5th Grade Blog Update 11/1/19

Happy November Families!

We finished out the month of October with a boo! Even though we were forced to stay inside due to the weather, our parade and classroom parties were such fun!  We didn’t let a little snow hamper our celebration! It’s hard to believe that November has arrived! Don’t forget to “fall back” Saturday evening for Daylight Savings Time! Be sure to turn your clocks back for an extra hour of sleep!

Literacy

*In the past week we have made the transition in our reading from primarily fiction texts to nonfiction texts. We are working on quoting accurately and comparing/contrasting characters and events within these nonfiction texts. We have begun practicing these skills by using shared reading text titled Rainforest Food Chains. The students have begun looking at various text features in this text and using them to help them locate evidence to support their thinking with question responses. This text is replete with vocabulary and we have been playing games to increase our knowledge and understanding of all of these new words!

Writing

Recently, students have been researching an ecosystem and using graphic organizers to classify their information. Students are then taking those plans and developing their essays focusing on organized, detailed information with transition words to help the flow of their writing. Ask your student to share information they have learned about the ecosystem they are researching and writing about! When we are completely finished next week, students will share them at home as well!

Math

We are digging decimals! In the coming weeks we will be perfecting skills in the area of using expanded decimal notation, comparing decimals, adding and subtracting decimals, and rounding decimals. We will have a checkpoint at the end of next week to track our progress.

Science

We have continued our learning about the four Earth Systems and how they interact. We are learning about how the Earth’s climate and weather are connected to these interactions.In order to enhance their learning, students are also working in small groups to produce a movie about an assigned Earth system. This video must be structured around answering certain questions such as...How does this Earth system interact with other? How do people play a role in enhancing or harming this Earth system?  They are having a great time time on this project and are getting some invaluable practice on working with others towards a common goal.

Social Studies

Next week we will continue our Civics unit by focusing on different forms of government. We will primarily focus on direct and indirect democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship. We will also learn the important aspects of each form of government, including examples of countries that utilize each of them. 

Upcoming Events

November 4 (Monday): Beginning band concert at TG at 7:00

November 7 (Thursday): Orchestra concert at Woodlawn at 7:00
November 11 (Monday) Picture Re-takes

November 15 (Friday): HALF DAY (Dismissal @ 11:45AM)

November 19  (Tuesday) PTO Special Lunch

November 21 (Thursday) Family Reading Night 6:30PM