Week of March 9, 2020

News & Information

• 6th Grade Course Election Forms
  • Please return the completed form by the end of this week if possible. We will be helping students to enter in course elections the week of March 16th - 20th during their Media/Exploration block.
• Super Kids Day
  • Track 4 Super Kids day will be March 20 from 10AM-12PM. The rain date is March 23.
• EL Movie
  • We will be watching Remember the Titans to end our Module 3 EL Unit on March 27. Mrs. Hall's homeroom has brought in all permission forms. If your child is in Mr. Danahy's homeroom and has not brought in a permission form, please do so before March 27. Without a permission form, your child cannot watch the movie.
  • If you'd like to help provide snacks for our movie day, please sign up here.
• Graduation Tshirts
  • Please fill out this form so we have your child's tshirt size for graduation tshirts.
• Envisions
  • This semester all track 4 students will be participating in the Envisions project that our AIG teacher, Ms. Kessler puts together. This semester's project is entitled "Career Aspirations" and it requires students to choose a career they're interested in pursuing and research that career as well as what they need to do to reach their goal. Time is being built in to their ALL Block to work on this project. Students may also work on it at home. Every student has been given the instruction packet if you'd like to know more. These projects will be presented on June 25.
• Graduation
  • Mark your calendar for the Class of 2020 5th grade graduation. Graduation will be held Monday, June 29.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait will be Other People Matter: Cheering Others' Successes.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will finish up Unit 2 and begin Unit 3. Students will type the final drafts of their opinion essays and we will discuss good typing skills. We will also review the skill of determining character's point of view and comparing the points of view of various characters. We will end the week by learning about the Unit 3 Performance Task and students will choose an athlete who has been a leader of social change to research, present on, and create a poster about.

Keep reading at home and discussing with your child what they're reading!

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will begin continuing Unit 6 this week. This week, we will be introducing the division standard algorithm. NOTE: Students are not expected to master the standard algorithm in 5th grade. They should still utilize area models that work best for them. Please use the link below to support use of both the aread model and standard algorithm at home. Assessment scheduled for Friday (3/13).

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Area Model Division
• Standard Algorithm Division

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SCIENCE:

This week, students will learning about physical and chemical changes and heat transfer. Students have been completing study guides which should be reviewed Thursday night in advance of a quiz on Friday. The quiz will consist of the water cycle, properties of matter, physical versus chemical changes and heat transfer. Please see below for helpful videos & songs that we used in class.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Water Cycle Song - Go Noodle
• Heat Transfer Song
• 
  

Week of March 2, 2020

News & Information

• Graduation Tshirts
  • Please fill out this form so we have your child's tshirt size for graduation tshirts.
• Envisions
  • This semester all track 4 students will be participating in the Envisions project that our AIG teacher, Ms. Kessler puts together. This semester's project is entitled "Career Aspirations" and it requires students to choose a career they're interested in pursuing and research that career as well as what they need to do to reach their goal. Time is being built in to their ALL Block to work on this project. Students may also work on it at home. Every student has been given the instruction packet if you'd like to know more. These projects will be presented on June 25.
• Graduation
  • Mark your calendar for the Class of 2020 5th grade graduation. Graduation will be held Monday, June 29.
• Book Fair
  • During the book fair, your child may bring in money and visit the book fair any day. However, we will visit the book fair as a class to give students an opportunity to make purchases on Friday, March 6.
• Pictures:
  • Your child brought home a picture package for sale a few weeks ago. Please make sure you return any of those that you do not intend to purchase or please turn in your money for any you wish to keep. Thanks!
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait will be ZEST. Zest can be defined as having great enthusiasm and energy for anything of interest that life has to offer. Click the 'Zest' hyperlink to learn more about what your child will be learning this week!

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will finish up Unit 2 by taking the things we have learned about Jackie Robinson and writing an opinion essay on what factor that led to his success each student thinks was most important. We will write a paragraph a day and your child will be responsible for finishing their paragraph at home for homework if they do not finish in class. They will type their final draft on Tuesday, March 10.

Keep reading at home and discussing with your child what they're reading!

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will begin Unit 6 starting tomorrow. As part of this unit, students will explore use of the standard algorithm while considering previous experiences using strategies that built conceptual understanding of place value concepts. This should help bridge any potential gaps and build confidence in multi-digit operations. There is no scheduled math assessment this week. Please use the link below to support use of the standard algorithm at home. This particular video is color-coded, which should help to illustrate what's happening mathematically. Students will then revisit division strategies including interpreting remainders as the week comes to a close. NOTE: Students will not be exploring standard algorithm for division this week.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Multiplication - Standard Algorithm
• Area Model Division

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SCIENCE:

This week, students will be wrapping up a unit on Force & Motion. We will review for an assessment with a Kahoot lesson activity and assess on Wednesday, March 4th. We will then turn our attention to the water cycle and physical properties to end the week. Please use LearnEdNotebook materials as well as vocabulary materials this week to prepare for the assessment. Students will also be reminded to study and refer to these materials on Monday.

Week of February 24, 2020

News & Information

• Science NC Check-Ins - Thursday 2/27 (Danahy HR) & Friday 2/28 (Hall HR)
• Graduation Tshirts
  • Please fill out this form so we have your child's tshirt size for graduation tshirts.
• Envisions
  • This semester all track 4 students will be participating in the Envisions project that our AIG teacher, Ms. Kessler puts together. This semester's project is entitled "Career Aspirations" and it requires students to choose a career they're interested in pursuing and research that career as well as what they need to do to reach their goal. Time is being built in to their ALL Block to work on this project. Students may also work on it at home. Every student has been given the instruction packet if you'd like to know more. These projects will be presented on June 25.
• Graduation
  • Mark your calendar for the Class of 2020 5th grade graduation. Graduation will be held Monday, June 29.
• Book Fair
  • During the book fair, your child may bring in money and visit the book fair any day. However, we will visit the book fair as a class to give students an opportunity to make purchases on Friday, March 6.
• Pictures:

Your child brought home a picture package for sale a few weeks ago. Please make sure you return any of those that you do not intend to purchase or please turn in your money for any you wish to keep. Thanks!

• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait will continue to be LOVE. We are defining love as having close relationships that are important to you. So far, we have discussed relationships with family and friends.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will continue Unit 2. We will watch a clip from a documentary on Jackie Robinson to continue to expand our knowledge of what factors helped Jackie succeed. We will also begin comparing different people's points of view. Students will also be asked to begin to form their own opinion about what factor they think was most important to Jackie's success. Our mid unit assessment will be Tuesday, February 25. This assessment will have students watching a short video and reading an excerpt from our book "Promises to Keep" to answer some questions about certain people's points of view and supporting their ideas with evidence from the text.

Keep reading at home and discussing with your child what they're reading!

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will continue working on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators this week. We will use area models and number lines to build conceptual understanding as well as introduced use of the standard algorithm. Our assessment is this Thursday, February 27th. NOTE: As a reminder, mastery of the algorithm is not expected until 6^th grade. Building conceptual understanding through the use of visual models allows students flexibility when solving and requires a higher level of reasoning.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Subtracting Mixed Numbers Using Area Models
• Subtracting Mixed Numbers Using Number Lines
• Adding Mixed Numbers with Area Models
• Adding Fractions with Number Lines

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SCIENCE:

This week, students will participate in a lab using vehicle models to test for the effects of friction on a moving vehicle. Students will also evaluate distance/time graphs in order to determine what is happening to a vehicles motion over time. We will incorporate LearnEdNotebooks to help teach key concepts as we go. This packet can be used as a study guide along with the vocabulary sheet students already have in their binders. Assessment is sometime early next week.

Week of February 17, 2020

News & Information

• Science NC Check-Ins - Thursday 2/27 (Danahy HR) & Friday 2/28 (Hall HR)
• Envisions
  • This semester all track 4 students will be participating in the Envisions project that our AIG teacher, Ms. Kessler puts together. This semester's project is entitled "Career Aspirations" and it requires students to choose a career they're interested in pursuing and research that career as well as what they need to do to reach their goal. Time is being built in to their ALL Block to work on this project. Students may also work on it at home. Every student has been given the instruction packet if you'd like to know more. These projects will be presented on June 25.
• Graduation
  • Mark your calendar for the Class of 2020 5th grade graduation. Graduation will be held Monday, June 29.
• Book Fair
  • During the book fair, your child may bring in money and visit the book fair any day. However, we will visit the book fair as a class to give students an opportunity to make purchases on Friday, March 6.
• Winter Wonderland Dance:
  • The Family Dance Committee is looking to borrow strands of Christmas lights for the dance. They will be returned. Please email your student's homeroom teacher if able to help. :-)
• Pictures:
  • Your child brought home a picture package for sale last week. Please make sure you return any of those that you do not intend to purchase or please turn in your money for any you wish to keep. Thanks!
• Spring Running Club:
  • If your child would like to prepare for a race (1 mile, 2 mile, 5K), they can join Brassfield's running club. Every week, they will work on building endurance and speed while fostering a love of running. The club will begin on Wednesday, March 25 and will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45. The last running club meeting will be on May 27. Runners may attend running club during track out if someone can drop them off, sign in with the coach, and pick them up as usual. Runners must be picked up promptly at 4:45 in the carpool parking lot. Students are expected to exhibit good B.E.A.R.S behavior. Runners will receive one warning for poor behavior choices. After one warning, runners who continue to make poor choices will be asked to leave the club. If you have questions, feel free to contact Libby Lipetzky (elipetzky@wcpss.net).
  • Reminder: This form must be completed each season. If your child participated in the fall, you must still complete this form in order for him/her to participate this spring. Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/ZntUt2httJwXDwmCA
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is LOVE. We want to encourage students this week to expand their definition of love as more than just a romantic feeling. Instead, it's a feeling they may have with all of their close relationships. This week we will be encouraging students to think about how they can improve their relationships and show others they love and care for them.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will start unit 2 of this module. This week we will listen to a radio show interview of Jackie Robinson and watch a piece of a documentary on Jackie Robinson to explore other people's points of view on what made Jackie Robinson successful. We will also work on expanding our vocabulary skills and context clues skills. Our mid unit assessment will be Tuesday, February 25. This assessment will have students watching a short video and reading an excerpt from our book "Promises to Keep" to answer some questions about certain people's points of view and supporting their ideas with evidence from the text.

Keep reading at home and discussing with your child what they're reading!

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will continue working on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators this week. We will use area models and number lines to build conceptual understanding. NOTE: Remember, during this unit, students will use various models for adding and subtracting fractions to build toward developing an understanding of the standard algorithm. However, mastery of the algorithm is not expected until 6^th grade. It is important for students to use open number lines when using number lines to solve problems, rather than providing students with number lines that are already partitioned into the fractional sections. This allows them flexibility when solving and requires a higher level of reasoning.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Subtracting Mixed Numbers Using Area Models
• Subtracting Mixed Numbers Using Number Lines
• Adding Mixed Numbers with Area Models
• Adding Fractions with Number Lines

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SCIENCE:

Student will participate in a lab using vehicle models. Students will evaluate effects of friction on a vehicles motion by participating in several labs. We will also incorporate LearnEdNotebooks to help teach key concepts as we go. Lastly, students will evaluate distance/time graphs in order to determine what is happening to a vehicles motion over time.

Week of February 10, 2020

News & Information

• Math NC Check-Ins - Thursday (2/13)
• Human Growth & Development:
  • In Health, we will be discussing Human Growth and Development. This is a three-day unit that will discuss the physical, emotional and social changes that occur to both boys and girls during Puberty. Some topics that will be discussed: male and female reproductive anatomy and development; maintaining good hygiene; menstruation; emotional, social and cognitive changes; living a healthy lifestyle.
  • Per Wake County Public School policy #5120, if you do not want your child to complete this unit of study, then please send a note to your child's teaching stating that you do not want your child to participate. If your child does not participate in the Human Growth and Development Unit, they will not be penalized, but rather engaged in an alternative health unit.
• Winter Wonderland Dance:
  • The Family Dance Committee is looking to borrow strands of Christmas lights for the dance. They will be returned.
• Pictures:
  • Your child brought home a picture package for sale last week. Please make sure you return any of those that you do not intend to purchase or please turn in your money for any you wish to keep. Thanks!
• Spring Running Club:
  • If your child would like to prepare for a race (1 mile, 2 mile, 5K), they can join Brassfield's running club. Every week, they will work on building endurance and speed while fostering a love of running. The club will begin on Wednesday, March 25 and will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45. The last running club meeting will be on May 27. Runners may attend running club during track out if someone can drop them off, sign in with the coach, and pick them up as usual. Runners must be picked up promptly at 4:45 in the carpool parking lot. Students are expected to exhibit good B.E.A.R.S behavior. Runners will receive one warning for poor behavior choices. After one warning, runners who continue to make poor choices will be asked to leave the club. If you have questions, feel free to contact Libby Lipetzky (elipetzky@wcpss.net).
  • Reminder: This form must be completed each season. If your child participated in the fall, you must still complete this form in order for him/her to participate this spring. Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/ZntUt2httJwXDwmCA
• Wake Up and Read
  • Help us ensure every student in Wake County is ready to succeed! Brassfield will be holding our book donation drive from January 23- February 14. Please consider donating any new or gently used books for children from birth-12th grade. Bins will be available in the lobby for drop off.
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is Forgiveness. One of the most important aspects of this character traits is for students to remember that everyone makes mistakes.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will continue to read "Promises to Keep" which tells the story of Jackie Robinson and how he helped change America. We will continue to focus on the reading skills of finding the main idea and summarizing . We will also be looking in the text for evidence of what factors helped Jackie Robinson to be successful. The end of unit assessment will be Friday, February 14. On the end of unit assessment, students will have to summarize a section of text that will be read aloud to them. They will also have to answer some questions about Jackie Robinson using specific evidence from the text.

Keep reading at home and discussing with your child what they're reading!

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will begin a unit on adding & subtracting fractions this week. To start, students will refresh their knowledge of fraction benchmarks 0, 1/2 & 1. They will then venture into adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. Students are not expected to use/know the standard algorithm when performing these operations. We will use area models and number lines this week. However, they will recognize that a common denominator is needed to perform the operation.

NC Check-Ins Assessment on Thursday.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Adding Fractions w/ Area Model
• Subtracting Fractions w/Area Model

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SCIENCE:

Student will participate in a lab using vehicle models. Students will evaluate effects of friction on a vehicles motion by participating in several labs. We will also incorporate LearnEdNotebooks to help teach key concepts as we go. Lastly, students will evaluate distance/time graphs in order to determine what is happening to a vehicles motion over time.

Week of February 3, 2020

News & Information

• Report Cards
  • Report Cards for 2nd quarter will go home in your child's Wednesday folder.
• Field Trips:
  • February 4- Science is Fun in school field trip
• Human Growth & Development:
  • In Health, we will be discussing Human Growth and Development. This is a three-day unit that will discuss the physical, emotional and social changes that occur to both boys and girls during Puberty. Some topics that will be discussed: male and female reproductive anatomy and development; maintaining good hygiene; menstruation; emotional, social and cognitive changes; living a healthy lifestyle.
  • Per Wake County Public School policy #5120, if you do not want your child to complete this unit of study, then please send a note to your child's teaching stating that you do not want your child to participate. If your child does not participate in the Human Growth and Development Unit, they will not be penalized, but rather engaged in an alternative health unit.
• Spring Running Club:
  • If your child would like to prepare for a race (1 mile, 2 mile, 5K), they can join Brassfield's running club. Every week, they will work on building endurance and speed while fostering a love of running. The club will begin on Wednesday, March 25 and will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45. The last running club meeting will be on May 27. Runners may attend running club during track out if someone can drop them off, sign in with the coach, and pick them up as usual. Runners must be picked up promptly at 4:45 in the carpool parking lot. Students are expected to exhibit good B.E.A.R.S behavior. Runners will receive one warning for poor behavior choices. After one warning, runners who continue to make poor choices will be asked to leave the club. If you have questions, feel free to contact Libby Lipetzky (elipetzky@wcpss.net).
  • Reminder: This form must be completed each season. If your child participated in the fall, you must still complete this form in order for him/her to participate this spring. Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/ZntUt2httJwXDwmCA
• Wake Up and Read
  • Help us ensure every student in Wake County is ready to succeed! Brassfield will be holding our book donation drive from January 23- February 14. Please consider donating any new or gently used books for children from birth-12th grade. Bins will be available in the lobby for drop off.
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is Other People Matter Mindset: Supporting Others.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will continue to read "Promises to Keep" which tells the story of Jackie Robinson and how he helped change America. We will continue to focus on the reading skills of finding the main idea and summarizing . We will also be looking in the text for evidence of what factors helped Jackie Robinson to be successful. The mid unit assessment will be Monday, February 3 and the end of unit assessment will be Friday, February 14. On the end of unit assessment, students will have to summarize a section of text that will be read aloud to them. They will also have to answer some questions about Jackie Robinson using specific evidence from the text.

The new homework accountability using the reading log sheet has gone well in it's first week. Most students read or are in the process of reading 1-3 books this week. I enjoyed hearing about the books they are reading! Thank you for your support.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will continue using models for adding and subtracting decimals. Models will include number lines and area models. As a note, students are not expected to use the standard algorithm until 6th grade though I'm including it as another strategy option. Please feel free to use the video resources below to support learning at home. We have an assessment on Thursday. We will delve into adding and subtracting with fractions starting Friday.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Adding & Subtracting Decimals using Area Model
• Adding & Subtracting Decimals using Number Lines

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SCIENCE:

Student will follow a blueprint to build and sketch a K'Nex vehicles that will be used as part of an upcoming experiment focused on gravity. Students will also participate in LeardEdNotebooks as well in order to build conceptual understanding through vocabulary and discussion.

Finally, the 5th grade team purchased 'LearnEdNotebooks', an online program that includes digital slideshows and teacher materials that align with the NC Essential Standards. We are excited to be using this valuable resource in conjunction with the hands-on learning activities provided as part of this unit!

Week of January 27, 2020

News & Information

• Field Trips:
  • January 30 - Marbles IMAX field trip
  • February 4- Science is Fun in school field trip
• Human Growth & Development:
  • In Health, we will be discussing Human Growth and Development. This is a three-day unit that will discuss the physical, emotional and social changes that occur to both boys and girls during Puberty. Some topics that will be discussed: male and female reproductive anatomy and development; maintaining good hygiene; menstruation; emotional, social and cognitive changes; living a healthy lifestyle.
  • Per Wake County Public School policy #5120, if you do not want your child to complete this unit of study, then please send a note to your child's teaching stating that you do not want your child to participate. If your child does not participate in the Human Growth and Development Unit, they will not be penalized, but rather engaged in an alternative health unit.
  • 5th grade teachers will be hosting a parent information session on the Human Growth & Development Unit on Tuesday, January 28 at 4:15 in Mrs. Albert's room (Rm. 312) to help answer any questions you might have.
  • Wednesday Folders are going home on Monday, January 27th with additional information regarding this meeting and information about the HG&D Unit.
• Spring Running Club:
  • If your child would like to prepare for a race (1 mile, 2 mile, 5K), they can join Brassfield's running club. Every week, they will work on building endurance and speed while fostering a love of running. The club will begin on Wednesday, March 25 and will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45. The last running club meeting will be on May 27. Runners may attend running club during track out if someone can drop them off, sign in with the coach, and pick them up as usual. Runners must be picked up promptly at 4:45 in the carpool parking lot. Students are expected to exhibit good B.E.A.R.S behavior. Runners will receive one warning for poor behavior choices. After one warning, runners who continue to make poor choices will be asked to leave the club. If you have questions, feel free to contact Libby Lipetzky (elipetzky@wcpss.net).
  • Reminder: This form must be completed each season. If your child participated in the fall, you must still complete this form in order for him/her to participate this spring. Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/ZntUt2httJwXDwmCA
• Wake Up and Read
  • Help us ensure every student in Wake County is ready to succeed! Brassfield will be holding our book donation drive from January 23- February 14. Please consider donating any new or gently used books for children from birth-12th grade. Bins will be available in the lobby for drop off.
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is perseverance. This is a character trait that we already discuss a lot as many tasks at school require students to push through and keep at it even when things get tough. Does your child persevere through tasks or do they move quickly from one thing to the next when it gets "too hard" or they get bored?

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will begin our 3rd Module titled "Athletes: Leaders of Social Change." Students will read "Promises to Keep" which tells the story of Jackie Robinson and how he helped change America. We will focus on the reading skills of finding the main idea and summarizing . It is looking like students will have a mid unit assessment on summarizing and informational text on Monday, February 3.

Due to parent feedback, student feedback, and teacher observation I am adding an accountability piece to reading homework. Each student is expected to read at least 20 minutes every night. Simply reading and discussing what they're reading is a great way to increase students' skills in reading. I do not want to add a lot of extra work for students and parents because I do want families to have time to spend together and I understand many students are involved in after school activities. This week I will be showing students what will be expected of them to keep track of what they're reading. Students will be required to have an adult sign off on a book after they complete it. (This adult can be parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, neighbor, babysitter, teacher, etc.). They do need to tell the adult about the book/answer questions the adult may have about the book. After a student finishes a book, they need to create a slide to add to their Google Slides reading log. This slide must contain the following: title of book, author, date started, date finished, a rating (ex: 5 stars), and a brief review of the book. They may also include a picture of the cover of the book. They can complete their slide at home or there will be time available at school for this as well. I will check in with students once a week to see how their reading is going. I am looking for students to read about 1 book a week. This is not a hard, set rule as books vary by size/difficulty and students' reading abilities vary. Don't forget picture books! While I love a good chapter book, there are some great, complex picture books out there for this age group too. Students don't have to stick to chapter books only. I also want to encourage students to read across a variety or genres. Let me know if you have any questions/feedback as we implement this new system.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will turn their attention to using models for adding and subtracting decimals. Models will include number lines and area models. As a note, students are not expected to use the standard algorithm until 6th grade. Please feel free to use the video resources below to support learning at home.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

• Adding & Subtracting Decimals using Area Model
• Adding & Subtracting Decimals using Number Lines

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students that haven't presented their "Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project" will be doing that on Monday and Tuesday. Presentations will be done 1:1 with the teacher. See below for what the other students will be doing in science!

SCIENCE:

This quarter, students will be learning all about Motion & Design. On Monday and Tuesday, students will be immersed in an introductory reading integration where they will be introduced to concepts related to force and motion. Among the topics, students will explore gravitation, friction, force, acceleration including balanced & unbalanced forces, speed, velocity, momentum, inertia and Newton's laws of motion. Starting on Wednesday, students will be split into groups where they will either be working in small teams to design K'Nex vehicles that will be used as part of future experiments or participating in a teacher-led Forces of Motion lesson via LearnEdNotebooks (see below). Groups will be strategically assembled and participate in both the hands-on and teacher-led activities.

Finally, the 5th grade team purchased 'LearnEdNotebooks', an online program that includes digital slideshows and teacher materials that align with the NC Essential Standards. We are excited to be using this valuable resource in conjunction with the hands-on learning activities provided as part of this unit!

Week of December 16, 2019

News & Information

• Spirit Week- December 16-20 (NEXT WEEK!)
  • Merry Monday- Dress yourself up like a present! (show Kindness by writing a nice note to someone)
  • Tacky Tuesday - Ugly sweaters, elf socks, jingle bell accessories, light necklaces, santa hat, etc. (show Open Mindedness by complimenting others wacky choices!)
  • Winter Wonderland Wednesday - Wear white and dress like a snowman, snow angel, polarbear, arctic animal, etc. (show Creativity by making a paper snowflake for someone)
  • The Grinch Thursday: Dress like the Grinch (or characters from it) (show Love like the Grinch and give someone a hug)
  • Festive Slumber Party Friday- Wear your holiday PJs! (show Humor and write someone a holiday joke!)
  • 2nd Quarter Showcase- December 20th
    • Students will present their South America research from their work in specials at 10:35 in the Media Center.
    • Students will present their classroom learning at 11:30 in Media Center.
• Positivity Project Award Presentation will be December 18. You should have received an invitation if your child will be receiving an award.
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is prudence. This character trait is all about making careful decisions, thinking before speaking/acting, and planning for the future. Do you talk to your child about how their actions have consequences (for themselves and others)? Do you discuss how their choices can affect their future? These are often not things kids naturally think about.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week in EL we will begin taking our narrative stories and turning them into e-books. Students will get a chance to be authors and illustrators. We will use a website to create realistic e-books containing covers they create, illustrations or images, and stories they wrote. They will be able to share these with you on Friday. We will also update our digital portfolios with all of our quarter 2 work, an updated reading log, and a reflection on 2nd quarter.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students continue working on place value concepts including multiplying and dividing decimals by 10's, 100's & 1,000's. This week, students will wrap up this unit with a focus on metric measurement. Students will continue to spiral back through the curriculum by graphing metric conversion data (line plots) that has been rounded. We will then have students analyze the data in various ways. Our final math assessment of the quarter is Wednesday!

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Numberock: Metric Conversion

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students wrapped up their Human Body units last week and participated in some review on Ecosystems (food chains & food webs). We are officially returning to our focus on the American Revolution "Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project". We will get as far as we can to end the quarter and send home the remainder of the project to complete as an extra credit extension opportunity. Students will present after returning from trackout.

Week of December 9, 2019

News & Information

• Lost & Found Event - Brassfield ES is going to put tables outside the cafeteria for Lost and Found on Thurs 12/5, Fri 12/6, Sat 12/7, Mon 12/9, Tues 12/10.
• Spirit Week- December 16-20 (NEXT WEEK!)
  • Merry Monday- Dress yourself up like a present! (show Kindness by writing a nice note to someone)
  • Tacky Tuesday - Ugly sweaters, elf socks, jingle bell accessories, light necklaces, santa hat, etc. (show Open Mindedness by complimenting others wacky choices!)
  • Winter Wonderland Wednesday - Wear white and dress like a snowman, snow angel, polarbear, arctic animal, etc. (show Creativity by making a paper snowflake for someone)
  • The Grinch Thursday: Dress like the Grinch (or characters from it) (show Love like the Grinch and give someone a hug)
  • Festive Slumber Party Friday- Wear your holiday PJs! (show Humor and write someone a holiday joke!)
  • 2nd Quarter Showcase- December 20th
  • Students will present their South America research from their work in specials at 10:35 in the Media Center.
  • Students will present their classroom learning at 11:30 in Media Center.
• Positivity Project Award Presentation will be December 18. You should have received an invitation if your child will be receiving an award.
• Students love using Makerspace and we need help restocking it. See what's needed here. --Both classes have been using Makerspace for EL and Science and many supplies are running low! Feel free to donate anything from the list (not just what we've been assigned). I particularly noticed the following things are low or have run out: paint, small hot glue gun glue sticks, liquid glue, tape, pom poms, stickers, cardboard, various size containers, paper towel rolls, baby wipes, play-doh, modeling clay, and pipe cleaners. Thank you!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is optimism. It can be too easy to focus on all the negative things going on in our own lives or in the world. Look for the good! Can you try to model this this week and encourage your child to see the positive in a world filled with too much negativity?

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This next week in EL we will discuss how authors can "slow down" important moments in a story or "speed up" the less important things. We will be finishing narratives and revising and editing. Students will also review conjunctions as well as learn about interjections and prepositions. Students will complete their final drafts of their narratives by Thursday and turn them in for a test grade. They will also have their end of unit 3 test on Friday. This test will cover conjunctions, interjections, prepositions, and how to revise sentences to make them sound better.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students have been working on place value concepts including multiplying and dividing decimals by 10's, 100's & 1,000's. This week, students will do a Kahoot review then take a quiz (Monday) and continue a focus on decimals through the week. We will turn our attention to measurement concepts within the metric system while graphing data related to weather and other real-world concepts.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Numberock: Ordering Decimals

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students are taking a break from learning about the American Revolution but will end the quarter participating in a "Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project" as part of our end of quarter 2 student learning experience. This will start on Thursday.

SCIENCE:

We are in the final week of our Human Body unit. This week, students are wrapping up Raleigh Amusement Park Projects. On Monday, student groups will write their summary paragraphs regarding how at least 3 of the systems work together. We will do an NC Check-Ins review Tuesday and additional strategic review on Wednesday based on careful review of data collected.

Week of December 2nd, 2019

News & Information

• Saturday School - December 7th
• Lost & Found Event - Brassfield ES is going to put tables outside the cafeteria for Lost and Found on Thurs 12/5, Fri 12/6, Sat 12/7, Mon 12/9, Tues 12/10. Dr Branch is going to do a School Messenger announcement for parents in the coming days. :-)
• 2nd Quarter Showcase- December 20
  • Students will present their South America research from their work in specials at 10:35 in the Media Center.
  • Students will present their classroom learning at 11:30 in Mr. Danahy's and Mrs. Hall's classrooms.
• Positivity Project Award Presentation will be December 18. You will receive an invitation if your child will be receiving an award.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is self control. Part of the definition of self control is thinking before you act (or think before you type/post, etc.). How often is your child given opportunities to practice this important skill?

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This next week in EL we will begin discussing what makes a good narrative. We will analyze a model narrative and students will work with a partner to begin to write their own narrative. Students will get to use their imaginations for this project as we work on completing their performance task for Module 2 that we will be able to share with you at the end of the quarter. We will also begin learning about conjunctions, interjections, and prepositions.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students have turned their attention to place value concepts. Students are learning to read, write & compare decimal numbers including tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Numberock: Ordering Decimals

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students are taking a break from learning about the American Revolution but will end the quarter participating in a "Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project" as part of our end of quarter 2 student learning experience.

SCIENCE:

We are in week 3 of our Human Body unit. This week, students will dive deeper into human body systems in order to better understand how the systems all work together. Students are starting a Raleigh Amusement Park Project that will challenge them to create an amusement park attraction that connects learning from each of the body systems. Student groups will then write a summary regarding how at least 3 of the systems work together. Once writeups have been approved, students will finally get a chance to build their amusement parks! :-)

Week of November 18th and 25th, 2019

News & Information

• NC Check-Ins Science (Ecosystems & Human Body)- UPDATED!!! - November 25th (Hall's Homeroom) November 26th (Danahy's homeroom)
• Thanksgiving Break November 27-29
• 2nd Quarter Showcase- December 20
  • Students will present their South America research from their work in specials at 10:35 in the Media Center.
  • Students will present their classroom learning at 11:30 in Mr. Danahy's and Mrs. Hall's classrooms.
• For the 3rd year in a row, Wake County schools are partnering with the Carolina Hurricanes for READvolution. Your child can participate by logging their number of minutes read plus books read on their own personalized READvolution site. Their page can be accessed from the READvolution icon on their WAKEID homepage.
• FYI...Please remember to send in a note or an email when your child is absent from school. If you know ahead of time that an absence is coming up, please let us know and we can send home any work they will miss:
  • The only absences that can be excused are sickness, doctor's appointments, deaths in the family, pre-approved educational opportunities, a religious observance, or a legal proceeding.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is humility. Please see the link to learn more! :-)

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This next week and a half we will wrap up Unit 2. We will be discussing and analyzing how authors use concrete language and sensory details to enhance their writing. We will also practice doing this to our own writing. Students will be researching and writing an informative paper on the rainforest as well as beginning to plan a Makerspace project that represents the beauty of the rainforest.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will continue exploring division involving fractions. Please see resources below that will help to support learning at home. We have an assessment this Thursday. Please continue to support homework!

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Numberock: Ordering Decimals

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students are taking a break from learning about the American Revolution but will end the quarter participating in a "Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project" as part of our end of quarter 2 student learning experience.

SCIENCE:

We are in week 3 of our Human Body unit. This week, students will dive deeper into human body systems in order to better understand how the systems all work together. Students are starting a Raleigh Amusement Park Project that will challenge them to create an amusement park attraction that connects learning from each of the body systems. Student groups will then write a summary regarding how at least 3 of the systems work together. Once writeups have been approved, students will finally get a chance to build their amusement parks! :-)

Week of November 12th, 2019

News & Information

• Saturday School Make-Up Day - November 16th
• NC Check-Ins Science (Ecosystems & Human Body)- UPDATED!!! - November 25th (Hall's Homeroom) November 26th (Danahy's homeroom)
• 2nd Quarter Showcase- December 20
  • Students will present their South America research from their work in specials at 10:35 in the Media Center.
  • Students will present their classroom learning at 11:30 in Mr. Danahy's and Mrs. Hall's classrooms.
• For the 3rd year in a row, Wake County schools are partnering with the Carolina Hurricanes for READvolution. Your child can participate by logging their number of minutes read plus books read on their own personalized READvolution site. Their page can be accessed from the READvolution icon on their WAKEID homepage.
• FYI...Please remember to send in a note or an email when your child is absent from school. If you know ahead of time that an absence is coming up, please let us know and we can send home any work they will miss:
  • The only absences that can be excused are sickness, doctor's appointments, deaths in the family, pre-approved educational opportunities, a religious observance, or a legal proceeding.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is kindness. What a simple skill that is so often missing when we're interacting with others (particularly on social media)! This week, could you have a conversation with your child about their social media, video viewing, or gaming experiences and if they are being kind and promoting kindness on these platforms? Or would your family be willing to take part in random acts of kindness?

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week students will begin Unit 2. We will begin discussing and comparing/contrasting texts told from both first person and third person point of view. We will also work on identifying and figuring out the meanings of similes, metaphors, and idioms. We will have our mid unit assessment on Friday on similes, metaphors, idioms, and point of view.

Also please note that I did have to slow down on using videos and Google Classroom as much due to having difficulty finding enough devices for students to use. We will have a few teaching videos during this unit, but not this week.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: Students will continue exploring division involving fractions. Please see resources below that will help to support learning at home.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Divide Unit Fractions by Whole Numbers

Divide Whole Numbers by Unit Fractions

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Students are taking a break from learning about the American Revolution but will end the quarter participating in a "Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project" as part of our end of quarter 2 student learning experience.

SCIENCE:

We will now turn our focus to the Human Body unit. This week, students will review unicellular vs multicellular organisms and dive into heredity. To end the week, we will start to explore Major Body Systems. We are working to brush the surface of all areas of this unit prior to the NC Check-In. However, we will dive deeper into this content over the next few weeks in order to better understand the parts, purpose and how everything works together.

Week of November 4th, 2019

News & Information

• NC Check-Ins Math Assessment (Q1 content) - November 6th
• NC Check-Ins Science (Ecosystems)- November 20th (Hall's Homeroom) November 22nd (Danahy's homeroom)
• 2nd Quarter Showcase- December 20
  • Students will present their South America research from their work in specials at 10:35 in the Media Center.
  • Students will present their classroom learning at 11:30 in Mr. Danahy's and Mrs. Hall's classrooms.
• For the 3rd year in a row, Wake County schools are partnering with the Carolina Hurricanes for READvolution. Your child can participate by logging their number of minutes read plus books read on their own personalized READvolution site. Their page can be accessed from the READvolution icon on their WAKEID homepage.
• FYI...Please remember to send in a note or an email when your child is absent from school. If you know ahead of time that an absence is coming up, please let us know and we can send home any work they will miss:
  • The only absences that can be excused are sickness, doctor's appointments, deaths in the family, pre-approved educational opportunities, a religious observance, or a legal proceeding.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is once again gratitude. We discussed the benefits of having a grateful attitude and how showing gratitude can decrease blood pressure, improve sleep, lessen anxiety, and just increase quality of life. Students are encouraged to look for ways to show gratitude to others as well as think of things they're thankful for in their own life. Could you take a few minutes every day around the dinner table, driving in the car, or before bedtime to discuss 3 things you're thankful for with your child?

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week students will participate in a Science Talk. They will need to prepare to answer a question by researching a specific question and then discuss it with the group. On Thursday, November 7, students will complete Unit 1 End of Unit Assessment Part I which involves researching and filling in a notecatcher. On Friday, November 8, students will complete Unit 1 End of Unit Assessment Part II which will involved taking part in a Science Talk.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

MATH: This week, students will start each lesson by doing a review problem from quarter 1 in an effort to refresh previously learned skills. They will also be introduced to dividing fractions by whole numbers using area models. We will work hard to build conceptual understanding in order to interpret fractions as division. Please support at home using the links below!

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Divide Unit Fractions by Whole Numbers

Divide Whole Numbers by Unit Fractions

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

To continue quarter 2, students will investigate specific battles associated with the American Revolution. Specifically, students will explore the following battles (see video hyperlinks below). After exploring each, students will choose from one of the battles and complete a graphic organizer that will help them to summarize the most important events within the battle. They will present summaries by Thursday and then be introduced to our 'Faces of the American Revolution Wax Museum Project' this coming Friday. Each student will choose a historical figure from the American Revolution and prepare a presentation. We will spend all of next week working on this project. This presentation will be shared at our end of quarter showcase!

• Battle of Lexington & Concord
• Battle of Trenton
• New York Campaign
• The Battle of Saratoga

Week of October 28th, 2019

News & Information

• If you have not already taken this Parent Survey, please do to share feedback on 1st quarter. For those of you who took it, thank you so much for your feedback! I hope we can continue to make changes and improvements as the year moves forward.
• This year Brassfield will have their first ever SPIRIT WEEK! Spirit Week will be from October 28-November 1. Here are the dress up day details:
  • Monday- Team Jersey Day- wear any jersey, tshirt, etc to show off your favorite team (can be any sport, school, team, etc.)
  • Tuesday- Movie Star & Mustache Day- dress fancy, like a movie star or wear a mustache for a day.
  • Wednesday- Twin Day- find a friend and dress in similar clothes, hairstyles, etc.
  • Thursday- Book Character Parade- come dressed as your favorite book character and bring the book to go with it!
  • Friday- Blue & Yellow Day- show your Brassfield spirit by wearing your blue & yellow!
• NC Check-Ins Math Assessment (Q1 content) - November 6th
• For the 3rd year in a row, Wake County schools are partnering with the Carolina Hurricanes for READvolution. Your child can participate by logging their number of minutes read plus books read on their own personalized READvolution site. Their page can be accessed from the READvolution icon on their WAKEID homepage.
• FYI...Please remember to send in a note or an email when your child is absent from school. If you know ahead of time that an absence is coming up, please let us know and we can send home any work they will miss:
  • The only absences that can be excused are sickness, doctor's appointments, deaths in the family, pre-approved educational opportunities, a religious observance, or a legal proceeding.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's Positivity Project character trait is gratitude. This may be one of my favorite character traits to discuss and it's one I've tried to focus on from the beginning of the school year as it also fits in with our One Book, One Brassfield book, Last Stop on Market Street. Gratitude can have some incredible positive effects on your attitude and quality of life. It's so easy to take a few minutes every day to discuss what you're grateful for.

Check out this website 5th grade teachers created that lists vocabulary terms used in all 4 subjects. At home, you can make sure you use this vocabulary when discussing what your child is reading, completing math homework, studying for class assessments or EOGs, or even just in daily life and conversation. 5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week we will really dive in to comparing and contrasting text structures and summarizing texts. The homework sheet that came home last week has a chart listing the text structures. Your child's workbook also has a chart of them on pages 10-11. Students will need to be able to identify what structure a text is written in, create a graphic organizer to organize the ideas in the text, and summarize the text. On my Google Classroom site, many videos can be found where I teach through a mini lesson on text structure and summarizing. You and your child are welcome to view these videos at home to practice these skills some more or to review. We will have our mid-unit assessment on Friday where students will be asked to identify the structure of a text, create a graphic organizer to organize the ideas from that text, and summarize that text.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

This week, students will continue to do at least 1 review problem every day from quarter 1 in an effort to refresh previously learned skills. They will continue to revisit multiplying fractions by whole numbers. Assessment tentatively scheduled for Friday! This will help lay the groundwork for dividing fractions by whole numbers and build conceptual understanding while working with models.

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Numberock Song (a student favorite!)

Array Multiplication

SOCIAL STUDIES:

To continue quarter 2, students will dive into a unit on the American Revolution. Specifically, students will evaluate the impact of European colonists as they settled into the American Colonies. We will also discuss the political, social and economical aspects of colonial life in the 13 colonies while exploring each of the 3 major sections of settlement: New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies. Students then begin exploring various impacts of Revolutionary battles how they helped shape our nations reconstruction. This is a continuation from week 1. :-)

Week of October 22nd, 2019

News & Information

• Please take this Parent Survey to share feedback on 1st quarter.
• Wednesday, October 23rd - Field Trip #1 at United Skates:
  • Please remember to have your child bring or wear socks!
• Brassfield will host a Curriculum Cafe on Thursday, October 24 where you can come learn about the curriculum in your children's grade, see work examples, learn about resources, and maybe even bring home some activities to start using with your children.
• Report Cards go home Friday, October 25th:
  • If after having an opportunity to review report cards, you would like a parent/teacher conference, please email your child's homeroom teacher
• NC Check-Ins Math Assessment (Q1 content) - November 6th
• For the 3rd year in a row, Wake County schools are partnering with the Carolina Hurricanes for READvolution. Your child can participate by logging their number of minutes read plus books read on their own personalized READvolution site. Their page can be accessed from the READvolution icon on their WAKEID homepage.
• This year Brassfield will have their first ever SPIRIT WEEK! Spirit Week will be from October 28-November 1. Here are the dress up day details:
  • Monday- Team Jersey Day- wear any jersey, tshirt, etc to show off your favorite team (can be any sport, school, team, etc.)
  • Tuesday- Movie Star & Mustache Day- dress fancy, like a movie star or wear a mustache for a day.
  • Wednesday- Twin Day- find a friend and dress in similar clothes, hairstyles, etc.
  • Thursday- Book Character Parade- come dressed as your favorite book character and bring the book to go with it!
  • Friday- Blue & Yellow Day- show your Brassfield spirit by wearing your blue & yellow!
• Please remember to send in a note or an email when your child is absent from school. If you know ahead of time that an absence is coming up, please let us know and we can send home any work they will miss:
  • The only absences that can be excused are sickness, doctor's appointments, deaths in the family, pre-approved educational opportunities, a religious observance, or a legal proceeding.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

Other People Matter: Words & Actions

5th Grade Vocabulary Website

ELA:

This week we will begin Module 2. This quarter we will mainly focus on reading informational text. We will begin the unit by learning some background about the module topic (Biodiversity in the Rainforest) as well as learning how informational texts are structured. Students will be viewing this video in class, but you can view it too to help you know what your child is learning. Based on feedback from students, I will also be using Google Classroom more to post videos for students to work at their own pace. I would encourage your child to go back and rewatch any videos on skills they're struggling with or maybe just as a review before a test.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

This week, students will start each lesson by doing a review problem from quarter 1 in an effort to refresh previously learned skills. They will also revisit multiplying fractions by whole numbers. This will help lay the groundwork for dividing fractions by whole numbers and build conceptual understanding while working with models.

Students are expected to do at least 4 DreamBox assignments per week. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's individual progress, and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

VIDEO RESOURCES:

Numberock Song

Array Multiplication

SOCIAL STUDIES:

To start off quarter 2, students will dive into a unit on the American Revolution. Specifically, students will evaluate the impact of European colonists as they settled into the American Colonies. We will also discuss the political, social and economical aspects of colonial life in the 13 colonies while exploring each of the 3 major sections of settlement: New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, Southern Colonies. Students then begin exploring various impacts of Revolutionary battles how they helped shape our nations reconstruction.

Track Out Announcements:

News & Information

• Mark your calendars for our upcoming Cafe Curriculum Night on Thursday, October 24 from 5pm-7pm. You will have an opportunity to meet with your child's teachers and participate in math and literacy curriculum tasks that they are doing in their classroom. You are also welcome to visit other grade levels and see what is ahead for your child. It will be a family friendly event including pizza to purchase and raffle prizes! Please look for a flyer in your child's folder in the upcoming weeks to learn more!
• When we return from track out, we will have our first field trip that week. Wednesday, October 23 will be our United Skates field trip.
• Starting September 30, we will once again participate in the Carolina Hurricane's READVOLUTION. Here's the link to log in (using your child's WakeID) and begin logging books read and minutes spent reading.

How to log the time that you read

Each day, after you’re done reading, you should add the time to your Readvolution log. If you are reading a new book, you can add a new reading log entry by clicking the large “Add” button.

• Enter the title of the book and how many minutes you spent reading it.
• Enter the date of when you read the book (if you didn’t read it today)
• Enter whether you finished reading the entire book.
• Click the “Save” button.
• Your new entry will be added to the log on your dashboard.
• If you are continuing to read a book
• Click on the “Continue” button next to the book that you read.
• Enter the date of when you read the book (if you didn’t read it today)
• Enter whether you finished reading the entire book.
• Click the “Save” button.
• Your new entry will be added to the log on your dashboard.

What's happening in the curriculum?

ELA:

Make sure your child is READING over track out! Discuss with them what they're reading. I'd also encourage your child to write over track out. So much of reading with EL is writing about what they read. Have your child journal or blog about their life. Have them write (or type) about what they read. Have them write their own stories. READ READ READ and WRITE WRITE WRITE!

MATH:

• Parent Site for Mathematics
• Please encourage your child to use Dream Box over trackout. I continue to recommend completion of at least 4 assignments weekly. This program does an excellent job of differentiating to best meet your students current learning needs.

SCIENCE:

Even though we have wrapped up learning with Ecosystems, your child is welcome to go onto Discovery Education to view several resources from below. Students can access Discovery Education via their WakeID site and simply type in a title from below for a beneficial video that reinforces what we have learned.

• Real World Science: Food Chains
• Real World Science: Ecosystems and Biomes
• Exploring Freshwater Biomes
• Food Chains

Week of September 23rd, 2019

News & Information

• Happy Track Out Week!
• We hope to see you at our 1st Quarter Showcase on Friday, September 27 at 2:30. Students will share with you what they have been working on this past quarter. Snacks and light refreshments to be provided.
• When we return from track out, we will have our first field trip that week. Wednesday, October 23 will be our United Skates field trip.
• Brassfield will host a Curriculum Cafe on Thursday, October 24 where you can come learn about the curriculum in your children's grade, see work examples, learn about resources, and maybe even bring home some activities to start using with your children.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's character trait is bravery. When we think of bravery, many of our minds flash to superheroes, soldiers, police officers, firefighters, etc- and rightly so. However, bravery is so much more than this. Standing up for what's right or going against what everyone else is doing can be one of the most difficult things students (and adults too) face. It takes a lot of bravery be your own person and stick up for your own morals. Watching movies or reading books can be a great time to pause and have a conversation about how the characters show bravery physically, mentally, and morally.

ELA:

This week we will put the finishing touches on our Module 1 performance tasks . Students will finalize their program, director's note, and monologues. They will also practice reading their monologues aloud for fluency. There will be a quiz on Monday on Perfect Tense Verbs. Students will finish uploading their 1st quarter artifacts to their digital portfolio. By the end of the quarter, they should have 2 essays, their performance task video, a reflection of 1st quarter, and an updated reading log on their portfolio. We will also read an informational text that will begin to introduce the topic for Module 2 as students do a little independent research.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

This week, students will participate in an end of quarter volume project. Students will work collaboratively to build a town/city using nets while determining the volume of each. We look forward to showcasing our volume cities on Friday! Students that need support with division will also get daily practice. Homework this week is DreamBox (see below).

DreamBox HW this week is Monday through Thursday with an expectation to complete at least 4 assignments. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's progress and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please continue to encourage at home as this is an expectation.

Area Model Division Video (primary strategy being used in class):

• 3-Digit by 2-Digit

Standard Algorithm Division Video w/ Listing Multiples (recommended only if your child has mastered area model division):

• Show Me

Division Song (reinforces standard algorithm)

• Numberock

SCIENCE:

This week, students will work on their Food Web Projects (see below) where each student will choose a biome, create 3 food chains, 1 food web from those food chains, and write a detailed paragraph describing what might happen if an organism within their food web were to become extinct. This project will also be shown as part of our 1st Quarter Showcase! Upon completion of the project, students will include an artifact of it in their digital portfolios! On Thursday or Friday, students will take a final assessment. We will do a final review via Kahoot game on Wednesday or Thursday.

Feel free to check out some terrific videos that will support our learning!

• Aquatic Ecosystems:
  • Study Jams
• Water Cycles:
  • Study Jams
  • Go Noodle
• End of Quarter 1 Project:
  • Food Web Project

Week of September 16th, 2019

News & Information

• Please return the field trip permission form and money ($65) by this Friday, September 20.
• Picture Day is this Thursday, September 19th
• Please join us for our 1st Quarter Showcase on Friday, September 27 at 2:30 to see what your child and other track 4 students have been working on this past quarter. Snacks and light refreshments to be provided.
• Are you interested in your daughter attending the Wake Women's Leadership Academy? If so, please let your child's teacher know and we will forward you an informational flyer with tour dates as well as how to apply for this school. As additional information regarding middle school communication becomes available, we will be sure to send out a group email with all information provided as well as include a blurb on this site.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's character trait is creativity. I think this is a skill that so many children just naturally have. There are some very talented artist in this group of kids, but creativity is so much more than that. Does your child have an active imagination? Do they come up with unique ways to do things or solve problems? Do they come up with new games or activities to play? It's ok for your child to be "bored" sometimes because that's where they can really grow this skill of creativity.

ELA:

This week we will continue to revise/edit and add finishing touches to our monologues. Students will also create a program and director's note as they decide how they will present their Performance Task for Module 1. They will have a short test next week on Perfect Verb Tenses, but all other assessments will be the grading of their monologue and their performance task. Students will also spend some time during ALL Block adding their 1st quarter artifacts to their digital portfolio. By the end of the quarter, they should have 2 essays, their performance task video, a reflection of 1st quarter, and an updated reading log on their portfolio.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

This week, students will embark on a unit focusing on division. By the end of 5th grade, all students are expected to be able to solve division equations including 4-digit dividends and 2-digit divisors. Please support at home! I have included some helpful video resources below. We will have a TEST on Friday!

Lastly, I am encouraging ALL students to log in to DreamBox Monday through Thursday with an expectation to complete at least 4 assignments. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's progress and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please encourage at home as this is an expectation.

Area Model Division Video:

• 3-Digit by 2-Digit

Standard Algorithm Division Video w/ Listing Multiples

• Show Me

Division Song

• Numberock

SCIENCE:

This week, students will explore terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as water cycles. We will then learn all about the various biomes of our Earth and embark on an end-of-quarter Food Web Project (see below) where each student will choose a biome, create 2 food chains & 1 food web and write a detailed paragraph describing what might happen if an organism within their food web were to become extinct. This project will continue into the final week of quarter 2 and work samples will be available for our 1st Quarter Showcase! Upon completion of the project, students will include an artifact of it into their digital portfolios!

Feel free to check out some terrific videos that will support our learning!

• Aquatic Ecosystems:
  • Study Jams
• Water Cycles:
  • Study Jams
  • Go Noodle
• End of Quarter 1 Project:
  • Food Web Project

Week of September 9th, 2019

News & Information

• Please use the envelope sent home with your child last week to send in $8 cash for our 5th grade t-shirt by September 13. Also, please indicate your child's t-shirt size on the envelope.
• Field trip information and permission form went home last week. Please return the permission form and money by September 20.
• Picture Day, September 19th
• Do you have a young scientist interested in joining the Science Olympiad team? See this letter for more information.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.
• If your child received Free or Reduced-price meal benefits last year, those benefits will expire on September 9, 2019. Families must reapply for benefits each year. Families may complete an application online at www.MySchoolApps.com, pick up a paper application at the school, or request that a paper application be sent home with your child.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's character trait is perspective. Not only is this skill important for students to develop empathy and "putting themselves in others' shoes," but it's also an important skill we talk about in literacy. When you're watching TV/movies, reading books, or see things in real life ask you child how they think that character/person feels in that situation and why.

ELA:

This week we will edit/revise students' compare/contrast essays and they will type their final drafts. We will also begin Unit 3 which is the performance task. Students will be creating a monologues from the perspective of one of the characters from "Esperanza Rising."

**As of the beginning of the week (September 9), I am unable to send home the homework packet for the new unit due to our copier being down. Continue to have your child reading 20 minutes every night and discussing what they're reading (particularly main idea/details, summarizing, characters' reactions, and metaphors).

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

Students will continue to revisit order of operations with daily warm-ups. This week week will also begin using area models for solving 2-digit by 3-digit multiplication equations. We have an assessment on Thursday. This will include writing and evaluating expressions as well as solving multiplication problems up to 2-digit by 3-digit. See below for helpful videos to support homework. Lastly, I am encouraging ALL students to log in to DreamBox Monday through Thursday with an expectation to complete at least 4 assignments. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's progress and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please encourage at home as this is an expectation.

Order of Operations Videos:

• Khan Academy
• Numberock

Area Model Multiplication Video:

• 3-Digit by 2-Digit Multiplication

SCIENCE:

During week 3-4 of Ecosystems, we will continue to focus on topics such as food chains, producers, consumers, decomposers, unicellular vs multicellular organisms and photosynthesis. We will be working hard to develop TIPS charts and various other methods to put together vocabulary. An "Ecosystems Key Vocabulary" sheet will go home with your kids today. QUIZ ON FRIDAY! Feel free to check out some terrific videos that will support our learning!

• “Ponds” video
• “Silly Rap” video
• Unicellular vs Multicellular Video
• Amoeba Eating
• Study Jams Video
• Feed the Dingo Game

Week of September 3rd, 2019

News & Information

• Please use the envelope sent home with your child this week to send in $8 cash for our 5th grade t-shirt. Also, please indicate your child's t-shirt size on the envelope.
• Field trip information and permission form went home last week. Please return the permission form and money as soon as possible.
• Do you have a young scientist interested in joining the Science Olympiad team? See this letter for more information.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.
• If your child received Free or Reduced-price meal benefits last year, those benefits will expire on September 9, 2019. Families must reapply for benefits each year. Families may complete an application online at www.MySchoolApps.com, pick up a paper application at the school, or request that a paper application be sent home with your child.

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week's character trait is integrity. I like to define integrity as doing the right thing even when no one will know what you do. At home, discuss with your child why it's important to have good character and how this will be more important as they grow older and gain more independence,

ELA:

This week we will continue to write an essay comparing and contrasting the reactions of two characters to the same event in "Esperanza Rising." The end of unit assessment for Unit 2 will simply be typing their final draft at the end of this week.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

Students will revisit order of operations with daily warm-ups. However, we will quickly turn our attention to writing expressions based on information provided. Students will then turn their attention to multiplication using area models. It should be a busy week! Lastly, I am encouraging ALL students to log in to DreamBox Monday through Thursday with an expectation to complete at least 4 assignments. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's progress and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please encourage at home as this is an expectation.

Order of Operations Videos:

• Khan Academy
• Numberock

SCIENCE:

During week 3 of Ecosystems, we will continue to focus on topics such as food chains, producers, consumers, decomposers, unicellular vs multicellular organisms and photosynthesis. We will be working hard to develop TIPS charts and various other methods to put together vocabulary. Feel free to check out some terrific videos that will support our learning!:

• “Ponds” video
• “Silly Rap” video
• Unicellular vs Multicellular Video
• Amoeba Eating
• Study Jams Video
• Feed the Dingo Game

Week of August 26, 2019

News & Information

• Apex Fun Run continues this week. This is our school's big fundraiser this year. 10% of the funds raised will come straight back to 5th grade to use on materials specifically for our grade level. Our Fun Run will be August 28.
  • Sign up to volunteer on the day of the fun run- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0449adad28a46-brassfield1
  • Learn more about what a fun run is here- FUN RUN Introduction Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHnt8FtnT0
  • Follow Apex Leadership NC on social media- https://www.facebook.com/ApexLeadershipNC/
• Do you have a young scientist interested in joining the Science Olympiad team? See this letter for more information.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.
• If your child received Free or Reduced-price meal benefits last year, those benefits will expire on September 9, 2019. Families must reapply for benefits each year. Families may complete an application online at www.MySchoolApps.com, pick up a paper application at the school, or request that a paper application be sent home with your child.
• Kimberly and James Dean (authors of Pete the Cat series) will be visiting Brassfield in September. Unfortunately, this assembly will only be for K-2 students, but if you would like to order a signed copy of one of the books being offered, please download the form from this link. 20% of book sale proceeds come back to our school!

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project:

This week, we will discuss the Other People Matter Mindset of Being Present. This is so important in our busy and tech-saturated world today. This week, I'd challenge your whole family to consider how "present" you are with one another. Could you have a tech-free day or spend intentional time together as a family with no outside distractions?

ELA:

We will finish reading "Esperanza Rising" this week. The mid-unit assessment will be on Tuesday, August 27 on character reactions and metaphors in the novel. After the assessment, we will practice viewing events from multiple characters' points of view by reading and writing two-voice poems. Towards the end of the week, we will begin discussing the structure of our essay by viewing a model piece of writing and reviewing the painted essay structure.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

This week in math, students will continue an exploration of volume, specifically focusing their attention on complex figures and volume word problems. They will have their first assessment on volume this coming Wednesday. We will explore order of operations starting on Thursday. Lastly, I am encouraging students to log in to DreamBox Monday through Thursday with an expectation to complete at least 4 assignments. This program task can be found on student WakeID accounts, is set up to differentiate based on each student's progress and is a terrific independent learning resource for students as the year goes on. Please encourage at home as this is an expectation.

Order of Operations Videos:

• Numberock & Song

SCIENCE:

Week 2 of Ecosystems will consist of a focus on topics such as food chains, producers, consumers, decomposers, unicellular vs multicellular organisms and photosynthesis. We will be working hard to develop TIPS charts and various other methods to put together vocabulary. Feel free to check out some terrific videos that will support our learning!:

• “Ponds” video
• “Silly Rap” video
• Unicellular vs Multicellular Video
• Amoeba Eating
• Study Jams Video
• Feed the Dingo Game

Week of August 19, 2019

News & Information

• Apex Fun Run kicks off this week. This is our school's big fundraiser this year. 10% of the funds raised will come straight back to 5th grade to use on materials specifically for our grade level. Our Fun Run will be August 28. Look for flyers and emails to go home throughout the week with updates and more information.
  • Sign up to volunteer on the day of the fun run- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0449adad28a46-brassfield1
  • Learn more about what a fun run is here- FUN RUN Introduction Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNHnt8FtnT0
  • Follow Apex Leadership NC on social media- https://www.facebook.com/ApexLeadershipNC/
• Odyssey of the Mind - Register by September 20. Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an extracurricular educational program that focuses on student teamwork through creative problem-solving opportunities. Teams bring their solutions to a local competition in February (Grades K-2) or early March (Grades 3-5). See this registration form for more information. Emily Dunn will be hosting Q&A sessions about Odyssey of the Mind on Tuesday Aug 20th, 4:30 - 5:30pm, and Tuesday Sept. 17th 4:30 - 5:30pm in the Learning Commons.
• Do you have a young scientist interested in joining the Science Olympiad team? See this letter for more information.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.
• If your child received Free or Reduced-price meal benefits last year, those benefits will expire on September 9, 2019. Families must reapply for benefits each year. Families may complete an application online at www.MySchoolApps.com, pick up a paper application at the school, or request that a paper application be sent home with your child.
• Go Fund Me! - Ms. DiFranco, special education teacher at Brassfield, has create a Go Fund Me! page to help create a sensory classroom for specials needs. Click to help! :-)

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project: Open-Mindedness

This week, students will learn about the character trait of open-mindedness. This can be an important skill for making sound decisions as well as for listening and giving advice. Encourage your child to be open to new ideas or new ways of looking at or doing things. Help them think through the viewpoint's of others from movies, TV shows, books, or even people they know. Maybe even challenge them to defend a position that differs from their own opinion.

ELA:

We will almost finish reading "Esperanza Rising" this week. After reading each chapter, we will continue to discuss the gist, story structure, and how the text connects to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will also continue to practice writing about character's reactions to big events as well as interpreting metaphors. The mid-unit assessment will be on Tuesday, August 27 on these skills.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

This week in math, students will continue an exploration of volume. Over the past few days, students have developed a deep, conceptual understanding of volume through the use of snap cubes. We will build upon that knowledge by solving problems involving complex figures.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

As a reminder, an assessment "retake" opportunity was send home for students that did not achieve a level 3 or 4. Those are due on Monday, August 19th.

SCIENCE:

Starting this week, students will begin a unit focusing on Ecosystems. After an introduction to the unit, students will finish building ecocolumns that will include various living organisms that will work together to thrive harmoniously within their pseudo-ecosystem! We will learn concepts such as 'biotic', 'abiotic', 'food chains', 'producers', 'consumers' & 'decomposers.' We are wicked excited for Ecosystems!

Week of August 12th, 2019

News & Information

• 2-Liter Soda Bottles (empty) are needed for science unit. We officially need another 12 bottles!
• Do you have a young scientist interested in joining the Science Olympiad team? See this letter for more information.
• Please help us restock our Makerspace. See what's needed here.
• If your child received Free or Reduced-price meal benefits last year, those benefits will expire on September 9, 2019. Families must reapply for benefits each year. Families may complete an application online at www.MySchoolApps.com, pick up a paper application at the school, or request that a paper application be sent home with your child.
• Go Fund Me! - Ms. DiFranco, special education teacher at Brassfield, has create a Go Fund Me! page to help create a sensory classroom for specials needs. Click to help! :-)

What's happening in the curriculum?

Positivity Project: Teamwork/Citizenship

This week, students will learn about the character trait of teamwork/citizenship. This is so important as we are a part of so many communities from our classroom, to our school, to any teams or groups your child may be a part of, etc. Students need to learn to work together as this will be a vital skill both now and in their futures. Instead of asking your child "How was your day?" Try asking them "How were you a good citizen of your classroom today?" or "Did you see someone else displaying excellent teamwork today?"

ELA:

This week we will continue reading "Esperanza Rising" as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After reading each chapter, we will discuss the gist, story structure, and how the two texts connect. Our end of unit assessment will be on Tuesday. As we begin Unit 2, we will begin learning about and interpreting metaphors in "Esperanza Rising" and we will also be discussing and writing about how characters react to certain situations in the story.

MATH:

• 5th Grade Parent Resource Link!

We will have our first assessment this Tuesday on the following standards related to our first unit on graphing: NC.5.MD.2; NC.5.G.1; NC.5.OA.3. On Wednesday, students will dive into a unit on volume. To start, students will build conceptual understanding by creating rectangular prisms using a specific number of snap cubes in groups. As students internalize understanding throughout the coming days, they will eventually work to build a city out of scaled nets. What better way to learn! :-)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

This coming week, students will wrap up the Economy Unit. Students will explore 'Supply & Demand' and participate in a "Lemonade Stand Challenge." We will then create a top-10 earners board! Please study the vocabulary sheet sent home last week. Students have been encouraged to keep it in their HW folders. Please let Mr. D know if you need another copy. Students will participate in a Kahoot review game as well prior to an assessment. Next week, students will dive head first into our first science unit: Ecosystems.