Thursday, April 19

Announcements and Reminders 

Friday, April 20th - Report Cards Issued and Thursday Folders coming home

Tuesday, April 24th through Thursday April 26th - PARCC ELA Testing (afternoons)

Monday, April 30th and Tuesday, May 1st - PARCC Math Testing (morning)

Tuesday, May 1st - Panoramic Picture of entire 5th Grade 

Thursday, May 10th - Field Trip to the National Museum of the American Indian

Permission slips will be coming home soon for our trip to Washington DC.  We will need to leave before school starts to make our first group's scheduled tour.  Buses will pull out at 8:30.  We will meet here between 8 and 8:15, and breakfast will be provided for those who need it.  We are also in need of chaperones; we 'd love to have you with us!  Other attractions that we can visit are the National Air and Space Museum and the Botanical Gardens.

We are in need of gently used books for our school-wide spring book give away.  Thanks!

Math

Focus Standards :

5.G.B.3 - Understand that attributes belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category. For example, all rectangles have four right angles and squares are rectangles, so all squares have four right angles.

5.G.B.4 - Classify two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.

We will begin to focus on the geometry standards for unit 8 as well as review essential skills and understandings for PARCC testing.

Writing 

We have read excerpts from some excellent memoirs and are starting to gather our own ideas for writing a memoir ourselves.  On the days we do not test, we will begin the memoir writing process.

Reading 

We will be reading and discussing Blood on the River, our class novel, on the days we do not have PARCC testing.  Ask your student about the book!  It is a really great story and is helping us have a deeper understanding of what life was like for the early colonists in America.

Social Studies

Our simulation is going well.  Most groups are getting close to landing in America.  This week we had some fierce storms and lost a ship.  We also saw some beautiful weather with strong breezes that helped others cover many miles.  Some crews are running low on food and have had to resort to using the livestock for meals; life is tough at sea!  Check in with your students and ask them how their journey is going.

Thursday, April 12th

Announcements and Reminders 

• Friday, April 13th - Shrek Permission Slips and Trip Fees Due for Shrek
• Wednesday, April 18th - Shrek, The Musical at OHS
• Friday, April 20th - Report Cards Issued
• Tuesday, April 24th through Wednesday April 26th - PARCC ELA Testing (afternoons)
• Monday, April 30th and Tuesday, May 1st - PARCC Math Testing (morning)

Math 

Focus Standards

• Use a pair perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin ) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the place located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates.
• Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

We have started working with plotting points on coordinate planes this week and will continue to work on this skill in the week to come.  We will also use the week to work through PARCC activities to prep for the testing to come.

Writing 

We have started studying Memoirs this week to get an understanding of characteristics of this new type of writing.  Next week we will continue analyzing memoirs for characteristics, and in addition we will do some comparing and contrasting of techniques used by the authors to share the message or theme of the memoir. 

Reading 

• RL1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RL4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
• RL5 Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem

We will be reading our novel Blood on the River and using text clues to determine the meaning of unknown words.  We will also be looking at character development and how the chapters are used to show us changes or growth in different characters.  If you want to engage your student about the book, try these discussion starters:  https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/blood-river-discussion-guide/

In reading, we will also be looking at the online PARCC practice to help us understand tools and options to use during testing.

Social Studies

Our boats are loaded and we will prepare to set sail tomorrow.  Today the students began a journal to document their experiences.  Ask your student what character they decided  to become for the simulation and what their fears/expectations are for the journey.

Welcome April!! Thursday, April 5th

Reminders and Announcements

Important Dates

• Monday, April 9th - Last Day of Quarter 3
• Tuesday, April 10th - School Closed for Students
• Friday, April 13th - Shrek Permission Slips Due
• Wednesday, April 18th - Shrek, The Musical at OHS
• Friday, April 20th - Report Cards Issued 
• Tuesday, April 24th through Wednesday April 26th - PARCC ELA Testing (afternoons)
• Monday, April 30th and Tuesday, May 1st  - PARCC Math Testing (morning)

Thursday folders will come home tomorrow with the permission slips for Shrek.  Please let me know as soon as possible (Monday at the latest) if you are interested in attending the play.  We have limited seating and may need to do a lottery.

Writing 

We will be working on short constructed responses to our reading next week and will begin to learn about Memoirs the following week so the students can plan what to include in their own memoir writing.

  

Math 

Focus Standards:

• 5.G.A.1 - Use a pair perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin ) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the place located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).
• 5.G.A.2 - Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

We will begin Unit 8 next week which focuses on Geometry.  In addition to prepare for PARCC testing, we will begin to look at test release items and review our math understandings and problem solving skills.

Reading 

Focus Standard:

RL10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

We have just begun our next class novel, Blood on the River.  I will be reading the first four chapters aloud and we will have guided discussions together.  The remaining chapters will be read independently and  we will have group discussions centered on character, plot, theme, and determining the meaning of new vocabulary.

Social Studies

Tomorrow we begin packing our boats to sail to America!!  On our journey over seas, we will learn about the hardships and trials of the first colonists.  We are all looking forward to the journey.  

Spring Break!! March 29th

Reminders and Announcements 

Spring Break is Friday, March 30th and Monday, April 2nd

• April 9th - End of the quarter
• April 10th - School Closed
• April 18th - Shrek, the Musical field trip (Look for a permission slip to come home in the Thursday Folder after break.)

Math 

We are finishing up Unit 7 in math by taking the assessment on the Tuesday we return.  The remainder of the week we will be reviewing concepts from Units 5-7 to check for mastery.  We will take the quarterly assessment on Monday, April 9th.

Unit 7 Pre Test/Study Helper

Standards of Focus From Quarter 3:

• Students will use parentheses and brackets to write simple expressions that record calculations. (OA.A.1, OA.A.2)
• Students will recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and understand that a cubic unit is used to measure volume (MD.C.3, MD.C.3a). 
• Students will add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions as fractions greater than one (improper fractions) to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators..  (NF.A.1)
• Students will solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators. (NF.A.2)
• Students will make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (½, ¼, ⅛) and use add/ sub fractions for this grade to solve problems involving information presented in plots. (MD.B.2)
• Students will apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to multiply a fraction or a whole number by a fraction. (NF.B.4a)
• Students will find the area of a rectangle with fractional side lengths. (NF.B.4b)
• Students will reason about the product in relationship to the factors when multiplying fractions greater than and less than 1 by comparing the size of the product to the size of one factor on the basis of size of the other factor, without performing the indicated multiplication. (NF.B.5a)
• Students will solve problems where they need to interpret a fraction as division of a numerator by the denominator. (NF.B.3)
• Students will explore dividing a unit fraction by a whole number or a whole number by a unit fraction and create a story context to model the expression. (Students must create their own visual model). (NF.B.7abc)

Writing 

Focus Standards:

Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer's purpose.

Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details.

Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically).

Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

We will be finishing up our opinion writing unit this week.  To show our understanding, the students will be writing an opinion essay independently about a topic that is of interest to them.  Students are welcome to bring notes to help support their opinions for the assignment on Wednesday. 

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
• Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

We will continue comparing and contrasting texts both informational and literary using specific facts/events from the article or story to support conclusions we draw about the texts.

Social Studies

Unit Focus Standards:

• Describe the major settlements in pre-colonial America.
• Explain how geographic characteristics affect how people live, work, and the population distribution of a place or region.
• Analyze how native societies were influenced by the diverse cultures of the explorers and settlers.    

We will prepare to "set sail" for America when we return from Spring Break.  Students will be working in groups to choose their sailing routes and pick their landing destinations.  As we sail, students will learn about early America to prepare them for the decisions they will need to make as colonists.

Thursday, March 15th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Math homework is due on Friday.  
• Spring Break is coming up on Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2

Math 

Focus Standard:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.B.7.C
Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, how much chocolate will each person get if 3 people share 1/2 lb of chocolate equally? How many 1/3-cup servings are in 2 cups of raisins?

Dividing a Whole Number by a Fraction (Video)

Dividing a Fraction by a Whole Number (Video)

Writing 

We will continue to work on opinion responses to informational and literary text while supporting our thoughts and ideas with text examples.

Reading 

Focus Standard:

• RL9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
• RI9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

We are continuing to compare texts and stories with similar topics or themes and learning how to provide evidence of the similarities using specific text examples.

Science/Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• SS.500.50.01.b.1 Describe the major settlements in pre-colonial America.
• SS.500.30.02.a.3 Explain how geographic characteristics affect how people live, work, and the population distribution of a place or region.
• SS.500.50.01.a.2 Explain the results of the interactions between European explorers and North American natives.

We have wrapped up our chemistry unit in science and are switching our focus to social studies once again.  In this unit students will be studying the colonization of America through a simulation activity.  As students begin to plan their journey and decide where to settle, we will focus on the factors that American colonists considered when planing their own journeys and settlements.  We will also weave in some map skills practice over the next week as well.

Thursday, March 8th

Reminders and Announcements 

• Friday, March 9th  MISA Testing wraps up
• Friday, March 9th  International Night at SRES

Recorders will be needed for music instruction over the next few weeks.  Please note that being prepared is part of the music grade.

Math homework comes home on Monday and is due on Friday.  Completed work is worth 10 points.  Please remind your student to complete their homework weekly.  There was no work this week due to testing; however, a couple of students have missing assignments still out.  

Progress Reports came home today.  If your student is receiving less than a C, I will be following up with an Interim next week to detail what needs to be done to bring the grade up.  Students met with me today to review their progress and have an understanding of how to continue making good progress or how to bring up any grades they are not satisfied with.  Of course, if you have any questions about your student's performance, you may contact me, and we can schedule to meet.  Email or a note would be the best way to contact me.  (melissa.anzick@fcps.org)  Also, please know that students are always welcome to redo any assignment for a better grade.  If they are willing to put effort forth to fix their mistakes, they will get full credit, and I will update the grade book to reflect the new score.

Math 

Focus Standard:  

5.NF.7.c - Solve real world problems involving division of unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers and division of whole numbers by unit fractions, e.g., by using visual fraction models and equations to represent the problem. For example, how much chocolate will each person get if 3 people share 1/2 lb of chocolate equally? How many 1/3-cup servings are in 2 cups of raisins?

Video Help

Writing 

Focus Standard:

W.5.1.a - Text Types and Purposes: Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose.

We have finished up our Columbus Opinion Essays.  I will be grading them this weekend and students will be able to go into Google Classroom to view their feedback.  Next week we will focus on short opinion responses to both literary and informational texts.

Reading 

Focus Standards:

• RL.5.9 - Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics.
• RI.5.6 - Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent.

We will be comparing both informational and narrative texts about the same topic or theme and discussing choices the author made to share their message or theme with the reader.  To see what that looks like, check out this video.

Science/Social Studies

Focus Standards:

• 5-PS1-2 Matter and Its Interactions - Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved.

• 5-PS1-3 Matter and Its Interactions - Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.

Next week, we will experiment with mystery substances to understand the properties of matter and how they can be used to identify different types of matter.  We will also be preparing to wrap up the unit by making our own play dough!  Lots of fun learning going on in Science next week!! 

March 1st - Happy March!!

Announcements and Reminders

• Friday, March 2nd - Guest Scientist from National Geographic
• Friday, March 2nd - 2 Hour Early Dismissal and Mid Term
• Week of March 5th - State Science Testing in morning (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
• Week of March 5th - Spring Book Fair
• Thursday, March 8th - Mid Term Reports home in Thursday Folder
 

Math

We are continuing to work with fractions and using them to find area of figures with fractional sides.  We are also looking at increasing or decreasing areas by fractional amounts.  Mrs. Barnes visited our room this week while students were working and was impressed with their use of math vocabulary as they discussed the problems and situations they were trying to solve using fractions.

Writing 

We are finishing up our opinion pieces on Columbus Day.  The students are also applying their knowledge of opinion writing as they respond to writing.  Overall, I am very pleased with their ability to state an opinion and support it with facts and elaboration.  Check out the Weeds reading packet that was returned in today's Thursday Folder.  The back page has a recent opinion piece written by your student. 

Reading 

We are looking closely at science texts this week and reviewing main idea/detail.  Check out the comprehension questions in the Weeds reading packet to see how your student is doing with this skill.  

Science/Social Studies

We are having fun with experiments and activities to help us understand properties and states of matter.  Ask your student about the balloon in the bottle experiment!