Week of February 25th

INSTITUTE DAY on Friday, No School 

Fifth Grade Math

     Students worked very hard last week reviewing and preparing for the Chapter 5 Fractions Test.  This week, we begin Chapter 6 - Fraction Operations.  We will work on Adding and Subtracting Fractions with like and unlike denominators.  Students will receive directions and a rubric for a Fraction Project that will be due Tuesday, March 5th.  No Quiz this week due to No School on Friday. Here's a website that explains Adding Fractions and contains an online quiz:       Adding Fractions (University of Chicago website)

     Mr. Sparke, the pilot from Southwest Airlines, will visit on Monday morning to resume his Math-Science Program. Students have a booklet to use for the program.  Last visit, he gave us a copy of his schedule and we were asked to compute his weekly trip hours.  

     Fifth graders will begin Multiplication and Division Timed Tests next week.  Please practice flashcards or use the websites recommended in the Tab above.

    Fourth Grade Math

Fourth graders began Chapter 7 Division last Week.  This week students will learn the standard method for dividing large numbers by 1-digit, and an area model method as well.  Does McDonalds Sell Cheeseburgers Daily?  This question may help the students remember all the steps in the Division Process. No Quiz this week.  We continue with Multiplication Timed Tests once a week.  See the RECOMMENDED WEBSITES tab at the top of this page.  It contains a video and step-by-step Long Division examples.  

                 For List of MATH WEBSITES - Click the tab at top left corner 

Math Help - Office Hours

Tuesday through Thursday:  7:15am

4th Grade Mondays:  2:25 - 3:15 

5th Grade Wednesdays: 2:25 - 3:15

Fifth Grade Reading, Spelling & Vocab

We will read the Realistic Fiction selection, Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street, this week with a Comprehension Test on Thursday.   We will also complete Lesson 24 in Spelling and Unit 11 in Vocabulary, also testing on Thursday. 

Fifth Grade Religion

The field trip to the Cathedral of St. Raymond was fabulous.  Students learned about the history, the unique windows, the cross shape of the church and more.  This week we continue our focus on Lent, Stations of the Cross and Unit 6 Virtues.  Fourth and Fifth graders will participate in the Living Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 8th. 

Other Fifth Grade News

Living Stations of the Cross - Fri., March 8th @ 1:15

Service Project for Hunter Himes continues

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email at dhall@stjosephdg.org.

Week of February 18th

Fifth Grade Math

Students wrapped up the skills in Chapter 5 by learning about Mixed Numbers, Improper Fractions and Decimal Representations of fractions.  I was impressed with their self-created Fraction Review assignment.  They traded the review with other students to be completed over the weekend. This is a review week with the Chapter test on Friday.  Students will be allowed to create 2 notecards for use on the test, given the large number of topics and vocabulary associated with the unit.  The note cards should contain examples or list steps in solving fraction-related problems.  Please practice multiplication and division facts to decrease difficulty with fractions. Students needing to use a multiplication table for the test will lose 2 points. See the Math Websites in this blog for fact practice. 

Due to the Monday Holiday, Mr. Sparke, the Pilot from Southwest Airlines, will not work with our fifth graders.  The unit picks up next Monday.  

    Fourth Grade Math

Fourth graders completed Chapter 6 on Friday.  This week we will dive into division!  We will also take our 3rd Diocesan Extended Response Assessment on Friday.  Keep up the good work on your Multiplication Facts.  Some students have passed all Multiplication facts and will start with Division Timed Tests. 

                 For List of MATH WEBSITES - Click tab at top left corner 

Math Help - Office Hours

Tuesday through Thursday:  7:15am

4th Grade Mondays:  2:25 - 3:15 

5th Grade Wednesdays: 2:25 - 3:15

Fifth Grade Reading, Spelling & Vocab

I enjoyed reading the student creative stories about what they would turn the classroom into, given the opportunity!  Due to the Monday holiday and Wednesday Field Trip, we are not reading a selection in Storytown this week.  Instead we will be reading short stories and working on our comprehension skills involving making inferences and story structure.   We will continue on with Spelling, therefore the Lesson 23 Workbook is due on Thursday and test on Friday.  The Vocabulary Unit 11 Definitions are also due on Friday.  

Fifth Grade Religion

Last week, students made crosses that contained their Lenten promises. Each student specified how they will work on prayer, giving and fasting during the Lenten Season. We will study the Stations of the Cross and continue with Unit 6 this week.  This unit involves making good choices and understanding how our actions affect others.  We are looking forward to visiting the Cathedral in Joliet this week on Wednesday. 

Other Fifth Grade News

Cathedral Days Field Trip - Feb. 20th

Service Project for Hunter Himes continues

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email at dhall@stjosephdg.org.

Week of February 11

 Fifth Grade Math

Students have mastered the skill of creating equivalent fractions and working with common denominators to compare fractions! This week's Fraction Lessons include working with mixed numbers, improper fractions, decimals and comparing all 3 forms.  Students will continue building their own Fractions Review Packet, which is due on Friday. Fifth graders should also practice their multiplication and division facts to decrease difficulty with fractions.  See the Math Websites in this blog for practice. 

Additionally, Fifth graders will discover how Math & Science skills relate in the career of a Pilot.  We are fortunate to have Mr. Sparke, a Pilot from Southwest Airlines, work with our fifth graders for 1 hour each Monday for a period of 4 weeks. 

    Fourth Grade Math

Fourth graders will learn how the distributive property can be used to multiply 2-digit by 2-digit numbers.  Additionally, we will use the Building Tables strategy to solve word problems. Thursday will be a Chapter Review day with the Chapter 6 Test on Friday.  The next Chapter deals with Division.  Keep practicing Multiplication Facts, as they will help with division, too!

                 For List of MATH WEBSITES - Click tab at top left corner 

Math Help - Office Hours

Tuesday through Thursday:  7:15am

4th Grade Mondays:  2:25 - 3:15 

5th Grade Wednesdays: 2:25 - 3:15

Fifth Grade Reading, Spelling & Vocab

We are back to the Storytown Reading book this week.  Andrew Clements, the author of Frindle, is also the author of this week's selection, "The School Story". Students will make inferences to aid in comprehension. Spelling Lesson 22 workbook is due Thursday.  The Vocabulary Unit 10 workbook is due Thursday.  Spelling and Vocabulary Tests will take place on Friday.  

Fifth Grade Religion

We will continue with Unit 6 this week.  This unit involves making good choices and understanding how our actions affect others.   

Other Fifth Grade News

Valentines Day - Feb 14, Bring Cards for all Students

Cathedral Days Field Trip - Feb. 20th

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email at dhall@stjosephdg.org.

Week of February 4th

 Fifth Grade Math

We are continuing with fractions. This week we will practice visually recognizing equivalent fractions, building equivalent fractions with least common denominators and comparing fractions.  Given the emphasis on Fractions in the new Common Core Standards and amount of material in this Chapter, I anticipate the Chapter test on or around Feb 20th. Students will create their own review of the chapter and trade with other students to solve. Fifth graders should continue to brush up on their multiplication and division facts to decrease difficulty with fractions.  

    Fourth Grade Math

Fourth graders are doing very well multiplying by two-digit numbers using the traditional regrouping method and area models, as emphasized in the new Common Core math standards.  This week we will work on estimation, word problems involving multiple steps and breaking down multiplication problems into smaller chunks to solve. I anticipate a Chapter 6 test on or around February 15.    

                 For List of MATH WEBSITES - Click tab at top left corner 

Math Help - Office Hours

Tuesday through Thursday:  7:15am

4th Grade Mondays:  2:25 - 3:15 

5th Grade Wednesdays: 2:25 - 3:15

Fifth Grade Reading, Spelling & Vocab

We are continuing reading Frindle in class this week.  Last week, the class posed for a Catholic School Week photo and all shouted "Frindle" as they held up their pens! Students are writing about what they would turn our classroom into, if they had the chance, with a rough draft due Friday. We took a quiz on chapters 5-9 and will take one on Chapters 10-12. This week, Spelling Lesson 21 workbook is due Thursday with a test on Friday. Vocabulary Unit 10 definitions are due Friday.  Unit 10 test is Friday, Feb 15.

Fifth Grade Religion

Students completed a Diocesan Standardized assessment on Monday.  We will begin Unit 6 later this week. 

Other Fifth Grade News

Rosa Parks Tivoli Field Trip - Feb. 6th
Valentines Day - Feb 14, Cards for all students are welcome

Cathedral Days Field Trip - Feb. 20th

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to send me an email at dhall@stjosephdg.org.