This Week in 5D

Hello Families,

Here's what we're working on in the coming week:

Math - Today we had a quick review of all the material we have covered since September.  This is one way we can solidify information previously learned.  The Singapore Math program allows for this review time as we work through each unit.  For the rest of the week we are working on multiplying and dividing fractions.

Reading - We are focusing our reading on non-fiction at the moment.  There is a lot of information to learn in our Exploration unit and we will be combining Reading with Social Studies content.

Writing - We are continuing to work on our exposes about the various explorers.  In addition, the students are working on a final project to complete our read aloud, Sahara Special.  This project involves creating a file (an actual file folder) that shows who we present to the world on the outside and then some more personal things that not everyone knows on the inside.  A three-paragraph essay about why we share and hide certain things about ourselves, whom we choose to share ourselves with and what might we like to change about our "file" if we could.  The essay will be done in class, but the rest of the assignment is to be done at home.  It is due on Friday.

Social Studies - We are continuing our study about Exploration.  We have already discussed the Spanish and Portuguese explorers and have touched on colonization.  We will continue on with English, French and Dutch exploration as well as how these discoveries affected Native Americans.

Science - This week the students will learn how to write up a lab report.  We designed an experiment about which paper towel was the most absorbent and carried that out last week.  At the time, we took notes about our method, data, and materials.  This week we will translate that into a report.

Other News - In the past two months or so, the middle school classes have invited the fifth graders to visit their classrooms.  Our students have had some great opportunities to both interact with the middle school students as well take a peek at some of the exciting activities available to the students.

We have visited the Financial Literacy class (an activity period class) where the students had made bracelets and were "selling" them to our classes.  We used their version of money called "Biz Bucks" to make the purchases and the we were allowed to keep them.

We have also visited the PinHead Cafe.  This is a special activity that only happens a few times a year in Mr. Taylor's class.  The classroom is set up as a small cafe with an "open mic" for students to share various creative works they have developed.  The eighth graders get all dressed up and students take turns pouring drinks and handing out food to each other as the performances continue.  The lights are dimmed and the ambiance feels very intimate and "safe" for students to freely express themselves.  It was a wonderful experience.

In our visit to the Robotics class (another activity period), we were able to see how the students created various robots which they programmed to do certain "tricks."  This was a great class for technology-minded students to expand upon their interests and skills.

This Friday we are visiting Mr. Lyon's 6th grade class to watch the students present various projects relating to their current Social Studies content (Ancient Civilizations).  I'm sure it will be a great experience as well.

Have a great week!
Debby