Welcome to the 2015-16 school year!
I'm glad you've found our classroom blog. :} Please bookmark this site on your computer because it will be full of important upcoming events during the school year and homework assignments. 5th Grade is a fun place to be, with lots of new skills to learn, new friends to meet, and exciting adventures to experience. Our year will start off by establishing our classroom rules and expectations, getting ORGANIZED, and setting up our journals. You will be excited to hear that 5th graders rotate to different teachers for Math, Science, and Social Studies. Switching (tentatively) will begin on Thursday, September 10. You will stay with me for Science and writing and then rotate subjects: to Miss Enrico's class for Math and to Mrs.Keiser for Social Studies. We will be creating flex groups for Reading in the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to meeting each and everyone of you. :)

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 5^th 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. 6^th 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.

www.smarterbalance.org/practice-test/

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:

http://sbac.portal.airast.org/ca/field-test-ca/resources/

Scroll down until you find:

-          What is a Field Test?

-          Let’s Talk Universal Tools”

If you would like to see the student video:

http://youtu.be/YKerb7NsDUE

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.

Spring Break

 Enjoy your Spring break wherever it might take you.....

Middle School Info.

Dear 5^th Grade Families,

Our second trimester is over.  How is that possible?!!  Please look for your child’s report cards the week of March 18th.  Conferences for upper grades are optional.  Your child’s teacher will or in some cases already has contacted families of students for whom we have concerns. However, if you have concerns or questions, please feel free to email us to schedule an appointment in person or on the phone. 

One question that comes up quite frequently this time of year is, “What is the best middle school placement for my child?”  Moreland has three 6^th grade options for the 2015/16 school year, all of which offer strong academic programs.  They are:  Moreland Middle School (6-8), EDS (TK-8), and Latimer (TK-6.)  Country Lane 5^th graders automatically attend MMS unless they are accepted through the Open Enrollment process at EDS or Latimer.  If you wish to complete Open Enrollment paperwork for EDS, be sure to do so before March 31.  (The Open Enrollment period for Latimer will be extended to allow parents to attend their Information Night on April 29 before making a decision.)  We encourage you to visit both the EDS and Moreland Middle School sites.  Tours and shadow days are available.  You may also sign up for a K-5 tour at Latimer to get a feel for the campus.  You know your child best and the environment they need in which to flourish. 

Your 5^th graders have been preparing all year for their transition to middle school.  Structuring multiple projects, giving shorter time-lines on projects, rotating to other classes, note-taking, test preparation, organizing and maintaining binders are all opportunities and skills your child has experienced this year.

We are here to answer any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Miss Bustillos        Mrs. Grove            

Miss Smith            Miss Enrico

What to Bring on Monday...

Back Pack should have the following:
*water bottle
*Sunscreen
*Lip Balm
*Tissues
*Wipes
*Large plastic baggie
*Small plastic baggies
(Put small plastic baggies in big ziplock bag with wipes and tissues.)
*Rain gear only if rain is predicted. (Rain is predicted)
*Plastic bag from your desk with the journal in it
*Bandana
**Bag Lunch- completely disposable


What to WEAR:
*Dry Socks
*Hiking Boots
*Long Pants
*Long Sleeve Shirt under the NEW 5th Grade T-shirt
*Warm Jacket
*Hat (beanie for cold/cap)

Survival Videos

Miss B.'s Reading Group:

Check out the following survival videos:

( be sure to skip the ads )

Click on the website. When the dropbox appears, click again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVOZe861Z6M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXverGSYw64

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHQjF0cwh6Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZAYhOEyf7Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUFjCxzDo8M

History piece for PBL

The History piece needs to include the following:

*Native Americans
--List some of them.
--What did the tribes do? What did they specialize in?

*Explorers/Settlers
--When did the first explorers come? Did they settle? If not who came after them?
--Who came and what did they do?

*Statehood/Capital
--When did your state become a state?
--What number is it?
--What is its Capital?
--Has it had more than one Capital? If so, what where the others and where were they located?

*3 major events that have happened in your state
--Describe what happened.