Fifth Grade Week of December 2, 2019

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a great week. Thank you parents for such a generous donation of books from the book fair! The fifth graders are so excited to read them, and add on to our classroom library.

Just a heads up, information will be coming home this week about our first class field trip to the Exploratorium this month. I am excited for this month-we have a lot to look forward to!

Happy Advent,

Ms. Crystal Hewitt

What we are working on this week:

Math (Bridges)-

Unit 3: Place Value and Decimals

In this unit, students study skills and concepts related to place value, from reading, writing, and comparing decimals to rounding and examining the decimal patterns of multiplying and dividing numbers by 10. Students use their place value understanding to add and subtract decimals to hundredths.

Unit 3: Module 2

This module focuses on place value, with an emphasis on subtracting decimal numbers.

Math Homework

Monday– Home Connections page 45-46

Tuesday– Student Book page 83

Wednesday– Student Book page 85

Thursday– Student Book page 87

ELA (Journeys)-

Continue class unit on the novel ‘Wonder’, and work on the following:

Use strategies to determine the meaning of words ands phrases
Describe how point of view influences telling of a story
Cite text evidence that supports analysis of the text
Proficiently read and comprehend grade level literature

ELA Homework will be given every day this week (Incomplete work for the day will be homework, as well as additional assignments on some days), including reading for 20 minutes. Students are randomly asked to get a parent signature for reading on some nights.

P.S. Reading out loud together, and/or taking turns reading to each other definitely counts as reading!

Science (Mystery Science)-

We finished our unit, Web of Life (Ecosystems & the Food Web)! We will begin the next unit, Watery Planet (Water Cycle & Earth’s Systems)

Mystery 1: Water On Earth’s Surface- How much water is in the world?

In this Mystery, students use estimation and graphing to discover the surprising difference in the amounts of fresh and salt water on Earth.

Religion-

The Holy Trinity (We will be finishing this chapter this week!)

Faith Focus: What is the mystery of the Holy Trinity?

Key Concept: The Holy Trinity is the central belief of the Catholic Faith

We are also looking forward to a visit from Father Robert, to talk about Advent with us.

Social Studies-

American Indians and Their Land

Description: In a Visual Discovery activity, students work in pairs, using maps and photographs to trace migration routes of the first Americans and to summarize how these groups adapted to different environments.

Essential Question: How did American Indians adapt to different environments in North America?

What Our Families are Saying

"The supportive teachers at SPN played a big role in preparing me for high school and helping me understand what to expect. They encouraged me to ask questions and seek help when needed, which made me more confident in my learning. Thanks to them, I entered freshman year already familiar with many concepts and effective study habits that have helped me stay on top of my work. SPN also taught me valuable life skills that I still use today, helping me succeed academically, build strong friendships, and maintain my overall well-being."

— Tibby Horvath, SPN Class of 2022

"We are very satisfied with the SPN community, something that is important to our family. My children feel safe and comfortable with SPN. Our family feels connected with the SPN community from parents and families to the staff and faculty. My children and we as parents have made healthy and positive relationships with other families from school. We share time outside of school with other families which brings a level of connectedness I don't know if we would have elsewhere"

— SPN Parent

"My children are experiencing community in other ways than just friends and playdates. Faith Families is an example of community, interacting with students from all grade levels, and learning and creating for others outside of SPN. Field trips to Kids Against Hunger or the Alameda Food Bank where they work and see firsthand how their efforts help others less fortunate, for those who are in need of support. Community is not just our SPN ‘bubble,’ and that is what SPN demonstrates and provides– opportunity to explore a bigger community."

— SPN Parent since 2016

St. Philip Neri Catholic School

What we are working on this week:

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