October

The year is just flying by!  A big thank you to all of the parents who came to SEP conferences!  It makes such a difference when your student knows you care about education.

Math  
  We have finished Topics 1,2, and 3, and are now working on division.  Many of the students have a high anxiety level about division.  I am working hard to make it non-threatening and fun.  Please make sure your student is feeling comfortable with the homework assignment.  If your child is having a lot of anxiety or difficulty, please write a note on the homework paper, so that I am aware!

Reading 
   Workshop time is going really well!  Several students are getting ready to begin their second novels.  Reading progress is being made by each and every one of the 5th graders in room 18.  Give your child a pat on the back.
   Please remember to ask to see your child's planner each night!!!!

Spelling
   The first week of October will be our Halloween Themed spelling list.  We will be doing a lot of writing in October, so it will be especially useful to know how to spell these!  The second week in October will be a regular list.  The general list will focus on when able/ible words.  (You use able at the end of a word when there is a base word that can stand alone).  There will be no spelling list the week of the 19th since it is a three day week. When we return from vacation, we will have a week of reviewing all of the spelling patterns we have covered so far.

Writing
   Chapter 2 in our Time Travel chapter books is underway!  We will be spending time in class working on the rough draft, editing, and revising.  Please feel free to help your child with the typing, if he or she would prefer to have it typed.  My goal is to have this be a fun way to integrate social studies and writing, for the kids to use their imaginations, and share what they have learned.
     Quotation marks and dialogue will be one of our main topics this month, as will word choice.  We will  be doing some fun activities to help the kids learn these good author's skills and encourage their use in their writing.
    Poetry is often intimidating for 5th graders, but we are starting to spend some time writing poetry, as well.  After our amazing field trip, we brainstormed about autumn on the mountain, and wrote three different kinds of poetry.  The kids then picked their favorite, and created some landscape art, and glued their poem onto it.  They are looking amazing!  I will be laminating these and putting them up in the hall.  You should stop by and check out these projects.  I've got a batch of really gifted students this year!

Science

Our field trip was a huge success!  As we end  our unit on geology, we will move on to Matter.  It is a really fun unit.  We will be learning about the three phases of matter, chemical changes, physical changes, elements, atoms, and all kinds of fun things.

Social Studies
   We have finished with our first major unit in Social Studies, as well.  Most of the kids loved learning about the different explorers and did very well on the end of unit test.  We will be learning about the events leading up to the American Revolution and the Revolution itself in our next unit.  I am thrilled that most of the students are really enjoying learning about US history this year.  It is such fun to teach them!

Reminders of Important Events

* Maturation Program will be held November 11th at 2:00.  Please make sure there is a responsible adult with your child if at all possible!

*No school October 20th-24th.  The last day of class will be Wed. the 19th.  We will return to class on Tuesday, the 25th.  Have a great vacation with your family, and be safe!

Thanks so much for all of your support!

Mrs. Bunker