Thursday, August 2, 2018

Welcome!!



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Welcome to 5th grade!! I am so excited to begin this new school year with an awesome group of kiddos!  

Check out our class list below: 

Jacob B.
Margaret B.
Madyson B.
Logan B.
Ian D.
Shane F. 
Phrankie F.
Alen G.
Denny H.
Peter K.
Calvin N.
Aiden P.
Katherine P.
Grayson R.
Alexa R.
Matthew R.
Rachel S.
Kaitlin T.
Claire V.
Aiden V.
Irie W.
Mira W.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Ice Cream Social/ Meet the Teacher Night! 

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Weekly Update: 4/6

I hope everyone has had a great week!

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This week in 5th grade...

Science-  We wrapped up our study on our body's systems with the nervous and digestive system. We are working on writing songs/ raps about the body system (they will be published to Seesaw next week!) 


Math- We took our Chapter 11 test on measurement-- ask your kiddo to share their score with you! We are now classifying polygons, triangles, quadrilaterals, and three-dimensional figures. Students should also be working on ALEKS at home (at least 20 min. each week). 

Writing- We finished our DARE essays this week.  Officer Ryan will be chosing the winners (they will be announced at our 5th grade graduation in May).  We also began our next unit on poetry!


Reading- We are continuing to analyze, discuss, and answer higher level questions relating to complex passages and texts as we prepare for the MAP test.

Continue to show students that reading is FUN! With all our test-prep, we are continuing to remind ourselves that reading is enjoyable especially when you have a good book to read just for fun! Students should be reading a good-fit book at home for 20 minutes each night as a way to relax and unwind!


Upcoming Events: 
4/11: Early Release -- Wear buddy shirt! (1:40 dismissal)
4/14: Concord Family Fun Run

Have a great weekend! 

Sincerely,
Mrs. Holtmann 

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Weekly Update: 3/29


It was a great week back at school in 5th grade!  I hope everyone had a great spring break and enjoyed some rest and relaxation.


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Science- We continued our study of body systems- their structures and functions. 


Math- Our chapter 11 test on measurement will be next Tuesday, April 3. We finished learning about metric system conversions this week.  We reviewed today and will also review on Monday.   Students should also be working on ALEKS at home (at least 20 min. each week). Ask your student what their new 4th quarter ALEKS goal is! 


The Metric Song


Milli, Centi, Deci, meter
Deka, hecto, kilo, too
Put them with a gram and liter
That is all you have to do


Milli is the smallest measure
Ten of these a centi makes
One hundred centis make a unit
That’s not very hard to take


Liters measure only liquid
Grams measure weight or mass
Meters measure length or distance
You can go to the head of the class


*To the tune of Reuben, Reuben


 Writing- The kiddos worked on finishing their DARE essays this week!  They have been doing such a nice job with including evidence and citing their sources.


 Reading- We are continuing to analyze, discuss, and answer higher level questions relating to complex passages and texts as we prepare for the MAP test.



Upcoming Events:
Friday, Match 30 - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, April 11 - Early Release
Saturday, April 14 - Concord Family Fun Run

Sincerely,

Meredith Holtmann

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Weekly Update: 3/11

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Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I am looking forward to another awesome week in 5th grade.

Here is what we are up to ...

Science:  We are learning about the circulatory and the respiratory systems!

Reading: We will be taking our last ELA Galileo test of the year this week during our reading time.  The kiddos will also have time to enjoy independent reading and small group time.

Writing:  We will be starting to write our DARE essays this week.  We will be using all that we have learned about essays this year to make sure that our essay is convincing and as research-based evidence!

Math: We will, also, be taking our last Math Galileo test this year.  We will be learning about the metric system conversions this week, as well.

Social Studies:  We are continuing our chapter about WWI!

Upcoming Events:
3/13: 5th Grade Spring Musical (Starts @ 7 -- be there at 6:45!)
3/15: Parent/ Teacher Conferences 4-7
3/16: 1/2 Day (11:50 dismissal-- no lunch!)
3/19 - 3/23: Spring Break -- No School

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,
Meredith Holtmann


Thursday, March 1, 2018

Weekly Update: 3/2

I hope everyone had a wonderful week!

If you have not already, please make sure to send in the 6th Grade Course Recommendation Form with your student.  We just need the white copy back!

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Here is what we've been up to this week...

Science: We are wrapping up matter and chemistry unit with an investigation and MAP prep style questions. Today, we began our unit on the Circulatory System.   

Writing: We are working on drafting our argument essay. They are working on adding powerful quotations, balancing evidence with analysis, and publishing their essay. We will share these out on Wednesday of next week.

Math: We took our chapter 10 math test and began chapter 11 this week, measurement. We will focus on converting customary units of length.

Reading: We are focusing on argument and advocacy, researching debatable issues. Every student chose a debatable issue and are researching both sides of the topic. We are focusing on looking at texts for relevant information and be able to think and wonder as they read. 


Social Studies: We are wrapping up the Industrial Revolution and starting the Causes and Consequences of World War I. 


Upcoming Events: 

3/6: Father/ Daughter Dance @ 6pm
3/9: Half Day (11:50 am dismissal)
3/13: 5th Grade Spring Musical @ 7 pm
3/15: Parent/ Teacher Conferences 4-7
3/16: Half Day (11:50 am dismissal)
3/19 - 3/23: Spring Break!

Have a great weekend!


Sincerely,


Meredith Holtmann


Friday, February 23, 2018

Weekly Update: 2/23

Happy, happy Friday!! 




Here is what we were up to this week...

Science: We learned about chemical and physical changes through a variety of activities! 

Reading and Writing: We began our unit on research-based argument essays.  Each kiddo chose their own topic to research based on their interests and passions. We will learn the importance of researching both sides of the topic and taking notes to develop a paper.  We are focusing on looking at texts for relevant information as they read.  It has been going wonderfully!

Math:  We are dividing unit fractions by whole numbers, and problem-solving by drawing a diagram. We reviewed for our chapter 10 test today and will continue reviewing on Monday.  The test will be on Tuesday, February 27th.

Social Studies: We continued to study the Industrial Revolution.

***Reminder:  Please reminder to send in your Sperreng Middle School forms.  The white copy needs to be returned by Wednesday, February 28th.

Upcoming Events:

2/27: Mother/ Son Dance
2/28: Spring Pictures
3/7: Father/ Daughter Dance
3/9: Half Day


Sincerely,

Meredith Holtmann

Friday, February 16, 2018

Weekly Update 2/16


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***There is no school Friday or Monday- enjoy your 4-day weekend!

Science: We used our science time to continue Chrome Camp this week.  Today we had a 5th grade unconference where kiddos got to share what they have learned about their Chrome Books during the last two weeks.  They did an excellent job!

Reading-  We are researching debatable issues as we study argument and advocacy!  We used articles, videos, and websites to do research and come up with claims and evidence. We are going to be having some debates on these topics in the coming week!

Writing-  We are wrapping up our mini-unit on writing a fantasy narrative. Students are busy drafting, revising, and editing with a focus on fantasy elements such as setting, characters with internal/external quests or problems, and resolutions. Stories are due Wednesday, 2/21.

Math-  We are busy working on multiplying and dividing fractions! Students are not just learning the steps, they are learning how to show their work visually with models in order to truly understand the algorithm. I couldn't be more proud of the math discussions we have each day! 


Upcoming Events: 

2/16: No School
2/19: No School
2/27: Mother/Son Dance
2/28: Spring Pictures

Sincerely, 

Meredith Holtmann