Happy Holidays!

Thursday, Dec. 19, Schedule

The last day before winter break, Thursday, Dec. 19, is going to be fun!  The entire school population is encouraged to wear pajamas that day and sing-along to the Polar Express between 2 and 3. Our classroom's morning activities follows:

• 8:45-9:30--Hot cocoa and muffins
• 9:30-10:30--Students will deposit their $S Bucks and enjoy a good book while they wait their turn to visit a banker.
• 10:30-12:00--Mrs. S.'s Auction.  Students will bid on items and write checks for their purchases.
• 12:15-1:00- Lunch and recess
• 1:00-2:00-Room and personal space organization and clean-up
• 2:00-3:00 All school Polar Express

Winter Break, Dec. 20-Jan. 12, Academics

To keep students mentally active during winter break, students will have four IXL skills to work on: J1 Multi-step word problems, K6 Greatest common factor, K7 Least common multiple, and L2 Equivalent fractions--students may want to use Math  Journal page 206 to help them find equivalent fractions.

I am also asking students to visit Mission-US (the link is to the right) and play the game For Crown and Colony. Engaging in this role-playing game will keep students, reading, writing, thinking, and learning about the Revolutionary War.  Students have been given questions to answer after playing each part.

Students should continue to read over break.  Some students may be finishing up their Book Club books, others may read any books of their choice.

Enjoy your Winter Break! I look forward to seeing you all on Jan. 13!

 

December 9-19

End of Second Quarter Grading Period

The end of the grading period is upon us.  The last day for students to turn in any missing assignments is Thursday, Dec. 19.  Please check Infinite Campus with your child to see if she/he has any missing assignments. 

Reading

Students Mystery Independent Reading Assignment and AR points was due Thursday, Dec. 5.  The next Independent Reading Assignment will focus on historical fiction.  Students will be assigned to a book club. Each member will have his/her own copy of the book and will be required to read a certain amount each night.  The following day, book clubs will meet and discuss the previous night's reading. I would like to have all books finished before break, but the students and I will have to discuss the time table for completion.

Writing

Students are working in class on an essay comparing and contrasting colonial America with modern times. Students will be using the the "chicken foot" pre-writing graphic organizer to guide them.  Details regarding colonial America will come from the students' textbooks, informational books available in class, and their experiences during Colonial Day.

Students are also working a personal narrative.

Math

We are wrapping up our studies on geometry and division and heading into fractions and algebraic thinking.  We will examine more thoroughly the relationship between fractions and division.

Science

Our second investigation in Mixtures and Solutions dealing with saturation is coming to a close.  Students will be given a Saturation Puzzle this coming week.  Our next Mixture and Solutions investigations will focus on concentration.

Social Studies

We will conclude our Colonial American studies with a test.  Students will be given a study guide and tips on how to study for a test. The study guide will be distributed and discussed on Monday, Dec. 9. The test will be Friday, Dec. 13.

The American Revolution looms on the horizon. Focus of this unit of study will be on events leading up to the Revolution.  Students will examine cause and effect relationships as they pertain to this momentous American event.

December 19 Schedule

On Thursday, Dec. 19, the fifth grade will celebrate the arrival of winter break with muffins and hot cocoa from 8:45-9:30.  Following muffins and cocoa, students will snuggle up with books while they wait their turn to see a banker to deposit their S Bucks.  Once all deposits have been made, students will be able to spend their hard-earned S Bucks at Mrs. S.'s Holiday Auction.  Students will be required to write checks for all purchases and keep  track of withdrawals in their check books. 

Students will attend the Polar Express sing-along in the afternoon.