Journal Covers

Here are my examples of what I'm looking for on the Science and SS journal covers.  Be creative and use any items that your child thinks of when they hear "Science" or "Social Studies."  You can use photographs, stickers, drawings, printed clip art, comic strips, etc - just not anything that is puffy or sticks out.  This is so that the journals are meaningful and easy for the students to identify as their Science journal and their SS journal.  I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with!  Have fun with it!

1st day of school

WOW!  We all survived the first day of school.  I hope all of our students came home excited about being in fifth grade.  We spent a lot of time establishing procedures and reviewing expectations with our students.

A few things to make a note of:
1. Ask your child whether or not they want to participate in Flag Patrol.  I talked to both of my groups of students about this today and showed them where the application is on my website.  I'll be working on the September schedule soon so go ahead and sign up if they are interested.

2.  Reading Logs: I showed both of my groups of students exactly where I want them to record their independent home reading.  I expect them to read 80 mins a week (they can break it up however it works for them).  They need to record what they are reading and how long they read on the monthly calendar at the front of their agenda.  I would also like to see a parent signature/initials verifying that your child actually did the reading.  Students will be rewarded with "tickets" for meeting the 80 min goal each week and a bonus "ticket" if it is signed.  I will check these on Tuesday mornings each week.

3.  Science and SS Journals - I have asked my homeroom students (and I believe Mrs. Askew will be talking to her homeroom students about this too) to decorate the cover of their Science and SS journals.  I would like to see pictures, stickers, drawings, clip art, etc showing what they think about when they hear Science and Social Studies.  I would like the notebook covers to be decorated by Friday and then either I or a parent volunteer (anyone want to help?) will cover the notebooks with clear packing tape.

4.  Science HW - We reviewed some basic Science Lab safety rules in class today.  Students are supposed to review these with their parents and have a contract signed tonight.

5.  If you have not turned in your paperwork from Meet the Teacher night, please make sure it is turned in as soon as possible.  Please join the PTA if you are able.  If you need any of the forms, I have them all on my website in the Back to School Items section.

THANKS FOR A GREAT START TO A GREAT YEAR!

Meet the Teacher Night

I am looking forward to seeing many of you tonight at Meet the Teacher night. Stop by and meet your teachers (Mrs. Ellison for Reading/Writing/Spelling and Mrs. Askew for Math. Our team will have the homeroom teacher teaching Science and Social Studies.) If you want to get a head start on the paperwork we'll give you to fill out tonight, checkout my Back To School Items page on my website. I have all of the forms available for you to download, print, and fill out ahead of time.
GO PRIDE!  

Welcome to 5th Grade with Mrs. Ellison!

This is my 21st year teaching, all in Johnston County.  Wow - time flies when you're having fun.  It's a good thing I love my job!  I am married with 2 teenage boys who are both attending Clayton High School this year.  I earned my undergraduate degree from UNC-Wilmington and my masters from East Carolina University.  I have taught all subjects in grades 1st, 2nd, and 5th.  Outside of school I keep active with teaching faith formation classes at St. Ann's Catholic Church, getting my kids to and from their sporting events, walking, and reading.  I recently completed my first Ramblin' Rose triathlon and hope to improve my time when I compete again next May.  I do this as a motivation for myself, not to try to win the race.  As you will quickly learn, I use a lot of technology in my classes to engage the students and manage their assignments.  Please make sure you follow this Blog to stay updated about what is going on in Fifth grade this year.  I'm looking forward to another great year at Powhatan!