Weekly Announcements
Happy Spring Break!
I hope you all enjoy the break next week. There is no homework except to keep reading for SQUIRT. Students should have at least 1000 pages completed by the end of spring break.
Please read below for information about math, social studies, and other important news and information.
Math: This week we took the assessment on creating and finding patterns and rules in numbers. This one was pretty easy for everyone! These have been graded and sent home. Our final tested standard is on algebra and we will begin working on that after spring break. We will also be doing some review for the MCA math tests.
There are many students who need more practice on the basic facts, especially for multiplication and division. The expectation is for them to get 75 facts correct in 5 minutes with only one or two errors. Please check out how your child did on these as it will be important to know basic math facts for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing since we use them in all aspects of 5th grade math. 5-10 minutes of practice each night would really help. Even just quizzing your child in the car on a ride to school or the store is a simple way to get that practice in. Thanks in advance for your support in this area. Some other good ways to practice these skills include: flash cards, play Yahtzee together, or login to the "XtraMath" website and practice on the computer. Your child will have that login information (as well as IXL) taped to the inside cover of their planner.
Social Studies:
We have completed our unit on the 13 Colonies and taken the test, which has been graded and is coming home today. When we return from break we will begin our unit on the American Revolution. There is another tested standard with this unit: "I can interpret connections between multiple events in American history". Students will be learning how several events went together in a cause and effect fashion to lead up to the Revolutionary War.
NEWS AND INFORMATION
End of the year events: Be sure to check the link for "Important Dates to Note" for a variety of events and activities taking place in the last 2 months of school!
MCA Testing: will occur starting the 2nd week in April. Please make every effort to encourage your child to do his/her best by making sure they get plenty of rest, have a good healthy breakfast, and are not late or absent on those days.
Summer School Information/Registration:
SQUIRT: We have started over with another 1800 pages for the second semester. Remember, the expectation is that each child reads 1800 pages per semester. If they keeping the pace of 20 pages per weekday, they should have no trouble reaching the 1800 page goal by the end of the second semester: May 23. Keep reading!
Band/Choir: The next day 2 is Thursday, April 3 so all students need their instruments then. DAY 4 will be on Tuesday, April 1 so Day 4 lesson kids need their instruments then as well. Lesson times were taped to the inside of their planners. Remember: DAY 2 will be a different day of the week each week since we are now on a 4 day rotation. I will keep this section updated with the correct days.
Blended Learning: On Oct. 31, your child brought home a ziploc bag with instructions and activities for the first 3 Blended Learning days (if needed). Please keep this packet in a safe place (maybe on top of the fridge?) so you will know where it is in case school is canceled for inclement weather. You can also use the link to the left to access this information online. Now that we have had three blended days, if there is another one, please refer to the choice board for Blended Learning Day 4. The print resources for this were sent home the week of March 11.
Parent/teacher communication: I am a firm believer that we all need to work together to help your child succeed, and an important part of that is communication! Your child will write in their planner every day and the expectation is that they will bring it to you with a pen for you to read and sign each day. When they bring the planner back to school each day with a signature, they will receive a "CSI slip" which they can use for our weekly drawing or save for the end of the year auction. In addition, every Friday, students will bring home their CSI ("Communicating Student Information) folder which will be filled with completed assignments to share, graded work, notes and forms from the office, etc. Again, the expectation here is for your child to bring that folder to you so you can go over those papers together, and then you can sign and date yellow sheet stapled inside. When they return the signed folder the following week, they will earn another CSI slip. Look for that folder every Friday or the last day of school for the week. Finally, I will be sending you an email each week with a link to this page once I have updated it with all important news and announcements. Hopefully all of these things will help us to stay "on the same page", but if you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me or give me call!
Do Life Big:
Congratulations to our February Do Life Big Award winners Hadley H. and Eli S! Way to go and keep doing life big!
In 5th grade we take our job as leaders of Raven Stream very seriously! We want to be role models for the younger kids in the building, and we do that by having integrity and trying to do life big everyday! Each month Mr. Drazan and I will recognize one student from each class who excels in this area. Today we had our kick off for this project (see presentation that was shared on the link below). Students will make posters to bring home because we want them to Do Life Big at home and in the community as well! We would love to receive photos of your child making a positive difference at home or in the community so have them pose with their poster and email them to Mr. Drazan or I so I can share them with the students and add them to our slide for the end of the year.
