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ELAR (Ms. Dagger)
This week in ELAR, students are exploring biographies through Rita Moreno and Play, Louis, Play! We will learn to visualize details and create mental images to better understand important events in each person's life. We will also compare first- and third-person points of view, identify figurative language, and examine how an author's word choice shapes a biography.
We will continue focusing on the Extended Constructed Response (ECR). This is a well-organized informational essay that uses specific evidence from the selection to support their answer.
If you'd like to support our ECR work at home, you can ask your child to write a short essay on whether they agree or disagree with an author's statement in something they have recently read in an article or news story. Remind them to use specific evidence from the article to support their answer. They should also check their writing for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
In grammar, we will work on articles and adverbs.
Remember to set a time to read each night at home. Reading at home increases comprehension skills, as well as vocabulary.
After students read, focus on the central idea of the story. Ask the following questions:
What is the entire book or article mostly about?
What is the central idea of a specific paragraph?
Can you find the main idea in the title or headings? What do they tell you?
Math (Ms. Lee)
NOTICE: MATH INTERIM TEST DATE: January 29
The students are working on Unit 7 that covers "Graphing and Number Patterns". In this unit, they learn how to plot on a coordinate grid and identify patterns in tables and transfer those patterns on to a coordinate grid. The students will take their test over Unit 7 on Friday, January 30.
Homework
The students will not have homework this week due to two interim tests. We will start back up next week.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at anne.hurstlee@gcisd.net
Questions to Ask Your Child:
How do you multiply a decimal by a whole number?
How do you multiply a three digit number times a two digit number?
How do you divide by a two digit divisor?
How do you divide with a decimal in a dividend?
What are key words to look for in word problems for a multiplication problem?
What are key words to look for in word problems for a division problem?
How do you identify a prime and composite number?
How do add or subtract a fraction with an unlike denominator?
How do you multiply a fraction by a whole number?
How do you divide a unit fraction and a whole number?
How do you use PEMDAS or Order of Operations to solve a number expression?
Science/SS (Ms. Whelan)
In science, 5th graders will be continuing their learning on the Earth's processes and changes by learning how wind, water, and ice change the Earth's surface. They will also be taking their science STAAR interim test this week. I am excited to see what all they've learned so far!
In social studies, they will be wrapping up the unit over our expanding nation after the War of 1812 with a unit learning all about the Industrial Revolution. We will be taking our next unit test over this early next week.
Stay warm!
INTERIM TEST DATES AND INFORMATION
Parents, the students will be taking their interim tests (practice STAAR) in the next two weeks. The students will take their ELAR on January 22, Science on January 27, and Math on January 29. Please make sure for each of these days, your child has a charged chromebook, headphones, plenty of sleep, and a filling breakfast. Snacks will be provided by PTA during testing. The campus will be closed on these days.
Important Spring 2026 Dates for
5th to 6th grade Transition
Please mark your calendars as we charge ahead this semester!
6th Grade Course Selection Dates
February 4th at 6:00 p.m.
Middle school showcase nights on separate middle school campuses
February 5th during school day
5th graders from OCT will visit CMS regardless of zoned middle school campus.
Students receive course selection sheets.
General course selection details available at GCISD Course Selection Guides
5th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Session
Hosted by Elementary Counselors
Date To Be Determined
Friday, February 13th
Course selection sheets due to homeroom teacher
(Student fine arts course requests will be entered into Skyward based on this document.)
AVID Dates
(Click link for the recruitment site)
Parent/Family Information Night on January 28th at 5:30 p.m. at GCISD Professional Development and Education Center
Any student can apply HERE until February 11th (applications can be accessed from a student device only)
Applicant interviews hosted by March 3rd
Acceptance/Regrets letters sent week of March 9th
If you have any questions, please contact Mackenzie Holley at mackenzie.holley@gcisd.net or 817-305-4880, or contact your homeroom teacher.
O. C. Taylor Yearbooks are on Sale!
You can order a yearbook and create an ad/ dedication page online at yearbookordercenter.com. Our order number for O.C. Taylor is 17833.
We are offering both softcover and hardcover yearbooks this year!
Last day to order an ad/ dedication page is March 14th.
Last day to pre-order a yearbook is March 28th.
5th Grade Instagram Page
We have started a 5th grade instagram page for you to follow all the happenings in 5th grade!! Please find us @ OCT5th2026.
20250822144653983.pdfDismissal and Ride Changes:
Dismissal and Ride Changes:
We are continuing to use the dismissal procedure called SafeID. This system is more streamlined and much safer for dismissal times. If your child's form of transportation home changes, PLEASE let the front office know by calling or emailing sierra.salter@gcisd.net and paola.cervantes@gcisd.net as quickly as possible and before 2:00.
Absent
If your child is absent, please email the homeroom teacher and the front office and let them know. The front office email addresses are siera.salter@gcisd.net and paola.cervantes@gcisd.net.
Chromebooks
Please have your child charge their chromebook each evening and bring it to school along with the charger and headphones.
Parent Communication:
Parent Communication:
If a question or concern arises, please contact one of the 5th-grade teachers as your first point of contact. We are here to help answer questions, alleviate concerns, and support you and your child.
EMAIL:
tiffany.daggercummin@gcisd.net
Curriculum Night Presentation
Thank you to those of you who attended curriculum night. If you were unable to make it to curriculum night. Here is the link to the presentation.
Canvas Information:
Canvas Information:
In middle school, students will use Canvas for their classes. We decided to utilize this platform this year to help prepare our students for middle school. You can view the Canvas platform through your child's classlink.
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