Happy October Families!
Please read below to find out about all of the wonderful learning that is happening in 5th grade at Ivy Hall!
Here are the concepts we are currently/planning to work on:
Literacy
We have finished up our shared text, Night of the Spadefoot Toads, which we used to practice utilizing direct quotes from the text to answer questions as well as determining theme and summarizing. After finishing Night of the Spadefoot Toads, we read a short story called Shells, which we also used to practice quoting, identifying theme, describing how characters respond to challenges they face, and summarizing a text. This week we also completed our first district CFA (common formative assessment), to assess where students are at with the targets we have been practicing in class. Next week will begin a new cycle of study with another short story called Operation Clean Sweep which is a historical fiction about Women's Suffrage. With this story we will begin to look at how the narrator and characters points of view affect the way a story is told.
Writing
We are wrapping up our current work on narrative writing. Students used our shared text as a springboard, to write a story that included a "bullyish" character. This week students completed a district PBA (performance based assessment) where they were asked to write a new narrative based on a given writing prompt. As we begin our new cycle of study in literacy next week, our focus will shift to analytic writing.
Math
Last week students complete their unit one math post test that covered order of operations, writing expressions, and calculation volume of rectangular prisms. This week we moved on to unit 2 with a focus on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. We started the unit by connecting fractions to money values to help students add and subtract. We also introduced using clocks as a model for adding and subtracing unlike fractions. As we proceed through this unit we will also be spending time teaching students to make common denominators in order to add and subtract fractions. In Number Corner, we have continued to reinforce skills regarding volume and to practice skills with fractions and decimals.
Science
We are continuing to learn about ecosystems. In the past couple of weeks we have been learning about consumers and the flow of energy through an ecosystem. We learned that consumers must eat other animals in order to survive. We also learned that the flow of energy starts at the sun and flows to the producers and then to the consumers. On Thursday students conducted an investigation where they were able to dissect owl pellets! Students were amazed by the various bones they found within the pellets. This information allowed us to create food chains that show the flow of energy from the sun to the owl. Next week students will be assessed on the knowledge gained from these lessons and the investigation.
Literacy
We have finished up our shared text, Night of the Spadefoot Toads, which we used to practice utilizing direct quotes from the text to answer questions as well as determining theme and summarizing. After finishing Night of the Spadefoot Toads, we read a short story called Shells, which we also used to practice quoting, identifying theme, describing how characters respond to challenges they face, and summarizing a text. This week we also completed our first district CFA (common formative assessment), to assess where students are at with the targets we have been practicing in class. Next week will begin a new cycle of study with another short story called Operation Clean Sweep which is a historical fiction about Women's Suffrage. With this story we will begin to look at how the narrator and characters points of view affect the way a story is told.
Writing
We are wrapping up our current work on narrative writing. Students used our shared text as a springboard, to write a story that included a "bullyish" character. This week students completed a district PBA (performance based assessment) where they were asked to write a new narrative based on a given writing prompt. As we begin our new cycle of study in literacy next week, our focus will shift to analytic writing.
Math
Last week students complete their unit one math post test that covered order of operations, writing expressions, and calculation volume of rectangular prisms. This week we moved on to unit 2 with a focus on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. We started the unit by connecting fractions to money values to help students add and subtract. We also introduced using clocks as a model for adding and subtracing unlike fractions. As we proceed through this unit we will also be spending time teaching students to make common denominators in order to add and subtract fractions. In Number Corner, we have continued to reinforce skills regarding volume and to practice skills with fractions and decimals.
Science
We are continuing to learn about ecosystems. In the past couple of weeks we have been learning about consumers and the flow of energy through an ecosystem. We learned that consumers must eat other animals in order to survive. We also learned that the flow of energy starts at the sun and flows to the producers and then to the consumers. On Thursday students conducted an investigation where they were able to dissect owl pellets! Students were amazed by the various bones they found within the pellets. This information allowed us to create food chains that show the flow of energy from the sun to the owl. Next week students will be assessed on the knowledge gained from these lessons and the investigation.
Social Studies
In the coming weeks, our students will explore the various responsibilities and powers of different types of governments. Our discussions will revolve around the pros and cons of a democracy, a parliamentary government, a monarchy, and a dictatorship. Of the four governments, our students will work to create an argument of which government best uses their powers and responsibilities for the benefit of its citizens.
Upcoming Events
- Friday, October 1st - Half Day (Dismissal @ 11:45 AM)
- Thursday, October 7th - Early Release (Dismissal @ 2pm) - CONFERENCES
- Friday, October 8th - No School for Students - CONFERENCES
- Monday, October 11th - No School
Friendly Reminders
- Please remind your student to charge his/her iPad and Logitech Crayon every night
- Please remember to send your student with a healthy snack - nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
- Please continue to have your student practice their multiplication facts up to 12
Have a wonderful weekend!
Enzie Pangilinan
