Amana 5th grade Newsletter
Ms. Hess & Ms. Powell-Littler 4/7/17
Class News 4 - 7 - 17
In literacy this week, we read a historical fiction book called How Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki. This memoir provided us with some information about what it was like in Japanese internment camps in the 1940s.
In math, we began multiplying mixed numbers! Kayley helped us to discover a 'trick' to make the process much easier. It's a tricky process but students have shown perseverance in class by not giving up on something that is difficult. Students will be continuing to build their knowledge of fractions later on in the year.
In science, we began learning about the solar system! Lots of students came in with great background knowledge, which led to some great classroom discussions. There was also some humorous debate about how Pluto feels about 'being kicked out of the planet club'. Ask your child about what they have learned about the solar system.
Next week, we will be moving into some geometry in math. We will also be continuing our work with memoirs, and will be working to begin writing our own! In the coming weeks students will be asked to complete a moon log, by tracking the moon each night as homework (providing that we have clear skies). We will also (hopefully) be enjoying some sunshine next week!
Iowa Assessments
Iowa Assessments begin April 19 - 21, with the following week being a make up week. 5th grade will be having 2 Math tests, 2 Reading tests, 1 Social Studies test and 1 Science test. We will not be testing on Tuesday due to the day off of school on Monday, April 17. Please make sure your child is getting plenty of rest each night. With 6 tests, we will have at least one test if not two per day. We would like to have snacks brought in for each day so they can keep their stamina throughout the day. If you are interested in contributing a healthy snacks for the class, please reply all to this email with the day you'd like. Thanks so much!
Learning Goals:
Writing: I can generate ideas, construct a well written paragraph independently and present it to the class. I can compose a book recommendation.
Reading: I can identify elements of memoirs, make predictions, and compare and contrast two character's responses to the same event.
Science: I can identify the interacting parts of the solar system and classify those objects.
Important Dates:
- 4/10 - PTO meeting
- 4/14 & 4/17 - No School
- 4/19 - 21 - Iowa Assessments
- 4/27 - Products and Processes (Learn about Careers)
- 4/28 - Field Trip Form Due
- 5/9 - Living History Farms Field Trip (8:30 - 4:30) - Sack Lunch Required
- 5/11 - 3 - 5th Spring Music Program - 6:30 pm
- 5/19 - Track and Field Day at CCA High School - Sack Lunch Required
- 5/25 - Fish Iowa at Lake Iowa - Sack Lunch Required
- 5/29 - No School
- 6/1 - Last Day of School- 1:05 dismissal - Fifth grade march!
- 6/2 - 5th Grade Celebration! 5 - 7pm (More information will be coming)