Making Bread

We had a great time making bread the other day. Thanks again to the families that shared cooking tools with us and to the parents that came in to help! At the end of the baking, we had about 14 loaves and some miscellaneous shapes/creatures. To thank some of the other teachers and staff members, we decided to give away half of the loaves with a holiday card from the class. It was a great experience and I think we all learned something from it. Here are a few pictures and a link to the recipe that we used. A few parts were slightly modified, but if you wanted to make it again with your child, the result would be almost identical.

Click here for the recipe!

New Trimester

Hi Guys!

I have not been very good at posting messages on here, have I? The most important information is emailed out or sent home on a flier. I will try to be more diligent about posting on here, too.

Welcome to the first official day of the second semester! Just think, we are 1/3 of the way through the school year. Hasn't it flown by? I hope you take the opportunity to think over the first semester and consider all the hard work you have put in. There is no doubt in my mind that we have all had some challenges, but also many successes. Remember, through challenges are some of our greatest learning experiences. Also keep in mind that the second trimester is a great time to make changes if there is an area you want to improve and I am here to help you!

You have all shown me that you can be responsible and have earned the privilege of BYOD. My goal is to have the contract posted under links on Thursday morning. I will also have copies available in class if you need one. Remember that this is optional; I do have two Chromebooks for us to share in class and hope to be getting more.

Also, on a different note, remember that book orders are due on Friday - in person or online - if you want to purchase any books.

I'm looking forward to an even greater trimester with you all!

Mr. Funk

(Parents: I'm also organizing materials for book clubs, hoping to start them in January. If you are interested in helping out please let me know. It not definite yet, but I'm leaning toward having them on Thursday afternoons at the end of the day. More information will come as we get closer.)

Field Trip Monday!

Hey All!

I would say not to forget the field trip on Monday, but I don't think you'll forget. However, please do remember to wear close-toed shoes and layers, including long pants. Weather will not end our trip and I do not want you to be cold and unhappy throughout the trip. Also remember your lunch, with name written on it, and that you may not bring any electronic devices. If your parents want updates, incase there is bad traffic or other issues, they can subscribe to Remind101. The instructions are below. You can subscribe, too, but get their permission first.

Wednesday we are working with buddies and painting. If you'd like to bring in an old shirt or a smock of some sort please feel free. I can store them in class for the year if you'd like.

Don't forget to have your parents sign your progress reports!

Come ready for a great trip Monday! See ya then!

Mr. Funk

Quick Reminders

Hey 5th Grade-

Remember that I will be in meetings all day tomorrow and we will have a sub. I don't anticipate any issues, but remember that you are an example for the other classes. Let's maintain our reputation for being respectful students in the hallways and for all of our teachers.

Make sure that you review science chapter one and complete the study guide so that we can answer any questions on Tuesday before our test on Wednesday. Also, remember that Tuesday is picture day.

When you are in the computer lab, all of your instructions for the day are on the same document as last week. If you deleted it from your drive, ask someone to share it with you.

If you are interested in practicing your songs at home, especially song leaders, here are the lyrics. Click Here John Kanaka starts on page 22 and we will look at one or two others during this week. Below is one version of the song if you'd like to listen to the melody at home, but remember that our words and chorus melody are slightly different.

I'm looking forward to another great week! See you all Tuesday!

Mr. Funk


 

Exciting New Things

Hello All!

I have a few new things to tell you about and a couple of reminders.

First, please try to memorize your email address and password as quickly as possible so we do not need to waste time in class figuring out how to login to GoogleDocs. I am excited that we are able to use this. Parents, if you have any concerns about the email, please let me know. Do know that it is a restricted email address so that it can only exchange messages with people within our domain.

Second, I was able to set up each of you with an online copy of the math book. (It finally worked!) Your username and password instructions have been emailed to your school email account. I do not know how much we will be using it for homework, but it is a great resource if you have questions or want to review the material.

I have looked over the math tests, and want to look over it again before returning it. My goal is to return it to you probably Tuesday so that you can do corrections (I'll give you instructions and details of what I'm looking for) and we can learn from any mistakes.

In your Friday folders you should have found a permission slip for our field trip and an emergency form. Our class is going on Monday the 30th, just over two weeks away. I need both forms returned for students to be able to participate in the field trip. Parents, if you are interested in chaperoning it, please let me know! You will need to have been approved by the district to volunteer before the trip. Click here for a description of chaperon (Tall Sailor) duties.

Thank you to all the parent volunteers. I am working on putting together a schedule of who is willing to help and when they come in. If you have any schedule changes or have not told me that you'd like to help in the class, please let me know!

Also, I have added a calendar to the side of the blog so you can know what is coming up for us. If you have a Google account, you should be able to add the calendar to your Google calendar by clicking on the + button on the bottom right. Have you tried following the website so you can receive updates by email? (I won't see your email address.)

Have a great weekend! If you have any questions feel free to let me know!

Mr. Funk

Pictures and Band

Hi All -

I'm sorry to have two posts this weekend. (Feel free to read the earlier one below or click here.) First, it is my goal to upload pictures that some of you have taken to our album, so check the link over the weekend if you'd like to see them. Second, I received an email from Mr. Borris about band and strings. That email is below and I emailed it to the parents that I have email addresses for. If you did not receive an email, please sign up at tinyurl.com/funkps or send me the parent homework (or both!).

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Funk


"Hello 5th Grade Parents! 

This is an email from Jason Borris and Martie Muldoon, the band and strings teachers at all of the elementary schools in Pleasanton.  After visiting each school this week, we are very excited to begin band and strings this year.  We would like to see all of the interested students this coming week, (9/9 - 9/13) with no instruments.  After we have assigned instruments, we will start with instruments the following week.  (9/16-9-20)

If you are interested in singing up for band or stings, you can follow these links to the respective website.

Strings:  https://sites.google.com/a/pleasantonusd.net/pleasanton-strings/

Band:  https://sites.google.com/a/pleasantonusd.net/pleasanton-beginning-band/

If these links do not work, you can copy and paste them into your browser.  Additionally, I have attached a word doc with more information about band and strings.  If you sign up electronically, there is no need to fill out the paper form.

--
Jason Borris

Elementary Beginning Band Teacher, Fairlands Elementary School Music Teacher, 6th Grade Band Teacher Harvest Park, Pleasanton Driving Expert


Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.
-- Ludwig van Beethoven"

Click Here for the Word Doc

This Weekend

Hi All,

Can you believe that we have made it through two weeks already? It has been a blast working with you all!

There is no real homework this weekend. Before the football games on Sunday it would be good if you highlight what teams you think are going to win for Quarterback Club, but know that you are not required to watch the games. I will post the scores in class on Monday for our math practice.

We will also have the math test on Monday - going over decimal place value and converting between fractions and decimals. If you'd like some more practice, feel free to try this website (Math Playground) or this one (Sheppard Software). Both programs should be free, so don't sign up to pay anything. Let me know if you have any questions!

As always, I think it would be great if you read over the weekend, but it is not required as part of the reading log.

Have a great weekend! I look forward to seeing you all Monday morning!

Mr. Funk

If You Missed Back to School Night

It has come to my attention that some family members were unable to make it to Back to School Night. Below I have included a modified presentation that should help cover some information that was discussed. If you have any questions, please let me know. I will also include links below to the Parent Homework Assignment, Parent Information Form, and Science Lab Helper Sign Up. Please note that those are not required, but do help me contact you and work with your child throughout this school year. The Parent Information Form is not the same as what was given during registration, but goes directly to me.

Thank you!

Parent Homework

Parent Information Form

Science Lab Parent Helpers

Remind101 instructions:

Back to School Night

Thank you for attending back to school night! It was nice meeting all of you and making family connections.

Here are instructions for signing up for Remind101. (The widget is also at the side of the blog, but has some texts from previous tests I ran.)

Please know that the Parent Homework is not required and will not impact your student's grade. However, it will be a great help for me and I appreciate you completing it.

If you have not done so already, please fill out the Parent Information Form (tinyurl.com/funkps).

Thank you!

Mr. Funk

Parent Information

Hello Parents and Guardians!

Would you like to get a head start and beat the lines on Back to School Night? I will be asking for you to complete the following survey that night, but it is available to you now. If you are interested in filling it out just click the link below! (I will also have paper copies available that night, but it is easier for me to use the form.)

Parent Information Survey

Sign ups to be an art docent and room parent will be available on paper during the evening.

Science Lab Parent Sign Ups Available Here


Thank you for your time! I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night! (6pm in the MP and then we will move to the classroom)

Mr. Funk

First Day of School

Hi All,

Thank you for an awesome day one! I hope you enjoyed out time together and look forward to the rest of the year together! I have something exciting to tell you tomorrow morning - which will definitely be some experience for you. Enjoy your evening, but don't forget to READ! Tonight is a great night to get ahead. I will have a paper log for those of you who prefer it over the online version. (Remember, online stuff for class is not required. Let me know if you need or want paper copies.) If you have any questions feel free to send me an email or ask me in class.

See you tomorrow, ready to learn and grow!

Mr. Funk

New School Year

Hello 5th Grade Students!

Tomorrow is our first day of school together! I hope that you are excited about the adventures that we will embark upon together throughout this year. There will be many challenges for us to struggle through together, but there will also be many fun lessons and shared joys. This year will help us all learn and grow in ways beyond what we might imagine today.

I will be using this blog to keep you informed on things going on in the classroom and for your homework - should you forget what was said in class or that you wrote in your planner. As the year goes on, I will add more information and links, so don't forget that you can search the blog to find something specific and you can subscribe to it so that it is automatically emailed to you. If you cannot find something or if a link does not work please let me know.

I am looking forward to this year together and meeting you all in the morning!

Mr. Funk