Mrs. Holzhauer's 5th Grade Blog 2/24/17

Happy Friday 5th Grade Families!

We have enjoyed studying the topic of space exploration in science and literature, as well as exploring the genre of science fiction. The students have demonstrated a high degree of interest in these topics and have written science journal articles which cover a wide variety of topics. If you’s like to know more about topics such as black holes and constellations, then we have some great journal articles for you to read! Our students are anxious to show off much of this work at Ivy Hall Celebrates next Wednesday evening! 

Did you Know?

CNN News reports that, (CNN) "Astronomers have found at least seven Earth-sized planets orbiting the same star 40 light-years away, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. "

CNN Article- Click here to read full article

Literacy* We finished our last book in the space category, a nonfiction book called Our Mysterious Universe. Today we wrapped up the unit by playing a game called Numbered Heads and reviewed all of the vocabulary we’ve learned thus far. We are excited to start a new trimester and unit with the theme of Exploring New Worlds.  We will begin by reading a nonfiction book entitled Explorers: Triumph and Troubles.  We will be investigating the effects of early exploration and looking at the historical implications of early travel.  

Writing Our next writing focus will be opinion writing. This is usually a favorite of fifth graders! We will be using articles and stories that we read in order to gather text evidence to support our opinions. This will lay the foundation for students as they enter middle school next year and work much more with this type of writing.

Math* The focus of Unit 5 is Measurement Conversions and Volume.   We will be working on three main targets. 

1-5MD.1:   Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system, and use these conversions in solving multi-step real world problems.

2-5.MD.4   Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic cm, cubic in, cubic ft, and improvised units.

3-MD.5  Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real world and mathematical problems involving volume.

Please use the link below to view the family letter for our upcoming measurement unit in math :

Math Family Letter

Social Studies* Today we wrapped up our learning about the topic of patriotism. We had some great group discussions using a technique called “talking chips”.  We will beginning the next trimester studying supply and demand and trade. We will be looking at the difference between goods and services and their importance in our lives. 

Science* We will be studying matter in TCI Science and working on investigations to help us determine what causes substances to change.

** Don't forget to sign up for conferences if you have not done so already!

** Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack.  Candy as a snack is not permitted. Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!  

** The Six Flags reading program has been extended to Monday. You can get the forms on the Ivy Website. Don't forget Monday is the last day that forms will be accepted.

Important Upcoming Dates:

**Fri., Feb. 24—End of Trimester 2

**Mon., Feb.27—Book Fair preview—our class visits the fair at 2:30, last day to bring in $ for Change Wars, Six Flags forms due

**Tues., Feb. 28—Early Release and Band Concert at Twin Groves

**Wed., March 1—Ivy Hall Celebrates! 7:00-8:00 PM

**Fri., March 3—No School (Teacher Institute Day)

**Mon., March 6—No School (Casimir Pulaski Day)

**March 9-10—Parent/Teacher Conferences

**Fri., March 24—Spring Break  (school closed end of day)

Happy Friday!

Tonight we will be experiencing a confluence of three celestial events in the same night: a penumbral lunar eclipse, a snow moon and a comet. As the moon rises on Friday, it will pass through the outer edge of the Earth’s shadow, called the penumbra.  During this type of eclipse, you will see a darkening of the moon from the bottom edge moving towards the top as the night progresses, but not a total lunar blackout. The eclipse will begin around 4:45 PM—shortly before moonrise—and end around 8:50 PM.  The best viewing time will be around 6:45 PM. Be sure to check it out with your kiddos! We have been learning so much about stars and the solar system in science! This is a great connection for the kids to make with their learning! 

Literacy* We just finished reading Jess and Layla’s Astronomical Adventure.  The students really enjoyed this text. Be sure to have them summarize the book for you. Our next book that we will be reading as a class is Our Mysterious Universe.   We will be focusing on how visual elements in a text help us to understand how elements in a text relate to each other.  We are also going to learn how readers can understand relationships and interactions between elements in a text.

Reading Logs   As you know, the format for reading log responses is a bit different. Each Friday I will be posting a series of questions that the students will respond to via a schoology discussion board. Students are also required to respond to the submissions of classmates. Last week we had a great string of responses! I believe that the kids are also getting great book suggestions from each other! In junior high students are expected to be well-versed in utilizing schoology so I am trying to give them more opportunities to become comfortable with its format. Reading response submissions are due each morning before school and reading log minute sheets are due on Mondays as usual. 

Writing* Students have been wrapping up their historical journal entries. Each student chose a historical space discovery to research and write a journal article. Be sure to ask your student about the subject of his/her journal article! We have topics on everything from black holes to constellations!  Next week we will be working on writing summaries, including at least two main ideas and supporting details.

Math* We are wrapping up multiplying fractions, mixed numbers, and whole numbers.  Now we are heading into dividing fractions!  We are still working on solving real world word problems and determining what operation(s) we need to use to solve word problems. You can expect a few CFA’s to come home next Friday!

Social Studies* We are continuing to discuss our freedoms compared to other countries and cultures.

Science* Today we started a multi-day, high-interest STEM (science-technology-engineering-mathematics) activity that involves WATER-BOTTLE FLIPPING! Today we conducted our preliminary data collection by recording the heights, volumes, and shapes of four different types of water bottles. Next week we will also be examining the role that gravity plays in the process! We will also predict how much water yields the best “flipping” results! The most highly anticipated aspect, of course, is the point in the experiment when the kids will be doing the flipping! As you can imagine, the kids are very excited about this!

Next week in science we will also design and build telescopes to practice the engineering design process. We read about several different types of telescopes this week.

Friendly Reminders and Upcoming Events
** Valentine's Day Parties - From Mrs. Gluck's Newsletter:

If you choose to include an item with your child's Valentines, please note that only non-food items are permissible.  Candy, snacks, or any sort of food item will be sent back home with your child on Valentine's day if sent to school.  Non-food items are permitted, and there are many pre-packaged Valentines that can be purchased that include a trinket (i.e., pencil, erasers, book mark, etc.). Card and party stores are a great place to look for these types of items.  Here are some ideas of non-food items if you choose to include something:  pencils, erasers, stickers, plastic or rubber figurines, mini deck of cards, spinning top, or crazy straws to name a few.

Many of our students have medically based dietary restrictions and this does not include students on specific diets of family choice such as vegetarian, low cal/sugar, religious, and so on.  Monitoring the individual needs and requests is not feasible, thus not safe. In addition, it is frequently reported that several children eat Valentine's treats on the bus, as evidenced by an abundance of wrappers found.  This poses a choking risk, as well as exposure for students with specific health restrictions. Thank you for your assistance in helping us maintain the health, safety, and personal family preferences of our students.

** Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack.  Candy as a snack is not permitted. Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!  

Friendly Reminders and Upcoming Events

**Tuesday, Feb., 14—Valentine’s Day parties @ 2:00 (Make sure to bring your Valentines that day!)

**Thurs., Feb., 16—5th Grade Music Program @ 6:30 pm

**Fri., Feb., 17—3rd-5th Movie Night @ 6:00

**Mon., Feb.20—No School Presidents Day  

**Fri., Feb. 24—End of Trimester 2

**Tues., Feb. 28—Early Release and Band Concert at Twin Groves

**Wednesday, March 1—Ivy Hall Celebrates @7:00 pm

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  

Thank you and have a fabulous weekend!

Julie Holzhauer