5th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of March 31st – April 4th

Happy April! April showers bring May flowers! Are you ready to board the learning train for another week of excitement and adventure? Please come to school each day with an open mind, positive “I can” attitude, a friendly smile, and eager to be a member of our team! 

Important Dates to Remember:

March 31^st: Fourth Monday of Lent Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

April 1^st: April Fool’s Day and Our Chick Hatch Day

April 4^th: Stations of the Cross @ 2PM

April 7^th: Fifth Monday of Lent Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

April 8^th-April 9^th: New York State English Language Arts Assessments

April 11^th-Third Quarter End & Penny War Fundraiser

April 11^th: Stations of the Cross @ 2PM

April 14^th– April 18^th – Easter Recess-No School or CASE

April 20^th: Happy Easter

April 21^st: Easter Recess Continued-No School or CASE

Here’s a breakdown of our learning:

1. Math: Its important children learn math facts for addition/subtraction and multiplication/division with the goal of automatic recall. The theme of Topic 9 is dividing fractions. The key vocabulary words in this unit are: divisor, dividend, quotient, unit fraction, mixed number, quotient, dividend, and divisor. Last week, we explored how fractions are related to division and also how to show quotients as fractions and mixed numbers. To begin the week, we will be using multiplication to divide a whole number by a unit fraction. Next, they are going to use models to show how to divide whole numbers by unit fractions. Then they are going to divide unit fractions by non-zero whole numbers. The Topic 10 Test will be on Friday, April 4^th.  Each day they will complete a short Exit Ticket as a way to check there understanding of the lesson.  It is a great way for me to check and see who is ready for the next lesson.  We will also play different Math games to review previously learned concepts and skills. Students will also continue to work on their independent lessons in I-Ready Math each day. This is a great way to practice their skills.
2. English Language Arts:
   1. Grammar: Students will learn how to proofread their writing for subject-verb agreement, capital letters, and punctuation using the proofreading symbols.  We continue to review complete subject, complete predicate, simple subject, simple predicate, different kinds of sentences, and verbs. What is a negative?  Can you identify negative words? How many negative words do you use when you are speaking or writing? Do you know the definition of a conjunction? What are the three types of conjunctions? Will you be able to spot a conjunction in a sentence?
   2. Vocabulary: Each week students have 12 new vocabulary words and complete different activities each day (sentence completion, synonym/antonym, matching, word meaning, and context clues).
   3. Reading: An important skill we will be practicing is reading articles or passages and answering comprehension questions.
   4. Spelling:  Each week the students will be given a list of words that contain a certain spelling pattern. They will complete activities each day using the words. They will also learn some commonly misspelled words and mnemonic devices to help them remember how to spell them.
3. Science (Part 1): The theme of our Science unit is Animal and Plant Adaptations. In the second lesson, they will explore why a sea turtle would eat a plastic bag. How do your senses receive information and then process the information in your brain? Next, they will learn about why the same trees don’t grow everywhere. Can you identify the internal and external structures in plants. There is an activity and also a short quiz to check understanding of the material within each lesson. The Animal and Plant Adaptation Test will be on Thursday, April 3^rd.
4. Science (Part 2): The next Science unit we will be exploring is called Chemical Magic? Have you thought of yourself as a magician? What does a magician need to do to be successful in completing tricks? In the first lesson, students will explore whether magic potions are real. Next, they will determine if there is a way to determine something worthless into gold. Both of these lessons include activities and also assessments to check understanding of the material presented.
5. Religion: The theme of Chapter 14 is Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. How do you express sorrow? What are the parts and effects of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation? We will also be attending Stations of the Cross on Friday afternoon.
6. Google Classroom: Students have been using my Google Classroom to complete assignments and quizzes in English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Please check with your son/daughter to show you what they have been doing.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to send me an email.
7. Third Monday of Lent Mass: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Monday, March 31^st at 8:50. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer to be an altar server and/or a lector for future Masses. If your child signs up to be a lector, he/she will receive their reading in advance to have time to practice both in school and at home.
8. Penny War Fundraiser: We will have a jar to drop pennies or bills in for positive points! The class with the most positive points wins a prize! The next day to bring in pennies and/or bills is Friday, April 11th!!! Start collecting your change and help our class win a prize!