Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Fifth Grade Happenings

We have successfully moved in to the new rooms! We are very excited about this, but it will take some time getting used to. 😀

All home rooms would like to make sure students have either a pencil case or box to keep supplies in because we have cubbies, and don't want anything falling out. 

Don't forget about early dismissal on Thursday, November 5th!

Social Studies: There will be a quiz on Friday, November 6th over Native American vocabulary. This will be coming home today, November 4th.

Conferences are next week! If you would like a reminder, teachers will be happy to write it in students' planners. 

Please encourage your child to show you their planner each night. There will be important information in there, as well as what they might have due.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Science

In science, students have been learning about nutrients necessary to the human body. This week, we are finishing up a review packet, writing about our observations about our own food choices, and discussing influences that affect our food choices. Please watch for the packet to come home on Thursday as well as a packet about reading nutrition labels. Students will have an extra long weekend and can study for the test which will be November 6th. Students will have to copy the whole packet again if they lose it, so please help them to be responsible. 


Friday, October 16, 2015

What's Going On . . .

Health/Science:  Fifth grade is learning about nutrition in Health class. What are nutrients and what do they do for the human body. Students will keep track of their food for five days and then evaluate their nutrition in a paragraph. There will be a test at the end of the unit which will be the first Friday of November.

Reading: Students are given time nearly every day to read independently. They will be working on building stamina while they read. We will also start guided reading groups on Monday, which will allow students to get more individual and small group support in class.

Social Studies: We have been learning about Native Americans. Students will have a couple of fun projects coming up to show what they've learned. Information will be sent home soon explaining each project. They will be completed at school. 

Writing:  We are beginning our last narrative essay before the post-test coming up the last week of October.  When we finish the narrative unit, we will move onto Informational (research) writing.  

Math: Students are working on long division and learning the steps to take in the process of solving problems.

Parents: Please make sure conference forms are returned by Monday, October 19th.  Behavior contracts were due today, please make sure they are returned by Monday.  Thank you!  You can see each of these forms below.

Fifth Grade Behavior Contract 2015-2016

Fifth grade is a year of change for many students.  Students are growing up, learning who they are, given more opportunities (1:1 iPads), and are getting ready for middle school.  With these opportunities, come more responsibilities.  We want students to become leaders both in and out of the classroom.  Students who choose not to be good citizens make the choice to forfeit some of the opportunities that come with being a fifth grader.

Below are the consequences for poor choices:

3 Think Sheets will result in 1 red card
1 RED card (office referral) between field trips/parties will result in not being able to attend the field trip/party

Fifth Grade Students will be enjoying a Fall Party on October 30th. If they have 1 red cards (known also as office referrals) they may not go and will stay in a classroom/library with one teacher-   
 When walking the trail in the mornings, if a student receives 3 Think Sheets, then they will be off the trail for 2 days.
We are being proactive in helping students be good citizens.  If students cannot be safe at school, we are concerned for their safety and others on field trips or at a classroom party.
Please sign the form below and return with your student.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team
Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Aguilar, Mrs. Butcher, & Mrs. Fitzpatrick  

October 15, 2015


Dear Parents & Guardians,

Conferences are just around the corner!  They will be held on Wednesday, November 11th and Thursday, November 12th.  Each conference will be approximately 15 minutes in length.  Fifth grade conferences will look different than the traditional homeroom conference.  Since we teach all students as a team, we will be hosting conferences in one classroom, Room 15 (Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s) in the new addition.  

On the back, you will find options for teacher, date, and time.  Please note that you will not meet with all the teachers, only one.  However, all teachers will have access to your child’s work/progress in each class and will have it available to discuss with you at that time.  If a teacher has too many requests, we will assign you to an available teacher.   If you choose the “no preference” option, then a teacher will be assigned to you for the conference.  A note will be sent home letting you know your confirmed time and teacher. If the teacher you requested is booked at your requested time, you can always contact the specific teacher to set up a conference for a later date. We feel this will be the best way to accommodate all concerns in subject areas.

**If you are a parent of siblings, please make sure to check the appropriate spot in regards to scheduling sibling conferences.**

Please return by Monday, October 19th.  Thank you!

Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team

Child’s Name: ____________________________________________

Parent’s Name:  __________________________________________


Teacher Request:   ____ No preference
      
       ____ Aguilar (Science)    ____ Butcher (Reading/Social Studies)

       ____ Fitzpatrick (Writing)   ____ Hamilton (Math)
______________________________________________________________________________

Date: *If either day will work, please check both.

   ____ Wed., Nov. 11th        ____ Thurs., Nov. 12th


______________________________________________________________________________

Time:  Please choose a range of time.  If possible, check more than one.
       
Wednesday, November 11th Thursday, November 12th
 
 ___ 3:40-4:10 ___ 3:40-4:10

 ___ 4:10-4:40 ___ 4:10-4:40

 ___ 4:40-5:10 ___ 4:40-5:10

 ___ 5:10-5:40 ___ 5:10-5:40

 ___ 5:40-6:10 ___ 5:40-6:10

 ___ 6:10-6:40 ___ 6:10-6:40

______________________________________________________________________________

Siblings?    ___ Yes       ___ No

If there are siblings in another grade level, do you prefer to have them back-to-back?  

___ Yes    ___ No preference

Thursday, October 1, 2015

We strongly encourage students to read at least 20 minutes each night.

Keep practicing those math facts!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

In science, students are studying the solar system and moon phases in preparation for our trip to the planetarium. The students have a moon phase strip to study this week, with the quiz on Thursday. Students also have a retake opportunity for the quiz on the solar system from last week if they want to improve their grade. The first test was on the IPAD and the second one is on paper. I wanted to give both modes as a choice as many students are still learning to use the IPAD. Our next unit will be Nutrition, starting next week.

Homework is a worksheet about variables and is due Thursday.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Math Test Wednesday, September 23rd:  Adding & Subtracting Whole Numbers and Decimals
Parents, please make sure you review the below contract with your child.  There will be a contract coming home between each field trip and party.  There will be approximately 6 more contracts coming home throughout the year.  Please be on the look-out for them. We appreciate your support with this. 

Fifth Grade Behavior Contract 2015-2016

Fifth grade is a year of change for many students.  Students are growing up, learning who they are, given more opportunities (1:1 iPads), and are getting ready for middle school.  With these opportunities come more responsibilities.  We want students to become leaders both in and out of the classroom.  Students who choose not to be good citizens make the choice to forfeit some of the opportunities that come with being a fifth grader.

Below are the consequences for poor choices:

3 Think Sheets will result in 1 red card
2 RED cards (office referrals) between field trips/parties will result in not being able to attend the field trip/party

Fifth Grade Students will be going to the Planetarium October 13th and 14th. If they have 2 red cards (known also as office referrals) they may not go and will stay in a classroom with one teacher- Fifth grade teachers will rotate and stay behind if the group is large.
When walking the trail in the mornings, if a student receives 3 Think Sheets, then they will be off the trail for 2 days.
We are being proactive in helping students be good citizens.  If students cannot be safe at school, we are concerned for their safety and others on field trips or at a classroom party.
Please sign the form below and return with your student.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
The Fifth Grade Team

Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Aguilar, Mrs. Butcher, & Mrs. Fitzpatrick