Mr. Gann's 5th Grade Class

Friday News – 9/3

Mr. Gann — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:09:00 +0000

We will begin next week with a review of the content we have covered so far. Students have created a study guide (sent home today) for their first test which is scheduled for Wednesday. Students are encouraged to return their study guide by Wednesday with a parent signature to receive 2 bonus points (this will simply be checked so students can continue to use them to study). The test will cover:

place value to the billions period
writing numbers in standard form, word form, and expanded form
determining the value and place value of greater numbers
comparing and ordering greater numbers
using benchmark numbers for estimation
using a table to solve problems

Later in the week, we will continue our look at place value as we learn about decimals. This is sometimes a challenging concept for students. We will use technology and math manipulatives to help aid in the understanding of this concept.

Upcoming Events

September 6th – NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
September 7th – Student Council Permission Slips Due
September 8th – Math Test
September 9th – Student Council Election

Special Class Days for Next Week

M - OFF T - Day 1 W - Day 2 R - Day 3 F - Day 4

Homeroom Reminder

Students who have returned a permission slip to run for Student Council (due Tuesday), may put up one campaign poster beginning Tuesday. The homeroom election will be on Friday.

Students normally return to the library on Mondays. Please be aware of the due dates for books checked out by your child. Students are fined daily for late books.

Have a great 3-day weekend!

Red Team is Going….Green!

Mr. Gann — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:16:59 +0000

We will occasionally use individual white boards during math class. In order to save our tissues, if you or your child have an old, clean sock that they could use as dry erasers, please send one to school. Additional Expo markers are also welcome, but not necessary. Thank you for your support of our classroom!

Friday News – 8/27

Mr. Gann — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:15:46 +0000

The Red Team had another successful week of 5th Grade! They are really getting into the rhythm of switching classes and the greater responsibility that accompanies it.

In math, we have begun the year by examining place value of whole numbers. Students have reviewed writing numbers to the millions period using standard form (using digits), word form, and expanded form by breaking the number apart using the values of the digits (ex. 456,329 = 400,000 + 50,000 + 6,000 + 300 + 20 + 9). We extended this review of 4th grade skills by looking at numbers in the billions period. You can help your child by having them compose and decompose various numbers to the billions period. Recognizing the patterns of place value can help aid in success.

HB TB B , HM TM M , HTh TTh Th , H T O

We will begin the week by continuing our look at the billions period as we compare and order greater numbers. We will also take a look at benchmark numbers as a way to make reasonable estimates. We will be scheduled to complete a study guide on Friday with our first test tentatively scheduled for Wednesday of next week (September 8th).

Upcoming Events

Monday – Students are dismissed at 3:00 every Monday
September 1st – Running Club Begins
September 6th – NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)
September 8th – Math Test (tentative)

Special Class Days For Next Week

M – Day 4 T – Day 1 W – Day 2 R – Day 3 F- Day 4

Homeroom Reminder

Student Council permission forms are now available. Any student wishing to represent their homeroom in Student Council should have the form signed and returned by the due date.

Thursday Notes will be issued every Thursday. Please sign and return with your child to school by the next day.

Have a great week!

An Awesome Start!

Mr. Gann — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:07:31 +0000

We are off to an AWESOME start on the Red Team! Students have eagerly settled in to life at WIS as they have chosen lockers, switched classes, and made new friends.

In math, we will begin next week by examining the place value of whole numbers. Students will review numbers to the millions period using standard form (using digits), word form, and expanded form by breaking the number apart using the values of the digits (ex. 456,329 = 400,000 + 50,000 + 6,000 + 300 + 20 + 9). We will extend this review of 4th grade skills by looking at numbers in the billions period.

Students will also begin taking timed multiplication tests. These daily tests will consist of 68 problems to solve in 2:30 minutes. It is important to note that these tests are NOT for a grade. We will be making personal goals and tracking our own results using a line graph. The purpose of these tests is to increase fluency with the basic multiplication facts. This will be extremely important when we begin working on multiplication and division later this year. While the tests will not count toward your child’s grade, there will be a time in March and April where some scores may be reflected on your child’s overall grade, however, this is much later in the school year. You can find several sites to work on these important facts in the “Math Links” section located at the top of the blog page.

Upcoming Events

Monday – Students are dismissed at 3:00 every Monday
August 25th – New Student Luncheon (students new to the district)
August 27th – Picture Day
September 1st – Running Club Begins (forms located outside the counselor’s office)

Special Class Days For Next Week

M – Day 3 T – Day 4 W – Day 1 R – Day 2 F- Day 3

Homeroom Reminder

Please have all of the back-to-school paperwork completed and returned to school by Monday, August 23rd.

Mr. Gann’s Homeroom has the following Special Class Schedule:

Day 1 – ART Day 2 – COMPUTER LAB Day 3 – MUSIC Day 4 – P.E.

Students will go to the Library /Media Center on Mondays. They will have Counseling on Tuesdays (every other week). Students were given a full schedule from their homeroom teacher on the first day of school.

Have a great weekend!

2010 – 2011 School Year

Mr. Gann — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:57:10 +0000

By now you have received your letter and know that you are a member of the Red Team. Welcome! We are excited to have you on our team as we go on a ”Great American Road Trip”!

A couple of items before the school year begins…

School Supplies You can find the materials you will need on the WIS school supply list located here. Reminder: 5th Grade Students are not allowed to have locks on their lockers.

Meet the Teacher Night WIS will hold “Meet the Teacher Night” on Tuesday, August 17th from 6-8 p.m. Red Team Teachers will host an informal family meeting from 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room (directly across from my classroom) that evening.

First Day of School Classes will begin on Thursday, August 19th (8:40 a.m.). Please note that no bus passes will be issued.

Math Class A great deal of math will be taught using a problem solving approach. Our topics will include work with number sense, algebra, geometry, data and probability, and more.

Students will be keeping a Math Journal with notes and experiences from class. Students will be expected to keep their journal neat and updated so that they may have an easy reference point of material covered throughout the year.
Mastery of the basic facts (particularly multiplication 0s-12s) will help improve success. You may find websites that help with these facts by going to the “Math Links” section located at the top of the page. There, you will also find websites for practice and enrichment in other mathematical areas. Additional links will be added throughout the year.
Students will take the MAP test in Mathematics toward the end of the school year (5th graders are also tested in Communication Arts and Science).
We are very excited that each 5th grade math class will have a classroom set of iPods to enhance math instruction through technology!

Parent Communication It is my goal to keep the communication lines open between school and home. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns about your child’s progress and I will do the same. With that in mind, this blog is intended to help keep you informed about the events and learning going on in math class. Weekly newsletter articles will appear here on Fridays. However, additional information and student articles may appear throughout the week. Feel free to “subscribe” to this blog (top- right corner) to receive emails of when information is added. I also encourage you to check Mrs. Huffman’s blog and Ms. Nelson’s blog so that you may stay informed about all aspects of your child’s day as part of the Red Team.

Fifth graders, I look forward to meeting you and your family on August 17th. Enjoy the rest of your summer and again, welcome to 5th Grade – Red Team! I hope you have an awesome year!

Red Team Survey

Summer Vacation is Here!

Mr. Gann — Mon, 24 May 2010 18:39:24 +0000

It doesn’t seem possible that it is already summer vacation! I have truly enjoyed each and every one of you. This summer, be sure to read and enjoy a good book, keep those math facts sharp, and have fun! Be sure to stop by and visit next year. I hope you and your family have a GREAT, SAFE summer vacation!

Friday News – 5/14

Mr. Gann — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:50:26 +0000

The finish line is in sight!

We will begin the final week with the 5th Grade Field Day. We will be walking to the High School track where students will get to participate in several field events. Be sure to dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes (note: students may get wet). Students may bring money to purchase ice cream from the ice cream truck while at the field day event. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for Wednesday.

In math, we will be working on some logic puzzles and games as we end the year together. Students will also be turning in their textbooks on Tuesday. Please make sure all books are at school that day.

Upcoming Events

May 17th - 5th Grade Field Day (Rain Date – 19th)
May 20th – Ice Cream Sundae Assembly
May 21st – Honors Assembly (9 a.m.)
May 21st – Last Day of School
May 26th – Grade Cards Mailed to Parents

Special Class Days for Next Week

M - Day 1 T - Day 2 W - Day 3 R - Day 4 F - None

Homeroom Notes

Thank you to the parents that accompanied us on our field trip last week. We appreciate your help! The kids had a great time!

Mr. Gann is being made into a human sundae! Students received a note earlier in the week about bringing in sundae items. Please bring those in by Thursday, or not….

Please make sure all students have returned their library books and paid all fines (library and lunch).

Students may wish to gradually begin bringing some of their items in their locker home. Student lockers will be emptied by Thursday.

Red Team t-shirts should arrive by Thursday.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Friday News – 5/7

Mr. Gann — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:48:07 +0000

We are currently working on a fun review project in math class. We are creating our own version of Common Craft videos. Student groups have chosen their topics and are creating videos using paper cutouts to convey a story problem and demonstrate how to mathematically solve the problem. We are hoping with such a busy week to have time to film on Friday.

Upcoming Events

May 10th – 5th Grade Band Meeting (2:30 p.m.)
May 11th – iChoose Assembly
May 12th – ALL Library Books Due
May 12th – Transition Day / World Travel Day
May 13th – 5th Grade Field Trip
May 14th – iChoose Store
May 17th - 5th Grade Field Day (Rain Date – 19th)
May 20th – Ice Cream Sundae Assembly
May 21st – Honors Assembly (9 a.m.)
May 21st – Last Day of School
May 26th – Grade Cards Mailed to Parents

Special Class Days for Next Week

M - Day 1 T - Day 2 W - Day 3 R - Day 4 F - Day 1

Homeroom Notes

Congratulations to the following Red Team members who earned the trip to Silver Dollar City last Thursday: Madison D., Jordan B., Ben M., and Alyse C. I hope you had a GREAT time!

The 5th field trip will be on Thursday. Please watch the forecast to make sure your child dresses for the weather that day.

Please make sure all permission forms are returned promptly (field trip and field day).

Have a GREAT weekend!

Friday News – 4/30

Mr. Gann — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:12:53 +0000

We will begin the week with a Study Guide for a test that is scheduled for Thursday. The test will cover many concepts that we covered this school year. As always, students may return the signed study guide prior to test day for bonus points. This will be the last test of the school year. We will also begin a math project this week with the entire project being completed in class.

Upcoming Events

May 4th - Symphony Trip – 5th Grade
May 6th – Math Test
May 7th – WIS Hat Day
May 7th – Early Dismissal (12: 30 p.m.)
May 11th – iChoose Assembly
May 12th – ALL Library Books Due
May 12th – Transition Day / World Travel Day
May 13th – 5th Grade Field Trip
May 14th – iChoose Store
May 17th - 5th Grade Field Day (Rain Date – 19th)
May 21st – Honors Assembly (9 a.m.)
May 21st – Last Day of School
May 26th – Grade Cards Mailed to Parents

Special Class Days for Next Week

M - Day 1 T - Day 2 W - Day 3 R - Day 4 F - Day 1

Homeroom Notes

Please make sure ALL permission slips (field trip, symphony trip, field day, etc.) are returned promptly. Many of the due dates have already passed.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Friday News – 4/23

Mr. Gann — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:27:17 +0000

Upcoming Events

April 26th – Fine Arts Night / Book Fair
April 30th – Guest Speakers – 5th Grade
May 4th - Symphony Trip – 5th Grade
May 7th – Early Dismissal (12: 30 p.m.)
May 13th – 5th Grade Field Trip
May 17th - 5th Grade Field Day (Rain Date – 19th)
May 21st – Last Day of School
May 26th – Grade Cards Mailed to Parents

Special Class Days for Next Week

M - Day 4 T - Day 1 W - Day 2 R - Day 3 F - Day4

Homeroom Notes

Congratulations to the D.A.R.E. graduating class of 2010! Special recognition goes out to Morgan, Persephone, and Chas for having the top D.A.R.E. essays this past week in our homeroom. Also, special congratulations to Nate for receiving the D.A.R.E. medal for our homeroom.

Have a GREAT weekend!