Colonial Days Was FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Today we had Colonial Days and learned all about the life of George Washington. We were able to dress up in colonial clothes for pictures, play colonial games, learn about maps and The Declaration of Independence. We also heard and sang some colonial songs to the music of a guitar! It was a lot of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At the end we played Jeopardy and got new pencils to use in class. What a great time we had!

Are You Working To Get Perfect 600's?????

This year, I would LOVE to see all of the 5th grade students pass the SOL Tests. I think that MANY of them could get perfect scores of 600 on the tests if they are willing to STUDY EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and make sure that they are understanding all of the material we are covering in class. Do not forget to ask questions in class AND review your old notes at home nightly! We are doing our part to teach you; now make sure you are doing YOUR part by studying.

SOL Writing/English Tests THIS WEEK!

On Tuesday and Wednesday (March 4-5) students will be taking the English/Writing SOL Tests. Please remind your child to:
1. Get a good night's rest before the day.
2. THINK about the prompt and take their time on the tests (they are NOT timed).
3. Use good test-taking skills which they have been taught.
4. Take the test SERIOUSLY!
5. DO THEIR BEST!!!!!!
We know that each and every one of them can pass this test with flying colors!

We Finished Reading, "Who Was Harriet Tubman?"

We really enjoyed reading this biography and learning all of the facts about Harriet Tubman's life! She was one interesting person! Students then created little Harriets and wrote facts about her life around the body. GOOD JOB!

5th Grade Participates In Black History Assembly

Today, several of my 5th-grade students participated in an assembly to honor Black History. It was a terrific program where we learned about many famous Black Americans and the many many contributions they made to society. Great job Rebekah, Kyla, Equasisa, Amber,and Antoinette! I am so proud of your accomplishments!

Kimberly Johnson Visits To Help Us With Writing!

Today we had the author, Kimberly P. Johnson visit 5th grade to help us make our Writing better! We learned all kinds of good tips and hints to improve our Writing and hope to be able to use these skills in a couple of weeks when we take the SOL Test!!!!!!

Enjoy Your Snow Day.........FINALLY!

I'm sure that I have some happy 5th grade students sitting at home today because today is our long-awaited SNOW DAY! What a beautiful sight it was to look out this morning and see everything blanketed in white! ENJOY IT because Mrs. Appleton sure is!

Chinese Acrobats Came Today!

Today we enjoyed the Chinese Acrobats who came and performed for us. We were amazed at the one girl who could bend her body in all sorts of positions. It looked like she was made of rubber! The guy who juggled the 6 tennis rackets was amazing and the other girl who juggled the table with her feet was unbelieveable! We also saw a Chinese Lion Dance! This was so cool and really opened our eyes to the talents of the Chinese culture!

Mrs. Holt Shares Her Trip To China With Us!

Today Mrs. Holt shared the pictures she took while on her journey to China. It was soooooooooooooooooooooooo interesting! She told us about the old and new things in China and even about "scorpions on a stick" and "squat pots!" We really were captivated by the pictures and stories she shared and we love Mrs. Holt so much. We will miss you Mrs. Holt! Happy Retirement!!!!!!

New Field Trip Plans

Well, we have changed the plans for the fieldtrip. We are HOPING to go to Amazement Square in Lynchburg, VA and then to lunch at Golden Corral. Plans are still being made so this is not definite. Some things to remember:
1. This is a "reward" trip ONLY for students who work hard from now until the SOL Tests and during the tests. If you don't have homework, can't behave properly, or aren't doing your best, then you won't be allowed to go.
2. When we send the official trip letter home, you CANNOT get a referral or you will not be allowed to go. Money that is paid will NOT BE REFUNDED. BEHAVE!
We hope that everyone will get to go and enjoy this fun event. We went there last year and had a great time!

If you want to see what Amazement Square is like, check out the website at
www.amazementsquare.com

A Late Thank You For Christmas Presents!

I FINALLY found my list that I made of students who gave me Christmas presents and I wanted to make sure that I said THANK YOU! It was so sweet of you to think of your teacher at Christmas and I certainly hope that Santa was good to all of you. So thanks go to:
Amber for the baby top and hairbows
Kimberly for the baby outfit
Equasisa for the lotion
Rebekah for the angel ornament and pound cake
TaeShon for the lotion
Diana for the snowflake towels, jellies and hairbows
Jimmy for the puppy calendar
Josh for the peppermint cocoa
Jacob for the chocolate cherries
Stashaun for the M&Ms
Moesha for the stuffed puppy
Patrick for the Santa statue
Jamie for the cookies and lotion
Kyla for the green slipper socks
Maya for the baby outfit
James for the bell
Lexi for the bracelet and charm
I hope I didn't miss anyone! Thank you all!

Happy New Year!

Well, 2008 is officially here and as students prepare to come back to school tomorrow, I hope that they are prepared to REALLY buckle down and get ready for the SOL Tests! There's lots to learn! I need to students to:
1. Work hard!
2. Study their notes every night!
3. Ask questions if you don't understand something!
4. Be at school EVERY day!
5. Control their behavior so they can learn AND others around them can learn!
6. Have a good attitude!
7. LEARN, LEARN, LEARN!
Let's make it a great year with 100% passing on our SOL Tests! I expect to see even MORE perfect scores in Math this year than we had last year! You can do it!

Schoolhouse Rock Multiplication Videos

Click on the arrows to play these videos to help you learn your multiplication facts. ENJOY!

THREES:


EIGHTS:


TWELVES:


ZEROS:

Last Day Of School For 2007

Free Glitter Graphics



Today we went to school until 11:30. The students in Mrs. Appleton's homeroom came in and got to choose their seats. They then worked on little fun activity book and used special holiday pens that Mrs. Appleton had made for them. Some of the girls had brought back the teddy bears that Mrs. Appleton gave them yesterday at the party. We then made jingle bell necklaces that reminded us to "BELIEVE". The Polar Express (kindergarten and first grade students) chugged into the building singing Jingle Bells and we got to see all of them in their pajamas (some of the 5th graders wore their pajamas too; as well as Mrs. Appleton AND Miss Dudley!). We then went to the sing-a-long in the gym with the rest of the school and had a ball. Lunch came next which was a bag lunch in the classroom. Finally, it was time to wish everyone Merry Christmas as we all headed home! See you guys in 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Free Glitter Graphics

Orchestra Students Perform For Homeroom

Today was our last day of school and some of the orchestra students that are in my homeroom wanted to perform. They sat up their instruments and had friends hold their music. We really enjoyed hearing their version of Jingle Bells and it was fun to hear the different sounds of the instruments. You guys did a WONDERFUL job and have some amazing talent!

WE STARTED GEOMETRY!

Well, we have finally started in Geometry! YAY! Many of you are doing well remembering the following terms:




line
line segment
point
ray
plane
horizontal line
vertical line
diagonal line
intersecting lines
perpendicular lines
parallel lines

Our vocabulary and skills will continue to grow! We will learn about:
angles
vertex (vertices)
acute angles
obtuse angles
right angles
straight angles
triangles
quadrilaterals
pentagons
hexagons
octagons
rhombus
cone
trapezoid
square
rectangle
polygons
right triangles
acute triangles
obtuse triangles
scalene triangles
isosceles triangles
equilateral triangles
area
perimeter
volume
circles
radius
diameter
circumference

WHEW! What a lot of things to learn! Study your notes/flashcards every night! Geometry is FUN and it's definitely on the SOL Test!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!

Division Reminders

Some of you do not know your multiplication facts which makes it VERY hard for you to do division. You can still list the multiples of the divisor carefully on your paper by adding and then use that help you divide. For example, if the problem is 325 divided by 5, then you could list the multiples of 5 to help you solve the problem. You would just add 5 each time to get your multiples OR you could take the time to write out a multiplication chart. Over the break, make sure you learn the facts that you are struggling with so that Math will be easier for you! We use multiplication in fractions too!

Some of you need to remember the steps of division:

1. Divide
2. Multiply
3. Subtract
4. Bring down

You just repeat those steps over and over until you finish and have nothing left to bring down. Remember the funny sentence we came up with,
"Dead Monkeys Stink Bad"

YOU CAN DO IT!

Fraction Reminders!

Some of you are not simplifying (reducing) your answers when you add/subtract fractions. If you don't simplify the answers, it is counted wrong!

Some of you also do not change improper fractions to mixed numbers. If you leave it an improper fraction, it is counted wrong!

The SOL Test expects you to simplify and change all improper fractions to mixed numbers. If you need help with this, see me one morning or during Activity. I will be glad to help you one-on-one.

You Can Sign The Guestbook Now!

I put a guestbook on this website to make it easier for students and parents to leave messages. Just look over on the left-hand side and you'll see where you can click to leave a message in the guestbook or you can view the messages that others have left. Have fun!

African Acrobats Visit Taylor!

Today we saw a thrilling show by African Acrobats from Kenya! WOW! They were amazing to watch!!!!