Fifth grade has been very busy researching facts for our integrated study on the Trails to the West. Each group is actively researching one of the Trails. The study integrates Social Studies, Language Arts, and Writing. The final product will be an expository paper and a short Keynote slide presentation.
We continue to work on measurement in Math. We have studied Geometry, with special focus on the properties of quadrilaterals. Now we are immersed in measurement, both customary and metric. We are also reviewing for the EOG.
A big Thank You to those of you who have sent food and money for the Math Block Party. By all accounts ot was a successful event.
Dates to Remember:
May 8 Mid-term Progress Reports May 15 Science EOG May 19 Math/calculator active EOG May 20 Math/calculator inactive EOG May 21 Reading EOG May 30 Field trip to WRMS
LANGUAGE ARTS We will continue our study of various genres in the reading text. As well, we are reading and writing poems. After that, we will continue our study of biographies and autobiographies. Any of these types of reading may be tested in the Reading EOG, along with all the other genres we have studied this year. We will also practice EOG type questions, so that the students will see the format. It is also a good time to review test-taking techniques.
We will also continue with instruction in grammar and spelling. We are involved in the Writers Workshop program. The students are required to learn the expository style of writing, as well. It goes without saying that we are always very busy in language arts classes!
MATHEMATICS Measurement is the name of the game right now, as well as a review of double bar graphs, double line graphs, histograms, stem and leaf plots, and circle graphs. We are also reviewing the math curriculum in preparation for the upcoming tests.
SCIENCE This quarter is given over to forces and motion. It is a very difficult study. You may want to ask your child to bring home his/her science text from time to time, just to be sure they are on the right track.
SOCIAL STUDIES We will continue on with our study of the USA. We are now learning about our country in modern times. Our integrated study of the trails to the west allows the students to learn about their history while acquiring the most important skills of fact finding and incorporating those facts into well written paragraphs.
Facts are due May 1 Rough drafts are due May 7 Good copies are due May 15
TECHNOLOGY � Type to Learn � Integration with subject areas � Keynote slide presentation
ONGOING � Accelerated Reader � Accelerated Math � Homework completion
YOU CAN HELP AT HOME The most important thing you can do to help your child is to keep her/him on a regular schedule of healthy eating, adequate rest, and homework completion, offering help when needed. This is a critical year of skill consolidation and development. Self-responsibility and diligence are key to success. It is not the time to let up, but rather the time for students to be certain of their skills and to work diligently in order to feel confident in all areas of their learning.
Each student must work faithfully to complete homework and focus on the daily learning requirements of this grade. The expectations of students in the fifth grade are increasing constantly, so it is imperative that all students do their best at all times.
Personal responsibility continues to be the children's first responsibility, closely followed by awareness that each of them must make his or her best effort to achieve the highest standard of which they are capable. I plan to conference with each child in the new year to explain where they stand in terms of percentiles for the state and whether that percentile standing represents a passing position.
For your information our enhancements are as follows:
Music Monday@10:30-11:15
Bible Tuesday@12:00-12:30
PE Thursday@12:45
Art Thursday@1:30
Guidance Friday@12:30-1:30
Lunch Daily@11:25-11:55
AR Daily,
AM 3 times/week and homework most nights
Computers: various times each week
I believe communication between parent and teacher is crucial to students' learning. To this end, I use the planners, notes and telephone calls and encourage you to do the same. Also, I send some work home weekly in folders on Tuesdays. Not all work goes home in the folders each week, however.
You will be able to find some of your child's work in the workbooks and other folders that are used, as well as In the binder. Please review both the week's work in the Tuesday folder, as well as the work in the other workbooks and binder with your child, sign the cover sheet, and return the empty folder the following morning.
Here are some things you can do to help your child maximize his/her productivity::
1. Be sure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a good breakfast.
2. Have your child at school on time every day.
3. Make sure your child has the necessary school supplies.
4. Monitor your child's homework completion. Fifth graders should not do more than 60 minutes of on-task homework each night. Please contact me if your child is having difficulty.
5. Sign the planner daily, after keeping an eye on your child during homework completion.
6. Stress good behavior on the bus and at school.
7. Support your child's at-home reading.
In addition to the previously mentioned homework, students are expected to read at least 30 minutes each night.
Bonnie Kraigsley
Some Favorite Links: � funbrain good activities � nc wise owl changes monthly � pbs for kids � discovery channel for kids � ask search engine good resource � dogpile search engine excellent resource
August 2008 To view the full calendar, click the above link.
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
What's Happening Today
Wednesday August 20, 2008 There are no events posted for today
Upcoming Events
There are no future events posted
Education Gateways makes no warranty for SchoolNotes.com.
Information on this site is generated by the users. The views
expressed are not necessarily those of Education Gateways or its members, and
Education Gateways is not responsible for user's conduct on SchoolNotes.com.
