5-2 Updates ~ 01/27

Hello 5-2 Parents ~

Well, that winter weather just doesn't seem to be letting up these days!!  As we've discussed the polar ice caps melting in science and reading over the past weeks, it's been difficult to convince the kids that we are experiencing global warming!!  Certainly doesn't feel like it here in the Midwest :)  Looking ahead at the temperatures for Monday and Tuesday, we have especially cold temperatures predicted once again.  Hoping they will be warm enough to be in school, but please watch for possible closings.

Looks like we'll see the kiddos on Wednesday - stay warm!!

Additional Updates:
We're halfway through the second trimester already!  Please look for Mid-term Progress Reports to come home for a sign and return on Wednesday.

Starting Wednesday, 5th grade will recess first shift (12:10pm) and lunch second shift (12:40pm).  As always, please be sure they have appropriate outerwear for the cold.  We will be going outside for recess if the temperatures are above 0 degrees.

Important Dates

Everybody Counts ~ Tuesday, February 4th ~ Everybody Counts is an organization dedicated to the empowerment and independence of people with disabilities.  Volunteers take the time to come into classrooms to help the students understand life with a disability in a powerful and engaging way.  THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteer in bringing this valuable program to our school  Our presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/4 at 1:15.

Water Reclamation Treatment Facility ~ Friday, February 7th ~ In line with our science curriculum on Watery Earth, we have a Community Education Specialist  from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago coming in on 2/7 at 9:00 to teach students about how water is cleaned and pumped to homes and business in the area, as well as how wastewater is treated and cleaned after it leaves our homes.  This is a free in-school field trip, so you won't need to send in anything!

Math

We have finally reached the end of Unit 6.  With all the breaks, it's taken us an exceptionally long time!  Our last day of instruction for this unit will be on Monday as we continue to focus on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  Tuesday will be our review day, and we will be taking the unit assessment on Wednesday, 1/29.  Our review session for the test will be on Monday this week - please encourage your child to attend if they have struggled with the concepts in this unit.  Of course, if we do have "cold" days this week, the schedule will be pushed forward according to the number of days we miss.

Our Unit 6 Assessment is now scheduled for Friday, 1/31, and the review session will be on Thursday at recess/lunch - please encourage your child to attend if they are struggling with the concepts for this unit!

Science

We finished our discussion of the Earth's Water Model this week in science, learning more about groundwater, frozen water, and water in the air.  Our discussion included the amount of fresh water available to us on this planet which launched a discussion on our need to conserve.  We will continue these discussion in the next few weeks.

This week, students will build a model of the water cycle, and we will engage in some common core lessons on the water cycle using complex text.  They will have the opportunity to integrate information from a couple of non-fiction texts and a poem, and synthesize their learning into a poster on the water cycle.

The Water Cycle Posters will be assigned as homework over next weekend.  They will be due on Monday, 2/3.  Look for the assignment to come home on Friday.

Reading

Hopefully, we will have a 5-day week in reading so we can get back on our typical literacy schedule!  If not, I will help the students understand the change in schedule and remind them daily when their homework is due.  We will be focusing on elements of science fiction this week as we compare a number of different science fiction stories.

They will be given their literacy packets (grammar and practice) and spelling will be assigned on Wednesday when we return.  They will still have nightly assignments, and their packets will be due on Monday, 2/3.  They will have their weekly literacy assessments on Monday, 2/3 as well.

Writing

We were only able to spend a couple of days this week in The Liberation of Gabriel King, but we did look at how dialogue and the actions of a character help us to get to know those characters better in text.  We will continue to read and develop our understanding of character traits as we move through this unit.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. 
If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” 

― Albert Einstein

Stay Warm!

5-2 Updates ~ 01/25

Hello 5-2 Parents ~

Well, that winter weather just doesn't seem to be letting up these days!!  As we've discussed the polar ice caps melting in science and reading over the past weeks, it's been difficult to convince the kids that we are experiencing global warming!!  Certainly doesn't feel like it here in the Midwest :)  Looking ahead at the temperatures for Monday and Tuesday, we have especially cold temperatures predicted once again.  Hoping they will be warm enough to be in school, but please watch for possible closings.

Important Dates

Everybody Counts ~ Tuesday, February 4th ~ Everybody Counts is an organization dedicated to the empowerment and independence of people with disabilities.  Volunteers take the time to come into classrooms to help the students understand life with a disability in a powerful and engaging way.  THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteer in bringing this valuable program to our school  Our presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/4 at 1:15.

Water Reclamation Treatment Facility ~ Friday, February 7th ~ In line with our science curriculum on Watery Earth, we have a Community Education Specialist  from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago coming in on 2/7 at 9:00 to teach students about how water is cleaned and pumped to homes and business in the area, as well as how wastewater is treated and cleaned after it leaves our homes.  This is a free in-school field trip, so you won't need to send in anything!

Math

We have finally reached the end of Unit 6.  With all the breaks, it's taken us an exceptionally long time!  Our last day of instruction for this unit will be on Monday as we continue to focus on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.  Tuesday will be our review day, and we will be taking the unit assessment on Wednesday, 1/29.  Our review session for the test will be on Monday this week - please encourage your child to attend if they have struggled with the concepts in this unit.  Of course, if we do have "cold" days this week, the schedule will be pushed forward according to the number of days we miss.

Science

We finished our discussion of the Earth's Water Model this week in science, learning more about groundwater, frozen water, and water in the air.  Our discussion included the amount of fresh water available to us on this planet which launched a discussion on our need to conserve.  We will continue these discussion in the next few weeks.

This week, students will build a model of the water cycle, and we will engage in some common core lessons on the water cycle using complex text.  They will have the opportunity to integrate information from a couple of non-fiction texts and a poem, and synthesize their learning into a poster on the water cycle.

Reading

Hopefully, we will have a 5-day week in reading so we can get back on our typical literacy schedule!  If not, I will help the students understand the change in schedule and remind them daily when their homework is due.  We will be focusing on elements of science fiction this week as we compare a number of different science fiction stories.

Writing

We were only able to spend a couple of days this week in The Liberation of Gabriel King, but we did look at how dialogue and the actions of a character help us to get to know those characters better in text.  We will continue to read and develop our understanding of character traits as we move through this unit.

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. 
If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” 

― Albert Einstein

Stay Warm!

5-2 Updates ~ 1/21

Hello 5-2 Parents ~

Another short, cold week in front of us...kind of making me long for those long, warmer days!!  Hope you enjoyed all the extra time spent with your kiddos this month :)

Important Dates

Talent Show ~ Friday, January 24th ~ We have 36 talented, creative, and interesting acts that have been put together by the 4th and 5th graders this year!  Students will perform for the school audience from 1:15-3:30 on Friday afternoon, then again for families at 7:00pm.  Hope you will make some time to come out and watch the amazing talent OMS students have to offer!  They can bring their props and costumes to school in the morning, then they will be given time to change and prepare before the performance.

Everybody Counts ~ Tuesday, February 4th ~ Everybody Counts is an organization dedicated to the empowerment and independence of people with disabilities.  Volunteers take the time to come into classrooms to help the students understand life with a disability in a powerful and engaging way.  THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteer in bringing this valuable program to our school  Our presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/4 at 1:15.

Water Reclamation Treatment Facility ~ Friday, February 7th ~ In line with our science curriculum on Watery Earth, we have a Community Education Specialist  from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago coming in on 2/7 at 9:00 to teach students about how water is cleaned and pumped to homes and business in the area, as well as how wastewater is treated and cleaned after it leaves our homes.  This is a free in-school field trip, so you won't need to send in anything!

Math

We continue to work our way through Unit 6, and just finished up with data and graphing on Friday.  The students will return on Wednesday to take a mid-unit quiz, then we will finish up the unit focusing on adding fractions with unlike denominators.  Our Unit 6 Assessment is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th.  As always, an additional study session will be offered during lunch and recess the day before the test is given.  Please encourage your child to attend the study session if they have struggled with any of the concepts in this unit.  

Science

Our class is participating in an online pilot for our Science Companion Watery Earth unit.  They were taught how to log on this week, and how to access both the online science journal and textbook.  We did discover some bugs in the system along the way which was frustrating for some students :)  The writers of the curriculum appreciate their feedback, and their comments will help improve the program before releasing it to the public.  Students will be using this online pilot while in the classroom, but they do not have to use it at home.  They may take home their science textbooks and journals if necessary.  However, they do have access to both the textbook and journal at home if they would like to access the work electronically.

We discussed a couple of the types of water we have on this planet available to us - surface water (both fresh and salt) and groundwater.  Students also built a model of groundwater this week in science.  Ask your students what groundwater is, where it is stored, and how water gets to the place where it is stored.  These are the types of questions that will be on their final unit assessment, so we will continue to review the concepts.  This week, we will move on to frozen water and water vapor.

During this unit, your child will need one clean 2-liter bottle, cut in half separating the top from the bottom.  Please send in this bottle by next Friday, 1/24.  Thank you!

Reading

We will finish up Unit 3 Week 4 on Friday this week so packets and spelling are due on Friday morning - we will also be testing that morning.  We are comparing and contrasting characters in a fictional story, and deserts in informational text; and we continue to work on the skill of summarizing.  Next week, we should be back to a "normal" Monday-Friday schedule, so the kids should breathe a sigh of relief - they don't seem to be enjoying the change of routine!

Writing

We were able to start reading The Liberation of Gabriel King this week, and the kids are really enjoying it!  They are engaged in the text that explores the themes of racial discrimination, and have been asking excellent questions during the discussions.  They wanted to know who was president at this time and allowed such horrible things to happen.  It's a beautiful thing to listen to the innocence in their comments and questions when this type of discrimination took place not so long ago.  

We are reading this book to produce a Response to Fiction Essay.  In these lessons, students write numerous journal entries in which they explore their responses to the reading, learn to describe their textual observations, and practice new writing skills.  We started this week by brainstorming observations we make in life of people when we first meeting them, and the impressions those observations leave us with...and we drew a correlation to meeting characters in a book.  Just like we observe people in real life and write about them, we can observe characters in a novel and write about them.  The difference is, we can only observe what the author has written down for us. 

"Every child is a different kind of flower, 
and all together make this world a beautiful garden."
~ Annonymous~

Stay Warm!

5-2 Updates 1/11

Hello 5-2 Parents ~

It was so great to finally get back into the classroom with the kiddos this week - I missed them all!  They all seemed excited to return to their friends, and enjoyed chatting about their breaks as we settled back into our routine :)

Important Dates

MAPS Testing ~ Monday & Tuesday, January 13th & 14th - Students will be taking their Reading and Language Arts MAPS test on Monday and Tuesday from 1:15-2:15pm.  They will be well-fed having just finished lunch, but remember - an early bedtime on Sunday and Monday night would benefit scores!  MAPS tests (both winter and spring scores) are used in placement decisions for middle school, so we want our students to do their very best!  We will review test taking strategies in the morning before the test, but you can remind them to take their time and read everything at least twice.  They have as much time as they need to complete the test - there is no benefit to completing the test quickly.  Thanks for your support at home!

Robert Crown:  Michael/Linda Program ~ Wednesday, January 15th -  Robert Crown will be presenting information about how your children's bodies are changing as they enter puberty on Wednesday afternoon.  Boys and girls will be separated for the presentations, and will receive different information in each of their programs.  Just a word of advice to minimize anxiety...if you haven't had the conversation at home with your child about their body changes, you may want to start the conversations this weekend.  This can be difficult information for some students to receive in front of their classmates.  If you have any questions at all about what they will cover, please do not hesitate to contact me.

MLK Day ~ Monday, January 20th - No School
SIP Day ~ Tuesday, January 21st - No School

Math

We were able to get started on Unit 6 in our short week this week, but with the extra couple of days off this month, it will take us some time to get all the way through it!  Please encourage your children to continue to practice their facts at home, and to play the Unit 6 online games to review the concepts taught.

Watanuki Math

We are well into Unit 6 in the 6th grade UCMP program and we have only been back in school three days! This unit focused on properties of numbers advanced computation concepts. It also explores some pre-algebra skills. This week students reviewed multiplication and division of mixed numerals and addition and subtraction of signed numbers. We also learned about multiplication and division of signed numbers, a newly presented concept. Students are working hard and doing well. Unit 5 tests should have been shared, signed and returned at this point. The re-test for the few taking it will be held Monday at lunch.

Science

We started our Watery Earth this week with our favorite water stories, and a discussion about the many ways we use water in our lives.  They understand what a valuable resource water is to our lives!  They are anxious to get started with experiments - we will be starting with some engaging hands-on experiences on Monday!

During this unit, your child will need one clean 2-liter bottle, cut in half separating the top from the bottom.  Please send in this bottle by next Friday, 1/17.  Thank you!

Reading

We will finish up Unit 3 Week 3 on Monday and Tuesday this week.  Packets and spelling are due on Tuesday morning, and we will be testing in the afternoon.  We will begin Unit 3 Week 4 on Thursday, and the packets for that week will be due the following Friday, 1/24.  All of the interruptions to our schedule (cold days, holidays, MAPS testing and Robert Crown) have the kiddos a little confused on when things are due, so we continue to remind them everyday.  We should be back on our typical Monday through Friday schedule the last week of January :)

Writing

We will begin to read The Liberation of Gabriel King this week, but with all the interruptions, we won't have much time to get started on lessons until the following week.

"Children close their ears to advice, but open their eyes to example"

~ Annonymous~

Stay Warm!

5-2 Updates ~ 1/05

Hello 5-2 Parents ~

I hope you all enjoyed some relaxing time with your families over Winter Break, and found a way to stay warm in this crazy weather!!  Brrrr!!

I apologize for the delay in getting updates to you in the few weeks between conferences and Winter Break.  Several factors (including my computer crashing and a pipe bursting in our classroom!) left me either unable to update our blog, or swamped with catch up work.  It was a crazy month!  All should be well going forward (fingers crossed!), so you should be able to expect regular weekend updates going forward :)

The new year brings some new expectations for your student as they are in the final stretches of their 5th grade year!  I will no longer be stamping their assignment notebook every afternoon - students are now expected to check the assignment board every afternoon, and copy down the assignments due.   Of course, I will be reminding them of their assignments and responsibilities at the end of every day, but I will no longer check in with each individual student.  They are  also expected to turn in assigned homework in the morning of it's due date.  While they will still be receiving reminders to turn the assignments in, I will not check in with them individually to turn their work in.  If the work is not turned in at the expected time, it will be marked late.  We are working to transition them to more independence and ownership of their learning as they begin to prepare for middle school.  Encourage them to maintain organization and listen for those reminders! 

Important Dates

Robert Crown:  Michael/Linda Program ~ January 15th - Next week, Robert Crown will be presenting information about how your children's bodies are changing as they enter puberty.  Boys and girls will be separated for the presentations, and will receive different information in each of their programs.  See below for a specific description of the information that will be covered:

MICHAEL/LINDA - PUBERTY EDUCATION FOR BOYS/GIRLS – 85 Minutes

The Michael/Linda program is a unique opportunity for a pre-adolescent "boys only" and “girls only” education about puberty. We discuss the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty and also compare the female and male reproductive anatomy.  Each participant takes home a comprehensive booklet as a resource. 

Students will…

1. Increase knowledge about human anatomy, the changes which occur during puberty, and the reasons for these changes.
2. Understand that the changes of puberty are a normal part of human development and will increase their comfort for discussing this topic with trusted adults.
3. Learn skills to take care of their bodies as they experience the changes of puberty.

*You already signed a permission slip for this program earlier in the school year, so this is for informational purposes only.  If you have any questions or concerns at all about this presentation, please let me know.  I would be happy to dicuss the material covered in greater depth with you before the presentation.  

MLK Day ~ Monday, January 20th - No School
SIP Day ~ Tuesday, January 21st - No School

Math

My math class wrapped up Unit 5 before break with a Unit Assessment.  Look for these graded to tests to come home on the first day back for a sign and return.  We will begin Unit 6 when we return with a pre-test on our first day back.  In Unit 6, students investigate data displays and sample size.  They learn how to match "mystery plots" with data, and they learn how to read and use contour maps to display certain kinds of data.  Also in Unit 6, students add and subtract fractions and relate finding common denominators to the idea that every fraction has many equivalent names.  Initially, I had their Unit 6 Assessment scheduled for next Friday, 1/17, but the school closing will push test day into the following week.  I will keep you posted.

Social Studies

We finished up our study of the Revolutionary War before break as well with a Unit 13 Assessment.  These tests should have come home with your child on Friday, 12/20 for a sign and return.  Please be sure to check in with your child if you have not seen it yet.  They also enjoyed a research project on a specific battle of the Revolutionary War ~ they learned more about their assigned battle, then created a timeline hallway display combining their new knowledge to teach others about their learning.  This unit ends our Social Studies instruction for the next 6 weeks - we will return to study the Constitution at the end of February.

Science

When we return to school, we will begin our Watery Earth unit in science.  During this unit, your child will think about global and local water resources.  Students will learn about the water cycle and how Earth’s water is distributed.  They’ll learn that water on Earth is abundant, but realize that there is a limited amount of fresh, clean water available for people to use and that we must protect the water on Earth from pollution and overuse.  The most important goal of the Watery Earth unit is to encourage students to use what they learn about water to make choices and take actions in their own life that have a positive impact on water resources.

During the Water Earth Unit, your child will participate in the following classroom activities.

·      ~ Discover that Earth’s water exists in large and small bodies of water on Earth’s surface, in aquifers   

            underground in frozen glaciers and ice caps, and as vapor in the air.

·      ~ Build models of the water cycle to demonstrate evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and percolation.

·      ~ Learn about where their tap water comes from, how it is made drinkable, and where it goes after use.

·      ~ Discuss the essential and non-essential ways their family uses water and explore water conservation strategies.

·     ~ Learn about different types of water pollutants and various treatment methods.

·     ~ Investigate an issue pertaining to protecting water resources, take action to positively impact that issue, and communicate their accomplishment.

During this unit, your child will need one clean 2-liter bottle, cut in half separating the top from the bottom.  Please send in this bottle by next Friday, 1/17.  Thank you!

Reading

We will spend some time when we return this week learning more about the global changes our planet is undergoing, and specifically spend time looking at how author's purpose/perspective drives their writing.  They will begin by reading Kofi Annan's speech to the world leaders at a UN Council Meeting on the topic, then they will compare his views to several scientists' writing on global warming, to determine how their views impact their perspective when portraying opinions as fact.  Underlying this discussion will be a critical analysis of how writers use fact and opinion to sway their audience.

Writing

When we return to school, your child will be participating in a reading and writing unit entitled, Writing in Response to Fiction. During this unit, students will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between reading and writing and will learn essential reading and writing strategies that they will need in order to respond to fiction throughout their educational careers. The students will be reading the book, The Liberation of Gabriel King, by K.L Going.

The Liberation of Gabriel King is a well written and highly engaging historical fiction novel about a friendship between two fourth grade students, Gabriel King, a Caucasian boy, and his friend Frita, an African-American girl. The setting of the story is rural Georgia in 1976, the year of the bicentennial, and Jimmy Carter is President. The author writes about racial prejudice and the presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Frita’s goal is to liberate Gabe from his fears. Together they list their fears and pledge to conquer them one by one during the summer between fourth and fifth grade. 

In order to prepare them for this novel, we will spend some time reading and discussing Freedom Walkers and Rosa Parks to give our students context as to the setting and the civil rights struggles that were present at that time in our history.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”         

Stay Warm ~ Theresa Fowler