WEEK OF APRIL 4

Thank You For Your Help
Thank you to Mrs. Repole, Mrs. Daly, and Mrs. Scheiblein for chaperoning our field trip to Naper Settlement. The students really learned a lot through this experience. Best of all, we made it through our day before the cold and drizzle!

Too Good For Drugs
The students need to write a "Promise Letter" as their final T.G.F.D. assignment. The letter must be completed by Wednesday, April 6. The students received a hand-out explaining how to write the letter. Also, a T.G.F.D. Graduation has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m. Please look for your invitation that was sent home with your child.

Looking Ahead... Help Wanted
I still need one more classroom helper for the Geospace program on Wednesday, April 6 from 9:15 - 11:15 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested!


Subject Update:

• English - Students will begin writing a narrative piece about a major achievement for their "Me Front Page" special edition newspaper. We will also begin our next grammar unit on verbs.
• Science - After break, we will start an Earth Science unit about weather. Lesson 1 discusses the causes of weather.
• Social Studies - As we start Chapter 10, we will learn how the Articles of Confederation, our first plan for our government, had several weaknesses.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - There will not be a spelling lesson our first week after break.
• Mrs. Strong's Reading Class - The students will start a novel study focused on historical fiction. Students will be assigned one of two books: Jacob's Rescue or Goodnight, Maman. We will be reviewing the skills of drawing conclusions, author's viewpoint, and cause and effect as we read these novels.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We have started Chapter 8 about ratios and proportions. Students are learning about ratios, rates, proportions, and similar figures.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 26 - April 3 - SPRING BREAK!

April 5 - No School (Teacher Institute)

April 6 - Geospace Program

April 14 - Spring Open House and Book Fair

WEEK OF MARCH 21

Naper Settlement Field Trip Reminders
We will be visiting Naper Settlement on Wednesday, March 23. Students will be participating in indoor and outdoor activities on this trip, so they should dress appropiately for the weather. Also, students will need to bring a sack lunch clearly labeled with their name.

Too Good For Drugs
Deputy K talked to students about the dangers of marijuana and inhalants during our final session of T.G.F.D. The students received information sheets about both of these topics that can be shared and discussed with parents. On Monday, I will introduce a "Promise Letter" assignment that will need to be turned in by Wednesday, April 6. This allows students the option to work on it before, during, or after Spring Break. Also, a T.G.F.D. Graduation has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 20 at 8:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead... Help Wanted
I still need one more classroom helper for the Geospace program on Wednesday, April 6 from 9:15 - 11:15 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested!


Subject Update:

• English - Students will start formatting and typing their "Me Front Page" special edition newspaper. They will also write an article for their paper about short and long term goals.
• Science - We will finish Chapter 15 by reading about how people use energy resources. Then students will prepare for the Chapter 15 Test scheduled for Thursday, March 24!
• Social Studies - In the next chapter, students will learn about the United States' struggle to form a new government after the war.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 24 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 continue our study of China. The students are using the facts we have researched together, as well as some independent research, to create a travel brochure for China. This will reinforce the use of main idea and supporting details. The travel brochure will be due at the end of the week. We are mostly working on it during class.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The Chapter 5 Test is scheduled for Tuesday. The concepts that will be covered are: multiplying fractions and mixed numbers, reciprocals, dividing fractions and mixed numbers, and solving algebraic equations involving multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

March 23 - Naper Settlement Field Trip

March 26 - April 3 - SPRING BREAK!

April 5 - No School (Teacher Institute)

April 6 - Geospace Program

WEEK OF MARCH 14

Too Good For Drugs Update
Unfortunately, Deputy K was not able to visit our class this week, but he will be back on March 16th for our final session of T.G.F.D. He will be discussing the dangers of marijuana and inhalants.

Help Wanted
I still need one more chaperone for the Naper Settlement field trip. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are available for this all-day trip on March 23rd!

PBIS Recognition Assembly
The students participated in a special Hawaiian day and recognition assembly for PBIS on Thursday. Congratulations to Samantha for being recognized as a student who has shown respect, responsibility, and safety at Prairieview.


Subject Update:

• English - Students will be working on an expository essay about the importance of saving money for the future.
• Science - The students will learn how heat, or thermal energy, is transferred.
• Social Studies - We learned how the American Revolution finally came to an end. Next week, students will review the important points from Lesson 4 and prepare for the Chapter 9 Test scheduled for Thursday, March 17!
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 23 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 continue our study of China. We are focusing on identifying main idea and supporting details using research materials. The students will be using non-fiction China books from our Prairieview library, the internet, and other sources. Students will continue to use their clarifying and monitoring skills as they dig into the information!
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will review division of fractions and learn about solving algebraic equations involving fractions.
  

Mark Your Calendar:

March 16 - T.G.F.D. (Final Session)

March 23 - Naper Settlement Field Trip

WEEK OF MARCH 7

ISAT Testing,... DONE!
5th graders concentrated hard this week during our testing. They all deserve a pat on the back for staying focused and keeping a positive attitude! Thank you to Mrs. Mate, Mrs. Morton, and Mrs. Awad for sending in healthy snacks for us to enjoy and "refuel" between tests.

Reminder... 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 will be woring on writing. Students will be gathering quotes about them and writing them correctly as part of a "special edition" newspaper page all about them. They will also begin another expository piece.
• Science - The students will review the different forms of energy before learning how heat, or thermal energy, is transferred.
• Social Studies - We will learn how other countries joined forces with the American army to defeat the British.
• Mrs. Strong's Spelling Class - We will begin Lesson 22 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 begin our study of the fascinating country of China. We will focus on identifying main idea and supporting details while reading various research materials. As we read these non-fiction materials on China, we will be using our monitoring and clarifying skills.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We will continue working with fractions as we begin Chapter 5. We will learn how to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers.

Mark Your Calendar:

March 7 - No School (C. Pulaski Day)

March 10 - T.G.F.D. (Session #8)

March 10 - PBIS Recognition Assembly