The Monthly Mustang
The Official Newsletter for Wedgwood School Families
December 2016 - Fifth Grade Update
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Fifth grade is off to an exciting and fun start this school year and we are settled into our new routines and expectations. We are working hard academically and are enjoying the activities, clubs and responsibilities offered to us as the leaders of the school. Academically, we have transitioned into switching classes for Math, Writing, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Health and World Language. We have a full schedule and we begin to see Middle School in our near futures.
In Mrs. McGough’s, Mr. Renzi’s and Mrs. Centola’s Math classes, we have completed the first two units of Everyday Math. We are now working on Unit 3 – Fraction Concepts and will soon begin work on Unit 4 - Decimals. We are practicing our math facts through Connect Ed, the online Everyday Math site and through www.Xtramath.com. In October, Wedgwood students solved over 24,000 math questions through www.Prodigymath.com. The teachers are very proud of how hard students worked on these problems at home. Together with Bells Elementary School, the fifth graders solved over 48,000 math problems in just 10 days! The teachers encourage you to continue to work with your children to master all basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Mastery is essential for success with the more challenging concepts and skills they will encounter this year.
Our fifth graders have already completed their first published pieces, Persuasive Essays. They have shared final pieces in the Author’s Chair. Students crafted persuasive arguments, then drafted and put the finishing touches on their persuasive published pieces. They selected a variety of topics and thoroughly supported their reasoning and positions. Students are now working on their second published piece, Poetry. The students really enjoy this writing genre and it is exciting to see their imaginations and creativity shine through in their writing!
In Mrs. Evans’ and Mrs. Mattera’s Reading classes, the students are learning and applying reading strategies in a variety of ways. Daily vocabulary words are introduced and practiced to enrich language skills. The students read independently each day which provides them with an opportunity to read simply for enjoyment. The Making Meaning Program provides the students with a structure to focus on reading strategies such as making connections, identifying text features and exploring nonfiction text. Additionally, the students have completed their first novel, Number the Stars. Through this historical fiction novel, the students learned about the first-hand experiences of the Jewish people in Denmark in the 1940s. In December, all students will be working on leveled fiction novels. Through these exciting novels, small, leveled groups will work on building specific reading skills and strategies.
In Social Studies, we covered Explorers and Native Americans. We are now moving onto Colonial America and then the American Revolution. We have completed many projects using technology including a colonial Web Quest and a mission to save Jamestown. Mrs. Evans’, Mrs. Mattera’s and Mrs. Dollarton’s Social Studies students worked hard preparing for their Colonial Trade Fair. Beginning with research on colonial jobs and trades, these students worked toward a final presentation about life in the Colonial Town. Their work was presented at the Colonial Trade Fair during American Education Week.
In Mrs. Gelzunas’ Science class, the students took a Virtual Field Trip and visited a NASA scientist. This interactive conference centered on “Our Solar Neighborhood.” The students enjoyed learning from NASA. They were able to ask many questions and even witnessed firsthand live experiments in space. The culminating activity for the Space Unit will be group planet presentations based upon collaboration of research efforts in each individual group.
In addition to our academically packed day, the fifth graders are embarking on adventures outside of the classroom. All fifth graders participated in a community relation projects in cooperation with Duffield’s Farm Market. Each class created a scarecrow based on a particular person, literacy character, or historical figure. The teachers would like to thank all of the parents and family members who came to help us with this project. We truly appreciate your time and help.
Part of what makes our fifth graders so well rounded is their involvement in some of the programs which Wedgwood offers. Our fifth grade safeties are doing a great job helping to keep our arrival and departures safe and smooth. Many of our fifth graders are pursuing their love of the arts by participating in our outstanding band, chorus, hand bells and orchestra programs. Many students volunteer their recess time to be library, gym, art and music helpers. Several fifth grade classes are partnered with first or second grade “Book Buddies.” The fifth graders meet with the first or second graders to complete a variety of activities including reading picture books or making holiday crafts. It’s a great way for fifth graders to serve as role models for the younger students at Wedgwood.
We look forward to working with your children during the next three marking periods as there are many more great things to come. The fifth grade teachers would like to take the opportunity to wish you and your families a safe and happy Holiday season.
Wedgwood Elementary School
Email: czimmerman@wtps.org
Website: wtps.org/wedgwood
Location: 236 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Phone: (856) 227-8110
Twitter: @wedgwoodwtps