Week of Oct. 17 - 21
Hello Families,
I am thrilled to see the students’ beautiful book reports. I will accept book reports on Monday without a penalty, but any turned in after that will have points deducted for being late.
Here is what’s on deck for next week:
Next week is Digital Citizenship Week, and we have some spirit days planned to help bring recognition to it. Click HERE to see the Digital Citizenship Week flyer.
Friday is picture day. Order forms came home today.
In math we are reading and tackling practical problems with all four operations. Students will have an assessment on Tuesday that consists of 10 word problems, many of them with multiple steps and operations. Students will be able to use a calculator on this, but the more challenging task is thinking about the problems and deciding what steps and operations are needed to answer the question(s). In midweek, we will begin a brief unit on the Order of Operations which will conclude next week.
In Language Arts, students will continue focusing on characterization and how authors reveal character traits indirectly. In writing we will focus on distinguishing between complete sentences, run on sentences and fragments as well as building compound sentences.
October Scholastic book orders are coming home today. Many of them have a due date of Oct. 14. Ignore that. I’ll make the book orders due next Friday, Oct. 21. Graded Paper Folders went home again this afternoon. Please review them, sign the blue “cover sheet,” and return the signed cover sheet in the folder and any papers that need to be completed and returned at the beginning of each week. The rest of the papers in the folder may stay at home. NOTE: There is now a Missing Work Doc available, which shows work that is past due and has not been completed or submitted. This is linked on the Assignments page of my web site and in my Homeroom Course in Schoology as well as in each student’s math course. Please review this doc before checking that column on the Graded Paper Folder Cover Sheet.
From Mrs. Harrison:
In social studies this week we completed our Henrico History unit. We took the second part of our open note quiz on Tuesday. We switched back into science on Wednesday, beginning the 5.7 SOL Matter unit. Students defined matter, measured matter’s volume and mass, and began to compare the different states of matter (liquid, gas, solid). Next week we will continue to focus on matter’s different states, mixtures and solutions, and how states of matter can change.
Important Dates:
Tue, Oct. 18 – Whole Number Practical Problem Assessment 5.4
Thur, Oct. 20 – Characterization Quiz
Fri, Oct. 21 – Picture Day
Fri, Oct. 21 – Sentences / Fragments Quiz
Fri, Oct. 21 - Book Orders Day
Mon, Oct. 24 – School closed – Diwali
Thur, Nov. 4 – End of 1st Marking Period
Check out the Bullying Prevention Month Flyer HERE
Have a great weekend.
Andrea McGee
Week of Oct. 10 - 14:
Hello Families,
I enjoyed the mid-week break this week, and I hope your children did as well.
Students should soon be completing their BRB’s (Book Report Books) this weekend. Then they will have a few days to work on completing the projects which should be done at home. The instructions are on the bright orange paper sent home in early September, which most students have in their Work in Progress folder or their Daily Take Home Folder. Students may get the background paper as well as construction paper for leaves from me. (They may also use supplies from home if they prefer.)
Here is what’s on deck for next week:
This week students started in the big league of math by dividing by 2-digit divisors. Next week we’ll continue to practice this skill as we look closely at how to interpret remainders. Students will have a computation post-test on Thursday (all operations). Then, we’ll spend a few days focusing on practical problems with all four operations. Students should be prepared for a graded, timed multiplication check any day now. Also, some students are still working on making corrections to previous computation scores, and those should come home next week.
In Language Arts, students will continue their exploration of story elements focusing on characters and how authors reveal character traits indirectly. Students will write the story they planned this week, and they will spend time revising and editing their stories before publishing by the end of the week. For vocabulary, students will complete Unit 2 with a quiz on Tuesday.
Graded Paper Folders went home again this afternoon. Please review them, sign the blue “cover sheet,” and return the signed cover sheet in the folder and any papers that need to be completed and returned at the beginning of each week. The rest of the papers in the folder may stay at home. This is a change: There is now a Missing Work Doc available, which shows work that is past due and has not been completed or submitted. This is linked on the Assignments page of my web site and in my Homeroom Course in Schoology as well as in each student’s math course. Please review this doc before checking that column on the Graded Paper Folder Cover Sheet.
From Mrs. Harrison:
This week in science we finished reviewing the Earth, Moon, and Sun. We took our quiz wrapping up the review of the fourth-grade science standards. We will begin our unit on Matter next Wednesday, which is our first 5th grade standard science unit.
In social studies this week, we began our unit on Henrico’s History. We compared the founding of the Henricus colony to that of Jamestown. We examined how Henrico was impacted during the Civil War and completed part 1 of a Henrico History quiz. The quiz is open note, and the second half will be administered next Tuesday.
Important Dates:
Tues, Oct. 11 – Wordly Wise Lesson 2 Quiz
Thu, Oct. 13 – Computation Post Test (Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying & Dividing)
Fri, Oct. 14 – Fall Fiction Book Reports Due
Tue, Oct. 18 – Whole Number Practical Problem Assessment 5.4
Mon, Oct. 24 – School closed – Diwali
Thur, Nov. 4 – End of 1st Marking Period
Check out the Bullying Prevention Month Flyer HERE
Have a great weekend.
Andrea McGee
Week of Oct. 3 - 7
Hello Families,
Someone kindly donated some amazing things from the classroom wish list including Flair pens, Pop it fidgets, a teacher book on writing conferences, and a desktop laminator as well as the inserts! I am so amazed and thankful for your generosity. Please let me know who to thank.
Students should soon be at least three quarters (3/4) of the way through their BRB’s (Book Report Books) this weekend. The final reports are due in mid-October. These are to be completed at home, but students may get the background paper as well as construction paper for leaves from me. For now, please continue to ensure that your child is reading in the book frequently.
Here is what’s on deck for next week:
In Math, students practiced the steps of long division with single-digit divisors this week. They have a quiz on Tuesday including division practical problems which we started today (SOL 5.4). Midweek, we will look at more word problems with a focus on what to do with remainders. Then, we’ll continue long division with two-digit divisors. It’s still important for students to learn those multiplication facts. There are numerous videos in your student’s math Schoology course to review the processes of subtraction, multiplication, and long division if needed. Reviewing previous notes and problems in their math spiral is also beneficial.
In Language Arts, students will continue their exploration of story elements focusing on setting and how it affects plot. They will also be planning and writing a brief story with the plot elements in mind. For vocabulary, students will continue working with the second vocabulary list.
Graded Paper Folders are coming home again this afternoon. Please review them, sign the blue “cover sheet,” and return the signed cover sheet in the folder and any papers that need to be completed and returned at the beginning of each week. The rest of the papers in the folder may stay at home.
From Mrs. Harrison:
In science students are working to complete their review of the Space unit. We have our Earth, Moon, Sun quiz on Tuesday. The quiz will cover seasons, moon phases, tides, and the characteristics of the earth moon and sun. Students created flashcards for homework this week and should be bringing home their science notebooks nightly to review. Next week we will hop back into Social Studies and focus on the history of Henrico County. We will have two short quizzes on Friday, October 7th and Tuesday, October 11th to assess what they learned.
Important Dates:
Tue, Oct. 4 – Division Quiz
Wed, Oct. 5 – School closed – Yom Kippur
Thu, Oct. 13 – Division Quiz with 2-digit divisors (possibly)
Fri, Oct. 14 – Fall Fiction Book Reports Due
Mon, Oct. 24 – School closed – Diwali
Thur, Nov. 4 – End of 1st Marking Period
Family Dashboard:
There are so many places to find information digitally that it is often difficult to remember where to find specific links when we need them. Our ILC has created this new Family Dashboard to house many of the links you frequently need pertaining to your child’s school.
Directions to view your child’s scores on the Virginia Growth Assessments can be found in this Parent Letter
The following letter which is available for parents explains the Lexia Core 5 Reading program that students will use again this year. Click below to read more:
· English
· Spanish
Have a great weekend.
Andrea McGee
Week of Sept 26 – 30:
Hello Families,
We are finally starting to feel the groove of our routines around here. I hope your afternoons are beginning to feel manageable and predictable as well.
Students should soon be at least halfway through their BRB’s (Book Report Books) this weekend. The final reports are due in mid-October. For now, please continue to ensure that your child is reading in the book frequently.
Here’s what’s on deck for next week:
In Math, students practiced with double digit multiplication this week. They have a quiz on Tuesday with practical problems including addition, subtraction, and multiplication (SOL 5.4). Midweek, we will begin long division. It’s still important for students to learn those multiplication facts.
In Language Arts, students will begin an in-depth exploration of story elements starting with the plot elements, focusing on the conflict and resolution. They will continue with basic grammar instruction and be introduced to new vocabulary during the week. They can look for results from their first vocabulary quiz in Schoology later this weekend.
Graded Paper Folders are coming home again this afternoon. Please review them, sign the blue “cover sheet,” and return the signed cover sheet in the folder and any papers that need to be completed and returned at the beginning of each week. The rest of the papers in the folder may stay at home.
Important Dates:
Tues, Sept. 27 – Math Quiz: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication
Fri, Sept. 30 – House Unity Day
Fri, Oct. 14 – Fall Fiction Book Reports Due
If you’d like to read more about the House System at Short Pump, here is an informational slide show.
Have a great weekend.
Andrea McGee
From Mrs. Harrison:
In science this week students reviewed the Planets unit and took their quiz. We transitioned into social studies and began our Henrico History unit. We studied the surrounding counties around Henrico, the different geographic regions Henrico is a part of, and the historical rivers and roads in our county. Students will have an open note quiz on Henrico Geography on Monday. We will then switch back into science and complete our solar system unit with a focus on the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
Week of Sept. 19 -2 3:
Hello Families,
It was so nice seeing many of you at last night’s Back to School Night. If you were unable to attend HERE IS A LINK to the presentation.
Graded Paper Folders are coming home again this afternoon. Please review them, sign the blue “cover sheet,” and return the signed cover sheet, the folder, and any other papers that need to be completed and returned at the beginning of each week. The rest of the papers in the folder may stay at home.
Students should be reading regularly in their BRB’s (Book Report Books). The final reports are due in mid-October. For now, please help ensure that your child is reading in the book frequently.
Here’s what’s on deck for next week:
On Tuesday students will take the Virginia Growth Assessment in Math.
In Math, students will begin to work on SOL 5.4 (creating and solving single-step and multistep practical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers). Most students need to continue to work on learning their multiplication facts. Students have previously completed a 10x10 multiplication chart and written out all the multiplication facts 1 – 10. These are great practice activities to continue daily, even if not assigned. Flash cards and online math games may also be helpful.
In Language Arts, students will continue learning procedures, mindsets, and expectations for our Readers’ Workshop. Students will continue exploring different literary genres and their characteristics. They will have a quiz on genres on Wednesday. They completed a note sheet in their Language Arts journal this week. They also participated in activities in Schoology to increase their understanding of the characteristics of each genre.
Students have been working with the words in their first vocabulary list and will continue to work with these words next week. A quiz is planned for Thursday. They will also continue some basic grammar instruction with a graded assignment after completing and reviewing four practice assignments.
Students have selected a book to read and should be reading regularly in their BRB’s (Book Report Books). The final reports are not due until mid-October. For now, please help ensure that your child is reading in the book frequently.
Important Dates:
Tues, Sept. 20 Math Virginia Growth Assessment
Wed, Sept. 21 – Genre Quiz
Thur, Sept. 22 – Wordly Wise Quiz
Thur, Sept. 22 – Sept. Scholastic Book Orders Due (Online is preferred. Our class code is HHW4Q )
Fri, Oct. 14 – Fall Fiction Book Reports Due
While you’re here at my website, please check out the other information available , such as the calendar and the assignment page. Have a great weekend.
Andrea McGee
From Mrs. Harrison:
We started the week by sharing our Henrico Histories with a partner. Students took a state capital pretest in preparation for our Geography unit. The rest of the week was spent reviewing the 4th grade Planets science standards. We covered rotation and revolution, inner and outer planets, and began a planet research project. Students will have their Planets Quiz next Wednesday, September 21st.
From PTA:
Our room parents would love to get in touch with you about exciting opportunities for volunteering, sending in supplies, coming in to read to the class and more. If you do not want your email address to be shared with the room parents, you will need to let me know on or before Friday, September 16th. Please know that if you opt-out, you will not receive communication from the room parents about how to support our classroom.
A Note from Cafeteria Manager:
If your student's account says that their account cash can only be used for meals, then I cannot let them buy snacks. My computer will not let it go through. I'm not sure if it is something that they can change on myschoolbucks, but if not, I need permission from a parent to change it in my computer.
Thank you for all of the snack notes so far! Super helpful!!😍
Thanks!
Selina Celebre
Cafeteria Manager
sccelebre@henrico.k12.va.us
Short Pump Elementary School
804-360-0812 Ext. 2
Interested in Volunteering?
Are you interested in volunteering at SPES? If you are interested in helping in the cafeteria, the classroom, on field trips and many other volunteer opportunities, we invite you to our in-person or virtual Volunteer Orientation. Please see the attached flyer and remember you MUST register before volunteering at SPES. Hope to see all our SPES volunteers at either in-person or virtually.
In-Person Volunteer Orientation: Friday, September 9th from 9:00am-10:00am (in the SPES Cafeteria)
Virtual Volunteer Orientation: Monday, September 12th from 5:30pm-6:30pm (click on the teams link located on the flyer)
Volunteer Orientation Flyer
Week of Sept. 12 - 16:
Hello Families,
Students did an even better job this week of utilizing routines and transitioning. Graded Paper Folders were sent home again this afternoon. Please review them, sign the blue “cover sheet,” and return just the signed cover sheet and the folder at the beginning of each week. The rest of the papers in the folder may stay at home.
Students should be working on creating a Student of the Week poster. A bright blue sheet with instructions for what to include was sent home the first week. The completed posters are due Monday, Sept. 12.
Here’s what’s on deck for next week:
On Tuesday students will take the Virginia Growth Assessment in Reading.
In Math, students will continue learning about prime and composite numbers. They will have a quiz on SOL 5.3 (being able to identify and describe the characteristics of even, odd, prime, and composite numbers) on Thursday. They have numerous notes and practice in their math spiral notebook to aid them in studying.
Most students need to continue to work on learning their multiplication facts. Last week students completed a 10x10 multiplication chart one night and wrote out all the multiplication facts 1 – 10 another day. These are great practice activities to continue daily, even if not assigned.
In Language Arts, students will continue learning procedures, mindsets, and expectations for our Readers’ Workshop. Students will practice using the “Book, Head, Heart” framework independently, and they’ll take notes on different literary genres as well as participate in activities to increase their understanding of the characteristics of each genre through the remainder of the week.
Students will work with their first vocabulary list and will be introduced to prewriting webs as a form of brainstorming and planning their writing.
Last week, students came home with a book report assignment that is due in mid-October. Students have selected a book to read and should be reading regularly in their BRB’s (Book Report Books). The final reports are not due until mid-October. For now, please help ensure that your child is reading in the book frequently.
In 5th grade, students are expected to bring their Chromebook home every night, charge them, and return both their Chromebook and the chargers to school each day. Please help your children as they establish these new habits. While you’re here, please check out the other information available on my blog, such as the calendar and the assignment page. Have a great weekend.
Andrea McGee
Interested in Volunteering?
Are you interested in volunteering at SPES? If you are interested in helping in the cafeteria, the classroom, on field trips and many other volunteer opportunities, we invite you to our in-person or virtual Volunteer Orientation. Please see the attached flyer and remember you MUST register before volunteering at SPES. Hope to see all our SPES volunteers at either in-person or virtually.
In-Person Volunteer Orientation: Friday, September 9th from 9:00am-10:00am (in the SPES Cafeteria)
Virtual Volunteer Orientation: Monday, September 12th from 5:30pm-6:30pm (click on the teams link located on the flyer)
Volunteer Orientation Flyer
