5th Grade Weekly Update for Week of December 16th
ELA : Our novel test for Shades of Gray and Turn Homeward, Hannalee is on Monday. Students received a study guide last week. They should turn these back in on the day of our test. This week, we are finishing up the set for our reader’s theater performance and practicing! Students have worked so hard and our having so much fun preparing for this favorite tradition!
Math: Students have acquired many new skills within our current unit. This week, we will practice putting all these skills together with a festive mixed review and problem-solving lessons.
Science: We will begin our new unit, the Earth’s Forces Cell. During this CELL, students will perform several investigations designed to reveal the Earth’s forces of gravity and friction, and the way that these forces affect the motion of objects on Earth. Through discussion and experimentation, students learn about the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on stationary objects as well as objects in motion. Students realize that balanced forces means that a stationary object remains stationary, or a moving object continues at the same speed in the same direction. Through the systematic investigation of variables, students draw conclusions about the effect of gravity on objects found on Earth. Students learn that the force of gravity is dependent on an object’s mass, but that acceleration due to gravity is a consistent 9.8 m/s2. Students also connect the concepts of weight and gravity. These facts are established through hands-on experimentation followed by analysis that includes collation and graphing of results.
History: This week we will look at the backlash from Lincoln’s assassination and from fighting in the South. We’ll discuss how slaves were affected by the war ending and organizations that were put into place to help freedman. We’ll finish the week by discussing plans for reconstruction after the war. Students will also receive information about their 3rd quarter current event assignment.
Other: 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 gift wrap the book and bring it 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/THH Novel Test ; Unit 2 Spanish Test (open notes)
Tuesday: Signed Spanish vocabulary quiz due;
Wednesday: Bring in Winter Wishes gift and book buddy gift (Both gifts should be wrapped)
Thursday: Spanish Final Exam (open notes)
Friday: Early dismissal @ 1:00 p.m. (See schedule above)