Fifth Grade News

Week of October 2, 2017

Hello Families,

            Thank you for your Husky Hustle donations! We came in eighth place with a total of $1,227.00!  Ten percent will come to our classroom directly, that we can spend on needed supplies throughout the year. 

            Please send in candy for the Trunk or Treat. 

***WISH LIST*** We seem to go through kick balls around here, and it’s our favorite activity during recess.  We would love it if you sent in a kick ball.  Other recess supplies in need are sidewalk chalk and jump ropes.

Calendar: October 5                    Author, J. Scott Savage will speak to 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade classes at an assembly.

                        October 7                Harmony Harvest 5-8

                        October 10  Vision and Hearing Screening (please send in permission slips, if you haven’t already)

                        October 19  Fall break for students begins

ELA: What are the elements of a story and how can we use the elements of a story to determine the theme?

For most students, story elements, like character, setting, and plot are very familiar.  This week, we will explore how these story elements interact with the theme of the story.

Math Workshop:

How do I multiply, using the standard algorithm?

- In the past, most students used the lattice method for multiplying multi-digit numbers together.  This year, students will learn to use the traditional method for multiplying multi-digit numbers.  Meaning, remember the way you learned it? Now you can FINALLY help your kids with multiplication!

Leader in Me: What do I do to “Sharpen the Saw”?  This is all about what we do to re-energize ourselves.  Also, how do I record my growth in my Leadership Notebook? Students will record their growth on the MAP tests as well as other assessments and develop goals for growth.

Social Studies:  What are the 5 themes of Geography?

Now that we have completed our Zombie Apocalypse, students will evaluate their two locations using the five themes of Geography (location, place, movement, human environment/interaction, and regions).  Also, we will begin our unit on Native Americans.  Students will analyze evidence from various archeological sites to help them choose a migration theory that they agree with (Land Bridge Theory, Pacific Coastal Theory, or Atlantic Coastal Theory) Students will take an in-depth look at how the Inuit tribe adapted to their environment.

Other Information:

- Help your child be proactive! Make a plan to tackle homework and other goals.

 

 

                  

 

 

 

 

Fifth Grade Weekly News

9/25 - 9/29

 

Announcements:                                      

•               Monday, September 25, 2017- Math Module 1 Assessment

•               Related Arts – Technology, then Art on Wednesday  

•               Lunch Time – 12-12:25

•               Harmony Harvest – October 10, 2017 from 5-8pm

 

ELA Workshop:

What is my story really about? How do I revise to bring out the story’s structure? How do I share my revised story?

·         Students will be completing the first draft of their personal narrative. We have spent many writing sessions generating possible topics for our stories and students will now select one topic and begin the drafting process.

How do I practice fluent reading?

·         Students will work on reading fluently in a Reader’s Theater scenario. Students will practice their plays throughout the week and perform them for the class at the end of the week.

 

Math Workshop:

How do I estimate products? How do I write and interpret numerical expressions?

·         On Monday students will be taking an assessment covering place value and operations with decimals.

·         Students will begin our next unit covering numerical expressions, multiplication and division of decimals.

 

Leader in Me:

What is habit 6? How do I synergize?

·         The students will explore ways to work together so everyone benefits.   

·         Students will learn the importance of teamwork and teams working towards a common goal.

 

Social Studies:   

What are the regions of the US? How do I use the five themes of geography to survive the Zombie Apocalypse?

·         Students will continue their research covering the five regions.

·         Beginning on Wednesday, students will try and survive the Zombie Apocalypse. Students will be researching different locations in the U.S. and determining based on their features which city will be the best for survival.

 

 Additional information:

·         If interested in accessing Eureka Math’s online resources to support at home, informative fliers went home in Wednesday folders shortly following Parent Orientation night. The website to create a parent account is: https://greatminds.org/math/parents. Once signed up, you can access free resources through the Shop button at the top. You will have to “purchase” these free resources through adding them to your cart and hitting the purchase button, but your balance will be $0. Once “purchased”, all digital files should show up in your account’s queue and be available for downloading and accessing. Please let me know if you have any questions about accessing!

 

 

 Fifth Grade Weekly News

9/18 - 9/22

 

Announcements:                                    

·         Friday, September 22 - MAP Test – Math

·         Friday, September 22- Husky Hustle

·         Monday, September 25, 2017- Math Module 1 Assessment

·         Related Arts – Art (beginning Tuesday)

·         Lunch Time – 12:00-12:25

 

ELA Workshop:

How can other authors help me spark ideas? How do I tell the story from inside it? How do I set goals?

·         The students will continue investigating different methods of brainstorming to add to their brainstorm list. They will come up with a list of goals for their writing this year, and begin to hone in on a narrative topic.

How do I practice fluent reading?

·         The students will work on reading fluently in a Reader’s Theater scenario. Students will practice their plays throughout the week and perform them for the class at the end of the week.

 

Math Workshop:

How do I divide decimals? How do I solve word problems using decimals?

·         Keep in mind that with flexible grouping, your student may move between classes to help best support them as a mathematician.

·         This week they will use their knowledge of place value, along with their knowledge from last week, to begin dividing decimals. They will then put that knowledge to use with word problem applications.

 

Leader in Me:

What is habit 5? "Seek first to understand"

·         The students will explore ways to work together so everyone benefits.  

·         Students will learn to listen to others before themselves to make sure that all voices are heard and respect is given.

 

 

Social Studies: 

What are the regions of the US?

·         Students will research the 5 major regions of the United States. Their research will be put to application in a group presentation over an assigned region. They will become “experts” on their region and will learn about all the regions throughout the week.

Additional information:

 

·         Husky Hustle is this Friday, September 22^nd during student Related Arts time! You can check to see how our class is doing at the following link: https://secure.eventsonline.us/reg/getmovincrew/pub/classroom/24486 Any donations until Friday are good towards helping us meet our goal!

·         If interested in accessing Eureka Math’s online resources to support at home, informative fliers went home in Wednesday folders shortly following Parent Orientation night. The website to create a parent account is: https://greatminds.org/math/parents

 

Once signed up, you can access free resources through the Shop button at the top. You will have to “purchase” these free resources through adding them to your cart and hitting the purchase button, but your balance will be $0. Once “purchased”, all digital files should show up in your account’s queue and be available for downloading and accessing. Please let me know if you have any questions about accessing!

 

 

 Fifth Grade Weekly News

9/11 - 9/15

 

Announcements:

·         Monday, September 11 - Staff work day -  no school for students                                     

·         Wednesday, September 13 - MAP Test – Reading

·         Thursday, September 14 – Picture Day

·         Friday, September 15 – Social Studies Test

·         Related Arts – Music

·         Lunch Time – 12:00-12:25

 

ELA Workshop:

How do I generate ideas for narrative writing? How do writer's experience a story before writing it?

·         The students will start the week with a 30-minute writing pre-assessment. Then they will begin to generate ideas for their personal narrative.

What are the characteristics of a fluent reader?

·         The students will work on reading fluently using the following criteria: smoothness, pace, expression/volume, and phrasing.

 

Math Workshop:

How do I add, subtract, and multiply decimals?

·         The students have been grouped for the next math unit. Ask them, "Who is your math teacher?"

·         This week they will be using their knowledge of place value to add, subtract, and multiply decimals. Additionally, they will use estimation skills to see if their answers are reasonable.

 

Leader in Me:

What is habit 4? "Think win / win"

·         The students will explore ways to work together so everyone benefits.  

 

Social Studies: 

How do I classify physical features of the US? What are climate zones? How do I apply my knowledge?

·         Students will locate major landforms in the US. Additionally, they will use lines of latitude to separate the world into polar, temperate, or tropical zones. Finally, we will end the week with a test.

 

 

 

Related Arts: Music

 

Daily Lunch Time:  12:00-12:25

 

ELA Workshop: How do I use strategies for comprehension?

We will be using our schema to make real-world connections, inferring background knowledge with text clues, and determining importance of what we’re reading.

 

Math Workshop:  How do I compare decimal fractions to the thousandths?  How do I round decimal fractions?  Mid-point check-in.

We will compare decimal fractions to the thousandths using like units, and express comparisons with >, <, =.  Students will also be rounding a decimal to any place by utilizing place value understanding and showing their work on a vertical number line.  We are also going to have a Mid-point check-in where we will review each topic of our first module: Multiplicative patterns on the place value chart, decimal fractions and place value patterns, and rounding decimal fractions.

 

Leader in Me: How do I put first things first?

Habit 3: Put first things first – We will determine what our “big rocks” are which will be the primary matters of consequence for each one of us and trying to develop some perspective and priority.

 

Social Studies: How do I use geographic terms?  How do I apply my knowledge of geographic terms?

This week we will be discovering patterns of the Earth’s surface using geographic tools.  Students will demonstrate their understanding by creating an island and displaying an example of each geographic term. 

 

Other Information:

 

 

• We need nut-free healthy snacks only in classroom.  We have snack time each day at 8:45 am, but students are allowed to snack during independent work time throughout the day.