WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 4

Too Good For Drugs
Our 7th session of T.G.F.D. focused on facts about alcohol. The students did not receive a homework assignment; however, they were encouraged to share and discuss the information with parents.

ISAT Testing Tidbits
5th graders will be taking the ISAT tests on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning between 8:15 - 11:00 a.m. Please take time to talk to your students about the importance of doing their best on these standardized tests. Also, please make sure students get plenty of rest and a nutritious breakfast each day. A snack break will be taken between tests each day.

3rd Trimester Homework Expectations
We have now officially started the 3rd Trimester of fifth grade. During this trimester, the late homework policy will be the same as Lakeview's policy. This will help the students realize the importance of getting work completed on time and the penalty that will affect their grades for late work. It will also help make a better transition to Lakeview.
1 day late - minus 25%
More than 1 day late until test is taken - minus 50%
After unit test is taken - a zero is entered in the grade book
*Ungraded work that is turned in late will result in 2 points off the bank of "homework completion" points for the particular subject area.


Subject Update:

• English - We are currently working on a descriptive writing piece using lists of "positive adjectives" the students created about their classmates. We will finish typing our final copies, and display them in the room.
• Science - The students will continue to learn about different forms of energy.
• Social Studies - We will continue to read about the Patriots at war under the command of General Washington. Then we will write "letters home" from the point of view of a soldier in Washington's army.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - No spelling lesson due to ISAT testing.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - On Monday we will be learning about the use of personification and how it makes reading and writing more interesting! The rest of the week the students will be taking ISAT tests during reading time.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will be reviewing a variety of math concepts prior to ISAT testing on Monday. Students will be taking the ISAT math tests during the remainder of the week.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 25 - End of 2nd Trimester

March 1 - Report Cards

March 1-3 - ISAT Testing

March 4 - No School (Conference Week)

March 7 - No School (C. Pulaski Day)

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 21

Too Good For Drugs
Our 6th session of T.G.F.D. focused on facts about tobacco. The students did not receive a homework assignment; however, they were encouraged to share and discuss the information with parents.

Many Thanks...
Thank you to Mrs. Raso, Mrs. Morton, Mrs. O'Connor, Mrs. Repole, Mrs. Mate, and Mrs. Scheiblein for planning and/or attending our Valentine's Day Party. We all enjoyed the food and fun! Also, thanks to Mrs. Markovski and Mrs. O'Connor for helping with the Argonne field trip. The class learned so much from the experience!


Subject Update:

• English - We will reinforce our knowledge of adjectives with a "Hinky Pinky Adjectives" activity. Then we will create a list of "positive adjectives" about classmates to use in another enrichment activity.
• Science - Now that we understand the two basic types of energy, we will learn about different forms of energy in Lesson 2. Do you know what form of energy comes from the sun?
• Social Studies - The students will review about the colonies' dangerous decision to declare independence from England before reading about the Patriots at war under the command of General Washington.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 21 on Tuesday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - This week we will identify and learn how to use figurative language like onomatopoeia and idioms! We will be using a variety of instructional level materials. We will also complete some activities to continue our preparation for the upcoming ISAT tests.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will review for the Chapter 4 Test scheduled for Wednesday, February 23. The next chapter will continue our work with fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 21 - No School (President's Day)

Feb. 23 - T.G.F.D. (Session #7)

Feb. 25 - End of 2nd Trimester

March 1-3 - ISAT Testing

March 4 - No School

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14

Important: Argonne Field Trip Notes
There are a few important announcements regarding our Argonne field trip on Tuesday. Please remember to send your child with a sack lunch and drink (no lunchboxes). Everything must be disposed of after we eat lunch. Also, students must be in long pants and closed-toed shoes. I don't think that will be an issue with the weather we've been having!

Too Good For Drugs
Our 5th session of TGFD focused on more strategies for dealing with peer pressure. The students received a homework assignment to reinforce the concepts presented. Once the activity is completed, the sheet must be signed by a parent and returned to school by Wednesday, February 16.

Valentine's Day Reminders
Students will be able to exchange valentines within their own classrooms on Monday. Please remember that students should not bring candy treats as part of their valentine exchange. Thanks in advance for following these guidelines!


Subject Update:

• English - The students will review how to compare with adjectives and write proper adjectives correctly. The Unit 4 Adjectives Test is scheduled for Thursday, February 17!Science - We will begin Chapter 15 about energy. The students will learn the difference between potential and kinetic energy in the first lesson.
• Social Studies - The students will hear how the American colonies decide to declare their independence from Britain as we begin Chapter 9.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 20 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - This week, in order to help us succeed with our ISAT tests, we will be writing an extended response using a fictional piece. We will also be identifying character traits using a variety of instructional materials.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will take an open-note homework review on Monday covering lessons 4-7 (converting between decimals and fractions, finding equivalent fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, and converting between mixed numbers and improper frations). Then we will learn how to add and subtract fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Party

Feb. 15 - Argonne Field Trip

Feb. 16 - T.G.F.D. (Session 6)

Feb. 21 - No School (President's Day

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 7

Too Good For Drugs
Our 5th session of TGFD was postponed to February 9th due to the snow and school closings.

Valentine's Day Tidbits - Reminder
The classroom Valentine's Day Party will be on Monday, February 14. Students may bring valentines for their classmates. Please understand that students will only be able to exchange within their own classrooms. Also, if students choose to bring valentines, they should bring one for each student in their classroom. Students were given a current class list. Also, students should not bring any candy treats as part of their valentine exchange - any candy treats brought in will be sent back home with students. Thanks in advance for following these guidelines!


Subject Update:

• English - The students have learned that adjectives describe nouns or pronouns. They tell what kind or how many. Next, students will work with articles and demonstratives, and learn how to compare with adjectives.
• Science - The Chapter 14 Test is Monday, February 7! Then we will begin Chapter 15 about energy.
• Social Studies - The students have read about "the shot heard round the world" that marked the start of the American Revolution. We will finish the chapter by reading about the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Chapter 8 Test is scheduled for Thursday, February 10!
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 19 on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words. A final test will be given on Friday.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - We will practice writing an extended response using a nonfiction text. This will help us succeed when taking the ISAT tests! We will also be identifying cause and effect relationships using a variety of instructional materials.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - An open-note homework review is planned for Monday covering lessons 1-3 (divisibility, prime and composite numbers, prime factorization, factors, and GCF). Then we will learn how to convert between decimals and fractions, write equivalent fractions, and compare and order fractions.

Mark Your Calendar:

Feb. 9 - T.G.F.D. (Session 5)

Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day Party

Feb. 15 - Argonne Field Trip

Feb. 16 - T.G.F.D. (Session 6)