December 18-21 Upcoming Events

• Monday: Advent Prayer Service @ 8:45 (this is a change in time) Week 3: "Find Joy with God's People"
• We received so many wonderful items to share with West DesMoines Human Services and  Connection Cafe today, students did an amazing job sorting all of them out.  Monday we will be finishing this Mission project by putting together and wrapping these toiletry boxes to be delivered in the afternoon.
• Also Monday students may wear advent or Christmas tops with dress code bottoms.
• Thursday: Dismissal at 11:20 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
• Classes resume on Thursday January 4th Have a safe and wonderful Christmas with friends and family!

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus."
Luke 1:30-31

5th Grade Newsletter

December 18th-21st

This will be our last newsletter until January!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Religion –Our 25 Days of Christ is still underway.  We are using this theme to learn about 25 major events in Christ’s life.  We are learning about these events through scripture, art, videos, and individual reflection.  Please feel free to visit this website for more information.  http://25daysofchrist.com/pages/the-25-days-new-testament-edition

We will hold our final Advent prayer service on December 21st at 9:30.  We will begin a unit on Sacraments following Christmas break.

Reading/Language Arts – We have taken a break from letter writing and conferencing to engage in a class book-A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.   This will be able to count as one of the 40 books students need to read by the end of the school year.  We are also still offering independent reading time so that the students can continue working on their 40 books!  When we return from break, we will finish up A Christmas Carol and then move into a unit on MLK.  We will read  various books and articles about MLK and reinforce a number of comprehension strategies during this unit.  There will still be time for independent reading to reach that 40 book mark at the end of the year!

Math –  We continue to work on Division concepts.  We will also be interpreting remainders in story problems. Please work on math related situations over the break - cooking, wrapping presents, and shopping all offer real-life ways to incorporate everyday math skills. :)      

Social Studies - We have been working hard showing knowledge of geopgraphy as we have been going through our preliminary rounds for the Geo Bee.  Ask you student if they are moving on (they know).  The written test will be givin on Monday the 18th. We will start preparing for BizTown when we return from Christmas break.  Volunteer information for BizTown related teaching will be coming home soon so keep an eye out.

Science - Students have been exploring hands on activities in our science lab about mass and weight and the instruments used to measure both.  We will continue to learn about matter and the changing states of matter, testing on this information will take place when we return from Christmas Break.

Language Arts – We completed our unit on Nouns.  We’ll complete a couple weeks of Daily Language Review in January and then begin work on a Verb unit.  We’ve been working on persuasive writing pieces.  We’ve taken the writing process step-by-step as a class.  We’ve discussed pros/cons, counterarguments, and the vocabulary typically used in a persuasive piece of writing.   We’ve also discussed how to choose reputable sources and how to cite our sources to avoid plagiarism.  The completed persuasive papers will be turned in for a grade.  We probably won’t get these finished before break but we’ll complete them when we return after break. We will then work on an informative paper in January to be written about MLK (his life and legacy).  This will be paired with learning in Reading.  The paper in January will be a graded piece as well.

Spelling – There will not be a spelling test next week due to the short week.  Our next spelling test will be the week of January 8th.  It will consist of words with the soft g sound.  

December 11-15 Upcoming Events

• Monday: Advent Prayer Service @ 2:45 Week 2: "Finding Joy in God's Creation"
• Tuesday: Reconciliation, Adoration, SPIRITwear, 5th Grade MUSICAL (be in homeroom classroom by 6:40)
• Thursday: Mezzo Choir on fieldtrip
• Friday: 5th Grade MISSIONS DAY

People of the whole Judean Countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to [John] and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

Mark 1:5

5th Grade Newsletter

December 11th-15th

Religion –Our 25 Days of Christ is well underway.  We are using this theme to learn about 25 major events in Christ’s life.  We are learning about these events through scripture, art, videos, and individual reflection.  Please feel free to visit this website for more information.  http://25daysofchrist.com/pages/the-25-days-new-testament-edition

We will continue with these lessons through Christmas.  Advent Prayer Services will be held Dec. 11 at 2:45 (5th grade leads), Dec. 18 at 2:45. and Thursday Dec. 21 at 9:30.

Reading/Language Arts – We have taken a break from letter writing and conferencing to engage in a class book-A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  We began this week by learning about Charles Dickens and his background.  We will start reading Stave 1 next week.  This will be able to count as one of the 40 books students need to read by the end of the school year.  We will complete some comprehension activities as well as engage in some Christmas fun that relates to the book.  We will also still offer independent reading time so that the students can continue working on their 40 books!

Math – We started Unit 4 on division. Your child will continue to be asked to make best estimates on quotients and divide by decimals.  

Social Studies - We took some time to discuss the rules and process for the Geography Bee this week.  We worked on daily quizzes and help a day of a “mock Bee” so students could see what the questions next week will be like.  I will be administering this Geo-Bee orally to 5th grade during our regular classes.  There are 7 rounds to go through, which will take two days.  Students need to pass 5 of 7 questions to move forward to the written exam given by Mrs. Larson the following week.  Click here for more info to practice.

Science - After taking a few days to review geography, we started our unit  investigating Matter.  We will continue to discuss the 3 states of matter up to Christmas break, with some fun activities and lab experiments.

Language Arts – We completed our unit on nouns!  The test will be on Monday December 11.  We spent Thursday and Friday this week reviewing.  We will continue with our persuasive writing unit next week.  

Spelling – Our Spelling list next week will consist of contractions!

Upcoming Events:

• Monday, Advent Prayer Service @ 2:45
• Wednesday, NO Mass
• Friday, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Mass @ 8:45

5th Grade Newsletter

December 4th-8th

Religion –Our 25 Days of Christ is well underway.  We are using this theme to learn about 25 major events in Christ’s life.  We are learning about these events through scripture, art, videos, and individual reflection.  Please feel free to visit this website for more information.  http://25daysofchrist.com/pages/the-25-days-new-testament-edition

We will continue with these lessons through Christmas.  Advent Prayer Services will be held Dec. 4 at 2:45, Dec. 11 at 2:45, Dec. 18 at 2:45. and Thursday Dec. 21 at 9:30.

Reading/Language Arts – We have taken a break from letter writing and conferencing to engage in a class book-A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  We began this week by learning about Charles Dickens and his background.  We will start reading Stave 1 next week.  This will be able to count as one of the 40 books students need to read by the end of the school year.  We will complete some comprehension activities as well as engage in some Christmas fun that relates to the book.  We will also still offer independent reading time so that the students can continue working on their 40 books!

Math – Your child will be bringing home the Unit 3 test over Geometry on Monday. Please review, sign, and return with your child. We will start Unit 4 on division.

Science - We took a quiz over force and motion today.  Students have had a great time learning about the three main types of force with some great hands-on activities.  I love seeing them engaged, exploring science!  Next week will will continue science, investigating Matter.

Language Arts – We began a unit on nouns as well as a persuasive writing unit.  We will plan to assess and complete the writing process for both of these units before the Christmas break!  We’ll be busy!

Spelling – Our Spelling list next week will consist of homophones!  It will be important to not only know how to spell them, but also know when to use the appropriate form of the homophone.

Upcoming Events:

• Wednesday Nov 22-24 NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

5th Grade Newsletter

November 13th-November 21st

Dear Families,

This will be our last newsletter before Thanksgiving. We want to thank you for letting us be a part of your child’s education. We feel so blessed to be a part of the SFA family and look forward to sharing all the fun activities that December has in store!

Christ’s peace ~ Micki, Lisa, and Kristin

Religion -Liturgical Seasons Unit is well underway.  We’ve been learning about the different seasons in the church year as well as the colors and symbols that coordinate with each season.  We anticipate completing and assessing over this unit just before/after Thanksgiving Break.  We will then begin a unit titled the 25 Days of Christ.  We will be using this theme to learn about 25 major events in Christ’s life.  We are learning about these events through scripture, art, videos, and individual reflection.  Please feel free to visit this website for more information.  http://25daysofchrist.com/pages/the-25-days-new-testament-edition

We will continue with these lessons through Christmas.  

Reading/Language Arts – Conferencing and letter writing continue to go really well!  Many students are well on their way to their 40 books!  Keep on reading!  Following Thanksgiving Break, we will begin the whole class book, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  This will be able to count as one of the 40 books students need to read by the end of the school year.  We will complete some comprehension activities as well as engage in some Christmas fun that relates to the book.  We will also still offer independent reading time so that the students can continue working on their 40 books!

Math – We continue to work in Unit 3 - Geometry.  Lots of new vocabulary is being introduced.  Your child can review his/her spiral and notecards each night to reinforce the concepts covered in class.  Continued practice of basic math facts will improve accuracy and speed.

Social Studies - What a fun time we have had learning about the Constitution and the 3 branches of government.  Students worked in groups to create a song about this information last week.  All presented their Rap songs, which I videotaped and will post soon. Our test over the Constitution Wednesday using our online TCI social studies curriculum went well for most.  We did take a bit more time discussing the past 2 days.  We will get back to science next week, discussing Force and Motion .

Language Arts – We are wrapping up our non fiction writing pieces.  Following the completion of these pieces, we will begin our Opinion Writing unit (previously reported as personal narratives) as well as a grammar unit on Nouns.

Spelling – There will not be a spelling list the week of Thanksgiving.  The week following Thanksgiving our list will consist of words with the ei sounds and the ie sound.

Upcoming Events:

• Tuesday Nov. 7 - Spirit Wear
• Friday Nov. 10 - NO School, Teacher Professional Development
• Saturday Nov. 11 - Bid for the Kids Auction

The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles 

himself will be exalted.      

Matthew 23:11-12

                                                  

5th Grade Newsletter

November 6th-November 10th

Religion – Our Wax Museum was a huge success!  Thank you so much for supporting your child by helping to put together a costume and listening to him/her practice his/her speech!  We are so proud of all of the students!  We also started our unit on the Liturgical Calendar in preparation for the church new year beginning the first week of Advent.

Reading/Language Arts – We will continue with mini lessons on the comprehension strategies next week. Conferencing and letter writing continue to go really well!  Many students are well on their way to their 40 books!  Keep on reading!

Math – We continue to work in Unit 3 - Geometry.  Lots of new vocabulary is being introduced.  Your child can review his/her spiral each night to reinforce the concepts covered in class. S/he also has self-created notecards to review. Continued practice of basic math facts will improve accuracy and speed.

Social Studies - We started reading and discussing the Constitutional Convention this week along with the 3 branches of government.  We will continue that next week and students will begin working on a group musical rap project about the 3 branches of government.  Thank you so much for taking your child’s Native American Dwelling home.

Language Arts – We spent time this week on Daily Language Review and researching two animals for our non-fiction piece of writing based off of the Who Would Win series by Jerry Pallotta.  We will turn the research into written pieces of work next week.  Following our nonfiction writing piece, we will begin a unit on personal narratives in preparation for our first big writing assignment.

Spelling – Next week’s spelling list will consist of words with the prefixes in, im, mis, and il.  We will also complete more work with synonyms.  

Native American Dwellings