Fifth Grade Newsletter
September 2016
Reading/Language Arts
We have already begun instruction with our new reading series, Journeys. We studied the comprehension skill of story structure, as well as how irony and point of view affect the meaning of texts. This month, we will work on the concepts of theme, characterization, compare and contrast, idioms, and sequencing. Our vocabulary and spelling words correspond with each weekly story.
In grammar, we have reviewed the components of a complete sentence, and will work on developing compound sentences. Other skills include showing possession with both singular and plural nouns and understanding the difference between common nouns and proper nouns.
For writing, we will be following the process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. We've already started improving our prewriting skills by using the strategies of word association and free writing. This month we will be emphasizing the trait of idea, in order to keep our writing focused, and the trait of word choice to make our writing more interesting and complex.
Math
Science
Social Studies
Our first Shabbat as fifth graders, and our first news reporter, Michelle!
Hebrew
It was a true pleasure to welcome back our 5th grade students! Last week, our students have been assessed on their Hebrew skills. The purpose of this evaluation is to match each student with an individualized Hebrew program that will best suit their skill level in Hebrew.
Our 5th grade students will continue to review their general knowledge in Hebrew language; and will strengthen their reading, speaking, writing, and comprehension skills.
This month we will also be immersed in activities for the High Holidays, learning about the Mitzvot (commandments) and Minhagim (rituals) of each of the holidays, focusing on the concepts of “Teshuva” (i.e. repentance) and Ushpizin ( i.e. guests). The students will also be reciting holiday prayers and blessings, listening to holiday stories, singing holiday songs and writing about what they wish to improve in their lives in the upcoming New Year. Shana Tova!
Torah
In our Torah study students will continue to navigate through the Bible and locate a source in the Torah using Parasha, Perek, and Pasuk. In the month of September we will be working on our first Parasha in Sefer Shemot. We will review the main events that took place in the first book of the Torah, “Bereshit”, and connect the story of Yoseph to the first Pasuk of Parashat Shmot. We will conclude our review by creating a family tree of Adam’s line extending to the family of Yaakov, and will discuss each generation. The students will define the terms “Pshat” and “Drash” and will explore and analyze verses in Parashat Shemot. For example: find how many people came down to Egypt and why. List the names of the sons of Yaakov and explain why Yoseph is not on the list. Describe how the family of Yaakov grew to be a nation. How did Pharaoh enslave the Hebrews, and why?
Spanish
I would like to welcome everyone as we begin a new school year. This year will be filled with lots of learning through several activities, such as reading, listening, writing, singing, and more. During our weeks in August, students have reviewed Spanish vocabulary words by playing lottery, and they have worked on the Olympic Games. During the month of September, students will learn the Spanish alphabet; an emphasis on additional letters and sounds will be made. They will then work on the days of the week.
Mandarin
Welcome to Ms. Hu’s 2016-2017 Mandarin Chinese class! This month we will learn how to say greetings in Chinese as well as expressions that are used in the classroom, such as “hello teacher!” The students will be given various worksheets and have many activities in class in order to help them practice these new words. These words will include hello, teacher, classmate, etc. This month we also have the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is on September 15th. The students will have activities that pertain to this festival, such as a reading an article about it and watching a video. They will also be given fun worksheets that will help them learn about it in a more creative way, like making a paper moon with the Chinese character for moon on it.
Physical Education
This month we started classes by learning what the expectations are in our class. We want all of our students to enjoy learning about different sports and to push themselves to reach their highest fitness level. We discussed how characteristics they acquire in sports will transfer over to success in other aspects of their lives.
We started with fun warm ups that we will add to each class and then played games like Cookie Monster, Midnight, Spud and Steal the Bagel. We will complete the month with our Flag Football unit. Through games and drills they will work on our hand/eye coordination by catching and throwing the ball. We will also work on our explosive speed as well.
Please remember to pack PE Uniforms and a water bottle. Sunscreen, mosquito repellant and a hat is recommended as well. Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns at any time. I’m looking forward to another fun, healthy and successful year of Physical Education with our Hochberg Prep students!
Exploratorium
Fifth grade students will embark in an in depth orientation on how to navigate in a STEM Lab performing Earth and Physical Science explorations.
Art
Welcome back to another year full of creativity! We started the year with a project about our names, and every grade created a piece of art using different instructions and techniques. Fifth grade was introduced to POP Art, and the artist Andy Warhol. The kids were fascinated with the effects that you can create arranging lines and using positive and negative space.
Music
Students will sing songs in an appropriate range, using proper vocal technique and maintain pitch. They will also learn to notate rhythmic phrases and simple diatonic melodies using traditional notation. Students will identify significant information about the composer J.S. Bach.
Songs:
Ahavat Olam
Romemu
Yedid Nefesh