Dear Parents,
I hope you are doing well this week. Things are quite busy here in the fifth grade!
*For our Advent Service, fifth graders have been asked to bring in dry goods to support the food drive for St. Vincent DePaul.
Thank you!
DECK THE HALLS: Each grade level will decorate their hallway with a Christmas/Winter theme this year. On December 15th the school will be “Decked Out” in the Christmas Spirit!! Then teachers can tour the school with their class during the last two days before Christmas break. Grade 5 is doing “Winter Wonderland”. Each student is making a Penguin as well as numerous snowflakes! I will send a few pictures when we are done.
December Spirit Theme Days!
- Friday December 3rd:Sports Day- dress up to show your favorite sport or sports team!
- Friday December 10th: Comfy Cozy Day- come to school in your coziest clothes!
- Friday December 17th: Christmas Colors Day- don those Christmas colors!
Important Other Dates:
- December 10th – 1st Trimester Report Cards
- December 17th – Noon Dismissal
- December 20th-31st – Christmas Break
- January 3rd – School Resumes
- January 12th – Parents Club Meeting
- January 17th – Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School
Here is a curriculum update for the week of December 6 – 10, 2021:
Religion
We continue working on Ch. 14 New Life in Christ which is about the Sacraments of Initiation. We are also learning the “Joyful Mysteries” of the Rosary.
Math – Ms. Semandiris
Chapter 4 Divide by a Two-Digit Divisor
12/6 – Ch. 4 L. 1 Estimate Quotients
12/7 – Ch. 4 L. 3 Divide by a Two-Digit Divisor
12/8 – Check My Progress p. 269
12/9 – Ch. 4 L. 4 Adjust Quotients
12/10 – Aleks
Math – Mr. Schreck
Chapter 5: Add & Subtract Decimals
Monday, Lesson 1, Round Decimals
Tuesday: Lesson 2, Estimate Sums & Differences
Wednesday: Lesson 3, Problem Solving: Estimate or Exact Answer?
Thursday: Review Lessons 1-3
Friday: Lessons 1-3 Quiz/ALEKS
Math – Mrs. Heuer
Monday: *5.5 Using a Metric Ruler
Tuesday: *5.6 Metric Units of Length
Wednesday: *5.7 Metric Units of Mass
Thursday: *5.4 Metric Units of Capacity
Friday: *Review assignment of the Metric System
Science:
Students will begin a research-based science unit called Microworlds. In this unit, students will learn to use their powers of observation with the help of magnifying lenses and microscopes to see familiar things in a new way. They are also introduced to a fascinating new world-the cellular structure of living organisms.
Social Studies
We have begun Chapter 5, Routes of Exploration to the New World. Students have been assigned an explorer to research. (All the answers to the questions can be found in their Social Studies textbook.) They will create a slideshow presentation by following the rubric posted in SS Google Classroom. I have also explained the assignment in class in depth. The assignment will be due on December 14th.
States/Capitals
In Fifth grade we review the “50 States” locations on the United States map which is a review from Third and Fourth grade. We also learn the capitals of all the States. We will be having a States and Capitals test in June. There will be a special section on the Social Studies Google Classroom with States/Capitals practice games. Students are encouraged to practice at home as well. I will have periodic class time each month to practice.
E.L.A.
Happy December! Your children have been doing a great job conducting a deep-read of the novel Wonder. We made it to chapter eight this week, and will continue with our analysis next week. This unit will focus on both reading and writing. While students read the novel, they will also be learning how to write an expository essay on the theme of Wonder. At home, you can expect students to continue their double-entry journals. These count as a homework grade. On the double-entry, they need to identify a quote from each chapter and write it on the left hand side of the T-chart. Quotes should show a motif, demonstrate theme, conflict, or character traits/feelings. On the right hand side of the journal, students explain the meaning of the quote. We call this commentary. I recommend students begin commentary with “this shows that…” Email me if you have any questions about our classwork, or the homework. Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend.