Hi folks Thank you for coming tonight. With too little time to get everything out to you I left out a few important pieces of information. I thought I would share those with you now since I have your emails and a little time to collect my thoughts. 1. I'm going to write notes and updates on a link Jeri Schneider and I set up last year during 5th grade camp. The link is on the Northside website, under Mr. Mosher. This will be a good place to get info and see some pictures of what's going on in the classroom over the course of the year. 2. I regret that I didn't mention something that Kate Hitchcock brought to my attention. Kate sent me an email that described how she was able to raise $250 this summer collecting and cleaning lost and found clothing at the end of the year, and then selling them through the PTO Thriftshop. Kate has generously offered to use her status as a Community High School PTO Thrift chairperson, to help Northside and The 5th Grade Camp fundraising effort by organizing some further clothing drives. Thanks Kate! 3. Since the discussion about camp was so brief I left out something important. You should know that we will have a general meeting about camp in the spring, that will tell you more about this wonderful experience and will also give people a chance to volunteer to be chaperones. If you have any questions about this throughout the year or you are sure you would like to be one of those volunteers, feel free to email either Ralph or me anytime. 4. Dave Vandermark mentioned a great idea to raise money during hockey night. He is going to make hockey sticks that say Northside on them, to sell to kids at hockey night. Note to Ethan's folks. I couldn't read John's email address, so if you would Winnie, forward this to him and cc me so I can pick up that email. Also if any of these addresses are wrong or bounce back to me, let me know if you have the address or I will contact you to let you know. Again, since many things will come up over the year, be sure to check out the blog I set up linked through the Northside Web site so you can keep up with what's up in the 5th grade this year. Thanks again for your support! We are engaged in an important partnership to give your children the best educational experience we can this year, so we appreciate you and everything you do to help with this partnership. Nick Mosher
September 8, 2009
Welcome back Parents and Students,
Hello! Welcome to fifth grade! I am very excited to be your teacher at Northside this year. What a wonderful thing to have some students returning for a second year of room 306, others who I already know from last year, and perhaps most importantly, a very small class size. We are very fortunate for that, and many other reasons, so let’s aim high. The sky’s the limit.
We had a successful year last year with the split class and I expect to continue that success this year, with only one grade to teach! This week we will do a lot to establish organization and community in our classroom. We will also be going over general rules and procedures, collecting our supplies and getting the class up and running. Those are first week goals. Over the course of the year, we will talk about the theme that the privileges of being a fifth grader, are a result of responsible behavior. We want your children to become mature, independent people and to eventually be ready for the increased responsibilities of 5th grade and beyond.
We will go over daily routines and the home / classroom relationship in detail on curriculum night but here is a brief overview of our homework plan. Each day they will copy down the classroom assignments in their homework planner. Homework will be assigned at least 4 out of five days per week. I expect that homework will be returned ON TIME, NEAT, LEGIBLE and a FINISHED PRODUCT. On Fridays, the Homework folder and homework sheet will be sent home with a reflection sheet completed by the student and an update on any missing assignments. This way you and I can keep in close contact so we can tackle any problems immediately. This Personal Reflection page is to be signed by an adult and returned on Monday morning.
ELMAC Intern
We are also very lucky to be joined this year by Evangeline Harvey, a Master's student in Elementary Education at the University of Michigan. As a student intern, Evangeline will be helping me plan and teach daily class activities. Here’s is a note from Evangeline!
My name is Evangeline Harvey and I am working on my Masters in Elementary Education at the University of Michigan. Having grown up in St. Louis, I studied Social Work at Saint Louis University, finishing my Bachelor degree there in 2007. Since then I lived in New York City for a year, where I worked for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and StarQuest, a nationally touring children’s dance competition. I have lived in Ann Arbor since August 2008, where I substitute taught for all grade levels in the surrounding school districts. I recently completed a summer internship with the Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Summer Learning Institute, where I assisted in teaching third graders literacy and math. I am so excited to work and learn with your fifth graders this school year and to watch them blossom!I love traveling, playing outside, yoga, and salsa dancing! I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with your children this year. I know that they have much to teach me!”
First Homework
The first “homework” of the year is a collage about your child. I would like each student to make a collage about themselves which they are to put on a page I will be handing out on Tuesday. This is to be returned by no later than Friday, September 11. I’ve talked to the kids about how all photos and materials must be first cleared by an adult at home.
Special Events and Classes
Fifth grade has a very full curriculum. In addition to reading and writing workshop and Everyday Math, we will be covering the 5th grade curriculum for science and social studies. One of the special classes that fifth graders have an opportunity to participate in is Instrumental Music. It is expected that all students will take advantage of this wonderful chance to try an instrument of their choice. Classes are given twice per week and there will be a spring concert for parents.
Team Building and Fifth Grade Camp
We will be working on team and community building these first few weeks.
After several cooperative activities, we will participate in a challenge course at Leslie Science Center.
Many of you know that there is a fifth grade camp. Traditionally, fifth graders at Northside school have spent a few days and nights at camp. Camp is an important part of the curriculum because it allows our students to participate fully in several of the lessons from social studies and science classes. We also practice many team-building skills and fun and engaging activities. During Curriculum night we will talk a little about the camp experience and answer any questions you have about camp. We have our trip to Camp Eberhart penciled in for the 4 days after Memorial Day, 2010.
Lunch/Snacks
Our lunch period is from 12:12-1:00. Room 306 will go out to recess first and then come inside for lunch. There will be a snack break at some time in the morning. Please feel free to send your child to school with a healthy snack that may be eaten in our classroom. Healthy snacks include fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese and granola bars. Candy and soda pop are not allowed to be eaten as snacks. I will provide pretzels for kids that are unable to bring a snack on any given day.
Curriculum Night - Sept. 15 6:30-8:00(5 parents 6:30 start in room)
I cannot stress enough the importance of communication between home and school. Please feel free to contact me for a meeting or just to come in and say “Hi.” I look forward to meeting you all. (Home Phone 369-2099. Email moshern@aaps.k12.mi.us)
Sincerely,
Nick Mosher
