Trimester One,,,,,Next Up? Two

Was this past week a bit crazy or what?  Report card time is a stressful part of the year.  It always seems to sneak up so quickly.  I don't know how you all feel, but this first trimester FLEW by in a hurry!  Next up?  Conferences!  I'm looking forward to chatting with all of your parents and letting them know how hard we've been working. 

We have a lot of up-and-coming activities.  The intersession is well under way.  Parents have been helpful in lending us their time and support.  We could use a few more volunteers on Fridays at 2:30.  All of you need to be bringing in materials to research your topics.  Have you formulated your research question?  Have you thought about how you want to display your findings?  Pleae with my family.  We always go to my aunt's home.  If I'm counting correctly, there will be 25 of us there this year. it will be crowded, yet cozy.  Yes, I'm also one of those people that heads out to the stores on "Black Friday," but at a reasonable hour.  I don't wait in a line at 3:00 in the morning or anything. I put up my Christmas decorations that weekend, too.  What are your plans for the holiday?

That's about it for now.  Have a great weekense remember to come to Friday intersessions prepared.  Also on the horizon is the much anticipated Maturation Unit.  I know you're all looking forward to this....it's an important day, so don't be absent!  Immediately following that is Thanksgiving break.  I absolutely love Thanksgiving and spending timd ya'll!

Miss D'Amore  :  )

Is Anyone There????

So I was just wondering.....WHERE IS EVERYONE???  No comments, no visitors.....I'm beginning to feel lonely and ignored. 

What should we talk about?  You tell me......

Miss D'Amore  :  )

Falling into Autumn

Okay.....I'm a little bit slow on a new post......Okay....A LOT slow!   Guess I've been just a tad busy these days.   Getting ready for Open House was hectic, but so worth it.  I LOVED our video and hope to post it on the blog soon.  I've never done anything like that for Open House before, ever, so THREE CHEERS for our team!  And even though I ran into some technical glitches that night, the parents loved it. Thank you, everyone, for making our video and Open House a huge success! 

Now that Open House is over, we can really get "down to business."  We're off to a good start, too.  Remember, your first test in math is this Tuesday.  I've really enjoyed getting back into teaching math.  It's kind of like riding a bike....the skills are there, it's awakening them.  I'm also excited about really exploring science more.  The first two-three weeks are kind of "quiet," but things will pick up soon as we dive into biomes and food chains.  Students in past years really like this unit, and I'm confident you will, too. 

So fall is now upon us....do my former students know what this means in terms of Earth and its revolution around the sun?  You BETTER remember!  The days are getting shorter and it's darker so much earlier.  But, it is nice not having to battle ninety degree heat, which as you know, I don't handle too well.  Fall is such a beautiful time of the year.  The colors are exquisite and the air crisp and fresh.  I love snuggling up in big sweatshirts and shuffling through the leaves.  What are some things that  you like about Fall?

Thank you former students for your wonderful emails and visits.  I really miss all of you, but I'm so happy that you are all loving life at Brady.  Hate to say it, but "I told you so!"  And I also want to thank my new students for making the first few weeks of school memorable.  You're a great group of kids, and I know the year is going to be great!  Many of you are blog followers already, which is fabulous.  Let the good times roll! 

See everyone tomorrow.  Remember, no school Wednesday!  I think we're getting spoiled with these four-day weeks!

Miss D'Amore  :  )

Welcome Back - 2012-2013

So how did everyone's first full week of school go?  It's hard getting back into the swing of things, but also very exciting.  I'm anxious to hear from my former students....well, more of you I mean.  Several of you have written to me and have already come by to visit.  If you only knew how much that means to me!  How do you all like Brady?  Has opening your locker messed you up a little?  How's changing classes?  Do you now see why we made you do the things we did?  I hope so!!

For my new students:  I'm truly looking forward to a rewarding, successful, and fun year with all of you.  You are a remarkable group....yes, a little CHATTY, but a great group of kids!  Remember, think about and BE the kind of student you want to be.....

I'm having MAJOR computer problems at home, and for some reason, my wireless connection is also on the fritz.  I really need to get a new computer for home.  Right now I have a very old Dell PC.  I need to go shopping ASAP, so I would like some suggestions from all of you on what I should consider getting, as well as what I shouldn't get.  Please message me this week, okay!

I hope everyone enjoys the extra day off for Labor Day.  Get outside and have some fun, because before you know it, snow flakes will be falling.......

Talk soon,

Miss D'Amore  :  )

Where, Oh Where Did Summer Go?

August?  Wait....What?????  How is it possible that we have less than two weeks of summer left?????  So who's ready to go back?  Who's not?  I would imagine you're all a little nervous as you get ready for Brady.  But let me tell you, you ARE ready to be there!  I know you will miss Moreland (and maybe even me a little,) but trust me when I tell you that those feelings will fade.  You will always have a special place in your heart for Moreland, but as you grow up, you face new horizons....new adventures.  It's part of growing up.  And even though most of you will pop over occasionally to visit, I'm always amazed how my former students have grown during their sixth-grade year.  You have a fabulous group of teachers that will be with you every step of the way.  Just try not to forget your old teacher, okay???

I've been enjoying these Olympic games.  Are you guys watching?  If you ever need to be inspired, the Olympics are the way to go.  It amazes me how strong ALL these athletes are.  They have devoted their lives to their sports, and it shows.  I had to laugh at myself a couple of days ago.  I was swimming a few laps in the pool at my condo, (it was one of those rare moments that I had the whole pool to myself) but I wasn't going fast or anything.  Yet after only a short while, I was exhausted.  I'm no Michael Phelps, that for sure!  HOW do they do it?  Maybe Noah G. can give me some pointers?? 

Anyway, just wanted to say hello.  Enjoy the last couple of weeks of your vacations.  See you soon!

Miss D'Amore  :  ) 

MARS Bound!

Hi Everyone!  

Hopefully some of you are still checking the Blog.  I've been out of touch for a bit because my home computer has been "sick."  In fact, I didn't have it for over a week as it was getting "better" at the computer hospital.  It's working, but it's not the greatest.  It's pretty old and I really need to get a new one.  I've bought a few other things for my house recently, so a computer will have to wait a little longer.

I don't know about you, but summer is FLYING by! How are we into the third week in July already?  Have you started shopping for school yet?  I think I started seeing "Back to School" stuff in the stores in June!  Now that's just WRONG!  

Anyway, I found out (courtesy of Bill Nye's Facebook page) that we, meaning NASA, has something very exciting going on.  It seems that a space craft will be landing on Mars on August 5!  Check out this link.  It shows several scientists and engineers talking about this historic event.  It also shows how they believe the rover will land and has some excellent artistic interpretations of what it might look it.  Here's the link:

http://www.space.com/16265-7-minutes-of-terror-curiosity-rover-s-risky-mars-landing-video.html

You might have to copy and paste this into your browser.  If you Google "August 5 on Mars," a bunch of links will pop up.  Take some time and check it out.  

NICE job on the OAAs!  I've seen general scores and am SO INCREDIBLY proud of all of you! Our team's scores in reading and science were AWESOME!  Yes, I've earned the right to brag about you guys to the up and coming group... NICE JOB!!!

Now that I have my computer back, I will be posting the end of the year slide show.  Sorry it's taken me so long!  

Well, it's time to get rolling.  Hope you all are doing great.....miss you guys!!

Miss D'Amore  :  ) 

Fist Week Away......

So it's been a week since saying farewell.....What's everyone been up to these days?  I would imagine most of you are sleeping in late, hitting the pool, getting ready for camp, and of course, are missing school!  Let me know what you're really doing and I'll post it.  I haven't posted anything in SOOOO long now; I hope you're still out there and checking the blog!  I haven't had a chance to update the slideshow with the new slides, but I will.  Eventually I'll be "sharing" it with all of you, so keep checking your school email for the notification. 

I've been busy this past week - lot's of running around and getting caught up on errands and things I put off doing because of being busy with school.  This past Sunday my entire family (all the aunts, uncles, cousins, etc....) gathered to celebrate my grandparents 70th wedding anniversary!  Isn't that amazing?  Seventy years married?  That's unreal, and completely inspirational.  They're truly the backbone of our family and have set the bar high for all of us. I've also been getting to leave for North Carolina.  We're leaving at 3:00 AM Saturday morning - insane, huh?  That was NOT my idea!  I'm a little concerned about being in a car for 12 hours!  But, I'm sure the long ride will be worth the time at the beach and fun in the sun.  Anyone else have any trips planned?

Thank you all for making this past year one of the best I've had in my career.  Truly - you are an amazing bunch and it was my privelage being your teacher.  I think in all the years I've been teaching, this year had the least amount of "drama," which is good.  I was so happy to receive some emails from several of you last Friday when you were home and I was at school trying to get report cards done and the room packed up. (Did you receive report cards yet?) That was a nice surprise.  Please keep the surprises coming!  I also have several pictures that I had made to give you, but there just wasn't enough time to put them into the report card envelopes like I usually do; this means you'll have to come visit and take which pics you want.  Deal??

We'll chat soon.....HAPPY SUMMER!!

Miss D'Amore  :  ) 

The Countdown Begins.......

Actually, I really don't ever count down the remainder of the year.  It's always a bittersweet time for me.  Naturally I absolutely love summer and all of the fun it brings; it's also nice not to have to get up at the crack of dawn and battle traffic everyday, too!  But with the anticipation of summer and all of the excitement and craziness that the end of the years always brings, it's also a sad time for me.  Why you ask?  Well, that's very simple.  It's very difficult to say goodbye to forty kids in one day.....forty of my kids, that is.  Saying goodbye to my students is emotional.  It's not like I'll see you next year in the halls, lunchroom, recess, etc....That's why it's so important that you all try to come and visit me every so often next year.  I guess that's part of fifth grade - saying farewell comes with the territory.  BUT, we're not there yet.  We have several things to still look forward to before we start those good-byes:  The Reading Around the World Celebration, the Fifth-Grade Concert, Michigan, Unity Day, and if you're lucky, another test or two.  (Kidding......sort of!)  The next few days will be busy, but so worth all of the hard work.  So here's to the "final countdown" of your last year at Moreland............    

Check out this link....Hope you all turns your heads to the sky to see our moon!  You may have to copy and paste it into the browser.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/05/01/supermoon-alert-biggest-full-moon-2012/

I'll update the blog soon!

Miss D.

Happy Spring!

WOW!  What a winter that was!  Hardly any snow.....and that suits me just fine! Even though that meant no "snow days," I'll take it.  And now we're officially in spring.

As I'm writing this, you guys are finishing up your light lotus projects.  You're all engaged and LEARNING!  Such creativity!  It doesn't look like I'm listening to you right now, but I am......Some of the things you all say are just hysterical!  I know how much I'm going to miss you all next year......

So what's everyone doing over break?  Let me know and I'll post it.  I'm not going anywhere, but I do have a few fun things planned.  Hopefully we'll have this week's weather next week. Have a great week off, and I'll see all of you on April 2.

Miss D'Amore     :   )

Eyes to the skies this week: Planets aligning for an incredible celestial show

Eyes to the skies this week: Planets aligning for an incredible celestial show

Happy Valentine's Day!

This will be short and sweet.....Just wanted to say Happy Valentine's Day to all of my little non-renewable resources!  You guys are great - just wanted you to know that!   

Miss D'Amore  :  )

Sniff-Sniff, Cough-Cough, and ACHOOO!

If you happened to be in our classroom, these were some of the latest sounds you might have heard!  What a rough week for our health!  So many of us were out sick, came to school a little sick, or are getting sick.  It's few and far between that I actually take a sick day...honestly. Not counting those "teacher days" that cause me to miss class occasionally, I think in my five years at Orange I've only taken maybe seven sick days....that's pretty good I think!  Like you when you're out sick, there's always so much work to catch up on when returning.  For me, it's usually grading, which I plan on doing this weekend.  I did cancel my appointment at the gym this morning because I can't stop coughing - just like in class yesterday during the science quiz!  With many of us getting sick, please take those extra few minutes to wash/sanitize your hands, cough/sneeze into your arm and not your hand, and bundle up!  I think we should start to wipe down the desks and tables more frequently, too.  Think we could work that into our closing routine??

How is everyone liking the electricity unit?  I told you it would be fun!  I'll make some time another day for building more circuits.  You all have done a nice job in class the past couple of weeks, and we've gotten a lot accomplished.  Way to go! Keep up the good work!

For once I'm short on words,   so I'll stop here.  Have a great weekend - see you next week as we say hello to February!!

Miss D'Amore   :  )

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!  We've only been back for a few short days......I don't know about you, but getting up for school is more difficult than ever!  I'm really tired when I get home from work, especially if I've gone to the gym.  Then, I seem to get a burst of energy late night, right around bedtime.  This of course makes it very challenging to fall asleep.  I leave my television in my room on, which is a pretty bad habit.....they say it is anyway.  By the time it's morning and the alarm goes off, I'm tired!  Funny how it was SO EASY to stay up late and sleep in, but going to bed earlier and getting up early always takes its toll! 

The weather is supposed to shift this week, too.  Hey, we can't really complain....it's been a super mild winter so far, but our luck will run soon!  Besides, we can't get any SNOW DAYS without the snow, right?

So what are your New Year's Resolutions?  Share them with me and I'll post them....remember to put your name on your message.  Someone left me a comment, but without a name, so I won't post it to the blog.  You don't need to tell me your resolution, but PLEASE comment once in awhile......is anybody out there????


Miss D.