Revised 2019 Spring

Glencoe Elementary School Kelly Connolly, Naomi Fisher, & Paula Jeppesen

Spring Newsletter 2019

5th Grade Newsletter DEAR FAMILIES, It is truly amazing that we are already entering the last quarter of school. It seems like just yesterday we were getting settled into the new school year. Now that we’re moving onward to the last months of school, there is a lot of information to pass along to families. State testing at Glencoe will begin in April. Fifth graders will be tested in the areas of: English Language Arts, Math, and Science. We will be sending out a letter/email to inform families of specific testing times and dates for each classroom. The month of May will bring about the health curriculum—Rights, Respect, Responsibility. If you wish to review the materials, they are located in the office. A letter and permission slip will be sent home the week of April 15th, 2019 to all families. We will begin the health unit the week of April 29th, 2019. Lastly, at this time of year, it is doubly important for your child to keep working on managing classroom/homework assignments and organizational skills. Creating and maintaining good practices will make the transition to sixth grade less stressful for all.

UPCOMING DATES:

Thank you for your continued support! It is greatly appreciated!

 Volunteer Appreciation

Sincerely, The 5th grade Team Kelly Connolly, Naomi Fisher, & Paula Jeppesen

 STEAM Night: Friday, May 17th at 5:30 PM

Tea: Friday, May 24th at 8:20 AM  Memorial Day-No School: Monday, May 27th

SCIENCE INQUIRY UNIT The fifth graders are working incredibly hard to complete their Science Inquiry projects, gaining an increased knowledge of the scientific method. This unit introduces them to many concepts and skills. They are learning to: 

Ask questions and make predications that are based on observations and can be explored via simple investigations

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Design an investigation to answer questions and check predictions

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Collect, organize, and summarize data from investigations

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Analyze, interpret, and summarize data

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Create a data table and graph of collected data

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Compile and synthesize information into a written conclusion

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Present findings and artifacts on Google Slides

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Give a rehearsed presentation of their findings

 Story Book Parade: Friday, May 31st at 9:00 AM  Field Day: Thursday, June 6th* (may change)  5th Grade Celebration/ Promotion*: Monday, June 10th at 1:00 PM  Last Day of School/ Bowling Field Trip*: Tuesday, June 11th * Dates may change due to staffing impacts because of “Day of Action” on May 8th. The last day may be June 12th.

EQUITY-BASED BALANCED LITERACY READING UNIT 3: “ARGUMENT & ADVOCACY: RESEARCHING DEBATABLE ISSSUES” In this unit students continued to take the path of ambitious reading work in which it was necessary for them to engage in order to meet the expectations of global standards, as well as to live as active, critical citizens. The standards call for students to read across multiple points of view on topics or issues, comparing ideas, information and perspectives. This is also work that is at the heart of being an informed citizenunderstanding different positions on issues and the reasons behind these position, analyzing the strengths and merits of each of these positions and ultimately, forming one’s own thoughtful viewpoint on an issue. Here were our learning targets for this fun and engaging reading unit:

I can explain the purpose of using reasons and evidence when creating arguments. I can utilize multiple sources when researching a topic. I can construct arguments that encourage others to rethink their perspective.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. -Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

TECHNOLOGY: Google Classroom Students have been utilizing Google Classroom, a streamlined, paperless, online space to access resources and assignments from anywhere. This online tool is utilized by many teachers in middle and high schools across the country. In preparation for sixth grade next fall, we want our students to be well-versed in this technological tool. Students can access their Google classrooms from home using their PPS Google accounts.

ARGUMENT & PERSUASIVE WRITING UNIT WRITING UNIT 4: “THE RESEARCH BASEDARGUMENT ESSAY” As argument writers, students were expected to structure their writing so that it includes claims that are supported by reasons that are backed by evidence. They’ve learned to withhold judgment, read critically, note-take, build an argument, and revise, rethink, rebuild that argument all over. To accomplish this we’ve taught students to argue logically through analyzing a text, weighing the evidence, and considering the logical reasoning that can be concluded. They also considered two other important points --audience appeal and counterargument. Therefore, this unit also had a heavy emphasis on partner talk, but in a new way. In a way that forms productive debate. All of this concluded with students writing an argumentative piece, emulating the work of mentor texts to do so. Here were our learning targets for this fun and engaging writing unit:

I can research an issue to determine different viewpoints. I can include reasons and evidence in my argumentative writing. I can utilize a thesis statement and quotes from sources to support my argument.

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BRIDGES MATH UNIT 3

REFLEX MATH MULTIPLICATION FACT FLUENCY Reflex Math is a program that continually monitors student progress and adapts to each student’s individual needs as they gain math fact fluency. Be sure to continue to have your child login 3 times a week to gain mastery. Student Login Directions: 1. Go to: www.reflexmath.com 2. Click “login” in the upper right corner of the page 3. Login using the teacher username, class, and password information given to your child.

KHAN ACADEMY DIFFERENTIATED MATH SUPPORT Khan Academy is an online program that differentiates to each students’ needs in a number of subject areas. We are focusing on math, specifically in the area of “numbers and operations”. Students are encouraged to login from home. Get logged into student Google account: ([email protected]) 1. Go to www.khanacademy.org/ mappers

Unit 3 Math Overview continued on back of this page…

SEXUALITY EDUCATION HEALTH UNIT This spring students will be participating in the health unit: Rights, Respect, Responsibility: A K-12 Sexuality Education Curriculum. This unit focuses on several topics including family, friendship, identity, bullying, personal safety, puberty, reproductive systems, pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS. A parent letter regarding this unit will be sent home mid April. Please review the letter and the contract with your child and return it at your earliest convenience. If you want your child to be excused from this curriculum, they will complete an alternative health assignment in a different classroom during this time.

2. Click “Login” in the top right corner. 3. Click “Continue with Google” and login with your Google account. 4. Scroll down and click on the blue “Numbers and Operations” link. 5. Press the first “Practice” button and work your way down the math lessons.

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BRIDGES MATH UNIT 3 CONTINUED