5th Grade Weekly Update for Week of December 9th
Math: Last week, we practiced adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. This week’s focus will be on practicing renaming when adding and subtracting mixed numbers. Students created a foldable graphic organizer that details each step. It explains each step and shows an example of how the problems should be set up. Please encourage him or her to use it when completing homework!
ELA: Our vocabulary test for Shades of Gray chapters 14-17 will be on Monday. Afterwards, students will receive a study guide for our novel test, which will be the following Monday on December 16th. We will review the study guide on Wednesday, December 11th with a fun round of BINGO!
Last week in grammar, students learned the difference between a predicate nominative and predicate adjective. We will continue to build on this knowledge as we learn how to diagram sentences using predicate nominatives and adjectives.
Science: On Friday, students received a study guide for our Simple Machines Cell test. They were given class time to work on the study guide. On Monday, they will be given additional time in class to finish it. We will review the study guide on Tuesday, and the unit test is on Wednesday, December 11th. Similar to previous tests, there will be a short response portion. The study guide includes the short response question and a graphic organizer that will help students formulate a strong response. They need to practice writing responses before the test! Our next unit of study will be Earth’s Forces.
History: Students took the Lessons 1-17 test on Friday, and we’ll finish up the last few lessons of the Civil War unit over the next two weeks. This week, we’ll look at some of the major battles, such as the Battle of Gettysburg, Battle of Vicksburg, the Battle of the Wilderness, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and the final surrender at Appomattox Court House. We’ll also practicing outlining, a skill they’ve only been exposed to a couple other times, to help prepare for the upcoming research paper in the third quarter. They’ll create their own outlines of Jefferson Davis to practice the skill.
Other: As the holiday season approaches, this is the season to celebrate….and celebrate we will! Get your pens ready to mark your calendars with the following events! We are so excited to participate in the Band and Chrome Winter Concert on Thursday! The children have worked hard this year, and I can’t wait to hear them! The evening concert will begin at 6:30 p.m., so please invite family and friends! It will be held in the Oglethorpe (multi-purpose) building. Our students should arrive dressed nicely in holiday attire no later than 6:15 p.m. Mr. G. requests that no shorts or athletic wear should be worn. We will also have two day time concerts during school that day. Students do not need to worry about a dress code for our day time concerts.
On December 20th, we will host a special winter celebration for our book buddies. We will treat our book buddies to hot chocolate and donuts as they watch us perform a special holiday themed reader’s theater. If any fifth grade parents are available and interested in watching the skit, you are welcome to join us! It is a fun fifth grade tradition that the little ones love! After our skit, we would like to present our book buddies with a special holiday gift. Please have your child select one of his or her favorite winter/holiday themed picture books to give to his or her book buddy. It does not have to be a brand new book. It could be a gently used one from home if you like! We will snap a polaroid picture with our book buddy in front of our holiday themed set to tape inside the book. Your child is welcome to write a special note inside too! This will be such a treasured gift! Please have your child bring in the book by Wednesday, December 18th.
After our skit, students will participate in our other favorite annual tradition, the Winter Wishes Gift Exchange with fourth grade. I sent home instructions with students last week, and we exchanged names. In Friday Folders, I included another copy of the instructions and the favorites list of their secret santa to help with shopping! There is a $15 spending limit and students should bring in the wrapped gift on Wednesday, December 18th. The gift tag should include the name of the receiver and a clever clue about who it is from. Please do not write your child’s name on the tag! This makes it a fun guessing game for all!
Following the gift exchange, we will have a class holiday party. Parent volunteers will come in and lead holiday themed games and activities. Then, we will enjoy a yummy treat with our lunch. We encourage families to order pizza through Mr. Rodgers that day. However, anyone who does not want pizza is welcome to bring in their own lunch.
Finally, a friendly reminder that we have early dismissal at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20th. Afternoon Treehouse services will not be available. We will return to school on Monday, January 6th to ring in the new year!
December 20th is packed full with excitement! I know that several families are trying to plan ahead for travel arrangements for the holidays. Therefore, here is the list of scheduled events for that day. Please let me know in advance if you plan to pick up your child early! Thank you!
8:10 – 8:45- Practice book buddy skit in Few building (morning treehouse building)
9:00 – 10:00- Book buddy skit/celebration in Few building
10:00 – 11:00ish- Winter Wishes gift exchange with fourth grade in classrooms
11:00ish – 12:00- Holiday party
12:00 – 12:55 – Lunch/indoor recess
1:00 p.m.- Dismissal
Week at a Glance:
Monday: SOG Ch 14-17 Vocab Test
Tuesday: Science study guide due
Wednesday: SOG study guide due; Simple Machines Test
Thursday: Band Concert at 6:30 p.m. Students should arrive no later than 6:15 p.m.