South Central Middle School
We have the Right Mental Attitude
News From the 5th Grade
Science- Students just completed their first unit on ecosystems, where they learned about the many different interactions organisms have in nature with one another. They learned about how organisms depend upon each other to survive. We discussed predator-prey, parasitism, commensalism, and mutualistic relationships. Our next unit will deal with the properties of light (e.g. transmission, transparent, translucent, opaque, reflection, refraction, and absorption). Students will learn how to correctly figure out what light will do when it hits certain types of surfaces and explain why we see colors.
Social Studies- Students have learned about locating cities in the United States on a map using only latitude and longitude coordinates. We have also discussed where to place events on a timeline, depending where they are BC/BCE or AD/CE dates.
We have just started the Mayans and how they farmed, governed themselves, practiced religion, and inventions/creations. Students seem to like the Ancient Civilizations (e.g. Mayans, Aztecs, & Incas), because of how different they are from us today and the "weird" things (e.g. sacrifices, how they dressed or farmed) they did.
ELA - We have been exploring themes in picture books. We read a series about pencil and eraser and how they were able to find ways to work together to achieve great things. The students then created their own pencil and eraser sketch.
We have begun our first novel, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. This novel explores the theme of finding your way in the world. We are also working on using evidence from the book to support inferences we make about characters in the book.
Students use earbuds/headphones almost daily. Ask your child if they have them and if not, please try to send some in.
Math - Fifth graders have been very busy conquering writing numerical expressions from words in Unit 1 of Bridges Math. It has been a struggle to get where they donβt jump right in and start solving the words. Expressions need to match the words with no work done and no answer given. They were introduced to V = l x w x h for volume and are now thinking about V = b x h as another way to find volume.
It is my personal opinion that Unit 1 is the hardest of the units we will do this year. And that is saying a lot seeing as we do unlike fractions this year!
I firmly believe students learn more and learn better if they work on correcting mistakes. Redo papers wonβt necessarily be because of the grade. Sometimes the grade is passing, but the problems missed were important to the learning. Students can always use their resources on homework assignments and class work. They have notes in the Journal section of their binder, past homework assignments they should be storing in the Math section of their binder, and the pages of their Student Book. They can ask me for help, too. Trojan Time is an excellent time to see me. First thing in the morning is, too.
I give full credit for most redo questions. In order to receive that credit students need to turn it back in before the end of the quarter. It really should be done before the test to ensure a better understanding leading to a better chance of a good grade on the test.
Computers - The 5th grade Technology class is focused on practicing the tools in various Google applications, the Applied Digital Skills program, digital citizenship and keyboarding lessons. Mrs. Lacey is working with them to review the skills they have learned in previous years, while incorporating new tools into their projects. The students are currently using their creativity and researching skills to build presentations that are both informative and fun! They have done a wonderful job incorporating new ideas, collaborating and peer editing work for each other. The students will continue to develop their technology skills to use in all of their classes this year!
Happy fall~ From Mr. Seasly, Mrs. Yarger, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lacey! π° π
2 JH VB home v. St. Paul;
Malley's Candy Bar Fundraiser begins
3 After School Tutoring Begins
5 JH VB at Monroeville
JH FB at Western Reserve
9 JH VB at New London
12 JH VB at Mapleton
JH FB home v. St. Paul
13 House/Family Meeting on Empathy
14 VB Conference Tournaments
20 Last Day of 1st Quarter
21 Trick-or-Treat on the Track
23 Picture Re-takes
24 Dental Van