March 15, 2019
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| We were fantastic at the 5th Grade Music Show!! Encore! Encore! |
Happy Friday Families!
March has definitely roared in like a lion! Let’s hope that pleasant weather is soon on the horizon! We have only one week until spring break, and we are planning to work hard right up until next Friday!
As we progress through the coming months of school, we will have many special events and dates that will be important to mark on calendars. Please pay special attention to the dates listed at the bottom of the blog so that you can stay informed!
Please also note that student council is working with Bernie’s Book Bank in order to collect gently used books for donation. Bernie’s Book Bank is a wonderful organization that does a great job of getting books into the hands of children who really need them! If you have any books to donate, please send them with your student to school! We have collection bins located throughout the school for this purpose.
Here is what we’ve been working on in each of our content areas:
Literacy
This week in shared reading we are continuing our theme of “Exploring New Worlds” as we begin reading a book titled Pedro’s Journal, a story that depicts the exploration of Christopher Columbus. Interestingly, it is told through the perspective of a young boy who traveled with him as a crew member. Much of our learning as we read will focus on author’s perspective, as well as determining theme.
Writing
We are using the above-mentioned story, Pedro’s Journal, as a springboard for our next opinion essay. Here, students will be utilizing multiple sources in order to research about Christopher Columbus and his explorations. In doing so, they will decide whether they feel that Columbus should be considered more of a hero or a villain. Students will utilize the strategies we’ve been learning throughout the year in order to compose a well-written paper that contains evidence and reasons to support their opinions.
Math
We have officially finished our focus on multiplication and division of fractions. We have now started Unit 6, which will emphasize skills in the area of geometry. Students will practice classifying figures in a hierarchy based on properties. They will also locate points on a coordinate plane based on ordered pairs. In addition, students will identify patterns between corresponding terms and show their ability to generate numerical patterns when given specific rules.
Social Studies
We will soon begin our unit on Economics. We will study how goods and services work in a market economy, and we will eventually study how people of the past were positively and negatively impacted by cultural exchanges.
Science
We have started our new science unit on Changes in Matter, which encompasses the three states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). We will be conducting some engaging investigations where students will identify various powders by their attributes and reactions to substances.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 19 -- 6th grade literacy placement test (get a good night's rest and eat a hearty, healthy breakfast)
Wednesday, March 20 -- Illinois Science Assessment (taken in morning)
Friday, March 22 -- Last Day before Spring Break
Monday, March 25-Tuesday, April 2 -- ENJOY SPRING BREAK!!
Wednesday, April 3 -- First Day back after Spring Break
Friendly Reminders
**Please remember to send your child with a healthy snack. Nothing feeds the brain like a healthy snack!
**Please continue to have your child practice their multiplication facts up to 12.