Mrs. Smith's 5th Grade Wildcats

Welcome to our 5th grade website! 

About Me

     I graduated from Indiana University Southeast  May of 2009.  I earned a BS degree in Elementary Education and graduated in December 2012 with a Master's in Education.  I am married and have a daughter named Addyson Jade.  We also have two fun and playful puppies.   I absolutely love teaching children and watching the light bulbs go off in their heads.  I am so happy and blessed to be a part of the Centerfield staff.  I attended Centerfield for part of my elementary school career and all of my siblings went here.  This is a wonderful school and I'm proud to say I'm a Wildcat, I would normally never say that because I am a huge Louisville fan.   I have three major passions in my life, my family, my job and animals.  I absolutely love dogs and volunteer with animal organizations during summer break.  I love to bring what I love and enjoy into the classroom.  This year is going to be a wonderful year of learning and fun!

You may contact me at anytime with any questions, concerns or for volunteering. 

School 241-1772 ext. 104  email: michelle.smith@oldham.kyschools.us

Centerfield Elementary:  Maximizing Student Potential Creatively, Academically, Physically and Socially.  CAPS

Important Dates:  August 10th is Open House at 12:00. 

August 13th is the first day of school!  Please be sure your student knows how they are getting home.   

 AAA

Homework Information:  Every week your student will be given new homework on Mondays that will be collected on Friday.  Homework consists of reading 20 minutes every evening and math problems.  Sometimes Social Studies homework might be a part of the weeks homework as well.  I will send homework home with your child if they did not complete work in class over a few days of having ample time to complete. 

Help your child choose a Just Right Book and read with them every night!  Visit the link below.  http://www.wsd1.org/sargentpark/Projects20042005/Tips%20for%20Reading%20With%20Your%20Child/A%20Strategy%20For%20Choosing%20Books%20That%20Are%20Just%20Right.pdf

Also remember to check with you child on their progress with READ ACROSS AMERICA.

We are learning so much this week...      Week of Aug13th-16th 22- 

*Reading:    

http://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/KnowingtheFix-UpStrategies.html

*Writing: 

*Math: 

*  Social Studies:        

Read Across America Challenge:  Your 5th grader will be challenged this year in reading!  They must read 40 books of different genres by the end of the school year. 

This is the link to log in your reading reflections.

https://www.edmodo.com/home#/join/abb8aa762d272c18bda72abeb8fb8ee6

Examples of reflections
These are examples of the expectations for writing a book recommendation reflection.
 

Kids Write a Book Recommendation

• What is the book about? (Summary of the story) Make sure to include title of book and author.
• Why do you like this book so much? If you did not like this book, why?
• Would you recommend that other kids read this book? Why? (A detailed explanation as to why other kids should read this book.

Example:

I would like to share a book recommendation for the book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K.Rowling. This book is a story about a young wizard and his adventures at Hogwarts. This second book tells of how Harry discovers the Chamber of Secrets and why this would be important.

I will have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was exciting when Harry opens that Chamber and discovers the giant basilisk. Don’t know what a basilisk is? Check out this book!!! What about all the petrified people? Yes, turned to ROCK!!!

I highly recommend this book to any student that loves fast paced adventure, magical spells, and the perseverance of students against the odds.

This is an example of the expectations for writing a Letter to the Teacher.  How to write a letter reflection

• Paragraph One:  Did you like this book? Why? Make sure to include title of book and author.
• Paragraph Two: Why do you like this book so much? If you did not like this book, why?
• Paragraph Three: Would you recommend that other kids read this book? Why? (A detailed explanation as to why other kids should read this book.September 12, 2012

Dear Mrs. Smith,

            As I reflect back on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling, I can tell you that this is an awesome book.   I cannot imagine being a wizard with all those powers. I sometimes wish I could cast a spell or two.

            I believe this book is so good  because J.K. Rowling really knows how to describe her characters. She uses rich words, full descriptions, and pulls her readers into this imaginary world of Harry Potter and his friends. I also like how J.K. Rowling makes her characters like everyday kids. I can close my eyes and picture Harry. He seems like an everyday kid with the same problems that I have. He has people he does not get along with, problems he has to solve, and school work just like me.

            If you have never read any of these books you need to give them a try. I highly recommend all of them, but especially Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It gives you a glimpse into the world of Harry Potter and it has some exciting scenes. One that I loved the most is when Harry goes up against the basilisk. I can picture this fight and how amazing it was when he….. OOOPS! I almost gave the ending away. You will have to read on your own to find out what happens. Hope this makes you want to pick it up and give it a read.

                                                                                           Your  Student,

                                                                                                 Susie                                                                            

This is an example of the expectations for writing a change the end of the story reflection.

How to write a change the ending reflection

• Paragraph 1: What is the actual ending? (Summary of the story) Make sure to include title of book and author.
• Paragraph 2: Why you want to change the ending?
• Paragraph 3: What is your new ending? (Give a detailed explanation of your ending.)

Example:

Can you believe the ending of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling? Oh, I know you have not read the book. Well spoiler alert!!!  At the end of this book, Harry fights the basilisk, a giant serpent, and once he defeats this serpent then everyone that was petrified comes back to life. Really that’s the end?

If I was writing this book I would have come up with a much more exciting ending. I would have had Harry fight the basilisk not the Chamber of Secrets, but in the actual school. He could have started in the Chamber but the basilisk breaks through a wall and then it is slithering through Hogwarts. Then Harry and his friend could have fought it off together. Also as those petrified people, I think it would have been better to have Harry find an ancient spell in the Chamber and Professor Dumbledore would have had to cast this spell over the people to awaken them.

I think my new ending is more exciting because it would have involved more characters. I know that J.K. Rowling was trying to make Harry the hero, but I think having more characters involved would have made the story better. If the basilisk had moved into Hogwarts and they would have fought there, then you could have visualized more action. Also, if Harry discovered the spell to help the people, he still would have been a hero. So I believe that my ending makes this a more adventurous.

Reminders

*  Our lunch this year is from 11:00-11:29                                                                                                                                                                              

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*** Please continue to send in healthy snacks and tap water bottles.