Monday, January 19, 2015

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

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Jamestown Adventure

For those students who enjoyed our unit on Jamestown and the Early English Settlements, I invite them to visit this fun and interactive Jamestown adventure game! Enjoy!

http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Cake Walk


Cake Walk sign up is off to a good start, but we are still in need of more volunteers! Please help donate to this cause as the Cake Walk and Bake Sale help to offset the cost of our trip to Universal at the end of the school year. If you sign up to provide goods, make sure you keep in mind refrigeration for the day of the festival may not necessarily be an option (i.e. no ice cream cakes), as they will melt during the event. Thanks so much and please let me know if you have any questions!


  • http://bit.ly/1Dnf9z9


Walk-A-Thon 2014


The Gorrie Walk-A-Thon is quickly approaching and we would love for everyone to be registered online. Even if you have no plan of raising funds, the organizers will use the sign up info to order your child's FREE t-shirt. Without registering for our class team, your child will NOT received a t-shirt. If you haven't done so already, please at the very least, register your child so they can be included in our fundraising process. Our team goal is $800 and we are already on our way to reaching it! Please help us make this Walk-A-Thon a HUGE success! Thanks in advance and please do not hesitate to email me with any questions you may have. Use the link below to register your child TODAY! it's as easy as 1.....2....3 Thanks!


  • https://gorrie.dojiggy.com/ng/index.cfm/ab20bae/regPages/signup/pledge?p=b41dfd62

Fall Conferences



It's ALREADY conference time! Wow, the year has gone so fast! Please indicate your conference time by signing your child’s last name in a time slot through the link below. Be sure to arrive on time, so we do not go over the next appointment. I look forward to meeting with you. Any questions, please send me an email.


  • http://bit.ly/1nQnoiF

Monday, August 18, 2014

Meet the Teacher 2014

Check out this message from your virtual teacher!
-Mr. Catania


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Welcome Back 2014

Hello! Welcome to our class blog! This website it used as a tool to communicate our studies, achievements, homework assignments, important dates, etc. to students, family, and friends. I update this site on a regular basis by posting pictures of what the students are working on as well as what is going on in our classroom. I look forward to meeting you all at Meet The Teacher on Monday, August 18th, 2014 immediately following the Info Fair! I have been working hard to get our classroom ready for your arrival! Please collect all of your supplies and bring them to school on our first day. If you would like to bring them to Meet The Teacher, that would be great too! Feel free to look around on our class blog to see what we will be working on this year. See you at Meet The Teacher!
Our new Reading Textbooks
Our History Textbooks
Mr. Catania's Messy Desk


Organizing our library

Books, books, and MORE books!

- Mr. Catania