Dear 5th Grade Students and Families,
I want to thank all of you for the many lovely gifts that were given to me over the last couple of days.  I am so touched by your thoughtfulness.  A formal note of my appreciation will go home in January.  Enjoy your winter break and celebrations of the season.  See all of you in the new year - 2015!

Fondly,
Mrs. Grove

Hi Fifth Grade Families,

Just a reminder that Science Camp fees and Registration Forms are due this Friday, December 5. Please contact your child's teacher if there are any concerns.  Thank you.

October Newsletter

                                                                                      October 8, 2014

Dear 5^th Grade Families,

Our school year is off to a fast and furious start. Students are settling into their busy routines and are already stepping up to their new responsibilities and expectations.  Responsibility has been a huge focus as we start the year.  Here is a look at what is happening in 5^th grade.

Science Camp: 

Thank you to the many parents who have already volunteered for Science Camp.  A lottery will be held this month to select two moms & two dads from each of our classrooms.  If you are not selected, please note that we will put your name on the alternate list.  Many times we have needed to go to that list as a back up plan.  As a reminder, the Marin Headlands Institute stipulates that parent chaperones are not to be placed with their child’s hiking group during the week.  Chaperones will be required to provide TB testing results, fingerprinting, and a $160 fee. Please contact us if you are interested.

Because of safety precautions, parents are asked not to make visitations to the camp.  As a means of communication, we update our blog daily with photos and details of the day’s events.  Of course, should there be an emergency, parents would be contacted immediately.

 

Reading/Language Arts: 

Students are now in reading flex groups, based upon the skills we have seen in class that they need support in. All three of the novels have a survival theme and nightly homework; however we encourage all students to read a book of their choice at home as well.  In language arts, we are focusing on prepositions and prepositional phrases.  The District Writing Pre-Assessment was given earlier this month and will help guide our instruction for writing.  Students will be strengthening their narrative and expository writing skills utilizing the Six Traits of Writing.  Picture books are used to demonstrate a new skill that is incorporated into their writing assignments.

Math:

We have just completed our unit on Multiplication and have begun Division. Continue to encourage and assist your students in memorizing their multiplication facts! A “check-in” was given throughout the unit to see what areas each student knew already and which areas needed re-teaching. JiJi will be coming soon in the computer lab. Every student will get a chance to go on and get set up into 5^th grade JiJi and then they have the option of doing JiJi at home whenever they would like.  Each student has also been set up on Khan Academy and Miss Enrico has been assigning recommendations based on areas of need demonstrated in the classroom as well as on Khan Academy. Our class will spend most of October following the baseball playoffs and World Series, focusing on real life situations where you need to divide, graph, compare, and analyze data.

Social Studies:

Our year started with basic geography skills and a look at the land and resources of the United States. Students are now working in groups to research the ancient people and Native Americans of the U.S. Check out their Interactive Notebooks so far when you get a chance!

Science:

There are three themes to be covered in science this year: Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Miss Bustillos is currently teaching Life Science with an emphasis on cells, plant systems, and the human body system.  Reading, note-taking skills, thinking maps, and experiments/projects will be taking place in her classroom. Students will be taking periodic quizzes and tests, with their first Unit Test being scheduled for October 21^st.

Technology:

Our computer lab is set up and ready to go! This gives us a great weekly opportunity to work on typing skills, powerpoint, research, and projects as a whole class.  In addition, each of our classrooms is now up to approximately 23 devices (a mixture between laptops and chromebooks), providing us with ample opportunities to incorporate technology into the classroom and the students’ every day lives.

Instrument Lessons:

Many of our 5^th graders are involved in the music program.  Lessons will be taking place during the school day (Orchestra on Mondays, Band on Fridays).  Students have been reminded that they are responsible for making up any missed work and taking the initiative to ask for missed assignments.  They also must keep their grades up in order to continue in band or orchestra.  Remembering to bring their instruments can always be a challenge.  We have asked students to write notes in their planners or put notes on their bedroom/front doors.  In order to prepare for middle school, students will not be allowed to call home from school.

Thank you to the many families who have donated items to our classrooms.  The extra paper, tissues, paper towels and Clorox wipes will come in handy this year.

           

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us or email.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Grove                        Miss Enrico                     Miss Bustillos                       Miss Smith

874-3438                           874-3440                         874-3433                             874-3425

kgrove@moreland.org       kenrico@moreland.org    nbustillos@moreland.org      esmith@moreland.org

Upcoming Dates:

Saturday, October 11^th – Walk-A-Thon (9:00-1:00)

Friday, October 17^th – No School (Staff Development Day)

Friday, November 7^th – End of the First Trimester (and AR cut off)

Monday & Tuesday, November 10^th & 11^th – No School