January 28, 2010
Dear Fifth Grade Parents,
Tomorrow (Friday, 1/29) Mid-Trimester Reports will be sent home in the Boomerang envelope. Look for a bright pink ½ sheet of paper. Please read it and follow the instructions and then return it signed by Monday, February 1st. This letter will be poster on Thursday but this week I am sending home the Boomerang envelope on Friday because of Mid-Trimester Reports.
CAMP SEYMOUR!!!
There will be an informational meeting regarding Fifth Grade Camp in the beginning of March. The date will soon be announced! Camp Seymour dates are May 3-5th (Mon.-Wed.).
As you may have heard, our fifth graders participated in an exciting mini-retreat this passed Tuesday. We planned this special day as a “surprise” for the students. Our theme was “friendship” as we explored the basis for developing positive relationships with our peers through respect and support. Students participated in several community building activities as we worked through a portion of our “Steps to Respect” curriculum. We reflected on the notion of “intention” as we considered steps to solving conflicts among friends. Students are learning to: identify the problem in a conflict, brainstorm possible solutions, consider each person’s feelings and intentions, and choose a solution. Throughout the school year, we will continue to explore ways to build relationships and respect as well as resolve conflicts. The students really enjoyed their “surprise” retreat and we hope they gained much from the experience.
Next week is Catholic Schools Week! Please read the FCE for information about the themes/events for next week!
Math
Friday: Lesson 53 – Perimeter of a Circle
Monday-Lesson 54-Dividing by Multiples of 10
Tuesday-No Math-Spelling Bee
Wednesday-Lesson 55-Multiplying by Three-Digit Numbers
Thursday-No Math
Friday-No Math-Spirit Assembly
Social Studies
The fifth graders are learning about the West African slave trade. They have been working in groups to learn about the three parts of the slave trade and the dilemmas the West African people faced during each. Students have completed their Interactive Reading notes for this chapter in class. They are due on Friday 1/28. We will have a test on this chapter next Thursday. (2/4)
Language Arts
Students begin a unit on descriptive writing. We focus on the writing traits of “ideas and content,” “voice,” and “word choice.” We compose paragraphs with strong verbs that bring various settings to life. Spelling homework is due on Monday; the spelling test is on Monday.
***Congratulations to 5A students: Joey D. & Bridget H and 5B students: Samantha P. & Claire F. These fine students will represent the 5th grade in the all-school spelling bee next Tuesday morning at 9:30 am in the school hall. GOOD LUCK!!!
Science
Inventions are due tomorrow. They will be displayed in the hallway for Catholic Schools Week.
This week students will learn how adaptations help organisms survive in a water environment. Students will also learn how land animals have special adaptations for survival. Students will investigate the strength of ordinary eggshells. They will also learn about the substances in an eggshell.
Reading
5th graders will begin reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. This was the first Newbery Award winner by Lois Lowry. It is the story of the determination of the people of Denmark to get the Jews to safety during the Nazi invasion. Our 5th grade Target Skills and learning standards will be incorporated into the lessons during this unit. There will be assessments throughout the unit, covering vocabulary and comprehension activities.
By now, your child should have picked out a book to read for the 2nd Trimester Book Report. This ‘book bag’ report and oral presentation are due on Feb. 19th. Each student has been given a copy of the grading rubric.
Have a great week!
Ms. Semandiris