Weekly Newsletter Grade 5
Dates: 27-31 Jan. 2019 Dear Parents,
Curriculum Information for this Week:
Literacy: This week the students will continue their reading unit on the Fantasy genre. They will also continue working in their fantasy book clubs where they will discuss elements of fantasy, keep track of characters’ development and problems and identify internal and external character conflicts and themes that run through their fantasy books.
Questions which you can ask your fifth grader:
- What book are you reading in book club?
- Tell me about who has the power in the book and why?
- How has your character changed throughout the book?
- What theme do you see emerging in this book?
Students will begin writing fantasy stories this week. The focus of this unit is for students to be able to elaborate their thoughts (while keeping a focus!), use transitions to move from one idea to another and writing with precise language. Although, not fantasy check out the 5th grade expectation for fiction writing.
Math: The students will continue Unit 4: Place Value and Decimal Operations. Last week, the students moved into multiplying decimals (whole number X decimal) using the area model and the standard algorithm for multiplication. This week they will continue to work on multiplying decimals, using the above strategies and including showing their thinking on decimal grids.
Unit of Study: The students will continue their second science unit, Modeling Matter: The Chemistry of Food, from the Amplify Science program. During the unit, the students are involved in a simulation, where they take on the role of food scientists working in a lab for a large food-production company: Good Food Production Inc. The students will continue to work in their classrooms and conduct hands-on experiments in the science labs, investigating the different properties of matter.
Lessons completed so far:
Lesson 1.1 Pre-assessment - classroom
Lesson 1.2: Introducing Food Science - science lab
Lesson 1.3: Made of Matter
1.4 Separating a Food Color Mixture- science lab
1.5 Exploring Chromatography- science lab
1.6 Nanovision Models (of molecules)
For more information and ways to support your child please visit the
Parent Learning Connection page.
Parents, please also check out the SERVICE CHANNEL, which is a forum for the ISKL community to share ideas and information about how we can contribute to our community and planet.
Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)
- NO SCHOOL Friday, February 1 (Federal Territory Day), Monday, February 4 (ISKL Holiday), Tuesday & Wednesday, February 5-6 (CNY)
- Author Visit- Matt Holmes: Friday, February 8
Highlight from last week:
On Thurs. January 24 we welcomed author and explorer Matt Dickinson. Fifth graders were enthralled by his storytelling and some of them now may want to climb Everest!
