Panda Pride News
April/May - Volume 4
We can’t go another day in May without recognizing and thanking our own dynamic Principal Renee McNeil for all she has done for our Clinton Grove Family! 🐼
Here’s the best part - she has so much more in store for our school and community! So let’s give it up for Principal McNeil not just on National School Principal’s Day, but EVERY day.❤️
Principal's message
Parents, please continue to encourage your child to log on to the math and reading interventions. Clinton Grove is climbing the chart and receiving recognition for the hard work that is going on behind the scenes. We owe it to our parents, grandparents and partners in educating our pandas. So let's end the year strong by continuing to sharpen our skills in math and reading to ensure we are ready for next year's learning!
If there are any parents that are interested in being part of the School Planning and Management Team (SPMT) please email Principal McNeil at renee.gibbons@pgcps.org.
I would like to commend them for their resilience and commitment to providing rigorous lessons to our pandas. Our teachers rarely took time off, attended countless workshops to prepare and deliver quality lessons. Clinton Grove is honored to have such a caring and dedicated staff and we are so very thankful.
Front Office Information
Fifth Grade Parents/Guardians
Parents/guardians of fifth grade students need to update, through Scribbles,
proof of their address and their I.D.
- Most recent mortgage statement, most recent property tax assessment, deed, or lease are acceptable.
- If your family is residing with relatives or friends, a notarized Shared Housing Affidavit must be submitted along with one of the above named items.
This information will be forwarded to your child's new school for the next school year.
Updating Schoolmax
Parents/Guardians please make sure that the contact information is up to date in SchoolMax.
It is vitally important that we have correct phone numbers and also email addresses in case we need to contact you.
April 9th - End of 3rd Quarter
All Progress Reports and Quarter Grades are accessed online at this time. Grades can be accessed via the SchoolMax Parent Portal.
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday May 18th - 3rd Quarter Awards Assembly @ 12 noon.
- Tuesday May 18th - PTSO May Meeting @ 6pm.
- Thursday May 20th - 5th Grade Transition Night @ 6pm.
- Thursday May 27th - Family Literacy Night @ 6pm.
- Friday June 4th - 5th Grade Virtual End of the Year Ceremony @ 6pm.
- Tuesday June 8th - Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony @ 9am.
- Thursday June 10th - Pre-K Moving Up Celebration @ 10:30am.
PBIS
Classroom updates
Pre-K
Unit 5
RELA: Students Will Study Growing Our Garden
Children will:
Language
Count beyond ten.
Communicate information through drawing and emergent writing.
Generate words that begin with the same sound
Make progress in naming letters, linking each letter to a sound or sounds that it typically represents, and linking sounds to specific letters.
Phonological Awareness/Word Recognition
Make progress in naming letters, linking each letter to a sound or sounds that it typically represents, and linking sounds to specific letters.
Recognize words that begin with the same sound.
Generate words that begin with the same sound.
Writing
Use a variety of ways of writing to express meaning, progressing from scribbles and drawing to using letter strings to using some letters and corresponding sounds
Communicate information through drawing and emergent writing.
Speaking and Listening
Singing Nursery rhymes
Discuss and identify emotions in a variety of categories: positive, negative, strong, and weak.
Listening to music
Support and give opinion on texts
Math:
Objectives for the month: Students will:
Directly compare sizes using words such as bigger and longer.
Compose numbers and decompose numbers.
Quickly recognize and name the sum of two small groups (conceptual subitizing).
Kindergarten
Reading
In Kindergarten this month, we have a lot of exciting things going on in RELA. We are in the last part of Unit 4 and about to start Unit 5.
Unit 5: Technology at Home and School.
Essential Question: Why do we use technology?
Students will....
- Distinguish Syllables in Spoken Words.
- Blend Onset and Rime
- Print many upper- and lowercase letters.; Use the most frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, for, of, by, with).
- With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
- Use a combination of drawing, dictating and writing to narrate a single even or several loosely linked events tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened.
- With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.
Math
Our Kindergarten classes are working hard on Unit 10: Length, Weight, Capacity.
We are working on how to measure objects by their length or height. Our scholars are learning how to compare the weight of objects. We’re also learning how to use a balance scale and interpret the results.
I CAN STATEMENTS
- I CAN sort a set of objects by length, weight and capacity from a set of sorted objects.
- I CAN compare objects by their heights.
- I CAN describe objects by their heights.
- I CAN describe objects as longer or shorter.
- I CAN compare objects to a reference object.
- I CAN compare the weight of two objects.
- I CAN describe objects as lighter or heavier.
- I CAN describe which container holds more or less.
- I CAN describe objects as lighter or heavier.
- I CAN count to tell how many.
- I CAN use subitizing to count the number of dots.
first grade
In May, we are continuously digging deeper in the Unit 5 Benchmark, which is focused on technology. Students explore the many ways technology is helping people in their lives and the ways technology helps in solving problems. The selections that they have include a variety of genres such as informational texts, fantasy poetry and realistic fiction. The lessons will continue to make them think critically about the important roles of technology in their daily lives. Comparing selections about the purpose of technology will also be done.
One example of a question that parents can ask to their child is "Imagine what life would be like without all of the technology you are using everyday. How would this affect you in both positive and negative ways? "
Unit 5: Technology at Work
Essential Question: How can technology make a difference in our lives?
Phonics and Word Study: Long o (final -e), Soft c, g
Handwriting: p, n, C, l, o, J
High Frequency Words: find, how, over, under, again, write, try, give, far, too, down, new
Writing: Explanatory Process Writing
Math:
We began unit 1.9 - Numbers Greater than 20 in April and will be continuing with this unit during the month of May.
I CAN compose numbers of ten ones and some more ones.
I CAN count to 120, starting with any number less than 120.
I CAN group a specific number of units to make a new unit.
I CAN count by ones and specific units (zirkles).
I CAN count by ones and specific units (bozcos).
I CAN group ones to make a 10.
I CAN use my understanding of tens and ones to solve word problems.
I CAN compose and decompose a number into tens and ones.
I CAN compare 2 two- digit numbers using the symbols <, >, or =.
I CAN decompose a number into tens and ones.
I CAN represent a two-digit number in different ways.
I CAN use base ten blocks to add within 100.
I CAN relate my strategy to a written method and explain it.
I CAN compose a 2-digit number.
I CAN use different strategies to subtract groups of ten from groups of ten.
- I CAN create an addition story using 2-digit numbers
I CAN use different strategies to add within 100.
- I CAN mentally find 10 more or 10 less than the number without having to count.
Second Grade
Reading:
Students will:
- Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
- Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
- Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures
- Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text
- Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently.
- Know spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams.
- Decode words with common prefixes and suffixes.
- Read grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
- Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding
- Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- Use knowledge of the meaning of individual words to predict the meaning of compound words (e.g., birdhouse, lighthouse, housefly; bookshelf, notebook, bookmark)
- Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure.
Math: I CAN ……
- recognize and draw shapes with specific attributes.
identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons.
identify cubes as a three-dimensional shape.
compare two-dimensional shapes based on the attributes of the shape.
describe polygons by the number of its sides, and as triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, or hexagons.
combine polygons to form new shapes.
partition rectangles into rows and columns of same-size squares.
count the squares in a partitioned rectangle to tell the total number of squares.
partition shapes into equal parts and describe the equal parts as halves, thirds, or fourths.
recognize equal shares of identical wholes, the equal shares do not have to have the same shape.
- Two-step problems involving adding to, taking from, joining, separating, and comparing can be solved with addition and/or subtraction
- Emphasize problems that involve sums less than or equal to 20 and/or the related differences to keep the focus on making sense of different problem types
- Categorical and numerical data can be collected, recorded, and organized. There are various ways to represent, display, describe, and interpret data using tables and graphs.
- De-emphasize creating picture/bar graphs; Focus on interpreting data from picture/bar graphs in order to use the data to answer put-together problems (2.3 - how many altogether) and compare problems (2.5 - how many more/fewer).
third grade
RELA:
Our Essential Question is How do people use words to express themselves?
This month, we have a lot of exciting things going on in Reading and Language Arts.
Objectives for the month:
I can answer questions to show I understand important details in a story.
I can ask questions to show I understand important details in a story.
I can ask and answer questions before, during, and after reading a text.
MATH:
Unit 10: Data and Graphs
I CAN make a scaled picture graph or bar graph with several categories to represent data
I CAN read and interpret scaled bar graphs or picture graphs in order to solve one- and two-step "how many more" and "how many less" problems.
I CAN use a ruler to measure whole, half, and quarter inches.
I CAN record measurement data using whole, half, and quarter inches.
I CAN make a line plot with horizontal scale marked off in whole numbers, half, and/or quarter units.
I CAN represent a two-step word problem with models, pictures, and/or equations.
Next, follow our journey in Mathematics as we explore:
Unit 11: Volume and Weight (May 10-May19)
Unit 12: Word Problems and Unknowns (May 24-June 11)
SCIENCE:
This month, we have a lot of exciting things going on in Science as we explore the Environmental Impacts on Organisms.
Our Objectives for the Month:
Analyze and interpret images to determine if they are fossils.
Analyze fossils to get an understanding of what the environment was like when the organism was alive.
Identify the optimal water quality parameters needed for bluegill fish to survive in their natural habitat to support the idea that in a particular habitat, some organisms can survive well, some can survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
Identify and describe components of a habitat as evidence of the natural world.
Identify and describe the interactions of organisms present in a stream habitat as evidence of the natural world.
Model, describe, and analyze the energy flow and human impact on a pond habitat as evidence of the natural world.
Identify and describe adaptations and behaviors of fish that live in the Chesapeake Bay tributaries as evidence of cause and effect taking place to produce change in the natural world.
Explain how physical characteristics of fish support survival within the habitat to include the idea that animals have different survival capabilities.
HEALTH:
UNIT 9 “When Bodies Have Challenges”
Theme: My Skin and Me
Objectives for the Month:
Week 1 - “Why Do I Have Skin?”
Identify the basic need of all humans to breathe; describe what happens when you breathe and how your sense of smell works.
Tell why it is important to always have good, clean air to breathe.
Set up an exercise routine with your family to help your lungs grow strong and healthy.
Compare and contrast the breathing of humans with other animals, including fish.
Week 2- “What Is Skin and How Does It Grow?”
Describe what skin is made of and how it grows.
Show how each part of the skin helps the other parts.
Practice good health habits that encourage healthy growth of skin and hair.
Discover reasons why the human body has hair and nails.
Week 3 - “It’s The Skin I’m In”
Explain the reasons why there are so many variations in the appearance of skin.
Develop respect for people whose skin looks different than yours due to age, color, or other conditions.
Practice doing activities that strengthen self-esteem.
Compare and contrast the people you know and like and analyze what makes them special.
Week 4 - “Skin Problems and Remedies”
List injuries and other conditions that harm your skin and remedies for them.
Take responsibility for protecting your skin.
Practice routines to care for your skin and prevent injury and infection.
Classify remedies for skin problems into those you can handle yourself and those where you need adult assistance.
Social Studies:
Unit 4: Economy: Everybody Works
Overarching Question: In what ways are good citizens involved in their homes, schools, and communities?
Students will:
1. Explain that people must make choices because resources are limited relative to unlimited wants for goods and services.
2. Describe different types of markets
3. Describe how consumers acquire goods and services
4. Develop a plan that shows how money is obtained, such as selling things, getting a gift, and getting allowance
fourth grade
RELA: Over the next three weeks, our class will build their knowledge about protecting the planet, with a focus on the persuasive text genre. We will read texts and view videos about what people can do to take care of our planet. Scholars will also write a speech for an imaginary school council meeting.
Social Studies: Students are exploring Maryland’s Economy and discussing how our own economic choices impact our community. Students will recognize the importance of the availability of resources in determining what is produced. Students will also determine how the availability of resources affects producers, consumers and career opportunities. Students will also be completing a research project on the production of goods and services, focusing on a Maryland-based company, Honest Tea.
Math: Students are able to recognize polygons and angles.
fifth grade
Math:
I CAN determine how parentheses affect expressions.
I CAN use parentheses to group an expression within a multi-step expression.
I CAN evaluate expressions with parentheses.
I CAN analyze expressions by interpreting the relationships among the numbers without evaluating them.
I CAN explain the coordinate system and recognize the origin, x-axis and y-axis.
I CAN identify an ordered pair.
I CAN explain the relationship between ordered pairs and their locations on the coordinate plane.
I CAN interpret coordinate values in the context of the situation.
I CAN solve problems with a coordinate grid.
I CAN represent the corresponding terms as ordered pairs.
I CAN graph ordered pairs on a coordinate plane.
I CAN generate 2 numerical patterns with the same starting number for 2 different given rules.
I CAN explain the relationship between each of the corresponding terms from a pattern.
I CAN create line plots with fraction measurements.
I CAN solve problems using data from line plots.
Science:
Develop a model of an aquaponics system
Determine that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water and not soil
Gather evidence of where plants get the materials they need for growth
Gather evidence of where plants get the materials they need for growth
Develop a model to describe the transfer of energy among plants, animals, decomposers and the environment
Explain how soil forms by examining the role of decomposers
Explain properties of different types of soil (clay, sand, loam)
Support an argument that all organisms need food to provide them with energy, growth, and repair
Develop a model to describe the transfer of energy among plants, animals, decomposers and the environment
Health:
Describes the circulatory system, the blood in the immune system, how HIV affects the immune system, how HIV can and cannot be transmitted*; along with the importance of showing compassion and empathy toward those who are sick
Reading:
Objectives for the month:
Art for Everyone - Essential Question: How do different art forms impact people in different ways?
Social Studies:
Objectives for the month:
What a Story? - Essential Question: How does genre affect the way a story is told?
esol
International Family Day @ Camp Schmidt-- 5/8/21
It's back...virtually! We look forward to our first Virtual International Family Day @ Camp Schmidt. Families can self-register to participate in the virtual event, taking place on Saturday, May 8th at 10:00am!
This event provides English Learners and their families the opportunity to see the Schmidt Center virtually to learn more about the environmental literacy program integral to the science curriculum for 5th graders in PGCPS. Some 5th-grade groups are assigned to Hard Bargain Farm, but it is a similar concept-- all ESOL families are welcome to participate in this virtual event.
Flyers are attached. Registration is available: tinyurl.com/SchmidtForm2021
ESOL LitCamp 2021
ESOL LitCamp is a summer literacy program that combines innovative, research-based reading and writing lessons with an engaging and interactive summer camp approach. Sessions will take place virtually, June 28th - July 2nd. The program is for students in the ESOL program who are currently enrolled in Kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year.
Registration is available: tinyurl.com/LitCamp2021
Assessment Updates
“Thank you parents and grandparents for your support with preparing students for testing. Please continue to allow them to work independently in a quiet place so that we can capture authentic results to inform instruction.”
Testing Update 2021:
From the Maryland State Board of Education Regarding Spring Testing - State Assessments
NWEA MAP Fluency
May 10-May 28
Grades K,1 and 2
~~~~~~~~~~~
Benchmarks
May 24-June 11
3,4,5 Reading
K,1,2,3,4,5 Math
food and nutrition serves information
Supper
Grab and go breakfast and lunch
Clinton Grove Elementary School has Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch on site.
Mondays and Wednesdays
From 10 am to 1pm
Prices are listed on PGCPS site.
Interventions
I-READY (3-5; READING)
Recommended Time from C&I
3 times a week,
20 minutes
DREAMBOX
Recommended Time from C&I
3 times a week,
20 minutes
IREAD
Recommended Time from C&I
5 or more lessons per week
(each lesson about 10 minutes (K-2); 20 minutes (gr 3-5)
iRead, iReady, Dreambox, Scholastic
Time Use for Digital Platforms
(In accordance with the Distance Learning Sample Schedule)
Gentle reminder. The data for iRead, iReady and Dreambox is being closely monitored. Please note the recommendations from C & I previously provided.
May 10th - May 28th - NWEA MAP Testing Window
May 12th - Last day of Ramadan
May 13th - Eid al-Fitr - Schools and Offices Closed
May 18th - PTSO May Meeting 6pm - 7pm
May 24th - June 11th - Benchmarks Testing Window
May 31st - Memorial Day - Schools and Offices Closed
June 14th - 2-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students
June 15th - Last Day of School for Students - 2-Hr. Early Dismissal for Students - End of Fourth Quarter
Some helpful links for distance learning
Contact Information
Website: https://schools.pgcps.org/clintongrove/
Location: 9420 Temple Hill Road, Clinton, MD, USA
Phone: (301)599-2414
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClintonGroveES