Spirit Week: Student Council is hosting a spirit week this week as a fundraiser. Participation is 25 cents per day and a dollar for the week and the scheduled days are:
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday: Change Identities Day
Friday: Cowboy/Cowgirl Day
CMAS Testing: Our state testing begins this week for 5th grade. This week we will test in the mornings right after specials. We will be completing the language arts assessment. After spring break, we will take a week off of testing and then finish with the math and science tests. We will test Tuesday-Thursday; there are no tests except for make-ups on Mondays and Fridays.
The kids and I have already talked about what testing will look like in our classroom. My philosophy is that state testing is just one more opportunity for kids to show what they know, just as they do everyday in class. Nothing to worry about! It’s helpful for kids to get a good night sleep and have a healthy breakfast, just like any school day. We will also have a chance to eat snack, as always, before we start. The rest of our day will be our usual routine.
Growing and Changing: We will begin our science unit on Growing and Changing after spring break. To hear about the curriculum we will be teaching, you are invited to a parent meeting at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 21st in the library. Students will need parent permission to participate in these lessons. Anyone who does not have parent permission will be given an independent study to work on in the office or library during our lessons.
Here’s what we’re working on in class:
Math: We are applying our work with expressions and equations to write equations on data tables using dependent and independent variables.
Literacy: We are using supporting details to infer and compare and contrast themes across genres. We continue working with The Lions of Little Rock, a historical fiction novel, and are using primary and secondary source documents to explore events and themes.
Writing: As we continue working on our persuasive letters regarding the necessity of recess, students are drafting their final body paragraphs and conclusion paragraphs this week. Students have been asked to balance personal experience with research in supporting their claim, and at least one body paragraph must argue against a counter claim. We will then move to the publishing phase. Due to computer availability with testing, this project will be extended to April 6.
Science: We continue our unit with a focus on identifying, modeling, and comparing and contrasting the structure and function of the systems within living things. We are wrapping up the cardiovascular system this week. There will be a simple test on Thursday. Students will receive a study guide on Tuesday.
Social Studies: Paul Revere has just alerted colonists near Boston that the British Regulars are marching towards Lexington and Concord to destroy the Patriot’s munitions. This week students will learn about the first battles of the Revolutionary War.
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday: Change Identities Day
Friday: Cowboy/Cowgirl Day
CMAS Testing: Our state testing begins this week for 5th grade. This week we will test in the mornings right after specials. We will be completing the language arts assessment. After spring break, we will take a week off of testing and then finish with the math and science tests. We will test Tuesday-Thursday; there are no tests except for make-ups on Mondays and Fridays.
The kids and I have already talked about what testing will look like in our classroom. My philosophy is that state testing is just one more opportunity for kids to show what they know, just as they do everyday in class. Nothing to worry about! It’s helpful for kids to get a good night sleep and have a healthy breakfast, just like any school day. We will also have a chance to eat snack, as always, before we start. The rest of our day will be our usual routine.
Growing and Changing: We will begin our science unit on Growing and Changing after spring break. To hear about the curriculum we will be teaching, you are invited to a parent meeting at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, March 21st in the library. Students will need parent permission to participate in these lessons. Anyone who does not have parent permission will be given an independent study to work on in the office or library during our lessons.
Here’s what we’re working on in class:
Math: We are applying our work with expressions and equations to write equations on data tables using dependent and independent variables.
Literacy: We are using supporting details to infer and compare and contrast themes across genres. We continue working with The Lions of Little Rock, a historical fiction novel, and are using primary and secondary source documents to explore events and themes.
Writing: As we continue working on our persuasive letters regarding the necessity of recess, students are drafting their final body paragraphs and conclusion paragraphs this week. Students have been asked to balance personal experience with research in supporting their claim, and at least one body paragraph must argue against a counter claim. We will then move to the publishing phase. Due to computer availability with testing, this project will be extended to April 6.
Science: We continue our unit with a focus on identifying, modeling, and comparing and contrasting the structure and function of the systems within living things. We are wrapping up the cardiovascular system this week. There will be a simple test on Thursday. Students will receive a study guide on Tuesday.
Social Studies: Paul Revere has just alerted colonists near Boston that the British Regulars are marching towards Lexington and Concord to destroy the Patriot’s munitions. This week students will learn about the first battles of the Revolutionary War.