Ms. Alley's 5th Grade: Newsletter 9-9-11

J What a great week we have had! My fifth graders are AMAZING kids!

The Week Ahead:

Religion:

We will finish up chapter 1 on Tuesday and will be starting chapter 2 on Wednesday. Chapter 2 is called, The Word of God.

English:

We will start writing “Top Secret Stories” after reading the children’s book, The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups. This book is about the “real” reason that parents tell kids to do things such as eat your vegetables, brush your hair, etc… We will present our stories in Top Secret decorated manila envelopes! You can see these stories at Parent Teacher conferences later on in the year.

Math:

We will finish chapter 1 on Monday. We will review for the test on Tuesday and Wednesday. The kids will be completing extra practice activities in class and they will also be completing a study guide. I will send home an extra practice worksheet if you want to work with your child at home before the test. The test will be on Thursday.

I will accept corrections on any chapter 1 SMJ and Study Links until Thursday.

Reading:

I hope your child has started reading the free-choice book that they are going to use for their book report. The book report is due on Friday, September 30^th. The requirements for the book report is in their binder (it is on blue paper).

The kids are loving the book, Bridge to Terabithia. We are about half way through the novel. I will be grading their reading logs on Monday. I will grade the reading logs one more time when we finish the book.

Remember, the kids need 15 AR points for the first quarter!

Social Studies:

The kids were assigned the NE states last Tuesday. That test will be on Tuesday. They should be studying these states and capitals over the weekend during any free time. I will assign the last region, the Southeast, on Tuesday (yeah!!!). That test will be on Tuesday, September 20th.

Please be studying all of the old states and new states when you study with your child! The kids will need to turn in all 50 flashcards for a grade at the end of the states/capitals unit.

I say we have a USA party when we are finished learning all 50 states and capitals!?!?! Any ideas or volunteers?????

Science:

We are finished studying the brain.

We are starting our next unit, the water cycle and weather. We will first focus on the water cycle. We will be doing some fun activities including videos, posters, and experiments!

I am communicating with Brett Anthony trying to find a date to visit NBC Action News Weather Station for our first “being there experience.” It was a BLAST the last 2 years so I am saying a little prayer that it works out that we can go again this year. J

Vocabulary:

Vocabulary Unit 2 was checked today and put in the grade book.

We will be studying unit 2 words with an activity on Monday.

Vocabulary test over unit 2 is on Friday.

FYI:

Please read the school newsletter to find out about Grandparent’s Day. I need the form from the newsletter by Friday, September 30^th.

Please pencil in September 17th into your calendars for the KOC Spaghetti Dinner and St. James Cake and Pie Auction. Read the school newsletter for more details.

Send in your spare change! If we fill the tank, we get OOU for an entire week!!!!

This is the last call for getting tickets to go to A Christmas Carol at the KC Rep on December 15^th. Tickets are only 15 dollars. If you want to go, email me and tell me how many tickets you want.

Table Talk Questions:
1. Have your child fill you in on Bridge to Terabithia. Make predicitons with them!
2.List all of the square numbers from 1-100.
3.Ask them about the new story that they will be writing. Help them brainstorm some details to add.