Week of June 2 - June 5

Well, we all made it through the fifth grade! I cannot tell you how happy your children have made me and how sad I am to see them go. But, they are ready to move on, and move on they shall... Thank you all for your help throughout the year. I couldn't have asked for more caring parents in my first "official" year here at PV. I wish you all a wonderful summer and I encourage my students to email me from time to time with an update of summer and junior high!

YEARBOOKS: will be handed out to students on June 5th. Any students who did not purchase a yearbook may do so on a first-come-first-serve basis on June 5th; they will go on sale after morning announcements. The cost will be $10.00 and children wishing to purchase should have exact amount. Checks can be made out to Prairieview. There is a limited supply. Prairieview yearbook orders were not paid for at registration. A flyer was sent out in November and orders were due by Monday, December 3, 2007.

Coming up next week:

Spelling: We have officially finished Spelling.

Reading/Language Arts: This week we will give our demonstration speeches. These will run about 3-5 minutes. The students will demonstrate how to complete a task that they choose. For example, they may want to show the audience how to wrap a present or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It should be fun and I think it will make them more comfortable for future Lakeview speeches!

Social Studies: This week we conclude the reading of Chapter 13, People Moving West, specifically Lesson 3, The Golden State. We will round out the week by reading ahead in our books a little bit and learning more about current history.

Science: We have completed our Weather unit!

Math: (Mrs. Klacza's math students, only) We have finished fractions and will have some “fun” math time in the lab.

Important Notes:
6/3 – Reading party at lunch/recess for those who met their Tri. 3 goals
6/4 – All school picnic
6/5 – Last Day of School!!!! 9:30 dismissal

Have a terrific week and a wonderful, peaceful summer! Mrs. Klacza

Week of May 26 - May 30, 2008

Happy Memorial Day! We are entering our final “full” week of school, although it is only four days long. We had a wonderful “dress rehearsal” performance of Music Man Junior at Lakeview. I enjoy seeing all the talent we have in our school district. I hope your child enjoyed the play. I am also looking forward to the all school concert this afternoon. The children in band and choir have been practicing long and hard and it will be fun to watch and hear the final performance!

A note from Principal Schultz: Center Cass School District #66 is in the process of implementing an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) mandate, Response to Intervention (RTI). RTI is an array of procedures that can be used to determine if and how students respond to specific changes in instruction. RTI provides an improved process and structure for school teams in designing, implementing, and evaluating educational interventions. Please look for the additional information on RTI, which will be included with your child’s end of the year Report Card.

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 33 – Test Friday

Reading: We will wrap up Night of the Twisters with a quiz on Tuesday. The book projects are also due on Tuesday. We will watch the movie on Friday and compare and contrast the novel and the movie. The children are very excited; they really loved the book and will enjoy the movie, even though it is quite different!

Language Arts: The English text book has been completed! This week and next we will give demonstration speeches. These will run about 3-5 minutes. The students will demonstrate how to complete a task of their choice. For example, they may want to show the audience how to wrap a present or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It should be fun and I think it will make them more comfortable for future Lakeview speeches!

Social Studies: This week we continue Chapter 13, People Moving West, specifically Lesson 2, Trails to the West.

Science: We have completed our Weather unit!

Math: (Mrs. Klacza's math students, only) This week we will coninue Chapter 10, specifically adding and subtracting mixed numbers.

Important Notes:
5/26 - Memorial Day holiday
5/27 – Robert Crown field trip
5/29 – Bowling field trip

5/30 - 5th Grade end of year Celebration
6/2 – Reading party at lunch/recess for those who met their Tri. 3 goals
6/4 – All school picnic
6/5 – Last Day of School!!!!

Have a terrific week! Mrs. Klacza

Week of May 19 - May 23, 2008

Time keeps ticking away, doesn't it? We had a very busy week, including a great visit to Lakeview. I think it alleviated some of the fears of your children. I can tell they are almost ready for junior high. I will miss them so much.

We will have a visitor from the Indian Prairie Library on Tuesday. I encourage my students to join a summer reading program from their own libraries. I hope the reading continues through the dog days of summer!

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 32 – Test Friday

Reading: We will be continuing our Book Club meetings this week for Night of the Twisters. A “flap book” will be discussed on Thursday with working time on Friday. They will be due on Tuesday, 5/27. Tentative date for comprehension quiz will be May 28.

A Book is a Treasure, Dig In: Last day to turn in book reports is May 23. Tentative celebration will be 6/2 during lunch/recess.

Language Arts: We continue the study of Adverbs and Prepositions. Test date is May 23.


Social Studies: This week we begin Chapter 13, People Moving West, specifically Lesson 1, The Story of Texas.

Science: Evaporation will be explored this week. There will be a quiz on Activities 1 – 9 on Wednesday, 5/21. I'm hoping to take the children outside this week and test out our wind vanes and anemometers.

Math: (Mrs. Klacza's math students, only) This week we will begin Chapter 10, which will dive deeper into fractions, including adding and subtracting both fractions and mixed numbers. I'm planning a quiz on Friday, 5/23.

Important Notes:
5/19 – Parent only meeting at Lakeview 6:30 p.m.
5/23 – 1:15 p.m. All school concert
5/26 - Memorial Day holiday

5/27 - Robert Crown field trip

5/29 - 5th grade goes bowling

Have a terrific week! Mrs. Klacza

Week of May 12 - May 16, 2008

The month of May is busy! I feel like we have so much to do and so little time... It was great watching the Cadet band perform Wednesday. They have come such a long way. All three of my own children participated in our band program and it's great to be able to enjoy the concerts of my new “kids.”

We had a great visit from John Lynn who gave us a fascinating lecture on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Ask your child about it!

Lastly, I have to thank all the wonderful parents of District 66 who contributed to Teacher Appreciation Week. It was fabulous and I appreciate all of you, too!

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 31 – Test Friday

Reading: We will be continuing our Book Club meetings this week for Night of the Twisters. Each student will have the opportunity to be the “leader” of the group which will include keeping the group focused and the discussions moving along. Tentative date for comprehension quiz will be May 28.

Language Arts: We have begun the study of Adverbs and Prepositions. This can be a very difficult unit, so I hope the book goes home now and then! Test date is May 23.

Social Studies: We will be reading Lesson 3 this week entitled The Struggles for Reform. Chapter 12 test will be Friday, May 16.

Science: Our weather unit continues and we will be making wind vanes and anemometers this week. We will conclude with a lesson on Evaporation. There will be a quiz on Activities 1 – 9 on Tuesday, 5/20.

Math: (Mrs. Klacza's math students, only) Chapter 9, the study of fractions, continues! We will study problem solving on Monday, have a pretest and review on Tuesday, and a test on Wednesday, May 14.

Important Notes:

5/12 - 5th graders visit Lakeview (5/13 is rain date)
5/14 – Choir Concert
5/19 – Parent only meeting at Lakeview 6:30 p.m.
5/23 – 1:15 p.m. All school concert
5/26 - Memorial Day holiday

Have a terrific week! Mrs. Klacza

Week of May 5 - May 9, 2008

We can now officially welcome in the month of May! Hurray!! After a cold front swept through, I think better weather is on the horizon. We have a lot of great “stuff” coming up in the fifth grade this month, also. Furthermore, I did get some wet wipes and I thank those parents who sent them in.

Coming up next week:

Spelling: Lesson 30 – Test Friday

Reading: We will be starting our Book Clubs this week for Night of the Twisters. Each student will have the opportunity to be the “leader” of the group which will include keeping the group focused and the discussions moving along. Book club discussion sheets will be coming home as homework and then the discussions begin the next class day.

Language Arts: We have finished Pronouns and will begin our final chapter in the textbook, Adverbs and Prepositions. Very tentative test date is May 23.

Social Studies: Chapter 12 begins on Monday entitled Times of Change. Our first lesson is called The United States Turns 50. It seems like we were just fighting for our independence and here we are already 50 years old! Tentative test date is May 16.

Science: Our weather unit continues and, as I mentioned last week, I expect the students to read ahead before an experiment!

Math: (Mrs. Klacza's math students, only) Chapter 9, the study of fractions, continues! We will study improper fractions and mixed numbers this week with a checkpoint quiz coming on Tuesday. Looks like a chapter test can be expected on May 14.

Important Notes:
5/7 -- Spring Concert – Cadet Band
5/14 – Choir Concert
5/19 – Parent only meeting at Lakeview 6:30 p.m.
5/26 -- Memorial Day holiday

Have a terrific week! Mrs. Klacza