3rd Quarter Letter

3rd Quarter Letter 

    VIRTUES are the GATEWAY

to JOY at SGM! 

Mrs. Julie Krummenacher  5A

3rd Quarter

It is hard to believe that the second semester is underway!  We have lots planned for the coming weeks. I would appreciate it if you could check with your child to see that they have the necessary supplies to complete assignments well. Many students were without colored pencils and they are required for social studies to complete map work.

RELIGION

The importance of our Baptism and how sanctifying grace enriches us when we receive the sacraments is our current focus.  We then turn to the other sacraments of Initiation: Eucharist and Confirmation.  The signs, symbols, and rituals of the Church will be explored as we learn about these sacraments.

As we move into the Lenten season later in the quarter, the students will reflect on the meaning of the season of repentance in God's love and forgiveness through the sacrament of Reconciliation. The students will continue their Atrium curriculum as well.

We are hopeful that the fifth grade will be able to again present the Living Stations of the Cross.

LANGUAGE ARTS

READING

Students will continue to read a variety of fiction genres with an emphasis on close reading and identifying text features in informational texts. Comprehension skills will stress summarizing content, author's point of view, and using context clues to gain meaning. Identifying theme through character actions and words will be a main focus. Students will continue to be guided how and where to cite evidence to support their choice.

We will next read the historical fiction novel Crispin, Cross of Lead. Students have built background knowledge for this novel in social studies and in Religion.

Character types and analysis will be stressed as we read. 

Students  will be responsible for independent reading for their 1,000 page quarterly goal. The purpose of this is to simply get the students reading and exposing them to a variety of genres and challenging vocabulary. Some students are choosing books that are well below their reading levels. Although this is acceptable once a quarter, I encourage them to read at or above their level.

ENGLISH

In grammar, we will tackle adjectives (descriptive and limiting), using them to write descriptive paragraphs well. Strong adjective choice is will be stressed to enhance student writing. We will also be studying pronouns and how their correct use affects our speaking and writing. In composition we will also be writing descriptive essays including a character analysis supported through evidence. Students will learn how to appropriately quote a source using a "Quote Sandwich." Various forms of poetry will be studied and written including odes, haiku, and free verse.

The five step writing process will continue to be used to help guide students as they pre-write, draft, revise, edit, and publish their compositions. Many of the students' compositions are on their Google doc accounts for you to read! Published works are kept at school to be bound in an anthology at the end of the school year.

SPELLING

As we move into the fourth cycle of words, our phonetic emphasis is on word endings and suffixes. Weekly tests on 20 basic words and five challenge words will continue on most Fridays. Interested students will be able to compete for a spot in the SGM Spelling bee later in January.

SOCIAL STUDIES

After a quick review of colonization and the Revolutionary War, we will pick up where the students left off last year in American History. Students will review the concepts of our Constitution. Each student will memorize and recite the Preamble and understand its basic meaning. We will explore the growth of our young nation through its presidents, wars, and the industrial revolution.

Social studies skills include close reading, reading timelines, and analyzing charts, diagrams, and historical maps. Primary source documents will be used whenever possible.

Student will continue to keep notes organized in a binder. They need colored pencils for all work.