WELCOME TO MRS. JAHNKE'S
FIFTH GRADE CLASS
.
MATH
The fifth grade class continues to review math skills as well as introducing new concepts. This month's focus is on: Measurement. We are using the science lab to compare liquid measurements and to relate them to accurate estimates. Students continue to build on their individualized skills in the Successmaker Program. They also have related practice that directly address the needs of the individual student. Our class is using problem solving strategies to address more complex multi-step math problems. We now have access to many interactive math lessons for the white board. The class is thrilled to be able to use this as a learning tool. These technology links are critical to the students ability is become proficient in utilizing computers to learn. We soon will have remote control clickers for student's to enter their responses to lessons and assessments given on the white board. This will provide instant results and a quick determination of who needs more support. This will also be used as a tool for continued differentiation of instruction in math, science and language arts.
Please note, there is a weekly quiz on Friday that is based on their previous areas of study and review. Your child can prepare for these by completing homework and reviewing their math books and notes.
An enrichment group is provided with challenging problem solving opportunities. This week, they will be starting a unit on weekly Problem Solving Challenges.
READING
Please look in your child's blue Friday folder for the results of the selection test that occurs after every story.
Our theme this month: " How People Can Make a Difference ". We are continuing our use of rubrics to define requirements therefore working on improving our written responses to literature. Please refer to the Friday Folder to review samples of your child's work across the curriculum. Please note that your child should be reading and responding in their logbooks on a regular basis. the class has received the requirements for their "Newbury Award" book report. they may start on their report as soon as they complete their book and the 15 required reading log entries.
We continue to read and analyze various texts including "National Geographic for Kids"
and "Scholastic News
."
NO EXCUSE LIST AND HOW TO ANSWER A QUESTION THAT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR READING
CHARACTER TRAITS -creative words to help describe your character
This month's book report is: Self Selected Newbury Award Winner.
Please check your child's Book Report Notebook for their written responses.
Book Report Information will follow completed Book Journal. Please refer to this site for additional information.
Book Journal Due: February 7th
Book Report Due: Monday, February 27th
-LIST OF PROMPTS TO RESPOND IN YOUR JOURNAL
-January and February: JOURNAL REQUIREMENTS
-COMPREHENSIVE RUBRIC FOR READING JOURNALS
Book Buddy Update:
We will be practicing good oral reading techniques and collaborate on many creative links to enhance appreciation of literature. This week we will be interviewing our Book Buddies to determine their interests and hobbies to select related literature. We are currently starting a writing project on selecting a species or invented animal that could hide in a mitten. Students will listen to a story about various animals that hide in a lost mitten. After discussion and lessons, the children will write creative, suspenseful clues as to what is hiding in their mitten. Students will collaborate on the project, as this provides the opportunity for the fifth graders to use their writing skills to help younger authors. The fifth graders love sharing their ideas and expertise.
.
WRITING
Currently daily writing includes a blend of expository writing, mechanics (grammar and usage), handwriting, and writing across the curriculum. Students will be bringing home various assignments to work on. We use PARAGRAPH POWER throughout the year. Paragraph Power provides you and your child specific strategies for writing clear and detailed paragraphs for various purposes. This term, students are expected to use these strategies to revise and edit their work. We have also started working on reading and responding to content material including science, math and social studies using evidence from the text. We will continue to focus on using resources to banish boring words and to develop a varied vocabulary. This month we are reviewing our previous writing prompts and evaluating areas of growth and planning our direction for improvement. Writing prompts are given both on the computer and in class.
Throughout the year we continue set realistic goals for ourselves and reflect on revising and setting new, measurable goals. This helps the students to address what they feel is personally important as learning goals. I'm impressed with how well the children know their strengths and areas in which they need to improve.
Our daily Journals are often shared in our class meetings as a means of addressing interests and concerns of our class as well as addressing content and writing expectations.
SCIENCE
Some of the topics we will be learning about in Science are: Learning to use the scientific method and writing lab reports. Currently, students are exploring phases of the moon. Students are participating in labs to demonstrate variations in light and how it travels. We are using the text books to enhance background information. Students will be asked to study for upcoming tests and quizzes. We are also studying the connection between our environment and decisions and actions that affect our earth. We have done an extensive study of animal behavior and the life of the scientist, Jane Goodall. We are now learning how our changing society has an influence on various species. Adaptation and conservation are frequently topics covered by Scholastic News, National Geographic and related materials.
All students are expected to design or replicate a science project for our upcoming Scotland School Science Fair.Most students have returned their plans to me and have started their research and testing. All the students will be provided with a tri fold board for the final presentation. This should be an educational and enjoyable experience for your child. If you have any questions or need further support or materials, please let me know.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Our current topic that we are studying is: Exploring the World through Scholastic News. Your child should be bringing the news magazine home with them on a weekly basis. Some of the related activities have a rubric attached so that your child is clear on the expectation of the assignment. These are more in depth questions that need complete sentences and evidence from the text to support their answer.
SPELLING
There will be a spelling final test every Friday with a pretest on Monday. The weekly spelling workbook is due every Wednesday unless we have a Monday or Tuesday off from school. The words are in our spelling book that is aligned with the anthology. Please look for the folder to come home EVERY Friday and send it back to school EVERY Monday with your child. Once again, we wish to thanks our wonderful, dedicated volunteer, Mrs. Bergeron. The class loves to see her and enjoys her creative sentences for their weekly spelling tests. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful volunteer in our school.
Please feel free to call or email me with any concerns or questions regarding your child's progress. Together we can make fifth grade a great learning experience!
Mrs. Marge Jahnke
MATH WEBSITES FOR YOUR CHILD TO EXPLORE
Elementary Math - Comprehensive
Fact Monster - Math Flashcards