Last Updated:
May 4, 2008

WELCOME TO MEADOWS' FIFTH GRADE

Hey 4th Graders! You’re invited to…
The Ram Round Up

Who: All In-Coming 5th grade students to Meadows
What: The Ram Round Up
Where: Madison Meadows Cafeteria
(We will pick up them up from the 5th grade playground)
When: Thursday, May 8, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Why: Future Meadows students will get an opportunity to visit their new
campus and hear about some of the extra-curricular activities available
to them at their new school.
Check-In Students will check-in at 5:30 PM at the cafeteria to learn about
Meadows’ clubs, sports and other activities, have some pizza, and then
head out to the field for some fun and games.
Parent Meeting: While the students are busy, new parents to Meadows can attend an
informational meeting in the library from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Please fill out the form below and return to your teacher by Wednesday, April 30.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yes, I will be attending the Ram Round Up!
Student Name ______________________________________________________
Teacher ___________________________________________________________
A $5 donation would be appreciated to help cover the cost of a Meadows’ t-shirt, pizza,
drink and a cookie.

In-Coming 5th Grade Information

* Each year “OPEN ENROLLMENT” students must have a variance on file with the school of attendance. If your student is attending Simis under “Open Enrollment” and are planning on attending Meadows for the 2007-2008 school year, you must send Meadows an “Open Enrollment” form. This form is available in the Simis office, Meadows office, or district office.

Welcome back to the 2007-2008 school year. Please read the following supply list and come prepared on August 20th with the following supplies:

Fifth Grade Supply List 2007—2008

Students should arrive on the first day of school with the following supplies. Students are not to organize binders on their own; it will be done in class. Students should have a dictionary and thesaurus for personal use at home. In addition, students should have a set of multiplication and division flashcards at home for review.

General Supplies Needed: (Items marked with an asterisk will be collected by homeroom teacher.)

• Pens (6 red pens for grading)
• Pencils (one box unsharpened for students)
• One hand-held pencil sharpener
• One box of colored pencils
• 2 erasers- Pink Pearl
• Mechanical pencils with extra, if desired
• *2 boxes of Kleenex
• *One package of lined paper
• Flimsy/floppy 1 inch binder
• 4 dividers
• *One box of sharpened pencils
• *One package of white, lined 3 x 5 index cards
• Pencil pouch to be carried from class to class
• Phoenix Public Library card

Mathematics:
• One 3 ring binder; 2 inch-hard covered (NO TRAPPERS!!!)
• 1 two pocket folder
• One package of graph paper
• 4 dividers
• One package of lined paper
• One book cover that will fit an 8 ½ x 11 inch book

Language Arts:
• One 3 ring binder- 2 inch; hard covered (NO TRAPPERS!!!)
• 5 dividers
• 1 two pocket folder
• One package of white, lined 3 x 5 index cards
• One black and white composition notebook
• One package notebook paper
• 2 highlighters

Science
• One 3 subject spiral notebook
• 1 two pocket folder
• Glue stick

Social Studies
• one 3 subject spiral notebook
• 1 two pocket folder
• One package of white, lined 3 x 5 index cards

Math and Language Arts Notebooks will be used in class each day. Students are expected to arrive on the first day with the supplies; notebooks should not be put together at home. At the start of the academic year, teachers will organize and label sections with their classes. These three-ring binders will be used AND KEPT in class, so as not to weigh down backpacks. Notebooks will be streamlined occasionally with teacher supervision and will be collected and assessed on a regular basis.

Please NO sharpies, mechanical pencils, or Trappers.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR CHILD’S BACKPACK

5th GRADE:
Social Studies: text book, duo-tang folder
Science: composition book/ duo-tang folder
Language Arts: two-pocket homework folder
Math: two-pocket homework folder
General: pencil pouch, planner

With the exception of the Social Studies book, all of the materials combined should way less than one pound! It is true that students have math and language arts binders BUT if they are following directions, these materials are to be left in the classroom, not taken home.

Madison Meadows fifth grade teachers are dedicated to providing a quality education for our incoming middle-school students. This transitional year is one full of fun and curriculum which includes language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and the fine arts.

The language arts curriculum for fifth grade is divided into two areas, reading and writing. Students will learn to move independently through the steps of the writing process including brainstorming, planning, composing, revising, editing, and publishing. From poetry writing to informative reports, students will enhance and strengthen skills taught. In the reading program, students will develop strategies to decode unfamiliar words using semantic, structural, and context clues. They will also increase higher level thinking skills with special emphasis on inference, drawing conclusions, and analysis. Novel studies are included in the fifth grade classrooms. Books such as Crash, Walk Two Moons, Loser, Hoot, Running Out of Time, and Tuck Everlasting are some of the novels studied by our students.

The fifth grade mathematics curriculum, aligned with the state standards, is taught through Investigations in Number, Data, and Space. With its focus on mathematical reasoning and problem solving, this curriculum emphasizes that in order for students to solve problems, they must learn to describe, to compare, and to discuss a variety of approaches. Each unit in the curriculum is built around several investigations which offer a variety of problem contexts for students to explore. Students work actively using mathematical tools and consulting with peers as they find their own ways to solve problems. Students develop a sense of appreciation for the power and beauty of mathematics as they learn to value their own thinking and strategies.

Fifth grade social studies begins the year with the explorers and studies their journeys around the world. Within this unit, students learn the skills necessary to read and understand maps and the five themes of geography. Students then study the immigration to America and the colonial period of our country though the forming of the the United States. The students concentrate on why our Founding Fathers wanted independence from England, the Declaration of Independence, the writing of the Constitution, and the westward expansion of our country.

Students learn science concepts though a hands on approach which includes implementation of the scientific method and fosters inquiry. The FOSS program brings to life the concepts of the physical and earth sciences as well as scientific reasoning and technology. Food and Nutrition, Landforms, Mixtures and Solutions, Solar Energy, and Variables are units that take students into the world of science. Through these units, students work in collaboration with fellow peers to tackle ideas that require an understanding of relationships among variables, cause and effect, and knowledge of the natural world.

Camp Friendly Pines is unique to Meadows' 5th Graders. Nestled in the pines of Prescott, Meadows' fifth grade staff takes the classroom outdoors. During the month of November, over 150 students enjoy the atmosphere provided at camp. Community building is essential as students get to know each other as well as their teachers. All academic subjects are covered as the students write nature poems, go on directional scavenger hunts, observe microscopic organisms, compare fractions, hike the beautiful surroundings, learn about animal habitats, work together cooperatively during a rope's challenge course, experience horseback riding, learn about and enjoy musical instruments, and create arts and crafts. Parent aides are necessary for this outstanding endeavor to occur, so get excited, get motivated, and look forward to your time with the kids.

The Meadows' Fifth Grade team would like to send out a special thank you to all the parents who took time from their busy daily lives to attend Camp Friendly Pines. Without the help of these wonderful and energetic parents, the camp could not have occurred. These parents served not only aides but nurses, counselors, and friends as well. Next time you see one of these brave souls, please take a moment to pat them on the back and say "Thanks!"

The kids have done a rather good job at describing what we do. Camp Friendly Pines is a yearly event for our 5th graders here at Meadows. It is completely organized by the teachers. The only two activities at camp not taught by us are the ropes course and horseback riding. It is a lot of hard work for the teachers, but the smiles on the kids faces make everything worth while.

Camp Friendly Pines
By Kelly Kemp

On the morning of Tuesday, November 2nd, Madison Meadows fifth grade students (myself included) loaded onto a bus and headed to Prescott for the annual trip to Camp Friendly Pines. Accompanied by dozens of our parents, we were destined to have fun on this four-day adventure. When we arrived at camp, we went straight to our cabins, lugging what we felt was like two tons of gear for our stay at our new “home-sweet-home”.

All fifth graders were divided into day groups and night groups. Night groups were separated into either boys or girls. With night groups, students slept in the same cabins and ate all meals together in the cafeteria lodge. Each cabin designed a totem pole that represented their group’s personality. They also made up nicknames for their cabins (I was part of the Mescaralo Aqua Chicks). Day groups were a mix of genders and together they participated in the daytime activities.

The teachers set up the camp so that we could have a blast and would learn at the same time in a beautiful, outdoor setting. For example, we had regular school activities such as poetry writing, yet it was outside in the fresh mountain air. In social studies, the teachers had us explore the woods with a compass. In science class we used a microscope to examine bits and pieces of nature we found on a hike. There were games too, including ones that helped us learn how to survive in the wild. Thicket was a hide and seek game built around a predator/prey relationship. The ropes course was a challenging survival activity that included swinging on ropes and jumping on logs, all while using group cooperation. Project Wild involved hunting for pipe cleaners for “food” in a large field, simulating bears in their natural habitat.

Another fantastic activity that everyone took part in was the evening bonfire. Teachers, students, and parents all roasted marshmallows and sang campfire songs. There were gazillions of stars shining overhead on this dark, chilly night, but the fire kept us toasty as we munched on s’mores.

On the last night of camp, each cabin group created an act for the Talent Show. The teachers made up a skit as well. We held the show in the Kiva, a lodge with benches and a stage. Everybody’s performance made us laughs. It was a perfect ending for a great time at camp.

Camp Friendly Pines was an amazing outdoor learning experience. Each and every Madison Meadows fifth grader will have wonderful memories of their time spent in Prescott with friends, caring parents, and our all-around awesome teachers.

Friendly Pines Camp
By Ioannis Kaneris

Every November, the Madison Meadows 5th grade departed from school and headed for Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott. In total, 189 students, 35 parents, and 10 teachers went on this trip. This trip had many purposes. One was to learn about the forest surroundings, another was to get to know the other fifth grade students, and lastly, how to get along with others.

The trip lasted for four days and three nights. Our days and nights were filled with many fun activities that were planned by the teachers. Some of the day activities held at Friendly Pines were: poetry, math, social studies, science, crafts, horseback riding, character development, Project Wild, Ticket, and exploring the trails. Out nights were filled with fun. On the first night we made totem poles and posters. The second night we had a campfire where we roasted marshmallows and sang songs. The third night we had a talent show! Each cabin performed an act and everyone participated.

Overall the trip was a success. The students enjoyed getting to know their classmates and have made new friendships; they also got to know their teachers better. And of course, they liked being in the cool Prescott weather. Many thanks to the teachers, the parents and the staff of Friend Pines Camp for making this trip a memorable one.

Friendly Pines Hits It Big With Meadows
By Steve Jozef

Every year thousand of kids of all ages go to summer camps, a time when kids can enjoy nature, make new friends, have lots of fun, and finally get away from their parents for awhile. You can imagine that that kind of thing rarely happens on school trips.

On November 2 – 5, 2004, 10 teachers, 35 volunteering parents, and nearly 200 5th grade students from Madison Meadows Middle School went on the school’s annual trip to Friendly Pines Camp. At the camp, campers engaged in several average camp activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and a campfire. However, they also participated in many educational activities that they just weren’t able to do at school.

The teachers themselves taught the leaning activities and seemed to be having as much fun as their students. “I always seem to be more fun at camp,” says Mrs. Basham, fifth grade teacher at Meadows.

One of the many activities that the kids participated in was a nature walk to the lake and back. On the way, students found interesting specimens of nature, which they later looked at under microscopes.

On the first night of camp, the kids got to do something to really get to know their cabin mates. The students thought of a new name for their group, made a totem pole and a poster representing hemselves and then gathered together to present their work.

Many of the students’ favorite activity was poetry. They would find a place around the Quiet Place and write. The young poets choose an animal or object to be the subject for their poem.

This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For many students, it was their first time away from their parents. Those kids now feel more confident about future times.

“Have you ever gone on a better field trip?” says fifth grade student, Julian Gonzales, laughing. Many other students agree that it had been the best yet.

Students of Madison Simis and various other Madison schools most likely can’t wait until they become of age when they, too, may attend Friendly Pines Camp.

Meet the fifth grade team:

Cyber Library for the Madison Meadows Media Center

Madison Meadows Library Media Center at school or Madison Meadows Library Media Center from home to access materials and educational websites from the Meadows Library Media Center. Access free classic e-books at Page by Page Books, by title or by author. For assistance contact Ms. Sally Roof, Teacher-Librarian Information Specialist at sroof@msd38.org or 602 664-7640.