LAKER NEWS
5th/6th GRADE MARCH/APRIL Newsletter
Important Dates:
9th- End of 3rd Quarter
16th- Grade Cards sent home
26th-30th- Spring Break!
April
16th-17th- ELA AIR Testing (3rd-6th Grades)
19th-20th- Science AIR Testing (5th Grade)
24th-25th- Math AIR Testing (3rd-5th Grades)
LANGUAGE ARTS
5th GRADE
Students will be finishing up the last of the figurative language requirements for the fifth grade. How characters respond to challenges and the way a speaker reflects in poetry, is next in our literature lesson. We are currently reviewing plot sequence and writing summaries using the plot sequence diagram (sliding board).
Students are improving on their informational writing, as they are given several passages and then integrate information on those passages based on a specific prompt. We are trialing a new system that allows our students to instantly see their writing score and then offers suggestions and help to improve their draft. These kids have definitely come a long way in their writing from the Fall.
6TH GRADE
Our sixth grade students have been working tirelessly on analyzing Part A/Part B question types, in both informational and literature passages. They are difficult and our kids are learning to take their time and really think through what the question is asking and which answer best fits. The Part B of that question requires our students to back up the answer from Part A.
The new writing trial (Criterion) is also being used by our sixth grade. We have been quite happy with the results our sixth grade is receiving, on their final scores . This is our second year in writing 5 paragraphs essays and we have certainly seen the growth. Our biggest hurdle will be reading the prompt carefully and choosing evidence that supports that prompt, when given 2 to 3 passages to analyze. Students also need to review their work for “conventions” issues, such as periods, question marks, cited detail punctuation,ect….
Science
5th Grade
In preparation for the fifth grade Science AIR test, students will complete practice tests on both Edcite and through the Ohio Department of Education website. Students are encouraged to look back at their tests and retake tests to help prepare for these rigorous assessments. Another great tool for review are study jams and crash course videos on youtube.
Below you will find links for Edcite, study jams, crash course and the ODE AIR practice site; equally important is making sure your student gets a nutritious breakfast and plenty of sleep!
6th Grade
MATH
5TH GRADE
In Chapter 9, students continue to make and use line plots, including those with fractional measurements. Students learn how to identify and plot points on a coordinate grid and how to read and write ordered pairs of numbers. Students also learn to use line graphs to display and analyze real-world data. Finally, they learn to identify relationships between number patterns and solve problems involving patterns.
In Chapter 10, students learn to convert like measurements within a given measurement system and use these conversions in solving multistep, real-world problems. Students also learn to convert units of time to solve elapsed time problems.
In Chapter 11, students begin to recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures and understand concepts of volume measurement. Students relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume. Students will also learn to classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties.
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6TH GRADE
In Chapter 10, students learn to find the areas of polygons other than rectangles and extend the concept to surface area and volume. Students examine the process of composing or decomposing parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids into other shapes to derive their area formulas. Chapter 10 also ties together concepts of geometry and the coordinate plane by having students plot and analyze geometric figures described by points in all four quadrants.
In Chapter 11, students combine their understanding of area and three- dimensional shapes to develop a conceptual understanding of nets and surface area. Students use this understanding to relate the area of a net to the surface area of a three-dimensional object. They also investigate volumes of objects with fractional side lengths, first considering packing the volume with unit cubes with dimensions of unit fractions, then connecting to the abstract use of formulas.
In Chapter 12, students explore data, data collection, data display, and measures of center. They learn to recognize statistical questions and methods of data collection before re-examining dot plots. Students learn how to use histograms to group numerical data by intervals. They also explore the mean, median, and mode and learn to recognize the effects of outliers on these measures. In the next chapter, students will work to understand statistical variability and summarizing distributions, building directly on work from Chapter 12.
In Chapter 13, students quantify variability in data using range, interquartile range, and mean absolute deviation. Students use dot plots, histograms, and box plots to identify and describe characteristics of data. They choose appropriate measures of center based on the presence of outliers, and they learn the difference between a measure of center and a measure of variability.
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Student Council
Recently in Student Council, we sold candy grams. They were successful. The students were overjoyed getting candy grams from their parents. The profit we got helped raise money for our general fund. The money we raise has been used to purchase items such as recess equipment, games for classrooms, and treats during the state test.
Upcoming events include the smencils fundraiser. Stuco will be selling smencils March 12th - March 16th. We will be selling smencils in the morning in front of the elementary office from 7:55 - 8:15. Smencils will be sold for only $1 a piece. Scents for smencils include: Strawberry, Grape Jelly, Bubble Gum, Kiwi, Pineapple, Blueberry, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Root beer, Black Cherry.
-Update provided by an anonymous Student Council member
Social Studies
6th Grade
Since the 6th Grade will not be switching back until after the 5th grade State Science Test we will be moving from civilization into our study of economics.