Homework - Monday, February 13

 Today in class, we worked on our narrative beginning.  The goal for homework is to finish your beginning the best you possibly can.

Homework for Tuesday, February 7

 Homework for tonight (if not finished in class):

-Review essay and make sure it is turned in

-Book Survey (in ELA Google Classroom)

-Grammar Exit Ticket (try your best!)

Day One With Ms. Foreman - Monday, February 6

 Day one is in the books!  What an awesome day we had.  As a reminder, we will continue our study of grammar so we can be the best writers possible.  We will also be doing a lot of reading, so all students need an independent reading book every single day!

No homework tonight except for any math due next week :)

Be good!

While I'm very excited for my baby to arrive, I will miss you guys while I'm gone. Please be good for Ms. Foreman and continue working hard. I will be sure to share pictures and I'll be back before you know it!

Sincerely,
Mr. Brandstrader

Homework for Thursday, February 2nd

1. Read for 20 minutes and take AR quizzes once you have completed a book. First AR check is coming up next week!  
2. No School this Friday (Institute Day)

Homework for Wednesday, February 1st

1. Read for 20 minutes and take AR quizzes once you have completed a book. First AR check is coming up next week!  
2. No School this Friday (Institute Day)

Homework for Tuesday, January 31st

1. Read for 20 minutes and take AR quizzes once you have completed a book. First AR check is coming up next week!  
2. No School this Friday (Institute Day) 

NOTE TO PARENTS

As Ms. Humphrey shared last week (and your students may have shared previously), my wife and I are expecting our 2nd child at the end of the week. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with such kind words and advice. We are very excited and nervous about the road ahead!

While I'm out, I'm thrilled to report that Ms. Lindsey Foreman will be my sub. Lindsey and I first taught together in 2011 in Highland Park, and she was one who encouraged me to apply to Coonley in 2019. Ms. Foreman has been in the classroom over the past few weeks and we have been meeting regularly to ensure a smooth transition when I begin my leave. I think Ms. Foreman is the perfect fit for this group of students, and will give the students a taste of what middle school will be like next year. 

I will be checking my email periodically while on leave, so all important information and time-sensitive classroom communication should be sent to Ms. Foreman (lsforeman@cps.edu) when my leave begins (Ms. Foreman or I will send another email when that transition occurs). 

Thank you again for all of your support and kindness! It feels wonderful to be so supported by this wonderful group of students and parents. 

Homework for Monday, January 30th

1.  Read for 20 minutes and take AR quizzes once you have completed a book
2. ** Students who did not finish the Social Studies Check-In DO NOT have to finish it this weekend. We will be working on it together in class on Monday. 

Thank you to everyone who reached out regarding the impending arrival of Baby Brandstrader #2! We're very excited/nervous but really appreciated all the love and warmth we've received. 

Homework for Friday, January 27th

1. Read for 20 minutes and take AR quizzes once you have completed a book
2. Read pages 28-42 in The Most Beautiful Roof in the World - There will be a check-in on those pages tomorrow! 

Field Trip Tomorrow!

I just wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow the 5th Grade will be taking a field trip to the Facets Film Festival!!

We are very excited to embark on our first field trip. A few reminders for tomorrow:

• Students should wear their Coonley Field Trip shirts, but if your child does not have one that's ok.  Any Coonley shirt will do!
• This field trip will last approximately 2 hours. Students will have their snack before leaving and return at lunch time. Students should not bring anything but their winter wear on the field trip.
• Should there be a concession stand at the theater, students will not be allowed to purchase snacks there. 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns!

Homework for Tuesday, January 24th

1. Read for 20 minutes and take AR quizzes once you have completed a book
2. Complete your Drama homework - DUE TOMORROW
3. Read pages 28-42 in The Most Beautiful Roof in the World - DUE FRIDAY

Have a great weekend!

• Students completed their STAR ELA Assessment today, and AR reading goals have been set for the 2nd semester, so students can take AR quizzes on completed books whenever they are ready! 
• Please turn in field trip permission slips as soon as you can. 
• Have a nice weekend! 

No homework for Friday, January 20th

 There is no homework tonight as tomorrow is the STAR ELA Assessment. Remember to get a good night's sleep! 

Also, please turn in your field trip permission slip if you haven't already. 

Homework and Notes for Thursday, January 19th

1. Read for 20 minutes (DO NOT take any AR quizzes at this time. We will take our mid-year STAR Assessment on Friday, January 20th, which will determine reading goals for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once those goals are set, you should resume taking AR quizzes.)
2. Complete Freckle Assignment if you didn't finish in class (almost everyone did) 
3. Get your permission slip signed for next week's Field Trip
4. Also, parents can submit their student's absence through the Aspen Parent Portal! Information went home today about how that process works. 
5. STAR Math Mid-Year Assessment is tomorrow, and STAR ELA Mid-Year Assessment will be Friday. Make sure to get a good night's rest! 

Homework for Wednesday, January 18th

1. Read for 20 minutes (DO NOT take any AR quizzes at this time. We will take our mid-year STAR Assessment on Friday, January 20th, which will determine reading goals for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once those goals are set, you should resume taking AR quizzes.)
2. Complete Exit Ticket on page 79 of your student workbook
3. A message from Beta Club: Beta Club NEEDS You! In partnership with the Common Pantry, the Coonley Beta Club is collecting personal care items for our neighbors who are in need. Personal care items include toothpaste/toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, body wash, cleaning supplies & detergents as well as coffee to name a few. See the flier which went out in the Coonley Blast for ideas. Materials may be dropped into the labeled plastic bins outside the main office and on each floor. Thank you for your support in helping to make a neighbor feel cared for.

Have a nice long weekend!

 We had a great first week back in 5th grade. There is no homework this week. There is no school Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Many celebrate this day as a Day of Service, so if you or your family participates in any service events, I would love to see pictures or hear about it. 

Also, Coonley Career Day is coming up! The Social Studies Committee is organizing a Career Day, if you are interested in giving a presentation about your career, please complete the attached form. The Committee will be reaching out to parents to organize in the coming weeks. Thank you! 

Career Day Interest Form

Homework for Friday, January 13th

1. Read for 20 minutes (DO NOT take any AR quizzes at this time. We will take our mid-year STAR Assessment next Friday, January 20th, which will determine reading goals for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once those goals are set, you should resume taking AR quizzes.
2. Complete Point of View worksheets 
3. Complete Lesson 1 Notes Worksheet. Use posted slides to answer the questions. 

Homework for Thursday, January 12th

1. Read for 20 minutes (DO NOT take any AR quizzes at this time. We will take our mid-year STAR Assessment next Friday, January 20th, which will determine reading goals for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once those goals are set, you should resume taking AR quizzes.
2. Complete Exit Ticket on page 70 and Homework on pages 103 and 104 of your student workbook
3. DUE FRIDAY: Complete Lesson 1 Notes Worksheet. Use posted slides to answer the questions. 

Homework for Wednesday, January 11th

1. Read for 20 minutes (DO NOT take any AR quizzes at this time. We will take our mid-year STAR Assessment next Friday, January 20th, which will determine reading goals for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once those goals are set, you should resume taking AR quizzes.
2. Complete the Exit Ticket on page 64 of your student workbook if you didn't finish in class

Homework for Tuesday, January 10th

1.  Read for 20 minutes (DO NOT take any AR quizzes at this time. We will take our mid-year STAR Assessment next Friday, January 20th, which will determine reading goals for the 3rd and 4th quarters. Once those goals are set, you should resume taking AR quizzes.

Here is the student schedule for the third quarter.