Learning with Leffers

Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents that came out for our Explorer Museum.    We appreciate your time and effort in putting together costumes, helping with speeches, and providing support over these past couple of weeks. I will be adding more pictures later.  For now, here is snapshot I took before our parade. Thank you. Mrs. L

We have been working hard on memorizing our explorer speeches in class.  Students have practiced with partners and many have used recording apps on their devices.  Please check your child's backpack for a note home about memorizing speeches. As your child is putting together his/her explorer outfit for next week, here is a list of everyday clothing items that can be used.  Your child should bring in his/her outfit on the day they present to the class (Wednesday, November 16th or Thursday, November 17th).  Makeup doesn't need to brought in until Friday. Common Household Items Boots Scarves / Handkerchiefs White dress shirts of any type Tall Socks Loafers Bath robes or long cardigans Floppy hats Tunics or other long shirts Belts Eyebrow pencil for facial hair Any leftover Halloween costumes or makeup

I am extremely excited to announce that our annual Explorer Museum will be on Friday, November 18th from 2:00 to 2:20 .  Your child has been working hard researching about an important European explorer.  We are currently working on writing a rough draft of our explorer speech.  Here are some important dates for this project.   Written speech rough draft is due on Wednesday, November 2nd. Memorized speeches will be presented to the class on Wednesday or Thursday, November 16th and 17th Memorized speeches will be presented to parents in the "Living Museum" on Friday, November 18th from 2:00 to 2:20 pm. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this special project. Mrs. L

Please join us for Donuts with Dads this next Thursday and Friday from 7:00 - 8:00 AM.  Dads, Grandpas, Uncles, or other men special to our students are welcome to come for a fun-filled morning of delicious donuts, refreshments, books, and memories.   Due to the popularity of DWD, this special event will be over two days. A-L Thursday, October 27th     M-Z Friday, October 28th If you have questions, please contact Brandy (brmatthew@iupui.edu) or Margot (margot_dwyer@att.net).

Today marks the end of the nine weeks.  Please look for your child's report card online next Friday.  I am very proud of their accomplishments and the growth they've made. Here are some of the highlights from this past week. Students researched a Native American cultural region and created a poster to share with the class. In reading, we are discussing and reading about the power of our Sun and electricity. We will learn how to make a solar oven later next week.  Ask your child about how to use a compass or protractor.  We have been measuring and constructing angles and polygons with these special math tools.    Our class rocked the unit 3 social studies test.  Check your child's folder for his/her test. Students recently published their personal narratives.  Our narratives are full of great sensory details, flashbacks, and strong conclusions.  Narratives will be sent home at the end of next week. We finished reviewing over all ...

Our schedule keeps getting busier!   Please take a look at these upcoming events and mark your calendars. Wednesday, September 28th College Go! Day We will be celebrating our colleges and universities.  This is a day for teachers and students to wear their favorite college attire.  I will be speaking to students about my university experiences as well. Friday, September 30th Homecoming Parade It is an annual tradition for our students to attend the parade.  We are the only elementary in Carmel to take part in this tradition!!  Our class will partner up with Mrs. Hall's kindergarten class to cheer on CHS. Carmel Cook - Out  5 pm - 8 pm Don't forget to fill out the Carmel Cookout registration form.  Our PTO will be serving up some delicious grilled food before the game.  Please turn in all forms by Weds., September 28th. Friday, October 7th Class Auction Students have been saving their Tiger Bucks for several weeks now.  They will h...

Don't forget that picture day is next Thursday, September 22nd.   Order forms were sent home earlier in the week.   You can order school pictures online or send in your envelope next Thursday.  If you have any questions, please contact me. Have a wonderful weekend. Mrs. L

I hope you received your PTO Fall Fundraiser packet.   This year PTO is taking a different approach to our annual fundraiser.  There will be no items to sell or buy!  Instead, PTO is simply asking that your child bring in a donation.  We have had many donations already brought in!!  The suggested donation amount is $25 per family, but remember that any donation helps.   To enhance our fundraiser, a small plastic bag was sent home today to collect extra change or coins.  Please feel free to bring this in next week.  The grade level that brings in the most coins will win an ice cream party and an extra recess! If you have any questions about our fundraiser, please feel free to contact me. Thanks. Mrs. L

Mark your calendars for our annual Ruth Lilly Parent Preview Night on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 pm.  This event will be held at Carmel Middle School and will include a basic overview of the program's objectives and goals.  In May, fifth graders will participate in a 90 minute program that helps students develop a positive attitude and an appreciation for the wonder of life.  I highly encourage all parents to preview this presentation.   Parents may choose whether they want their child to view the program in May.  Please check your child's folder tomorrow for a paper on this important event.  If you have any questions about the preview night or the presentation in May, please contact me. Thanks. Mrs. L

Many of our clubs and after school activities are back in full swing which means there are many dismissal changes. We want dismissal to be as smooth as possible for students, parents, and teachers.  To help with that, I am including a few short reminders about afternoon dismissal that I mentioned at Meet the Teacher.  Please view the video from   Dismissal Manager's main site to help you get started if you are new to CE or just need a refresher course. Dismissal Reminders  Discuss any transportation changes with your child the night before. Remember to make all changes to your child's afternoon transportation in the Afternoon Dismissal Manager.  Any club or after school activity must be noted in Dismissal Manager.  This includes WCES, Pups Running, and other clubs.   You can access this link by logging into your MyCCS account.  All changes must be made by  no later than 1:30 pm on the day of the change.   If we do not rece...

We've had a great start to our fifth grade year.  Here are some of the highlights from the week. We started math on Wednesday.  All students have had a chance to preview their student reference book. Classroom jobs have been assigned.  Ask your child about his/her job. We previewed and started unit 1 in social studies.  We are learning about absolute and relative locations as well as locating continents and oceans. Students learned about our new mini-economy and will receive their first paycheck on Monday! With the help of ice breakers and group work, students learned more about their classmates.   Our class visited all specials except for Art. Next week we will start up our reading program, REACH for Reading.  We will also start NWEA testing on Monday and Wednesday of this week.  Don't forget to stop by the evening of August 17th for our annual Meet the Teacher night.  I hope to see you there.  Mrs. L

It's time for our annual Ice Cream Social.  Please stop by room 20 between 4:00 and 5:30 on August 8th.  I will be in the room to meet and greet. Mrs. L

“ The Final Lap ”   Week of May 23 rd   It’s hard to believe that we are so close to the end of the school year!   It’s been an exciting and amazing “race”!   Events and reminders for the upcoming week are listed below so that you can plan accordingly!   See you at the “finish line”! 5/23 Monday:                        ·        5th Grade Talent Show (during Specials time) o    Participants need to bring any props, costumes, or materials needed for their performance with them to school! ·        Read-In! o    Please bring a beach towel, a beverage of your choice (no caffeinated/carbonated beverages please), and a great book to school.   ·        CLEANING DAY!   o    Students, please bring a plastic or pa...