Pleasant Hill Intermediate School

                                           1204 E. 163rd Street                  

Pleasant Hill, MO  64080

                                              816-540-3156                 

  August 2012

Important Dates 8/14/12-1st Day of School 8/23/12-Fall Pictures 8/31-9/3/12-No School, Labor Day Weekend

5B TEAM NEWSLETTER

Please see our blog for our back to school video!!!

Purple day specials:
Haight-Computer/Art
Lucht-Art/Computer
Murray- Music/PE
Gold day specials:
Haight:  Music/PE
Lucht:  PE/Music
Murray-Computer/Art

Science-Social Studies--Mr. Haight
Science - We will  begin the year with life processes and the classification of plants and animals.  We will have a short quiz over life processes at the end of the first week of class.  This will be more of an open book type of quiz.


Social Studies - We will begin with the Native American settlement of the Americas and early cultures such as the Mound Builders and the Anasazi.  We also will be memorizing the locations of the continents and oceans.


Math--Mrs. Lucht
Welcome to 5th grade team B math. I look forward to working with you and count it a privilege to teach your children.  In math, we will begin with place value.  We will be making a foldable for place value this week. Accelerated Math is an individualized math program and we will be sending a letter home about that this week. We will begin math club Sept. 4th at 7:25 am.  This will be for extra math practice and help with homework. Most homework should be done in class.  There will be times where they will have some extra practice at home.  Please contact me for any questions or concerns. I so look forward to working with you this school year.
Sincerely, Mrs. Lucht

Communication Arts--Mrs. Murray
Welcome to our school and my class!!!  I am so excited to introduce myself to my new students and parents!  I am Rebecca (Becky) Murray!  This is my 6th year in Pleasant Hill and my 12th year teaching!  I look forward to introducing some extra hands in our classroom this year!  Ms. Sharon Meyer will be in our classroom during 1st and 4th hour.  This will be her 29th year.  We are both very excited to be co-teaching as a CWC class this year.  I am also excited that we will have a student teacher, Mrs. Michele Yount.  She will be with us for 8 weeks.  Our first 2 weeks will be getting used to the routines in communication arts.  I will have your student for Reading, writing, grammar, spelling and vocabulary all rolled into 84 minutes of FUN!!!  We will be spending these 2 weeks on class expectations, procedures, individual and group assignments and how small group reading and centers will look in our class.  We will be working on character, plot, context clues, sentences and fragments, short vowel spelling words, and types of sentences.  We will also be taking a pretest common assessment to place us on the “Right track” this year to Moving on UP!!! Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.  rmurray@pleasanthillschools.com

Student Teacher- Hi! I am Mrs. Michele Yount and I am looking forward to spending time and teaching your children these next eight weeks. Many children may recognize me from the Pleasant Hill Pool “American Red Cross Learn to Swim Program” where I have taught for the last thirteen years. I look forward to taking my experiences working with children in an aquatic environment and transferring it to a classroom setting.

May newsletter updated!!! Information regarding park day added!

Pleasant Hill Intermediate School

                                           1204 E. 163rd Street                  

Pleasant Hill, MO  64080

                                              816-540-3156                 

  May 2012

Important Dates May 7-IS Awards Assembly at 8:45am in the Gym May 8-MS Choir Tour May 9-Field Day May 15-5th Grade Park Day May 16-Last Day of School

5B TEAM NEWSLETTER                       MAP to Success Presentation

Park day will be May 15th.  We will leave the school at 9:45 and ride the bus to the park.  Students need to wear appropriate footwear (tennis shoes and socks) and possibly bring extra clothes if it’s muddy or wet.  We will eat our sack lunches around 11:00.  Students are allowed to bring sports equipment, with their name on it.  Please do not send hard baseballs or softballs.  We don’t want anyone injured since we do not have helmets and such.  Also, the students need not bring electronic devices.  If it rains, it will be cancelled and we will have activities that day in our classes.  We will arrive back at school around 2:00pm.

AR/AM Students will need 10 AR points for the quarter and 5 AM tests.  To help your student pace these out, we suggest 1-2 points a week and 1 AM test a week to get the points at an even pace, instead of rushing at the very end of the quarter.  This helps promote good planning ahead skills.  The students may do AM practice at home at the Renaissance Learning website.  If you still need more information about this, contact Mrs. Murray.  She is heading up this information.

WITH WARMER WEATHER COMES THE NEED FOR WEARING SHORTS AND COOLER CLOTHING.  PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT SHORTS ARE AT LEAST FINGER TIPPED  LENGTH!  WE ALSO STRESS THAT TANK TOPS BE TWO FINGERS WIDE AND NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS OR HALTERS, UNLESS THERE IS A SWEATER OR OTHER SHIRT OVER THEM.  THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS!


Science-Social Studies--Mr. Haight
Science - We will be studying about our solar system.  We will be testing over chapter 17 the week of May 7-11.

Social Studies - We are working on our layered curriculum on the events leading to the Civil War.  I hope to have that project completed by the end of next week.  We then will focus on the Civil War and, in particular, the Battle of Gettysburg.


Math--Mrs. Lucht
We are finishing the year doing a Restaurant Unit.  It includes
dividing into families to create a family business.  They will study
careers that have to do with the business such as Owner, Waitress,
Hostess, Entrpreneur, Chef, Cookbook Author etc.  They will study how
to write checks, keep a checkbook register, figure out tips and tax,
make change, create a blueprint to scale for their restaurant, measure
area, perimeter, volume, study opportunity cost and supply and demand,
create a menu from having taken a favorite food survey and graph,
create a budget for their restaurant, etc.  We are learning hands on
math and the students are doing an amazing job. We will open our
restaurant for business on Friday, May 11.  We will ask you to send
some items for the students to cook.  Thanks so much for your help.
On May 14, we will be studying famous mathematicians.  They will
research and present the same day. We are also collecting Saxon
textbooks so make sure the students bring theirs from home.  The year
is almost over and we have had a great year in math.  Thank you so
much for being such a great group of parents.


Communication Arts--Mrs. Murray
The students are working very hard on their memory books.  They have a pretty strict deadline for this.  I have sent home 2 emails regarding this project.  If you have not received the emails, please contact me and I will send home a copy of the email.  Our next things due are Bio Poem, Person I Most Admire, and embarrassing/funny/sad moment.  These items are due on May 2.  The entire memory book contents are due on May 7th.  I would like to thank all of the parents who have helped out with laminating and with binding.  It has been a great year with your students!!!


Ms. Love’s News--
Math:
WOW, this year has come and gone fast without the usual snow days.  I'm excited to report the both grade levels have excelled this past year in Mathematics.  It's reflected in their district testing.  Be sure to look for those reports at the end of the year.  We will be finish up working with integers and plotting coordinates for the remainder of the year.

Communication Arts:
In Communication Arts, we have been working guided reading sets with contract/layer work.  The contract/layer work includes various writing, skill,and application activities. This will take us through the end of the year.  Thanks again for all your support.


Mrs. Meyer’s News--
    Ms. Meyer's class winding down the school year. In Communication Arts, we are making Memory Books. Parents, don't forget to send me your letter to your child telling what you admire about them before May 10th. They should have already done their interview with an older person about their experiences in 5th grade. If you want to send in pictures to put in the memory book, please have them here by May 7th. We will be reading Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and two other books about the Civil War in Communication Arts and Rooster Time. Please make sure all library books and my books are returned when your child finishes them.
    In math, we are doing a class party project. Students are planning a party for the class with a survey, tables, graphs, price comparisons, budgeting, figuring portions, and actually having a party. Parents, you can help by taking your child to the store and letting them check prices and compare brands. We will be calculating unit prices and comparing to see which stores and which brands are the best deal.
    It has been a pleasure working with your children this year!

May Newsletter

Pleasant Hill Intermediate School

                                           1204 E. 163rd Street                  

Pleasant Hill, MO  64080

                                              816-540-3156                 

  May 2012

Important Dates May 7-IS Awards Assembly at 8:45am in the Gym May 8-MS Choir Tour May 9-Field Day May 15-5th Grade Park Day May 16-Last Day of School

5B TEAM NEWSLETTER                       MAP to Success Presentation

AR/AM Students will need 10 AR points for the quarter and 5 AM tests.  To help your student pace these out, we suggest 1-2 points a week and 1 AM test a week to get the points at an even pace, instead of rushing at the very end of the quarter.  This helps promote good planning ahead skills.  The students may do AM practice at home at the Renaissance Learning website.  If you still need more information about this, contact Mrs. Murray.  She is heading up this information.

WITH WARMER WEATHER COMES THE NEED FOR WEARING SHORTS AND COOLER CLOTHING.  PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT SHORTS ARE AT LEAST FINGER TIPPED  LENGTH!  WE ALSO STRESS THAT TANK TOPS BE TWO FINGERS WIDE AND NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS OR HALTERS, UNLESS THERE IS A SWEATER OR OTHER SHIRT OVER THEM.  THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS!


Science-Social Studies--Mr. Haight
Science - We will be studying about our solar system.  We will be testing over chapter 17 the week of May 7-11.

Social Studies - We are working on our layered curriculum on the events leading to the Civil War.  I hope to have that project completed by the end of next week.  We then will focus on the Civil War and, in particular, the Battle of Gettysburg.

Math--Mrs. Lucht
Lucht May Newletter
We are finishing the year doing a Restaurant Unit.  It includes
dividing into families to create a family business.  They will study
careers that have to do with the business such as Owner, Waitress,
Hostess, Entrpreneur, Chef, Cookbook Author etc.  They will study how
to write checks, keep a checkbook register, figure out tips and tax,
make change, create a blueprint to scale for their restaurant, measure
area, perimeter, volume, study opportunity cost and supply and demand,
create a menu from having taken a favorite food survey and graph,
create a budget for their restaurant, etc.  We are learning hands on
math and the students are doing an amazing job. We will open our
restaurant for business on Friday, May 11.  We will ask you to send
some items for the students to cook.  Thanks so much for your help.
On May 14, we will be studying famous mathematicians.  They will
research and present the same day. We are also collecting Saxon
textbooks so make sure the students bring theirs from home.  The year
is almost over and we have had a great year in math.  Thank you so
much for being such a great group of parents.
Sincerely, Mrs. Joy Lucht

Communication Arts--Mrs. Murray
The students are working very hard on their memory books.  They have a pretty strict deadline for this.  I have sent home 2 emails regarding this project.  If you have not received the emails, please contact me and I will send home a copy of the email.  Our next things due are Bio Poem, Person I Most Admire, and embarrassing/funny/sad moment.  These items are due on May 2.  

Ms. Love’s News--
Math:
WOW, this year has come and gone fast without the usual snow days.  I'm excited to report the both grade levels have excelled this past year in Mathematics.  It's reflected in their district testing.  Be sure to look for those reports at the end of the year.  We will be finish up working with integers and plotting coordinates for the remainder of the year.

Communication Arts:
In Communication Arts, we have been working guided reading sets with contract/layer work.  The contract/layer work includes various writing, skill,and application activities. This will take us through the end of the year.  Thanks again for all your support.

Mrs. Meyer’s News--
    Ms. Meyer's class winding down the school year. In Communication Arts, we are making Memory Books. Parents, don't forget to send me your letter to your child telling what you admire about them before May 10th. They should have already done their interview with an older person about their experiences in 5th grade. If you want to send in pictures to put in the memory book, please have them here by May 7th. We will be reading Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and two other books about the Civil War in Communication Arts and Rooster Time. Please make sure all library books and my books are returned when your child finishes them.
    In math, we are doing a class party project. Students are planning a party for the class with a survey, tables, graphs, price comparisons, budgeting, figuring portions, and actually having a party. Parents, you can help by taking your child to the store and letting them check prices and compare brands. We will be calculating unit prices and comparing to see which stores and which brands are the best deal.
    It has been a pleasure working with your children this year!

April Newsletter! LOTS OF MAP INFO

Pleasant Hill Intermediate School

                                           1204 E. 163rd Street                  

Pleasant Hill, MO  64080

                                              816-540-3156                 

  April 2012

Important Dates April 6-10-Spring Break April 16-23-MAP Testing April 25-5th Grade Field Trip to the Coterie Theatre May 7-IS Awards Assembly at 8:45am in the Gym May 8-MS Choir Tour May 9-Field Day May 15-5th Grade Park Day

5B TEAM NEWSLETTER     Having Fun in The Morning Motivator!

MAP TESTING WILL BEGIN APRIL 16TH.  OUR TEAM WILL BE TESTING IN THE AFTERNOON.  WE BEGIN TESTING AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45.  
TO EARN THE MAP REWARD PARTY, STUDENTS WILL NEED TO HAVE PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR THE MAP TEST.  OUR MAP REWARD PARTY IS ON APRIL 27TH, AT 2:25.  STUDENTS WHO HAVE GOOD BEHAVIOR WILL DURING MAP TESTING WILL BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING FOR SEVERAL PRIZES.  

MINGLE AND PLAY NIGHT IS COMING SOON!  APRIL 12TH.  COME OUT AND ENJOY A FUN NIGHT TO GET PUMPED AND EXCITED ABOUT THE MAP TEST.  IT’S A CELEBRATION OF ALL THE HARD WORK YOUR STUDENT HAS DONE THIS YEAR.  THE EVENT IS FROM 6:30-7:30.
Planners:  Planners are a great organizational tool for students and a great communication tool for parents. Students are expected to fill out their planner in each core class daily (listing assignments, due dates etc.) and take them home daily. Teachers will sign planners for each class and sometimes may write an important note. We will do periodic planner checks throughout the year spot checking to see if planners are being utilized in this manner. Students may receive a small reward for having a filled out and signed planner (signed by the teacher). Parents are not required to sign planners.

AR/AM Students will need 10 AR points for the quarter and 5 AM tests.  To help your student pace these out, we suggest 1-2 points a week and 1 AM test a week to get the points at an even pace, instead of rushing at the very end of the quarter.  This helps promote good planning ahead skills.  The students may do AM practice at home at the Renaissance Learning website.  If you still need more information about this, contact Mrs. Murray.  She is heading up this information.

WITH WARMER WEATHER COMES THE NEED FOR WEARING SHORTS AND COOLER CLOTHING.  PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT SHORTS ARE AT LEAST FINGER TIPPED  LENGTH!  WE ALSO STRESS THAT TANK TOPS BE TWO FINGERS WIDE AND NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS OR HALTERS, UNLESS THERE IS A SWEATER OR OTHER SHIRT OVER THEM.  THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS!

Science-Social Studies--Mr. Haight
Science
We will be finishing our unit on weather the first week of April.  We then will do a short unit on the scientific method.  This should be a fun unit.  We also will be preparing for the MAP test on an ongoing basis.
Social Studies
In early April we will be looking at the time period of 1820-1850.  This will be on the Industrial Revolution, Jackson's Presidency, expansion westward to California and Oregon, Texas' independence and the resulting war with Mexico.
Later in the month we will be looking at the events that led to the Civil War.  This unit will be my first attempt at layered curriculum.  It should be fun for both the students and myself.

Math--Mrs. Lucht
Dear Parents, We are working hard in math doing a lot of reviewing.
The students will have homework nightly.  Thank you so much for your
support and help on getting homework done.  We just finished a
geometry test and the students did very well.  I was extremely proud
of them.  We are in the homestretch for Map Testing, which is the week
of April 16-23.  After Map Testing, we will be doing a Restaurant Unit
which will include technology, cooking, and measurement, etc.  This
will be very motivating as it is hands on and very interactive.  We
will be measuring the lunch room and other rooms in our school
building.  It will be so connected to real life.  We may have some
restaurant entrepreneurs after this unit.
Please encourage your child to attend Math Club on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays at 7:25 a.m. if they need extra time for Accelerated Math.
Five AM tests will be due at the end of 4th quarter. There is also
homework club on Thursday nights after school from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Thanks so much for your help with this.  We so want the students to
succeed and this is the extra help available to them.
Happy Spring!!
Mrs. Lucht

Communication Arts--Mrs. Murray
We are gearing up for the MAP test.  We will be finishing up our last two full weeks with Fairy Tales and Science Explorations.  The students did AMAZING on their layered curriculum projects.  Thank you to ALL the PARENT support on making this so successful.  We will begin a writing project the week following MAP tests.  The students will be making a memory book.  We are hoping that parents will be able to purchase hard copies of these, or the students will be handwriting them.  We are going to give the students a choice on how they want to format their books.  With this comes a lot of perseverance on writing and typing.  We will send home a letter explaining this project as the middle of April comes closer.  

Ms. Love’s News--
Math:
 In math, students will continue to developing skills using Geometry and Measurement.  These skills are applied to solving for area parallelograms, triangles, and circles.  Students will continue on with integers and their operations.

Communication Arts:
Communication Arts
 Students are reading a group fiction book and completing a variety of activities based upon the book.  These activities include writing poems,  creating a CD cover, or searching for adverbs.

Mrs. Meyer’s News--
Mrs.Meyer's classes are preparing for the MAP testing with MAP-like questions. We are working on drawing conclusions and making inferences in our reading. Students have been working on writing stories and other pieces of writing that focus on writing from a particular point of view. Our focus in writing will be on using proofreading marks and finding spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation errors.
In math, we are working on multiplication and division of larger numbers, fractions, graphing, and geometry. We do word problems daily to help strengthen problem solving skills.