1st Annual 5th Graders Wax Museum
November 16, 2011 in Undercroft
5M - 9:15-10:45
5I - 1:15-2:45
October 19, 2011
Congratulations! Miller’s Tourist Planners has decided to hire you
to help create tour guides for different countries in Latin America. There
are a lot of places to go, and it is your job to help sell your trip so
Miller’s Tourist Planners can make some big bucks.
Your job will be to plan a tour. Your destination is one of the 33
countries in Central America, the Caribbean, or South America. As you plan
your tour, you will need to explore the five themes of geography: location,
place, human-environment interaction, movement, and regions. You will be
able to answer questions such as:
• “Where is this country?”
• “What is this country like?”
• “How would you describe the geography of this country? Are there any
unique landforms?”
• “What are some of the major cities in this country?”
• “How do people use this country?”
• “How and why have people changed this country?”
• “How has this place been affected by the movement of people, goods,
and ideas?”
• “What languages are spoken in this place?”
• “What is the culture of this place?”
• “What are the customs of this country?”
Now, these are the suggestions of Miller’s Tourist Planners, but if you think
you have a better idea for what should be included in your brochure, go
ahead! Just make sure you ask your boss if your idea is a good one!
Remember, a brochure should be very informative and should entice the
person who is reading it. They should want to come and explore the place you
have written about. You will use Microsoft Publisher to design your brochure.
You and your boss will complete an evaluation sheet on your
brochure. Be sure to look over the criteria.
Latin American country____________________________________
Brochure research due___November 3rd
Some helpful websites: These will be on my and Mrs. Greiner’s webpage.
http://www.infoplease.com
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
Here are some questions you may want to answer for your brochure. Write the
question on an Index card. Then put your notes on that Index card. Make
sure that you have enough information for each of the 5 Themes of Geography.
You don’t have to limit your information to just these questions!!!!
How big is your country?
What is the population of your country?
Where is your country located?
What are the major imports and exports of your country?
What are some of the major cities?
What is the language(s) spoken in your country:
What is the climate of your country?
What are some areas of interest in your country? (National Parks, places to
visit, etc.)
What are some customs of your country?
How would you describe the culture of your country?
What are some other important facts about your country that a traveler may
want to know?
What are some other interesting facts about your country?
Brochure Criteria
Information in the brochure is accurate about the country assigned.(10
points.)
Brochure includes easily-read maps of the assigned country and where it is
in
relationship to Latin America.(10)
Brochure includes information about all 5 Themes of Geography.(30)
Brochure is laid out nicely (no blank/white space) and is well organized.(10)
Brochure includes a variety of graphics(at least one per panel).(10)
Brochure layout catches the attention of the observer(different fonts,
colors, etc.). (10)
Brochure was edited and contains few conventional
(spelling,capitalization,etc.) errors.(10)
Several Works Cited (10)
October 17, 2011
Dear Parents,
Your 5th grader is to decide on a biography to read and okay it with
me by tomorrow. We have a wide variety of people chosen so far. I apologize
for any students who had to pick a different person than their first choice,
but I didn’t want anyone being the same person for our final project, a Wax
Museum.
Next week, as a class, we will do a Planning Talent activity to help
your child to plan all the steps to get from reading his/her book to being
that person on November 15th or 16th. I will let you know for sure which day
and the times available to hear the students.
At this time your child should be reading the book or books about their
person. This book may be used for Accelerated Reader. Also, finding and
reading information online may be helpful. I have told students that they
should take notes as they read their biography. On October 31st I will give
each student a worksheet to complete and turn in by November 4th.
The week of November 7th, students will work on a display and write a short
speech using information from the worksheet. Once the speeches have
been “Okayed” by me, the students will need to start practicing their speech
so they have it memorized. Besides reading the information, writing what
they have learned, and memorizing their speech, your child (and you) will
need to think of a simple costume to wear that represents their biography
person.
We will create a 5th Grade Wax Museum in the Undercroft. Your child will
dress up as the person she/he read/studied about and act like a statue. When
someone chooses them in the Wax Museum, they will say their speech and the
people can read what is on their display. Please do not think you need to
buy anything for dressing like their person. Props can be used (ex. a
baseball and bat for Babe Ruth), costumes can be made from paper or things
found at home or borrowed from others. You may be as creative as you and
your child would like to be for this.
Thank you for your help in making this project a success. If you have any
questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Rita Miller
Please complete, sign, cut off, and return the bottom tomorrow.
My child, __________________________________________, is reading the book,
____________________________________________________ for this project.
___________________________________________________________
(Parent Signature)
August 24, 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Hello. My name is Rita Miller, and I am the 5th grade Language Arts
and Social Studies teacher. I am married. My husband's name is Dale. We
have two adult children, Joy and Chris. I’m happy to be back for my seventh
year at St. Mary School and my 30th year of teaching.
We’ll be doing many exciting things throughout 5th grade. George’s
Marvelous Medicine and Charlotte’s Web will help us start off the year.
We’ll read about many places in our Reading and Social Studies books.
Please review Homework guidelines on page 9 in the Handbook.
Generally written homework should take between 30 and 45 minutes. Regular
review/study of material is beneficial to everyone. When time is given in
class, students should USE it to work on assignments.
1. LANGUAGE ARTS -
- Study SPELLING Words or homework assignment.
Study the week’s words that are assigned on Monday. Parents, please give
your child a pretest on Wednesday night, grade it (or have your child check
it), sign it, and have your child return it to school on Thursday. Final
tests are given in class on Friday with some dictation.
- READING homework assignment and/or Pleasure Reading
Complete the “Read Aloud” weekly homework assignment, given on Monday and due
by Friday. Encourage your child to read daily, silently or orally. Your
child is expected to read Accelerated Reader books (besides what we read as a
whole class) and take tests on the book/s each trimester. The goals should
be for your child to read books in his/her “level” and maintain an average of
80% or above on the tests taken on books he/she read during the current
trimester. Tests should be taken soon after he/she finishes reading a book.
Your child is to have a book to read in class daily.
- VOCABULARY assignment – usually review/study the words
Vocabulary tests will be every 2 weeks. Your child has a Wordly Wise
workbook that we will use throughout the year. Vocabulary lists will also
come from books that we read as a whole class.
- ENGLISH homework assignment
Complete the English homework assignment, if there is one.
2. SOCIAL STUDIES
Do the homework assigned, whether it is short or long term.
It is your child’s responsibility to write down ALL homework
assignments EACH day in his/her Assignment Book/Planner before leaving
school. The first week or so, I try to make sure your child sets up his/her
Planner correctly. During this time please initial the bottom of the Planner
EACH night if the work has been done. After that, I will spot check
Planners. All homework assignments are an important part of your child’s
education. Homework will be considered late if not finished and turned in at
the beginning of class the day it is due. If the assignment is brought in
after it was already asked for, it will still be considered late. Each
completed homework assignment is worth 5 points. Late assignments receive
fewer points. It is important for your child to be independent and
responsible for himself/herself. Please encourage this at home, too. One
way to do this is to have your child put her/his things in the backpack for
school. If something is left at home, your child is responsible to bring it
to school, NOT YOU! Having your child “check off” each item may be
helpful. If there is ever a problem with homework, please let me know so I
can help solve the issue with your child and you.
For everyone to have the best year possible, each child is expected to
respect others (students, teachers, parents, etc.) and to do his/her best
work at all times. One goal in 5th grade is to encourage your child to be
responsible for him/her self. Please see the Responsibility Card attached to
your child’s Assignment Book. Also, if your child has problems with
preparedness, behavior, and uniform requirements, he/she will write what the
infraction was on a given slip of paper. The teacher will sign it. Your
child will give it to you to sign and return the following day. If your
child receives 3 infractions in one of those areas, he/she will receive a
detention. If a child receives 3 detentions in one Trimester or 5 in a year,
he/she may be placed on The Step Program (see Handbook pages 27 and 28).
Consequences for following appropriate behavior, being prepared, working
well, or being helpful or kind could be stickers, certificates, free time,
work displayed, teacher’s praise, and the personal satisfaction of being
proud of oneself. Consequences for unacceptable behavior or lack of work
are: Infraction slips, lower grade, missing part/all of recess, detention,
notes/emails/calls home, desk by oneself in the room, extra work,
nonparticipation in an activity, and not learning as much as she/he could
have. Students may earn “rocks” for good or appropriate behavior or being
responsible. When the jar is full of rocks, the class will vote on a reward.
I will collect/correct/check for/review various classwork and
homework assignments during the week. On Monday (usually) I will return
papers to your child. I hope you will go through your child’s work with
him/her. It is good practice for your child to correct any papers handed
back. All Tests 76% and below are to be corrected, signed by a parent, and
returned the next day. Some extra credit points may be given for corrections
to bring the grade up to 70%. Papers that are correct, but have misspelled
words that are on that page or words that should be mastered by this time,
will receive less than 100%. Points will be taken off for misspelled words.
Generally each item on a paper is worth 1 point. Items on tests are worth 2
points each. Points are totaled at the end of the trimester.
Your child is expected to participate in all assignments or
activities throughout the year. Report card grades are determined by
classroom work and homework, tests, quizzes, projects, and participation and
attitude during class time. Please view grades on Option C regularly, at
least every two weeks. I do try to post grades every week or so.
I do have a webpage where daily homework is listed. Your child
should also have items written in his/her Assignment Book/Planner. This
first letter will be on the webpage all year for you to refer to as needed.
Notes are usually posted on the weppage, too. You can get to it on the
school’s webpage or here is my webpage address:
TeacherWeb.com/OH/StMarySchool/MrsRitaMiller
As you know, the school has a “Wellness” policy. Please encourage
your child to eat a good healthy breakfast each morning. Children may have
water bottles at any time during the year. Students may participate in
the “Mileage Club” at recess. Birthday treats/items are fine. All
classrooms are NUT FREE zones. A pen, pencil, bookmark, pad of paper, etc.,
instead of an edible item for a birthday “treat” are great! Treats should be
small and ready to be distributed by your child at lunch.
Thank you in advance for your help and cooperation to help your child
have a GREAT year. It is very important that we communicate with each other
throughout the year. You may check the Hotline each evening for reminders
and comments about the day, and you may leave messages to me. Checking
webpage for homework may be helpful. A regular check of your child’s
Assignment Book/Planner is encouraged. I might write a note in your child’s
Assignment Book/Planner for you. This is a good place for you to write to
me, such as, if there was a problem with the homework. Be sure to sign it
and tell your child to show the message to me at the beginning of class.
Email me is another option, it is usually the easiest and quickest for me to
respond to. My school email is rmiller@smshp.com. I check my email and
voicemail messages when I get to school around 7:30 and after school. You
may also write a note and send it in with your child to give to me when
he/she gets to school. I will try to respond within that day. If you ever
have a question, please let me know. I will contact you as soon as I can.
Let’s work together to have a TERRIFIC year for your child.
Sincerely, Rita Miller
Please sign, cut off, and return this part to school tomorrow.
I read Mrs. Miller’s back to school letter. My child’s name is
_______________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
__________________________________________
