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