Week of May 9th-13th

May 17 -  Laffy Taffy Tuesday

- May 27 - All Library Books Due, Wear Red, White, and Blue!

- May 30 - No School

- June 3 -  Dunes Field Trip (rain date June 6)

- June 9 -  Last Day of School!!!

Laffy Taffy Tuesday- Come prepared with an appropriate joke and eat some Laffy Taffy today!!

5th grade special day: We have always done the tunnel at the end of 5th grade and will this year as well. But this year we will also celebrate our exiting 5th graders in another way. We will send something more about this later, but at this time, we are planning for June 8th for an hour. No time yet, but afternoon is likely. We will get something more specific to you next week.

If your child enjoyed today and loves running, I encourage them to try cross country in middle school-only 2 days each week in 6th grade. A great way to try it out!

MATH: We will take the Ch 9 math test on Monday. We will then begin Chapter 10, a second measurement unit. Students will be taking the 5th Delta math screener on Monday as well. This is over 4th grade outcomes that we have tested previously and then worked with students who haven't passed specific goals during RTI time and class time to assist them. We will also take the 6th grade screener in a couple weeks to test 5th grade outcomes in specific areas.

WRITING: We are going to be wrapping up our Pourqouis this week. To finish out the year, we will write another short persuasive piece, a piece about going to the middle school which is sent there, as well as write some fn poetry pieces that focus on grammar.

READING: Students are in 4 groups, each group with a different novel. They are reading in class, having book discussions, working on vocabulary, and comprehension activities. We will read Number the Stars as a class next.

SCIENCE: We have discussed how catastrophic events can change the ecosystem, plant, and animals life. Students will take the test the last Monday of school. I will have a study guide for them in addition to plenty of review.

Track and Field Day: Hot! Fun! Awesome kids brought their awesome sportsmanship and gave their all today! We are proud of all student athletes! The only injury for Hamilton this year was me- I got so excited cheering that I forgot I was on the bench and shouldn't be jumping! - Thank you to parents and other family that came to share this day.

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Week of May 2nd-6th

Fifth grade teachers are planning some special days for the month of May. Please put these on your calendar!

May 12:   Pink Day in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

                   Everybody please wear something pink. Yep, even the boys!

May 17:   Laffy Taffy Tuesday: Everyone needs to have a joke that's appropriate 

                   to share with the class to practice those speaking skills! Of course, 

                   we'll eat Laffy Taffy!

                      

May 27:   Wear your Red, White, and Blue!! (Memorial Day's coming)

UPCOMING DATES:

- May 12 - Pink Day

- May 13 - Track and Field Day 

- May 17 - Laffy Taffy Tuesday

- May 27 - All Library Books Due, Wear Red, White, and Blue!

- May 30 - No School

- June 3 - Dunes Field Trip (rain date June 6)

- June 9 - Last Day of School!!!

 

 MATH: 

We have been learning about area of squares, rectangles, triangles, and parallelograms. These concepts require students to follow a formula, something they will need to be able to do more and more in math in the middle and high school. We also began our lesson on converting units of time and have been reviewing converting units of length in customary and metric units. We will take the test on Thursday unless I feel that we need a little extra time and then it will be Monday.

SPELLING:

Spelling tests are Monday. As always, students should study the word list on the Spelling City website.

The skills test focuses on synonyms.

READING:

We began Literature Circles this week. Students chose a book and are in a group with other students. They will be reading, discussing, and doing various activities involving their novel over the next 2 weeks. Students will sometimes need to finish a section of their book for homework if unable to do so in class. I monitor the amount of reading I give by checking in with group members on how they feel about the amount and by observing students to see that they are making use of their in -class time.

WRITING:

We read read some Pourqoui tales this week and discussed that these are fictional tales of why something is the way it is. For example, why do zebras have stripes or why is the ocean blue? These are also called "Why tales" as the word pourqoui is French for "why". Students began writing their own - I look forward to reading what they come up with!

 

 

Week of April 25th - 28th

Important Dates:
May 3rd:     Muffins with Mom 
May 3rd:     High School band comes to perform for 5th grade students
May 13th:   5th Grade Track & Field Day

TRACK and FIELD DAY:
Our class has already chosen their events and they are practicing! A note went home with your child Thursday about this event. If you have additional questions, please contact me.


POETRY BRUNCH:
Thank you to all of you that were able to be a part of our audience. Thank you also to parents who brought brunch items for us! > Cathy Dykema, Amy Klanderman, Lynae Wolfram, Bridget Scoville, Tara Blood, Kathy Eastman, and Missy Eustice! The kids worked hard and really looked forward to this day. I have put some pictures below:

READING: 
We will begin literature circles next week.

SCIENCE:
We have been caring for and observing our animals. We are studying behavioral and physical characteristics and survival needs. We are beginning to move into inherited traits as well as behavioral and physical adaptations. Your child will have some homework for you next week!

WRITING:
We will read some Pourquoi tales and then write one of our own. A Pourquoi is a fictional story that explains the reason something is the way it is. For example, Why does the giraffe have a long neck or why does a cheetah have spots?

MATH:
We continue to practice converting units which can be tricky, but students are getting a handle on it! We have also learned about perimeter and area. We are practicing using the formulaic format when working area problems in order to prepare for algebra in middle school.

POETRY BRUNCH CHANGE!

I (more than once!) have put the poetry brunch at 9:40 on Wednesday.
The time will actually be moved up an hour to 8:40!!
We will be in Music from 9:30-10:00- I cam sorry for my silly mistake! 
I will also sed a note home about this on Monday!

Week of April 18th-22nd

                   Upcoming Dates: 

- April 27 - Poetry Brunch (See below) 
- May 3 -    Muffins With Mom

- May 13 -  Track and Field Day (a note will come home soon!)

- June 3 -    Dunes Field Trip (rain date June 6)

Poetry Brunch/Writing: We've been writing poems and practicing reciting poems for our Poetry Brunch on Wednesday. Students will be reciting poems from other authors and their own work will be displayed around the room. If you wish to come, please plan to be there by 8:40 in our classroom on Wednesday, April 27th.

Puberty Lessons:

We have concluded our lessons on puberty.

All participating 5th grade students watched 2 videos about puberty on Friday and had the opportunity to ask questions. (We have them write questions anonymously if they wishand then we read and answer.) Some questions can't be answered by us as they aren't part of our curriculum. There are many books that are suitable for students this age to read with a trusted adult which may make discussing this subject easier for you and your child. I encourage you to discuss changes your child will be going through so they are more comfortable coming to you when they have questions as they come up. 

Charlton Park Trip:

Thank you to our volunteer parents that came along on our trip. The students enjoyed the day! Students were responsible on the bus and at the Charlton Park and I appreciate this very much! 

Track and Field Day:

Students are preparing for track and field day events. Next week they will sign up for 3 events. WISH will call parents to volunteer for this day. Whether you volunteer or not, all parents are welcome to come enjoy the day with your child and watch from the bleachers! 

Dunes Trip:

Please remember to turn in the purple paper sent home by May 3rd if you plan to attend and/or donate items.

MEAP:
Scores were sent home for he MEAP test that was taken in October, 2010. Please call if you have questions.




Reading: We finished reading and discussing our novel, Long Way from Chicago, and will begin Literature circles next Tuesday. Students will be working in small groups reading and participating in discussion/activities based on their novel.

Math: We began our first unit on measurement this week. Concepts covered were measuring and converting units of length in customary units and metric units which we will work on next week as well. We will also learn perimeter and area and reviewing past concepts.

Science: We spent time caring for and observing our hermit crabs. We are focusing on behavioral and physical characteristics and how these help the crabs survive.