Classroom Announcements
6/10/2020
Good morning, my favorite almost 6th graders!!
Today at 12:30 is our last class Zoom for the school year.
Here are some important details..
-- Summer/beach themed! You still need to be school appropriate. I will be wearing my favorite tank top and sun hat!! (Disclaimer: You will be removed if you do not follow this norm.)
-- Come ready to share...
1. Your favorite memory from our time in the classroom.
2. Your favorite memory from virtual learning.
3. What are you looking forward to most about 6th grade?
-- Be ready to play some a fun game or two. :)
6/8/2020
Happy LAST MONDAY! I can't beleive we are almost done with this school year.
It has truly flown by these last couple of months. I have missed you all dearly, but I am BEYOND EXCITED to see you all soon.
Reminders...
--Last week you should've recieved an email regardling distribution of materials. 5th grade is Thursday! Please refer to the email for exact times!
--Monday Zoom is at our regularly scheduled time, but for math review!
--Wednesday's zoom is our regularly scheduled time, however, we are going to have a virtual end of the year party during that time. Please look for an email from me later today including those details. :)
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of June 8- 12: Link
6/1/20
Happy Monday, friends! We are so close to the finish line!!
A few reminders...
- No Zoom today June 1; it has been moved to tomorrow, Tuesday June 2!
- Keep an eye out in for an email from me about an end of the year activity. :)
I miss you all dearly.
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of June 1-5: Link
5/26/20
Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a nice and restful long weekend.
Thank you to all of those who have served our country and those we have lost serving our country.
I miss you all dearly.
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of May 26-29 : Link
5/18/20
Happy Monday, friends!
I hope you all have been enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having. I can't thank you all enough for the kind words, gifts, and cards I recieved for Teacher Appreciation week. I feel so so lucky to have the privledge to teach you all, even if it's from a distance!
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of May 18-22 : Link
5/11/20
Hello, all!
Can you believe we are already almost halfway through May?! Time is just flying by.
As always, I miss you all dearly.
Reminders
-- Zooms are MWF at 12pm.
-- Monday, May 11th Zoom: Surprise guest!
-- Wednesday, May 13th Zoom: Bring your decorated/inspiring rock Zoom!
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of May 11-15: Link
5/4/20
Happy Monday!
Reminders
--Report Cards will be emailed home today.
-- Zooms are MWF at 12pm.
-- Wednesday, May 6th Zoom: Bring a Rock to class day!
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of May 4-8: Link
4/27/20
Happy Monday!
Reminders
--Don't forget today's Zoom is Bring Your Pet to Class Zoom Day! Or a picture of a pet you'd like!
-- Zooms are MWF at 12pm.
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of April 27- May1 Plan: Link
4/22/20
Hello, friends!! I miss you all!
We are still selling yearbooks, but are approaching our deadline! Please celebrate the time we did got to spend together in the classroom and virtually together!!
Link for 2019-2020 Yearbook Order Info
4/19/20
Happy Sunday. I hope you all are having a fun, safe, and healthy weekend.
Reminders...
-- Q3 retakes need to be completed by the end of this week
-- Zoom office hours are MWF at noon; link and password are on Edmodo
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of April 20-24 Plan: Link
4/13/20
Happy Monday, all!
I hope you all are enjoying your last bit of Spring Break today! I miss you all dearly.
Our class "Office Hours" will be held Monday, Wednesday, Friday on Zoom at 12 pm. This time will be used for various things; review, check-ins, share, read alouds, questions, or a time to say hi! Our class room Zoom link/code is posted at the top of our Edmodo page.
Below is an OPTIONAL weekly schedule for students and families to utilize during Home Learning. The schedule is to help with accessing resources, links, and activities; these can be completed at any time. All students are encouraged to engage in the review activities below. These activities align with PWCS's vision of (60 for Elem. and 90 for MS) minutes per content area, per week. Students are encouraged to utilize this time to review and remediate objectives from the beginning of the year that they would like to improve on. Please reach out to Ms. Vilchek with any questions.
-- Week of April 13 -17 Plan: Link
3/31/20
Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.
It was so lovely seeing so many of you via Zoom yesterday. I am very excited to have another Zoom tomorrow. For details to join our Zoom, please visit our Edmodo page. :)
As we did last week, please follow bit.ly/VirtualMsV2020 to find all practice and review for this week.
TEST RETAKES INFORMATION:
--As of right now you can find all retakes for our test opened on Powerschool/IA (the students know how to get on and log on). Again, if this application is not accessible to you, please email me and we can find another option for retakes.
-- Your child only needs to answer the questions for the SOL strand they are retaking (listed below). They are more than allowed to retake the whole test, however, I only require the retake of a C and below on the specific SOL strand we worked towards mastery on.
--Students do not need a password to gain access to the test, however, they are not to leave the testing screen. If they leave the testing screen the program will lock them out of the test.
--For math retakes, please email me pictures of your work, identifying which test you took and the questions you solved. Without the pictures, I cannot accurately assess you :)
Math 5.5 Retake
-- 5.5a: Questions 1-5
-- 5.5b: Questions 6-10 |
Math 5.6 Retake
-- 5.6a: Questions 1-5
-- 5.6b: Questions 6-10 |
Science 5.6 Matter Retake
-- 5.6a: Questions 1-5
-- 5.6b: Questions 6-10
-- 5.6c: Questions 11-15
-- 5.6d: Questions 16-20
-- 5.6e: Questions 21-25 |
Science 5.2 Sound Retake
-- 5.2a: 1-8, 10, 11, 15
-- 5.2b: 12-14, 17-19
-- 5.2c: 9, 16, 20-25
|
Please email if you have any questions. :)
3/27/20
If you are unsure or have questions on how to find my practice activities, please watch below. If this doesn't work follow the link .
3/22/20
Instructional Update:
This upcoming week we will start distance learning. Below I am detailing how this will work in my classroom and what you are to expect for the upcoming week.
Expectations:
Students will be encouraged to do the following each week of distance learning:
-- Go to bit.ly/VirtualMsV2020 (also found on Edmodo).
-- Read the weekly assignments for each subject area that explains what they are responsible for each week.
-- Complete the weekly assignments that are listed on the Weekly Schedules (found both on the link above and Edmodo).
-- Leave questions through email to the teacher.
-- Assignments are optional. Weekly work is easy and all things we have reviewed in class.
Helpful Information and Review Sites:
Here are helpful things for parents to know and what they can use to help review information with their children.
--Year at a Glance: Link
Parents can use this to see what SOL's we can have been learning. I have higlighted where we are currently at in each subject area in blue. In reading, we are in the blue area, but are also constantly revisting skills from previous units for review and remediation.
--SOL Essential Knowledge: English , Mathematics , Science
These are here to help parents understand what we are learning, please look through it and get to the right number (all your child's assignments will have SOL numbers posted on them).
--SOLPass: Link
This site is for review, parents can look over it to help students review their learning.
-- Under my Useful Links you will see a tab that says SOL Review. Here you will find links for each SOL strand we have covered in reading, science, and math to review and practice.
March 12, 2020
Thank you to those who came out to the Parent SOL Info Night! As promised, here is the link for our presentation.
SOL Parent Night Presentation 2020
If you have any questions regarding SOL Bootcamp or our SOLS in general, please don't hesitate to shoot me an email.
Important dates and reminders...
- Science Test on Sound Energy is this afternoon after our field trip.
-Reading Comprehension Check is Friday, 3/13.
-Math Check/Quiz on Friday, 3/13 covering word problems involving equations.
Feb. 20, 2020
Important upcoming dates...
Decimal Computation Test (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplicaiton, and Division) next TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, Feb. 25 and 26.
Study guides were sent home and if you go to my useful links (on the left) and click SOL Review you can find extra practice links.
This week we began a new science unit on Sound Energy! We will be focusing on how sound travels in compression waves and the parts of a wave. In addition, we will also take a look at how sound is transmitted and the different uses as we progress through the unit.
Here is a link to our vocabulary for this unit...
Sound Energy Vocab
Feb. 5, 2020
Happy Wednesday!
I hope all is well! I miss everyone but can't wait to come back and try some fun, new resources I've learned about this week!
Updates and Reminders
- Science test on Matter will be on TUES 2/1
- Math test on +, -, x Fractions will be on FRI 2/14
- If you go under my Useful Links, you will find a comprehensive list for SOL review for Reading, Math, and Science.
*hint, hint* These can also be used as an additional study tool to prepare for unit test for the remainder of the year and to review those standards we needed to remediate on or still need extra practice with.
Valentine's Day PSA
- Students will be decorating a bag for a Valentine exchange so no need to bring one in :)
- Please bring one for all; we have 28 students.
- Please no names on valentines, as student bags will just be lined up and students will just drop thier valentine in each bag.
Feb. 3, 2020
I hope you all are having a wonderful week.
I am out end of day 2/3 - 2/7, presenting at a national tech conference in Texas. I will do my best to get back to any email I recieve this week when I am available. Thank you for understanding and practicing our star quality of patience !!
Jan 13, 2020
I hope you all have a wonderful day!
Resources needed for today...
Math: Adding and Subtracting Fractions Notes
Reading: Reading Centers (go to ELA --> Jan 13-17)
January 12, 2020
This upcoming week we will...
- Begin our new unit in math on Computation and Problem Solving with Fractions. We will be focusing on adding, subtracting, and later multiplying fractions with like and unlike denominators.
- Continue learning about Matter in science, focusing on how temperature can affect the states of matter (solids, liquids, gases), especailly looking at the matter's molecules.
-Continue to learn about the land features and climate of the Midwest Region in social studies. **We will have a quiz on labeling states and capitals this week
-Focus on the setting of a story and how our setting impacts the characters and the events that take place in a story.
**Any retakes for our last couple tests will be happening over the course of the next 2 weeks.
January 6, 2020
Happy New Year! Welcome back! Im so excited to back and to continue to push through this year!!
First off, I want to thank each and everyone of you who shared special gifts or treat with me before break. I love and appreciate each one. I am so grateful to be partnered with you all this year in your child's journey!
As discussed in class before break, we do have a math test THIS FRIDAY on our unit on Data Analysis. It is a short, 2 week unit that focuses on finding the Mean, Median, Mode,and Range from a set of data, commonly seen on a Stem and Leaf plot or a line plot. This week will be lots of review and all our math HW this week will focus on this content. Study guides were sent home before the break for review.
We will be beginning our new units in Science and Social Studies this week; Matter and the Midwest!!
December 18, 2019
Can't wait to see you all tomorrow!
Hopefully with less of my coughing to interupt our day!
Below are some important links for today!!
- Math pactice: Line Plot Practice.docx
- Practice Links for Science can be found below on Decemeber 5
December 16, 2019
Today is a Snow Day! Please enjoy your day off and be safe. Please don't forget we will still be having our Social Studies test. Please be reviewing!!!
December 15,2019
Reminders...
- Study guides were sent home last week (We have our SS test on Tuesday and Science on Thursday)
- Day of the Arts is on Tuesday during our encore.
December 5, 2019
Important Upcoming dates...
- December 11 Math Test on Decimals and Fractions
- December 17 Social Studies test on the SE region
- December 19 Science test on Oceanography
**Study guide for math was sent home and is our HW between now and the test. Students should be returning to school each day with the assigned pages completed to review and ask questions.
**Study guides for Social Studies and Science will be sent home Friday. If you are helping your child review using these guides each night, they will be ready for our tests!!
Great Links for review...
SOL 5.6 Oceanography Vocab
SOL Pass 5.6 Oceanography
Simplifying Fractions Explained
Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions Explained
Equivalent Fractions StudyJam
Decimal and Fraction Equivalents StudyJam
December 2, 2019
This week we will have HW for math and reading; both sent home on paper this week.
Keep a look out for a math study guide this week, as our test is on December 11 (NEXT Wednesday!!)
December 1, 2019
I hope you all had a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving Break.
We will be working very hard in the upcoming three weeks. We will have a math test on Deciamsl and Fractions (comparing, ordering, converting between mixed and improper, and finding decimal/fraction equivalencies), a science test on Oceanography, and finishing up our social studies unit on Southeast Region.
Keep a look out for review links and study guides coming soon.
November 24, 2019
Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a nice weekend.
This week we WILL have HW Monday (reading and math on PAPER).
Reading test this Tuesday.
I will post some extra practice links on my page for anyone that would like some additional practice over break.
November 18, 2019
This week is picture retakes ( you need to have the original photos or an order form).
Next Week... Reading test on Tuesday.
We will be having a math test and social studies test 1+ weeks after Thanksgiving break.
November 17, 2019
Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a restful weekend.
This week our reading HW will go home as worksheets and the math HW will be on Edmodo.
Picture retakes will be Friday!! (11/22)
Novemeber 12, 2019
PORTER GIVES BACK 2019!
NJHS and PTO Coming Together For Good!
Posted on 10/25/2019
Porter Gives Back 2019
The Porter mission states our focus on community service will aid our students in becoming productive, resourceful, and responsible citizens in their neighborhood environments.
In an effort to carry out this mission, the National Junior Honor Society and PTO are collecting items for the women and children supported by ACTS of Prince William County. We will be making bath caddies for the children and self-care kit gifts for the women.
Wednesday, November 20
3:45-5:00pm
Porter cafeteria
DONATIONS ARE NEEDED for these care packages....….please CLICK HERE for donation suggestions.
PERMISSION FORMS are due by Monday, November 18th.
November 10, 2019
I hope you all are having a nice, restful weekend. Please remember there is no school tomorrow!
THERE WILL BE HW THIS COMING WEEK
-Reading HW will be sent home Tuesday
-Math HW will be on edmodo
Please work with and or check in with your kiddo. Please don't hesitate to email or use the links below if you need any help!
November 8, 2019
I hope you all have had a wonderful FALL week with these nice, chilly temperatures. As we do have colder days ahead, it is a good idea to send your kiddo to school with a jacket or sweater. We go out to Milers at 10:20am and Recess at 2:00pm (unless the temperature is 34 degress or lower)
Reminders...
- No school Monday - Observance of Veteran's Day. A special thank you to my military families who have served or are currently serving.
- It is the beginning of a new quarter! As we move forward into the year the work will become more challenging and at a greater pace. Please utilize the online resources available to you on my page to help.
- U4 Math Test - Fractions - is on December 11, 2019
Fractions Video 1
Fractions as Decimals
Converting Fractions
Comparing Fractions
Equivalent Fractions
- U3 Science Test - Geological Processes - (2nd part of last week's unit)
Use this to study and last unit's study guide.
New Quizlet
Quizlet to Study for Geological Processes- Test on 13th
- U2 Social Studies - Southeast Region - Quiz next week on the physical features and climate found there.
October 28, 2019 - Links for Class Today
- Reading Notes in writing notebook 
-Science Quizlet Rocks and Minerals Review
October 24, 2019
Reminder... tomorrow is Career day! Dress as a person from the career you are interested in!!
Conferences are starting next week!! Please sign up in the Signup Genius below...
Science Test - Next TUESDAY, Oct 29 on Rocks and Minerals. Guides were sent home Tuesday.
Math Test - Next THURSDAY, Oct 31 on Measurement. Study guides were sent home Tuesday. This test focuses on solving for volume, area, and perimeter of rectangles and square; elapsed time; area of right triangles; and metric measurement conversions.
Unit 3 Study Guide and Review.docx
October 18, 2019
Click below...
Fall 2019 Parent Conferences
October 17, 2019
Hello friends! I hope we are enjoying the beautiful fall colors joining us outdoors!! I know my front yard looked beautiful this morning from all the oranges, greens, yellows, and reds all around!
I will be posting a Signup Genius for Late October/Early Novemeber Conference dates and times by the end of this week!! Please keep an eye out. If there is not a date and time that works for you please contact me about a teleconference. I am more than happy to accomodate!
Imoportant Dates!!
- Social Studies test on the NE Region is October 23. Study guides were sent home last Friday.
- Field Trip is NEXT THURSDAY! I appreciate all of the parents who offered to chaperone. I will be sending emails to the parents who were picked in the lottery by the end of Friday, October 18.
Math Links for Review:
Perimeter
Area
Volume
Metric System Intro - More than they need to know
Elapsed Time
Science Links for Review:
Rocks and Minerals Video
A Library of Video on Earth's Layers
Reading Links for Review:
Great Activities to Review Context Clues
Great Activities for Synonyms and Antonyms
October 8, 2019
Homework this week...
- Math can be found on Edmodo. (logins were sent home last week and students were instructed to record thier login in their agendas!)
- Reading was sent home yesterday for the whole week (Monday-Thursday)
We have our first READING comprehension test today! No stody guide for reading.. just read, think, respond!
**Mark your calandars!! Our first field trip of the year will be October 24th to the Natural History Muesum!! Permission slips will be sent home tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9th.
September 30, 2019
I hope you all had a wonderful and restful weekend!
First off, I want to apologize for not getting the homework in a timely mannor today. To help my families that ooften have after school activities and to help myself, I want to start giving HW on Mondays for the whole week. HW will be due on Fridays when if given the whole week.
Looking ahead...
10/2 - Math (Multiplication, Division, and Area) study guides went home last week. Test is WEDNESDAY! There is a high concentration on multi-step word problems!!
10/4- Science (Living Systems) study guides went home last week. Test is FRIDAY!
10/8- Reading Test NEXT week on fiction and nonfiction text. There will be a focus on story elements, character development, conflict and resolution, theme, homophones, and using context clues for support.
THIS WEEK IS FALL BOOK FAIR !!
Last week was Back to School Night ! If you were not able to be there, please see link for our presentation. Click Here
September 17, 2019
Happy Week Four!! Fingers crossed for nicer, cooler weather this week!
This week in....
- Math we are beginning our new unit that focuses on Multiplication and Division with word problems and area.
Box Method How To Video: Click here
Partial Products Method of Multiplication: Click Here
Traditional Method Multiplication- Click Here
Multiplication Word Probs Video-Click here
- Reading we are focused on plot structure of a story or text and reviewing how characters develop throughout the story or text.
- Writing we are working on creative narrative writing with a focus on editing our sentences for incomplete sentences and appropriate nouns.
- Science we are focusing on creating cell models to review the parts of a cell and comparing plant and animal cells. We will then move on to classify animals (vertebrate and invertebrate) and plants (vascular and nonvascular).
- Social Studies we are beginning our unit on the Northeast Region of the United States where will focus on location of states and capitals and the different maps of the region. We will then go on to learn about the physical features such as bodies of water, mountains, climate, etc. found in the region, economic activities found, and past to present history and culture.
UNIT ONE MATH REVIEW AND RETAKES:
- If retaking, the goal is this Friday IF your child is ready!
- IXL and Study Island are a great review for the test; perimeter and addition/subtraction word problem practice. I will also be working with your child in small groups in the classroom!
Back to School Night : Sept 24th 7:15-8:00pm
September 10, 2019
Happy Week Three!! I hope you all had a restful weekend and enjoying the beautiful weather. I would like to reiterate that my primary point of contact is through my email, vilchekl@pwcs.edu. I check it Monday-Friday at 8am, 10:30am, 12pm, and 4:00-5:00pm. I ONLY use DOJO to communicate behaviors.
This week in...
-Math: We spent yesterday reviewing for our MATH TEST, which was today, Sept 10. If students brought in their study guides completed, they received a bonus point. We will also be taking our MATH BENCHMARK split between two days. This test will show us strengths as well as areas in need of review. Friday, we will review Tuesday's test. STUDENTS WILL HAVEMATH HOMEWORK EACH DAY THIS WEEK!!
-Reading: We have been and will continue to focus on making connections, focusing on making connections, making and revising predictions, character developments and an introduction to parts of stories. STUDENTS WILL HAVE READINGHOMEWORK EACH DAY THIS WEEK!!
-Science: We have been focusing on the scientific method and are transitioning to our unit on Living Systems where we will begin our focus on plant and animals cells.
VOCAB- Living Systems- Cells Quizlet
-Social Studies: We have been focusing on map skill, including types of maps, location of continents and oceans, how to use the prime meridian and equator to locate our hemispheres, and parts of a map (i.e. compass rose, legend, etc.). We will be taking a QUIZ on Friday to assess these skills.
September 3, 2019
Happy week two! I hope you all had a nice long weekend.
This week you will begin to see homework coming home each week/night. Students will need to read nightly for at least 20 minutes and then they will usually have a math and/or reading worksheet.
UNIT ONE MATH TEST is NEXT TUESDAY, September 10!! Study guides were sent home today!! Please work through them together in order to set your child up for success!
August 26, 2019
Happy first day of school! I am so excited to begin this journey of fifth grade with all of you.
Reminders...
- If you have agenda money, please mark it with your student's name.
-School papers will be coming home this week that need to be RETURNED as soon as you can.
- You may bring a light snack to eat right after recess during our Social Studies instruction.
- We will begin homework next week!!
- Communication: The best way to reach me is through my school email, vilchekl@pwcs.edu. I usually check around 8am, 10:30am, 12pm, and 3:45 pm. I will do my best to get back to you within 24 hours.
Lets have a rocking year!!