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.
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.