5th Grade Weekly Update for Week of November 12th
Photo Highlight of the Week: The priceless face of a child discovering he has just become Fraction King! Students had fun comparing fractions as they raced to discover who the fraction king or queen would be! In this case, we had both!
ELA: On Tuesday this week, literature circles will meet to discuss the next two chapters in Turn Homeward, Hannalee. The next meeting will take place the Tuesday after the break. In our novel study Shades of Gray, we will read chapters 14 through 16 this week, with comprehension checks along the way. Students will also receive new vocabulary that covers these chapters. The test will take place when students return from Thanksgiving break. In grammar, we will cover commas in a series and commas in compound sentences, followed by a cumulative review of the first five lessons we’ve covered. A bonus assignment was introduced to students last week and a flyer went home in the Friday Folder. Students will have the opportunity to earn 10 bonus points on their lowest lit circle grade for visiting the setting of Turn Homeward, Hannalee at the Roswell Mill. Students must email or print a picture in front of the historic mill and it will be posted in class. The final due date for this bonus assignment is December 2nd, the last literature circle group meeting. The Thanksgiving break would be a fabulous time to visit the park with friends and family!
History: This week we will cover the start of the Civil War, as well as, advantages and disadvantages both sides faced. We’ll learn about the Dred Scot case and how it further divided the nation, the Lincoln-Douglass debates, and the Raid at Harpers Ferry. Once Lincoln was elected president in 1860, and the southern states succeeded, the Confederate States of America were formed and the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter, starting the American Civil War. We’ll add another note-taking method to our repertoire: outlining. I’ll model how to create an outline and students will fill in the blanks to gain a better understanding of how details follow main ideas. On Friday, students will take part in a Civil War Escape Room where they try to capture a Confederate Spy! A great way to end the wee
Math: Last week, students enjoyed playing partner and class games as we practiced comparing and ordering fractions and mixed numbers. This week, we will continue to reinforce those concepts and dive into more estimation and problem-solving.
Science: Our Handy Tree and All About My Traits posters turned out wonderful! The goal of the assignment was to spark family discussions about inherited traits and help students relate to the concepts we are currently learning. They will be on display for you to see during our Thanksgiving feast, so take a moment to check them out! This week, we will make edible DNA models and learn how to decipher the genetic code! How exciting!
Other: All parents, siblings, and grandparents are invited to our Thanksgiving feast on Friday at 11:00. A sign-up was sent out from our Room Moms. We will go to recess at 12:00 and dismiss early on Friday at 1:00 p.m. Please remember that Treehouse will not be open in the afternoon.
Mr. G has graciously offered morning band rehearsals for anyone interested. Rehearsals are from 7:15- 7:45 on Tuesday and Thursday.
Next Friday the 16th is the last day to turn in your poinsettia orders!
In honor of Veteran’s Day, students were offered an optional bonus assignment of interviewing a veteran. Those who were interested in the assignment brought home a sheet explaining the assignment and providing a list of good interview questions. The assignment is due on Wednesday.
Week at a Glance:
-Lit Circles covering Chapters 5 and 6 in THH
– Veteran’s Day extra credit assignment due Wednesday
-Thanksgiving family feast on Friday at 11:00 a.m.