5th Grade Weekly News

We are excited to share that Mrs. Thompson had her baby on December 26th! His name is Parker, and he is so cute.

We have started meeting in small groups during our ELA time. This is a great way to meet the different needs of students. By grouping students based on their skill levels or specific learning goals, teachers can provide more focused support. Small groups give teachers the chance to work closely with students on things like reading comprehension, writing, vocabulary, or phonics. This personalized attention helps students understand the material better and feel more confident. In a small group, students also have the opportunity to ask questions and get more feedback. Additionally, working together in small groups allows students to learn from each other, which can improve their skills and help them succeed.

Please remember to send snow gear with your student when it is snowing or cold outside. They will need to be prepared with at least a coat with a hood and gloves. The school will loan out gear 3 times during the school year, but students are expected to remember their gear each day. Students will go outside for recess in all weather down to -10 degrees without exception other than a doctor's note. If there are any financial burdens, and you are not able to provide gear for your student, please reach out to us or our the nurse, Hannah Walsh.

We have been implementing glow and grow notes in the classroom.

• If your student is doing an excellent job in class, we will be sending home a Glow Note that tells you the wonderful things they are doing in class. Please celebrate with your student if they receive one of these notes!
• If your student needs to work on their behavior in class, we will be sending home a Grow Note. This note will tell you how they can improve in class. Please make sure to sign these notes and send them back the following day with your student.

Math: Students will be continuing to learn about decimal and place value.

• Read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form [e.g., 347.392 = 3 × 100 + 4 × 10 + 7 × 1 + 3 (1/10) + 9 (1/100) + 2 (1/1000)].
• Compare two decimals to thousandths place based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
• Use place values understanding to round decimals to any place.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between the operations. Relate the strategy to a written method and explain their reasoning in getting their answers.
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Language Arts: This month we will explore the extreme conditions and situations people are capable of surviving.

• Locate explicit information in the text to explain what the text says explicitly and to support inferences drawn from the text.
• Determine a theme or author’s message or purpose of a story, drama, or poem using details and evidence from the text as support, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize main ideas or events, in correct sequence.
• Explain the relationships (e.g., cause-effect) or interactions among two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
• Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including use of figurative language and literary devices (e.g., imagery, metaphors, analogies, hyperbole).
• Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.

Students will also work on writing an informative / explanatory paragraph.

Students are required to bring a snack to school each day for the afternoon. If you would like to donate snacks for the class, you may always do so! There are about 25 students in each classroom. Donations of granola bars, goldfish, fruit snacks are great and easy for teachers to pass out!

If you have questions or concerns about anything happening in your child's 5th grade class, please reach out to us! We are quick to respond.

Denise Redmond- 907-352-6134 denise.redmond@matsuk12.us

Kayla Thompson- 907-352-6135 kayla.thompson@matsuk12.us