Sunday, August 18, 2013

Welcome 5th Graders - Week of August 19


Mrs. Stillo and Mrs. Hall are looking forward to 
Getting to Know our New 5th Graders better! 


On Monday, we will stay in our own classrooms organizing our supplies, getting to know each other better, discussing changes, and preparing for the school year ahead of us.  On Tuesday, we will switch classes and dive into our respective units. Activities on Monday include: Time-capsules, Design a Tshirt (paper), Community Building, and Learning Style Questionnaires. 

MATH 

This year in 4th & 5th Grade we are fortunate to pilot GOMATH!, a new Math Text Aligned with Common Core Standards.  It features an online student edition and additional online support features. Students will receive login information this week to keep in their Math binders. A link to the online support is found in the "MATH WEBSITES" tab on the top left of this blog. 


Fourth Grade Math
On Tuesday, we will discuss expectations and review a typical week in Math class. Students will begin a review of key concepts acquired in third grade math.  They receive a packet to be worked on in class and finished at home, due Thursday ("homework completion points").  On Friday, students will work on problems assessing the prerequisite Math skills found in the Common Core Standards.  This will provide an idea of which skills we need may need to review as we progress. 

Fifth Grade Math 
On Tuesday, we will discuss expectations and review a typical week in Math class. Students will begin a review of key concepts acquired in fourth grade math.  They receive a packet to be worked on in class and finished at home, due Thursday ("homework completion points").   On Friday, students will work on problems assessing the prerequisite Math skills found in the Common Core.  
This will provide an idea of which skills we need may need to review as we progress.

Math Help - Office Hours 
Beginning in September
Tuesday and Friday:  7:15am - 7:45
4th Grade Mondays:  2:25 - 3:15 
5th Grade Wednesdays: 2:25 - 3:15

SCIENCE

Fourth Grade 
Fourth Graders begin the year recalling and utilizing the steps for science inquiry. Students will follow the steps as the create narrow-bottom and wide-bottom clay  boats. 

Fifth Grade 
Fifty Graders will recall steps for Science Inquiry and the Scientific Method while working with water, sand and thermometers.  We will also discover ways the Earth changes and explore the layers of Earth while creating clay models. 


Reading, Spelling & Vocab Highlights

Reading: Students will explore all areas of reading through: analogy packets 
            that focus on vocabulary; reading comprehension packets; writing 
            responses to prompts from reading comprehension packets; reading 
            aloud one-on-one with the teacher; and, independent reading 
            activities. The Reading Comprehension Packet including the written 
            response is due on Friday
Spelling: We discuss expectations for Spelling Lessons. We begin Lesson 1 the
             week of August 26th.               
Vocabulary:  We discuss expectations for Vocabulary.  Each Unit in Vocabulary 
            covers a two-week time span. Week 1 includes introducing the words
            and creating index card definitions which will be due on Friday.  Week 
            2 includes workbook completion due on Friday.  Vocabulary Tests will 
            occur on the Monday following workbook corrections.  The Schedule for
            Unit 1 is:  Vocab Cards due Friday, August 23.  Vocab Workbook is
            due Friday, August 30

 Religion

Students will construct Liturgical Year Calendars and discover the feasts and celebrations associated with each season of the year.  Students will also develop ability to locate Readings in the Bible. Students will discuss Readings associated with each season. 

Other Fifth Grade News

Gym Uniforms Sent Home for Labeling on Monday.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email Mrs. Hall at dhall@stjosephdg.org, or, Mrs. Stillo at dstillo@stjosephdg.org.