Math
We had the district's mid-year math assessment in January. Topics covered included long division of whole numbers and decimals, adding and subtracting fractions of unlike denominators, decimals and fractions on a number line, algebra, and prime factorization. Currently we are working on percents and integers. Social Studies The fifth graders have been learning about America's Colonial period. Students have been reading expository text about the different regions (New England, Middle, and Southern colonies) and taking Cornell notes to help them organize the main ideas in the text. Students are working on a comparative analysis of the different colonial regions. They are learning how the natural resources in the regions influenced what types of jobs were available to colonists and what their economies depended on. If you need a copy of the Cornell notes template, look for it on the graphic organizers page.
This week, Mr. Wolfe's homeroom is learning about the Southern colonies. We are continuing with Cornell notes. The Colonial period unit test is set for Thursday, February 26. Students will bring home a study guide Tuesday night. Everything that is on the study guide will be on the unit test.
Ms. Brouhard's homeroom has begun the unit on Slavery in the Colonies. This is a two-week unit. Students will write a 4-paragraph essay and take a multiple-choice test.
I Can
You might have heard your child talking about "I Can" sheets or you might have seen one with your child's reading/language arts or social studies homework this week. An "I Can" sheet is how your child and teacher will work together to evaluate your child's progress. On this form, the formal state standard will be explained in the far left column. The student-friendly explanation the standard is written in an I can format. This column will explain not only the standard, but how the student and I will assess progress. The "I Can" will also help parents monitor student progress. You can view the form by clicking on one of the "I Can" attachments on the home page.
Language Arts Students are reading 8 books for another set of book reports for the second trimester. They are also planning their writing through the use of graphic organizers, thesis statements, and summaries. Students are working on main idea and supporting evidence. We are reading Aesop's fables and folk tales.
Science We are learning about body systems and organs. Currently, we are focusing about cells and the heart. |