Week 25: 2/27 – 3/3

This week…

Math – We will be working on multiplying a fraction by a whole number this week, as we well as exploring other methods for adding and subtracting mixed numbers.  We will be taking the Unit 6 math test on Friday.  I will then meet with students who are struggling with specific topics early next week before giving students their final unit 6 test.

Reading – We will begin our study of historical fiction novels this week.  I will be reading aloud Number the Stars, and modeling reading strategies with that novel.  Students will then be sent back to their seats to read their own historical fiction novels and practice the skill that was taught in class.  Students may pick any historical fiction novel they like, as long as it is on their level, and takes place after 1800, as fifth grade will be teaching historical fiction prior to 1800.

Writing – Students will begin exploring the literary essay, and comparing a literary essay to previous essays they have written.

Science – Students are continuing to work within our pilot unit on energy.  This week students will be exploring wind energy.

 

Important Dates in March…

Wednesday, 3/1 – Students will have a substitute today, because I will be out for my final science training of the year.

Thursday, 3/2 – Students will meet with their Character Education Teams at 2:00pm.

Monday, 3/13 – Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:30 – 8:00pm

Wednesday, 3/15 – Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:30 – 8:00pm

Thursday, 3/16 – Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 – 6:30pm

Saturday, 3/18 – Alward Carnival 11:00am – 2:00pm

Tuesday, 3/21 – Jets Pizza Night

Week 24: 2/20 – 2/24

Happy Presidents’ Day!

Math: This week we will continue our study of fraction, focusing on improper fractions and mixed numbers.  Please remember that MobyMax and Study Island are great online resources to help boost math skills.

Reading: This week we will conclude our unit on Informational Texts, before moving on to Historical Fiction next week.  As always, students should be reading a minimum of 20 minutes per night, and recording those minutes either on their calendar or in their planners.

Writing: We will be wrapping up informational writing this week as well.  Students will be asked to brainstorm topics they are an expert on, choose one of those topics, and write an informational essays that teaches others about that topic.  This is a skill we’ve been working on all unit, including writing our state essays.  Feel free to check your child’s Google Docs account to see their state essays.  They really learned a lot!

Science: Our new science unit has gotten off to a great start.  The students are loving the hands-on investigations that are building their understanding of energy.  We will continue to work through these investigations this week, as we learn how wind can produce energy, and how the force of that wind can effect speed.

Other Announcements: Our classroom government experience has come to an end.  Although it was a great opportunity for students to practice the balancing act between our three branches of government, the classroom government is no longer serving its intended purpose.  We will be reviewing classroom expectations and really focusing on working as a classroom community to create a positive and productive learning environment.  As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns at any time.  I am here to help!

Our Field Trip: Our field trip is this Thursday!  Please make sure you child arrives to school on time as buses will be leaving promptly at 9:00am.  We have a fun-filled day planned, and we need to leave on time to ensure students can experience all that we have planned.

Upcoming Dates:

  • Thursday, 2/23 – Field Trip to the Grand Rapids Museum
  • Friday, 2/24 – Popcorn Friday

Week 23: 2/13 – 2/17

This week…

Math: We will start our study of fractions.  Students will begin by understanding what fractions are, and what they mean, before moving on to adding and subtracting fractions.  Homework and remembering pages will be key this unit as students continue to practice skills being learned in the classroom at home as well.

Reading: Students will be reading informational texts on a research topic of their own choosing.  Students will be taking notes on the information they learn so that they can write an informational text, teaching others about the topic, later this month.

Writing: Students will finish publishing their informational texts for their state research on computers this week.

Science: We will be piloting a new science unit beginning this week.  We will be exploring energy as it is related to natural phenomena students see in the world around them.  Because this new unit will be very hands-on, being at school every day is essential.  Students will need to copy anything they miss from a classmate when they return after absences so that they are prepared for the next lesson.

 

Important Upcoming Dates…

  • Tuesday, 2/14 – Our Valentine’s Day party will be held from 12:45 – 2:10.  If your child plans to bring in Valentines, please be sure they bring one for each student in the class so that nobody is left out.
  • Saturday, 2/18 – Daddy-Daughter Dance will be held at Baldwin Street Middle School from 6:00 – 8:30pm.
  • Thursday, 2/23 – Our 4th Grade Field Trip will be from 9:00am – 2:00pm.  Please be sure to have you child at school, and on time, so that we can leave on time.
  • Friday, 2/24 – Popcorn Friday

Week 22: 2/7 – 2/10

Sorry for the late posting…

This week:

Math – We are wrapping up Unit 4 with our make-up test today.  We will start fractions next week.

Reading – Students will begin independent research on a topic of their choice.  They can check out books from the school or public library, as well as research online to find out as much as they can about a topic.  They will work on organizing their facts under subheadings so that they can write an informational text on the topic at the end of the month.

Writing – Students will finish drafting their informational text on their state.  They will begin publishing them next week.

Science – We will be finishing our study of the Earth, Sun, and Moon this week with a test on Friday.

 

Announcements:

  • If you have not turned in money for the Planetarium field trip, please try to have it in by Friday.
  • Our Valentine’s Day party is next Tuesday.  If your child would like to bring in Valentines, we ask that they bring them in for all students in the class so that no one is left out.  I will send home a class list of names today.