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St. Philip Neri Catholic School

Fifth Grade Week of January 13, 2020

Dear families,

This week, I will provide time for students to practice their Oratorical Fest speeches. If you haven’t done so yet, please make sure to get a copy to me of the speech chosen by you and your child.

In class, we are also starting something where students are each given an ‘Expectations Card’. These cards are used by grades 6-8, and my intention is to help transition and prepare our fifth graders to the ‘upstairs policies’. The expectations are similar to our school-wide learning expectations:

  • Respect yourself and others
  • Contribute to the learning environment
  • Follow school and classroom procedures

If their card is signed 5 times in a week for not meeting these expectations, it will result in a Parent Communication Form. We reviewed these expectations as a class, and role-played what the expectations look like vs. what they don’t look like.

Finally, with the help of our garden teacher, Ms. Kristen, the 5th graders have started presenting ‘Green Team Information’ to grades 1-8, including how to properly dispose of waste at SPN. They have done a great job with this!

I hope you all have a great week,

Crystal Hewitt

What we are working on this week:

Math (Bridges)-

Unit 3 Module 4

In Unit 3 Module 4: Students continue to investigate the area model for division (where they left off at the end of Unit 1). They will begin by using base ten area pieces to model and solve division problems, then move to using labeled sketches. At the end of this module, students will take the Unit 3 Post-Assessment

Homework:

Monday- Student Book page 108

Tuesday- Student Book page 111

Wednesday- Student Book page 112

ELA (Journeys)-

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Everglades Forever

We are reading the novel, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe together as a class

Everglades Forever is lesson 8 of our Journey’s Unit. We will:

  • Think through the text, determine the author’s purpose, explain scientific ideas, and practice domain specific vocabulary. Additionally, we will work on informative writing with a cause and effect essay.

Science (Mystery Science)-

Mystery: When you turn on a faucet, where does the water come from (Water As a Natural Resource)?

Religion-

Chapter 4: Great is the Lord

Goal: To explore the attributes of God that reveal to us who God is

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?

Important Dates:

● January 17: Elementary Staff Day – School closed

● January 20: Holiday – Martin Luther King day

● January 21: Oratorical Auditions complete

● January 26: Mass + Open House * 9-12

● January 26-31: Catholic Schools Week

● January 31: Noon Dismissal; Faculty brunch 10:30-11:30

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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

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