Happy Friday!
What an eventful couple of weeks we have had since returning from winter break with our snow day and the cold weather. It’s hard to believe, but Valentine parties are just around the corner and we are looking forward to many other engaging learning experiences throughout the rest of January and beginning in February. In fact, our 100th day of school is February 2nd!
Literacy
These last two weeks, we continued to practice analyzing multiple perspectives using nonfiction texts. With various reading passages, we compared and contrasted different author's points of view regarding topics such as school uniforms, video games, and rescuing penguin populations. While we read these texts, we continued to practice identifying the author’s main point, and the reasons and evidence that the author uses to support it. We ended this week with our Cycle 4 CFA.
Next week, we will be shifting back to fiction to read George’s Secret Key to the Universe. This text will help us prepare for our next writing unit as well, science fiction! As we read the novel we will be working on a variety of reading skills such as comparing characters, analyzing the point of view, and determining the theme. Please note that Monday - Thursday students will be required to read some chapters at home for homework. This reading can definitely count as your child's 20-30 minutes of required nightly reading! This is a great opportunity to check in with your child and ask them about the book! This book is definitely a favorite of many fifth graders! It is one in a series of several others, so if your child enjoys this one (which I am certain will be the case) there are several others that could be options for at-home reading upon completion of this one!
Writing
Our students recently took their Cycle 4 PBA, which required them to write an analytical piece comparing and contrasting two authors’ points of view. As we move into our new unit, we will be shifting our focus from analytic writing to narrative writing with a science fiction based prompt. This will tie in nicely with our upcoming novel, George's Secret Key to the Universe!
Math
This week we began Unit 5: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. Students are currently working on creating concrete models to represent numerical calculations. Students really enjoyed using geoboards to help them create and visualize the multiplication problems they were presented with. The models that students have been learning are providing them with a deeper understanding of these concepts.
Social Studies
In this unit, we are focusing on the Colonial Era. We discussed the motivations behind why European countries had a strong desire to expand their empires into the "New World" during the age of exploration. We also analyzed the effects and impacts of colonization in North and South America during this time in history.
Upcoming Events
****Monday, January 29--School-wide Cat Pack activity...Wear your Cat Pack t-shirt
Tuesday, January 30 - Early Release (Dismissal @ 2:05 PM)
Wednesday, February 14th - Valentine’s Day Class Party (bring Valentines)
Friday, February 16th - Half Day (Dismissal @ 11:45 AM)
Monday, February 19th - No School (President’s Day)
Wednesday, February 21st - PTO Special Lunch
Wednesday, February 21st - Orchestra Concert @ 7:30 PM
Friendly Reminders
Since winter weather is here, please make sure your student is properly dressed for recess.
Please remind your student to charge his/her iPad and Logitech Crayon every night
Please remember to send your student with a healthy snack - nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
Please continue to have your student practice their multiplication facts up to 12
If your child participates in orchestra or band, please remind him/her to bring their instrument on their lesson day
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