This week...

Week of February 22nd

March 2nd-Strange Mysteries at 826 Michigan
In this field trip experience students will travel to 826 Michigan to solve a mystery writing workshop and then walk to the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor Library.  Students will need a sack lunch to eat at 826.  Look for a permission slip to come home this week.

Looks to be a busy week in 5th grade!

Monday February 8th Parent Involvement Day
Please join us at school this Monday.  Parent Involvement Day gives families an opportunity to know more about their child's day at school and meet other parents in our school community.  Our schedule for the day looks like this:

9:00 Morning Meeting
9:30 Introduction to Science Fair
9:44 Art
10:30 Math-More Strategies for Finding Common Denominators
11:47 Freeetime and Lunch
12:35 Quiet TIme
12:50 Energy sharing and reflection
1:20 Science-An inquiry into how diseases spread
2:15 Prepare for assembly
3:00 All School Assembly

The kids have been working hard in music in preparation for our NAAPID Assembly.  If you can make it, please come--their hard work is not to be missed!

Science Fair
Fifth grade students at Mitchell School participate in the school science fair each year.  Students may choose to develop a project on their own or with a small group students.  On Monday I will present information to the class and how to develop a science fair project.  We will also brainstorm a few ideas for projects.  Students then should use their home study period to research and conduct their investigation.  On Thursday February 11th 5:30 p.m. is the Science Fair Pick Your Project Night in the Mitchell Media Center.  Teachers will be available with resources to help students develop their project ideas.

Winter Survival Trip
Last week a letter and permission slip went home regarding this trip.  The weather looks to be more wintery than it's been. so please help your child make appropriate clothing choices for the day.  Additionally, students who have not yet returned their permission slip need to do so as soon as possible.  While the trip has been planned to take place at Lima Center it is possible there may be a change to the location based on the availability of wood to build fires.  If any changes are made a note will go home with your child. 

Children will be working in groups of approximately 6 to build their own cooking fire and then prepare their lunch.  I shared with the children last week ideas for campfire cooking and they had a chance to talk with their group and develop a plan.  Each child should bring a lunch to cook on the fire on Wednesday.

Valentine's Day--Celebration of Friendship
The class has voted and decided upon having a small celebration of friendship in honor of Valentine's Day on Friday, February 12th.  This week we will plan a menu for our celebration.  I am hoping your child will be able to contribute a snack item to our celebration.  The kids also voted to include Valentine's as part of the celebration.  Students are not required to bring Valentine's, although, those who do, must bring enough for each student.  We have 27 students in our class.  A class list will go home early this week.

Winter Break 
Winter break begins at the end of the day on Friday February 12.  School will resume on Monday February 22nd.