Sunday, February 2, 2025

February 2, 2025

 


What will fifth graders be learning this week? 

  • Positivity Project Focus: Identifying and Appreciating Others

  • Literacy: Module 2: Biodiversity in the Rainforest, Unit 2: Writing to Inform 

    • Parts of a Literary Analysis Essay

    • Concrete & Sensory Language

    • Citing Text Evidence 

  • Math: Begin Unit 5: Decimal Operations

  • Social Studies: Causes of the American Revolution - The Townshend Acts Tax Simulation, The Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party

  • Science: Chemical Magic: Mystery #4 - What do fireworks, rubber, and Silly Putty have in common? 


Math Touchpoint

This week we will begin our next unit about Decimal Operations. We will begin with adding and subtracting decimals then dive into multiplication and division with decimals and whole numbers. As we go throughout this unit, I highly encourage you to allow your student to “do the math” when it comes to purchasing food, clothing, items, etc. as it will provide them additional practice and a real-world context for their learning. 


In your students Friday Folders, you should have found your student’s Unit 4 Assessment.


Science Spotlight

Our chemistry unit is always a huge hit! In the first mystery, we dipped pennies into different solutions to see which ones cleaned the pennies. Salt & vinegar was the winner! Then, we put some of this liquid in the bag with a steel nail. After the snow days, the nail was coated in copper! Students practiced graphing and using data to answer questions. 


Then, the third mystery looks at how you can determine if something is an acid. Thursday, we learned that baking soda will fizz in an acid. Some students wanted to try this again at home. They could mix different liquids from your fridge with baking soda to check for a fizzing reaction. 

Using a purple indicator, we watched the acid (vinegar) change to a bright pinkish, purple. They were so excited. The students did a fantastic job! What budding chemists we have in the 5th grade. 


Here’s a fun at home experiment to try: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/naked-egg 


Dates to Know - This Week & Beyond

  • Tuesday, February 4th - Cozy Day (PJs!)

  • Tuesday, February 4th - Q & A Time with Mr. Mandarino & Mr. Fooy from Upton Middle School at Lincoln School for 5th Grade Students

  • Wednesday, February 5th - Late Start

  • Friday, February 7th - Sarrett Field Trip & Mrs. Lawrence’s b-day!


  • Wednesday, February 12th - Late Start

  • Friday, February 14th - Friendship Parties (2:15)


  • Wednesday, February 19th - Late Start

  • Thursday, February 20th - half-day (parent-teacher conferences)

  • Friday, February 21st - half-day (parent-teacher conferences)


  • Wednesday, February 26th - Late Start

  • Friday, February 28th - half-day

  • Wednesday, March 5th - Late start

  • Wednesday, March 12th - Late start

  • Wednesday, March 19th - Late start

  • Wednesday, March 26th - Late start

  • Friday, March 28th - No School - First day of Spring Break

  • Monday, April 7th - School resumes


Planning Ahead for Special Events

  • Friday, March 28th - No School

  • Monday, March 31 through Friday, April 4th - No School

  • Thursday, May 9th - Field Trip to the Air Zoo (Chaperones Needed)


Field Trips & Chaperones

We have two field trips that we can invite chaperones to attend. Please remember that a volunteer form must be on file with the school to participate. Please let your student’s homeroom teacher know if you would like to chaperone. 

  • Sarett Nature Center on Friday, February 7th (We have plenty of chaperones now. Thank you!) 

    • If the weather allows, we will cross-country ski. If the weather is not conducive to skiing, we will participate in a geocaching activity. 

    • We completed the lunch information but wanted to remind you that a sack lunch will be needed if you stated you would pack one. 

  • Air Zoo on May 9th 

    • This field trip allows lots of time for students to explore and allows parents or guardians to attend. More details will come later. 

    • A bag lunch will be needed. 


~Kindness Parties~

Our next schoolwide classroom party is quickly approaching on February 14th at 2:15. Please reach out to your student’s homeroom teacher if you are interested in attending or donating food items (if you have not already). 

Valentine cards are not required, but if your student does wish to send them in, please have one for everyone in the class.



Check with your student's homeroom teacher if you want to send something more than a card.


Donation Opportunities

We will continue to add to our wish lists as needs arise. Thank you for considering any additional donations.

  • Mr. Werner’s Classroom Wish List: 

    • Snacks!

    • Paper Towels

    • Tissues/Kleenex! Our supply is LOW.

    • Thank you for reading!


Science Volunteer Opportunity  - Monday, 2/3/25

  • I could use some extra sets of hands. This lesson can be messy. Please email mkern@sjschools.org if you are interested in volunteering. 

    • 12:25 - 1:10 Werner’s Class in Science 

    • 1:10 -1:55 Lawrence’s Class in Science 

    • 2:50 - 3:35 Kern’s Class in Science 


Thank you for considering donating your time ~ Mrs. Kern 


Nightly Reading Homework:

  • Please read at least 25 minutes each day. 

  • Questions to Ask: 

    • What mistakes did the character make? 

    • What is the author trying to teach the reader? 



Kern & Werner Book Clubs

Students in my homeroom in book clubs should finish reading their novels and completing their packets by the end of this week. Please check in with your student. Reading at home each night can include this book club reading. 



Checklist

  • Have you checked your student’s Friday folder and reviewed work?

  • Have you checked with your student to see if he/she has any missing work to complete? 

  • Has your student practiced his/her division facts?




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