It's hard to believe that we are into February already! We will be having a busy month. There are a few things you will want to put on your calendar or make note of.
First, your student needs to continue to read daily at home. You should have seen a blue paper come home last week where you can keep track of your child's reading minutes in order to receive a free kite. We're really grateful for the support from the community in encouraging your child to read at home!
The next item you will want to be aware of is our Direct Writing Assessment. The test will be given during the last week of February. Please make sure your child is here if at all possible! We have been working hard in class on preparing for it. Ask your child to explain the 4-square writing method. It really makes organizing a persuasive paper much easier! It's one of those things that I wish my teachers had taught me when I was in school!
Finally, I am already having students asking about Valentine's Day in fifth grade. I try to keep the holiday really low-key. We will be doing Valentine themed math, but other than that it will be school as usual, until the last part of the day. At that time, the students can pass out valentines and any treats they wish to share. We will just kick back, relax, and enjoy each other's company during the last half hour. The one request I have is that if your child brings one valentine, he brings enough for everybody. We have twenty six students and three aides. Your student will be asked to alphabetize everyone in the classroom. This assignment can be used as the class list.
Math--We are ready to begin adding and subtracting fractions! Please have your child explain the process of solving these types of fractions to you each night. That one simple thing will really help cement the process for your child.
Reading- We are continuing to work on our guided reading groups. From eleven thirty until twelve, we are also enjoying working through some reading magazines from Scholastic. These magazines are geared toward fifth and sixth grade students, and include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and a reader's theater selection. The kids really enjoyed last week's issue.
Science-The students will be working in small groups to make electrical circuits this week. It is always a blast to see their excitement as they put together a circuit and see the lightbulb glow. We will be experimenting with switches and adding more than one battery and lightbulb.
Social Studies-The students have learned about the War of 1812, all about our national anthem, and about the Battle of New Orleans. This week we will be learning about the Trail of Tears, and we will begin to learn about the Texas Revolution.
Writing-We are continuing to work on writing persuasive letters. The students will need to type their writing for the Direct Writing Assessment, so any chance you can give your student to practice typing would be of great benefit!
Thank you so much for all of your support!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wrapping Up January
Math-We are finishing up our unit on basic fractions and decimals. Our topic test will be either Thursday or Friday, depending on how confident the kids are feeling. Next week we will begin our unit on adding and subtracting fractions.
Reading- Our guided reading groups are continuing to run smoothly. Two of the groups are almost finished and will be getting started on another novel! Please make sure your child is reading at home each night.
Spelling-Our spelling list this week is focusing on the rules for changing singular nouns to their plural form. We are focusing on when to use "es" vs. "s", and when you change the "y" to "i" and add "es", and when you just add an "s." (It comes down to phonics rules--you change the "Y" if a consonant comes before it, you simply add an "s" if it is a vowel+y at the end.)
Social Studies- We have learned an awful lot about Lewis and Clark, and are now learning about The War of 1812. Westward Expansion is such a fun unit!
Science-We are really focusing on the vocabulary for current electricity this week. We will be doing some great activities with circuits next week!
Writing- Most of the students are doing well with the organization and ideas in their writing. At the beginning of the year, many struggled with getting ideas down on paper. We are now going to be working on punctuation and spelling in our writing. These are proving to be two areas that many of the students are really struggling with. Please help your child proofread his/her writing. Also, be looking for a few editing/proofreading assignments to come home as homework next week.
Reading- Our guided reading groups are continuing to run smoothly. Two of the groups are almost finished and will be getting started on another novel! Please make sure your child is reading at home each night.
Spelling-Our spelling list this week is focusing on the rules for changing singular nouns to their plural form. We are focusing on when to use "es" vs. "s", and when you change the "y" to "i" and add "es", and when you just add an "s." (It comes down to phonics rules--you change the "Y" if a consonant comes before it, you simply add an "s" if it is a vowel+y at the end.)
Social Studies- We have learned an awful lot about Lewis and Clark, and are now learning about The War of 1812. Westward Expansion is such a fun unit!
Science-We are really focusing on the vocabulary for current electricity this week. We will be doing some great activities with circuits next week!
Writing- Most of the students are doing well with the organization and ideas in their writing. At the beginning of the year, many struggled with getting ideas down on paper. We are now going to be working on punctuation and spelling in our writing. These are proving to be two areas that many of the students are really struggling with. Please help your child proofread his/her writing. Also, be looking for a few editing/proofreading assignments to come home as homework next week.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Officially Half-Way
As of Friday afternoon, we are officially half way through the school year. We have covered a lot of material, and, I hope, have succeeded in creating an environment that is comfortable for both you and your child. We will continue to work hard and cover the fifth grade core curriculum, but will also be readying your student for the transition to middle school. Please look for progress reports to come home on Wednesdays from this point on. Encourage your child to keep up on assignments as late assignments will now be worth half credit. Developing and strengthening a sense of accountability and initiative will go a long way in helping your student be successful in the middle school environment! I want to do everything possible to have them ready academically, socially, and emotionally.
Math--We will be continuing our unit on fractions. Our focus this week will be on the relationship between decimals and fractions, and on reducing fractions to their simplest form.
Reading--We will continue our guided reading groups. One of the strategies we will focus on this week is how good descriptions will help the reader create a mental picture. We will be drawing a setting from our guided reading book, as well as using good descriptions in our writing.
Spelling-- Our list this week has to do with words ending in "ible" and "able." One rule of thumb to go by is that words that end in "able" have a root word that can stand alone. Ex: understandable
Words that end in "ible" do not have a stand-alone root. Ex: terrible
Social Studies-- We ended last week by learning about the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Ask your student about it--they have lots of interesting facts to share. Later this week we will begin studying The War of 1812.
Science-- Electricity is exciting! Now that we have learned about static electricity, it is time to move on to current electricity and electrical circuits.
Book Orders--I sent book orders home last week. They are due Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Remember that you can post-date your check for the 29th, if needed! You may order online using your credit/debit card, or you can send the order form and check with your student. There are several amazing books in the History book order that correspond to our Social Studies curriculum. I read Chains, by Laurie Anderson, over Christmas vacation. It is one of the best books I have read in many years. I will be ordering one for the classroom, but it is one I highly recommend!
Thank you once again for your support! Your students are amazing young people, and I look forward to working with them each day. I also regularly receive comments from other adults in the school about what a fun and well behaved group of students they are. Give your student a pat on the back, and give yourself one as well!
Math--We will be continuing our unit on fractions. Our focus this week will be on the relationship between decimals and fractions, and on reducing fractions to their simplest form.
Reading--We will continue our guided reading groups. One of the strategies we will focus on this week is how good descriptions will help the reader create a mental picture. We will be drawing a setting from our guided reading book, as well as using good descriptions in our writing.
Spelling-- Our list this week has to do with words ending in "ible" and "able." One rule of thumb to go by is that words that end in "able" have a root word that can stand alone. Ex: understandable
Words that end in "ible" do not have a stand-alone root. Ex: terrible
Social Studies-- We ended last week by learning about the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Ask your student about it--they have lots of interesting facts to share. Later this week we will begin studying The War of 1812.
Science-- Electricity is exciting! Now that we have learned about static electricity, it is time to move on to current electricity and electrical circuits.
Book Orders--I sent book orders home last week. They are due Wednesday, January 19, 2011. Remember that you can post-date your check for the 29th, if needed! You may order online using your credit/debit card, or you can send the order form and check with your student. There are several amazing books in the History book order that correspond to our Social Studies curriculum. I read Chains, by Laurie Anderson, over Christmas vacation. It is one of the best books I have read in many years. I will be ordering one for the classroom, but it is one I highly recommend!
Thank you once again for your support! Your students are amazing young people, and I look forward to working with them each day. I also regularly receive comments from other adults in the school about what a fun and well behaved group of students they are. Give your student a pat on the back, and give yourself one as well!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 10, 2011
I hope your holidays were filled with fun and relaxation. It is now time for the "long haul" until Spring Break. We will be working really hard and covering a lot of new material in the next months.
Math--We are beginning our units on fractions. The first unit will mostly work on basic fractions and vocabulary. Our second fraction unit will deal with working with fractions as we add and subtract. Your child's confidence and success will go up dramatically once those basic multiplication facts are mastered!
Spelling--Our spelling rule for this week is: To make the soft sound of C and G, they must be followed by I or E. Please practice!
Reading--We are getting back into literature groups and rolling forward. Also, during this week and next, the students will be evaluated with the DIBELS timings. If your child does not meet the benchmark score, you will get a letter informing you of that. I will also send home a list of suggestions for extra practice if your child does not meet the benchmark.
Social Studies--Our test on the US Government will be on Tuesday, January 11. We will then move into the unit on Westward Expansion. It is filled with stories of amazing courage, and several different conflicts.
Science--Science is electrifying! Especially when you're learning about static and current electricity! We will be doing several hands on experiments while we learn about static electricity and electrical circuits.
Book Orders-- I will be sending home more book orders this week. Look for them to come home with your child on Wednesday. Remember that you can order online with a credit or debit card, as well as sending in a check or money order with your child. Your check can be postdated for 10 days after the book orders need to be turned in. The orders will be due on January 19th.
Math--We are beginning our units on fractions. The first unit will mostly work on basic fractions and vocabulary. Our second fraction unit will deal with working with fractions as we add and subtract. Your child's confidence and success will go up dramatically once those basic multiplication facts are mastered!
Spelling--Our spelling rule for this week is: To make the soft sound of C and G, they must be followed by I or E. Please practice!
Reading--We are getting back into literature groups and rolling forward. Also, during this week and next, the students will be evaluated with the DIBELS timings. If your child does not meet the benchmark score, you will get a letter informing you of that. I will also send home a list of suggestions for extra practice if your child does not meet the benchmark.
Social Studies--Our test on the US Government will be on Tuesday, January 11. We will then move into the unit on Westward Expansion. It is filled with stories of amazing courage, and several different conflicts.
Science--Science is electrifying! Especially when you're learning about static and current electricity! We will be doing several hands on experiments while we learn about static electricity and electrical circuits.
Book Orders-- I will be sending home more book orders this week. Look for them to come home with your child on Wednesday. Remember that you can order online with a credit or debit card, as well as sending in a check or money order with your child. Your check can be postdated for 10 days after the book orders need to be turned in. The orders will be due on January 19th.
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