I want to see you be BRAVE!

You may have noticed that last night for Curriculum Night that Mrs. McGaughey, Miss Crowley and I were all wearing matching shirts that read, "I want to see you be BRAVE."

This phrase captures the spirit of what we want our mindset to be this year in fifth grade.  In our first week of school during our leadership retreat, we asked the students to create posters for themselves that expressed how they want to be brave this year.  We showed this montage last night for Curriculum Night to help you catch this spirit as well.  Enjoy!

How will you be brave this year?

Song Credits: "Brave" by Sara Bareilles

Getting Into the Groove

We survived the first five-day, usual routine week of our school year!  Hooray!  But seriously, we do have a lot to celebrate:

1. Hercules came to school and felt right at home.  He participated in our fire and tornado drills and started sitting in the pouch for reading with students.  This hedgehog might love school almost as much as I do.

2. We started our daily tea routine.  It's a lovely way to enjoy our reading and writing workshop and be mindful in class.  I am amazed at the number of students who have brought in tea to share.  Many adults look at me kind of cross-eyed when I tell them we drink tea in class, but then see how it sets a calm and focused tone in our room.  Of course, it's optional and students are welcome to bring water bottles to keep at their desks to stay hydrated, as well.

3. Students applied for jobs to participate in our classroom economy.  This weekend, I will be reviewing applications and assign positions so that we can begin job training this week.  Everyone will have an important job that contributes to a successful classroom community.  Students will earn monthly paychecks, budget for paying rent for their desks, have opportunities to earn bonuses, and consider whether or not they want to use any extra spending money on monthly auctions.  The system we are using was the brain-child of fifth grade teacher and author, Rafe Esquith, who partnered with Vanguard to provide free resources for teachers to use it in their classrooms.  

4. Our student planners arrived!  We have begun incorporating them into our daily routine and I am already impressed with how responsibly the students are already managing them.  You can support your child by seeing that s/he's recorded her/his assignments in class (we set aside time each day to write in our planners, as a whole class), have completed them at home, and finally you can autograph each day.  If there is anything you need to share with me, please feel free to jot a note in the planner.  I check them each day.

Coming up this week...

Tuesday, August 25th

Our class will be taking the NWEA Math Assessment.  This is a computer-based, adaptive test that provides us with information about students' individual strengths and growth in mathematics, as well as areas in mathematics that we can strengthen for our classes as a whole.  Students will take this test three times this year to monitor their progress.  All results will be shared with you.

Tuesday evening, you're invited to Captain's Curriculum Night, which will begin with a Specialists' Reception at 6:30pm.  Following the reception will be opening remarks in the cafeteria beginning at 7:00pm.  Then you will have the opportunity to come upstairs to the fifth grade suite for a brief presentation about our work together this year in fifth grade.  We would love to see you there!

Friday, August 28th

Students will not have school this Friday.  Teachers will be working together to grow professionally.  Literacy will be the focus of my learning on Friday, as we have received brand new units of study in reading and writing this year.  Very exciting!  I am really looking forward to seeing the impact of this work with the students this year.

First Formal Friday

Our leadership retreat came to a close Friday, and it was inspiring.  I realize that may sound a bit on the cheesy side, but no cheese intended - I'm inspired by your children!

First of all, they went all out with Formal Friday.  I'm talking full suits including pocket squares, blazers, sparkly skirts, and flowy dresses.  They didn't just look the part, they acted the part.  It was so fun!  I tried taking a nice picture, but I failed miserably.  I used the pano feature on my phone and it blurred their faces.  The good news is that I can try again this Friday.

Secondly, they created class norms as an entire fifth grade that are incredible.  Check it out:

• We will always respect others and be honest even when it is difficult.
• We will be brave even when we are scared.
• We will be great leaders for everyone by always being kind and inclusive.
• We will never be selfish; always be selfless.
• We will get organized and stay organized to help us work better and stay focused.

Thirdly, teachers from all over the building have been making comments to me about how impressed they are by the fifth grade class.  Individuals from our class have been noticed showing kindness to others, welcoming our new classmates to Captain, and leading by example during transitions in the halls.  Wow!

This week, we will have a "normal" week schedule-wise, and start settling into our daily routines.  Here is how it will go:

• 8:30-8:50  Morning Routine - Remember I will meet students on the playground to walk upstairs at 8:30, and announcements begin at 8:40 in order for class to begin at 8:50.  
• 8:50-9:50  Writing Workshop - We will begin with a pre-assessment, and then move into a short journalism unit so that students can begin contributing to this blog.)
• 9:50-10:50  Social Studies - This week will begin with world geography as we embark on our Three Cultures Meet unit.  We will also have opportunities to team with Miss Crowley's class during this unit of study. (Art will happen on B days for our class at this time, which will land on Thursday this week.)
• 10:50-11:50  Specials (PE, Music, Spanish)
• 11:50-12:10  Recess
• 12:10-12:30  Lunch
• 12:30-1:50  Reading Workshop - We will begin by setting up routines and then move into our unit on Interpretation Book Clubs: Analyzing Themes.  We will also be visiting the school library this week during reading workshop.
• 1:50-3:20  Math - Our first unit is on whole numbers, specifically focused on place value to ten million and rounding and estimation.  This is crucial for successful mental math in fifth grade.
• 3:20-3:30  Dismissal Routine

Please mark your calendars for Curriculum Night, which will take place on Tuesday, August 25th at 7pm beginning in the cafeteria.  

I'm energized for our great week ahead!   

Day 1 is in the books!

I will keep this short and sweet, which will be easy because we had such a delightful first day of fifth grade today.  We kicked off fifth grade leadership retreat with a whole class meeting where we got to see a montage of Captain teachers and classroom pets explain their views of true leadership as well as hopes for our fifth graders this year.  

We spent the rest of the day engaged in a variety of activities focused on getting to know each other, building relationships with one another, and celebrating our differences.  

I'd have to say the highlight of my day was receiving feedback from our class answering the question, "What kind of teacher do you want?"

Their responses were thoughtful, sweet, and funny.  I've hung them in the room so I won't forget.  

I hope everyone rests up well tonight and is geared up for day 2 tomorrow!

Welcome to fifth grade!

It's happened again; summer has passed and a new school year is upon us.  I am still surprised that school is beginning again so quickly.  Your child is entering fifth grade.  Can you believe it?!  No matter how cliche it is to say it, I know the amazement of how fast our kids grow, from the perspective of both mom and teacher.  

Despite my shock, I am super excited to usher in this new school year!  I have had a full and productive summer, and can't wait to practice what I've learned in the classroom.  I thought perhaps you might want to know what I've been up to so here is a brief run-down before we tackle the nitty-gritty of the new year ahead of us.

Mrs. Ketzer's Summer Adventures

• First, I directed the Clayton Elementary Summer Academy at Glenridge Elementary.  It was a blast to meet students from across the district and work with incredible teachers.  Our theme was, "Find your inner rockstar," and we made a point of dancing on a regular basis. 
• I took a road-trip with my family to Colorado to visit my sister, grandparents, and aunt.  A few highlights were going to Red Rocks, touring Broncos Mile High Stadium, and visiting the Wild Animal Sanctuary.  There is nothing like fresh mountain air to clear a person's head, in my opinion.    
• Next, I attended the Greg Tang Math Conference in Kansas City.  This was a spectacular learning experience for me.  We spent three extremely packed days engaged in mathematics.  My brain hurt, but in the best possible way.  
• Finally I did some preparation for our upcoming year.  The first part of that included some reading from my classroom library that I never seemed to be able to steal time for during the school year.  The second part including meeting with a team of teachers and Dr. Martin to prepare for this year's professional learning.  The third, and most thrilling, was coming up to Captain and working in the classroom, meeting with our amazing fifth grade team, learning alongside Captain staff, and meeting with the district fifth grade team about literacy.

These are the books I read.

So, what's next?  I get to see you!  Tuesday, August 11th, will be our New Family Orientation at 8:15 and our Captain Kick-Off will follow from 9-10.  Feel free to bring backpacks with school supplies to put in lockers - they are labeled and waiting for you.  I'm looking forward to meeting you in person and welcoming our class's four new families to Captain.  One of things you might notice on your visit is the habitat for our class pet, Hercules.  He is an African Pygmy Hedgehog who will soon be celebrating his first birthday.  Since hedgehogs are shy creatures by nature, I refrain from bringing him to school until our class has settled into routines a bit and it is calm.  Once he arrives, he will be a regular part of our workshop time, as he likes to sit in a pouch my students wear while they read and write.  He is excited for school, though, as you can see.

 

 

Hercules peeking out of my backpack.

Another thing you might notice is that the desks will not be labeled with names.  This is because in fifth grade, we don't have assigned seats each day.  We use a system where students choose a different seat each day, which will be clearly explained in class, because there are some guidelines to consider when making a seat choice.  We find that this helps us prepare the students for middle school by having them rely on keeping their materials organized in their lockers, helping them make responsible choices for themselves and their learning each day, and it helps the students get to know their classmates.  

If you are unable to make it to school Tuesday for the Kick-Off, we understand and look forward to seeing you and your child Wednesday for the first day of school!  Student drop off time is 8:20 and I will be meeting our class on the playground to walk upstairs at 8:30.  Our announcements will begin at 8:40 and class immediately following.  Our fifth grade team will be coming together for the first week of school participating in a leadership retreat to prepare us to be leaders in the school as fifth graders.  Central ideas for our retreat include: learning and owning our school norm of "do the right thing even when no one is watching," building positive relationships, working together as a team supporting one another, and having a growth mindset.  Dismissal for fifth grade happens at the bottom of the stairwell E, which is located on the west side of school nearest the playground right by the ramp at 3:30.  

Lastly, I want to welcome you to what promises to be a great school year together.  I hope to use this blog as a form of communication between the classroom and your homes.  My goal is that students in our class this year will be making regular contributions to this blog, as well.  I believe having open communication is so very valuable for the success of your children, so I am looking forward to partnering with you this year in their education and I invite you to contact me with any questions, concerns, etc. throughout the year.  You can reach me by email at amandaketzer@claytonschools.net or calling our classroom phone at (314) 854-6126.