May 04 2012
Busy week!
Many exciting things happened this past week!
On Wednesday, Tim Kelly, the TV weatherman from NECN came to visit our 5th grade.
He gave a fascinating presentation about weather. One of the highlights of Mr Kelly’s talk was when he blew up a balloon and let it go. Everyone tracked the balloon as it demonstrated what happens when high pressure and low pressure interact. 
Mr Kelly was very entertaining and informative. We will check his forecasts regularly.
In Math we played Review Jeopardy to get ready for the chapter 7 test. 
Thursday, May 3, was National Wear 2 Different Colored Shoes Day. Many 5th graders participated. 
In Reading we finished the book The Graduation of Jake Moon and we are about to begin reading Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. 
This book is timely because we are learning about the Revolutionary War in Social Studies. It will be interesting to read about characters involved in that historical period.
It’s a good thing today is Friday. We are all tired and ready for a weekend! I, for one, am hoping for clear skies to see the Super Moon on Saturday night. Oscar will keep me company. 
Dear Ms. Hanna,
I have been liking Chains and how it connects with Social Studies. When we listen to the story the person kind of has a nasally voice I wonder why? I can’t wait to read Forge it really describes the terrible winter the colonists had in Valley Forge. Curzon is in it.
Your Friend
Clifton
Dear Ms. Hanna,
Chains and Speak are alike in many ways. In Speak, the main character is sort of upset and it is the same with Isabel. Also, in both of the books, there is something bad that happens that leads to even worse things. I really like the way both of the books are like that. Also, there can be really descriptive parts. For example, in Speak, the author was describing a piece of art the main character, Melinda, made. In Chains, when the author described the rolls Curzon got, I could totally picture it in my head! I really like the way Laurie Halse Anderson writes. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
Love,
Veronica
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I am glad MCAS is over. I am practically counting down the days unti June 19th. Can’t wait for muddy creek tomorrow!
From,
Caleb
Dear Caleb,
I, too, am glad MCAS is over. Most of us are counting down the days until summer. I can’t wait to have the freedom to spend the day at the beach or riding my bicycle. What will you be doing over the summer?
Love,
Ms Hanna
PS- remember that Muddy Creek is a specific place meaning it is a proper noun so it gets capitalized.
Dear Ms.Hanna,
Over the summer I will be doing many things. In July, Logan, Isaac, Clifton, and a few other students you know from your C or B block classes are on the Harwich All-Star baseball team. We will have tournaments every weekend in July, and practice during the week. I also go to the outer beach frequently with my dad, and friends come often. We usually stay all day and come back at about 6 or 7, but this year we have a trailer to stay out there at night. I also am traveling to London, Switzerland, and staying in a chateau in Burgundy, which I think is in France, for 2 weeks with many of my mom’s friends to celebrate somebody’s 50th birthday, or 50th anniversary. I don’t remember which. I also travel to South Carolina every summer with my dad’s entire family. My summer will be a blast!
From,
Caleb
P.S How many comments does this count for?
Dear Ms.Hanna,
Sorry for saying also too much.
From,
Caleb
Dear Ms. Hanna,
At first, I didn’t think I would like the book “Chains” that much. Honestly, I thought it was going to be very boring. Boy was I wrong! Now, I don’t want to stop reading! It seems to be so much more interesting.
Love,
Logan H.
Dear Logan H,
I can see why you would think Chains might be a boring book. Laurie Halse Anderson is a great story teller. For me, her writing brings the characters to life in a way that makes them interesting. I’m glad you are enjoying the story.
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms. Hanna,
I thought the math jeopardy was good because it helped us to get ready for our chapter test and MCAS. The jeopardy usually gets out of hand so I think we should play silent jeopardy. Do you agree? I hope we do jeopardy next year!
Your Friend,
Clifton
Dear Clifton,
Silent Jeopardy is an interesting concept. I wonder how it would work? Perhaps you could figure it out and we could try playing.
Let me know…
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms.Hanna
Mr.Kelly was so funny and he knew a lot about weather too. I also liked playing jeopardy, it was so much fun!
Your Student,
Ben R.
Dear Ben,
Mr Kelly is quite humorous. I love how he has kept journals of the weather for so many years. Jeopardy is a fun game. Do you feel it is helpful in getting ready for a test?
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear MsHanna
I really am happy that MCAS is over.It took such a long time.But my mom is happy that I got to read a lot and be able to read since last year we couldnt even read.That was not a good thing.
From Logan R
Dear Logan R
I am glad MCAS is over, too. Hopefully you enjoyed your reading.
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I agree that the book Chains is timely. I think that this book will turn out to be one of the best books we have read as a class. What do you think of this novel?
From,
Isaac
Dear Isaac,
I love the novel, Chains. You will think it is awesome & maybe you will read the sequel over the summer. Its title is Forge.
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I have liked the book Chains so far, but I hope it will get better. It contains little action. It is cool how it relates to what we are learning in social studies.
From,
Caleb
Dear Caleb,
There is more action as the story goes on. Laurie Halse Anderson is known for the way she develops characters. I am reading a book at home that 2 friends recommended to me. Personally, I’m bored by the story. I have figured out that I prefer books that are told from many points of view. Perhaps Chains will help you understand what type of writing/book you enjoy.
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms. Hanna,
It was a pretty busy week! I really, really, really love Chains. It is such a good book! I do like how it ties in with what we’re learning in Social Studies. I was upset I couldn’t see the Super Moon. So were my parents. And Oscar is a very cute cat. Also, I wrote my blog comment this week using my 3DS. It is so cool how technology is now!
Love,
Veronica
Dear Veronica,
Chains is an awesome novel. I know you have read other books by this author. How does this one compare with Speak? They are such different genres but there are some similarities. I’d love to know what you think.
Love,
MS Hanna
Dear Ms. Hanna,
I was very excited when Tim Kelly came to Harwich Middle School. At first, I couldn’t really tell who he was but after I saw him and heard his voice, I remembered. 😄
Love, Logan H.
Dear Logan H,
Tim Kelly is a great weatherman. He makes me laugh!
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms.Hanna,
Tim Kelly was very humorous and he went off track a lot. I thought it was funny when he said graham crappers:) (instead of CRACKERS). The picture of two different shoes day looks really cool and is kind of dizzying. I can not wait for the Super Moon on Saturday as well!
your student, Tommye
P.S. Does this count as my weekly comment even though I did it on Friday morning?
Dear Tommye,
I am counting this comment. Generally speaking, I count every comment until UA time on Friday. Tim Kelly is funny! He does tend to go off track a lot. He said many things that made me laugh.
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms Hanna,
When Tim Kelly camee to school it was awesome he was so funny.I am glad we are reading chains it is an interesting book.
Sincerely, Ryan M
Dear Ryan,
Your opinion of Tim Kelly is shared by many of your classmates. Please remember, Chains is the title of a book – a proper noun – therefore it gets capitalized!
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms. Hanna,
Tim Kelly was a person that tries to make anything funny. And it worked. Math Jeparty was fun too.
Holden P.
Dear Holden,
Everyone seemed to enjoy Tim Kelly! I think your spelling of our math game is funny!
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I thought that Tim Kelly was really funny (also very smart in weather science) I forgot about the two diferent shoe day because I didnt compete. The jeopardy game was very fun and I think that chains is a great book so far.
From,
Noah T.
Dear Noah,
Tim Kelly is an intelligent weatherman. Do you think Jeopardy is a good way to prepare for a test? Please remember to capitalize the first letter of the words in the titles of books.
Love,
Ms Hanna
Dear Ms. Hanna,
On Wednesday when we saw Mr. Kelly from NECN it was amazing. He was very funny and I learned some new facts about. I forget that he helps us get dressed every day. Wasn’t it funny when he said time is Tim with an e.
Your Friend,
Clifton
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I think that everyone got a kick out of Tim Kelly that day,did you?I love all the pictures that you take of Oscer,I think he is one of the cutest cats ever.
From,
Isaac
Dear Ms.Hanna
I agree with you that last was very fun but busy! I thought that it was really cool when Tim Kelly came and talked with the fifth grade.That was by far the best part of the week to me! I also am enjoying the book chains! It mes me very sad though. I was especially sad when she was toled by Curzon that the white people don’t care about black people because I think everybody should be treated equally now matter how ugly or how dark their skin is! I actually think their skin is beautiful! I can’t wait to read on!
Love,Avery
Dear Ms.Hanna,
Well I’m just going to say that I think u made a mistake because when u said Tim Kelly I think its Tim Kelley. Chains is a very good book so far i cant wait to finish it because it is such a fantastic book
love
Julia
Dear Ms. Hanna,
I agree with you that last week was extremely busy!Mr. Kelly came, we started chains, math jeopardy, two different colored shoe day.I was happy that week was over even though it was fun,but long.
Your Friend,
Cameron A.
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I was out for most of that week. It sounds really cool that a weather forecaster came to our classroom! I always love to play math jeopardy. Unfortunately I missed all of these fun events. Two different colored shoes sounds like a fun day. I am excited to read Chains. I heard about the Super Moon but I never went to see it. Did you see it?
From,
Caroline
Dear Ms.Hanna,
I had fun on the weekend, but I wanted Monday to come sooner than it has. I actually want it to be MCAS week, because first of all, I have more sports during the week, and I find MCAS relaxing. All you have to do is some easy tests, and then you get to read or hopefully play silent 7up for about 2 hours. Plus, there is barely any of the HW word.
From,
The one who believes that 11-16 will win the pennant