Headlines 12/12

The Headlines

 

It has been a super-productive week in 5B.  I know it was a very test heavy week, but the kids did remarkably well and I could tell there was a lot of studying that happened!

 

Math:  We reviewed and tested over Unit 4 this week and most of the students did well.  I will be sending the tests home next week and corrections will be due the following day.  We began Unit 5 on measurement and will continue that next week, looking at multi-shaped figures.

 

Literature:  We finished The Hobbit, and loved it!  Next week we will complete a final writing assignment in which the students will complete a story map, summary, and illustration for their favorite chapter.

 

 Writing:  This week we focused on prepositions used as adverbs and adjectives and reviewed our sentence diagramming.  This review will continue next week and we will take a grammar test next Wednesday.  I will hold a tutoring session for Grammar on Monday from 2:45-3:20, so please make sure your child attends if they are struggling in this area. 

 

Science: We completed our Mitosis unit this week and I am sure you all heard about our bone dissection!  Although it was a stinky activity, it was a pretty cool introduction to our unit on bones.  Next week we will begin looking at the bones of the upper body.

 

History:  We took the final test over The Reformation and started our first unit studying the 50 states.  We will be looking at The Northeast region.

 

 

 

                                                   Announcements:

Thank you to our class parents for setting up the Sign-Up Genius for our literature celebration.  If you have not had the chance to sign up check out what is left:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0A45ABAB2BA6F94-5thgrade/21036496

 

Also, thank you so much to the parents who came in last minute and made our state books, we really appreciate your help and these will be great tools for the kids to use.

 

As you know the week before break can be a very exciting time for the kids (and teachers!).  However, we still have a lot of learning to do, so it is very important that the students come to school ready to learn and focus!  This may be a good reminder to share with your fifth grader J

 

Important Dates:

 

Wednesday, 12/17: Grammar Test

Friday 12/19: Roots Test

Thursday 12/18, Friday 12/19: Half Days, 11:45 am Release

12/22-1/5: No School, Winter Break

 

Wish List:

 

We are set right now!

Tax Credit Contest!

Thank you to all our families that have donated their tax credit already or have asked someone else to donate their tax credit to Arete!   Below is a table that shows where each section is pertaining to the contest.  This is a no-cost donation that supports our sports programs, clubs and other character building activities.   Please click HERE to schedule your tax credit donation for a later date or pay on-line today.  You may also print out a form, attach a check and send back with your child.  I will make sure it reaches Michele Wilson for you.

LET’S TAKE THE CREDIT AND TAKE THE LEAD!

Grade/Section	Class Size	# of Donations Received	Tax Credit Participation %
KA	31	5	16%
KB	30	6	20%
KC	30	7	23%
1A	30	8	27%
1B	31	3	10%
1C	30	6	20%
2A	30	2	7%
2B	30	6	20%
2C	32	1	3%
3A	31	1	3%
3B	30	3	10%
3C	32	6	19%
4A	30	2	7%
4B	31	2	6%
4C	30	4	13%
5A	29	1	3%
5B	30	3	10%
5C	28	7	25%

 

Headlines, 12/7/14

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and is preparing for the Holiday season.  We are working very hard in all of our subjects and expect to end 2014 with gusto!

Math:  We have spent the last week discussing how to divide fractions and ended the week with bar models.  For most students the algorithms were easy to understand, but we spend quite a bit of time looking at models to help learn the concept of the arithmetic.  We will test over Unit 4 on Wednesday or Thursday of this week and will be working on a study guide to take home.  Tutoring will be after school on Tuesday from 2:45-3:20.

Literature:  We only have a few more chapters to finish in The Hobbit.  The class is doing an excellent job of story mapping and using context clues to find meaning of new vocabulary.  We will he having a Literature Celebration on the 19^th and a sign-up genius will be sent out in the next few days.

 Writing:  We reviewed sentence diagramming last week and also began discussing adverbs.  Even though this can be a difficult skill to master, the kids are really starting to catch on.  We will look at prepositions next week.

Spalding:  Our words are becoming more difficult and we are beginning to see how important it is to know how the rules help us spell.  Students who receive a 100% on their pre-test do not have to take the Friday test!

Science: I hope everyone enjoyed their lessons in Mitosis, I saw some very creative work that was done!  We will be completing the study guide and reviewing in class tomorrow and will take the test on Tuesday.  We move on to Human Body Systems next, starting with the skeleton. 

History:  This week we spent quite a bit of time looking at Galileo as well as the counter-reformation in Europe.  Next week we will learn about Copernicus and will complete the study guide over the unit.  Our test will be Wednesday or Thursday.  The next unit will be over the states.

                                                   Announcements:

Thank you so much for all of your generous donations for our service project.  Our class had a total of 88 donations! 

The results of the homework survey have been reported and I thank you all for your feedback.  The majority of you stated that you spend an average of 60-75 minutes on homework each night and that you are available to help when needed.  The subjects that require the most attention are history, language arts, and math.  Most of you said that you felt you had the resources needed to complete work, however a few of you said that you would like to have more textbooks.

This is such useful information for us as teachers and administrators in guiding our planning.  Homework should not take more than 60-75 minutes, and I do not want it to be a time of stress for your family.  If it is taking longer than that, please feel free to stop and drop me a note.  I can help during recess and before or after school.                                              

Important Dates:

Tuesday, 12/9: Science Test

Thursday 12/18, Friday 12/19: Half Days, 11:45 am Release
Friday 12/19: Greek and Latin Roots Test

12/22-1/5: No School, Winter Break

A few pictures from our Oreo Mitosis Activity!

Spelling Words

This weeks Spelling!

further

serious

doubt

condition

government

govern

opinion

onion

union

companion

million

behavior

believe

system

possibly

possible

piece

peace

certainly

certain

witness

investigate

therefore

before

pleasant

ability

appearance

atmospheric

atmosphere

autumn

I am looking forward to seeing everyone tonight for the concert.  The class has been working very hard on thier performance.  As a reminder, everyone should wear a white shirt; boys wear black pants and girls wear a black skirt.

Students should arrive in the classroom at 6:40 and the concert begins at 7:00.  After the concert they will return to the classsroom where you can retrieve them.

See you tonight!