Team
Viking
Mrs. Kaldas & Ms. Levi
2026-2027
(Image of NASA Viking Mars Lander)
*Homeroom 366, English Language Arts (ELA) & Social Studies
*Loves reading, writing, traveling, and dogs. Spending time with family is the most important thing to Mrs. Kaldas!
*Homeroom 368, Math & Science
*Loves turtles, arts and crafts, puzzles, and practicing circus skills like juggling. Spending time in nature is very relaxing for Ms. Levi!
*Classroom 364, Reading and Resource
*Loves all spooky things, drawing, reading, as well as listening to music and dancing. She also loves spending time with her dog! Ms. Manchester's perfect day is a cool, rainy day where she can snuggle up with a good book and a cup of tea or coffee!
* jmanchester@stonehamschools.org
*Classroom 170, Math and ELA
*Loves watching her daughters compete in sports and perform on stage. She also likes hiking, especially in National Parks!
*jmahr@stonehamschools.org
Week of 10/19-10/23
ELA/SS- We are starting the week focusing on the skill of comparing and contrasting in ELA. We are continuing to read Because of Mr. Terupt and practicing our 5th grade written reponses! In Social Studies, we are comparing and contrasting the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Georgia colonies. We will finish the week up with our first Social Studies project!
Math/Science- We are shifting into addition and subtraction with decimals during Math class. This includes estimating with money, a very valuable skill! In Science we will continue to investigating many different properties of matter by testing the interesting objects selected by students.
Other: Early release this Friday.
Week of 10/13-10/16
ELA/SS- In ELA we are continuing our novel study of Because of Mr. Terupt. We are creating a class "story mountain" together. This week we will read the climax of the story and begin navigating the falling actions. Students will be analyzing how each character responds to the climax and what this reveals about them as a character. For Social Studies, we will be diving deeper into the 13 original colonies. This week students will be comparing and contrasting the Massachusetts Bay colony, the Rhode Island colony, the New York colony and the Pennsylvania colony.
Math/Science- In Math class, we will add expanded form with decimals to our repertoire. Then we will review all about place value with and without decimal numbers before a final quiz. In Science we are investigating many different properties of matter by testing interesting objects selected by students.
Other: EXCITING NEWS! The author of Because of Mr. Terupt will be visiting on November 12th! If interested, you can order books to be delivered during his visit. Any book purchased through this link will be signed by Rob Buyea!
Week of 10/5-10/9
ELA/SS- In ELA we are continuing our novel study of Because of Mr. Terupt. We will continue to focus on character development and conflict while adding in Story Mountains. We will do a mix of reading and writing as we move through the week! During Social Studies we will continue to dive deeper into the regions of the 13 original colonies learning what is unique about each. Students have a quiz on the 13 colonies map this Friday 10/9!
Math/Science- In Math class, decimal numbers are our focus. We will compare decimals, find alternate ways to represent decimals, and practice speaking out loud about the decimals. In Science class, we are beginning our study of the properties of matter with a "Spaghetti Tower" engineering challenge.
Week of 9/28-10/2
HOMEROOMS-Picture day is Monday 9/28 (No purchase necessary, but keep in mind your teachers will be looking at this photo for the whole next year, so it is a good day for a good hair day!). Then on Friday will be the Spartan Run and an early release day.
ELA/SS- In ELA we are continuing our focus on character development and conflict as we work our way through Because of Mr. Terupt! Students will be participating in note taking, essential questions, along with partner/group work. In SS we are expanding our knowledge of the 13 original colonies. Keep an eye out for a map, they will have a quiz next week!
Math/Science- Our first formal math and science quizzes will happen this week. Students should check Google Classroom for study hints and other useful information. Our math quiz will be on place value including different number forms, digit vs. value. vs. place, using powers of ten, and comparing values. In science, we will check student knowledge related to scientific practices including some of the fancy science words that help scientists communicate and stay organized.
Week of 9/21-9/25
ELA/SS- This week we will be continuing to read our class novel Because of Mr. Terupt! Our big focus for reading this week is on character perspective and the STEAL method. Students will be learning the GIST method to help improve their written responses to comprehension questions. For Social Studies this week students will be learning about Roanoke, Jamestown, Pocahontas, Plymouth and life in the colonies! Keep an eye out for a compass rose study guide, the student's first quiz will be to fill out a Compass Rose. The quiz will be Friday 9/25.
Math/Science- In math, students have learned a new expanded form--we are calling it "Expanded form the 5th grade way." We will have a quiz soon to check how students are doing with the new number form as well as with writing bigger numbers using more familiar number forms. In science, we are thinking about the scientific practices that turn anyone into scientists. This includes practices like observing carefully, collecting data, and asking questions. Ask your student scientist about their penny drop experiments.
Week of 9/14-9/18
ELA/SS- This week we will be accomplishing the following in Social Studies: letters to future self, learning about geography and map skills, finding out about the importance of Constitution Day! For ELA, we are beginning our first class novel, Because of Mr. Terupt. Students will have homework each night for ELA.
Math/Science- In Math, we are reviewing place value concepts and applying them to BIG numbers while also getting familiar with our class tools and learning activities. In Science, we have started growing our 5th grade plants. We will take care of the plants and collect data about the plants all year long. In both Math and Science, we are using some BIG words and special words to communicate clearly with each other. Words like experiment, hypothesis, digit, value...
Welcome to 5th grade at SCMS! We are so glad you are part of our team!
At the beginning of the school year, we focus on getting to know each other and the building. We also work to establish good learning routines!