5th Grade

Jeffers’ Journal

Week of September 25^th– September 29th

Welcome to the third issue of Jeffers’ Journal! I hope everyone had a wonderful second full week of school!  Are you ready to board the learning train? 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:

September 25^th: Mass with Father Pat at 8:55am

September 27th: School Picture Day

October 2^nd: Mass with Father Pat at 8:55am

October 6^th: First Friday Adoration

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. For the upcoming week, we will explore our place value unit by learning the difference between the vocabulary words place and value. We will use patterns and properties of multiplication to multiply by a power of ten. The next lesson focuses on how to write whole numbers and decimals in standard, expanded, and word form. Comparing and ordering decimals will also be explored at the end of the week.
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. How can you identify an imperative sentence?  Is an imperative sentence similar to a declarative sentence?  Who is the subject of an imperative sentence? What is the difference between a simple subject and a compound subject?
   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. Morphology: Word structure and construction are the building blocks of learning how to spell words. It is also important to learn the different prefixes and suffixes that change the meaning of words. Students will be completing word ladders and other activities to help build their spelling skills.
3. Writing: “My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.”-Ernest Hemingway Last week, we spent time learning about writing stamina. Writing stamina means being able to write for a long period of time without stopping.  We also discussed what to do when you feel “stuck” while you are writing. Students graphed the number of minutes they could write about a prompt each day.  This week our focus is how to write a paragraph with a topic sentence, details, and also concluding sentence.  We will use graphic organizers to help us organize our writing.  Both of these skills will be extremely helpful throughout the year and will help your child grow as a writer!
4. Tall Tale Activity: What is a tall tale? A tall tale is a story that is full of exaggerations and unbelievable details.  This week we are going to read a Tall Tale about Paul Bunyan. Students are going to make a literature pocket full of resources about the tall tale.
5. Science: The theme of the first unit is Watery Planet. In our pre unit activity we will learn about the Dust Bowl Disaster. How has the land changed since the Dust Bowl?  Our first lesson explores the difference between fresh water and salt water in our world.
6. Religion: The theme of Chapter 1 is God’s Wonderful Creation. Why is Jesus Christ God’s greatest gift of humanity? How do people show respect and love for others? Who was St. Damien de Veuster?  Students will complete the Chapter 1 Test on Thursday, September 28^th. We will also learn about the Feast of the Archangels which is celebrated on September 29^th.
7. Google Classroom: Students have joined my Google Classroom and will use it throughout the year to complete assignments and quizzes in English/Language Arts, Math, Religion, 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.
8. Third School Mass: Our Third School Mass with Father Pat will be held on Monday, September 25^th at 8:55. Your son/daughter needs to wear his/her dress uniform. Everyone is invited to attend.
9. Altar Serving Training: Following our school Mass, the students who returned a permission slip will stay with Father Pat and begin their Altar Server Training.