Amana Fifth Grade Newsletter Update
Friday, February 7, 2020
Classroom News
In literacy, we have been reading fairy tales and inferring themes. We are working on comparing and contrasting characters, settings, and events within a story or stories. We read many fantastic fairy tales this week including The Seven Ravens, The Willful Child, and The Rough Faced Girl. We also picked a fairy tale to read with a partner.
In math, we have begun modeling adding and subtracting unlike fractions using hands-on fraction tiles. We are discovering that all fractions must have like denominators to add or subtract.
In science, we explored how and why our shadow changes throughout the day and what can be learned by studying shadows. We also explored what causes day and night as well as used a model to determine which direction the Earth rotates.
In writing, we are continuing to draft our imagined narratives by creating problems for our characters and mapping them out on a plot diagram.
We had an awesome visit from Mary Bulger, our naturalist from Iowa County Conservation, who led us through an investigation of animal prints. Each child will be bringing home a plaster cast of an animal print today!
Please see the information on signing up for our Valentine's day party!
Valentine's Day Information
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching! This year our Valentine’s Day party will be held on Friday, February 14th from 2:30 - 3:00 pm. Students may bring a decorated box or bag to school along with valentines for each student in our room. Tradition is for there to be a valentine’s box competition. There will be small prizes award for boxes that go above and beyond. In the past awards were given for ‘Most Valentine-y,’ ‘Most Original’ ‘Best Sports Themed,’ “Most Resourceful/Repurposed’, ‘Most Detailed,’ ‘Best Movie/TV Show Themed,’ and more. The contest is entirely optional. For those not interested in decorating or designing, a plain paper bag will do. Please send these any time prior to Valentine’s Day. A list of students' names has been sent home in your child's Friday Folder today.
Sincerely,
Ms. Hess
IXL Practice for Math: L1, L 2, L 3
Learning Goals This Week:
Math: I can add unlike fractions using models.
Writing: I can use a plot map to organize my imagined narrative story before drafting.
Social Studies: I can research an explorer to the New World and share my learning with others.
Science: I can explain the movements of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.