BASALDUA NEWS

WELCOME TO MRS. BASALDUA'S 5TH GRADE CLASSWIKI

This technological extension of the classroom is here to help you meet your classroom needs. I am sure that you will find an answer to most any question you may have. And if you don't, please feel free to contact me - Terry Basaldua. I hope you visit often.

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April 8, 2010

Phew! The MATH TAKS and the READING TAKS are over - at least the first round. We were working hard for 100%. I think we will come really close to it. The kids have worked really hard all year long and have progressed. Still, we are not ready to start summer time fun just yet. We still have to administer the SCIENCE TAKS on April 29. The kids get only one chance to pass this one. They have three chances to pass the Math and Reading TAKS.

With all this, we still need to get the students ready for 6th grade. It is not time to slow down now. The rules and expectations are the same as they were from the first day of school.

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March 30, 2010

We would like to help all the fifth graders to feel less stress as the TAKS test approaches. In order to help them out, we will be having a Blow Away the TAKS event on Monday, April 5. Please bring a small bottle of bubble solution so you can blow away the TAKS!

Check out this really great site. Guys Read

March 22, 2010

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy their week off of school. I certainly did. However, it is now time to get back to work. We still have lots of learning to do and TAKS to prepare for.

Math TAKS - April 6
Reading TAKS - April 7
Science TAKS - April 29

Here are some suggestions to help you do your best.

Before the test:

1. Visualize yourself doing well on the test. Feel how good it is going to be when you are informed about the results.
2. Get lots of exercise the day before the test.
3. Get plenty of rest the night before a test.

The day of the test:

1. Eat a good breakfast. Stay away from sugary foods.
2. Arrive on time. Relax.
3. Wear glasses and take any medications.
4. Leave cell phones at home or turn off and turn in to your teacher.
5. Check with your teacher to see if you will need your book bag.

During the test:

1. To help with nervousness, take deep breaths. Take in a deep breath and hold it as you slowly count to ten. Do this several times any time during the test as long as you do not disturb anyone.
2. Take breaks. Give your eyes a rest every few minutes. Look at something colorful or close your eyes.
3. Follow the strategies for each test. Work out each problem.
4. Read and think about all the choices before selecting one. Elimate those you know are wrong. Be sure your answer fits the question.
5. Words that are printed in bold type, italics, or are underlined are very important.
6. Be sure to answer all the questions without leaving any blanks. If you don't know an answer, make a best guess.
7. Avoid stress. You may wish to select your clothes the night before.
8. Find the evidence. Make sure that your choice answers the question.
9. Remember -

• Skim the passage. Circle key words.
• Rthe questions and circle two or three key words.
• Read the passage. Make short notes about long paragraphs.
• Summarize the passage.

• Answer the questions.

One more thing. The name of the game is endurance. Stay strong all the way until the end.

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December 15, 2009

How this year is quicly passing! We are now half-way through 5th grade with lots of learning yet to do. This week we are trying to finish up some projects and the 6 weeks. Grades will be out in January.

We now have Study Island for reading. This is big. Please encourage your children to do their best as it will help them to be teady for the Reading TAKS.

We will have our Classroom Christmas Party on Friday, December 18. I am collecting $2.00 from every student in order to pay for a Taco Buffett. If you have not turned in your money, please do so as soon as possible as I have to buy the supplies. Bring your own drink with you. Some of you have been asking if you could also bring cookies and other goodies. The answer is, "YES!"

Remember, school is out at 2:45!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

November 9, 2009

Bookcrossing is here in our classroom! What is Bookcrossing you may ask? It's a great way to incorporate reading, writing, and technology. I know, I know, I already do that. Students may take a book from the Bookcrossing Zone to take home with them. Once they have the book, they need to go to Bookcrossing and enter the code on the book. Then it will direct the student to do next. So, we now have a Classroom library of books that stay in the class and a Bookcrossing Zone of books that can be taken home and returned. I hope everyone participates!

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November 2, 2009

Today marks the first day of 2009 - 2010 PEARSON READING CHALLENGE.'' Mrs. King's classes will join our classes as we attempt to read more than 1000 books by February 28, 2010. All books read in class, at the library, and at home count. Check back often to see our progress. Winners will be determined by the most books read per student. Eveyone needs to contribute. The winning team will receive books for their school's library as well as books for each student.

Report cards will go home Friday, November 6, 2009

We enjoyed ourselves this past Friday. We celebrated Hat Day, Books Come Alive, and Writer's Tea where students shared their writing with the class as we enjoyed refreshments. Check out the pictures from this wonderful day.

Mrs. Basaldua as
Holly Short of Artemis Fowl.

Students enjoy a day of wearing their hats.
Ms. Brock, Mrs. Whitehead,
and Mrs. Hiracheta have fun with Cat in the Hat.

Seth enjoys his time to share his autobiography.
Chris E. shares his writing
with students in Mrs. Basaldua's class.

Francheska shares her autobiography with
Mrs. Whitehead's class.

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October 12, 2009

This week we will be focusing our instruction on Autobiographies. We will be reading the autobiography of favorite authors as well as writing our own. We are also learning to use prefixes during our Word Study time. In Social Studies we are learing about the French and Indian War.

On a lighter note. My favorite event of the year is here. I always look forward to the Texas Jazz Festival in Corpus Christi. You will see my family and me cruzing around Heritage Square listening to different jazz bands and enjoying turkey legs! It all starts this Friday, October 16.

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September 28, 2009

Parents and students, please be reminded that we will have early release on Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30 at 12:15. I'm looking forward to meeting with all the parents and guardians.

We have lots to do this week as we begin our unit on Nonfiction with an emphasis on Autobiographies. We will be reading autobiographies of famous authors and writing our own stories.

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September 14, 2009

I would like to introduce you two new additions to our class, Humphrey and Freddie. These two adorable female dwarf hamsters love their new home. I know, they told me. After spending the summer with my granddaughter and I, Humphrey and Freddy now enjoy watching the actions of our classroom. I wonder what they will say? And be sure to read the books about hamsters and other animals that can be found on the top yellow shelves. Humphrey and Freddie get into some real scrapes, along with Celestine, a cat who mistakes a capybara for a hamster.

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August 17, 2009,

Welcome to a brand new year. The Reading classroom is not as it once was when we were students. Nor is the classroom itself. I encourage parents to drop by the classroom to see what is different. Not only does the room encourage reading with color and great places to read, but we have books, books, and more books for your child to read. These books must stay in my room, so be sure that your child is getting more books from the library.

Our classroom is also different in how we read. We are teaching students to think about their reading. It is not as easy as it sounds, but we have implemented many different ways to get the most from each individual student. It is called Balanced Literacy which focuses on the individual student and where he/she is at now as a reader with instruction designed to each student's strenghts and weaknesses.

New this year is the practice of building a classroom community through Tribes Learning Community. Here we will learn how to help each other learn and grow using the four agreements of 1) Attentive Listening, 2) The Right to Pass/Participate, 3) Appreciations-No Put Downs, and 4) Mutual Respect. I am very excited about the training I attended this summer and look forward to amazing results in the classroom.

Also, we will join the 1000 Book Challenge. We are going to keep track of books we read in our class, other classes, and at home. Please help us to meet and exceed our goal of 1000 books read. More information will follow soon.

Please look carefully at our classroom Website and be sure to send me a message if you have any comments or questions.

Here's to a great year!

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