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