5th Grade Rocks
News and Updates
September 2015
We are off to a great start in 5th grade. It is hard to believe that it is already September and the fifth week of school! Community building, learning about each other, practicing transitions, and learning routines have been a big part of our days. We are enjoying learning together and know that this is going to be a special year.
Thank you to everyone that was able to come to the Curriculum breakfast on August 25. If you weren't able to make it, please email us at anytime with questions.
September 11th Day of Remembrance
Each year, on September 11, Barrow fifth graders spend the day participating in a rotation of activities centered around remembering 9/11. One of our 5th grade social studies standards this year is to understand U.S. involvement in world events, including the War on Terrorism in response to the events on 9/11. Our focus this early in the year is primarily set on learning about the everyday heroes who risked their lives to help so many through this tragic event. Although we do our best to avoid the graphic content of the event, students are encouraged to take a break, if needed. We have been doing these rotations for many years and students leave the day with many emotions, but most often proud of our heroes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
4 the Love of Math
Number Talk Strategies we have been using:
- Making Friendly Numbers
- Breaking Numbers into Place Value
- Making Tens
Home-School Connection: Ask your student to tell you what a number talk looks like. Discuss what strategies they used for their number talks.
OA1and OA2 standards: We have been learning about PEMDAS and how to solve expressions using the correct order of operations. The operations in math are addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Ask your child if the order in which they solve an expression like [4 x (16 - 8)] +[ (13 - 3) - 6] matters. It's amazing to listen to the conversations they are having and how much growth has occurred in just a couple of weeks with this standard. Matching verbal expressions to numeric expressions is a big focus (example: the sum of 14 and 2 times 3 = (14 + 2) x 3). They are having to use key words like sum, product, quotient, increase, decrease, difference, etc. to figure out how to make matches.
Home- School Connection: Ask them what PEMDAS stands for. Flocabulary has a fun order of operations song that you can sing or dance along to at home. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zanq7gmXY88
Coming up next, we are learning about the "E" in PEMDAS and looking at exponents to the powers of 10. Multiplication and Division will be a focus, as well. Division seems to be tricky for a lot of students and parents who are trying to help with homework. Please, don't get frustrated at home. I will send home some ways to help them, using the methods that go with our 5th grade standards. Your child should always feel comfortable to ask me for additional support if homework seems too difficult. Encourage their participation and question-asking in class each day.
Home-School Connection: Each child has an xtramath account and log-in. This site tests them on their basic facts and targets the facts that they are having the most difficulty with. They are always free to get onto xtramath at home, after school or during the weekend.
The goal is to have fun with numbers and gain confidence.
ELA
Students have been working on establishing routines and procedures in ELA. Our collaborating teachers have been busy doing many baseline reading assessments to help us better understand our students as readers. This week we explored figurative language, including simile and metaphor. We have begun our vocabulary homework as well. Each week the students will complete an activity with vocabulary words. Ask them about the words and let them show you their organizers. Remember, students have reading logs and should be reading for 30 minutes every night.
Home School Connection: You can help by finding your child a good place to read each night. Check your child's reading log once a week.
Social Studies
Home/School Connection: Discuss current events that involve debate around our amendment rights and/or create a Home Bill of Rights with your family!
Science
We will continue with science and begin our Cells and Microorganisms unit this week! Students will have a link to a sqworl site where they can explore this unit online at home. Ask your child to share with you all they are learning about science!
Miss Spurgeon
We are off to a great start! It was good seeing you at Parent Breakfast and speaking with many of you. I am excited to be working with 5th grade this year. We are "making our mark" in every content area! It so great to be working old and new Barrow Buddies. It is going to be a great year! Thus far, students have studied The Dot, Spoon and Ish. Coming soon, DOT DAY! We will have ELA and math activities that connect to how students can make their mark in every area of their life!
Thank you to PTA for our Circus Mirandus books and to Mr. Plemmons and Avid for our wonderful author visit from Cassie Beasley.
3rd- 5th graders enjoying Cassie Beasley.
A touch of Circus Mirandus here at Barrow!
Congratulations and thank you to our patrols!
Ms. Mullins and 5th Grade Enrichment Opportunities
- Save the Frogs Art Contest - open to anyone in the world! Original art work (hand-drawn or digital) on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper only. Barrow deadline: Oct. 1st. There are requirements, so see this link: http://www.savethefrogs.com/art/
- Radon Awareness Poster Contest - open to students 9-14. Barrow deadline: Wed. 9/23. See this link for more info:
http://www.fcs.uga.edu/docs/Radon_Poster_Contest_Announcement.pdf
STEMtalk (like a TED talk) - plan, write, and video you TED talk on the importance of STEM in education (science, technology, engineering, and math). Deadline for submission to UGA is 9/15 by 11 am!!!! Info: http://www.georgiascienceteacher.org/STEMTalk#step1
DAR Historical Essay Contest - research and write about a Colonial Family's reaction to the Stamp Act. Due 9/28. Info: http://www.dar.org/sites/default/files/members/darnet/forms/AHC-1000.pdf
STUDENTS MAY SEE MS. MULLINS FOR RESEARCH SITES OR MORE INFORMATION. Parents may contact me too! mullinsj@clarke.k12.ga.us