Important information:
Valentine's Day - Next Monday is Valentine's day. I try to keep it pretty low key in the classroom. We will have some Valentine-themed math, and in the afternoon we will set aside some time to pass out cards and treats. If your child brings one valentine, please make sure he/she brings enough for all. We currently have 26 students. Your child will bring home an alphabetized list of names this week.
Direct Writing Assessment- The Direct Writing Assessment will be the last full week of February. Please make sure that your child is here if at all possible that week!
Math- Your students are doing amazingly well as they navigate adding and subtracting fractions! I am very pleased with their progress. Give your child a pat on the back for the extra effort I have seen from every single child during this unit!
Reading- We are continuing our guided reading groups, our classroom Harcourt story and comprehension activities, and we are currently working on reading non-fiction text.
Spelling- Our spelling words this week continue to focus on prefixes and suffixes. Being able to correctly spell and identify the meanings of these prefixes and suffixes really helps the students navigate through the higher level text they will be experiencing from this point forward in their schooling.
*Also, please look for a note to come home this week regarding the spelling bee information. We are so lucky to have a PTA willing to go through the extra effort required to ensure our students have this opportunity!
Social Studies- Our Westward Movement unit continues to move forward. Your student can now tell you about the Trail of Tears and the Texas Revolution. We will be focusing in the next two weeks on the California Gold Rush, and on the great migration west in wagon trains. There will be an at-home project that goes along with the wagon train section. Your student should be able to complete the project with little to no help. I will post more information on the project next week.
Science- Our electricity unit has been completed, and most of the students did extremely well on the end of unit test. We are currently beginning our last unit for fifth grade science. It is on heredity. We will be focusing on inherited traits, as well as adaptations that allow organisms to survive in specific environments.
Science Fair- One of the ILOs (Intended Learning Outcomes) for fifth grade science is that the students will be able to come up with a question, then be able to design and perform an experiment to answer that question, using the scientific method. Because this is one of the key things the state expects fifth graders to be able to do, your child will be participating in the science fair this year. Boards will be available to purchase at the school office for a nominal fee. Please look for the science fair packet to come home this week. The date of the science fair is currently set for March 18th. This is one week prior to the end of third quarter. I am so excited to see what the students decide to do! The science fair really does turn out to be one of the most fun days of fifth grade.
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