Mrs. Berner's Blog

Week of Feb. 12

2012-02-11T10:29:00.001-05:00

We finished up “Out of the Dust” last week in all classes. It was a terrific novel and I think the students really enjoyed learning about the Depression, the dust-bowl and some of our country’s history combined with a very compelling story of one young girl’s journey.
Beginning this week, 5th grade classes will combine with either a 6th or 7th grade class and learn all about black Americans history and contributions to the United States. Mrs. Brindle and I work together on this unit for several reasons. First, it is extremely labor intensive. Your student will be reading, writing, painting, singing, performing, sewing and a variety of other activities in a small group. Second, it aids in the transition from elementary school to middle school. Getting to know, and work with, an upperclassman creates a bond between all involved. Next year, students will already have friends and acquaintances in middle school. They will know one of their teachers. It takes away some of the anxiety of the transition. Third, we try and recreate the very thing that has helped to make the African-American story a successful one in the US: the idea of teamwork and helping each other out. The concept of “it takes a village” will be one of our themes.
We begin the unit with a time-line that covers up until 1860, the story of the Middle Passage, slave ships and Amistad. We will then move into slave life and how resilient and resourceful slaves were with the little they were given. We then make a short stop at Reconstruction and the Great Migration and delve into the Blues and the Harlem Renaissance. We wind our journey up at the Civil Rights Movement and the Greensboro Woolworth counter.
This is an awful lot to cover and we will be working into the month of March. The focus will always be on the positive contributions of blacks in our society but some attention will be paid to the trials that have had to be overcome as well. This story cannot be told without some ugly truths.
I will be requesting supplies throughout the unit. Like now! Please send in beets, blueberries, turmeric, acorns, and anything else you know of that will create a natural dye (I have tea left over from last year). We will be dying fabric the old fashioned way and need to create our dyes! Also, any all cotton or felt fabric remnants are needed.
Please remember, 5A and 5C: we need to fill our PTO basket with sports-related swag! Time is running out, please donate today! Dicks sporting goods gift cards, tickets to events, apparel, etc…
Competitive Edge homework: We still have a few months to go before the actual EOG, please continue to work in this book. I will continue to cover passages in the morning and remediation class will use this book daily. Homework: Mon. 27-31, Tues 32-34, Wed. 35-41, Thurs, 42-48
Vocab: We will not have traditional vocabulary for a couple weeks, I will give a list of words each Monday and students will be expected to write a cohesive paragraph using the words by Friday. Spelling will not count, although I should be able to recognize the word! I will post the words on Monday.
5th grade dance: Friday, from 4:30-6:00. Please pick up you student at the end of the day and then return for the dance. I will lead a small group of kids in the decoration of the cafeteria. I cannot manage all 71 5th graders! I have not received any donations of food or décor yet. I need lights!!!This is a free event, which means I need help supplying it! Please donate as follows:
If your last name begins:
A-E : drinks
F-J: salty treats
K-O: sweet treats
P-T: choice
U-Z: cups and plates
Vocab Words
These words will be put on the board on Friday and students will write a story using them correctly in context.
integrity
oppression
abolitionist
emancipation
stench
prejudice
currency
injustice
manilla
Middle passage

EOG results info

2012-02-09T14:41:00.002-05:00

Either today or tomorrow, your student will be bringing home the results to their EOG pretest in reading. I want to offer a word or two about these results. The numbers may look deceptively low. Please understand that we still have several months of school. One of the main reasons we took this test was to identify students who are struggling before it is too late to work out any issues. Please be aware, I consider any score above 60% to be in range to pass at this time. Also, the EOG test consists of 58 questions in 5th grade, 8 of which are field test questions that do not count towards your child's results. The score they are coming home with includes those 8 questions. More than likely, some of those questions will be tossed.
Also, please be aware in order to score a "4", your student must answer 43 questions correctly out of 50. In order to earn a "3", your student must answer 32 or more questions correctly out of 50. Please look at the number of questions your student answered correctly for a better picture of the result. Please continue to work on the Competitive Edge books. They really help. And read, read, read!
Also, if 5th grade, collectively, makes 90% or higher on the EOG tests. I will, once again, wear the monkey suit. Have a great day.

Week of Feb. 6

2012-02-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

I could not be happier that last week is over! The book-making business is not for me. Some of you may have noticed I was a bit more stressed than usual:)I'm better now and ready to move on to bigger and better things! As a side note, there were several students that either didn't get their paperwork back signed, didn't hand in their book, left it at home on Friday or didn't get enough finished to warrant publication. (I sent 59 books, there are 71 5th graders)

This week we will finish "Out of the Dust" and have a final exam on Friday. It will consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the blanks, short essay and identify the quote. It is a much shorter test than the other novel exams and shouldn't cause much stress. Students have been taking a quiz every 50 or so pages and most understand the novel very well. I will drop the lowest quiz grade from each student.

Pre-EOG testing will also take place this week for 5th graders. They will each take a math, a science and a reading pretest. Schedules will once again be disrupted, but we are accustomed to it at this point! We are nothing if not adaptable!

Black History Month will finally begin next week. Mrs. Brindle and I team teach this month-long unit (it will no doubt run into March this year). We plan many wonderful and educational activities based on black American history, literature and art. This has also become a really great time for 5th graders to get to know their Language Arts teacher for next year and become better acquainted with upper class-men. It has been much anticipated and should be a lot of hard work and fun.

5th grade dance: To be held after school on Feb.17, from 4:30-6:00 in Neuse Charter School's cafeteria. Students should dress nicely, i.e. dresses and ties, shirttails tucked. We will have decorations, dancing, refreshments, games and a photographer on board. I need parents to supply refreshments. If your last name begins A-E, please supply drinks, F-J please supply salty treats (i.e. chips), K-O please supply sweet treats, P-T please supply either sweet or salty treats, and U-Z please supply cups and plates (I have plenty of napkins). Donations of decorations are welcome! (especially white lights)

It’s Talent Show time! And auditions are right around the corner! Finally, your opportunity to show us what you got! Singers, dancers, bands, acrobats, poets, magicians…be creative, grades 5-10, are all welcome to audition! Tryouts will be held in Mrs. Brindle’s room daily, beginning Tuesday Feb. 21 at 3:20 until Friday, Feb. 24.
The 2nd Annual Neuse Charter School has Talent Show is certain to be a show-stopping extravaganza you will not want to miss but you must be signed up to audition. Signup sheets are in the front office, outside Brindle’s room in the middle school building, outside the tech lab in the high school building and outside Berner’s room in the elementary building. Please only sign up on one sheet!
This was an awesome and fun event last year and it is certain to be even better this year! Come on, Neuse, let’s put on a show! Sign-up to try out today!

Special Homework Announcement

2012-01-31T13:54:00.000-05:00

Tonight your student will be bringing home the book publishing material we have been working on in class. For homework, please have your student color the pictures in the book, including the cover art which should include the title of the book. They must use markers for this assignment. No gel pens, no paint, no crayons, no color pencils, etc...
Picture pages are as follows:
Back of Dedication page: metaphor picture
Page 2 Haiku picture
Page 4 Concrete poem
Page 6 Ode picture
Page 8 1st narrative picture
Page 10 2nd narrative picture
page 12 self portrait
page 14 be creative
Cover page: VERY colorful picture with title and student's name(author)

Week of Jan. 30

2012-01-29T17:22:00.005-05:00

Week of Jan. 30
Big week full of exciting things!
Last week 5A and 5C homerooms (Mr. King and I) decided to construct a PTO basket together. The theme we have chosen is…SPORTS! So, anything and everything we can assemble that fits the sports theme should be sent in ASAP. Tickets, apparel, cups, bats, nets and balls, helmets…Anything! Be creative! We are an equal opportunity crew, so all teams are welcome, but I know you want to be sure your team is represented, so send in the swag!

We are fortunate enough to be joined once again this year by Burning Coal Theatre! This week, the troupe will present a show to all classes on Monday. They will then work individually with classes on various Shakespearean fun!

That’s the good news for this week; the not-so great news is that this will put us behind schedule for Black History Month. I had planned to finish our books for publication (they MUST be done by Thursday) and complete reading Out of the Dust this week. This will be a major challenge with the schedule change. In an effort to focus our work this week, there will be no vocabulary. I hear several students’ shouts of joy, but vocab is vital to success in Language Arts.

Competitive Edge Homework: I would like all students to go back over what they have already done, highlight answers, check answers in the answer book and make corrections up until page 27.

I have added a page with the format I wish students to follow for the next book review to the blog. Recently, there has been a change to the number of copies each teacher is allotted per month. I will try and post information like this instead of sending home a hard copy from now on to save my copies.

The schedule has changed and there is now a remediation class for 5th grade from 2:15-3:00 daily. Students will have 2 days of math, 2 days of Language Arts and one day of Science remediation. In addition, I heartily recommend the WINRS after school tutoring program. It is absolutely free and they are sending a bus to pick up students from Neuse Charter after-school from carpool! If your student needs extra help, please send them to WINRS! Tutoring covers Math, Reading and Language Arts, for more information contact 934-1050 or 464-1461.

School wide EOG pretest Feb 7-10. Please send your student to school prepared to do his or her best. It may be necessary to send out further Letters of Possible Retention after the results are calculated.

We are in need of some supplies. My class could really use regular markers, multi-colored Sharpies and Wet-wipes. Please help!

I still need to meet with several parents. I will be contacting several this week. The best times to meet are: 8:30 daily with just me, 12:45 daily with Mrs. Dohner and I (preferred), or after-school most days. We already have many meetings set up this week, so it may not be until next week.

5th grade dance: after school on Feb. 17! More information to come!!!!!

Week of Jan. 23

2012-01-22T10:46:00.001-05:00

And so we begin the 3rd quarter! This is a wonderful time in Language Arts at Neuse Charter. We will finish up “Out of the Dust” week after next, complete our poetry books and send them to the printer, take a school-wide mock EOG test, learn all about black history, throw a super-fabulous dance for our growing 5th graders and a few other surprises! Whew! How do we do it?! :)
Reminder to all: Next Friday, student-led conferences are scheduled. Students will share their poetry and composition books and will explain the plot and story of “Out of the Dust” to parents. I understand many of you want to conference about your student’s progress, but this is not the time for that. It is the time for your student to share their work. I will happily schedule any parent who needs an appointment over the next few weeks.
Student-led conference schedule: 5B 3:00-3:20, 5C: 3:25-3:45, 5A: 3:50-4:10 if your schedule makes it difficult for you to attend your student’s appointed time, please let me know, we can work it out!
Some of you received letters of possible retention, and/or a request to conference. I would like to schedule those appointments as soon as possible. I can meet after-school on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays (this Wed. is scheduled), or 12:45 any day. These are times that Mrs. Dohner and I can both meet. Please e-mail me to set something up.
We have received permission to hold the 2nd Annual Neuse Charter Has Talent Show! It will be April 20th! Audition dates to come! This was a wonderful event last year, if you missed it, you missed out! Save the date and start practicing!
Competitive Edge Homework for this week:
Tues. 1/24: 6-10
Wed. 1/25: 11-14
Thurs; 1/26: 15-21
Fri. 1/27: 22-26
Spelling/Vocabulary 5A
From “Out of the Dust”
Week of Jan. 23
parched
squirreled
stupor
fidgety
loiter
lurking
astounded
aghast
forsaken
glower
rogue
enticed
scoundrels
rapscallions
bleary

Spelling/Vocabulary 5B
From “Out of the Dust”
Week of Jan. 23
squirreled
stupor
loitering
loping
astounded
aghast
succulent
forsaken
conjuror
glower
parched
rogue
enticed
scoundrels
rapscallions
bleary

Spelling/Vocabulary 5C
From “Out of the Dust”
Week of Jan. 23
squirreled
stupor
biding
loitering
parched
lurking
aghast
succulent
forsaken
conjuror
glower
resplendent
rogue
enticed
scoundrels
rapscallions
bleary

Week of Jan.18

2012-01-17T09:07:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a relaxing 4 day break and is ready for the final half of 5th grade! It will be a busy time and we all all need to work hard, but as Vince Lombardi said "The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."

Report cards go home Friday. Awards ceremony is 10:00 on Friday. I will be setting up parent-teacher conferences with parents of students who have received a possible letter of retention this week and next. Mrs. Dohner and I are free daily at 12:45 or after school on Wednesdays and Fridays. I am available at 8:30 a.m. daily.

We will continue reading "Out of the Dust" this week. Work will continue and begin to wind down on our poetry books too. No vocabulary!

Competitive Edge:
Homework in these books will begin this week. You may continue to read and write a summary or you may complete these assignments in the book: Students must come in and grade their own work and make corrections for credit. This will be done on the honor system. The 5A class will go over the CE book using the following schedule, work must be completed by these days to receive homework credit:
Wed. 1/18: Diagnostic Test, pt. 1
Thurs. 1/19: Diag. test pt. II
Fri: 1/20: p.1-5
Tues. 1/24: 6-10
Wed. 1/25: 11-14
Thurs; 1/26: 15-21
Fri. 1/27: 22-26
If you have already begun the book and these pages are complete, please read for homework. Remember, we have a non-fiction book report due in March.

Homework Thursday Jan. 12

2012-01-12T11:14:00.000-05:00

Instead of reading homework, please have your student bring a completed rough draft of their narrative poem to class tomorrow.
Chip party tomorrow! Students may bring handheld electrical devices, but they will be responsible for the safety and well being of said device. If your student has lost more than 20 chips combined for all classes, they will not be participating in the party.

2012-01-08T17:28:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone! Great job on presentations last week!
Many changes coming to our wonderful little 5th grade world in the next couple of weeks and I want to be sure everyone is on board so I’ll send my blog home in letter form this week.
Schedule: High school will be having exams this week, and because all of Neuse Charter shares teachers, there will be a trickledown effect for us. Not entirely sure what will happen, so bear with us and be patient (I know that will be my mantra :)
Possible Retention letters: Along with report cards on Jan. 20, teachers will be sending letters of possible retention. I will administer an EOG pretest for all of 5th grade before next week to help determine who will be receiving possible retention letters. It is very early to make this determination but we must let parents know if there is, in our estimation, a reasonable possibility that your child will be retained to 5th grade next year. This is determined in several ways. The decision is based on a combination of teacher recommendation, EOG Tests, previous retention and student performance. This is a complicated decision, not made lightly, and will be ultimately a decision intended to benefit the student and his or her academic future. If you receive a letter of possible retention, we will set up a parent-teacher conference to try and work out solutions and discuss options for the rest of the year. Hard work moves mountains.
Homework: Many students have become very lax with regard to homework. I will send home current homework grades this week (I have already with 5B and 5C). Homework cannot be made up. Beginning after the break, students may work in the Competitive Edge Book for homework. I will post pages to complete for credit on my blog. Students must correct answers in class for credit. It is very important to understand this will not be easier than regular homework (Reading and writing a summary) but it is very, very good EOG practice. I will be working on this book in class with 5A.
Remediation: With the new schedule that begins on Jan. 23, remediation will be stepped up for struggling students. During their afternoon electives, some students will be pulled out for extra help. This does not include PE. If this is a problem, please send Ms. Rennie, Mrs. Dohner or me an e-mail or a note expressing the issue.
Scholastic News: Almost weekly, students work on this news magazine and answer Common Core and EOG type questions associated with the reading. Many are struggling with this, mostly because they do not take time and care with their answers. Informational reading will become more and more important as your child progresses through Middle School and High School (as per the Common Core Standards). If you have a few minutes, please try and discuss some of the world’s news and what impact it has on our daily lives with your student.
Out of the Dust: This is a serious book with some sad events. We will be reading it aloud and discussing it in class, including the stages of grief and how they unfold in the book. There is nothing overly graphic or gratuitous. There is also some fun stuff! Please send a tart apple with your student to class this week before Thursday for a surprise!
Games Club: Games club will be concluding and it it’s place, we will begin Art Club. Due to the fact that 5th grade is not scheduled for art or music for the second half of the year, Mrs. Dohner and I will be holding Art Club from 3:15-4:00 on Thursdays beginning Jan. 25. As with Games Club, students must be in good standing with at least a “c” average and no trips to the office for discipline issues. Also, getting picked up late may disqualify students from participating. We will be drawing, painting, sculpting, listening to world music, etc… Any parent with a special talent who would like to hold a seminar is encouraged and welcomed!
Spelling/Vocab: Bad news: Test will be on Thursday this week, as Chip Celebration will be on Friday! Good news: only 10 words! Please review our previous words from Out of the Dust, as they will be important to know.

Spelling/Vocabulary for week of 1/9/2012
Know how to use words in a sentence and how to spell them correctly!

5A
grateful (again:)
depression
remains
level
quaking
shrine
delicate prairie
convince
gripe

Spelling/Vocabulary for week of 1/9/2012
Know how to use words in a sentence and how to spell them correctly!
5B
breathless
depression
rhythm
leveled
quaking
shrine
brighten
prairie
convince
gripe

Spelling/Vocabulary for week of 1/9/2012
Know how to use words in a sentence and how to spell them correctly!
5C
achievement
depression
rhythm
leveled
quaking
shrine
brightening
prairie
griping
purposeful

Christmas Break!

2011-12-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Thank you all for your generosity to me for the holiday, I am a truly fortunate person to have such warmth and love in my life. Good tidings to all.

After the break, auto/biography book reports are due (Jan.2) Instead of artwork this time, students will perform a short skit about the person they chose to read about. It should be based on the facts, or an episode in the person's life and give the audience an insight into the person's life. A short narrated piece to give background is recommended. The rubric includes points for creativity, preparedness, facts included, timing and presentation. If you would like to see your child's performance, the schedule will be as follows:
Monday:
5A: Michelle, Noelle, Jaime, Josh B., Gracie W.
5B: Katelyn, Edie, Josh C., Elijah, DJ
5C: Garrett, Genevieve, Nathaniel, Christian, Mikeala
Tuesday
5A: Tiquan, Franko, JJ, Caleb
5B: Sarah, Alyssa G, Cole, Josh H., Graham
5C: Hayden, Blaine, Amelia, Anikah, Tyler
Wednesday
5A: TJ, Ricky, Alyssa L., Josh M.
5B: Alexis, Malek, Clar, Angel, Kylee
5C: Jacob G., Montrell, Regan, Jackson, Madison
Thursday
5A: Nicholas M., Carlos, Tyler, Josh P.
5B: Caleb O., Fernell, Trevor, Joseph
5C: Ian, Jacob M., Nicholas, Erin, Hampton
Friday
5A: D'Andre, Lauren, Tanya, Aubri
5B: Derek, Alyssa S., Emily, Emma, Grant
5C: Emalee, Kreston, Ben, Anthony
There is a 5 minute limit that will be strictly enforced. Please make sure your child has practiced a couple times and timed themselves. In addition to the skit, your student should have a typed book report to hand in Monday. This will count as a major participation grade and a test grade. No vocabulary the first week back :)

Students may videotape their skit. It should be about 5 minutes long and include a written script for me to grade. The video should be on a DVD/CD or a flash-drive in a format that is commonly available, so we can watch it in class.

We will also be working on completing our books and reading Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.

EOG test prep books will also be in!

Be rested and be ready to learn! Fun times in 2012!

Week of Dec. 12

2011-12-11T16:39:00.000-05:00

Back in town from a weekend in the mountains, a dusting of snow on the ground, coooold air, a cozy fire in the fireplace. Just perfect. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well.
No vocab/spelling this week! We will finish up writing our odes, begin our biographical narrative poem and start organizing our individual books. If you haven't sent in the paperwork for the free book, or need another envelope, please get it in this week. Without that information, the company will not give your student a free book! I have a limited number of additional envelopes. I have to have them ready for the printer by the second week in January.
I will order EOG test prep books this week and students should have them by early January. I will allow students to work in these books for homework but there will stipulations and rules :) for getting credit. I will send a letter home with the books.
Early release on Friday. Elementary releases at 11:30. Please be sure to put this in your calendars. Have a terrific and blessed holiday!

Week of December 5 (already!)

2011-12-04T18:02:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the quarter again! Progress reports go home Wednesday! Please keep in mind that there are fewer grades than there will be at the end of the quarter and so each one counts for more than it eventually will. If that makes any sense?! Participation and homework are two places that students may make an easy A with a little effort. Participation is based on participating (obviously), listening to others, following class rules and coming to Language Arts prepared. Homework, as I have stated before, consists of reading for 30 minutes and writing a 5-7 sentence summary, including the title of book and number of pages read. Reading every day is vital for success in Language Arts and the reading EOG.

This week, I will be administering the second quarter assessment, beginning tomorrow. It will take a couple of days to finish up.

We will be learning about the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl this week. We will begin reading Out of the Dust towards the end of the week. The book is written in a series of free-verse poems, each consisting of a chapter. The book will be read aloud in class. We will also be writing odes and a narrative poem over the next few weeks.

I sent home an envelope with students that will allow them to receive a free book if they return the envelope with their information filled out. This is a great opportunity to have a lifelong memory of your students work in 5th grade. The book will consist of 14 pages of their poetry and artwork. I must get this envelope back in order to participate. Please get these back to me by Wednesday so we can begin!

I also need EOG test prep book orders this week. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting this book. I will use it during tutoring and would love to use it in class. I have no received the number of orders I should have. Books are $17.

Vocabulary/ Spelling
Week of Dec. 5
Students must write sentences that indicate they understand the meaning of the word and spell it correctly for full credit. Words from “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
5A
pledged
ripple
wisp
dazed
scowl
ancient
crouched
bawling
holler
shouldn’t
supposed (to)
civil
separately
aisles
collapsed

Vocabulary/ Spelling
Week of Dec. 5
Students must write sentences that indicate they understand the meaning of the word and spell it correctly for full credit. Words from “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
5B
ratcheted
pledged
rippling
scowling
wisp
ancient
crouched
bawling
holler
shouldn’t
supposed (to)
civil
separately
aisles
secondhand

Vocabulary/ Spelling
Week of Dec. 5
Students must write sentences that indicate they understand the meaning of the word and spell it correctly for full credit. Words from “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
5C
ratcheted
rippling
scowling
wisp
ancient
crouched
bawling
hollered
oilcloth
supposed (to)
satisfied
civil
separately
butterfly
exposing

Week of Nov. 28

2011-11-27T14:44:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving was wonderful at the Berner household and I hope you all had terrific break too. Time to get back to work and learn, learn, learn!
A great time was had by all at the Tea Party. What a fun event! Thanks again to all you fabulous parents who helped make it work! Check out the pictures I posted at the Tea Party link, more to come...
I sent home a EOG test prep book order form on Tuesday before the break. EOG prep books are $17.00 and are geared to the NC standards for 5th grade curriculum. I recommend all students purchase one, even if your child does fine on the EOG's. There are test taking tips and skills that will benefit your child for years to come. If you are able to contribute extra for other students who may not be able to afford a book, it would be greatly appreciated. I have to order them in sets of 5. I will use this book with students who tutor.
Progress reports go home on Dec. 7th. If your student is missing work or is earning a "D" or below, I will send that information home written in their agenda. Please look for it. Remember, the progress report is an indicator of their current grade in class, not their final. Grades can change for the better or the worse. If you or your student are not satisfied with their grade, please check with me about how to improve it. I am always interested in my students success.
All students should have their auto/biography chosen for the Jan. 2nd book report/project by now. Please make sure your student has a book.
Vocabulary returns to writing a sentence that indicates students understand meaning this week. One point for the word spelled correctly and one point for the word used correctly in context. We will continue to work on phonics in class, but I must return to vocabulary building. Words this week stem from the new book we will begin reading next week, Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.
Vocabulary/Spelling
Week of Nov. 28
From “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
5A
wager
ignite
riled
grime
distracted
knoll
drought
duster
maggoty
fester
hoard
spindly
gaunt
wince
mottled
chaos

Vocabulary/Spelling
Week of Nov. 28
From “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
5C
excavating
ignite
riled
distracted
knoll
drought
maggoty
festered
hoarding
spindly
gaunt
wince
mash
mottled
sorghum
chaos

Vocabulary/Spelling
Week of Nov. 28
From “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse
5B
wagering
excavate
ignite
riled
grime
divining
distracted
drought
maggoty
fester
hoarding
spindly
gaunt
wince
mottled
chaos

Pictures; See more at link!!!!

2011-11-25T16:03:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

Hope you all have a Happy and restful Thanksgiving! It's one of my favorite holidays. What could be better? Great food, family and giving thanks for all our blessings?

Tea Party on Tuesday afternoon at 1:30! Your child can't have lost more than 20 chips since report cards came out or have been suspended. I was going to try and make exceptions because this is also a culminating event(end of novel unit)but it just isn't fair to those who sat out last time. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding.

I am adding a very good link, Internet4classrooms, to help with EOG prep. Please have your student utilize it.

Thank you all and have a terrific and warm Thanksgiving.

Tea party

2011-11-17T09:45:00.000-05:00

This will be sent home today!!!! Nov. 17, 2011
Hello Parents!
Next week we will throw the first of our two quarterly chip celebrations. If your child has maintained good behavior and/or has not been suspended the first part of the 2nd quarter they are welcome to join our celebration!
We will also use this as a culminating event to our novel studies for Secret Garden and Wee Free Men by having a tea party! Both novels take place in England. I encourage students to dress up like their favorite character in the book for the celebration that will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 1:30-dismissal. We will be making homemade butter in mini-butter churns, created by Mrs. Cole (awesome!), eating English cookies, listening to beautiful music with perhaps a waltz and drinking tea. There may be a little mischief too;-)
Supplies are needed! If you are able to help, please sign below with what you can bring:
I can help! I will donate:
Napkins ________________
Plastic silverware _______________
Soda _________________
Cups ___________________
Shortbread cookies __________________
Teacups ________________________
Other (please specify) __________________________________________
Something English or Scottish (please specify) ________________________________
This is a group effort, if you think of a way to help or have a brilliant (or even just good) idea, please share and let’s make it happen! Thanks for all your help!
Mrs. Dohner and Mrs. Berner

Week of Nov. 14.

2011-11-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had an enjoyable Veteran's Day holiday. Thanks to vets for all they do and have done to help build and maintain our great country.

We finished our novel study with a big unit test on Friday. Some students in 5C were unable to finish the test in the allotted time. If your student needed more time, I will be available after school on Monday until 4:00 for them to complete the test. I will be grading them this week. Any makeup tests should be completed after school on Monday. If your student missed a spelling test, this will be the time to make it up.

Bookmobile comes on Tuesday!Remember, students must read an autobiography/biography this quarter and perform a 5 minute skit about their person in class on Jan. 2.

Poetry terms test on Monday!!!! Students should have a high-lighted list of the terms they are responsible for. Spelling won't count. I just want them to understand the meanings of the terms.

We will begin writing and reading poetry in class Monday. If you have a special poem you or your student would like to share, please send it in! We will begin with terms, Haiku and rhyming couplets. We will write mimic poems, concrete poems and a narrative poem, among others. Our next novel will be Out Of the Dust by Karen Hesse, if you would like for your child to have their own copy.

Last week for phonics! If your child still struggles with these concepts, please have them continue to work on the websites I have provided. We will continue word sorts and phonics games in class.

Spelling/Vocabulary Week of Nov. 14, 2011
Know meaning and spelling, be prepared to write a sentence for each word.
LN
-ough words
tough
cough
rough
enough
aught/ought words
taught
bought
ought
thought
tion/sion words
auction
decision
station
tension
caution
-wh words
whom
where
whose

Spelling/Vocabulary Week of Nov. 14, 2011
Know meaning and spelling, be prepared to write a sentence for each word.
WW
-ough words
enough
through
cough
tough
ought/aught words
thought
ought
brought
sought
tion/sion words
tension
vision
station
auction
caution
-wh words
whom
where
whose

Spelling/Vocabulary Week of Nov. 14, 2011
Know meaning and spelling, be prepared to write a sentence for each word.
SJ
ough words
through
enough
borough
trough
ought/aught words
fraught
sought
naughty
daughter
tion/sion words
collision
confusion
option
illusion
caution
conclusion
-wh words
whet
whine

Spelling/Vocabulary Week of Nov. 14, 2011
Know meaning and spelling, be prepared to write a sentence for each word.
DC
ough words
slough
trough
borough
ought/aught words
fraught
sought
distraught
wrought
haughty
tion/sion words
fusion
illusion
collision
option
confusion
caution
-wh words
whet
whine

Changes to schedule

2011-11-08T12:33:00.000-05:00

I have had to alter plans. We will have novel unit tests on Thursday and the Poetry terms test on Monday.

Theme essay questions for Wee Free Men test are as follows:
1.” There is no such thing as bravery, without fear.” Discuss Tiffany’s courage throughout the story, be sure to cite examples.
2. “Home is where the heart is.” Discuss the importance of the land and family to this story, be sure to cite examples.
3. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” There are several instances where appearances are deceiving in this book, discuss, using examples from the reading.
4. Is Wee Free Men a fairytale or not? Using what you know about elements of a fairytale, argue one way or the other.
5. If you got a question approved before the test, write it here:
____________________________________________________________________________________
Students must write one well developed essay and cite the book, using at least 3 different quotations or places in the book to support their answers.

Week of Nov. 07

2011-11-06T18:07:00.000-05:00

I would like to publicly thank my wonderful students for their excellent behavior this week while I was out sick. When I returned, I received nothing but rave reviews from the substitute teachers about how hard working and wonderful my students were. Well done Cougars, you are all champions!
Onward and upward! We will begin poetry this week. Instead of spelling words, I will be giving students copies of poetry terms and definitions that I will expect them to know the meanings of by Thursday. Each class will highlight the words they are responsible for this week (not the entire list!) and we will test on Thursday.I will probably give fewer than 12 words to each group, as it is a short week and we have another major assessment to complete too.
Bookmobile: Tuesday, Nov. 8. Remember, your child must read an autobiography /biography this term and complete a book review and write and act out a short skit about their person for the class on Jan. 2
Also this week, we finish up our novel study and have a unit test. Please be sure your child studies for this test. It will be on Wednesday, Nov. 9 for both Secret Garden and Wee Free Men. I will post Wee Free Men essay question choices on Tuesday.
No homework this week! Please read anyways!
I will be setting up conferences this week for parents who requested them. Due to the number of conferences I will have to limit them to 15-20 minutes each. If we need more time, we can e-mail. Thanks in advance for understanding.
I am going to begin tutoring students for EOG testing this week in homeroom, from 8:00 to 8:30. I will send a note with students who I would like to participate. If I contact you, please arrange to have your child at school by 8:00 on the days I request them. We have many students who will need additional help this year and I figured this as a great time to get in some additional practice.

Week of Oct. 31

2011-10-28T14:43:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!
This week we will work on Edgar Allan Poe, Poetry and our novels. We return to having vocabulary lists and students will write sentences with them this week, as they are homophones. I will condense the WW and SJ groups this week.
Week of Oct. 31
Focus on Homophones-words that sound alike but are spelled different. We will write sentences with these words this week. I am combining WW and SJ this week .
LN
billed/build
marry/merry
break/brake
choose/chews
loan/lone
allowed/aloud
cell/sell
flour/flower

SJ and WW
allowed/aloud
colonel/kernel
leased/least
altar/alter
ascent/assent
merry/marry
whether/weather
metal/medal

DC
click/clique
borough/burro/burrow
gilt/guilt
bard/barred
lichen/liken
very/vary
ascent/assent
colonel/kernal

Week of Oct. 25

2011-10-24T18:25:00.000-04:00

Hello! I trust you all had a restful and fun-filled mini-vacation! The first quarter is in the hopper and we are embarking on round 2. We still have much to accomplish and the time does just fly, so let's get busy!
Remember, awards ceremony is this Friday and reports cards go home too.
We will begin our Edgar Allen Poe and Poetry phase of the year this week. We will read a couple poems , a short story, and complete some writing assignments based on Poe. We will continue on our poetic journey with learning poetic terms, write some haiku, perhaps a sonnet and maybe a ballad, we'll perform some poetry and read and discuss many others. Much of the focus will be on learning figurative language (onomatopoeia, alliteration, simile and metaphor, personification, etc...)as well as mood and tone in writing. Next month, all classes will read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse aloud in class and learn about the dust bowl and the depression.
We continue with phonics in class this week. We will focus on the -tion and -sion endings of words and the varies ways to pluralize words. We will word sort in class and play phonics games. I am also hoping to pay some attention to the -ar -ir and-er sounds within words. Many students are struggling with the diffERences;)

We will probably wrap up Secret Garden and have a unit test next week. This will cover the book, elements of a fairytale and tall tale and review some of the phonics we've focused on. Wee Free Men will probably finish next week and then, 5C will have a unit test the following week. Both tests will have a variety of question types: true and false, identify the quote, matching, essay etc... More on that when I write the test:)

No vocab this week. I will introduce poetry terms to know (spelling won't count, just definition) and phonics work in class. There will be a test on the poetry terms, so students should begin learning them.

I will send your child's grade home in their agenda this week, (I already have for two classes). Please check with them.
Remember, e-mail with any questions and thanks for the opportunity to teach your children.

Homework

2011-10-19T11:11:00.000-04:00

5A and 5B should read the next chapter in Secret Garden for homework tonight and write a summary on it.
5C should finish reading chapter 7 in Wee Free Men and write a summary.

Week of Oct. 17

2011-10-16T10:03:00.000-04:00

Hello! Last week was a little crazy with the typed final draft of the fairytale and the project assignments both due! What was I thinking? Anyways, most of us survived it :) The projects look great and the revised fairytales are much improved. The fairytale, edited rough draft and the story map will be added to your child's MAPP binder.
Please check with your student to make sure they handed in all assignments that were due. If you still aren't sure, please e-mail me at: lberner@neusecharterschool.org and ask. I am missing many assignments. I understand it was a lot at once. Please double check.
Due was:
1. fairytale: story map, edited version and revised version (3 documents)
2. Book Report Project: Review of book, poem, some artistic representation of book (3 items)
Next Book Report is an auto/biography! The Bookmobile will be on campus this Tuesday and the Book fair continues also.
No spelling words this week, we will work on vocabulary in class.
Teacher Workday this Friday and the following Monday, no school for students!
Report cards go home next week. Awards ceremony next week.
If your student has missed a lot of school or just hasn't been doing their work, be sure they are caught up with assignments. As I tell children all the time: Some credit is better than no credit. I will generate a list of missed assignments and write who is missing what in their agendas this week. Homework cannot be made up, but I will allow partial credit for most other assignments.
The chip reward party is coming up. We will host a popcorn/movie day! If your child has been suspended, he or she cannot participate, regardless of how many chips they have. Students who have lost too many chips or have been suspended, will be given work to do and supervised in either my, Mr. King's or Mrs. Dohner's room. Congratulations to the overwhelming majority of 5th grade students for a terrific semester of good behavior!
This week: we will continue to work on phonics and vocabulary; finish up Secret Garden and continue Wee Free Men; begin looking at Edgar Allen Poe and Poetry and maybe do some acting....many surprises in store! Thanks for all your continued support!

Week of Oct. 10

2011-10-09T18:39:00.000-04:00

I spent the weekend in Boone and leaves are already changing into brilliant colors! We are graced with one beautiful state. If you can get out west in the next couple of weeks, go! You will not be disappointed.
This week will be a little different. We are winding down the quarter already (time flies when you're having fun!) and book projects are due this Friday. Also, a completed and edited fairytale is due Wednesday. I have worked frantically this weekend to edit them. Please do not be alarmed by the red marks. The whole reason I had students type them was for ease of editing. Most of them look worse than they really are:)
There will be no homework this week, except these two assignments and a spelling test on Friday (more on that in a minute. Of course, i encourage students to continue to read.
We will be listening to our books on audio with renewed urgency this week, as Mrs. Berner wants to move on to Poe and Poetry!
Vocab will be much different for the next couple weeks. With the exception of the DC group, students will not be writing sentences. I want students to become more aware of the patterns in spelling and so I will be reviewing phonics, on vocab tests and in class.
Remember: Book Fair starts this week!

Vocabulary Week of Oct. 10
Group: DC
Must use in sentences and know meanings of prefixes.
Prefixes: in: meaning: not
insincere
informal
infrequent
inhuman
prefix: un: meaning opposite of or not
uneasy
unknown
untidy
unaware
prefix: dis meaning not or opposite of
disbelief
disconnect
discourage
disorder
mis: meaning bad or badly
misspell
misfortune
mischief
misleading

Vocabulary Week of Oct. 10
Group: SJ
Must know spellings and rules only, no sentences
oy/oi ou/ow
voyage drowsy
poison southern
appoint thousand
employ coward
annoy allow

Long e
needle
season
compete
feature
fifteen
Exceptions:
pleasant
steady
healthy

Vocabulary Week of Oct. 10
Group: WW
Must know spellings and rules for sorting, no sentences
Long Vowels (say my name, say my name)
a/ai o u, ui e,ea, ee i
shake joke June disease knife
chain chose juice sweep strife
faint slope smooth beast
blame foam suit steam
taste whole beetle
these
Exceptions
great
been
build
guilty
dread
juice
thread

Vocabulary Week of Oct. 10
Group: LN
Must know spellings and rules only, no sentences
Beginning blends: wh, tw,qu
which
when
what
where
twelve
tweezers
twist
quick
quarter
question
Ending blends: nt, nk, sh, ft
stunt
frequent
thank
blank
drink
crush
smash
drift
swift

Homework tonight

2011-10-06T10:39:00.000-04:00

Tonight's homework is to type the fairy tale in Times New Roman and bring it to class, either on a flash-drive (I can print it) or typed. Students do not need to do the reading summary tonight (unless they don't type). Thanks.

Week of Oct. 3

2011-10-02T09:29:00.002-04:00

Hello Families!
We will begin a new adventure in vocabulary this week and I wanted to share the program with you and explain what’s going on. Last week, I assessed 5th grade students for phoneme awareness in order to gauge each child’s awareness of word structure and spelling patterns. It was an eye-opening activity, to say the least. It appears that, even if a student has a very well developed vocabulary, their understanding of spelling and phonics rules are sorely lacking. So, I am going to have an intensive couple weeks of workshops and centers to remind students of these rules. By the 5th grade, students should be focusing on roots and affixes (prefixes and suffixes), but we cannot move into more advanced vocabulary ideas until we have the basics down pat. I am hoping to be up to speed in a few weeks, in order to continue building higher level concepts.
I am using several programs to aid my speed course in phonics. Words Their Way was the initial assessment. Students will be placed into spelling/vocabulary groups based on their scores in my initial investigation. The groups are: Letter Name (LN), Within Word (WW), Syllable Junction (SJ) and Derivational Constancy (DC). I will write your students group in their agenda this week, please look for it. As they master the concepts, they will be placed in the next highest group. My goal is to have all students working in either SJ or DC by the end the month. 5C should all be working in DC.
We will not have spelling/vocabulary words this week, but that does not mean we won’t be working on vocabulary! Instead of a test on Friday, we will work on centers in the classroom, have phonics instruction in class and peer-edit our Fairytales in an effort to spot some of the simpler errors we all are making in writing. I encourage you to work with your student on this. Some of the websites I have found that include games, sorting and other various activities are:
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/sv/books/content/wordsort/
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/family.cfm
http://www.spellingcity.com/spelling-games-vocabulary-games.html
Please encourage your student to visit these sites for extra practice.
This week, we continue reading Secret Garden and Wee Free Men.
Some of these words/sounds may seem simple, but classroom assessment indicates many students do not have these skills mastered. It shouldn’t take long to grasp these concepts, but they must be firmly understood in order to move forward with higher level vocabulary. Spelling and understanding word structure is imperative for fluency and comprehension in reading.
I also encourage you to visit my blog for updates and ideas; the link is on Neuse Charter’s website.
Also, please come by and support me as I join other staff members in a spirited game of volleyball against the NCS Cougars this Thursday at 4:30. It should be a lot of fun to watch teachers embarrass themselves  Hope to see you then!

Week of Sept. 26

2011-09-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

Progress Reports go home today! If your child's grade is disappointing, please work with them to bring it up. Most poor grades were in large part a reflection of students not doing their homework.

Picture Day is Sept. 29th! Our scheduled time is 11:00 (all 5th grade)

I have noticed a large number of bluebirds flying around campus. It would be great to put up some bluebird boxes! I just bought one from my bank (State Employees Credit Union) for $10. It would be great to place them around campus. Anyone want to donate one or two? They would be a great addition to the Secret Garden theme!

We continue novel study this week and writing our fairy tales. Look for you student to bring home a rough draft of the fairy tale to type. It will be homework one day this week. If you do not have a computer, students may type in my room before or after school (until 4, except on Tuesday and Wednesday).

Vocabulary/Spelling for this week:
Spelling/Vocabulary from The Secret Garden
Week of Sept. 26
5A
contrary
unresponsive
unpleasant
intentions
disturbed
exclaim
continue
trifle
spite
dreary
cease
burly
timid
dense
particular
corridor

Spelling/Vocabulary from The Secret Garden
Week of Sept. 26
5B
contrary
unresponsive
indifference
intentions
immensely
unceremoniously
particularly
exclaimed
trifle
dreary
cease
burly
steadily
timid
dense

Spelling/Vocabulary from The Wee Free Men
Week of Sept. 26
5C
uneducated
unsuitable
absolutely
occasionally
ability
corrugated
mentioned
exclamation
wretched
patronizing
lurking
geography
procession
tinker
stealth

Progress reports

2011-09-21T18:31:00.000-04:00

Please check your students agenda today. I gave everyone their progress report grade. Remember this is just a half quarter grade. If your student is doing well, excellent! Keep up the good work. If they are struggling, there is time to work hard and salvage the quarter! Please encourage students to complete homework every night. It is very important to help build skills and develop good reading habits!
I found a really terrific vocabulary site. Please visit and explore!

Spelling/Vocabulary, week of Sept.. 19

2011-09-18T18:09:00.000-04:00

Well, last week got away from us and we didn't get nearly as much done as I expected! This week we will definitely begin reading Secret Garden and Wee Free Men and partake in some fun and educational activities associated with those terrific books. We will also write our very own fairy tales, full of whimsy, magic and excellent vocabulary.
Reminder: Bookmobile on Tuesday Sept. 20
Spelling/ Vocabulary from The Secret Garden
Week of Sept. 19
5A
neither
either
amazing
vexed
native
comforting
custom
India
horrible
rage
sturdy
rustic
sentiment
handsome
Raleigh

Spelling/ Vocabulary from The Secret Garden
Week of Sept. 19
5B
neither
either
amazement
evidently
vexed
disdain
comforting
custom
approval
unrestrained
sturdy
respectful
rustic
India
gradually

Spelling/ Vocabulary from The Wee Free Men
Week of Sept. 19
5C
evidently
incidentally
respectful
sorrows
optional
ancestors
shearing
sullen
bewilder
usually
massive
thoughtful
impressive
geology
unprofessional

September 11th (and next week:)

2011-09-11T11:29:00.000-04:00

Hello Neuse Charter family. I have spent a reflective weekend, thinking about September 11th and all the heroes and victims of our great national tragedy 10 years ago. I remember well the day we were attacked. My brother lives in New York City and had been working on a project close to the towers. I was pretty scared before I heard his voice late in the afternoon of 9-11, the fact that he was able to get a call out of the city was just a gift from God. Many were not as lucky as I on that day, and I try not to lose sight of that blessing. A small tribute to the brave firefighters that day, and every day, many of whom died, protecting and serving:
The Great Figure by William Carlos Williams
Among the rain
and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold
on a red
firetruck
moving
tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city.
This week, we will begin reading and writing fairy tales. We have completed, for the most part, our review of tall tales and folktales. I taught students last week about story structure and we will build on that graphic organizer this week by crafting our own fairytales. We also begin novel study, reading two different novels that have fairy tale elements. 5A and 5B will be reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and 5C will be reading The Wee Free Men by Terry Patchett. I have a set of each book, but they may not be removed from the classroom. If you would like your student to have their own copy, you will have to purchase one (which is a great idea, if you can). We may have to share books in class. We will not begin until later in the week with the novels.
A couple notes on the upcoming FICTION book report project, due on Oct. 14. The project consists of 2 elements:
1. A book review of the book the student read. Typed, 12 point font, Times New Roman, double spaced. Each class has a different length requirement. It is written on the sheet that was sent home. None is more than 3 pages, double-spaced (1.5 pages). I enclosed a guideline on how to write it with the handout.
And
2. a.) A poem about the book and b.) An artistic representation. The artwork may be a painting, a sculpture, any medium or a diorama, or small model. This will be graded based on the amount of effort shown, not artistic skills.
Spelling/Vocabulary Words
Week of 9/12/11
Based on common fairytale words and vocabulary from novels, The Secret Garden and The Wee Free Men
5A
peril
rescued
coward
kidnapper
protagonist
excitement
imprisoned
puzzling
ruthless
position
amuse
disagree
hearth
disturbed
ought

5B
peril
cowardly
triumph
protagonist
antagonist
glisten
mysterious
transform
disagreeable
familiar
hearth
muttering
implore
wailing
eerie

5C
imploringly
wold (yes, wold, not world)
resolution
eerie
protagonist
antagonist
hyperbole
glistening
colossal
mysterious
absentmindedly
dialect
raggedy
reliable
susurrus

Week of September 6

2011-09-05T15:20:00.000-04:00

I hope you are all having a wonderful 3 day weekend! I spent a couple days in Boone and enjoyed a great day on the river.
This week in Language Arts:
No spelling/vocabulary words this week! I will never give words on a short week. If your student scored less than a 73 last week on the spelling test, I am asking parents to sign the test and return it to school. I am not completely convinced all students are sharing their test results with parents. We also enjoyed a pop quiz... although I did give many hints it was coming...on the tall tale unit we worked on last week in class. If your student was absent on Friday, please have them see me to make up work asap. They only have this week to make up last week's work.
We will finish our metaphor and collage poem in class this week. Many of them are really terrific. I will share a few next week on the blog.
This week, we will be reading fairy tales and dissecting their structure. We will also write our very own over the next couple of weeks. We will work on some vocabulary exercises in class, since we don't have a test on Friday.
We begin novel study in the next few weeks.Each class will be reading a different novel. More to come on that!

Vocabulary Games link!

2011-08-28T16:58:00.001-04:00

Just found a fun sight. Check it out!
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/

Week of Aug 29

2011-08-28T16:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all of you for your generous donations to class! I received most of what I requested and then some. You are all terrific, thanks again.
All classes will continue to work on their metaphor poems and artwork this week. I was very impressed with some of the poetry. We have some budding word-smiths in 5th grade this year. We will work to develop these skills.
We launch the fairytale unit this week also. Students will read and write their very own tales. We will delve into the structure and vocabulary of fairytales and, in a couple weeks, each class will listen along and read an extended fairytale in class.
I will be sending home a very important handout this week about a year-long reading project. Please keep an eye out for that, as you must sign and return a portion of it.
Important dates to remember:
Sept 6: PTO meeting
Sept. 20: Bookmobile
Sept. 29: Picture Day
Oct. 11-19: Bookfair
Also, remember, students must read for 30 minutes nightly, and write a summary that includes the pages they read and title of book. Please check with your child, some are not completing homework.
There are 3 different Vocab lists this week. Please be sure your student studies the correct one!
5A
Students must spell the word and use it in a sentence correctly for full credit. Test on Friday.

2 consonant words – words with 2 consonants surrounded by vowels
discuss
difference
culture
response
experiment

1 consonant rule – one consonant has vowels on each side
protest
musician
request
research

Long vowel sound=ea, ee, ai
maintain
contains
greedy
peer
decrease
clearly

5B
Students must spell the word and use it in a sentence correctly for full credit. Test on Friday.
1 consonant rule – one consonant has vowels on each side
2 consonant words – words with 2 consonants surrounded by vowels
previous
accurate
opportunity
identical

Soft c-g-r vowels
proceed
citizen
gigantic
generous
horizon
hurricane
particle

ends with –tion or-ture
duration
agriculture
manufacture
solution

5C
Students must spell the word and use it in a sentence correctly for full credit. Test on Friday.

2 consonants-vowels flank either side of 2 consonants
impeach
summarize
Appalachian
influence

Long vowel sounds- ai,ea, ie
gait
failure
cease
Seattle
repeal
shield
relieve
frontier

ends in-ty
anxiety
rarity
opportunity

And we're off!

2011-08-21T09:03:00.000-04:00

We made it two days! And what a terrific two days it was. I am really enjoying getting acquainted with my students and their families. I KNOW we're going to have a wonderful year. Especially once we get carpool figured out! Oh well, As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said "into each life some rain must fall", I guess, for now, carpool is our rain :)
Students in all classes generated a list of rules for the class. I wanted to be sure and post them so parents understand what high standards we have decided, collectively, to hold ourselves to this year.
The Berner Classroom Commandments are as follows:
1. I will respect myself and others at all times.
2. When a fellow student or teacher has the floor, my lips are sealed and my eyes and mind are on the speaker.
3. I will do my best to be a good classroom citizen and create a supportive learning environment.
4. I will be a leader, not a follower.
5. I will treat others as I wish to be treated.
6. I will always leave my work space clean.
7. I will think before I act.
Not too shabby! Well done, 5th grade!

I have decided to begin Vocabulary/Spelling words this week with a freebie! All classes will have the same words and they are the most commonly misspelled words for 5th grade. Many students will find these words "easy", but there is a method to my madness. After this week, these words may never be misspelled or used in class again! Remember, I require all words to be used in a complete sentence, properly, for full credit on the test. Students may use two words in a sentence and write the sentence twice. One point for spelling the word, one point for using it properly in a sentence. This week we will have 21 words, thus 42 points are possible. The words are:
a lot (two words!)
again
favorite
finally
friend
really
know, now
their, there, they're
were, where, we’re
believe
because
different
through , threw
usually
beautiful

Homework begins this week. Homework is to read 30 minutes and write a summary of what you have read, include book title and pages read, please. It is important to complete homework nightly as the skills this assignment develops, summarizing and recognizing main idea, is vital to success on year-end assessments(i.e.: EOG's)

This week, we will finish assessing and begin to finalize placements. If you feel your child is placed in the incorrect 5th grade section, please contact me and/or Dr. Bunn. Neuse Charter does not want students in over their heads or bored silly. We will also begin a unit of Fairytales.
Poem of the week, a little depressing, but nice.
The Rainy Day

THE day is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains,and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains,and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

New School Year About to Begin!

2011-08-08T10:09:00.000-04:00

I am just about ready for this crazy summer to end and a new crop of eager young minds to enter my classroom! What a long, hot one we've had! To get us started, I wanted to be sure and post a wish list for our classroom. Regular supply lists can be found on Neuse Charter School's website. Much more information coming...

Remember Open House, I look forward to meeting you all!
Neuse Charter School 2011-2012 Open House
August 16th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Located at the Dr.Patricia Brady Harris Gymnasium
909 Booker Dairy Rd.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Wish List for 5th Grade Language Arts:
Multicolored Sharpies
Colored Copy Paper
Paper towels
Dry Erase Markers: Expo brand dark colors preferred
Heavy Duty electric pencil sharpener
Gel pens
Ball point pens in blue and black
Puzzles (100 pieces or less)
Index cards
Disinfectant wipes
Modeling clay

Testing, Remediation, and the Schedule

2011-05-23T17:36:00.000-04:00

The scores are in and, for the most part, I am very pleased with how well students did. Congratulations to all who were successful!
Sadly, there were a couple of unpleasant surprises. Fortunately, the state of NC allows students a retest and most of my students who must retest were very, very close to earning a 3. I expect several will pull out a passing score and that is good news. We will work for the next week very diligently on remediation, retests begin on Monday. If you heard from Mrs. Dohner, Ms. Rennie or myself regarding retaking the reading test, please work with your child in the evening on language arts skills. There are links to released tests on this blog, please click on them and review with your student. I will be using those tests for remediation. If you bought a Competitive Edge reading book, please have your child continue working in them. Most of these tests were within a few questions of being passing scores.
NCS will run on a modified schedule to aid with remediation for the rest of the week. Thank you all for your support, patience ad help.

Week of May 16

2011-05-15T17:24:00.001-04:00

Well here we go! Testing week has arrived. As I have told the students, this is the week to show the state they learned this stuff! Please be sure your child leaves home each day with a good solid breakfast and plenty of sleep. Remind them that they have learned everything they need to be successful, but they must relax, take their time and remember to follow the instructions they have been taught. I have faith in all my students and I know they can do a great job if they remember to prove their answers, eliminate obvious wrong choices and apply good old-fashioned common sense and knowledge.
A very IMPORTANT reminder regarding testing: I will call families of students who must be retested in reading but I will not have the results until Monday, May 23rd. It was the earliest Mrs. Freitas could make an appointment to have the tests run. I understand this is a stressful time, we will just have to be patient.
On to more fun...
Field Day is rapidly approaching and we need supplies! If you can donate any of the following please send it in with your child this week or next. Thanks!
Grades 5-8 (each class)
60 hotdogs
60 hotdog buns
40 individual bags of chips
1 package of freezer pops
1 can of powdered Gatorade
4 gallons of water
4- beach balls
100 -clothespins, clothesline, clothes
5 -beach chairs
5- towels
2- 5 gal bucket
10- cones
1 small bag baking potatoes
3- foot balls
5- tables
4- hockey sticks
5- small pools
10- buckets
5 bags of charcoal
Please contact Angela Jenkins with any questions.
Also, please donate to Neuse Charter's relay For Life team! Thanks! Heres the link:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11SA?team_id=941421&pg=team&fr_id=32877

Week of May 9

2011-05-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!
We will continue to work on EOG testing skills this week in all classes. Please make sure your student is doing all they can to ensure success on the tests, this includes completing homework daily, being prepared for class and handing in work on time.
EOG testing is on the following days; May 18, 19, 20.

Vocabulary Words for this week:
Vocabulary for 6th Grade Week of May 9
optional
alternatively
personification
effective
persuasive
accurate
factual
exclamatory
prediction
subheadings
mood (in writing)
element
influence
symbolize
results

Vocabulary for 5th Grade
Week of May 9
phrase
emphasize
elaborate
approximate
ensure
summarize
results
data
accurate
considered
diagram
personification
italics
flashback
resourceful

2011-04-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

Format for Book Review for Theme Book #4- All classes, Due May 2
Typed
12 point font
Times New Roman font ONLY
Double-spaced
I
Brief summary of the book, 1 paragraph (5-7 sentences)
II
Beginning of Book
Include initial impressions or 1st thoughts, predictions, exciting “grab-you” beginning? Or lifeless, wimpy start? Highlights of book, as well as lowlights of book? 1 paragraph
III
Middle of Book
Include whether or not the book is losing steam, or revving up? Did the book get more interesting or begin to bore you? 1 paragraph
VI
End of the Book
Include whether or not the story/book ended with a bang or a whimper, 1 paragraph
V
Wrap it up
Do you recommend the book? To whom? Why? Did you learn anything? Think anything new? Was the vocabulary challenging or too easy? Was the book age appropriate? Were some parts better than others? 1 sentence that sums it all up.1-2 paragraphs

This will be added to you MAPP binder (the folder that you add to year to year) , so do your best.

Week of May 2

2011-04-29T10:55:00.000-04:00

Wow, here we are in May already. Time flies when you've got terrific students, parents and co-workers! Summer will be here before we know it! But before that....EOG season is upon us! This week, all classes will continue to review, spelling words are based on EOG need-to-know words and we are working on a travel project that incorporates graphs and charts for additional work on those skills.
The fourth and final project and essay are due on Monday! I sent home a paper that explains the format for the final essay. Students must follow that paper. I plan to add this final essay to the student's permanent MAPP binder, which is the folder that follows them from year to year. I will include a copy of the assignment and grade according to how closely it was followed, as well as creativity and conventions.
Progress reports go home this week.
Next week's Vocab:
5th grade Vocabulary Week of May 2
From EOG pretest booklet
directly
dialog
myth
proposition
abundance
tall tale
illustration
sequence
foreshadow
emphasize
figurative language
conclusion
inference
similar
clarify
discretion

6th grade Vocabulary Words
Taken from EOG pretest booklet
Week of May 2
clarify
author’s purpose
dialect
dialog
oral history
sarcasm
overstatement
characteristic
point of view
evidence
accurate
conclusion
quotation
consequences
identifies
effectively

2011-04-22T13:02:00.000-04:00

Hello, I hope you all are having a great break! I know the weather has been a little scary lately but we'll all rally to the occasion and pull through like North Carolinians always do.
I posted a link to DPI's website for practice EOG's. Please scroll down and click on the link for 5th or 6th grade reading and practice! The more often you do this, the better your skills will become for he actual EOG's. Practice makes...better!
No vocab this week (it's a 4 day week), but we will review previous words to re-familiarize ourselves with words we may have forgotten. Rest up, it's time to review, review, review!

2011-04-08T13:44:00.000-04:00

2011-04-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

Week of April 10

2011-04-08T10:08:00.000-04:00

Good news:No spelling words this week!
Other news: School wide EOG practice tests, Tuesday through Thursday! We are also actively searching for parents to help proctor the actual EOG tests, please contact Mrs. Freitas in the office if you think you would be interested and able.
Also, remember picture day is Monday and Earth Day is Friday (we still need some parent volunteers for this.
5th grade: We will finish up reading Search For Delicious
6th grade: We will continue to read Stargirl, whether we meet or not, you will be required to hand in the reading and writing assignments. They are:
Monday:Chapters 14-17 due
Tuesday: Chapters 18-21 due
Wednesday: Chapters 22-25 due
Thursday: Chapters 26-29 due
Friday: Chapters 30- end of book due.
Stargirl test on Monday, April 18th

I have been having a difficult time with makeup Vocab tests and have decided on a new policy. Makeup vocab tests MUST be made up the week after they are missed, or students will receive a 0 for the test.
Please check with your student and make sure they have the supplies they need. Many are out of looseleaf paper.
Also, our class is nearly out of spoons and wet wipes. If you can, please donate these items to the room. We wouldn't want to have to start using forks with our yogurt and soup:)

Updated Information

2011-04-07T14:01:00.000-04:00

I wanted to drop in and update some information.
EOG booklets have arrived. Students may work in them for homework. As long as they:
1.Highlight answers.
2.Correct their work
3.Mark number of correct or incorrect at the top of the page
4.Work in order in the book, practice tests should be done LAST!

Social Studies: The assignments are as follows: Read the chapters and answer all questions, be sure to number them. This week: pages 125-132, 133-138
Next week: p.139-144, 145-152 Students may always bring home Social Studies books, if they fall behind.

Reminder, except for the writing assignment for this week, which was an exception. Homework is always the same: Read for 30 minutes, summarize what you've read and write the title and page numbers.

Week of April 4th

2011-04-03T16:47:00.000-04:00

The Talent Show was held Friday April 1st and it was an extravaganza! A great time was had by all. This should become an annual event! Start practicing for next year! Everyone did a terrific job, but our winners were;
1st place: Makayla Holder: singing an a cappella version of Leona Lewis' song "Bleeding Love"
2nd place: Kyle and Betheny Austene duet: singing and playing guitar
3rd place: Freddy Bonilla, CJ Rouse and Jonathan Williams: choreography and dance
The judges had a very tough job! Congrats to all!

5th grade will continue reading and literature circles this week. Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt is the novel we will use for study.
6th grade will begin reading and studying Stargirl by jerry Spinelli this week.
Vocabulary for both groups come from their respective novels.
Picture day Tuesday, April 11

Vocabulary 5A
Week of April 4, from Search for Delicious
emerging
thrust
indifferent
wailed
interrupted
striding
gratefully
browse
dispute
annual
draperies
proclamation
churned
glorious
severely

Vocabulary 5B
Week of April 4, from Search for Delicious
indifferent
precise
loped
wavering
bracken
echoed
intrigued
wheedle
self-consciously
proclamation
dispute
wailed
relented
contentedly
southernmost

Vocabulary/Spelling 6th grade, Week of 4.4
From Stargirl

paleontologist- one who studies prehistoric life through plant and animal fossils
proximity nearness
convened- assembled; gathered
empathies- sharing in the feelings and emotions of others, as if
having been through the same experiences
unshackled- set free
liberation- freedom
amorphous- lacking form
collective- individuals acting together as a whole
alma mater- school from which one has graduated or which one attended
ovation- outburst of applause
charade- an act; a pretense
acclamation- approval
confirmation- evidence or an argument that serves to establish a fact or the truth of something proof
reaffirmation- to formally and officially state something again; support

2011-03-27T16:50:00.000-04:00

1st Annual Neuse Charter Has Talent Show!
Music! Comedy! Dancing! Art! Poetry! Duck-Calling! Prizes! Surprises!

What: Talented students and staff at Neuse Charter will be putting on an entertainment extravaganza! Dinner will be available.
When: Friday April 1st @ 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Neuse Charter School Gym on Booker Dairy Road
Ticket Info: Available in advance in Mrs. Berner’s and Mrs. Brindle’s rooms, before or after school only please! 7:30-7:45 or 2:45-3:30 Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. At the show, tickets will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Beat the rush and get a good deal, buy in advance!
This will be an event not to be missed!
This is a fund raising event for the Middle School Language Arts department.
Please come and join us at the talent show, it promises to be a lot of fun.

5th grade will resume reading Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt this week.
6th grade will begin reading Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

Vocabulary/Spelling 6th
From the book “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli
Week of March 28
absurdity
nonconformity
isosceles
conceived
perpetual
elusive
linger
antic
baffle
dormant
converging
gaped
bizarre
blithely
hoax

Vocabulary/Spelling 5A
From the book “Search for Delicious” by Natalie Babbitt
Week of March 28
appreciate
battered
trudged
mournful
scurried
impatient
flimsy
marveled
insight
screeched
nudging
frayed
dense
tangled
anxious

Vocabulary/Spelling 5B
From the book “Search for Delicious” by Natalie Babbitt
Week of March 28
battered
undercurrent
vague
marveled
insight
screeched
occasional
precise
frayed
dense
anxiously
mournful
chagrin
scurried
impatiently

Week of March 14

2011-03-13T17:23:00.000-04:00

Black History month was a terrific success and as we wrap it up, I am humbled by the great students at Neuse Charter School. For the most part, everyone took part of all the lessons with gusto and pride in their work. The quilts look beautiful, my room is overflowing with great art work and poetry and I think we all feel a lot more informed of all the wonderful contributions Black Americans have made to our country.
This week, 5th grade will begin the novel: Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt. I bought a class set back in November, but one of my classes has grown by so many students I am now short 3-4 books. If you can get a copy this week, I'd appreciate it. The library should have one or two.
6th grade is wrapping up BHM a persuasive essay on Malcolm X or Martin Luther King. Which approach do you think is the most effective and why? We'll finish up with a whirlwind tour of Motown. Students will create their own album cover, complete with liner notes.
Notes to remember:
*Talent Show members meet on Thursdays to rehearse and organize. All musical acts show bring their music on a CD by this Thursday.
* I will begin tutoring 6th grade this Wednesday: from 2:45-3:15. Students must come prepared to work and must be picked up on time. Violations of these policies will force me to ban student from further tutoring. Tutoring will consist of EOG review and test taking tips.
*Reminder: I am collecting $17.00 for an EOG reading test review booklet. I encourage ALL students to purchase one. I will count 30 minutes of nightly work in the booklet as homework beginning in April.
Dates to Remember:
*March 18 (changed from the 16th): 3rd Theme book essay and project are due (2 different things)
*March 31: 3rd quarter Report Cards go home
April 1st: Neuse Charter Has Talent Show at the new gym. Tickets go on sale this week!!!!!

Spelling/Vocabulary for this week:
6th grade EOG Vocabulary
Week of March 14
repetition
historical fiction
fables
almanac
nonfiction
recipe
fiction
advertisement
legends
realistic fiction
mood
atlas
biography
autobiography
stanza
fantasy
moral
Good resources for vocab practice:
http://quizlet.com/879761/eog-reading-vocabulary-flash-cards/
Good practice EOG links/pages:
http://mail.clevelandcountyschools.org/~ccselem/029E8B7A-00870B98?Plugin=Loft

5A Vocabulary from “Search for Delicious”
Week of March 14
prologue
enclosed
particular
remarkable
irritated
eventually
imagination
triumphantly
affectionate
swayed
muttering
gurgling
hovering
flawless
dissatisfied

5B Vocabulary from “Search for Delicious”
Week of March 14
upheavals
trodden
resume
unheeded
ungratified
calamitous
prologue
irritated
eventually
triumphantly
muttering
considerable
hovering
dissatisfied
hemlock

*

Week of Feb. 28

2011-02-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

The talent show auditions went great last week, as we suspected...Neuse Charter has talent! The second, and final, chance to audition and show your talent is this Thursday, directly after school. Don't miss out!
Our quilts look beautiful and everyone should be very proud of all their hard work on them. I will assemble them this week and they will be on display very soon!
This week 5th grade will learn about the Harlem Renaissance. Poetry, jazz, the lindy hop, the Cotton Club and Langston Hughes. We will focus on tone and mood of poetry and stories and write a poem of our own based on poetry and blues from the Harlem Renaissance.
6th grade will also learn about the Harlem Renaissance. Our focus in 6th grade will be the art and poetry of Harlem Rennaissance. Students will learn to write a poem and paint a self portrait designed to move the reader. We will read an autobiographical short story by Zora Neale Hurston.
Spelling/Vocab for this week:
5th grade
Week of 2/28
Harlem Renaissance
rattled
kitchenette
furnished
mistrust
latching
presentable
pursue
Langston Hughes
sentiment
secede
ratified
unconstitutional
flourish
diaspora

6th grade
Week of 2/28
Harlem Renaissance
secede
ratified
unconstitutional
flourish
Zora Neale Hurston
extenuating
peered
differ
deplored
disembarked
register
abrupt
veneer
saunter
diaspora

Talent Show Announcement!

2011-02-21T11:48:00.000-05:00

Neuse Charter Has Talent!

All forms of talent welcome! Singing, Dancing, Music, Comedy, Acting, Bands, Duck-calling, etc!!!!! If you are a master, or even pretty good, then come audition to be part of Neuse Charter’s 1st big variety show on April 1 at the new gym!!!
1st Prize: cash!, other prizes to be determined.
This is a benefit for Neuse Charter Middle School English Department!
All students, faculty and staff are invited to the audition, but you must be signed up. Sign-up sheets in the front office, Berner’s modular and Brindle’s modular. Let’s make this a show to remember!
Auditions:
Thursday, Feb. 24: 2:45-4:00
Thursday, Mar. 3: 2:45-4:00
Sign up today, and start practicing! (ages 10 and up)

2011-02-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

Week of Feb.14

2011-02-13T16:45:00.000-05:00

The 5th grade dance was a blast! Everyone looked beautiful and a good time was had by all. Even though, next time...more dancing! Committee members did an excellent job of decorating and the room looked awesome. Cleanup was fun, efficient and was done in no-time. Everyone should take a minute and reflect on what a great job you all did, truly a team effort!

This week we will write our escaped slave stories and dye and sew our quilts! There will be vocabulary. Words for all classes this week:
1.Integrity- steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code

2.Civil Rights- The rights belonging to an individual by virtue of citizenship, including equal protection of the laws, and freedom from discrimination

3.Racism -The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

4.Abolitionist- A reformer who favors abolishing slavery.

5. Discrimination- An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.

6. Emancipation- Freeing someone from the control of another.

7.Prejudice- A preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment.

8. Heritage- Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

9.Oppression- the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.

10.Equality- The state or quality of being equal.

11.Advocate -To speak, plead, or argue in favor of.

12.Segregation- the policy or practice of separating people of different races, classes, or ethnic groups, as in schools, housing, and public or commercial facilities, especially as a form of discrimination.

13.Bias - a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

14. Labor-Physical or mental exertion, especially when difficult or exhausting; work.

15.Injustice-Violation of another's rights or of what is right; lack of justice.
How easy is this? I even gave you definitions this week!

Dates this week;
Feb. 18: Progress reports go home
PTO theme baskets are due this week. 5A: theme is the ARTS. Please donate!

Week of Feb. 7th

2011-02-06T16:34:00.000-05:00

We finally begin Black History Month! No vocab/spelling test/words this week, but much new vocabulary will be introduced.
Black History Month Syllabus Week 1 5th and 6th grade

Monday, Feb. 7
Assigned to group you will work with and sit with, review syllabus
Begin 1st part of a 4-part timeline. You will generate one timeline, with 4 parts per group (graded activity)(25 points)
Assigned a proverb, read and discuss, in round–robin fashion what you think your saying means. Begin to think about a visual representation of your proverb.

Tuesday, Feb 8
Prompt: write a short explanation of your proverb/saying.
Media Center
Return to group, lesson about proverbs, and group discussion of some of the sayings.
Create and design a construction-paper collage of proverb. No markers, no pencil, no crayon!!!!! (graded activity)(100 points)

Wednesday, Feb. 9
Prompt: Revisit your explanation of your proverb. Write it again, with corrections, neatly and with good vocabulary. This will be assessed (graded activity) (100 points)
Complete your collage and explanation

Thursday, Feb. 10
Prompt: Handout
Lesson: Timeline part II (graded activity) (25 points)
Short Story: Clara and the Freedom Quilt short story (5th) or The Patchwork Path: A Quilt Map to Freedom (6th)

Friday, Feb. 11
Prompt: In your group, begin writing a story about a runaway slave. First, decide on a character; name, age, family, story, appearance, likes and dislikes. Second, each team member selects a quilt square to use as their part of the story. Third, create a word bank of words that you think will come on handy for a story about a runaway slave. Lastly, begin writing your story. Each person will describe one aspect of your team’s person (divide it up) in the first paragraph, developing a richly detailed character sketch. Then the adventure begins! Create a conflict that is intolerable to your character, something h/she cannot live with and so must run away from the life of slavery! Use your quilt pieces to describe his/her journey north, be sure to add problems and excitement along the way to freedom. (graded activity, 200 pts.) Each member is responsible for a part of this activity and there will be a peer graded portion that will be worth 50 out of the 200 points.
Other news:
5A: We still need donations for the PTO ARTS theme basket. Remember, Neuse Charter relies on parental support!

5th grade Dance this Friday!!!!!
Dance Committee will reconvene this Wednesday and Thursday to finish planning! Dance: Friday in Mrs. Berner's room from 3:30-5:00. Parents are welcome to meet and mingle in the Media Center during the dance. I will send home more information on Monday.

Week of Jan. 31

2011-01-30T10:27:00.000-05:00

This week, we'll finish small group Literature Circles in 5th grade and Milkweed in 6th grade. Next week we begin Black History Month. I will be sending home a list of needed supplies this week, be on the lookout for it! I will use African-American writers, musicians, famous figures and artists to teach curriculum goals for the next month. We will build time-lines, sew quilts, read and write poetry, listen and write music, learn about mood and tone in writing, talk about main idea and identity, debate, paint and create all manner of brilliant pieces this month. I can't wait!

The 5th grade dance committee is up and running. We look to be having quite an exciting party and I hope all 5th graders can come out to boogie.

5A: I still need donations for our arts theme basket!

Spelling/Vocabulary for this week:

6th grade
Words from Milkweed
complicated
identity
lounged
impressed
careened
confirmed
temptation
shriveled
reluctant
taunting
commotion
massive
reliable
repent
multitude
radiant
Hanukkah

Spelling/ Vocab 5A
Words Jan. 31
leathery
particular
maneuver
accustom
exception
confession
concerned
brimming
nuzzling
withhold
wailing
muck
fasting
chamber
jostled
solar

Spelling/Vocabulary
5B
Week of Jan. 31
apt
hastily
quickened
accustomed
leathery
exceptional
wailing
limitations
abominable
jostled
martyr
dowry
privy
muck
sulking
fasting

2011-01-23T12:50:00.001-05:00

The third quarter starts this week and we have many wonderful and exciting things going on in Language Arts! We have completed the pre-EOG tests and I have tabulated the results. As expected, some students are well ahead of the curve and some are behind, but we all have room for improvement, so we will continue to work hard to achieve our goals. Keep in mind, if your student began 5th or 6th grade in a deficit with regards to the EOG (example: they passed on a waiver or because they couldn't be retained), they will need to work twice as hard this year. The tests get progressively more difficult year after year. I am obligated, by the rules of Neuse Charter Schools charter, to inform parents of students of the possibility of retention midyear. I will send those letters with report cards. Part of the reason I send them is based on EOG results, part is based on classroom achievement. I would like to meet with parents of students that receive a letter to formulate and plan for your students success.

Fifth grade students competed in an all 5th grade Spelling Bee recently. We crowned a champion from both 5A and 5B and they are, drum-roll, please, Danielle Raba and Lane Baggett. Congrats to them both! In a tense battle of spelling excellence, Lane and Danielle traded correct spelling for a solid 15 minutes, back and forth they spelled, until our grand-champion emerged: Danielle Raba! Congrats to all my wonderful spellers.

Fifth grade will be having an all 5th grade semi-formal dance on Friday, Feb. 11th from 3:30-5:00 (boys wear ties and dress shirts, girls wear dresses or ties and dress shirts:) Parents are encouraged to send in decorations, and treats. planning committee will meet after school from 2:45-3:15 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Mrs. Berner's room.

5A has selected The Arts as their theme for the PTO auction basket. Please send in anything related to any of the arts, dance, drama, movies, painting, sculpture, or music ASAP.
5th grade students led conferences will be held directly after the awards ceremony (10:00- on 11:00)Friday, Jan. 28. Students will explain to their parents what they have been doing in math, science, language arts and electives. This is a time for parents to learn from their students!

Literature Circles will commence for 5th grade this week. We will be reading and listening along to several different books: Tales of Despereaux, Tuck Everlasting, No More Dead Dogs, and Catherine Called Birdy. Students will need to bring their headphones.

6th grade began their unit on Milkweed Friday with a spirited discussion and brief history of World War II. The story follows a young orphaned boy during WW II who lives in the streets of Warsaw, Poland.

Dates to remember:
Jan. 24: 3rd theme book title due. autobiography/biography
Jan. 28: Report cards,letters of intent, possible retention letters go home
Jan. 28: Awards ceremony: 9:00-10:00
Jan. 28: Student led conferences:10:00-11:00
Feb. 11: 5th grade dance 3:30-5:00

Spelling/Vocabulary words this week all derive form the books students will be reading.
Remember: you get 1 point for spelling and 1 point a sentence with the word used correctly. All words will be used in a sentence.

5A
ordeal
disappointment
tragedy
despair
reflection
dungeon
indulge
elemental
plagued
grumbles
barren
conspire
betrothal
inflame
mercy
apprentice
stranded

5B

furlough
despair
ordeal
dungeon
indulgent
elemental
plagued
abbey
barren
conspire
bellow
inflammation
stranded
percolated
pounced
fluke
detention

6A

jackboots
pharmacist
writhing
rubble
surviving
foil
flurries
artillery
bombardment
curfew
burly
scrounged
mingled
ghetto
shalom
carcass

Week of Jan. 10

2011-01-09T15:28:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Due to the fact that this is the last week of the grading period, classes will complete an Out of the Dust final test, we will also take our pre-EOG test, and with the uncertainty surrounding the weather, I have decided to forgo a vocab test this week. Sorry to disappoint you all:)
Important dates to remember:
Monday Jan. 10: Out of the Dust final test.
Tuesday, Jan. 11: Bookmobile
Wednesday, Jan. 12: Pre-EOG test
Jan. 14: End of 2nd quarter
Jan. 17: Martin Luther King holiday
Jan. 18: Snow makeup day: Regular Schedule
Jan. 21: Report Cards go home/ Awards Ceremony: grades 5-9 at 9 a.m.

All classes completed the book "Out of the Dust" last week. It was a terrific book and everyone really seemed to enjoy it, be sure to ask your student about his/her opinion.
5th grade will begin Lit Circle groups next week. Students will work in small groups, listening to a book on tape and then discussing and writing about it
6th grade will begin the book "Milkweed" by Jerry Spinelli. It follows a young orphan during World War II in Warsaw, Poland as he tries to survive alone in the city. It's another great book and I'm certain 6th graders will enjoy it thoroughly.

2010-12-31T15:34:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a terrific holiday break and you are all rested and ready for the next year!
We have some exciting units coming up and, of course, the pre-EOG practice test. Doing reading homework from here on out is extremely important. Practice makes perfect and I have seen much improvement in comprehension and fluency in students that have been diligent with their homework. Please make sure your child is reading for 30 minutes (AT LEAST!!!) a day. After the break, we will finish up Out of the Dust, which was interrupted by the snow break. 6th grade will begin reading Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli in small groups and 5th grade will read and listen to a variety of novels on tape and work in small group literature circles. After the novel study both groups will learn about bias, propaganda, stereotypes and write a persuasive essay to a person or institution of choice. In February, we will have an in-depth study of Black History to include slave quilts and stories, the Harlem Renaissance, blues music and African-American poetry.

Theme Project and Essay #2: Due Jan. 3
Students should come armed with both their 2nd essay and project on Monday. We will have presentations for about 30 minutes daily until everyone has given theirs, students should be prepared to go on Monday, even though they may not present until later in the week. Points will be docked from students who are not prepared. Also, I will have students assessing their peers and part of their input will be used in grading. One of the curricular goals for 5th and 6th grade is to develop critical thinking skills and to understand when something is well-done and to develop the stance of a critic. Students will be given a rubric to score their peers which explains what they (and I) should look for in a good project.

The 2nd essay will be a little different because you really can't give much of an opinion about a non-fiction book! I think the easiest approach would be write about the three-five most interesting facts that he learned and why they think they are interesting and then finish with a few sentences of book review, was it appropriate for his/her age level? did it hold his/her interest? would he/she recommend it to others? etc... 1-2 typed pages, 12 point Times New Roman font, black ink. If you can't print it at home, bring it in on a flash drive and I'll print it at school.

Students still must make up the spelling test from the week before break, so we will just use the same words this week. Vocab test on Friday for all students.

See you all soon!

Dec. 20

2010-12-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Spelling/Vocab for week of Dec. 20. Our test will be on Thursday of this week!!!!!
We will finish "Out of the Dust" this week.
Spelling/Vocabulary (all classes) Berner
Week of Dec. 12 Words from “Out of the Dust” p.149 to end of book
SPELLING TEST ON THURSDAY !!!!!!!! (1/2 day of Friday: Holiday Party!!!!)
fierceness
warped
scorched
migrants
sparse
sulking
horizon
frantic
descended
swarmed
desperation
yield
hoarding
sustain
scowled
mottled
flinch
nourish
confident
intentions

Week of December 5

2010-12-05T18:13:00.000-05:00

It snowed over the weekend! Winter is just around the corner and, as usual, I am shocked at how quickly the school year rolls by. We are midway through the second quarter already. I guess it's true what they say, time flies when you're having fun and working hard!
All classes will continue with "Through the Dust" by Karen Hesse this week. Spelling/Vocab words will all be from the reading. Students seem to be enjoying the book. We will have a short quiz about every 50 pages.
Social Studies will continue reading and working from the book this week, moving through the American Revolution and the Constitution.

Vocabulary/Spelling (all classes)
Week of Dec. 6 Words from “Out of the Dust” to page 150
excavating
clinging
deformed
exhibit
benefit
suffocating
forsaken
cloaked
thrived
agony
bleary
withered
parched
chaos
pouted
prospects
desperate
straddled
smothered
reassuring

2010-11-28T15:31:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a relaxing and satisfying Thanksgiving! Mine was great and so now I feel ready to work off the stuffing and pumpkin pie with some solid learning. Let's finish this year off right with some brain building reading and writing!
We will continue to read Out of the Dust aloud in each class.(5B will begin reading this week) If you can get a copy of the book, please do. We are currently sharing in class. If your student has a copy, it will make studying for tests and reviewing much easier for them. 5A and 6A will have a quiz Tuesday on the book to page 51.
5B will finish their work on the Paul Revere essay by Tuesday, as it its due to the DAR on Wednesday. I would love for them to be typed and would allow students to type and edit their essay at home in lieu of reading homework. Parents must review the essay.
Neuse Charter will participate in the Spelling Bee again this year. I will firm up the format this week.

Vocab for all classes this week:

Spelling/Vocabulary 5A
Week of Nov. 29 Words from “Tuck Everlasting” and “Out of the Dust”
retorted
meager
accommodations
rapid
ought
toppled
dismay
passage
skeptical
loomed
pitiless
strewn
aimlessly
mirage
festered
withered
tufts

Spelling/Vocabulary 6A
Week of Nov. 29 Words from “Tuck Everlasting” and “Out of the Dust”
perilous
retorted
meager
accommodations
dismay
passage
skeptical
peculiar
loomed
solemnly
aimlessly
festered
boughs
grumble
withered
tufts
ought

Spelling/Vocabulary 5B
Week of Nov. 29 Words from “Tuck Everlasting” and “Out of the Dust”
perilous
retorted
meager
apprehension
dismay
skeptical
vigorous
reservoir
loomed
solemnly
indomitable
aimlessly
festered
boughs
tallow
withered
tufts

2010-11-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

Next week, all classes will begin working in a new format. We will kick off centers and small group literature circles. Classes will read two book. The first, in which I will lead a guided reading group, is titled “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse. It is about the Oklahoma dust storms in the 1930s. It is a novel written in blank verse and is an extension of our poetry unit. The other novel is “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt. Students will listen to Tuck on tape and read along in small student-led literature circles. I selected this novel because many students have read it already and will be able to read and discuss the novel with little supervision. Literature circles should be student led. Please send in headphone or earbuds with your student, if they have them. I will also institute a writing center and an art center, where students will create artistic representations of their work. In addition, we will enjoy a “game” center. Students will quiz each others vocabulary words, literary terms, and other language arts knowledge. I expect a few bugs and will adjust groups and timing as we proceed, but I think this will enhance most student's learning experience exponentially. Please e-mail any questions.

Bookmobile comes on Tuesday! If your student does not have his or her theme book yet, this is a great opportunity.

Social Studies: we are moving into the colonial era and will begin the Revolutionary War this week. Students will be writing an essay about Paul Revere for a Daughter's of the American Revolution contest. The essay is due Dec. 1, so we need to get cracking!

This weeks spelling/vocabulary words:
Spelling /Vocab Week of Nov. 15
From Tuck Everlasting and Out of the Dust
5A
prologue
connection
smeared
everlasting
tangent
tranquil
contemplation
dissolved
oppressive
accessible
isolation
melancholy
bounty
pestering
ratcheted
riled
spindly
pledged
dazzled
wisp

Spelling /Vocab Week of Nov. 15
From Tuck Everlasting and Out of the Dust
5B
arduous
everlasting
prologue
tangent
contemplation
tolerantly
fringe
forlorn
accessible
isolation
tarnished
intrusion
grimace
slant
riled
distraction
whittled
ratcheted
fidgeting
bounty
smeared

Spelling /Vocab Week of Nov. 15
From Tuck Everlasting and Out of the Dust
6A
prologue
connection
smeared
everlasting
tangent
tranquil
contemplation
dissolved
oppressive
accessible
isolation
melancholy
bounty
pestering
ratcheted
riled
spindly
pledged
dazzled
wisp

2010-11-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

Reminder!!! Tomorrow is the poetry terms test. Students should also know the graphic organizer with the terms: Introduction, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Denouement. Students must understand what happens in each of those categories of a storyline for a fiction story.

Social Studies:
Know these terms:
navigation
expedition
what eradicated (wiped out) Native Americans: guns, germs and horses (plusses and minuses)
Christopher Columbus
missionaries
Verrazano
Cartier
Northwest Passage (what is is and why is was important)
Conquistadors: Ponce de Leon, Hernando deSoto, Cortes (where from, what they did?)
Henry Hudson

2010-11-05T07:52:00.000-04:00

Terms for the Poetry Test on Nov. 10:
alliteration
antagonist
ballad
climax
conflict
couplet
denouement
elegy
epic
falling action
foreshadowing
free verse
hyperbole
limerick
metaphor
narrative poem
ode
onomatopoeia
point of view
protagonist
quatrain
resolution
rhyme
rising action
setting
simile
sonnet
stanza
style
theme
tone
Students in all grades will need to know the DEFINITION of these words. I will give the word and students will fill in definition. No spelling next week. These terms are important enough to revisit until they are mastered.

2010-11-02T06:12:00.000-04:00

Hello,
We'll be writing sonnets and couplets this week in 5th grade and writing a sonnet and reading another selection from the Junior Great book in 6th. Spelling test on Friday means the homework on Thursday is to study!!!! This week's words:
Spelling/Vocab 5A Pattern: c/le, and vc/v
Week of 11/01/2010
capable
bundle
idle
idol
bridle
bridal
stifle
tremble
miracle
brittle
wrestle
example
particle
gurgle
trifle
tepid
valid
novel

Vocab/Spelling 5B patterns: c/le, vc/v and root: equ
Week of 11/01/2010
capable
icicle
idle
idol
bridle
bridal
stifle
brittle
particle
tepid
static
valid
root: equ means equal
equity
equanimity
equate
equator
equidistant

Vocab/Spelling 6A Pattern: vocab from “Raymond’s Run”, c/le, vc/c, root:equ
ridiculous
sloshing
fluttering
prodigy
reputation
weightless
blurry
obviously
root: equ meaning equal
equity
equator
equate
stifle
brittle
tremble
idol
idle
bridle
bridal

2010-10-15T14:07:00.000-04:00

Hello! This is the last week before report cards, so we'll be doing things a little differently. This is the last week for your student to make up any work they are missing before it becomes a permanent part of their grade. Check agendas to make sure your child is caught up. We had a make-up catch-up day on Friday, and most students worked very diligently to get make-up work done. I was impressed with how conscientious many of my students were. However, some chose not to make-up any work. There will be no more class time devoted to make-up work.

We will have no spelling words this week. We'll have the test from last week's words on Monday.

Friday is a teacher workday. No class for students.

A special treat this week and next! Burning Coal Theatre will return and teach our students all about Shakespeare! They were so well received last year that I know we're all looking forward to a triumphant return. 5th grade is this week the 19th-21st. 6th grade will be the following week Oct. 26-28.

6th grade: Remember, being on a sports team is a privilege. If your grade falls below a "C" average, you will be suspended until it rises up to acceptable levels.

Happy Fall, all!

Week of Oct. 11

2010-10-10T16:53:00.000-04:00

Hello all!
Our Fairytales unit, somewhat sadly, has come to an end. Although, I'm pretty sure they all lived happily ever after :) Students seemed to enjoy reading, writing and learning about them. Most students wrote a really solid fairytale, although many (especially 6th grade) failed to turn one in on time. Please check with your student (and read their agendas) to see that they turned one in. This was a 200 point assignment. I am enjoying reading the stories!

Reminders to all: Please remind your student of the importance of following the no-talking rule during testing. I am very strict regarding this and will throw out a students test if they talk during testing. It breaks my heart to do it, but students must learn self-discipline. EOG results can be canceled for the entire school if protocol is broken.
Oct 15: the first theme book review and project are due. This assignment includes a book review (typed 1-2 pages, 12 point TNR font), a project and a brief presentation in class (no more than 5 minutes, unless you work it out with me)

Social Studies: Students will complete their Native American unit this week and we will move onto colonial America. Students voted to participate in a writing contest about Paul Revere held by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The essay is due Dec. 1. We plan to have a Thanksgiving celebration in November, melding what we learned about Indians with what we learn about colonial Americans. Should be fun.

5th grade will begin a poetry unit this week, as is reflected in their spelling/vocab words. I will begin to grade spelling tests a little differently this week. Students will now receive 2 points for using the word correctly and 1 point for spelling it correctly, for a total of 3 points a sentence(instead of the current 2). This reflects my emphasis on the importance of meaning. Many of 6th grades words will be the same as last week, as they didn't seem to learn them as well as I'd like them to. Last weeks results will be tossed for the 6th grade spelling/vocab test, unless, of course, your student did well.

6th grade will read a story in the Junior Great Books series and do activities associated with the story, "Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing. We will also do some focused lessons on vocab, as that seems to be a weak spot.

This weeks words:
Spelling/Vocabulary
6A
Week of Oct.11
Patterns: ie/ei and prefix: dis: meaning apart, not. Vocabulary from reading this week
Repeat words from last week:
conceited
seize
retrieval
unwieldy
grievance
deceitful
dissuade
disengage
discord
indispensable
New this week:
contrition
rigorous
sputter
promontory
continuous

Spelling/ Vocabulary
5B
Week of Oct. 11
Pattern: poetry terms
rhyme
haiku
alliteration
quatrain
couplet
sonnet
antagonist
protagonist
denouement
elegy
kigo- means: a seasonal word, used in haiku
hyperbole
resolution
simile
metaphor
ballad
stanza
foreshadowing

Spelling/ Vocabulary
5A
Week of Oct. 11
Pattern: poetry terms
rhyme
haiku
alliteration
quatrain
couplet
sonnet
antagonist
protagonist
denouement
elegy
kigo- means: a seasonal word, used in haiku
hyperbole
resolution
simile
metaphor
ballad
stanza
foreshadowing

Week of Oct. 4

2010-10-03T18:48:00.000-04:00

Remember: Students are expected to know spelling and proper usage in a sentence. They receive one point for each and Thursday night's homework is to study for the test!!!!
Spelling/Vocabulary
5A
Week of October 4 Pattern: V/CV and ie /ei

vacant
frequent
veto
deduct
vital
locate
moment
omit
rotate
unite
puny
putrid
conceited
achieve
deceive
leisure
grief
seize

Spelling/Vocabulary
5B
Week of Oct. 4 Patterns: v/cv, ie/ei and prefix: dis: meaning apart, not

puny
putrid
vital
deduct
vacant
conceited
seize
retrieval
unwieldy
grievance
deceitful
receipt
believe
dissuade
disengage
discord
discomfort
indispensable

Spelling/Vocabulary
6A
Week of Oct. 4 Patterns: v/cv, ie/ei and prefix: dis: meaning apart, not

puny
putrid
vital
deduct
vacant
conceited
seize
retrieval
unwieldy
grievance
deceitful
receipt
believe
dissuade
disengage
discord
discomfort
indispensable

Sept. 26

2010-09-26T18:38:00.000-04:00

We have completed novel studies of Freak the Mighty and Frindle and are busy working on our new lessons. This week we will continue learning about Fairy Tales in 5th grade and complete our own traditional tale. Then we will mix it up a bit!
6th grade will begin the unit and continue vocabulary study.
The 5th grade Social Studies students are working on a Native American tribe project.

Picture Day; Oct 6
Faculty/Student Volleyball Game: Oct. 1 JCA gym

Vocabulary Words:
This week we will have 18 words, instead of 15. I feel students need to punch up their word skills, so we'll work more on this in class also.

Vocabulary Week of Sept. 27 pattern: VC/CV
5A

gather
servant
berserk
different
chatter
hermit
persist
garment
discard
parcel
distort
horrid
torment
burden
flirted
murmur
squirrel
urban

Vocabulary Week of Sept. 27 pattern: VC/CV
5B
berserk
chatter
persist
distort
horrid
torment
burden
murmur
perturb
squirrel
proclaimed
confined
neighborhood
represented
unrelenting
version
melancholy
descendents

Vocabulary Week of Sept. 27 pattern: VC/CV
6A
berserk
chatter
persist
distort
horrid
torment
burden
murmur
perturb
squirrel
proclaimed
confined
neighborhood
represented
unrelenting
version
melancholy
descendents

2010-09-19T16:47:00.000-04:00

For the week of September 20:

5th (Berner’s homeroom)
Vocabulary/Spelling
Students must use words correctly in a sentence for full credit (2 points per sentence)

Focus: VC/CV and Frindle

endures
rebellion
procedure
impatient
remarkable
cascade
athlete
stampede
describe
inquire
incline
backbone
oppose
dispute
consume

5th grade (Dohner’s homeroom)
Vocabulary/Spelling
Students must use words correctly in a sentence for full credit (2 points per sentence)
Focus: VC/CV

endures
cascade
stagnate
octane
confiscate
stampede
confide
pastime
textile
implode
suppose
commune
consume
protrude
dispute

6th grade
Vocabulary/Spelling
Students must use words correctly in a sentence for full credit (2 points per sentence)
Focus: VC/CV

endures
cascade
stagnate
octane
confiscate
stampede
confide
pastime
textile
implode
suppose
commune
consume
protrude
dispute

2010-09-12T11:07:00.000-04:00

Hello! Hope all is well with everyone. These weekends go by too fast, don't they?

This week we will finish up Frindle and Freak the Mighty. Unit tests will be given on Friday, if all goes as planned. If we fall behind, and that is a definite possibility, they will be given on Monday of the following week. Vocab words for my classes this week are:

Spelling/Vocab Spelling pattern: VC/CV
Sept. 13-18
Words must be used properly in a sentence and spelled correctly.
5A
1. enchant 9. adverb
2. hectic 10. absurd
3. splendid 11. dictate
4. contact 12. contrive
5. progress 13. connive
6. establish 14. immune
7. abnormal 15. Raleigh
8. informal

Spelling/Vocab Spelling pattern: VC/CV
Sept. 13-18
Words must be used properly in a sentence and spelled correctly.
5B
1. infiltrate 9. adverb
2. indispose 10. absurd
3. jargon 11. contemplate
4. interrupted 12. contrive
5. infantile 13. connive
6. informal 14. immune
7. abnormal 15. Raleigh
8. compensate

Spelling/Vocab Words taken from Freak the Mighty
Words must be used properly in a sentence and spelled correctly.
6A
1. optimum 9. illiterate
2. devised 10. adverb
3. heave 11. dynamic
4. urgency 12. testify
5. tremble 13. prodigy
6. obligation 14. smidgeon
7. furrowed 15. vanquish
8. injustice

Labor Day week

2010-09-06T16:51:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a great long weekend! My family and I spent a relaxing and wonderful time in Boone, NC, enjoying the fresh, cool mountain air.

The 4 day school week means we won't have a spelling/vocab test on Friday, although we will work on some new words. Several students didn't do as well as they probably wanted to on last week's test, so they will have a second chance this week. We also had quite a few absences, so make-up tests will occur on Friday. Any student may take the test again, but if your student earned less than 80%, it is required. Many did very well, so kudos to those who studied and did great!

5th grade:
We will try and finish up Frindle this week. Be prepared for a pop quiz or two! Literature Circles will continue. I was very impressed with some of the discussions I overheard in my homeroom class last week. Well done! We will write about our personal "Frindles" and try and get others to adopt our word.

6th grade:
We will continue to work on Freak the Mighty, you also, should be prepared for a pop quiz! Vocabulary will figure prominently in out lessons this week. Literature Circles will continue, as will group discussion of the novel.

Spelling/Vocab Lists for the week of Aug. 30

2010-08-29T10:51:00.000-04:00

Vocabulary/Spelling Week of 08/30/10 5th (Berner)

Test on Friday. You must know both spelling (1 point) and definition/usage (1 point).
their
there
they’re
conquer
priority
strategy
instead
successful
monopoly
organized
expanded
reputation
tension
essential
foment

Vocabulary/Spelling Week of 08/30/10 5th (Dohner)

Test on Friday. You must know both spelling (1 point) and definition/usage (1 point).
conquer
priorities
strategies
successful
monopoly
essentially
organization
compulsion
reputation
acquainted
redeemed
consequences
demeanor
foment

Vocabulary/Spelling Week of 08/30/10 6th
Test on Friday. You must know both spelling (1 point) and definition/usage (1 point). All vocabulary taken from Freak the Mighty.

resembles
hunker
consequences
humanoid
periodic
propulsion
demeanor
invisible
intrude
tenement
expel
evasion
stern
divulged
budge

2010-08-29T09:18:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to a new school year! It's going to be terrific, classes are in full swing and we've even completed a few assignments! Let the learning, laughing and growing begin!
6th grade:
This week we will begin Freak the Mighty, (quiz on Monday) have our first vocab/spelling test and continue with the goal setting project. I will also hand out paperwork for the theme book project.
5th grade:
We will read Frindle, (quiz on Monday!), also begin spelling/vocab and begin the theme book project.
Social Studies:
We will continue work in the SS book, and begin talking about the geography of North America.

Important dates to write in your agendas:
Aug. 30: Quiz on summer reading
Sept. 6: Labor Day, no school
Sept. 7: Theme for theme book projects are due.
Sept. 21: Bookmobile
Oct. 15: Theme book report and project due

March and April

2010-03-21T11:48:00.000-04:00

Hello all!
February has come and gone and it was very eventful. The Black History Unit was very well received and I think all the students had a great learning experience, and a little fun too! March is nearly over already and I, for one, don't know where it's gone! Oh well, onward and upward!
We have been learning about inventors and artists, lately, in the Reading Street book. Students have explored their own thoughts on what are the most important inventions and how they have impacted the world.
We have also been working on Paideia workshops with 5B. This is new to me and has been very enlightening. I always enjoy class discussion and I truly believe it leads to higher understanding, but it is just terrific to learn a more structured way to carry out discussion. I think students are enjoying it quite a bit too. I will try and incorporate at least one every week or two for the rest of the school year, for all classes. Be sure and ask your student about it!
We have been toiling away at EOG prep too. The EOG booklets have arrived and were distributed last week. I have answer keys in my room, located in the Homework bin, for students to check their answers. I will accept two practice readings a night for homework. Please make sure your student works in order in the book and answers ALL practice questions (not just the A,B,C.. questions). I am tutoring 6th grade students in the mornings (7:45-8:10) using these books. I have administered the pretests to most classes again during March also. I will write down your students score in their agendas this week, please watch for that.
Chip reward week has arrived! 6th grade students will be treated to an old-fashioned sock-hop in the gym. Their will be prizes given for best 50's dress (male and female), best dancers (male and female), Best hula-hooper and best limboer. Should be a lot of fun. 5th grade classes will be treated to a free period of fun too! On Thursday, students who have earned the privilege (at least 77 chips, from me only) may bring hand held electronics, musical CD's, games, etc.. and spend time playing, instead of working. If the weather's nice, we'll go outside.
Important Dates to remember:
March 26: No school for students, teacher workday
March 31: Report cards go home
April 2-9: Spring break, Enjoy!
April 6: PTO Meeting Light of Christ Church 7:00
No spelling words this week!
Reminder: Homework is also the same and is ALWAYS due unless we have a PTO meeting or I write differently in students agenda: Read for 30 minutes, write a paragraph about what you read (not the book) and jot down page numbers. Students should read chapter books for this assignment!

2010-01-24T20:35:00.000-05:00

Hello! Welcome to the third semester at Neuse Charter School! This semester we will work on novel studies, Black History Month and EOG preparation. On Tuesdays, we will have a special schedule for EOG preparation. Also, if you would like a great website for extra practice:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/index.htm
Have a great week!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy New Year to everyone! I trust you all had a restful and happy Christmas break. I spent my time doing a whole lot of relaxing, reconnecting with friends and my college-age son and eating great food. My family and I went to a Charlotte Bobcats game. We spent a few very cold nights in the mountains, too. I look forward to hearing about all my students' adventures over the break!

The first week back at school will be fun. We will be holding a persuasive writing workshop in our classroom! Students will learn the importance of being able to influence readers and some of the strategies that writers employ to acheive their goals.

All grades will have spelling words this week. On that note, congratulations to Oriauna Henry, Neuse Charter Schools' spelling bee champ. She will be competing in the Johnston County Spelling Bee. Well done, Oriauna!

The week of January 11th, students will be taking pre-EOG practice tests.

Please remember: homework, for all classes, is ALWAYS to read for 30 minutes, write page numbers and a short summary. Many students are not getting their homework turned in. Late homework is not accepted.

Welcome back to school in 2010! I have a feeling, it's going to be a great year; full of learning, growing and good times!

Week of Dec. 7th

2009-12-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Last week, all grades and classes presented the first theme book activity. It was a great learning experience. Students taught their peers about dogs, sports, horses, we learned a pirate game, how to draw a variety of new things, were treated to a modeling show, learned about Hannukah and sang "We Shall Overcome". The list goes on. What a talented group of students. Everyone who presented managed to overcome their stage fright and put on a wonderful show. We have a few more to see this week and I am really looking forward to them.

This week 5th graders will be enjoying a visit and workshop from the Burning Coal Theater out of Raleigh! (6th graders are next week!) Shakespeare in the Modular will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and it promises to be a terrific treat for all involved!I will supplement Burning Coal with some in-class activities.

6th grade will learn about argument, persuasion and propaganda. We will examine old War posters, modern advertising directed at teenagers, we will write persuasively and create our own posters and perhaps, have a debate. These activities will take us into the Christmas break.

One note about Theme book #2, title due Monday Dec. 7th, we will not be able to have a feast on the 8th of January. Regulations preclude bringing any food product into a classroom but store-made food, so we will have to forego that activity. Book II, non-fiction, will not have an activity associated with it. Just the book report.

This week is Spirit Week
Tuesday: Sports Day
Wednesday: Twin Day
Thursday: School Spirit Day

Should be an exciting couple of weeks!

2009-11-15T19:28:00.000-05:00

This week we will begin the school-wide examination of the book "Talking Walls" by Margy Burns Knight. All classes and all grades will read the book this week. Be sure and ask your student about it. The book reviews walls in different countries and the different meanings of those walls for each culture. The walls are as various as the The Great Wall of China, The Vietnam Memorial Wall, The Wailing Wall and the Lauscaux caves drawings in France.
In my classes, we will work in pairs to research one of the walls. (I will assign pairs and walls.)Each group will be given a country and a wall. They will then find proverbs, flags, languages, and fables from their country. Then we'll present all the information to each other, along with the wall story from the book. We'll also make our own "wall" in the classroom.
We will also review comprehension skills, have a spelling/vocabulary test and continue in class reading and writing.
Should be a good week.
E-mail me at: lberner@neusecharterschool.org

2009-11-02T12:10:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!
I hope you all enjoyed a terrific Halloween and Fall Festival. I know I enjoyed seeing all the ghosts, goblins and princesses. On October 22, 6th graders enjoyed an afternoon in the sun, playing games and socializing with other Middle school students. It was a delightful reward for a great first semester. On Oct. 30, 4th and 5th graders also celebrated the end of the semester. They enjoyed parties during class-time, complete with the Monster Mash, the Time Warp and a little Michael Jackson thrown in for good measure. And plenty of treats! A good time was had by all.

For the next week or so, 5B and 6A will be working on the 5 elements of a short story. They will write a scary short story, have a test on their notes and participate in literature circles, delving into some of the finest short stories written. The students will present their findings with their groups to class.

5A will be comparing and contrasting two short books, "Pink and Say" and "Faithful Elephants", that explore how war effects innocent bystanders. This is a continuation of our readings from the textbook based on the theme" why do people risk their own safety for others?" We will work in small groups to create a summary ABC book.

Should be a fun week!

2009-10-23T09:44:00.000-04:00

It is difficult to believe that the end of the first quarter is upon us! Time flies when you're working hard. On Thursday, 6th grade enjoyed an end of the quarter field day. Both 5th grade classes will be having a little respite from their toil this Friday, as we will spend a period enjoying treats, crafts and, weather permitting, a bit of time outside. Parents are encouraged to send treats to share with the class on Friday morning. Students have earned a break.

Reports cards will be issued on October 28. I am happy to answer any questions you might have. E-mail at :
lberner@neusecharterschool.org.
I am at school everyday by 7:30 a.m daily and we can meet after school too. Let me know what works best.

Next week 6a and 5b will finish up our Edgar Allan Poe unit. It has been a great deal of fun. We rae writing scary stories and poetry dedicated to the master of macabre. We have expanded our vocabulary, too.

5a has been working on a story from the Reading Street book titled' "Inside Out", about an immigrant that gets bullied at school. We have enjoyed spirited discussions about what motivates bullies and the difficulty of starting out in a new place. Students created an acrostic poem to summarize the story. We will finish up this week.

Remember Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 30.

I hope you all enjoy the 4 day day weekend!

2009-09-07T17:13:00.000-04:00

Week of Sept. 8-11

5th grade: We will continue reading in Reading Street. This week our focus question is : "How does the earth challenge us?" We will read and write tall tales. Review subject/predicate agreement and cause and effect. We will have a quiz, a spelling test and writing assessments on tap for you this week.

Spelling Words for 5A:

1. vital

2. native

3. aroma

4. legal

5. motive

6. basic

7. labor

8. society

9. climate

10. favorite

Spelling Words 5B:

1. favorite

2. society

3. motive

4. notation

5. idealistic

6. aroma

7. native

8. equation

9. devastation

10. thieving

6th grade: We will learn how to study reading through Shared Inquiry with the Junior Great Books. We will listen to a story on tape, then read aloud the same story. We will review homonyms, tone and mood in writing. We will write fairytales in pairs. We will delve into vocabulary in class, though no spelling test this week! We will learn editing marks.

All-in-all, an exciting week ahead! Come to school rested!

2009-09-07T17:10:00.001-04:00

Welcome to 5th or 6th grade! The year is off to a great start. I have already seen progress in many of my brilliant students!