Universal 2015

Universal Trip

Parents -

This is just a reminder that the students will be attending Universal Studios on Monday, June 1st.  They need to be at school Monday morning between 700-715 a.m. as buses will pull out at 730. Please report to your HR teacher to check in for attendance purposes.  Please remind your students to wear their pinkish 5th grade shirts on Monday and to be sure to load up on sunscreen as the weather forecast is shooting for sunny weather. Also, please DO NOT bring any electronic devices (i.e. IPods, game players or cell phones). They will be left on the bus unattended while we walk throughout the park.

Also, the students will be receiving a voucher in Universal Studios money to be used to purchase lunch throughout the day.  However, if your child would like to purchase souvenirs at the park or you think they might need more for food/drinks/ etc, you might want to send them with some "just in case" money.

We should be arriving back at school around 500-530 Monday evening.  So, for those of you who are unable to chaperone, please make sure you or someone will be at Gorrie to pick up your child by then.

Thank you so much and we are looking forward to a great day!

The 5^th Grade Team

EOY Dates

5/19: Universal Chaperone Meeting (6pm Media Center) / D.C. Info Meeting (6:15pm Media Center)

5/22 Patrol Picnic (During School)

5/27 Gorrie Showcase (9:30-10:30am Musicale)

6/1-6/5 LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

1. June 1st – Universal Studios – Students need to be at school between 7:00 am and 7:15 am.  Buses will leave promptly at 7:30 am.

1. Students should arrive back at school around 5:30 pm.  You must meet us at the front of school to pick up your child.  
2. Please sign the attached permission slip and the medical release form (this form must be notarized).  If you need a notary for the medical release form, Ms. Kuchinski and Ms. Brown in the office are notaries and would be happy to notarize your forms.
3. If you would like to chaperone the trip, please attend the mandatory chaperone meeting on Tuesday, 5/19 at 6:00 pm in the Media Center. 

2 June 2nd - Memory Book signing (8:30-9:30) – If 5th grade students did not purchase a memory book and would still like to, they will be on sale starting May 29th at 7:30 am in the Media Center.  Cost is $15 made payable to Gorrie Elementary. The remaining Memory Books will be on a first come, first serve basis.

3 June 2nd - Movie Day (10:00-12:00) – We will transform the 5th grade classrooms into a theatre for their viewing pleasure.  We will also watch videos on the buses to and from Universal Studios.
Please sign the attached movie permission slip.

4 June 3rd – Field Day (9:00-11:00)

5 June 4th – 5th grade Celebration (11:30-2:00) and DVD slideshow viewing

6 June 5th – Half Day –

1. Class Party (9:30-10:30)– Please coordinate with the HR Mom’s if you would like to participate 
2. Clap Out is at 11:35 am.  5th grade will start working their way downstairs about 11:20.  Please be sure to be here before that to find parking as it will be limited. 
3. Please be sure that your child checks out with their HR teacher before they leave.  

Stay Tuned for more info! We are looking forward to a wonderful end of the year. It has gone by SO fast, but we are going to end the year with wonderful memories at Gorrie. Thanks for all you do!

May Upcoming Dates

Hey Parents!

We are getting closer and closer to the end of the year and at this point, we have TONS to get ready for. Below, you will find a list of lots of upcoming events and dates to add to your calendars. More information will follow:


5/1: Mini Mall

5/7: Jungle Book Spring Musical (6:30pm- Musicale)

5/12: Student Led Conference Night (Sign up HERE)

5/14: Parent Night @Wilson Middle (5:30-7pm Wilson)

5/15: Art Show

5/19: Universal Chaperone Meeting (6pm Media Center) / D.C. Info Meeting (6:30pm Media Center)

5/22 Patrol Picnic (During School)

5/27 Gorrie Showcase (9:30-10:30am Musicale)


Stay Tuned for more info! We are looking forward to a wonderful end of the year. It has gone by SO fast, but we are going to end the year with wonderful memories at Gorrie. Thanks for all you do!

FSA Testing 2015

We are just one week away from testing and I wanted to update you on a few things. First off, the original testing schedule has changed per administration here at Gorrie. Instead of testing Monday and Tuesday each week for the next three weeks, it has been decided that here at Gorrie, we will move the testing up to get it finished early.

The new schedule will look more like this:

Monday/ Tuesday (April 13th-14th): FSA ELA Test
Wednesday/ Thursday (April 15th-16th): FSA Math Test
Monday Tuesday (April 20th-21st) FCAT Science Test

1.  Please ensure that your students are here no later than 8:00 am so that we can get them unpacked, focused and ready to begin testing.  If you come during the testing time, the class will not be disturbed for them to be removed from the class.
2.  Please make sure they get plenty of rest each night.  We will have no HW for the next two weeks (other than to read nightly), so they shouldn't be up late working on school work.
3.  Please make sure they receive a healthy breakfast each morning to ensure they remain focused during the tests.
Thank you for your help!  Our kids are ready!  Have a great week!

Biztown Field Trip

“Our favorite part of BizTown was advertising our raffle and products.  We also liked how we could go to different businesses and buy actual goods and services.”

– Tampa Bay Rays

“Our favorite part of BizTown was being able to feel like an adult in the real world.  We also enjoyed the idea that we were learning while still participating in a fun activity.” – Bank of America

“Our favorite part in JA BizTown was running the Hospital.  We also enjoyed cooperating with our peers.” – Florida Hospital

“In our business, our favorite part of BizTown was at the end when we realized that we had made more than enough money.  We also enjoyed walking around and buying stuff with the money we had earned.” – TECO

On Friday March 6^th, 2015 the entire 5^th grade class at Gorrie Elementary School visited JA BizTown.  BizTown is a simulation town that is designed to teach children basic economic skills.  It was a chance for the students to get a taste of the “real world.”  Each class was assigned various businesses that they would need to run while we were visiting BizTown.  Our class was assigned to run the Florida Hospital, Tampa Bay Electric Company (TECO), Bank of America and the Tampa Bay Rays.  Students were ecstatic when they found out what business they were assigned and what role they would play in their business.  The students did a phenomenal job following directions, balancing their checkbooks, using their debit cards and performing their duties throughout the day.  We could not have had a more rewarding experience and greatly appreciate the help of the parents and the JA BizTown Staff.  Gorrie cannot wait to visit BizTown again! Bring on MINI MALL!

-Ms. Ferguson

Biztown Interviews

For weeks, our class has been prepping for the much-anticipated trip to JA BizTown happening this Friday, March 6th. “JA BizTown is a program to help young people understand work readiness, entrepreneurship, and personal financial literacy”(BizTown Guide).  Students have been working through daily lessons to learn about the circular flow of economy, balancing checkbooks, savings and checking accounts, and how to apply for their first job.  Over the course of the past few weeks, the students completed a job application and applied to the businesses our class has been assigned.  Students went on mock interviews with staff from various grade levels in our school.  Between Mr. Catania, myself, and the notes from the teachers who interviewed our students, we were successfully able to place all of our students into their best role at one of the businesses.  We are extremely proud of the hard work that our students have been putting forward thus far, and we hope they will work just as hard on the trip this Friday.  Enjoy some pictures of our students who came in their business attire for their interview.
- Ms. Ferguson 

United Skates Field Trip

 

We recently took a class field trip to United Skates of America.  While there was time allotted for the students to show off their skating skills, the primary focus of the trip was to develop skills needed when taking the math and science tests this April.  With direction from the United Skates Staff, students worked in groups to both take apart and put back together a roller skate.  After putting their skates back together, the students raced their skates across the rink, only to learn that some classmates had put their nuts on a little too tight.  The groups had to problem solve and fix their skate before they had a second opportunity to push their skate across the floor.  Students also worked on mathematical equations using force and motion.  Students’ creative sides came out when they were given the chance to create their own skate.  Girls drew cats and had sparkles on theirs, when the boys were more into adding speed with fire behind their skates.

Following the lessons the students got a chance to show off their skating skills in a free skate while also enjoying pizza and a drink with their classmates.  At the end of the day, the staff of United Skates held a sock race in which all students were able to participate.  It was extremely fun for all of our class to cheer each other on.  A big thanks to the wonderful chaperones and to United Skates of America for a wonderful day!

- Ms. Ferguson

Colonial Williamsburg

As we wrap up our unit on Colonial Williamsburg, here are some additional links to check out!


Visit Colonial Williamsburg


Tour The Town


Video: A Day At Colonial Williamsburg

Video: The Colonial Williamsburg Experience


For extra credit, students can view this film and write a summary of the film in their own words.
Movie: Felicity, An American Girl Adventure

Human Body Links

In Science, we are working on the Human Body. Here are some new links to websites with movies and activities to help learn more about our organ systems.


Kids Health

Health Games

Kids Biology

Science Kids

Kids Konnect

Bill Nye Human Body Videos

Even MORE links:
Disclaimer: Please view these with your child. Although most of the links have GREAT info for the human body, some of the info may be difficult for 5th graders to understand.

Digestive System links

Circulatory System links

Excretory System links

Sensory Organs links

Muscular System links

Nervous System links

Respiratory System links

Skeletal System links

Welcome Ms. Ferguson

Our student teacher from The University of Tampa begins her time with us starting this Wednesday and we are ALL so excited to have her. Ms. Ferguson will be with us through May, helping support the academic success of each of our students. Here is a little about her:

Greetings Mr. Catania’s Fifth Grade Students and Parents,

            2015 is quickly getting underway and so are my plans of meeting you soon.

I am Courtney Ferguson and I will be interning in Mr. Catania’s class from mid

January until early May.  This is my final internship before becoming a fully certified

teacher and having a classroom of my very own.  I am originally from New Jersey,

but have fallen in love with the Tampa Bay area and have plans of staying here after

graduation.  The University of Tampa struck me as the perfect school because of its

great connections with the Tampa Bay community, their wonderful Education

Department, and who wouldn’t be impressed by palm trees on campus!  I love to

spend my time running down Bay Shore Boulevard and exploring the stunning local

beaches.  As far as my teaching style, I am a proponent of hands on activities and

getting children out of their seats to do their work.  I believe group interaction and

communication is very successful.  Every student learns differently, and I am excited

to learn each student’s style. I was inspired to become a teacher because of the love

and passion my teachers displayed on a daily basis.  I continuously saw their

compassion and interest in the success of each of their students.  When I shared my

interest in becoming a teacher with several of my past teachers, they encouraged me

and made me feel confident that my qualities would be a positive addition to the

teaching community.  I am extremely excited and grateful to be spending the next

several months at Gorrie Elementary working with Mr. Catania, his students, and

their parents.

Loyally,

Courtney Ferguson