Welcome to Mr. Tompkins' Class

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Thanks for your participation - we were amazed by all the entries and fantastic websites that we got to review, and if you didn't end up in the Top 5, know that it's because there are so many stellar educators out there using our products to reach their students and families that it was almost impossible for us to choose.

Thanks again,
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Remembering our Past, Honoring our Future14 Cows for America <div align="center"><img src="14-Cows-for-America.jpg" alt="14-Cows-for-America.jpg" border="0" /></div>Mrs. Sylvester shared this amazing&nbsp; picture book with me that I will be read to my students.&nbsp; While this book was written because of the events of 9/11, it is so much more than that - it's about compassion, hope, and friendship.&nbsp; We will use this picture book to not only remember our past, but in connection with our study of story elements.&nbsp; It really is a wonderful text, and I am so excited to share it with your children. If you are interested, I have attached two links below.&nbsp; One is the New York Times Sunday Book Review and the other is a You-Tube video that shows some of the spectacular pictures from the book. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/books/review/Kristof-t.html?nl=books&amp;emc=booksupdateemb2">New York Times Sunday Book Review</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/x_GG8GKAqlo&amp;hl">You-Tube Video</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/x_GG8GKAqlo&amp;hl"> </a> <img src="14-Cows-for-America-I.jpg" alt="14-Cows-for-America-I.jpg" border="0" height="108" width="294" /> 
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Where in the World? Map Activity In social studies this week, we completed a Where in the World? map activity!&nbsp; Students were only given a large white piece of paper, green construction paper, glue sticks, and a pencil/marker.&nbsp; They were asked to work with 2 or 3 partners to create the world map as they see it - without an atlas, map, or globe.&nbsp; Take a look at your children in action by clicking on the link below. <a href="http://teacherweb.com/MA/LexingtonPublicSchools/HastingsTompkins/apt23.aspx">Where in the World.......Pictures</a> 
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A Warm Welcome!

Learning is an ongoing
process!<o:p></o:p>

<div align="left">Dear
Parents, <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p></div>

First,
I would like to extend a warm welcome to you as you "enter" your child&#8217;s fifth
grade classroom.&nbsp; It has been a
pleasure getting to know your children over the past several weeks and I look
forward to a wonderful year.&nbsp; We,
together, will take part in building a bridge from the elementary school years
to Diamond/Clarke Middle School.&nbsp;
Throughout the year, your children will be encouraged to reach their
full potential in all academic and social areas of the curriculum.&nbsp; They will encounter a variety of
learning experiences that will take them out of their comfort zones &#8211; to reach
deeper and look at the familiar in a different light &#8211; and will challenge them
to grow as students and individuals.&nbsp;
Respect and responsibility will be two themes that will be reinforced
and integrated into everything we do as a class and will benefit our children
as they advance to middle school and beyond.<o:p></o:p>