5th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of June 2nd – June 6th

“June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy.”  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:

June 2^nd: Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

June 2^nd – June 5^th: I-Ready Math Diagnostic

June 6^th: End of the Year Field Trip to Ellis Island

June 16^th: End of the School Year Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

June 18^th: Fifth Grade Graduation @ 6:30pm

June 18^th: Last Day of School

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. Number and Shape Patterns is the focus of Topic 15. The focus of the first lesson is analyzing numerical patterns.  Next, they will learn how to use tables to identify relationships between patterns.  In the third lesson, they will analyze patterns and graph ordered pairs generated by number sequences.   To end the week, they will move into Topic 16 and will classify triangles by their angles and also their sides.  Every 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, verbs, and adverbs.
   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: Chemical Magic is the theme of the Science Unit we will continue exploring this week. What would happen if you drank acid? In the third lesson of the unit students will learn how to detect whether something is an acid.  What do fireworks, rubber, and silly putty have in common?  In this lesson students will combine substances and look for reactions.  The final lesson of the unit explores why some things explode.  What will happen if you combine baking soda and vinegar in a plastic bag?  By the end of the unit students will have a solid understanding of chemical reactions.  All of these lessons include hands-on activities and lesson quizzes to check student understanding.
4. Religion: The theme of Chapter 18 is The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony. How did Saint Philip Neri live out his calling to serve the Church as a priest?  The theme of Chapter 19 is Living as Christians.  What are the three most important spiritual gifts?  Do you know what it means to truly love others the way Jesus taught us?  Can you identify the Theological virtues? Why is love the greatest spiritual gift?
5. 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.
6. Last Mass of the School Year: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Monday, June 16^th at 8:50. Students will have the opportunity to volunteer to be an altar server and/or a lector for future Masses.