Check Out These Research Reports!

I couldn't be prouder of our historical research reports! Check them out with the link below!
Our Historical Research Reports

Spreading Holiday Cheer, Writing Celebration, and Buddy Time!

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!

Thinking Ahead to PRISM

Parents,

I just wanted to send a quick update about PRISM. This year it will NOT be mandatory for 5th graders to complete the PRISM project. I handed out 3 green sheets to the students today (kept in their science tab of binder) with more information on how PRISM is completed in 5th grade. 

IF students choose to complete a project, there is a suggested timeline, a sheet with possible investigation/websites, and a proposal sheet. I would highly encourage your student to use these tools if they would like to participate. 

The first step is choosing a testable question that they want to investigate (it must be measurable!) If your student is interested, I would encourage them to complete the proposal sheet and turn in to me next week so I can go over it with them and make sure they are on the right track. 

Thank you for all your help and encouragement at home. I highly suggest participating because it is a FANTASTIC way to get hands-on practice with the scientific method and performing investigations (a BIG part of the 5th grade curriculum and state-wide testing). If you have any questions, please let me know! 

Here is a link to the suggested timeline- PRISM 5th Grade Suggested Timeline

To My Harry Potter Fans...

Check this link/video out!

J.K. Rowling Will Share 12 New Harry Potter Stories Leading Up To Christmas

This Week in Room 33! Dec. 8-12

As we continue to learn and work hard these last 2 weeks of school before break, we have also been discussing random acts of kindness! Ask your student what their thoughts are on the following video (we watched this in class last week). Enjoy!

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

Science- We are continuing to study how scientists classify organisms. We will wrap up lesson 2 on animals and begin lesson 3 on classifying plants! Looking ahead, our chapter 3 test will be on Thursday, Dec. 18th.

Writing- We are ready to wrap up our research reports! I am SO proud of all the hard work we have put into these reports so far and am already looking forward to our celebration! We will be revising, editing, and publishing on the google drive this week. Our final research report will be due Wed. Dec. 17th for our celebration. Don't forget, students should be spending 10 minutes each night on writing. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to share their work with you! 

Math- We are finishing up our chapter on multiplying and dividing decimals. Our lessons this week cover dividing decimals by decimals with hands on models, learning the algorithm of dividing decimals, and dividing decimals by powers of 10. Our chapter 6 test will be on Tue. Dec. 16th.

Reading- This week we will focus on tackling complex texts in the company of friends. We will work on some passages and higher level thinking questions in small groups and present our thinking to the class. We will also begin a shortened version of literature circles with historical fiction picture books. We will notice how physical details create an emotional atmosphere, support one another in our book clubs by listening and building on each other's comments, and keep track of important details by creating a mental bulletin board.

Check out the following article that we read and discussed in class last week- please discuss with your child! VERY interesting! Science Shows Something Surprising About People Who Still Read Fiction

Social Studies- We will continue to discuss and learn about topics such as Marco Polo, the Silk Road, African trading companies, European ideas and technology in the 1400s and their contributions to overseas exploration.

Reminders:
Wed is Early Release!
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.
12/19 Half Day and Winter Party!

Text Features in our Writing!

Check out our shared google doc we used today! We worked in small groups to discuss how other author's use text features to enhance the reader's experience!

Studying Nonfiction Text Features in Mentor Texts

This Week in Room 33! Dec. 1-5

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break and their extra day off! Here's what to expect this week in 5th grade:

Science- We will be studying how to classify animals (Lesson 2 of Chapter 3 in our textbook). We will participate in science stations which include our online textbook. Be sure to check out the links in our science page!

Writing- This week we will continue drafting and revising our research report on a historical event. We will focus on creating cohesion within our paper, using text features, crafting introductions and conclusions, utilizing quotes, and citing our sources. Students should be working on their papers for about 10 minutes each night. I am so proud of our hardworking researchers and writers! 

Math- We will continue chapter 6 (multiplying and dividing decimals) and focus on problem solving using patterns, multiplication properties, estimating quotients, and dividing decimals using hands on models. 

Reading- This week we will continue our study of nonfiction books, articles, and documents. We will notice how nonfiction authors make you feel by what they show and what they leave out, determine reliability from global sources on the Internet, and teach others what we learn by organizing what we know and elaborating on others comments to enhance our new knowledge. 

Social Studies- We are ready to dive into our study on the age of exploration with topics such as Marco Polo, the Silk Road, and African trading kingdoms, and new ideas in Europe. 

Reminders/Upcoming Events-

The Book Fair is this week! We will preview on Tuesday and our "buy day" will be on Friday. 

Friday- Wacky Hair Day- Donate $1 for Adopt-a-Family!

Sat.- Concord Winter Festival from 9-12

12/10- Early Release