WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29

End-of-Day Student Check Out
I wanted to let parents know that at the end of the day, I check out each student to make sure all assignments are written legibly in the Assignment Book and all materials needed are on the desk ready to go home. As we move forward, I will start checking less thoroughly and less often to gradually release the responsibility to the students.


Subject Update:

ELA (English/Language Arts)

• Spelling - The Lesson 6 pretest will be given on Monday. (We are skipping Review Lesson 5.) The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words, and a final test will be given Friday.
• English - Students will learn how to use the conjunctions and, or, and but correctly, and utilize two different strategies for correcting run-on sentences. A quiz over subjects in imperatives, conjunctions, and run-on sentences is planned for Thursday, October 2.
• Reading - We will review some of the important points from our close reading of an article about Jackie Robinson. Then we will read the book Teammates to learn more about Jackie Robinson and the challenges he faced when breaking the color barrier in baseball. We plan to do some "word work" with unfamiliar words in this text as well. 

Science - How do plants produce food? This is the focus of Chapter 5, Lesson 1, as we begin our first life science unit "Energy and Ecosystems."

Social Studies - As the conquistadors took over land in the New World, many Spanish colonies were established. Lesson 3 discusses life in New Spain.

Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will work with addition and subtraction expressions (numerical and algebraic). We will learn how to write expressions using correct math vocabulary, and understand how to evaluate these expressions. A Homework Review is tentatively planned for Thursday.

Mark Your Calendar:

Oct. 8 - Fall Pictures

Oct. 10 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22

Science E-Text
Our science textbook is now available online. This is a great resource for students as it has several neat features. A link to the "Think Central" website and directions for accessing the text can be found on the Prairieview School website. Please check it out when you get a chance! 

Subject Update:

ELA (English/Language Arts)

• Spelling - The Lesson 4 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words, and a final test will be given Friday.
• English - Students will review subjects and predicates early in the week. Then we will learn about subjects in imperative sentences and the use of conjunctions.
• Reading - We will continue to build on our theme of "Challenges." Students will respond to last week's poem by writing about advice they have received to help them overcome a personal challenge. We will also use a variety of media to learn about Jackie Robinson and the challenges he faced.

Science - What is the scientific method? Students will apply this 5-step process to conduct an investigation: Ziploc Bag vs. Pencil. A quiz about the scientific method is planned for Thursday.

Social Studies - Lesson 2 discusses how Spanish conquistadors established new colonies in North and South America.

Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will estimate and find sums of whole numbers and decimals. We will also work with addition and subtraction expressions (numerical and algebraic).

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 25 - Comfy Pants Spirit Day

Sept. 25 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 15

Team 66 Community Event
Do you like to run or walk? Do you like high-excitement performances? Do you want to learn to dance? Well, the Team 66 Community Event has an amazing line-up activities of all this and more. There will be face-painting, inflatables, a photo booth, and a dunk tank! I hope to see you there for this fun-filled event!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 3 pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words, and a final test will be given Friday.
• English - Students will identify the two parts of a sentence: subject and predicate. We will first determine where the complete subject and predicate are in a sentence, then find the simple subject and predicate in each part.
• Reading - We will learn about metaphors, a form of figurative language often found in the texts we read. Then we will launch our first reading unit on "Challenges." We will do a close reading of Langston Hughes's poem, "Mother to Son," and discuss the different challenges the speaker faced and the advice she is trying to pass on to her son.
• Science - The students will learn about the inquiry skills scientists use and the scientific method.
• Social Studies - We are reading about the Columbian Exchange. Students will be thinking about the impact of this exchange of goods, people, and ideas.
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - The students will compare and order decimals, and round whole numbers and decimals. A "Homework Review" over place value, ways to express numbers, comparing and ordering decimals, and rounding is planned for Wednesday. We will finish the week estimating and finding sums of whole numbers and decimals. 

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 13 - Team 66 Community Event

Sept. 16 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off

Sept. 25 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 8

Curriculum Night Follow-Up
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend our 5th Grade Curriculum Night. If you were unable to make it, there was a packet of information sent home with your child on Friday.
*All parents need to complete and return 2 items: the Information Sheet and the bottom section of the 5th Grade Policies cover sheet.

MAP Testing
Our class will be taking the MAP tests on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. Please encourage your child to do his/her best!


Subject Update:

• Spelling - The Lesson 2 Pretest will be given on Monday. The students will be assigned homework during the week to practice their words, and a final test will be given Friday.
• English - Students will learn how to determine if a group of words is a sentence or fragment, and identify the 4 types of sentences.
• Reading - We will review "close reading" and practice summarizing, or finding the "gist," of a text. We will also learn about metaphors, a form of figurative language often found in the texts we read.
• Science - The students will be exploring some of the tools used in scientific inquiry.
• Social Studies - Chapter 4 begins with Columbus's exploration and discovery of the "New World."
• Mrs. Strong's Math Class - We are starting our year looking at place value and different ways to express numbers. I told the students that our number system is "Base 10." What does that mean? We will explore the answer to that question and more this week.

Mark Your Calendar:

Sept. 9 - MAP Testing (Math)

Sept. 10 - MAP Testing (Reading)

Sept. 13 - Team 66 Community Event and District Dash

Sept. 16 - Magazine Drive Kick-Off

Sept. 25 - Early Dismissal (11:00 a.m.)