Welcome!!

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! 

Weekly Update: 4/6

I hope everyone has had a great week!



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 

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.

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

Weekly Update: 3/11

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

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!

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

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

Weekly Update 2/16

***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

Weekly Update: 2/3

Happy Weekend and Happy February!

Here is what we were up to this week in room 35 ...

Science: We learned about the properties of matter, mixtures, solutions, and compounds by doing science stations!  The class favorite seemed to be making SeeSaw videos to show their learning! 

Reading:  We wrapped up our fantasy unit by discussing how characters often have complex personalities, symbolism, and allegories.   We are looking forward to starting our argument unit next week.

Writing:  We finished up our literary essays by editing and revising this week.  We enjoyed having a chance to read peer's essays on Friday.  We are going to start a fantasy writing unit next week.

Math:  This week we added and subtracted mixed numbers.  We had to use strategies we learned in our last chapter to help us do this.  We will have a review day on Monday and our Chapter 8/9 Test will be on Tuesday!

Social Studies:  We started our next chapter focused on the industrial revolutions.  We even got to participate in a real assembly line activity!

**BIG NEWS**

Our 1-1 Chromebooks are arriving this week!  We are so excited to take this step and feel privileged to have this opportunity.  We have outlined a constitution for these new pieces of technology and look forward to all of the awesome experiences to come!  

Upcoming Events:

2/7: Early Release (1:40 dismissal)

2/9: Jump Rope for Heart & Counselor's Day

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Meredith Holtmann

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Weekly Update 1/26

Science- We began a new unit on the properties of matter and chemistry!

Math- This week we rounded fractions and added and subtracted fractions with like and unlike denominators.

Writing- In our literary essay unit, students worked to make a strong thesis statement about their fantasy book club book and began collecting evidence such as quotes and an analysis of author's craft. We also worked on our introductions and conclusions before we edit and publish next week!

Reading- As we continue our fantasy book club unit, we focused on learning real-life lessons from our characters, noticing how their quests can be internal as well as external, and comparing themes in fantasy and history.

Social Studies- We continued to discuss and experience the Civil War.

Upcoming Events: 

1/26: Family Bingo

1/30: Concord Blues Night

2/5: 5th grade t-shirt designs DUE

2/7: Early Release 

2/9: Jump Rope for Heart

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Sincerely,

Meredith Holtmann

5th grade memory book!

Two important forms are coming home today (or possibly yesterday)!  Please read them to learn how to submit pictures and ads to the 5th grade memory book!

Weekly Update: 1/19

Happy Weekend!

I hope you had a wonderful week and stayed warm!! 

Math-  This week we learned a new method to get the LCM, GCF, and lowest terms of 2 numbers called the Ladder Method, ask your kiddo to show you this weekend! This week we are also working on comparing fractions and writing fractions as decimals and percents.

Writing- We are working hard on our literary essay unit as we reflect on our flash drafts from last week, set goals and work towards them as we begin our next bend in the unit. We will be working on writing an essay based on our fantasy book club book.  We will write to grow ideas, analyze how characters respond to troubles, and develop strong thesis statements!

Reading- In our fantasy unit, we discussed theme, character struggles, suspending judgement, and thinking metaphorically about the "dragons" our characters are facing.

Social Studies- We studied the battle of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Fort Wagner, and how the Civil War ended. 

Upcoming Events: 

1/18: Ability Awareness Assembly 9 AM

          Choir Performance 7pm

1/24: Early Release @ 1:40 pm (Wear buddy shirt!)

1/26: Family Bingo @ 6:30 pm

Enjoy your weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Holtmann 

      

Ladder Method Tips!

Weekly Update: 1/12

Happy Friday!! Hope it has been a wonderful week! 

Social Studies:  We have been discussing the Civil War, we even got to act out the Battle of Gettysburg!  We're looking forward to continuing our study next week! 

Reading: This week we kicked off our fantasy book clubs!  This week we learned about how authors give us clues that reveal the setting to us as a reader.  We also learned about how the problems and experiences our characters have can teach us about what type of people our characters are and the plot.

Writing: We began our first literary essay this week.  We watched a short video clip about the Panyee Football Club.  We wrote a claim, reasons, and gathered evidence.  Today we began our flash draft!  We will continue our work next week.

Math: We started chapter 8 which is all about fractions!  We learned about how to connect fractions and divisions, how to find the greatest common factor, simplest form, and the least common multiple.  This is just the beginning of our in depth study of fractions, woohoo! :)

Some reminders: 

This week we began D.A.R.E. today.  If you are looking for more information about D.A.R.E. you can visit the link HERE!

It's time to start thinking about Fifth Grade T-shirts!  

We are going to have a fun opportunity where the kiddos are able to make a t-shirt design that we will vote on.  If your child is interested, I would like the designs submitted to me by February 5th!  It is not required, however.  I'm excited to see what they come up with!

Upcoming Events:
1/15: NO SCHOOL! 

1/24: Buddy Assembly and Early Release (1:40 PM) -- Wear your buddy shirt! 

1/26: Family BINGO @ 6:30 pm

Have a great weekend! 

Sincerely,

Meredith Holtmann

Time for Kids packet and letter coming home today. Bring in your packet with 7 addresses filled out and you get a ghost key chain! :)

5th Grade Party Permission Slip coming home today!

Weekly Update 1/5

Welcome back!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed their break!  Thank you so, so much for the generous gifts!! 

Here's what we were up to this week!

Science-  We kicked off the year with a STEAM activity on snowflakes. 

Math- We are now in Volume 2 of our math series and starting chapter 8 on fractions and decimals next week. Please practice those basic multiplication and division facts with your student- it is SO important to know them quickly in order to efficiently perform these new skills. Thank you for all your hard work at home!

Reading- We began our fantasy unit! The students will be chose a fantasy book for their new book clubs. We will start our book clubs on Monday!

Writing- We finished up our memoirs and geared up for our next unit, literary essays!

Social Studies- This week will focus on setting new goals for the 2018 year and reflect on 2017.  We will begin studying the Civil War next week!

Upcoming Events: 

DARE starts next week!

1/12: Band Presentation 2-3

Have a wonderful weekend!

Meredith Holtmann