Students arrived back to school on Wednesday, January 2 a little bleary eyed, but ready to work.
In Social Studies, we continue to study the early expeditions of the European Explorers. Students are working with a partner as interviewer/explorer and creating a newspaper article about the explorers’ journeys. Our chapter test is Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
Students will begin to explore the world of fractions, decimals and percents in math. We will use pattern blocks to discuss the whole item and fractions of the whole. We continue to learn about solving for a variable by using Hands On Equations. We will also become familiar with MCAS terminology and Reference Sheets by practicing open response questions and answers in Math.
Writng prompts for Happy Time and our creative writing journals continue to challenge students to express their thoughts and feelings. We have started an autobiography of each student and will create a book of their thoughts and writings for the next 6 months. Our next Happy Time essay is “My Favorite Singer” and the poem is “Song”. Look for our previous Happy Time essay on “SuperBowl Sunday” and poem on “Football” to be published on Sunday, February 3, 2008.
In Readers’ Workshop, we continue to review and refine the comprehension strategies which good readers use. We begin the month by reviewing the strategy of questioning while reading. We will also learn how to infer as we read a piece of fiction text. Students will confer with the teacher on a weekly basis as well as read independent reading books which are at their “Just Right” level.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns about you chil’s homework or classwork. Students should be completing at least 45 minutes to 1 hour of homework each night. The second semester report cards will be distributed on Friday, January 25, 2008.
Happy New Year to all the families of 5S. May you have health and happiness in the new year.
I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all the families in 5S!
In Social Studies, we continued to learn about the early civilizations of the Maya, Aztec and Inca. The study of the Vikings and their explorations was completed prior to the Thanksgiving break. We will begin the Great Age of Exploration at the end of November. Students created Viking Rune projects and now are challenged to decipher the runes of their classmates.
In Math, we have begun geometry and measuring of acute and obtuse angles. I have also introduced “Hands On Equations” to the class in order to solve algebraic equations for a variable. Ask your child how “easy” it is to solve for the value of “X”.
We continue to read “just right books” in Readers’ Workshop. We are also reading from a preselected text in order to develop the reading strategies of summarization, monitoring for meaning and questioning. DRA testing for fluency and comprehension will be completed by December 5.
Two students from 5S were published in the Happy Times page of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette of November 11, 2007. Ben LaPointe and Chloe Lazar had their essay and poem published on Veterans Day and Hero. Our next Happy Time Essay is due on December 1. The essays on traveling to a fantasy place and poems on “Tour” will be published on January 6, 2008.
Report cards were distributed on Friday, November 9, 2007. Conferences have been set up with all parents who have requested one. Please do not hesitate to ask for a conference at any time of the year should there be concerns with your child’s academic or social progress.
October has arrived and with it more seasonable temperatures than the previous week’s heat and humidity. Fall in New England is so unpredictable!
Students in 5S have quickly adjusted to a new classroom and schedule. Th day moves quickly due to our schedule of Reader’s Workshop, Math, Social Studies, Science and Language Arts or Spelling, Related Arts subjects, Library and, of course, lunch and recess. We continue to develop as a classroom community.
Homework is an integral part of learning and skill reinforcement. Homework is due generally due the next day. Students who do not complete their homework will stay in at recess in order to complete it. Homework slips, indicating that homework was not completed, will be sent home for a parent signature. One of our goals in fifth grade is to work with the parents to develop good homework habits, which will be most important in the years to come. We also work with parents to develop a responsbility in each student for thier work and their education. We strive, with your help, to develop an independent learner.
Reader’s Workshop, the initiative of the District, has been “launched” in 5S. Students truely enjoy the freedom of choice in reading selections and the independent reading time which is available for them on a daily basis. Ask your child how “reading is thinking” and if they are reading a “just right book”.
We have begun the year in math with a review of factors of numbers and prime and composite numbers. Our first quiz in math was completed on September 21. A Unit 1 Math assessment is planned for Friday, October 5.
We have begun to use a 4 square writing outline to build the foundations for our essays. The first essay topic, Dawson School is a great school, helped the students to understand the importance of noting ideas prior to writing a rough draft of an essay. Our first Happy Time essay on Veterans Day and poem on Hero are due to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette on Friday, October 5. These essays and poems will be published on Sunday, November 11.
Our Social Studies unit began with the reasons for studying Social Studies and History. We have also begun to study the beginnings of civilization in the Americas and will further study the great empires of the Maya, Aztec and Inca cultures.
I look forward to meeting everyone on Wednesday, October 3 for the Fifth Grade Curriculum Night. The evening begins promptly at 7PM in the cafeteria with an introduction by Mrs. Scales. We will finish by 8PM.
Welcome to Stupendous 5S. I will list events and activities for Mrs. St. Germain’s class.
The first few days of school are for getting to know each other and learning the routine of a new class and a new grade. We completed a Scavenger Hunt to find out different things about our classmates. We will continue to develop as a classroom community through activities and discussions.
White envelopes were sent home with school information and notices as well as paperwork requiring parent signature. Please return the forms by September 12, 2007.
We will begin Reader’s Workshop this year as a part of the District’s Literacy Initiative. I am excited about this program as we will read, write, and discuss great books.
A parent letter was sent home on Wednesday detailing our Special Subject schedule as well as necessary supplies.
I am looking forward to a great year working with your children!
