LAST Week in Room 33! May 18-22

I really cannot believe we have made it to the last week of 5th grade! I am going to miss this class SO much!!! We have a lot of fun end-of-year things happening this week- here's what to expect:

Monday- Fun Day and Hat Day! We had SO much fun today! Check out pictures from today HERE! We also reflected on our writing portfolios. Have your student show you all of their hard work tonight! We discussed how much we have learned and progressed as writers. Ask your students what they have noticed in their writing from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. 

Tuesday- Junior Achievement Day! We will have visitors from Panera Bread Co. We will also be celebrating our MAP success in a school-wide Super Hero Celebration! Wear your super hero gear!

Wednesday- 5th Grade Party at Vetta! 

Thursday- 5th Grade Recognition and DARE Graduation Ceremony at 10:30! Also, during "Fly Up" time, 5th graders will get to go out for an extra recess at the end of the day as I meet the new, upcoming 5th graders!

Friday- Last day of school and half day! There will be NO lunch served. We will have our last assembly and our last Home Run Club of the year!

This Week in Room 33! May 11-14This

Here's what is going on this week in 5th grade:

Social Studies- We will be discussing the causes of the American Revolution, including events such as the French & Indian war, Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party.

Writing- This week we are reflecting on our year by writing a letter to next year's 5th grade students. We will also have free choice time to write any genre of writing!

Math- We are learning about the parts of a circle including the radius, diameter, and circumference. We are drawing circles using a compass as we create our circle murals!

Reading- We are wrapping up our author studies- I couldn't be prouder of everyone's hard work and the wonderful presentations they are giving!

Reminders/Upcoming Dates-
5/11-15 LEAP Space Camp
Friday 5/15- No School
Sat. 5/16- Spirit Festival
5/18- Fun Day
5/19- Junior Achievement Day
5/20- 5th Grade Party! 
5/21- 5th Grade Recognition and DARE Graduation Ceremony at 10:30 in the gym- Parents & Families, please join us!!!!
5/22- Half Day and Last Day of School!

This Week in Room 33! May 4-8

It's hard to believe that we are already in the last month of the school year! We are busy in 5th grade- here's what to expect this week:

Social Studies-We are discussing the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies and will soon get into the causes of the American Revolution! We are really focusing on reading a piece of text, understanding it, and pushing our thinking in our discussions.

Writing- We are wrapping up our DARE essays this week! They are due this Friday on the Google drive!

Math- I am SO impressed with the creativity in our classroom! Students will be completing their "Station Creation" projects this week. Students should still be working on ALEKS at home as their homework! Students who complete their 5th grade pie by May 8th will be invited to a "Pie Party" at lunch to celebrate their accomplishment!

Reading- This week we are continuing to discuss favorite authors and work on our author studies. I am loving our rich discussions on these authors and how the writer's experiences have led to their published work. Students should be reading 20 minutes each night!

Reminders/Upcoming Dates-
Thurs. 5/7- Middle School Orientation 
Fri. 5/8- DARE essay due and PIE PARTY!
5/11-15 LEAP Space Camp
5/15- No School
5/16- Spirit Festival
5/18- Fun Day
5/19- Junior Achievement Day
5/20- 5th Grade Party!
5/21- 5th Grade Recognition and DARE Graduation Ceremony at 10:30
5/22- Half Day and Last Day of School!

This Week in Room 33! April 27- May 2

Hooray! We finished MAP testing! We had a FANTASTIC time last Friday celebrating the end of our hard work on the MAP test- I couldn't be prouder!

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade: (FYI- There will be a substitute on Thursday and Friday- my sister is getting married in Atlanta! Please notify the office of any dismissal changes or important messages. Thanks!)

Social Studies- For the remainder of the school year, we will spend our science time working on social studies! We are ready to get back into our study of European settlements and begin to study the 13 English colonies.

Writing- We are beginning to work on our DARE essay. Students are writing opinion essays on why they want to stay drug free. DARE essays are due May 8th on the Google drive. Students should spend about 10 minutes each night writing. They can work on their DARE essays, conduct more research they may want to include in their essays, or free write in their notebooks. Click HERE for more information on the DARE essay!

Math- Students will begin working on a "Station Creation" project! Students are now experts on the 5th grade math curriculum and on math workshop. In partners, students will work on creating a math station for next year's students. They will need to include leveled activities (easy, just right, and challenging) related to their topic, clear directions, "I can" math objectives, and math talk prompts. I cannot wait to see what they create!

Students should be working on ALEKS at home as their nightly homework. Students who complete their 5th grade pie by May 8th will be invited to a "Pie Party" at lunch to celebrate their accomplishment!

Reading- We are working on a "Reading like a Fan" unit! Students will choose a favorite author to complete an author study on! Students should be reading 20 minutes each night!

Reminders/Upcoming Dates-
Fri. 5/1- Home Run Club- bring in a snack and/or drink
Thurs. 5/7- Middle School Orientation
Fri. 5/8- DARE essay due and PIE PARTY!
5/11-15 LEAP Space Camp
5/15- No School
5/16- Spirit Festival
5/18- Fun Day
5/19- Junior Achievement Day
5/20- 5th Grade Party!
5/21- 5th Grade Recognition and DARE Graduation Ceremony
5/22- Half Day and Last Day of School!

This Week in Room 33! April 13-17

MAP testing is here! We are taking the English/Language Arts (ELA) sessions this week, then Math and Science next week! I am SO EXCITED for our class to SHOW OFF everything we know! Please help your child get plenty of rest each night and have a good, healthy breakfast in the mornings! Thank you for all your encouragement and support at home! We are also so thankful for all the wonderful trail mix treats! :)

Our MAP Testing Schedule-

Mon. 4/13- ELA @ 1:00

Tue. 4/14- ELA @ 9:00

Wed. 4/15- ELA @ 1:00

Mon. 4/20- Math @ 9:00

Tue. 4/21- Math @ 1:00

Wed. Early Release (No Testing)

Thurs. 4/23- Science @ 9:00

Fri. 4/24- Science @ 9:00

This Week in Room 33! April 6-10

Parents- please check your email for some special reminders/requests about MAP testing- thank you SO much! :) Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

We will be participating in our 5th grade "MAP Prep. Intense Week"! In the mornings, students will be spending about 30 minutes in each 5th grade classroom to review for the MAP test. We are covering math, math performance tasks, reading, writing performance tasks, and science! Students will be learning from different teachers and having FUN while working HARD!

Our afternoons will be busy as well as we continue to review all previously taught concepts in math and reading. I couldn't be prouder of the amazing THINKING and LEARNING we are doing as we prepare! 

Reminders-

Fri. 4/10 MAP Assembly- ZAP THE MAP! Dress up as a Superhero!

MAP Testing Schedule: Students will need ear buds or headphones!
Mon. 4/13 ELA 
Tue. 4/14 ELA 
Wed. 4/15 Math 
Mon. 4/20 Math 
Tue. 4/21 Science 
Thurs. 4/23 Science 

This Week in Room 33! March 30-April 2

Parents- please check your email for a special message about MAP testing. Thanks! Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade:

Science- We will finish up our study of Newton's Laws of Motion and will also learn about simple machines. We will spend some time this week exploring what the Science MAP test may look like and will practice answering questions on the computer within small groups.

Writing- We have finished our lessons on our research-based argument essay. Published letters will be due either this Thursday or next Monday. This week we are going to take all that we have learned about opinion writing and apply it to a practice writing performance task. This year on the MAP test, 5th graders will be asked to read 3 sources, take notes, and then write an essay using the sources. We will "unpack" this challenging task by breaking it down into steps and guiding students through the process!

Math- We are finishing our chapter on geometry this week. We are finding the volume of prisms, composite figures, and problem solving by making a model. We will not have a formal chapter test. We will also begin to look at what the Math MAP test may look like and will practice answering questions within small groups.

Reading- We are continuing to tackle complex texts and passages as we read, discuss, and answer practice higher level questions on the computer. We are citing evidence from the text to support our answers. Ask your student what terms they may use when including evidence from a text in their answers.

Continue to show students that reading is FUN! With all this test-prep, we are continuing to remind ourselves that reading is enjoyable especially when you have a good book to read just for fun! Students should be reading a good-fit book at home for 20 minutes each night as a way to relax and unwind! Need suggestions???? Check out these AWESOME book reviews from our class below!

Reminders-
Fri. 5/3- No School
MAP Testing Schedule:
Mon. 4/13 ELA 
Tue. 4/14 ELA 
Wed. 4/15 Math 
Mon. 4/20 Math 
Tue. 4/21 Science 
Wed. 4/22 Science 

This Week in Room 33! March 23-27

I hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break! Welcome back! We are super busy in 5th grade! Here's what to expect this week-

Science- We will be learning and discussing Newton's Laws of Motion.

Writing- We are drafting and revising our 2nd argument letter to our principals persuading them to serve or not serve chocolate milk in our school. We are taking our arguments up a notch with more extensive research, including counterclaims and rebuttals, evaluating our evidence, and appealing to the audience. Our goal is to raise more awareness to the issue and present our findings to a panel of important people from our school!

Math- We are working on geometry (chapter 12)! We are classifying polygons, triangles, quadrilaterals, and three-dimensional figures. Students will receive a "Benchmark Test 2" assignment tomorrow (Wednesday) to complete by Friday. These assignments are review for the MAP test and include questions from past concepts and skills. Students should also be working on ALEKS at home (at least 20 min. by Friday).

Reading- We are continuing to analyze, discuss, and answer higher level questions relating to complex passages and texts as we prepare for the MAP test. I am SO proud of our hard work on our Amazon book reviews that will be displayed for this Friday's Concord Family Literature Night!

Reminders-
Fri. 3/27- Concord Family Literature Night!
4/3- No School

This Week in Room 33! March 9-13

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade:

Science- We are continuing our stations on forces and motion and will begin to discuss simple machines. 

Writing- Dr. Stryjewski has returned our argument letters and has a response for us! We will be taking our arguments up a notch this week and bring a critical perspective to our writing. Argument essays will come home on Tuesday to be shared and celebrated with families. Portfolios will be due on Friday!

Math- Our chapter 11 test on measurement is on Wed. Study guides (pgs. 883-886) are due Tue. We will begin chapter 12 on geometry after spring break and will spend some time later this week on order of operations. 

Reading- We are continuing our lessons on what good reading test takers do such as using boxes and bullets to organize main idea and details, using text features to understand nonfiction, answering questions about purpose and main idea by thinking about the whole passage, and paying close attention to step by step directions. "Connect Four to Comprehend More" assignment is due Friday! We will also begin a book review project this week that will be displayed at Concord's Family Literature Night on March 27th!

Reminders-

Fri. 3/13- Half day and Blue Ribbon Assembly- Wear your Blue Ribbon T-shirt!

3/27- Concord's Family Literature Night!

This Week in Room 33! March 2-6

REMINDER- Please send in memory book ad pictures by Friday! Thanks! :)

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade:

Science- I am so impressed with the work our students put into their planet project presentations- way to go! We are wrapping up space and beginning our new chapter on forces and motion (chapter 11) this week!

Writing- This week we are analyzing our evidence and explaining our thinking to make our voice more powerful! We are signing, sealing, and delivering our argument letters to Dr. Stryjewski and look forward to hearing her response! We will then work to take our arguments up a notch and bring a critical perspective to our writing.

Math- We are continuing our study of converting units of measurement. We are converting customary units of capacity, displaying measurement data on a line plot, and converting metric units of length, mass, and capacity.

Reading- We are working hard in reading as we tackle reading test taking strategies such as identifying characters' achievements and motivation by extracting important information from biographies, organizing main idea and details with boxes and bullets, and understanding nonfiction passages by paying attention to text features.

Students are turning in their first "Connect Four to Comprehend More" assignment today (Tuesday) and will turn in their next one by Friday. 

Social Studies- We are continuing to study explorers of European settlements such as Cabot, Verrazano, Cartier, Champlain, and Hudson. We will also discuss the settlements of Roanoke and Jamestown.

Reminders-

3/3- Father/Daughter Dance

Friday 3/6- Half Day
3/12- Conferences- Please see email I am sending today about conferences!

3/13- Half Day & Blue Ribbon Assembly- Wear your Blue Ribbon T-shirt!

3/16-20 Spring Break

This Week in Room 33! Feb. 22-27

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade:

Science- We are wrapping up our space unit with our planet project presentations! We will have a short quiz to wrap up the chapter on Thursday. This will be more informal and students will get to practice taking a quiz on the Google drive. Next up, forces and motion! 

Writing- We are working on using evidence from research to build our arguments, using the opinion writing checklist to set goals, and adding quotations to our writing. 

Math- We are beginning our unit on measurement this week! We are measuring length to the nearest 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch, converting customary units of length, problem solving using logical reasoning, and estimating and converting customary units of weight.

Reading- As we continue to read and discuss The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, we are focusing our discussions on how readers notice common themes across texts by comparing and contrasting people, places, events, and ideas. We are also learning that readers (and reading test takers) pay attention to and infer about the characters by reading between the lines (inferring) and pay attention to which character is telling the story (the narrator).

Students will begin a new assignment called "Connect Four to Comprehend More". We have spent all year discussing how reading is really about thinking and thinking deeply. This assignment will allow students to think deeply about their independent reading and write down their thoughts according to certain prompts. This will be due each Friday. Students may spend their 10 min. of writing homework on this assignment.

Social Studies- We will be studying explorers of European settlements such as Cabot, Verrazano, Cartier, Champlain, and Hudson. We will also begin to discuss the settlements of Roanoke and Jamestown.

Reminders-

Field Trip this Wed. 2/25 to the Science Center! We will return before lunch.

Middle school forms due this Fri. 2/27

2/24- Mother/Son Dance

2/25- Field Trip to Science Center

3/3- Father/Daughter Dance

3/6- Half Day

3/13- Half Day

3/16-20 Spring Break

This Week in Room 33! Feb. 17-20

Thank you SO much for all your trail mix donations- the kids had a FUN day and we really appreciated all the goodies! :) I hope everyone enjoyed their 3-day weekend thanks to President's Day! Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- This week we will be working on our planet mini- research projects. These projects will be due next Tuesday, 2/24. We may start presentations early if some projects are completed beforehand. We will also finish our study on meteors, comets, and asteroids. We will have a short quiz sometime next week to end our space unit! 

Writing- We are beginning our next unit on research-based argument essays! We will investigate to understand an argument, research both sides of an issue, flash draft, and use evidence to build our arguments further.

Math- Our chapter 10 test on multiplying and dividing fractions will be on Friday. We will be problem solving by drawing diagrams and reviewing past lessons to prepare. Students will work on the study guide in class. 

Reading- We are continuing to hold in depth discussions on our reading of historical fiction and of various passages as we work on our test preparation unit. We are becoming alert test takers by predicting the answers and locating them in the text before looking at the answer choices, being aware that often times all the answers SEEM correct, and paying attention to and inferring about the characters by reading between the lines.

Social Studies- We are studying early explorers!

Reminders:

This Thurs. 2/19- Science Night! 6-7:30 
This Fri. 2/20- Spring Pictures!

2/24- Mother/Son Dance

2/25- Field Trip to Science Center

3/3- Father/Daughter Dance

3/6- Half Day

3/13- Half Day

3/16-20 Spring Break

This Week in Room 33! Feb. 9-13

Friday, February 13 will be our Valentine's Day celebration! We will be having Jump Rope for Heart from 11:15-12:15. Following Jump Rope, we will have our class Valentine exchange and then lunch. After lunch we will share a friendship trail mix and watch a movie.

If you would like your child to exchange Valentines, please see the class list below. We have 22 students.

If you would like to donate a small snack for the friendship trail mix, we would greatly appreciate it. As a reminder, we do have a tree nut allergy in the room and a dairy allergy- we would appreciate labels visible somewhere for these students to check! 

​​

Thank you so much!

Chris, CiCi, Jackson, Carrigan, Joey, Willie, Julia, Lainie, Adam, Emma, Jaiden, Jake, Blake, Sophie, Makenzi, Marissa, Grace, Aidan, Ava, Abbi, Tanish, Tommy

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We are finishing up our last lesson in our space unit on asteroids, meteors, comets, and moons while also working on our planet mini-research projects! Click on THIS LINK to see more about this project (this is also shared with students on their Google drive account and is glued in their science notebooks). They are working on this in class and will present sometime next week. We are also completing our PRISM investigation on force. 

*Reminder- For those who are working on PRISM, projects are due NEXT Tue., Feb. 17th! 
Science Night is Thurs. Feb. 19th- EVERYONE is welcome! Please see the below link to sign up your 5th grader to volunteer- we still have some empty time slots! Thank you to those that will be helping out!

Calling all 5th Graders! Concord needs YOU! 

Is your 5th grader looking for service hours? We need 5th grade volunteers to help out at Concord's Science Night on Feb. 19th from 5:45-6:45 and 6:45-7:45. Check out the sign-up genius below to sign up for a time slot. 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044fa5a829a46-5thgrade

Writing- We are finishing up our memoir unit this week and will be celebrating on Wednesday (memoirs are due on Wed. for the celebration). Writing portfolios will go home on Wed. and will be due back on Friday. Please celebrate the 2 memoirs your student has produced at home! I am so proud of their hard work! Next up, persuasive argument essays!

Math- We are busy working on multiplying and dividing fractions this week! Students are not just learning the steps, they are learning how to show visually with models in order to truly understand the algorithm. I couldn't be prouder of the math discussions we have each day! See the below video we watched in class to really understand fraction multiplication! Our test on chapter 10 will be next Friday, Feb. 20th. 

Reading- We are continuing to discuss historical fiction in literature circles and during our read aloud on The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Ask your student how they feel about this book- our discussions each day continue to amaze me!

We are also discussing strategies that will help us with test-taking such as determining if a question is about the whole text or just a detail from the text, predicting answers before finding them, and being aware that test takers try to trick us by making all the answers SEEM correct! The BEST way to become better readers is by simply reading, thinking, and discussing- I love doing all these things with your 5th graders everyday!

Reminders-
Early Release is Wed!
Friday- Jump Rope for Heart & Valentine's Day
Mon. 2/16- No School
2/19- Science Night
2/24- Mother/Son Dance

This Week in Room 33! Feb. 2-6

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We are continuing our unit on Earth and Space. We will be wrapping up our study on the inner and outer planets with a mini-research project students will work on during stations starting later this week. We will also continue working on our class PRISM project.

*Reminder- For those who are working on PRISM, projects are due Tue., Feb. 17th! 
Science Night is Thurs. Feb. 19th- EVERYONE is welcome! Please see the below link to sign up your 5th grader to volunteer! 

Calling all 5th Graders! Concord needs YOU! 

Is your 5th grader looking for service hours? We need 5th grade volunteers to help out at Concord's Science Night on Feb. 19th from 5:45-6:45 and 6:45-7:45. Check out the sign-up genius below to sign up for a time slot. 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044fa5a829a46-5thgrade

Writing- We will be busy this week revising, adding metaphors to convey our big ideas, and editing our memoirs by varying our sentences. We will be publishing on the Google drive and celebrating next Wednesday!

Math- Our chapter 9 test is tomorrow (Tuesday) on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. On Wednesday, we will start our next chapter on multiplying and dividing fractions!

Reading- We are continuing to learn more about reading historical fiction through our read aloud of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and within our literature circle groups. In order to participate in literature circle discussions and activities, students must have their assigned reading complete. We will also begin a new reading unit on test preparation. We are also continuing to stress the importance of reading to self without any distractions! Independent reading is SO important and a fantastic opportunity for students to apply what they are learning in lessons to their own reading.

Social Studies- We are studying the Spanish conquistadors and New Spain.

Reminders/Important Dates-
Wed. 2/4 Counselor's Day
Wed. 2/11 Early Release
Fri. 2/13 Jump Rope for Heart
Mon. 2/16 No School
Thurs. 2/19 Science Night

This Week in Room 33! Jan. 26-30

Don't forget- our field trip to the Sheldon Theater for a performance on the history of jazz is tomorrow (Tuesday!) Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We will continue our study on the inner and outer planets.

Writing- I am so proud of our memoir work! Our 1st memoirs will be going home on Tuesday to be shared with families and portfolios will be due on Thursday. 

This week we are beginning our 2nd memoir piece! We are challenging ourselves to look deeply within for a new perspective to focus our next piece on. We will be flash drafting, revising the expository portions of our memoir, and reconsidering the finer points (focusing in on important and revealing details). 

Below are some thought prompts we are using to study ourselves as we might study characters in a book. These thoughts can lead to new memoir ideas. I would encourage families to use these prompts to spark discussions at home! 

Thought Prompts to Help Us Better Understand Ourselves

• Some people think I'm... But really I'm...
• Early on, (I had this problem). Later, (I changed).
• My ideas about myself are complicated. On the one hand, I think... On the other hand, I think...
• Experiences/relationships/struggles can teach us...
• When ______ first happened to me, I thought it was about... But now I realize it was really about...

Math- This week we are adding/subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, problem solving, estimating sums/differences, adding/subtracting mixed numbers, and subtracting mixed numbers with renaming. We will be reviewing chapter 9 on Friday and Monday. Our chapter 9 test will be on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd! 

Reading- We are busy readers as we are beginning our historical fiction literature circle meetings this week! Lit. circles will meet on Tuesdays and Fridays. Students are responsible for reading their assigned chapters by the meeting so they can participate in group discussions and higher level thinking about their text. We are also reading aloud The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and learning how historical fiction readers think, connect, and relate the characters' experiences to the true historical event. 

Social Studies- This week we are discussing Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, and Spanish explorers such as Cortez, Ponce de Leon, Coronado, and deSoto.

Reminders-

1/27 Field Trip to Sheldon

1/30 Concord Family BINGO

This Week in Room 33! Jan. 20-23

I hope everyone enjoyed their 3-day weekend! Looking forward to seeing everyone! Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We will be studying the inner and outer planets this week. Students will begin a mini-research project/presentation on a planet during stations. 

Writing- Students will be revising, editing, and celebrating their 1st memoir this week! Completed memoirs will be due Friday for our celebration. 

Math- Our chapter 8 "quiz" (since this is a shorter chapter we are calling it a quiz rather than a test) is on Tuesday. Our next chapter will be on adding and subtracting fractions. 

Reading- We will begin our historical fiction literature circles this week. We will also continue to study memoirs in addition to historical fiction by paying close attention to external and internal story lines and using thought prompts to better understand the characters.

Social Studies- We will finish up our study on Martin Luther King Jr. and continue to discuss and research our historical events of our literature circle books. 

Other Reminders-

1/27- Field Trip to Sheldon

1/30- Concord Family Trivia Night

This Week in Room 33- Jan. 12-16

I hope everyone is adjusting well to the new year! We are full steam ahead in 5th grade! Here's what to expect this week-

Science- We are continuing our study on Earth and Space. We are learning that the reason for the seasons isn't about the Earth's distance from the sun, but rather Earth's tilt! Ask your student to explain the difference between our hemisphere receiving direct or indirect sunlight. This week we will also learn about stars.

PRISM REMINDER- If your student is completing the PRISM project, please refer to THIS BLOG POST. Students should turn in their green PRISM proposal sheet to me and the pink PRISM sheet. The PRISM booklet this year is online- CLICK HERE!

Writing- We are continuing our study of memoirs by finding and growing ideas, pushing our thinking, and adding depth to our writing by asking ourselves "What is the deeper theme or message we want to convey?" We are also studying and planning our structures and will draft our first piece!

Math- We are wrapping up chapter 8 on fractions and decimals this week! Our test on chapter 8 will be next Tuesday, Jan. 20. The study guide (pgs. 601-602 #1-8ALL #9-27 ODDS) will be due Friday for our review day!

Reading- We are continuing to study memoirs in reading and will also begin to explore historical fiction in literature circles (book clubs)! 

Social Studies- We will spend some time discussing Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact and influence on our lives today.

Reminders:

Tomorrow (Wed.) is Early Release!

Mon. 1/19- No School!

Tue. 1/27- Field Trip to Sheldon

This Week in Room 33! Jan. 5-9

Welcome back! Thank you SO much for a fantastic winter party and for all the sweet and thoughtful gifts. I felt so spoiled and appreciated! :) :) I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break and that you are all relaxed and ready for the 2nd half of 5th grade! Here's what is going on this week-

Science- We are starting a new unit on Earth and Space (chapter 9)! Our first lesson focuses on how Earth moves. REMINDER- If your student is interested in completing a PRISM investigation project, he/she should be following the suggested timeline- SEE THIS BLOG POST!

Writing- We are beginning an exciting and challenging unit on memoirs! A memoir is a hybrid kind of writing, including elements of both personal narrative and personal essay. We are raising the level of our craft by adding in more reflection, opinions, and thoughts. We will then be supporting our thoughts with evidence in the form of personal stories! As a reminder, students should be spending 10 minutes each night writing- they can write in their writer's notebook or they can write an email to me or on their Google drive!

Math- We are now in Volume 2 of our math series and starting chapter 8 on fractions and decimals. Students should NOT throw away Volume 1 because we will need to return to chapter 7 at a later time. This week our focus is on relating fractions and division, greatest common factor, simplest form, problem solving, and least common multiple. Please practice those basic multiplication facts with your student- it is SO important to know them quickly in order to efficiently perform these new skills. Thank you for all your hard work at home!

Reading- We are studying memoirs in reading to connect with our writing unit! We are excited to work with small guided reading groups this week and will begin literature circles next week!

Social Studies- We will be studying the Renaissance and new inventions in Europe. This will lead us to discussions about famous sailors/explorers such as Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco de Gama, and Christopher Columbus.

Reminders/Upcoming Dates:
Wed. 1/14- Early Release
Mon. 1/19 No School
Tue. 1/27- Field Trip to Sheldon Theater

Last Week of 2014! Dec. 15-19

How can you not read that and break into song? :) I am so excited for our 5th graders to go caroling this Wednesday! I also cannot believe we have made it to our last week of 2014! I am so very grateful for the time I have had with your students and am looking forward to seeing everyone in 2015! Happy Holidays to YOU and your families!

Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade-

Science- We have completed chapter 3 on classifying living things. We will review in class on Tuesday and our test will be on Thursday. Students should use their textbook to study.

Writing- Students have been working so hard on their research reports! I cannot wait to celebrate their finished products on Wednesday! Their completed research report is due Wed. Students should use their Informational Writing Checklist (see below) to help evaluate their work. Writing portfolios will go home on Wednesday so they can share their writing with you! These portfolios will be due on Friday (please sign the green sheet and check over their self-evaluation checklist- same as below).



Math- Our chapter 6 test on multiplying and dividing decimals will be tomorrow (Tuesday). Students can study using their textbook (there are MANY practice problems in the book throughout each lesson) or online textbook. Check out the video below on dividing decimals by decimals (decimals in the dividend AND divisor). SWOOP, THERE IT IS! :)


Reading- We will spend time this week with our read aloud- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and continue to focus on how reader's can have deep discussions about fiction. We will also discuss our reading goals for winter break- what will your student be reading over break? Share this article with family over break (I shared this with you on last week's update!)
Science Shows Something Surprising About People Who Still Read Fiction

Social Studies- We have a very busy week ahead and will try our very best to squeeze in some social studies! We are studying the Renaissance and new inventions that helped find sea routes to Asia. This will lead us to discussions about famous sailors/explorers such as Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco de Gama, and Christopher Columbus.

Reminders:
Wed. 12/17- Caroling Field Trip- Please wear Leader in Me shirts and holiday hats.  We will leave school at 9:15 and go to Delmar Gardens at Meramec Valley at 9:30 a.m.  We'll perform and visit with their residents.  Board busses at 10:30 and head to Friendship Village.  We will perform there at 11:00 and visit with their residents and return to school by noon.
Fri. 12/19 Half Day and Winter Party!