February 19, 2009

February 19, 2009

Dear Fifth Grade Parents,

Reminders: Camp Meeting: Parent Informational Meeting (Parents only) 2/26 6:30pm HRS Library
Camp Dates: May 4-6

I hope this boomerang finds you well. We are very busy in the fifth grade. Our auction project is well under way and looks great thanks to the leadership of Rita Gribben and her wonderful 5A mom helpers!!!

Speaking of moms, please pray for my mom because she in the hospital in Mazatlan, Mexico. She was very sick and they are keeping her there for two days so she can get her strength back. I will know more soon but that is all I know as of today. We are waiting for results from the doctor.

Here is a brief curriculum update:

Math
Friday: Investigation 6, Performing Probability Experiments
Monday: Lesson 61, Using Letters to Identify Geometric Figures
Tuesday: Lesson 62 Estimating Arithmetic Answers
Wednesday: Lesson 63, Subtracting a Fraction from a Whole Number Greater that 1
Friday: Lesson 64, Using Money to Model Decimal Numbers

Religion
We will have the chapter 16 test on Tuesday 2/24. Next we are moving on to Chapter 17, Liturgy of the Word. Students will be learning about the Dead Sea Scrolls and why they are important. They will also be learning about why is the liturgy of the word important and the different parts of the service. We will also discuss what do we do when we break open God’s word. We will learn to reflect on His word and discuss how to live His word. The test for this chapter will be on 3/3. It will be a short test.

Social Studies
The fifth Graders are beginning lesson 10, “Growing Tensions Between Britain and the Colonies tomorrow. Students will be learning about the Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party as well as the Intolerable acts in this lesson. We will have a test on this lesson on 3/11. Please see Web-site for nightly Homework.

Reading
5th graders will begin reading the historical fiction novel, Number the Stars. Most of the reading will be done during class time, so homework will either be re-reading sections of the book or follow-up activities to the reading done in class. Students should be finishing up their book for their book reports and beginning the project portion of the assignment.

Language Arts
5th graders learn to conjugate verbs using 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person singular and plural pronouns. We practice combining action verbs in various forms with helping verbs to represent past, present and future tenses as we write. Students will prepare for a test on verbs that will be given on Tuesday, March 3rd. Study guides and practice sheets will be posted next week.

Science
Students are learning about the carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle and how nitrogen cycles through an ecosystem. Students will review how water cycles through an ecosystem. Students will take a test on Chapter 4, next Tuesday Feb. 24th.

Have a great week.

Ms. Semandiris