Monday, April 27, 2015

5th Grade Newsletter

Hello Fifth Grade Parents!


School is flying by and we only have 6 ½  weeks left!  It is incredible to see how responsible and mature these fifth graders have become!  They are looking taller, older, and more like middle school students every day.

Writing
We have completed our unit on persuasive and opinion writing.  Your child is already an expert at convincing you to do almost anything.  Don’t be surprised if you get a formal letter requesting their latest request!  Grammar and quick writes are also a focus this trimester.  All of our 5th graders have signed up with Google Classroom where many of their tasks are being assigned.  Be sure to have them share some of these assignments with you.

Reading
Students are currently working in their Literature Circles.  Students are flexed among our four classrooms to work in small reading groups.  They had to plan out a four week timeline of reading, create three critical thinking questions, respond to two Depth and Complexity questions assigned on Google Classroom, hold meaningful discussions about the reading assignment, and reflect on their progress.

Social Studies
While investigating the various colonies, students practiced note-taking, created foldables, and worked in small groups to write a newspaper.  Students are now studying the events leading to the American Revolution.  Students have been placed into groups of three or four to create posters for one of these events. This week, we will hold a “Town Meeting”, where students, as patriots, will voice their concern about the English government.

Science
We have just finished the Earth’s Water and Earth’s Weather units. As we prepare for the Science STAR testing, we are simultaneously studying Physical Science in regards to Types of Matter and Changes in Matter, and science concepts from across grade levels.  Testing is on May 11 and May 12.

Math
We are completing units on area and volume and getting ready for the SBAC. This will be given to students on May 13-15  Each student may continue work on their Khan Academy accounts at any time. 6th grade will be sending over placement tests for students to take at the end of May.

Smarter Balance Testing
As you may know, Moreland School District will not be giving the STAR test for Math and English Language Arts.  Instead, students have been busy preparing and practicing for the SBAC on line for these subjects. Fifth graders will, however, be taking the STAR for Science.  We would like your child to login at home to show you what the Smarter Balance test will look like, as well as give them more opportunity to continue their practice while at home.  Please see the following links and directions below to assist you with the website.

Scroll down to the box: Take Practice Training
Click the green box: Practice Training Test
Scroll down again to the next green box:  Student Interface & Training
Login and Password are already set to “guest” – Sign in
Select Grade 5
Click on “yes”
Select desired Practice Test

Please feel free to check out the Training Tutorials:
Scroll down until you find:
-          What is a Field Test?
-          Let’s Talk Universal Tools”

If you would like to see the student video:


Fifth Grade Celebration
Mark your calendars for Friday, June 12 for our wonderful fifth grade celebration.  Your child will hear their last story read by Mrs. Ott, hear a few words of wisdom from Mrs. Ruddy, and watch a slide show of pictures sent in by you of their career here at Country Lane.

Where:  Multi-Purpose Room
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

*We would like to keep this event low-key and to clarify that this is not a graduation.  We ask that you do not bring balloons or gifts to the event.  Thank you for your cooperation.