DATES:
 
Wednesday Feb 24th..........Beach Day
Friday February 28th........5th grade field trip: Symphony /Aquinas visit
Monday and Tuesday March 3 & 4...CONFERENCES.
Friday March 7th.........................NO SCHOOL


Friday March 21st....................11:40 dismissal
Friday March 21st...................PTO Fun Night

April 25th will be a school day, NOT a day off.
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HOMEWORK: Math and Reading Homework is due on Monday.
                                
    Junior Achievement:  Julie Burch was in on Friday to present a third lesson for junior achievement. Friday we discussed what kind of skills are in demand -what businesses want from their workers. Students learned that these are the STEM skills: Science, Technology,  Engineering and Math. Businesses also desire workers who have good communication skills, are creative, and are able to work with others.


MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
   This week in math, students have been reviewing multiplying and dividing fractions. We will continue to review and complete a study guide this coming week. The test will be on Thursday. The math tutorials under the MATH TAB would be beneficial for students needing help.

READING -   
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  Students continue working in their book clubs. They are reading and discussing their novels with each other and me. I have been pleased to see how involved they are and how they are asking me to confirm their thoughts by giving me their ideas and evidence! Wow! Students have some focus comprehension questions, vocabulary inferencing work, grammar work, and strategy practice.
    We will be focusing on nonfiction as well each week.

WRITING:                    
  Students chose a person from history to research and write a biography. Students are reading a book about their person of choice. Additionally they will research a website as a source. They have a notes outline to use as well as a checklist of standards we are focusing on. One of these is sentence fluency. We practiced with a couple activities focusing on sentence fluency and the students have a graphic organizer to refer to as they incorporate this into their writing.
 
SCIENCE:   
We have been learning about why the moon has it's different phases as well as about the solar and lunar eclipses. A total lunar eclipse occurs during the night when their is a full moon and the Earth blocks the sunlight reflected by the moon. A total solar eclipse occurs during the day when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, and its shadow blocks the light coming from the sun.

 

SPELLING:
  Students took the lesson 20 test on Friday. List 21 will go home Monday.
You can also find it under the spelling tab. The skill is the homophones their, there, and they're.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

The The only homework for this week will be math or book club work that needs to be finished and returned. It won't be in the planner as a class. Your child will know if it is finished or not and will be given direction by the substitutes to finish at home if needed and return it the next day.

DATES:
 
Wednesday Feb 12th........4th/5th grade Field Trip to Van Andel Museum, Ford Museum & a play at Ford Museum.
Friday February 28th........5th grade field trip: Symphony and tour Calvin College
Friday MARCH  21st................PTO Fun Night - this is a change in date!
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I will be gone for the entire week due to a foot surgery. Mr. Hoving will be subbing 3 days and Mrs. Russell for 2 days. Students are welcome to email me if needed.
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Valentine's Day: At 5th grade we do not have Valentine's Day parties or pass Valentines as a class. I will send in a treat. You are welcome to do this if you wish. 
                                                  
 

 
SCHOOL WILL BE IN SESSION ON MON., FEB. 17 
 

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HOMEWORK: Math Homework is due on Monday
                                
                                                    

The The only homework for this week will be math or book club work that needs to be finished and returned. It won't be in the planner as a class. Your child will know if it is finished or not and will be given direction by the substitutes to finish at home if needed and return it the next day.

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Junior Achievement: Beginning this last Friday and for 4 more Fridays our class is enjoying Junior Achievement. Julie Burch is coming in to present this for us. Thank you, Julie! This last week we discussed services and goods. Students worked in groups to come up with a good or service, design it, price it, decide who their target buyers were, and present it to the class. They are already looking forward to another session coming February 14th.

MATH:  Check out the Math Tab for fraction tutorials!!
   This week in math, students will be focusing on multiplying decimals and reviewing fraction concepts.
MATH FACTS: I was telling the kids and they are also noticing that I am seeing a lot of improvement with math facts! Awesome! They are able to do XTRAMATH at home on the computer in addition to flashcards and other practice activities.
  
READING -  
Click on the "Reading" tab for practice comprehension passages
  Students have been working in groups 3 for book club. They are reading and discussing their novels with each other and me. I have been pleased to see how involved they are and how they are asking me to confirm their thoughts by giving me their ideas and evidence! Wow! Students have some focus comprehension questions, vocabulary inferencing work, grammar work, and strategy practice.

WRITING:
  Friday the students presented their "Fruit/Vegie of the Year" speeches. It was so fun and I was proud of how well they presented! Everyone spoke loudly enough, was expressive, and had a good slogan and poster. I videotaped each one and will be sending these to you this week. I have been swamped with preparing sub plans. I also will get both of their papers graded this week.

SCIENCE:   
The kids have been researching a planet in infotech as part of our science unit. They have a choice as to how they will present these in a few weeks This coming week we will focus on the planets and solar system.

SPELLING:
  Students will take the lesson 18 test on Friday. List 19 will go home Monday.
You can also find it under the spelling tab.

If your child wants to play games/do practice tests, go to: Spelling City

Have a terrific weekend!