5th Grade

Jeffers Journal

Week of February 10^th – February 14^th

“Let your heart be your compass this week!” 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:

February 10^th – February 14^th: I-Ready Math Diagnostic

February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day-Valentine’s Day Party

February 17^th: President’s Day

February 17^th – February 21^st: February Vacation-No School or CASE

February 24^th: Mass with Father Ennis @ 8:50AM

February 24^th: Happy 100^th Day of School

February 28^th: Read Across America Day

March 2^nd: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

March 5^th: Ash Wednesday

March 7^th: A Knight Out Event

March 14^th: Happy PI Day!

March 14^th: Penny War Fundraiser

March 17^th: Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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 7 is Fractions. What is a fraction? What does a fraction represent? Do you know the difference between a numerator and a denominator? Can you add and subtract fractions when the denominators are different? We will continue searching for answers to these questions as we continue learning about fractions.  The third lesson focuses on how to add fractions with unlike denominators. If you can add fractions with unlike denominators then you will be able to subtract fractions with unlike denominators.  After students have mastered adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, they will learn how to estimate sums and differences of mixed numbers and also add mixed numbers.  Each day the students will complete an Exit ticket as a way to check their understanding of the lesson. It is a great way for me to check and see who is ready for the next lesson and who could use a re-teach of the material. The Topic test will be after February vacation.  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, and the different kinds of sentences. We will continue exploring verbs this week as we learn about the progressive forms of verbs. The past, present, and future verb tenses all have a progressive form which shows an action is ongoing. We will also learn about perfect tenses which describe actions that have been complete.
   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. Social Studies: Last week, we decided to leave the snow and winter temperatures and head to Latin America. First, we learned about the different landforms in the subregions of Latin America. Next, we learned about the waterways like the Panama Canal. This week, we are will learn about the different natural resources and their importance. To end the week, we will learn about the Columbian Exchange.  We are excited to start getting stamps in our passports and continue exploring Latin America and other areas!
4. Religion: To begin the week, students will demonstrate what they learned in Chapter 9, God’s Word Feeds Us by completing the chapter test. The theme of Chapter 10 is The Eucharist. Why is the Sacrament of the Eucharist important for our lives? What are the two major parts of the Mass? What are the four ways that Jesus is present in the celebration of the Mass?
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 emai
6. Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Mass: Our next Mass with Father Ennis will be held on Monday, February 24^th 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.
7. 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, February 14th!!! Start collecting your change and help our class win a prize!