We're in a HEATwave!

Our weather for the next few days is calling for record-breaking heat.  We are expected to have highs in the 100s for several days. The last time we had temperatures this hot was in the summer of 2007. The local meterologist says that we may break temperature records from as far back as 1914!

So what can you do to stay cool during this heat?

For starters, don't go outside during the hottest part of the day, which is between 11-4.  Try to avoid these hours as the sun is at its peak in the sky.  Do your physical activity in the morning hours or the evening hours.

If you must go outside during the middle of the day:

• Drink plenty of WATER!
• Wear light-weight clothing.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• Don't forget sunscreen!
• Take plenty of breaks.

Enjoy these hot days, but be safe and careful!

Summer Reading

Dear Students,

On one of our last days of school, I mentioned to you that the bookstore, Barnes and Noble, was having a summer reading program. 

Here's how it works.

If you read 8 books, and fill out this form, your parents can take you to the bookstore and you can choose a free book! 

You can also print a form for your brothers and sisters so all of you can get a free book this summer.

If you do this program, please leave me a comment and tell me what book you chose!

READY......SET....READ!!!

Love,
Mrs. Staton

Remembering the 5th Grade Class of 2012

Dear Students,

School is out and Summer is in!  It was quite a year wasn't it?

We started out together AGAIN, since most of you were in my class in 4th grade as well. A few of our classmates were from other classes, but 17 of us were together for 2 years.

We added 3 new teachers to our grade level, and said goodbye to one when she retired.

We said goodbye to 3 classmates who moved away at different points during the year.

We learned to DANCE! Who would have thought?

We said goodbye to each other for 8 weeks as I left school to have my baby.

We were reunited for 8 days at the end of year...field day, picnics, and your "Graduation"!

And then we had to say goodbye one last time...

The next time I see any of you, you will be middle schoolers, or even older than that. I do hope you will come back to "The Fork" to visit and let me see how you've grown and how much you've learned since you've left me.  I've never taught a group of students for 2 years in a row, so you guys will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Have a wonderful summer and enjoy your 6th grade year!!  You are well prepared!!

Love,
Mrs. Staton

First Week of Dancing Classrooms

This week we started our Dancing Classrooms program. We are learning to dance during our recess time for two days a week. I really think you students are enjoying yourselves, whether you want to admit it or not.

So far, we have learned

• Red Light Green Light steps (as part of the Merengue dance)
• Escort Position
• Proper hand positions for dancing with a partner

I was so impressed after Thursday's class when our instructor said our class had learned the steps faster than any class she had taught in a while! Despite some silly behavior (which I think was because some of you were nervous), you ARE learning to dance!!  I also enjoyed that we got to learn some line dance steps at the end of the class on Thursday....especially when the song used was a #1 hit back when I was young. Brought back some memories for me.

How do you feel after the first week of dance is over?

We are going to be a DANCING CLASSROOM!

Yesterday, we had two ladies from the Dancing Classrooms program come and talk to us about the new program we will be starting next week. We are going to participate in a 10 week dance program, where we will learn different types of dances. We may learn line dances or partner dances. We will be using our classroom and dancing twice a week during our recess time.

I would love to hear your thoughts about this program.

Are you excited?   Nervous?  Scared?  

Write a comment telling me how you feel about this program.  Later when the class is over, we will ask this question again to see how your first opinion changed!

Teacher Read-Aloud Time

Over the past few months, I've been reading out loud to our class. I have been reading books from "The Series of Unfortunate Events" by the author Lemony Snicket.  So far we have read the first 3 books.

In the first book, The Bad Beginning, we met our 3 main characters who became orphans after their parents died. They were sent to live with a so-called relative they had never met and many terrible things happened to them.

In the second book, The Reptile Room, the 3 children were sent to live with a distant uncle and the terrible things followed them there.

In the third book, which we just finished this week, The Wide Window, the children were sent to live with an aunt who was scared of EVERYTHING...and again, terrible things happened.

Now we are getting ready to start the fourth book, called The Miserable Mill. 

What do you think might happen in this book? Do you think our evil villain will show up again? Will things get better for the orphans?  Share your thoughts with me!

Super Kids Class #3

Today Officer Costner talked to our class about drugs. We had to tell him the different ones we knew and we had a discussion about the legal age to use these drugs. I think some of our classmates were surprised to learn that some drugs are actually illegal, meaning no one is allowed to use them. Other drugs, like tobacco and alcohol, while still bad for us, can be bought by adults at different ages.

Then we watched a video that told many facts about drugs and how they harm our bodies.

Share with me one or two facts about drugs that you had not known before.