will have an exercise on Friday in Spelling and Vocabulary.

Last little note:  Star of India permission slips went home today.  Thanks to the Tryka Family raising $1,100.00, the cost for the field trip is only $50.00 per student.  The cheapest it has ever been.  We will be spending the night on board Thursday, September 22nd.  There will be no school for 5th graders on Friday, September 23rd.  I also need chaperones for this journey.  Any volunteers?