It’s been a busy month in September. Students have done a great job learning the classroom routines and getting adjusted to 5th grade academics and expectations. Here is an overview of what’s happening in each subject as well as what to look forward to in the month of October.
WEX: We are now able to stay focused on a moment while writing, and we can write showing sentences instead of telling sentences by adding strong, action verbs. We also reviewed subjects and predicates and played different relay games to reinforce main verbs and nouns. In grammar, we are learned to identify different parts of speech, and fixing run-on sentences and fragments. More importantly, we are working on applying those skills across the curriculum when we write.
Reading: Our reading workshop routines are established and students are working independently and with their reading groups. Stations include meeting in literature circles, working on the spelling program Words Their Way and/or Lexia, Reading-to-Self, and meeting as a whole group for guided mini-lessons. So far, we’ve talked about how to be good readers and apply important strategies, like monitoring our comprehension. We started responding to literature by writing weekly and monthly reading responses. Each month we focus on a different genre for our independent book studies.The book reports for the month of September are now all complete and ready to view by going on the Weebly website. Students have done a fantastic job this first month! Our genre study for the month of October is historical fiction. We’re now discussing and finalizing selections and will begin to complete a “noticings” bookmark while reading to guide our understanding.
Link to Weebly E-Portfolios
Math: We also have a workshop model in math where I instruct students in guided math groups. Students then rotate through stations to work on practicing their number sense, and applying new concepts with a partner and independently. Unit two skills cover the following: to multiply and compare decimals, subtract numbers using the trade-first method, make magnitude estimates, and use the probability meter. We also started a problem solving unit where we read through word problems and complete a four-step problem solving process while using different strategies. Unit three will cover geometry. In this unit, students will explore congruent figures, use a geometry template and a straight edge, make tessellations and more.
Xtramath should continue to be practiced daily at home to improve math fact memorization, accuracy and speed. In addition, IXL has been added to extend and expand the concepts we’re learning in class. The following IXL links cover the concepts we’re working on in class.
IXL Decimals
IXL Rounding
IXL Multi-Step Problem Solving
Science: We are concluding the Human Body Unit with our digestive system. Students learned about six body systems; the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. We will be wrapping up the unit in the next few days with a project that integrates our understanding of how all the systems work together, followed by a final test scheduled for Friday.
Next, we turn our attention to social studies, starting with the colonial and pre-revolutionary war period. In preparation for this unit, we are planning on taking our first field trip to Olive School on Thursday, October 9th, to attend the Historical Reenactment. Thank you for sending back the permission slips and payment.
5th Grade Science Blog Link
Please check the class calendar regularly for weekly and monthly happenings. Extended assignments are also posted like the monthly genre book report, independent letter, and current events schedule. And as always, please contact me at any time should you have any questions or concerns.
Ms. Mekky’s Classroom Calendar
5th Grade Daily Schedule
WEX: We are now able to stay focused on a moment while writing, and we can write showing sentences instead of telling sentences by adding strong, action verbs. We also reviewed subjects and predicates and played different relay games to reinforce main verbs and nouns. In grammar, we are learned to identify different parts of speech, and fixing run-on sentences and fragments. More importantly, we are working on applying those skills across the curriculum when we write.
Reading: Our reading workshop routines are established and students are working independently and with their reading groups. Stations include meeting in literature circles, working on the spelling program Words Their Way and/or Lexia, Reading-to-Self, and meeting as a whole group for guided mini-lessons. So far, we’ve talked about how to be good readers and apply important strategies, like monitoring our comprehension. We started responding to literature by writing weekly and monthly reading responses. Each month we focus on a different genre for our independent book studies.The book reports for the month of September are now all complete and ready to view by going on the Weebly website. Students have done a fantastic job this first month! Our genre study for the month of October is historical fiction. We’re now discussing and finalizing selections and will begin to complete a “noticings” bookmark while reading to guide our understanding.
Link to Weebly E-Portfolios
Math: We also have a workshop model in math where I instruct students in guided math groups. Students then rotate through stations to work on practicing their number sense, and applying new concepts with a partner and independently. Unit two skills cover the following: to multiply and compare decimals, subtract numbers using the trade-first method, make magnitude estimates, and use the probability meter. We also started a problem solving unit where we read through word problems and complete a four-step problem solving process while using different strategies. Unit three will cover geometry. In this unit, students will explore congruent figures, use a geometry template and a straight edge, make tessellations and more.
Xtramath should continue to be practiced daily at home to improve math fact memorization, accuracy and speed. In addition, IXL has been added to extend and expand the concepts we’re learning in class. The following IXL links cover the concepts we’re working on in class.
IXL Decimals
IXL Rounding
IXL Multi-Step Problem Solving
Science: We are concluding the Human Body Unit with our digestive system. Students learned about six body systems; the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. We will be wrapping up the unit in the next few days with a project that integrates our understanding of how all the systems work together, followed by a final test scheduled for Friday.
Next, we turn our attention to social studies, starting with the colonial and pre-revolutionary war period. In preparation for this unit, we are planning on taking our first field trip to Olive School on Thursday, October 9th, to attend the Historical Reenactment. Thank you for sending back the permission slips and payment.
5th Grade Science Blog Link
Please check the class calendar regularly for weekly and monthly happenings. Extended assignments are also posted like the monthly genre book report, independent letter, and current events schedule. And as always, please contact me at any time should you have any questions or concerns.
Ms. Mekky’s Classroom Calendar
5th Grade Daily Schedule