Character Analysis T-Shirt

Students focused on Character Analysis while reading our whole class novel The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.  Each student was assigned one of the 16 characters in the book.  Throughout the novel, we worked on different elements of character analysis and discovered our character's personality traits as well as their role in the novel.  At the end of the book, we completed a character analysis t-shirt that included information about our character as well as quotes from the book that helped us analyze them.  Check out some of our displayed work below.

Volume of Cylinders

Today in math class we explored the volume of cylinders in two different ways.  The first thing we did was measure the diameter of the base and height of the cylinder we then used the volume formula A=B*h to figure out the volume of each object.  The second thing we did was pour water into the cylinders to determine the volume based on how many mL would fit in each one.  We then compared the two and realized that by using the formula for volume, you can figure out how much water any 3 dimensional figure could hold.  Check out our discovery below!

Squeeze-bottle Straw Rockets!

Last week in science class we demonstrated and experimented with Newton's First Law of Motion:  Inertia.  His first law says that an object at rest will stay at rest unless an outside force moves it and an object moving will continue moving in a straight line unless a force stops it or changes its direction.  To demonstrate this law, we created a straw rocket using an empty juice bottle, 2 straws and sticky tack.  Check out the 5th grade scientists below!

Portfolio Night

It's that time of year again where the students are excited to show you all of their hard work!  Please join us for Portfolio Night on Thursday, May 10th.  Your child should have brought home a handout explaining all about Portfolio Night.  Along with this handout was an assigned time for you and your child to come view the portfolio in your child's classroom.  Please be sure to ask your child for this handout if you have not received your portfolio viewing time.  If the time you were assigned does not work for you, please email me so we can discuss an alternate time.  We look forward to seeing everyone here on this special night!

This Week in 5th Grade

We are officially done with the first half of the third trimester!  Progress reports will be coming home with students tomorrow, so be sure to check their backpacks.  Students need to return the signed progress report envelope by Friday.  The end of the year is quickly approaching.  It's important that all students remain focused on their learning.  Please check below for curriculum highlights as well as important upcoming dates.

Important Dates:

Th 4/26:  Progress Reports go home

F 4/27:  Ice Cream Social 6:30-8:30 pm

4/30-5/04 – Teacher Appreciation Week

Th 5/10 – Portfolio Night

F 5/11 – No school for students

Th 5/17 – May Crowning Mass 8:30am – WEAR DRESS UNIFORMS

W 5/23 – Awards Day – 1:30pm

M 5/28 – Memorial Day  - NO SCHOOL

Curriculum Highlights

Language Arts

Readers Workshop:  We are beginning a unit of study on Historical Fiction.  This week we discussed elements of historical fiction and used short stories and graphic organizers to identify those elements within a story.  Next week we will begin reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.  This historical fiction novel will be our second whole class novel of the year.

Writing:  This week we are finishing our prewriting stage for our expository writing piece.  We have been working with graphic organizers trying to organize our ideas and gather more details.  Next week we will begin writing our first draft.

Spelling:  This week we are working on Unit 29.  Please be sure to complete the required spelling pages and activities and study for your post test!  The challenge words are listed below.

1.)  explanation

2.)  omission

3.)  donation

4.)  recognition

5.)  condensation

Math:  We just finished unit 10 and took our test yesterday.  Today we began Unit 11.  In unit 11 we will be studying volume of different types of geometric solids.  Throughout the unit we will be working with cylinders, pyramids and cones.  We will also focus on capacity and weight as well as surface area.  Please be sure to read your chapter 11 family letter so you can help your child with this unit.

Science:  This week we are finishing Newton's First Law of Motion:  Inertia.  We will begin to define and experiment this week with Newton's Second Law of Motion:  Force = Mass * Acceleration.

Religion:  Tomorrow we have a test on Units 1 and 2 in Family Life.  Next week we will begin The Human Reproduction portion of our curriculum.  We will be separating the girls and the boys to teach them about reproduction.  Please be aware that your child may come to you with questions regarding this topic.  Each student will receive a Human Reproduction booklet that we will be using to teach this portion of Family Life.  At the end of this unit, students will be able to keep this booklet as a reference.