Happy Friday Families!
We are refreshed from Spring Break and have been using our renewed energy to work hard on our Trimester 3 learning targets! Here are the current concepts we will focus on over the next couple of weeks as well as a message regarding PARCC testing next week:
***Please Note: PARCC testing for 5th grade takes place Tuesday through Friday of next week. Most days we will have testing in the morning and afternoon. Please avoid taking your student out of school for doctor’s appointments if at all possible. Please also be sure that your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a good breakfast each day!
** A message from our art teacher: Please bring in an empty "cool whip container" or anything like it and some newspaper.
** A message from our art teacher: Please bring in an empty "cool whip container" or anything like it and some newspaper.
Literature
We have finished reading Explorers: Triumphs and Troubles and Pedro’s Journal. which both focused on the theme of exploration. We have compared and contrasted each book's text structures, as well as the valuable information contained in both texts. In writing, we just completed an opinion essay about Christopher Columbus. Through our extensive research, we learned that although Columbus's impact on America was significant, his explorations and discoveries came with many negatives as well. The students wrote about how he was portrayed in the text we read, as well as his influence on our country’s history.
Math
Today we ended unit 5 with a post test that encompassed three learning targets. Students were required to demonstrate their skills in the areas of measurement conversions, finding volume of rectangular prisms and finding volume of composite shapes where rectangular prisms have been joined together. Students who do not demonstrate mastery of such targets on the post test will receive an intervention next week.
Science
We are wrapping up the body systems unit and will begin light and sound soon. This week we started creating our human body board games. The kids are having a great time working with their peers to create games that utilize the knowledge they gained during our study of the body systems. We will continue to work on these games for the next few weeks. At the conclusion of the project, groups will be given the opportunity to present the games to the class, as well as having an opportunity to play each other’s games!!
Social Studies
This week we started to discuss and read about the liberties that we are fortunate to have, living in our country. We will also contrast our liberties with various countries who may not have some of the same freedoms that we enjoy.
Important Dates
** April 12-15: 5th Grade PARCC Testing
** April 15: Author Suzanne Slade Visits Ivy Hall
** April 22: Joshua's Jam Walk for DIPG Awareness - More information to come in the coming weeks.
** Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack. Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
** Please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts up to 12.
A Message Regarding Variety Show Opportunities
Sasha Hite will be putting together a 5th grade finale act. She will be working with any of the 5th graders who would like to be in the 5th grade finale during recess on the following dates:
** Thursday, April 14th
** Tuesday, April 19th
**Thursday, April 21st
** Tuesday, April 19th
**Thursday, April 21st
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
