may 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events:
*SBAC
*Memorial Day Holiday: 5/27
*Open House: 5/30 6:00?
*Dive Deep Week: 6/4-6/7
*Variety Show 6/11-6/13
*Field Day 6/12
*Last Day of School: 6/13
Writing
Students will be finishing up Artist Report. We are completing the biography and work cited sections in class. They are due 5/13. We will review the T-chart and 3 star main ideas for this assignment. The students have been given a success criteria to ensure clarity of this assignment.
SBAC testing:
Over the next few weeks we will be taking the SBAC tests in class. We start testing at 8:50 each and day and test until approximately 10:55. Students should get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and get to school on time each day.
Here is the SBAC testing schedule:
Math:
Students are reviewing all 5th grade math standards from this year. Students will be practicing for the SBAC test. We are wrapping up Module 5 where students have learned to calculate volume and identify a variety of geometric shapes. In May, we will cover Module 6 Lessons 1-12 where students will learn how to use coordinate pairs and plot points on a coordinate grid.
PE
We have begun preparations for the mandatory Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) for all 5th grade students. The fitness tests will be conducted during the week of May 6. All students will rotate through the following testing stations on Tuesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 9th: Trunk Lift, Push-Ups, Shoulder Stretch, and Curl-Ups. The Mile Run assessment will happen during regularly scheduled PE classes as follows:
Science
This month students will be completing the unit on Photosynthesis and reviewing for the SBAC science tests scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th & Friday, May 10th.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
We will begin learning the names of all 50 states and capitals.
Family Life
Family Life instruction will begin in mid-late May. Students will learn about the following topics:
*SBAC
- ELA: 4/30-5/3
- Math: 5/14-5/17
- Science: Week of 5/7
- Physical Fitness Testing: Week of 5/7
*Memorial Day Holiday: 5/27
*Open House: 5/30 6:00?
*Dive Deep Week: 6/4-6/7
*Variety Show 6/11-6/13
*Field Day 6/12
*Last Day of School: 6/13
Writing
Students will be finishing up Artist Report. We are completing the biography and work cited sections in class. They are due 5/13. We will review the T-chart and 3 star main ideas for this assignment. The students have been given a success criteria to ensure clarity of this assignment.
SBAC testing:
Over the next few weeks we will be taking the SBAC tests in class. We start testing at 8:50 each and day and test until approximately 10:55. Students should get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and get to school on time each day.
Here is the SBAC testing schedule:
- Tuesday 4/30 ELA CAT part 1
- Wednesday 5/1 ELA CAT part 2
- Thursday 5/2 ELA Performance Task Part 1
- Friday 5/3: ELA Performance Task Part 2
- Week of 5/6: Two Science CAST days depending on your teacher.
- Tuesday: 5/14 Math CAT part 1
- Wednesday 5/15 Math CAT part 2
- Thursday 5/16 Math Performance Task part 1
- Friday 5/17 Performance task part 2
Math:
Students are reviewing all 5th grade math standards from this year. Students will be practicing for the SBAC test. We are wrapping up Module 5 where students have learned to calculate volume and identify a variety of geometric shapes. In May, we will cover Module 6 Lessons 1-12 where students will learn how to use coordinate pairs and plot points on a coordinate grid.
PE
We have begun preparations for the mandatory Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) for all 5th grade students. The fitness tests will be conducted during the week of May 6. All students will rotate through the following testing stations on Tuesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 9th: Trunk Lift, Push-Ups, Shoulder Stretch, and Curl-Ups. The Mile Run assessment will happen during regularly scheduled PE classes as follows:
Science
This month students will be completing the unit on Photosynthesis and reviewing for the SBAC science tests scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th & Friday, May 10th.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
We will begin learning the names of all 50 states and capitals.
- We are teaching the states/capitals by region, and each week students will take a quiz on that week’s region, plus any previously studied regions.
- Quia and Stack the States are fun sites to get states/capitals practice.
- The goal is for every student to have a 100% success rate.
Family Life
Family Life instruction will begin in mid-late May. Students will learn about the following topics:
- Puberty
- Hygiene
- Reproductive anatomy
- Pregnancy & childbirth
- Twins & multiple births
- HIV/AIDS
- Refusal skills
April 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
- Reading
Students are beginning to read a second core literature novel titled My Brother Sam is Dead. This historical fiction novel covers events that took place during the American Revolution. While reading, we will identify the theme of this story, compare and contrast two or more characters, make inferences, and describe how the narrator’s point of view influences the way events are described.
Here is a brief summary: All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam is smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father. War is raging and Tim knows he'll have to make a choice -- between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.
Writing
Students are continuing to make progress publishing their novels. Beginning March 15th, students will start their informational biography on their artist. They are writing a paragraph on the artist’s early life, personal life, and professional life. They will also be creating a bibliography to show where they have gathered their research. Additionally, they will act as an art critic and write a letter to the artist where they are critiquing their work. The project will be presented on a tri-fold on Open House, May 16th.
Math
This month students will complete the second half of Module 4. Lessons 13-33.
Students will learn:
Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE.
Social Studies
In March students will study weather patterns. Their work will include:
Walker Creek
Thank you to all our volunteer cabin leaders! We have secured the minimum requirements of parent volunteers, and we are looking forward to a successful Walker Creek/Outdoor Education week April 2nd-5th. Please let us know if your child WILL NOT be joining us at Walker Creek and we will be sure to accommodate your child in another teacher’s classroom. Paperwork has gone home and is due in the office by March 8th with a check. Make sure to check out this packing list.
- March 1: End of Tri 2
- March 4: 7:30am 5th grade Parent Meeting on Family Life (in library)
- March 11: No School: Staff Development Day
- Multiplication of a fraction with a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
- Representing data in tables to describe typical weather patterns
- Obtaining & combining information to describe climates around the world
- Designing a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems
- Acting as meteorologists to describe & predict weather
FEBRUARY 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Reading
Students are continuing with their focus on Author’s Perspective. In February they will:
Social Studies
We are wrapping up our discovery of European explorers who landed in the Americas. Next up we will be learning about Europeans who settled in North American and started the 13 colonies.
Writing
This month is Novel Writing Month. Students will participate in the challenge to write an entire novel in just one month! Students get to set their own word-count goal, and therefore, the length of their novel. Students will attempt to finish the first draft of their novel by 11:59 pm on February 27th. Time to write will be given at school, but students are also encouraged to work on their novel at home.
Science
Students will contextualize weather vocabulary before helping Mosa Mack solve the mystery of why storms seem to have such different characteristics in different regions. Students will plan and act out a model of the various factors that contribute to a weather front of their choice. Students apply their knowledge of weather and act as meteorologists to design a weather report that predicts and explains a day of weather in a region of their choice.
Math
Students are beginning Module 4, which covers multiplication and division of fractions and decimals. Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE. Also, all students have a Dreambox account paid for by the school district. This a great way to get additional math practice at home. We have also started to use Prodigy, a math game website that the kids are loving. The login can be found HERE.
Geography Bee
Fourth and 5th grade students have been showcasing their geography knowledge during this week’s Geo Bee. Thursday’s exciting round brought it down to three 5th grade stars: Rhett, Lukas and Mark. Friday’s final round was impressive! Lukas from Ms. Sanchez's class was crowned the Bel Aire Geo Bee Champion of 2019. Congratulations!
- February 4: Art returns to Bel Aire
- February 6: Global School Play Day
- February 14: Class Valentines Celebrations
- February 18-22 Mid Winter Break
- February 28: Math Centers
- March 1: End of Trimester 2
- March 4: 5th grade parent meeting about Family Life from 7:30-8:30 am in the Staff Development Room.
- Explore a variety of genres of writing while identifying varying perspectives and purposes in the pieces
- Continue their work on recording a reading summary podcast on a current book they loved
JANUARY 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events:
Reading:
In reading, students are/will be:
Social Studies
Students are completing a final project based on region, resources, shelter, and customs of early American Indian tribes. Our next unit will teach us about study European explorers, who they were, and what they were in search for.
Writing:
It is time for our January Novel Writing Month (JanoWrimo) challenge. We've begun our pre-writing lessons this week and will begin writing the novel at the end of January onto the month of February. Students will edit/revise the novel in March. Once novels have been completed students will receive 2 free paperbacks versions that can be put on your bookshelf by Open House. If you'd like to order more books, please email your writing teacher for purchase costs.
Math
Students are working on Module 3 this month. It covers addition and subtraction of fractions. Math videos for Module 3 can be found HERE. Math tips for parents newsletter for Module 3 can be found HERE. Duane videos can be found HERE.
Science
We are learning about the water cycle this month. Students are solving mysteries about how to conserve water and how the planet’s water is interconnected. Students will compare paths and draw visual models that explain how water moves through the water cycle. Finally, students will develop and design a device for water conservation focusing on a solution to recycle and reuse water.
Walker Creek
Fifth graders are in need of your help for our upcoming Walker Creek Outdoor Education field trip. Currently, we don’t have enough parents cleared to go on this amazing learning adventure. The 5th grade team must have more parents as volunteers to be cabin leaders. If we don’t get enough parents as cabin leaders by March 1st, unfortunately, we will not be able go to the camp. All cabin leaders will need to be fingerprinted and that can take up to 2 months for the paperwork to be processed. Keep in mind, if you were fingerprinted in the last year for a different RUSD event, please contact your teacher or the school office. Those cleared fingerprints are acceptable for our Walker Creek trip! GOOD NEWS is that ALL adults go to camp for FREE :) If you are able and willing, please Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader.
Camp Dates: Tuesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 5th
GeoBee
Each year, Bel Aire School participates in the National Geographic Bee, which is an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society. The Geo Bee is a wonderful opportunity to explore the world while testing your smarts, and all interested 4th and 5th graders are encouraged to participate!
Students must REGISTER ONLINE to enter the Geo Bee. You will find the registration form on the Library/Digital Media Webpage. Click on the MORE tab to complete and submit the registration form for your child. The deadline to register for the GeoBee is Friday, January 11, 2019.
All interested students must attend the mandatory information meeting on Friday, January 11 at lunch recess in Room A-3. At this meeting, your child will also have the opportunity to register for the Bee competition.
What's the best way to prepare your child for the Bee? Go to the Bel Aire Library website and click on the MORE link for study resources, lesson plans, and other activities from National Geographic Education. The Study Corner and Sample Questions sections are a good place for your child to begin learning more about topic areas that frequently appear in Bee questions. You can also download the GeoBee Challenge app on your mobile device!- Wednesday, January 9, 8:30-10:00 am - PTA monthly meeting
- Monday, January 21 - MLK, Jr. Day, no school
- Tuesday, January 22nd - 5th grade seminars begin
- Wednesday, January 23 - Picture makeup day
- Monday, January 28th - Friday, February 1st, from 12:10-12:35 - Geo Bee competition in the MPR
- wrapping up a long-term project on Sign of the Beaver.
- developing a podcast based on books they are reading independently.
- starting a Benchmark unit focusing on author's point of view
- meeting in small reading groups
- reading both fiction & non-fiction to determine the author's point of view
- Please email your teacher for Live Scan Paperwork
- Please click for Locations
- Cost: $70
- Could take as long as 2 months to process!
DECEMBER 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events:
Reading/Social Studies:
This month our class is finishing up The Sign of the Beaver, which illustrates the relations between white settlers and American Indians. Throughout this month we will be reviewing reading strategies such as character comparison, theme, conflict, connections between our life and events in Sign of the Beaver, and summarizing the most important plot mountain events.
Writing:
This month, students will:
Math:
We are finishing up Module 2 this month. The first half of this module students learned to multiply with multi-digit numbers. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
We will be moving on to Module 3 next, which covers addition and subtraction of fractions.
Science:
We are finishing up our Mosa Mack Atoms and Molecules unit. The last part of the Molecules unit is called The Engineer. The students design a solution to and environmental issue. This is happening near the garbage treatment facility at the edge of Toxic Town. We will be transitioning to the Water Cycle Unit.
Walker Creek:
Fifth graders are in need of your help for our upcoming Walker Creek Outdoor Education field trip. Currently, we don’t have enough parents cleared to go on this amazing learning adventure. The 5th grade team must have more parents as volunteers to be cabin leaders. If we don’t get enough parents as cabin leaders by March 1st, unfortunately, we will not be able go to the camp. All cabin leaders will need to be fingerprinted and that can take up to 2 months for the paperwork to be processed. Keep in mind, if you were fingerprinted in the last year for a different RUSD event, please contact your teacher or the school office. Those cleared fingerprints are acceptable for our Walker Creek trip! GOOD NEWS is that ALL adults go to camp for FREE :) If you are able and willing, please Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader.
Design Lab:
Students will be learning a new coding language this month:- 12/5: Student Council Fair Day (bring up to $10 for bake sale and games.
- 12/14: 8:25 a.m. Draw Along Assembly (students only)
- 12/19: 8:30 a.m. Holiday Concert for Parents
- 12/19: 10:30 Holiday Concert for students
- 12/24/18-1/7/19 Winter Break
- 1/8/19 School Resumes
- Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
- Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
- Use a rubric to self assess progress throughout student’s opinion essays.
- Camp Dates: Tuesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 5th
- Please email your teacher for Live Scan Paperwork
- Please click for Locations
- Cost: $70
- Could take as long as 2 months to process!
- Swift Playground coding app
- Apple product
- Coding language used on iOS devices like iPhone & iPads
- Students will solve problems with increasing complexity
- Game format
- Teaches coding fundamentals
NOVEMBER 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Reading / Social Studies
Students are reading the fictional novel, The Sign of the Beaver. This story highlights a time of early U.S. settlers in Maine during the early 18th century. A boy, Matt, is left alone to guard his cabin while his family is away. Matt learns survival skills and befriends a Native American boy named Attean who teaches him about his culture and helps him survive. Students will discuss the concept of theme and main idea, and support their understanding of the book with text evidence questions.
Writing
This month students will be focusing on the second type of writing -- opinion writing:
Math
We are close to halfway through Module 2. The first half of this module students are learning to multiply with multi-digit numbers. The mid module test is on lessons 1-15. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
Science
Students are completing the final unit on Matter. They are working on the following:
Walker Creek
We still need more male and female cabin leaders! With seven 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women to make this happen. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp. - November 1: 5th grade Read a Thon/PJ day
- November 2: End of Trimester 1
- November 5-9: Early Dismissal 12:10pm Daily, for Parent/Teacher/Child Conferences
- November 12: Veterans Day: No School
- November 14: Student Council Fair Day (bring $$ for bake sale and more)
- November 15: 2:35 PM 5th grade Percussion practice
- November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break (no school)
- November 26-30: Play Auditions (after school)
- November 27: 5th grade Shakespeare Assembly (1:30pm)
- November 29: Math Centers
- Write an On-Demand pre-test essay to see what they know about opinion writing.
- Review the organization of an essay
- Use a graphic organizer to know how to stake a claim/form an opinion and back-up research with facts.
- Conduct research
- Write a final product of a 5 paragraph opinion essay.
- Learn the difference between atoms, molecules & compounds
- Create a new substance based on chemical research
- Gather and analyze evidence to determine whether a physical change or chemical reaction has occurred.
- Camp: Tuesday, April 2 - Friday, April 5
- New Requirement: Must get Fingerprinting through Live Scan
- Locations
- $70
- Could take as long as 2 months to process!
OCTOBER 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Reading / Social Studies
Students are continuing to explore Benchmark’s Unit 1: The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now. Throughout the upcoming pieces of text they will:
Writing
This month, students are:
Math
This month our class will continue studying Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Science
In October students will:
Walker Creek
Thanks to those who participated in this year’s Walker Creek informational meeting. If you are interested in volunteering to be a cabin leader at Walker Creek please complete the Live Scan paperwork and fingerprinting as soon as possible. If you have previously been fingerprinted for RUSD only, you do not need to go through the Live Scan process again. Remember, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women in order for our 5th grade to go this year.
In case you missed this year’s meeting, attached is the Walker Creek Keynote & Fall Open House Flyer for your review.
- October 1-5: Spelling Bee @ lunch in MPR
- October 8: Art classes start with Ms. Caldwell
- October 9: 5pm Fall Family Festival night
- October 11: 5th grade field trip to Rafael Theater
- Oct 22-26: RUSD Book Fair
- Oct 22: No School: Staff Development Day
- October 31: Halloween Parade (more info coming soon)
- November 2: End of Trimester 1
- November 5-9 Conference Week: Dismissal Daily at 12:10 p.m.
- identify key details and summarize
- Analyze informational and narrative texts
- Evaluate an author’s use of language
- Compare and contrast texts
- Use text evidence to draw inferences
- Building a well structured 5-paragraph essay using the t-chart method.
- Beginning informational research writing essay a famous city.
- Students will conclude the unit by writing a short research essay, due Nov. 1st.
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
- Learn the difference between atoms, molecules & compounds
- Work like a materials engineer to create a new substance based on chemical research.
- Begin a new unit focusing on weather
- Camp: Tuesday, April 2 - Friday, April 5
- New Requirement: Must get Fingerprinting through Live Scan
- Location
- $70
Could take as long as 2 months to process!
SEPTEMBER 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Homework Requirements
Students are required to read 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned Monday through Thursday for skill practice and reinforcement; but not to exceed 60 minutes. Good news, no homework will be assigned on Fridays.
Reading / Social Studies
Students have begun working with their reading teacher Mrs. McDonald. This month they will:
Writing
Fifth graders begin the year with the following:
Science
Fifth grades new science adoption, Mosa Mack, Atoms & Molecules begins this month. Students will learn the following:
Math
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:- Thursday, August 30: Back to School Night 6pm
- Friday, August 31: New Family Coffee 8am
- Friday, August 31: PTA Volunteer Coffee 8:30am
- Monday, September 3: No School (Labor Day)
- Thursday, September 13: PIcture Day
- Monday, September 24: No School (Staff Development Day)
- Review routines that will take place during reader’s workshop
- Begin Benchmark Unit 1: The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now. In this unit, students read and compare selections about the development of laws and about people who have fought to change unfair laws to analyze why laws evolve.
- Learn about topic sentences, main ideas, supporting details, and concluding sentences using the Step Up To Writing program.
- Learn how to build a well-structured paragraph.
- Learners will discover that everything in our world is composed of small atoms, which, when bonded together, create unique structures with unique properties.
- Learners then select their own element, explore its properties, and design a prototype to be made from this material.
- Learn about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
MAY 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Language Arts:
Writing:
Students are completing their informational biography on their artist. They are writing a paragraph on the artist’s early life, personal life, and professional life. They will also be creating a bibliography to show where they have gathered their research. Additionally, they will act as an art critic and write a letter to the artist where they are critiquing their work.
Reading:
We are finishing up the novel My Brother Sam is Dead. Students are:
Math:
Students are reviewing all 5th grade math standards from this year. Students will be practicing for the SBAC test. Our final math project is called Geometrocity and students will work with their table group to complete a town built of various geometric shapes. These will be on display at Open House.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
As part of 5th grade social studies curriculum, students are expected to learn all of the 50 states and capitals by the end of the year. They should be able to:
There are many online games on the teacher websites to help students study.
Family Life: Weeks of May 14 and May 21
Parent Meeting Wednesday, April 18, 2018 7:30am in the library
Sample Scope and Sequence:
Science:
We are finishing up the water planet unit this month. Students will be reviewing their notes, filling out a study guide, and sharing their knowledge on a final exam on May 9 and 11. The emphasis this trimester is on student growth from the pretest to the final exam.
- May 9: Science SBAC Test
- May 14-25: Family Life
- May 15: Math SBAC
- May 17: Math SBAC
- May 22: 5th graders visit Del Mar
- May 24: Open House 6-7:30pm (start in class, then outside for music presentation)
- May 30: Spring Sing 8:30am for parents
- June 5-8: Dive Deep Week
- June 12: Bowling Field Trip 10:30-1, followed by lunch and yearbook signing
- June 13: Field Day
- June 13: 5th grade Variety Show 8:30 a.m.
- June 14: Last Day dismissal 1:35, 5th grade celebration 11-12 in the MPR ALL are welcome
- Answering questions using text evidence
- Discussing events of the American Revolution
- Considering varying perspectives of historical events
- Identify the state on a blank map
- Name the corresponding capital for each state. (They do not need to know where the capital is located in the state)
- Take the final quiz when they are ready. There will not be an assigned date for the quiz.
- Day 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, Board of Directors
- Day 2 - Puberty Introduction and Hygiene
- Day 3 - Puberty Boys with video
- Day 4 - Puberty Girls with video
- Day 5 - Reproduction/Anatomy
- Day 6 - Pregnancy: Nine Month Journey Video
- Day 7- Twins
- Day 8 - Refusal skills/Aides
- Day 9 - Breakout session - boys/girls
APRIL 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Language Arts:
Writing
Students are currently working on Artist Reports and building their informational writing skills. They are taking notes, and will soon create t-charts and start writing the rough and final draft of their artist biographies. Later, students will also write a two-paragraph letter to their artist and complete a bibliography.
Math:
We will be completing our last unit, Module 6, this month and starting SBAC review GEOMETROCITY: Building a city with math. This is a real world investigation where kids get to design and build a city using geometry, maps and more. We’ll be inviting you to a viewing later in the month.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
As part of 5th grade social studies curriculum, students are expected to learn all of the 50 states and capitals by the end of the year. They should be able to:
There are many online games on the teacher websites to help students study.
Science:
Water Planet ClassThis month, students are learning about the following:
Family Life: Weeks of May 14 and May 21
Parent Meeting Wednesday, April 18, 2018 7:30am in the library
Sample Scope and Sequence:
- April 9th - 13th: Spring break
- Wednesday, April 18th from 7:30-8:15 a.m.: Parent Ed Meeting re. Family Life in Staff Development Room
- Tuesday, April 24th: SBAC Language arts testing
- Wednesday, April 25th: SBAC Language arts testing
- Thursday, April 26th: SBAC Language arts testing
- June 14th: End of year 5th Grade Celebration!
- When: 11:00 am
- Where: MPR
- What: Slideshow (11:00), Speeches (11:20), Sing-a-Long (11:45)
- Finish with clap-out for the 5th graders. Parents Welcome!
- Identify the state on a blank map
- Name the corresponding capital for each state. (They do not need to know where the capital is located in the state)
- Take the final quiz when they are ready. There will not be an assigned date for the quiz.
- The Uneven Heating of Earth’s Surface
- Convection Currents
- Wind
- Fresh Water
- The Water Cycle
- Day 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, Board of Directors
- Day 2 - Puberty Introduction and Hygiene
- Day 3 - Puberty Boys with video
- Day 4 - Puberty Girls with video
- Day 5 - Reproduction/Anatomy
- Day 6 - Pregnancy: Nine Month Journey Video
- Day 7- Twins
- Day 8 - Refusal skills/Aides
- Day 9 - Breakout session - boys/girls
MARCH 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
Paperwork has gone home and is due in the office by March 9 with a check. Make sure to check out this packing list.
Language Arts:
Writing
This month, students will:
Reading
This month students will finish the unit called Technology’s Impact on Society. They will focus on:
Math:
This month we start Module 5, Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area. Students will explore finding the volume and area of a rectangular prism as well as classifying triangles, polygons and quadrilaterals. Module 5 videos can be found here. Parent tip sheet can be found here.
Science:
Our class will be rotating to Mr. Remmers for the Water Planet unit. This month they will be covering: - Monday, March 1st New science classes begin with a new teacher
- Friday, March 2nd100% of AR Goals Due
- Friday, March 2nd End of 2nd Trimester
- Monday, March 5th 1st Day of 3rd Trimester
- February 26th - March 2nd: READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK!
- Monday: We will kick off the week with a guest reader at the Monday Morning Meeting.
- Tuesday: Students can come to school with crazy hair or wear a crazy hat!
- Wednesday: Students can celebrate by wearing a pair of silly socks and have DEAR time in class
- Thursday: Book Swap Cafe in the library.
- Friday: Dr. Seuss’s birthday! Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss or book character that day.
- March 7th - 11th: Bel Aire Play: The Wizard of Oz
- March 8th - 9th: 5th grade field trip: Lawrence Hall of Sciences (All Day)
- March 9th: Outdoor Ed paperwork due
- March 12th: Staff Development Day: No School for Students
- Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
- Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
- Use a rubric to self assess progress throughout opinion essay
- Continue to make progress publishing their novels.
- Reading & responding to poetry
- Comparing & contrasting poems with similar themes
- Identifying key details & main ideas
Students also will begin taking practice tests in preparation for state testing in April. - Solar System, focusing on the Sun as our major source of heat, light, and energy.
- Water cycle, specifically evaporation and condensation.
FEBRUARY 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Feb. 7th (Wednesday): 80% AR benchmark
Feb. 7th (Wednesday): Global Play Day
Feb. 9th (Friday): Last day of science with current science teacher
Feb. 12th (Monday): Art with Mrs. Caldwell returns to Bel Aire
Feb. 14th (Wednesday): Valentine’s Day Class Parties
Feb. 15th (Thursday): Math Centers
Feb.16th (Friday): 90% AR benchmark
Feb.16th (Friday): Math Module 4 Ends
Feb.19 - 23rd: Mid-Winter Break - No School
Feb. 26th (Monday): New science classes begin with a new teacher
Feb. 26th (Monday): Math Module 5 Begins
March 2nd (Friday): 100% of AR Goals Due
March 2nd (Friday): End of 2nd Trimester
March 5th (Monday): 1st Day of 3rd Trimester
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
Good news!!! We have enough chaperones at this time.
Language Arts:
Writing
This month, students will:
•Learn what persuasive/opinion essay writing is.
•Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
•Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
•Continue to make progress publishing their novels.
Reading
This month, students will finish the unit called Author’s Point of View focusing on:
Next up, they will begin the unit called Conflicts That Shaped a Nation which pairs nicely with our social studies curriculum.
Math:
This month students will complete the second half of Module 4. Lessons 13-33.
Students will learn:
Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE.
Science:
This month, students have learned all about the anatomy of a plant: The xylem, phloem, and vascular bundles. Students have also classified leaves into several groups. We’ve been comparing the plants and animal systems.
- Drawing inferences from the text
- Comparing points of view
- Identifying key events & summarizing
- Multiplication of a fraction with a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
JANUARY 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
Language Arts:
Writing
This month in writing students will:
Reading
This month students will focus on:
Math:
Students are beginning Module 4 in math which covers multiplication and division of fractions and decimal fractions. Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE. Also, all students have a Dreambox account paid for by the school district. This a great way to get additional math practice at home. Teachers also make assignments on Dreambox that reinforce what students are learning or need to review. If you need more information please read the parent letter HERE.
Science:
This month students continue to learn about the basic unit of life: The Cell. Students will be focusing on the anatomy of vascular plants’ specialized systems to transport water, minerals and sugar to the cells. Students will also learn about how leaves plan an important role in the transport of water to the cells in vascular plants, as well as classifying leaves based on their venation patterns.
- Monday 1/15 - MLK Jr. Day, no school
- Friday 1/12 - 60% of AR goal
- Thursday 1/18, 11:15-12:15 (with optional hike 10-11am) - Walker Creek Open House Tour. More information HERE
- Thursday 1/18, 1-2:30 - 5th grade seminars begin
- Friday 1/26 - 70% of AR goal
- Walker Creek is having an open house and parents tour on January 18 from 11:15 am to 12:15 (optional hike from 10 am to 11 am) RSVP to (415) 491-6602.
- Currently we have 21 cabin leaders, but we need 30. Make sure to get your fingerprints done and enjoy the adventure with us.
- Begin a major writing project of 5th grade: the opinion essay.
- Learn the aspects of an opinion essay.
- Research & write about a topic on which student’s hold an opinion.
- Begin publishing novels on CreateSpace
- Listening skills using audio recordings of informational texts
- Analyzing and comparing authors’ viewpoints
- Explaining the meaning of idioms, adages & similes
- Drawing inferences from texts
DECEMBER 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Walker Creek
Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting is going to be held on Wednesday, December 13 from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. in the library. If you have any questions or are interested to find out more about this amazing trip, please come to this informative meeting. We are still short male and female cabin leaders! We currently have 10 chaperones with fingerprint approval, which means we still need 20 more. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it. (And if you know anyone whose arm you can twist, please do so ;)
Camp Dates: April 3-6th; Live Scan fingerprints needed
Language Arts:
Writing
National Novel Writing Month has now concluded. Please congratulate your child on writing a whole novel in just one month! And if they did not finish the novel, congratulate them on trying! Now students begin the processes of revising and editing their work. Students will look at the work of published authors, work in writing groups, work with partners, and receive lessons on revision, grammar, and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts. We are requesting that parents sit with their children over the winter break, or before, to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January.
Reading
Students will wrap up the unit of reading focused on the essential question; how do we decide which resources we should develop? Through reading non-fiction articles about this topic students will learn how to:
Math:
Students are working on Module 3 this month. It covers addition and subtraction of fractions. Math videos for Module 3 can be found HERE. Math tips for parents newsletter for Module 3 can be found HERE.
Science:
This month our class will rotate to Ms. Tuatagaloa to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Monday December 11th - Students should be 30% toward AR goal
- Wednesday December 13th from 7:30-8:15 am - Outdoor Ed parent information meeting in the library.
- Wednesday December 13th from 8:30-9:30 am - Winter Holiday Concert for parents in the MPR
- Friday December 22nd - students should be 40% toward AR goal
- Monday December 25th - Monday January 8th - Winter break
- Tuesday January 9 - first day back at school
- Identify main ideas & key details
- Identify subjective & objective points of view
- Analyze multiple accounts of the same topic
- Analyze cause & effect relationships
- Analyze reasons & evidence
- Integrate information from several texts
- Learn that all living cells require four basic components for survival- water, gas exchange, food, and waste disposal.
- Learn about human body systems- namely the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems.
NOVEMBER 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Language Arts:
Writing
This month is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short). Students will participate in the international challenge to write an entire novel in just one month! Students get to set their own word-count goal, and therefore, the length of their novel. Students will attempt to finish the first draft of their novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30th. Time to write will be given at school, but students are also encouraged to work on their novel at home.
Reading
Students have been exploring narrative texts with a focus on character development. They have practiced. As they read excerpts from Tom Sawyer, they annotate with notes about:
Walker Creek
We still need more male and female cabin leaders! With seven 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women to make this happen. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it. And if you know anyone who's arm you can twist, please do so ;)
Dates: April 3-6; Live Scan fingerprints needed
Math:
We are halfway through Module 2. The first half of this module students learned to multiply with multi-digit numbers. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
Science - Elements (Chemistry)
This month our class will study elements. During this unit they will focus on the following:- November 1: 8-9am Parent Ofrenda Walk in the library
- November 7: Shakespeare Assembly 1:30-2:30pm
- November 10: No School
- November 13-17: Conferences, Early dismissal daily at 11:50am
- November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break
- November 28-30 Play Auditions
- Similarities & differences between characters
- How one character changes throughout the story
- How dialect affects the mood
- How metaphors affect the mood
- Key events to help summarize the text
- Understand that the Earth has 94 naturally occurring elements.
- All atoms are made of three basic parts in varying numbers; protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- Recognize the periodic table of the elements which shows increasing atomic number in rows and similar chemical properties.
- Understand that most matter on Earth, including organisms, is made from a small number of elements.
- Know that all scanning tunneling microscope (STM) can produce discrete images of atoms and molecules in ordered arrays.
OCTOBER 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Language Arts:
Using our new Benchmark Advance program students are learning about The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now by studying the following:
Writing
Reading
Math:
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal/Fraction Operations
Science - Chemical Reactions (Chemistry)
This month our class will study chemical reactions. During this unit students will focus on the following:
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night.
- Wednesday, October 4: International Walk to School Day
- Thursday, October 5: Bel Aire Family Night
- Monday, October 9: Staff Development Day - No school
- Thursday, October 12: Make-up Picture Day
- Monday 23-Friday, 27: Book Fair
- Wed., Oct. 25 between 7:40-8:00 a.m. in the Library: Spanish Ofrenda due
- Tuesday, October 31: Halloween! Parade in MPR from 1-1:45
- Wednesday, November 1st from 8:00-9:00 am - Spanish Ofrenda Gallery Walk in the library
- Explain how a persuasive speech is different from a personal narrative.
- Creating an opinion essay by practicing an opinion statement and the order of supporting paragraphs
- Organizing and revising an opinion essay into a clearly written response.
- Edit writing to check for correct shifts in verb tense as well as correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
- Read to identify and annotate key details.
- Use key details to determine a main idea.
- Read to identify and annotate examples of powerful words in a persuasive text.
- Reread a text to draw an inference based on text evidence.
- Respond to a Close Reading Prompt.
- In Module 1, students explored the relationships of adjacent units on the place value chart to generalize whole number algorithms to decimal fraction operations. In Module 2, students apply the patterns of the base ten system to mental strategies and the multiplication and division algorithms.
- Topic A of Module 2 focuses on mental strategies with multi-digit whole number multiplication in lessons 1 and 2.
- Topic B focuses on the standard algorithm for multi-digit whole number multiplication is lessons 3-9.
- Compare reactants and products before and after chemical reactions.
- Observe, separate, and identify the products of chemical reactions.
- Learn that atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and that all substances are composed of atoms.
- Learn that atoms rearrange during chemical reactions to form new substances.
- Use atom models and chemical formulas to represent atoms and molecules.
- Represent chemical reactions with chemical equations.
- Measure volumes of solids and liquids.
SEPTEMBER 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates
Language Arts:
Using our new Benchmark Advance program we are learning about The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now by studying the following:
Math:
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Science - Mixtures & Solutions (Chemistry)
This month our class will study physical science. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night.- Sept. 4: No School (Labor Day)
- Sept. 6: Green Transportation Day
- Sept. 13: Character Day at Bel Aire
- Sept. 14: Picture Day
- Sept. 18: No School (Staff Development Day)
- Sept. 27 - 8:30am - 10am: 5th Grade Parent Meeting (Dr. Gold will “paint a development picture” of a 5th grader)
- Oct. 4: International Walk to School Day
- Oct. 5: Family Night at Bel Aire
- Oct. 9: No School for Kids (Staff Development Day)
- Oct. 10: Art w/Mrs. Caldwell begins at Bel Aire
- Oct. 12: Make Up Picture Day
- Oct. 31: Halloween Parade (1pm - 2pm)
- Identify Main Ideas and Key Details
- Analyze Text Structures
- Analyze Genre Features: Informational Text & Persuasive Speech
- Compare and Contrast Informative and Persuasive Texts
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
- Learn that solids, liquids, and gases can be combined to make mixtures.
- Compare the mass of a mixture to the mass of its parts.
- Separate mixtures by particle size; using screens and filters.
- Identify substances by crystal shape
- Become familiar with physical properties of common solid and liquid substances.
- Measure and weigh solids and liquids, using appropriate tools to make quantitative observations.
- Write a plan for separating a mixture of three solid materials and test the plan for effectiveness.
APRIL NEWS FOR E-7
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017
6:00 - 7:30 PM
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
DEL MAR FIELD TRIP APRIL 28TH
SBAC (SMARTER BALANCE TEST) BEGINS:
APRIL 24 - APRIL 27 FOR ELA TESTING (ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS)
MAY 1 - 5 5TH GRADE SCIENCE TESTING FOR SBAC
MAY 8 - 11 MATH TESTING FOR SBAC
Writing Update: Tuesday, March 21, 2017
We are in the process of finishing our work on the Artist Reports in class tomorrow, and moving into researching and writing about Colonial Trades. I have a few children that I still need to meet with for individual conferencing and to help edit their work. Many students have printed out their work, which I am holding for them at school till they are ready to put it up on their tri-fold. Any work that has not been finished thus far, will need to be completed at home. However, they will have Study Hall on certain days, so work can be finished then as well. The due date for the Artist Report is April 18th. Please check in with your child to make sure they are on track for their report.
Upcoming Dates
Writing
We are currently working on Artist Reports and building students’ informational writing skills. Students are taking notes, creating t-charts, and writing the rough and final draft of their artist biographies. Later, students will also write a two-paragraph letter to their artist and complete a bibliography.
Math
We are working on math module 5; Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area In this module, students work with two- and three-dimensional figures. Volume is introduced to students through concrete exploration of cubic units and culminates with the development of the volume formula for right rectangular prisms. The second half of the module turns to extending students’ understanding of two-dimensional figures. Students combine prior knowledge of area with newly acquired knowledge of fraction multiplication to determine the area of rectangular figures with fractional side lengths. They then engage in hands-on construction of two-dimensional shapes, developing a foundation for classifying the shapes by reasoning about their attributes. More information can be found HERE. Videos and homework pages can be found HERE
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by The Revolutionary War.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our third literary book of the school year, called My Brother Sam Is Dead written by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The Newbery Honor book realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution and entails the classic story of one family torn apart by the Revolutionary War.
Science
Students are learning about variables and how scientists use critical thinking, careful observation, and measurement to conduct experiments. The big ideas in the variables unit are system and variable. Any collection of objects that is working together we identify as a system. The systems we will work with are a pendulum and a boat. In each of the labs we will do students will work with a controlled variable and graph the changes they observe.
Liberia
Once again our school is working to raise money for our sister school in Monrovia, Liberia. In years past we have helped them to build a well on their campus, stock a school library, compile learning packets during the Ebola outbreak, and buy a school bus to transport students safely to school. This year we are raising money to help bring technology to their school. Currently they have no Internet nor computers. There is a classroom competition at Bel Aire to see which class can raise the most money. Our goal is to raise $6,500 by March 24. Currently, we have raised $800. There are collection envelopes in each classroom, and students may bring cash or checks payable to the Rotary Club of Tiburon Belvedere Foundation. If you prefer to donate by credit card, please visit The Liberia Project website. You can also learn more about the history of the project there. Thank you for your support!
PE
Dear 5th Grade Parents,
I am writing to inform you all that the mandatory 5th grade fitness testing is coming soon. We will be doing the mile run to test endurance, push-ups to test upper body strength, sit-ups to measure core strength, and a reach test to measure flexibility. These tests will also be done when your child reaches the 7th and 9th grades.
Bel Aire has a strong history of performing well on tests, both mentally and physically. I want the students to exceed and welcome the challenge, to “bring it on,” like we learned during our week of outdoor education at Walker Creek Ranch. To prepare we have been doing practice tests, running the mile and recording our times, so that we may set goals and improve our times. We have been practicing the push-up and sit-up tests to learn the proper form and cadence of the tests. I am pleased to tell you that many of our students excel. They train hard, improve their scores, and constantly ask when we will take the test because they feel confident and ready, “bring it on!”
I do have a few concerns as we prepare for the tests.
One: students do not come to PE prepared. We are nearing the end of the second trimester and students still come to PE wearing boots and flats. This is not only a safety concern, it’s a health concern. Many students complain of back problems, or knee problems, or their feet hurt, or their head hurts, etc., etc., etc. Can you imagine running the mile in flats or Uggs? Dressing properly on PE days would alleviate many of these problems. Please make sure your children wear athletic shoes on PE days, or ask them to put a pair into their backpack they can change into for PE. A healthy breakfast would also help them perform better in PE and in the classroom.
Two: students who choose not to do their best or make excuses. Please help by talking to your child about facing challenges, not avoiding them. As adults we can all look back and recall the challenges we had to face and overcome to become the successful people we are today. We didn’t become successful by avoiding challenges and making excuses. Please share a story with your child about a challenge you faced and overcame. Ask your children what their mile time is, how many push-ups and sit ups they can do; help them practice, practice with them. Encourage them to set goals, reach them, and set new goals.
Three: students coming to school with a note from home saying that they are sick and cannot participate. IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE SICK, THEY SHOULD NOT BE IN SCHOOL. If your children are sick they should not return to school until they are symptom-free. This is a health issue, and it is school policy. We want to protect our children from disease and keep our school healthy and happy.
With your help I am confident that our children will do their best and establish Bel Aire as a school where children excel in all realms of life; mentally, physically and socially. Run a mile? “BRING IT ON!” Do push-ups and sit-ups? “BRING IT ON!”
Best Regards,
Mr. Jacobson
Bel Aire Physical Education
- Feb 27 - March 3rd - Read Across America Week
- March 3rd - End of Trimester 2
- March 3rd - Marin Theater Company of Tortoise and the Hare
- March 13th - No school (Staff Development)
- March 22nd - 26th - Beauty and Beast Performances
- What events led to the Revolutionary War?
- How did the colonists work together?
- Why did the colonists declare independence?
- Who caused change in the colonies?
FEBRUARY 2017 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Writing
Math
We are continuing with Module 4, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions, this month. This is one of our longer units. Helpful videos can be found HERE. Also, the math parent newsletter is HERE.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by The Revolutionary War.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will complete their second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.
Science
Students have been working on a series of projects in the new and improved Purcell Design Lab. During this science rotation they will complete the Air Rocket project and the 3D Coding project. In Air rockets students learn about physics and aerodynamics to build an air rocket. They used a plastic mold to build the body and then designed the fins, length and nose cone for optimal flight. Once built, the students recorded the flight times of their rockets to determine the best design. For 3D coding students learn how to program in 3D using a Scratch based programming language called Beetle Blocks. After going through a series of challenges, their final project is to design and program a 3D object that could be printed on the MakerBot. Click the links to
watch the videos that go with each lesson.
- February - Art is Back!
- Feb 1st - Global Play Day
- Feb 3rd - 80% of AR Goal
- Feb 15th - 90% of AR Goal
- Feb 16th - Math Centers
- Feb 16th @ 10:30 - Marin Theater Company 5th grade assembly
- Feb 20 - 24th - Mid-Winter Break
- Feb 27 - March 3rd - Read Across America Week
- March 3rd - End of Trimester 2 and 100% of AR
- 80% of the month:Students will work on Part 2 of their Expository Research Essay Unit.
- Part 2 will culminate with students writing a biography about a famous artist.
- •20% of the month: Students will work on publishing their novels, using the website, CreateSpace.
- What events led to the Revolutionary War.
- How did the colonists work together?
- Why did the colonists declare independence?
- Who caused change in the colonies?
JANUARY 2017 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Walker Creek
Our Outdoor Ed trip is right around the corner. Make sure you have filled out a registration form for your child (your teacher should have emailed it to you). It is sure to be a wet one up there so check out this packing list and think about bringing rain gear and multiple shoes and socks. On Tuesday, all luggage should be walked up to the MPR and dropped off by the teacher’s name. School will start at normal time. Please send your child with a lunch on Tuesday - this should be packed in a separate day pack and sent to the classroom with your child. Feel free to join us for lunch and a hike up at Walker Creek Tuesday, Jan, 17th at 11:00.
Writing
Math
We are currently working on Module 4, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. This is one of our longer units. Helpful videos can be found HERE. Also, the math parent newsletter is HERE.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions:
The unit will be followed-up by Causes of the Revolution.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will complete their second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. Brigulio to learn about variables and how scientist use critical thinking, careful observation, and measurement to conduct experiments. The big ideas in the variables unit are system and variable. Any collection of objects that is working together we identify as a system. The systems we will work with are a pendulum and a boat. In each system the interacting parts influence how the whole system behaves or performs. If the parts of the system can change, those parts are variables.
- January 12 - new seminar classes begin
- January 12 - 60% of AR goal
- January 16 - MLK, Jr. Day; no school
- January 17-20 Outdoor Ed.
- January 20 @1:00 - pick up students from the MPR; a parent or designated guardian must sign out each child
- January 23 - 70% of AR goal
- January 23-27 - Bel Aire Geo Bee during lunch recess in the MPR
- Most of the writing sessions each week will be devoted to completing part two of our Informational Research Essay unit we began in the first trimester.
- Information Research Essay will be about a famous artist
- One session each week will be devoted to learning how to publish the novels students wrote in November and December.
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
DECEMBER 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Walker Creek
Our Walker Creek Adventure is fast approaching. Here are a few reminders:
Writing
Math
We are continuing with Module 3, addition and subtraction of fractions, and then we will move to Module 4, which focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Fight for a Continent by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by The Life in the Colonies.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students have been reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. McDonald to study Life Science. Students have recently completed their Mini-Me projects which highlight the four major systems in the human body: respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and excretory. They are currently participating on an experiment on vascular plants where they are studying xylem, phloem, and vascular bundles and comparing plant and animal systems. We will end our unit by locating and classifying leaves.
- Dec. 5 - 9th - Hour of Code week
- Dec. 5th - Play cast/schedule reveal
- Dec. 7th - Green Transportation Day
- Dec. 15th - Holiday Concert
- Dec. 21st - 40% of AR goal
- Dec. 23 - Jan 9 - Winter Recess
- Make sure you get your child’s Outdoor Ed packet and check to the office by Monday, December 5.
- If you are interested in being a cabin leader, please let your child’s teacher know. 5th grade teachers will be confirming with interested parent volunteers this week.
- A packing list will come home this week. Check it out and let your child’s teacher know if you have any questions.
- National Novel Writing Month has come to a close. Rough draft novel writing has ended, and now the students begin the processes of revising and editing their work.
- Students will work in writing groups, work with partners, work alone, and receive lessons on revision, grammar and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts.
- Parents will sit with their children over the winter break to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January. This final edit will consist of checking for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting issues.
- Line plots
- Fractions as division using models and equations
- Multiplying whole numbers and fractions by fractions (in fraction and decimal form)
- Dividing fractions and decimal fractions
- Numerical expressions and word problems
- Why did European nations and American Indians compete in North America?
- How did colonies and American Indians cooperate?
- What major conflicts did this European colonists and American Indians have?
- How were American Indians forced off their land?
- What conflicts occurred amongst American Indians?
- Who were the leaders in the struggle for American Indian lands?
NOVEMBER 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
3 Important Notes about Walker Creek
Writing
All students have been preparing for National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo! They’ve participated in lessons about main/supporting characters and villains, setting, dialogue, and various stages of a plot over the past few weeks and are now ready to start writing their novels. This month they will be letting go of their inner editor and focusing on writing, writing, writing. It’s exciting to see their creativity and confidence building each day.
Math
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number Multiplication and Division Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll begin studying the Age of Exploration by answering the following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by The Fight for a Continent.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. McDonald's class to study life science.- Tuesday November 1, 8-9am - Dia de los Muertos gallery walk for parents
- Tuesday November 1, 6:30-7:30pm - Parent meeting for school play
- Wednesday November 2, 8:30-9:30 - Parent meeting for school play
- Friday November 4 - End of trimester; AR deadline
- Monday November 7, 1-2pm - 5th grade Shakespeare assembly
- Wednesday November 9, 7;30-8:30am - Parent meeting for Outdoor Ed
- Wednesday November 9, 10:30-11:20 - 5th grade AR assembly
- Friday November 11 - Veteran’s Day, no school
- Monday November 14-Friday November 18 - Conference week, early dismissal @11:50
- Tuesday November 22 - Grandparents’ Day
- Wednesday November 23-Friday November 25 - Thanksgiving recess, no school
- We still need more cabin leaders! With eight 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 14 men to make this happen. If we don't get enough parent cabin leaders, we can't go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it.
- All students were given a Walker Creek packet to give to you. Please ask them for it.
- Please consider attending the Walker Creek Outdoor Ed. parent information meeting on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:30 a.m. in the Bel Aire library. This will be a chance to ask questions, watch a video, and learn about this great experience.
- In Module 2, students apply the patterns of the base ten system to mental strategies and the multiplication and division algorithms.
- Specifically the first half of the unit covered multi-digit whole number multiplication and problem solving with multiplication. The second half of the unit covered multi-digit whole number division and problem solving.
- Mixed into the whole module was measurement and unit conversion and multi-step problem solving.
- Why did Europeans sail to new places?
- Who were the explorers and what did they find?
- What explorations were made by land?
- Where in the Americas did European countries claimed land?
- We have begun our unit on Living Systems.
- We have learned that all living cells require four basic components for survival- water, gas exchange, food, and waste disposal.
- We are currently learning about human body systems- namely the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems.
OCTOBER 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events:
Writing
Students will complete the final draft of their first research essay by October 14th. They will then move into the pre-writing stages of their narrative writing unit through a program called, “National Novel Writing Month,” which begins on November 1st!
Math
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal/Fraction Operations
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll begin studying the Age of Exploration by answering the following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by The Fight for a Continent.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students are wrapping-up our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
Science - Chemical Reactions
This month our class will study chemical reactions. During this unit students will focus on the following:
Walker Creek You are invited to the Walker Creek parent meeting at Bel Aire on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:30 a.m. in the library. (adults only, please).
- International Walk and Roll to School Day - Wednesday, Oct 5th
- Bel Aire Family Challenge Night - Thursday, Oct 6th from 5:00-6:30pm
- Field Trip: Mill Valley Film Festival - Tuesday, Oct 11 from 9:30-12:30
- Picture MAKEUP Day - Thursday, Oct 13th
- Staff Development Day - Monday, Oct 18th - NO SCHOOL
- Bel Aire Book Fair - Monday, Oct 24th - Thursday, Oct 27th
- Family Night at the Book Fair - Tuesday, Oct 25th from 5:00-7:00pm
- Step Parenting Workshop - October 20th, 2016 from 8:30 - 10:00am (Location TBD) - RUSD School Psychologist, Dr. Allan Gold will host a special workshop addressing the challenges and rewards of Step Parenting. Please join him on Thursday, October 20th for this unique opportunity.
- Bullying: Is My Child Being Bullied or Bullying Others? What Parents Can Do - Parent Education Opportunity on Fri, October 28th from 8:30-9:30 in the Bel Aire Staff Development Room.
- In Module 1, students explored the relationships of adjacent units on the place value chart to generalize whole number algorithms to decimal fraction operations. In Module 2, students apply the patterns of the base ten system to mental strategies and the multiplication and division algorithms.
- Topic A of Module 2 focuses on mental strategies with multi-digit whole number multiplication in lessons 1 and 2.
- Topic B focuses on the standard algorithm for multi-digit whole number multiplication is lessons 3-9.
- Why did Europeans sail to new places?
- Who were the explorers and what did they find?
- What explorations were made by land?
- Where in the Americas did European countries claimed land?
- Compare reactants and products before and after chemical reactions.
- Observe, separate, and identify the products of chemical reactions.
- Learn that atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and that all substances are composed of atoms.
- Learn that atoms rearrange during chemical reactions to form new substances.
- Use atom models and chemical formulas to represent atoms and molecules.
- Represent chemical reactions with chemical equations.
- Measure volumes of solids and liquids.
- Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed. Thank you for those that have signed up to be a cabin leader this year! We are still in need of many more leaders. Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader. If you are able to join us in this capacity, please email your classroom teacher.
- There is the Annual Fall Parent Open House on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Walker Creek Ranch. Feel free to go check out the facility and learn more about our upcoming Outdoor Ed week.
SEPTEMBER 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Writing
Fifth graders begin the year with the following activities:
Math
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The First Americans by answering the following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by the Age of Exploration.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
Science - Mixtures & Solutions
This month our class will study physical science. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night, and homework will not be assigned on Fridays. Bel Aire is joining a district-wide Homework Committee this fall that will answer the question: What is the optimal homework policy for Reed and Bel Aire schools given the research, our students, and our commitment to academic and personal growth. Additionally, on any given night that math homework is not assigned, our grade-level team is working on collecting a variety of resources to provide additional practice. We will keep you posted about that.
- Monday September 5 - Labor Day, no school
- Wednesday September 7, 6-7:30 pm - Back to School Night (adults only)
- Thursday September 8 - picture day (specific class times TBA)
- Monday September 19 - staff development day, no school
- Wednesday September 28, 8:30-10am - 5th grade parent meeting with Dr. Gold
- Writing poetry about their childhood memories
- Composing letters for Back to School Night
- Building a well-structured paragraph
- Learning about topic sentences, STAR ideas, supporting details, and concluding sentences
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
- How did geography and climate affect how people lived?
- What common ways of life developed among American Indian cultures?
- How did American Indian groups work together?
- Learn that solids, liquids, and gases can be combined to make mixtures.
- Compare the mass of a mixture to the mass of its parts.
- Separate mixtures by particle size; using screens and filters.
- Identify substances by crystal shape
- Become familiar with physical properties of common solid and liquid substances.
- Measure and weigh solids and liquids, using appropriate tools to make quantitative observations.
- Write a plan for separating a mixture of three solid materials and test the plan for effectiveness.
MAY 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Dr. Gold’s 5th Grade Parent Meeting:
Dr. Gold will be having his Spring 5th Grade Level parent meeting on May 19th from 8:30-10am in the Bel Aire Staff Development Room. This is an opportunity to meet with Dr. Gold and other parents to discuss social, academic, and parenting issues and questions and to hear different perspectives and receive advice as your child moves to the next grade. We hope to see you there.
SBAC:
Practice questions for ELA can be found here.
Practice questions for Math can be found here.
Practice questions for the Science test can be found here.
All of the practice questions from above contain information about the test, standards, how each question is scored, etc. There is a lot of information. You may find it interesting or overwhelming, therefore , use them however best serves your family.
There are also some ways that you may be able to help ensure your child is feeling good on testing mornings.
Math:
Students have begun Module 5: Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area. This month students will be reinforcing understanding of volume by composing and decomposing three-dimensional shapes, using multiplication to find the volume and area of two and three dimensional shapes with fractional side lengths, and drawing, analyzing and classifying two dimensional shapes.
Writing:
This month, students are working on their Persuasive Writing Unit. They will finish their first formal piece, and create blogs that will allow students to read the “Op-Ed’s” of other 5th graders at Bel Aire.
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying the Revolutionary War and answering the following questions:
Students are on the last chapters of My Brother Sam is Dead. It is a young adult historical fiction novel by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier which realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution.
States & Capitals:
Family Life:
The Family Life Parent Meeting is Wednesday, May 11th 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Staff Development Room.
Sample Scope and Sequence:
- Week of 5/2-5/6 - Teacher Appreciation Week
- Wednesday 5/11, 7:30-8:30 am - Family Life Parent Meeting in the Staff Development Room (next to MPR)
- Wednesday 5/11 - Spirit Day: BAOlympics!
- Wednesday 5/11 & Thursday 5/12 - Field trips to Del Mar (times vary by class)
- Wednesday 5/18, 8:30-10am, MPR - Spring Sing Concert for parents
- Thursday 5/19, 8:30-10am - 5th Grade Parent Meeting with Dr. Gold
- Friday 5/27 - AR deadline to meet goals
- Monday 5/30 - Memorial Day, no school
- Wednesday 6/1, 10:30-11:30 - AR Assembly
- Friday 6/3 - End of Trimester 3
- Tuesday 6/7, 10:30-1:30 - 5th grade bowling field trip (lunch provided by PTA)
- Wednesday 6/8, 9:30-12 - Field Day
- Thursday 6/9 - Last day of school (early dismissal)
- Tuesday, May 3 - ELA
- Thursday, May 5 - ELA
- Tuesday, May 10 - Science
- Thursday, May 12 - Science
- Tuesday, May 17 - Math
- Thursday, May 19 - Math
- Please make sure that your child gets a solid, healthy night's rest throughout the week. This means 10 hours of sleep! :)
- In order to make sure that mornings are smooth and calm I suggest helping your child pre-plan his/her outfit for school and packing their backpack and lunch the night before. In case of early finishers...please be sure your child has a book ready to silent read.
- Starting off each day with a healthy breakfast is one of the most important ways to keep a child's mood steady and his/her brain in top performance mode! Please help make sure your child has a balanced meal of protein and carbohydrates before leaving the house in the morning.
- How did the American Revolution affect the creation of state governments?
- How did the United States move into western lands?
- How did people’s views on slavery change after the Declaration of Independence was created?
- We are learning the names of all 50 states and their capitals as well as the states' locations.
- We are teaching them by region, and each week students will take a quiz on that week’s region plus any previously studied regions.
- Quia is a fun site to get some states/capitals practice.
- The goal is for every student to have a 100% success rate.
- Day 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, Board of Directors
- Day 2 - Puberty Introduction and Hygiene
- Day 3 - Puberty Boys with video
- Day 4 - Puberty Girls with video
- Day 5 - Reproduction/Anatomy
- Day 6 - Pregnancy: Nine Month Journey Video
- Day 7- Twins
- Day 8 - Refusal skills/Aides
- Day 9 - Breakout session - boys/girls
APRIL 2016 UPADATES
Upcoming Dates: LeClair / O’Leary
Math:
Students are continuing Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We have been exploring the following concepts:
In Unit 5 students will be learning:
Writing:
This month students will be focusing on the third and final type of writing -- opinion writing. They will:
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Revolutionary War by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by Forming a New Nation.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
We have begun familiarizing students with the testing interface and question types through English Language Arts and Math Interim tests. We will continue to work with using the online testing system, reviewing test taking skills, and analyzing problem on practice tests. The testing timeline is below. This link http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/ will take you to the parents SBAC page for further research into the test, system, etc. We will be sending more information regarding routines during the specific testing weeks in May.
SBAC Testing Timeline
Date / Activity
Mon, April 4 Tues, April 5
April 25 - 29 Tues, May 3 Thurs, May 5 May 9 - 13
Tues, May 17
Thurs, May 19
May 23 - June 9
- April 4 - April 8 - Math Smarter Balance Practice Tests (during math class)
- April 7 - Lawrence Hall of Science - Remmers / Bradshaw / Burgess /
- April 8 - Author Assembly - 9:30am - 10:15am
- April 9 - Mrs. Le Clair's Birthday
- April 11-15 - Spring Break
- April 18 - 5th Grade Hearing Screenings
- April 19 - Tiburon Day at the SF Giants PacBell Park
- April 25 - April 29 - Smarter Balanced ELA practice
- April 27 - Open House from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- April 29 - Mid-Trimester Progress Reports mailed home (IF your child is struggling in an area)
- May 3 - May 6 - Official Smarter Balanced ELA Testing Begins
- May 5 - Chorus/5th Grade Percussion Ensemble Assembly
- May 9, May 10, May 13 - STAR Science TEST
- May 11 + May 12 - 5th Graders Visit Del Mar for tours, etc.
- May 16 - May 20 - Smarter Balanced Math Testing
- Multiplication of a fraction by a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals as scaling and word problems
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
- Concepts of volume
- Volume and the operations of multiplication and addition
- Area of Rectangular Figures with Fractional Side Lengths
- Drawing, analysis, and classification of two-dimensional shapes
- Review the organization of an essay
- Practice different styles of topic sentences
- Write opinion paragraphs for practice
- Learn about making a rebuttal.
- Conduct research
- Write a final product of a 3-5 paragraph opinion essay
- How did the American Colonies defeat Great Britain?
- How did other nation help the Patriots?
- What role did women play in the Revolutionary War?
- What was life in colonies during the Revolution?
- How did the United States move into western lands?
- How did people’s views on slavery change after independence?
- Math Interim IAB Test (Computer Based)
- Math Interim IAB Test (Performance Task
- ELA Practice Test (1 day, you choose)
- ELA Summative SBAC Test (Computer Adaptive) – approx.1 ½ hours
- ·ELA Summative Classroom Activity – approx. ½ hour
- ELA Summative SBAC Test (Performance Task) – approx. 2 hours
- Math Practice Test (1 day, you choose)
- 5th grade Science CST test
- Math Summative SBAC Test (Computer Adaptive) – approx.1 ½ hours
- Math Summative Classroom Activity – approx. ½ hour
- Math Summative SBAC Test (Performance Task) – approx. 2 ½ hours
- All SBAC make-ups
MARCH 2016 UPDATES
Upcoming Dates:
Math:
Students will continue Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
Writing:
This month students will take part in the following writing activities:
Science:
Students will continue to study planet Earth. Students will learn the following concepts this month:
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by The Revolutionary War.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our third literary book of the school year, called My Brother Sam Is Dead written by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The Newbery Honor book realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution and entails the classic story of one family torn apart by the Revolutionary War.
- March 1-4 - Read Across America Week
- March 2 - Pajama Day
- March 3 - Book Exchange
- March 4 - Dress as favorite book character
- March 4 - Dive Deep Selections Revealed
- March 4 - End of Trimester 2
- March 2 - 6 - Bel Aire School Play
- March 7 - Start of Trimester 3
- March 10 - Last Day of Seminars
- March 11 - Report Cards Mailed Home
- March 14 - No school for students
- March 15 - 18 - Dive Deep Week
- April 1 - Lawrence Hall of Science (Sanchez / Alexander)
- April 7th - Lawrence Hall of Science (Remmers/Bradshaw/O’Leary)
- April 11-15 - Spring Break
- Multiplication of a fraction by a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals as scaling and word problems
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
- Revising artist biographies and bibliographies
- Creating final drafts of artist biographies
- Continuing the publishing process for their novels
- Beginning to learn about the third major writing form: opinion writing
- The Uneven Heating of Earth’s surface.
- Convection Currents and Wind
- The Water Cycle
- Distribution and Information about fresh water on this planet.
- Severe Weather
- What events led to the Revolutionary War?
- How did the colonists work together?
- Why did the colonists declare independence?
- Who caused change in the colonies?
FEBRUARY 2016 UPDATES
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday 2/4, 10:40-11:40 - 5th grade assembly with Marin Theater Company
Monday 2/8, 11:15-1:15 - field trip to Rafael Film Center, lunch at school after our return
Monday 2/15-Friday 2/19 - Mid-winter break, NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 2/24, 1-1:35 - trimester 2 mini-dive classes begin
Wednesday 3/2-Sunday 3/6 - Bel Aire play performances
Friday ¾ - end of trimester 2
Math:
Students have begun Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
Writing
Students will be working on writing the biography bibliography portions of the Tri-Fold Artist Report. They will do this entirely in class. Parents should NOT help with this essay. Students will conduct research, take notes, record citations, make graphic organizers, write a first draft, proofread and edit, and create a final draft.
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by Causes of the Revolution.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science -
This month our class will rotate to Mr. Remmers to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Liberia Fundraiser
You may have already heard from your children, but here’s another reminder about this year’s Liberia Project. Our school is aiming to raise $10,000 to buy a small bus to be used as a school bus for our sister school, the Elizabeth Sele Mulbah Institute in Monrovia, Liberia. Cash will be accepted immediately, and we will let you know where to write checks as soon as possible. Please send the money with your child to school. Each classroom has a donation envelope, and classes are competing for a prize for the most amount of money raised!- Line plots
- Fractions as division using models and equations
- Multiplying whole numbers and fractions by fractions (in fraction form and in decimal form)
- Dividing fractions and decimal fractions.
- Numerical expressions and word problems
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
- Solar System, focusing on the Sun as our major source of heat, light, and energy.
- Evaporation and condensation.
- Earth’s water - fresh vs. salt distribution and the conservation of water
- Water Cycle - global recycling of water on Earth
- Distribution of freshwater on Earth
- Uneven heating of the Earth’s surface and convection currents
- Weather - severe storms
JANUARY 2016 UPDATES
Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed!
We need 2-3 more male and 2-3 more female cabin leaders. Even if you can sign up as an “on call” or “if needed” cabin leader, that would really help.
Currently, we are two short on the men’s side and have the exact number of female cabin leaders we need. Each year, cabin leaders back out at the last minute for a variety of reasons, or leave halfway through camp for one emergency or another. Normally this is fine because we have extra cabin leaders. If we have no additional cabin leaders as backup, we will have a crisis on our hands.
Walker Creek Medication Due!
All medications for your child MUST be turned in to the office NO LATER than Monday, Jan. 11th. It is very important that this deadline be respected. Thank you!
Upcoming Dates:
Math:
This month we continue to practice and review the objective in Module 3: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions. Students began the New Year (where we left off in December) with using equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators. Students will also be learning how to add, subtract, and estimate fractions greater than or equal to 1, solve multi-term and multi-step word problems using a variety of methods, and explore part-to-whole relationships before completing the unit.
Writing
This month all fifth grade students will focus on both fiction and non-fiction writing as they:
This work will eventually lead to the writing of an artist biography that is 5-6 paragraphs long. All writing for the biography will be completed in class, and the biography is due on February 26.
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by Causes of the Revolution.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science - Life Science
This month our class will rotate to Dr. Alexander to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
For interactive Science activities you can visit the Foss Website- Due now! - all Walker Creek Outdoor Ed. paperwork and payments are past due! Please turn in to the office.
- January 11th, Monday - All meds for Walker Creek MUST be turned into the office!
- January 15th - Mid-Trimester Alerts are sent home (only for students struggling in an academic or behavior area)
- January 18 - No School - MLK's Birthday Observance
- January 19-22 - Walker Creek
- January 25 - Mrs. Caldwell begins art for 5th graders at Bel Aire
- Feb. 15 - 19 - No School - In Observance of Mid-Winter Break
- March 2 - Bel Aire School Play begins
- March 4 - Last day of Trimester 2 and Last day to reach 100% of AR goals.
- Are guided through the steps of self-publishing their NaNoWriMo novels
- Review the elements of an “accordion paragraph” learned in September and October
- Review the use of transition words
- Learn how to string several paragraphs together to create a multi-paragraph essay
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
- All living cells require four basic components for survival- water, gas exchange, food, and waste disposal.
- Human body systems- namely the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems.
DECEMBER 2015 UPDATES
Upcoming Dates
Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed!
Fifth Grade needs a lot more cabin leaders. We currently have 2 or 3 men and 9 or 10 women signed up. However, we need 14 men and 14 women to sign up and go to camp to help make this wonderful experience for our students possible. Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader. If you are able to join us in this capacity, please email your classroom teacher ASAP. Thank you for considering being a cabin leader!
Writing:
First draft novel writing has ended, and now the students begin the processes of revising and editing their work. Students will look at the work of published authors, work in writing groups and with partners, and receive lessons on revision, grammar, and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts. We are requesting that parents sit with their children over the winter break to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January.
Math:
In Module 3, students’ understanding of addition and subtraction of fractions extends from earlier work with fraction equivalence and decimals. Students will:
This month, lessons will focus on making equivalent fractions with the number line, the area model, and whole numbers.
Science:
During Investigation 2 Nutrition Systems, students investigate nutrient systems of yeast, plants, and animals. They design an investigation to determine the necessary conditions for activating dry yeast. They plant wheat and observe the seedlings to determine which plants have chlorophyll. Students infer that the plants growing in light are producing food to provide nutrients to their cells. Students investigate how animals acquire nutrients by eating and digesting food.
This module contains three sections:
Students design an investigation to determine the necessary conditions for activating dry yeast. After determining that water and a cookie produce yeast activity, they conduct experiments to discover that it is the sugar in the cookie that activates the yeast. Yeast is introduced as a single-celled fungus.
Students think about how to break the dormancy of another organism, the wheat plant. They plant wheat seeds in containers of soil and place half of the planters in a lighted environment and the other half in a dark environment. Students read about the action of chlorophyll and its role in the manufacture of sugar. They observe their wheat plants to determine which plants have chlorophyll. Students infer that the plants growing in light are the ones prepared to produce food to provide nutrients to their cells.
Students investigate how animals acquire nutrients for their cells by eating and digesting food. The painted lady butterfly goes through its life cycle while students observe the larvae and adults eating different food sources. The human digestive system is explored through a video that shows an experiment on chemical digestion in the stomach.
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions: The unit will be followed-up by Causes of the Revolution.
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
- Friday December 11 - all Walker Creek Outdoor Ed. paperwork and payments due!
- Friday December 11 - Ritter House gift donations due in the office
- Wednesday December 16, 8:30-10am - Winter Holiday Concert for parents
- December 20-January 4 - Winter Break, no school
- Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators
- Understand addition and subtraction of fractions
- Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions
- Investigation 2, Part 1: Yeast Nutrition
- Investigation 2, Part 2: Plant Nutrition
- Investigation 2, Part 3: Animal Nutrition
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
NOVEMBER 2015 UPDATES
Upcoming Dates
Writing
November is here, and that can mean only one thing: National Novel Writing Month (affectionately known as NaNoWriMo) has finally begun! The students have spent several weeks planning their characters, the setting, the plot outline, and the dialogue. They have put away their Inner Editors, and now they are focusing on creating their novels this month. They will receive many mini-lessons during writing classes, but much of the time will be spent simply writing. Students are writing in Google Docs. This means that they can access their writing from any device that has Internet access. If your child wants to work on the novel during his/her free time, we encourage that. Sometimes your child will be asked to work on the novel for homework. Come December, we will pull out those Inner Editors to correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar, but until then, let the ideas flow!.
Math
We are halfway through Module 2: Multi Digit whole number and decimal operations. Students will be taking a test the Mid-Module Assessment on Tuesday, November 3rd. There are four topics (E-H) remaining in this module. Students will be assessed on the concepts of the entire module after these four topics have been taught.
Lessons 28-29.
Please see parent letters for each topic on the classroom website along with review videos and additional copies of the homework pages. You can also get extra practice by using www.tenmarks.com, www.frontrowed.com, and www.zearn.org. Your child has a login for each of these sites.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Fight for a Continent by answering following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science (Living Systems with Mrs. Alexander)
Students started a unit on Living Systems. They will learn that:
- Tuesday - Wednesday, November 3 - 4, 1-7 pm - Book Fair in the MPR
- Friday November 6- End of Trimester 1; end of AR Trimester 1
- Tuesday, November 10 - Student Council Blue Ribbon Celebration
- Tuesday, November 10, 7:30-8:30am - Walker Creek Parent meeting in the library
- Wednesday, November 11- Veteran’s Day - No School
- Monday -Friday, November 16 - 20 - Minimum Days; Student Led Conferences
- Tuesday, November 24 - Grandparents Day
- Wednesday - Friday, November 25-28 - Thanksgiving Break No School
- Topic E: Mental Strategies for Multi-Digit Whole Number Division
Lessons 16-18 - Topic F: Partial Quotients and Multi-Digit Whole Number Division
Lessons 19 - 23 - Topic G: Partial Quotients and Multi-Digit Decimal Division
Lessons 24-27 - Topic H: Measurement Word Problems with Multi-Digit Division
- Why did European nations and American Indians compete in North America?
- How did colonies and American Indians cooperate?
- What major conflicts did this European colonists and American Indians have?
- How were American Indians forced off their land?
- What conflicts occurred amongst American Indians?
- Who were the leaders in the struggle for American Indian lands?
- A system is a collection of interacting objects, ideas, and/ or procedures that together define a physical entity or process.
- Earth can be described as the interaction of four earth systems: the rocky part (the geosphere), the atmosphere, the water (the hydrosphere), and the complexity of living organism (the biosphere)
- Food webs are subsystems within ecosystems. They describe the transfer of matter and energy within the system.
- Food webs are made up of producers (organisms that make their own food), consumers (organisms that eat other organisms to obtain food), and decomposers (organisms that consume and recycle dead organisms and organic waste)
SEPTEMBER 2015 UPDATES
Upcoming Dates
Writing
Math
Science (Chemistry)
Social Studies / Reading (Language Arts)
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The First Americans by answering the following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.- Wednesday, Sept. 2 - Back to School Night – 6pm MPR, 6:30pm classrooms
- Friday, Sept. 11 - Picture Day
- Monday, Sept. 21 - Staff Development, no school for students
- Tuesday, Oct. 6 – Bel Aire Play Parent Info Meeting - 6:30pm
- Thursday, Oct. 9 - Make-Up Picture Day
- Monday, Oct. 19 - Staff Development, no school for students
- Students began the year with letter writing and poetry writing.
- Next focus will be on building a well structured paragraph.
- Students will learn about topic sentences, STAR ideas, supporting details, and concluding sentences.
- We began the year with an exciting challenge!
- Students participated in the Marshmallow Challenge - in teams they tried to build the tallest freestanding structure using: one marshmallow, 1 yard of string, 1 yard of tape and 20 pieces of spaghetti. There were many successes and failures giving rise to interesting discussions about how to test ideas and "work like a kindergartener."
- The first unit focuses on Place Decimal and Decimal Fractions.
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Students can get extra practice with any of these concepts on IXL, Khan Academy, the Houghton Mifflin online textbook and Brainpop.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
- Students will learn about the states of matter and how to observe properties of different types of matter
- Students will experiment with creating and separating mixtures and solutions.
- How did geography and climate affect how people lived?
- What common ways of life developed among American Indian cultures?
- How did American Indian groups work together?
The Reed Union School District is committed to providing accessibility for all. If you experience difficulty with the accessibility of any web page or documents on our site, please contact us to request this information in an alternative format.
You can contact us at 415-381-1112
March 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Reading
Students are beginning to read a second core literature novel titled My Brother Sam is Dead. This historical fiction novel covers events that took place during the American Revolution. While reading, we will identify the theme of this story, compare and contrast two or more characters, make inferences, and describe how the narrator’s point of view influences the way events are described.
Here is a brief summary: All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam is smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father. War is raging and Tim knows he'll have to make a choice -- between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.
Writing
Students are continuing to make progress publishing their novels. Beginning March 15th, students will start their informational biography on their artist. They are writing a paragraph on the artist’s early life, personal life, and professional life. They will also be creating a bibliography to show where they have gathered their research. Additionally, they will act as an art critic and write a letter to the artist where they are critiquing their work. The project will be presented on a tri-fold on Open House, May 16th.
Math
This month students will complete the second half of Module 4. Lessons 13-33.
Students will learn:
Social Studies
In March students will study weather patterns. Their work will include:
Walker Creek
Thank you to all our volunteer cabin leaders! We have secured the minimum requirements of parent volunteers, and we are looking forward to a successful Walker Creek/Outdoor Education week April 2nd-5th. Please let us know if your child WILL NOT be joining us at Walker Creek and we will be sure to accommodate your child in another teacher’s classroom. Paperwork has gone home and is due in the office by March 8th with a check. Make sure to check out this packing list.
- March 1: End of Tri 2
- March 4: 7:30am 5th grade Parent Meeting on Family Life (in library)
- March 11: No School: Staff Development Day
Reading
Students are beginning to read a second core literature novel titled My Brother Sam is Dead. This historical fiction novel covers events that took place during the American Revolution. While reading, we will identify the theme of this story, compare and contrast two or more characters, make inferences, and describe how the narrator’s point of view influences the way events are described.
Here is a brief summary: All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam is smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father. War is raging and Tim knows he'll have to make a choice -- between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.
Writing
Students are continuing to make progress publishing their novels. Beginning March 15th, students will start their informational biography on their artist. They are writing a paragraph on the artist’s early life, personal life, and professional life. They will also be creating a bibliography to show where they have gathered their research. Additionally, they will act as an art critic and write a letter to the artist where they are critiquing their work. The project will be presented on a tri-fold on Open House, May 16th.
Math
This month students will complete the second half of Module 4. Lessons 13-33.
Students will learn:
- Multiplication of a fraction with a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
Social Studies
In March students will study weather patterns. Their work will include:
- Representing data in tables to describe typical weather patterns
- Obtaining & combining information to describe climates around the world
- Designing a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth’s systems
- Acting as meteorologists to describe & predict weather
Walker Creek
Thank you to all our volunteer cabin leaders! We have secured the minimum requirements of parent volunteers, and we are looking forward to a successful Walker Creek/Outdoor Education week April 2nd-5th. Please let us know if your child WILL NOT be joining us at Walker Creek and we will be sure to accommodate your child in another teacher’s classroom. Paperwork has gone home and is due in the office by March 8th with a check. Make sure to check out this packing list.
February 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Reading
Students are continuing with their focus on Author’s Perspective. In February they will:
Social Studies
We are wrapping up our discovery of European explorers who landed in the Americas. Next up we will be learning about Europeans who settled in North American and started the 13 colonies.
Writing
This month is Novel Writing Month. Students will participate in the challenge to write an entire novel in just one month! Students get to set their own word-count goal, and therefore, the length of their novel. Students will attempt to finish the first draft of their novel by 11:59 pm on February 27th. Time to write will be given at school, but students are also encouraged to work on their novel at home.
Science
Students will contextualize weather vocabulary before helping Mosa Mack solve the mystery of why storms seem to have such different characteristics in different regions. Students will plan and act out a model of the various factors that contribute to a weather front of their choice. Students apply their knowledge of weather and act as meteorologists to design a weather report that predicts and explains a day of weather in a region of their choice.
Math
Students are beginning Module 4, which covers multiplication and division of fractions and decimals. Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE. Also, all students have a Dreambox account paid for by the school district. This a great way to get additional math practice at home. We have also started to use Prodigy, a math game website that the kids are loving. The login can be found HERE.
Geography Bee
Fourth and 5th grade students have been showcasing their geography knowledge during this week’s Geo Bee. Thursday’s exciting round brought it down to three 5th grade stars: Rhett, Lukas and Mark. Friday’s final round was impressive! Lukas from Ms. Sanchez's class was crowned the Bel Aire Geo Bee Champion of 2019. Congratulations!
- February 4: Art returns to Bel Aire
- February 6: Global School Play Day
- February 14: Class Valentines Celebrations
- February 18-22 Mid Winter Break
- February 28: Math Centers
- March 1: End of Trimester 2
- March 4: 5th grade parent meeting about Family Life from 7:30-8:30 am in the Staff Development Room.
Reading
Students are continuing with their focus on Author’s Perspective. In February they will:
- Explore a variety of genres of writing while identifying varying perspectives and purposes in the pieces
- Continue their work on recording a reading summary podcast on a current book they loved
Social Studies
We are wrapping up our discovery of European explorers who landed in the Americas. Next up we will be learning about Europeans who settled in North American and started the 13 colonies.
Writing
This month is Novel Writing Month. Students will participate in the challenge to write an entire novel in just one month! Students get to set their own word-count goal, and therefore, the length of their novel. Students will attempt to finish the first draft of their novel by 11:59 pm on February 27th. Time to write will be given at school, but students are also encouraged to work on their novel at home.
Science
Students will contextualize weather vocabulary before helping Mosa Mack solve the mystery of why storms seem to have such different characteristics in different regions. Students will plan and act out a model of the various factors that contribute to a weather front of their choice. Students apply their knowledge of weather and act as meteorologists to design a weather report that predicts and explains a day of weather in a region of their choice.
Math
Students are beginning Module 4, which covers multiplication and division of fractions and decimals. Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE. Also, all students have a Dreambox account paid for by the school district. This a great way to get additional math practice at home. We have also started to use Prodigy, a math game website that the kids are loving. The login can be found HERE.
Geography Bee
Fourth and 5th grade students have been showcasing their geography knowledge during this week’s Geo Bee. Thursday’s exciting round brought it down to three 5th grade stars: Rhett, Lukas and Mark. Friday’s final round was impressive! Lukas from Ms. Sanchez's class was crowned the Bel Aire Geo Bee Champion of 2019. Congratulations!
january 2019 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events:
- Wednesday, January 9, 8:30-10:00 am - PTA monthly meeting
- Monday, January 21 - MLK, Jr. Day, no school
- Tuesday, January 22nd - 5th grade seminars begin
- Wednesday, January 23 - Picture makeup day
- Monday, January 28th - Friday, February 1st, from 12:10-12:35 - Geo Bee competition in the MPR
Reading:
In reading, students are/will be:
- wrapping up a long-term project on Sign of the Beaver.
- developing a podcast based on books they are reading independently.
- starting a Benchmark unit focusing on author's point of view
- meeting in small reading groups
- reading both fiction & non-fiction to determine the author's point of view
Social Studies
Students are completing a final project based on region, resources, shelter, and customs of early American Indian tribes. Our next unit will teach us about study European explorers, who they were, and what they were in search for.
Writing:
It is time for our January Novel Writing Month (JanoWrimo) challenge. We've begun our pre-writing lessons this week and will begin writing the novel at the end of January onto the month of February. Students will edit/revise the novel in March. Once novels have been completed students will receive 2 free paperbacks versions that can be put on your bookshelf by Open House. If you'd like to order more books, please email your writing teacher for purchase costs.
Math
Students are working on Module 3 this month. It covers addition and subtraction of fractions. Math videos for Module 3 can be found HERE. Math tips for parents newsletter for Module 3 can be found HERE. Duane videos can be found HERE.
Science
We are learning about the water cycle this month. Students are solving mysteries about how to conserve water and how the planet’s water is interconnected. Students will compare paths and draw visual models that explain how water moves through the water cycle. Finally, students will develop and design a device for water conservation focusing on a solution to recycle and reuse water.
Walker Creek
Fifth graders are in need of your help for our upcoming Walker Creek Outdoor Education field trip. Currently, we don’t have enough parents cleared to go on this amazing learning adventure. The 5th grade team must have more parents as volunteers to be cabin leaders. If we don’t get enough parents as cabin leaders by March 1st, unfortunately, we will not be able go to the camp. All cabin leaders will need to be fingerprinted and that can take up to 2 months for the paperwork to be processed. Keep in mind, if you were fingerprinted in the last year for a different RUSD event, please contact your teacher or the school office. Those cleared fingerprints are acceptable for our Walker Creek trip! GOOD NEWS is that ALL adults go to camp for FREE :) If you are able and willing, please Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader.
Camp Dates: Tuesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 5th
- Please email your teacher for Live Scan Paperwork
- Please click for Locations
- Cost: $70
- Could take as long as 2 months to process!
GeoBee
Each year, Bel Aire School participates in the National Geographic Bee, which is an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society. The Geo Bee is a wonderful opportunity to explore the world while testing your smarts, and all interested 4th and 5th graders are encouraged to participate!
Students must REGISTER ONLINE to enter the Geo Bee. You will find the registration form on the Library/Digital Media Webpage. Click on the MORE tab to complete and submit the registration form for your child. The deadline to register for the GeoBee is Friday, January 11, 2019.
All interested students must attend the mandatory information meeting on Friday, January 11 at lunch recess in Room A-3. At this meeting, your child will also have the opportunity to register for the Bee competition.
What's the best way to prepare your child for the Bee? Go to the Bel Aire Library website and click on the MORE link for study resources, lesson plans, and other activities from National Geographic Education. The Study Corner and Sample Questions sections are a good place for your child to begin learning more about topic areas that frequently appear in Bee questions. You can also download the GeoBee Challenge app on your mobile device!
december 2018 updates!
Upcoming Events:
- 12/5: Student Council Fair Day (bring up to $10 for bake sale and games.
- 12/14: 8:25 a.m. Draw Along Assembly (students only)
- 12/19: 8:30 a.m. Holiday Concert for Parents
- 12/19: 10:30 Holiday Concert for students
- 12/24/18-1/7/19 Winter Break
- 1/8/19 School Resumes
Reading/Social Studies:
This month our class is finishing up The Sign of the Beaver, which illustrates the relations between white settlers and American Indians. Throughout this month we will be reviewing reading strategies such as character comparison, theme, conflict, connections between our life and events in Sign of the Beaver, and summarizing the most important plot mountain events.
Writing:
This month, students will:
- Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
- Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
- Use a rubric to self assess progress throughout student’s opinion essays.
Math:
We are finishing up Module 2 this month. The first half of this module students learned to multiply with multi-digit numbers. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
We will be moving on to Module 3 next, which covers addition and subtraction of fractions.
Science:
We are finishing up our Mosa Mack Atoms and Molecules unit. The last part of the Molecules unit is called The Engineer. The students design a solution to and environmental issue. This is happening near the garbage treatment facility at the edge of Toxic Town. We will be transitioning to the Water Cycle Unit.
Walker Creek:
Fifth graders are in need of your help for our upcoming Walker Creek Outdoor Education field trip. Currently, we don’t have enough parents cleared to go on this amazing learning adventure. The 5th grade team must have more parents as volunteers to be cabin leaders. If we don’t get enough parents as cabin leaders by March 1st, unfortunately, we will not be able go to the camp. All cabin leaders will need to be fingerprinted and that can take up to 2 months for the paperwork to be processed. Keep in mind, if you were fingerprinted in the last year for a different RUSD event, please contact your teacher or the school office. Those cleared fingerprints are acceptable for our Walker Creek trip! GOOD NEWS is that ALL adults go to camp for FREE :) If you are able and willing, please Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader.
- Camp Dates: Tuesday, April 2nd - Friday, April 5th
- Please email your teacher for Live Scan Paperwork
- Please click for Locations
- Cost: $70
- Could take as long as 2 months to process!
Design Lab:
Students will be learning a new coding language this month:
- Swift Playground coding app
- Apple product
- Coding language used on iOS devices like iPhone & iPads
- Students will solve problems with increasing complexity
- Game format
- Teaches coding fundamentals
november 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
Reading / Social Studies
Students are reading the fictional novel, The Sign of the Beaver. This story highlights a time of early U.S. settlers in Maine during the early 18th century. A boy, Matt, is left alone to guard his cabin while his family is away. Matt learns survival skills and befriends a Native American boy named Attean who teaches him about his culture and helps him survive. Students will discuss the concept of theme and main idea, and support their understanding of the book with text evidence questions.
Writing
This month students will be focusing on the second type of writing -- opinion writing:
Math
We are close to halfway through Module 2. The first half of this module students are learning to multiply with multi-digit numbers. The mid module test is on lessons 1-15. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
Science
Students are completing the final unit on Matter. They are working on the following:
Walker Creek
We still need more male and female cabin leaders! With seven 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women to make this happen. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp.
- November 1: 5th grade Read a Thon/PJ day
- November 2: End of Trimester 1
- November 5-9: Early Dismissal 12:10pm Daily, for Parent/Teacher/Child Conferences
- November 12: Veterans Day: No School
- November 14: Student Council Fair Day (bring $$ for bake sale and more)
- November 15: 2:35 PM 5th grade Percussion practice
- November 21-23: Thanksgiving Break (no school)
- November 26-30: Play Auditions (after school)
- November 27: 5th grade Shakespeare Assembly (1:30pm)
- November 29: Math Centers
Reading / Social Studies
Students are reading the fictional novel, The Sign of the Beaver. This story highlights a time of early U.S. settlers in Maine during the early 18th century. A boy, Matt, is left alone to guard his cabin while his family is away. Matt learns survival skills and befriends a Native American boy named Attean who teaches him about his culture and helps him survive. Students will discuss the concept of theme and main idea, and support their understanding of the book with text evidence questions.
Writing
This month students will be focusing on the second type of writing -- opinion writing:
- Write an On-Demand pre-test essay to see what they know about opinion writing.
- Review the organization of an essay
- Use a graphic organizer to know how to stake a claim/form an opinion and back-up research with facts.
- Conduct research
- Write a final product of a 5 paragraph opinion essay.
Math
We are close to halfway through Module 2. The first half of this module students are learning to multiply with multi-digit numbers. The mid module test is on lessons 1-15. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
Science
Students are completing the final unit on Matter. They are working on the following:
- Learn the difference between atoms, molecules & compounds
- Create a new substance based on chemical research
- Gather and analyze evidence to determine whether a physical change or chemical reaction has occurred.
Walker Creek
We still need more male and female cabin leaders! With seven 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women to make this happen. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp.
- Camp: Tuesday, April 2 - Friday, April 5
- New Requirement: Must get Fingerprinting through Live Scan
- Locations
- $70
- Could take as long as 2 months to process!
october 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
- October 1-5: Spelling Bee @ lunch in MPR
- October 8: Art classes start with Ms. Caldwell
- October 9: 5pm Fall Family Festival night
- October 11: 5th grade field trip to Rafael Theater
- Oct 22-26: RUSD Book Fair
- Oct 22: No School: Staff Development Day
- October 31: Halloween Parade (more info coming soon)
- November 2: End of Trimester 1
- November 5-9 Conference Week: Dismissal Daily at 12:10 p.m.
Reading / Social Studies
Students are continuing to explore Benchmark’s Unit 1: The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now. Throughout the upcoming pieces of text they will:
- identify key details and summarize
- Analyze informational and narrative texts
- Evaluate an author’s use of language
- Compare and contrast texts
- Use text evidence to draw inferences
Writing
This month, students are:
- Building a well structured 5-paragraph essay using the t-chart method.
- Beginning informational research writing essay a famous city.
- Students will conclude the unit by writing a short research essay, due Nov. 1st.
Math
This month our class will continue studying Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
Science
In October students will:
- Learn the difference between atoms, molecules & compounds
- Work like a materials engineer to create a new substance based on chemical research.
- Begin a new unit focusing on weather
Walker Creek
Thanks to those who participated in this year’s Walker Creek informational meeting. If you are interested in volunteering to be a cabin leader at Walker Creek please complete the Live Scan paperwork and fingerprinting as soon as possible. If you have previously been fingerprinted for RUSD only, you do not need to go through the Live Scan process again. Remember, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women in order for our 5th grade to go this year.
In case you missed this year’s meeting, attached is the Walker Creek Keynote & Fall Open House Flyer for your review.
- Camp: Tuesday, April 2 - Friday, April 5
- New Requirement: Must get Fingerprinting through Live Scan
- Location
- $70
Could take as long as 2 months to process!
september 2018 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events
- Thursday, August 30: Back to School Night 6pm
- Friday, August 31: New Family Coffee 8am
- Friday, August 31: PTA Volunteer Coffee 8:30am
- Monday, September 3: No School (Labor Day)
- Thursday, September 13: PIcture Day
- Monday, September 24: No School (Staff Development Day)
Homework Requirements
Students are required to read 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned Monday through Thursday for skill practice and reinforcement; but not to exceed 60 minutes. Good news, no homework will be assigned on Fridays.
Reading / Social Studies
Students have begun working with their reading teacher Mrs. McDonald. This month they will:
- Review routines that will take place during reader’s workshop
- Begin Benchmark Unit 1: The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now. In this unit, students read and compare selections about the development of laws and about people who have fought to change unfair laws to analyze why laws evolve.
Writing
Fifth graders begin the year with the following:
- Learn about topic sentences, main ideas, supporting details, and concluding sentences using the Step Up To Writing program.
- Learn how to build a well-structured paragraph.
Science
Fifth grades new science adoption, Mosa Mack, Atoms & Molecules begins this month. Students will learn the following:
- Learners will discover that everything in our world is composed of small atoms, which, when bonded together, create unique structures with unique properties.
- Learners then select their own element, explore its properties, and design a prototype to be made from this material.
Math
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Learn about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
May 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Language Arts:
Writing:
Students are completing their informational biography on their artist. They are writing a paragraph on the artist’s early life, personal life, and professional life. They will also be creating a bibliography to show where they have gathered their research. Additionally, they will act as an art critic and write a letter to the artist where they are critiquing their work.
Reading:
We are finishing up the novel My Brother Sam is Dead. Students are:
Math:
Students are reviewing all 5th grade math standards from this year. Students will be practicing for the SBAC test. Our final math project is called Geometrocity and students will work with their table group to complete a town built of various geometric shapes. These will be on display at Open House.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
As part of 5th grade social studies curriculum, students are expected to learn all of the 50 states and capitals by the end of the year. They should be able to:
Family Life: Weeks of May 14 and May 21
Parent Meeting Wednesday, April 18, 2018 7:30am in the library
Sample Scope and Sequence:
Science:
We are finishing up the water planet unit this month. Students will be reviewing their notes, filling out a study guide, and sharing their knowledge on a final exam on May 9 and 11. The emphasis this trimester is on student growth from the pretest to the final exam.
- May 9: Science SBAC Test
- May 14-25: Family Life
- May 15: Math SBAC
- May 17: Math SBAC
- May 22: 5th graders visit Del Mar
- May 24: Open House 6-7:30pm (start in class, then outside for music presentation)
- May 30: Spring Sing 8:30am for parents
- June 5-8: Dive Deep Week
- June 12: Bowling Field Trip 10:30-1, followed by lunch and yearbook signing
- June 13: Field Day
- June 13: 5th grade Variety Show 8:30 a.m.
- June 14: Last Day dismissal 1:35, 5th grade celebration 11-12 in the MPR ALL are welcome
Language Arts:
Writing:
Students are completing their informational biography on their artist. They are writing a paragraph on the artist’s early life, personal life, and professional life. They will also be creating a bibliography to show where they have gathered their research. Additionally, they will act as an art critic and write a letter to the artist where they are critiquing their work.
Reading:
We are finishing up the novel My Brother Sam is Dead. Students are:
- Answering questions using text evidence
- Discussing events of the American Revolution
- Considering varying perspectives of historical events
Math:
Students are reviewing all 5th grade math standards from this year. Students will be practicing for the SBAC test. Our final math project is called Geometrocity and students will work with their table group to complete a town built of various geometric shapes. These will be on display at Open House.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
As part of 5th grade social studies curriculum, students are expected to learn all of the 50 states and capitals by the end of the year. They should be able to:
- Identify the state on a blank map
- Name the corresponding capital for each state. (They do not need to know where the capital is located in the state)
- Take the final quiz when they are ready. There will not be an assigned date for the quiz.
Family Life: Weeks of May 14 and May 21
Parent Meeting Wednesday, April 18, 2018 7:30am in the library
Sample Scope and Sequence:
- Day 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, Board of Directors
- Day 2 - Puberty Introduction and Hygiene
- Day 3 - Puberty Boys with video
- Day 4 - Puberty Girls with video
- Day 5 - Reproduction/Anatomy
- Day 6 - Pregnancy: Nine Month Journey Video
- Day 7- Twins
- Day 8 - Refusal skills/Aides
- Day 9 - Breakout session - boys/girls
Science:
We are finishing up the water planet unit this month. Students will be reviewing their notes, filling out a study guide, and sharing their knowledge on a final exam on May 9 and 11. The emphasis this trimester is on student growth from the pretest to the final exam.
April 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
- April 9th - 13th: Spring break
- Wednesday, April 18th from 7:30-8:15 a.m.: Parent Ed Meeting re. Family Life in Staff Development Room
- Tuesday, April 24th: SBAC Language arts testing
- Wednesday, April 25th: SBAC Language arts testing
- Thursday, April 26th: SBAC Language arts testing
- June 14th: End of year 5th Grade Celebration!
- When: 11:00 am
- Where: MPR
- What: Slideshow (11:00), Speeches (11:20), Sing-a-Long (11:45)
- Finish with clap-out for the 5th graders. Parents Welcome!
Language Arts:
Writing
Students are currently working on Artist Reports and building their informational writing skills. They are taking notes, and will soon create t-charts and start writing the rough and final draft of their artist biographies. Later, students will also write a two-paragraph letter to their artist and complete a bibliography.
Math:
We will be completing our last unit, Module 6, this month and starting SBAC review GEOMETROCITY: Building a city with math. This is a real world investigation where kids get to design and build a city using geometry, maps and more. We’ll be inviting you to a viewing later in the month.
Social Studies
States & Capitals
As part of 5th grade social studies curriculum, students are expected to learn all of the 50 states and capitals by the end of the year. They should be able to:
- Identify the state on a blank map
- Name the corresponding capital for each state. (They do not need to know where the capital is located in the state)
- Take the final quiz when they are ready. There will not be an assigned date for the quiz.
Science:
Water Planet ClassThis month, students are learning about the following:
- The Uneven Heating of Earth’s Surface
- Convection Currents
- Wind
- Fresh Water
- The Water Cycle
Family Life: Weeks of May 14 and May 21
Parent Meeting Wednesday, April 18, 2018 7:30am in the library
Sample Scope and Sequence:
- Day 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, Board of Directors
- Day 2 - Puberty Introduction and Hygiene
- Day 3 - Puberty Boys with video
- Day 4 - Puberty Girls with video
- Day 5 - Reproduction/Anatomy
- Day 6 - Pregnancy: Nine Month Journey Video
- Day 7- Twins
- Day 8 - Refusal skills/Aides
- Day 9 - Breakout session - boys/girls
March 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
- Monday, March 1st New science classes begin with a new teacher
- Friday, March 2nd100% of AR Goals Due
- Friday, March 2nd End of 2nd Trimester
- Monday, March 5th 1st Day of 3rd Trimester
- February 26th - March 2nd: READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK!
- Monday: We will kick off the week with a guest reader at the Monday Morning Meeting.
- Tuesday: Students can come to school with crazy hair or wear a crazy hat!
- Wednesday: Students can celebrate by wearing a pair of silly socks and have DEAR time in class
- Thursday: Book Swap Cafe in the library.
- Friday: Dr. Seuss’s birthday! Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss or book character that day.
- March 7th - 11th: Bel Aire Play: The Wizard of Oz
- March 8th - 9th: 5th grade field trip: Lawrence Hall of Sciences (All Day)
- March 9th: Outdoor Ed paperwork due
- March 12th: Staff Development Day: No School for Students
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
Paperwork has gone home and is due in the office by March 9 with a check. Make sure to check out this packing list.
Language Arts:
Writing
This month, students will:
- Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
- Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
- Use a rubric to self assess progress throughout opinion essay
- Continue to make progress publishing their novels.
Reading
This month students will finish the unit called Technology’s Impact on Society. They will focus on:
- Reading & responding to poetry
- Comparing & contrasting poems with similar themes
- Identifying key details & main ideas
Students also will begin taking practice tests in preparation for state testing in April.
Math:
This month we start Module 5, Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area. Students will explore finding the volume and area of a rectangular prism as well as classifying triangles, polygons and quadrilaterals. Module 5 videos can be found here. Parent tip sheet can be found here.
Science:
Our class will be rotating to Mr. Remmers for the Water Planet unit. This month they will be covering:
- Solar System, focusing on the Sun as our major source of heat, light, and energy.
- Water cycle, specifically evaporation and condensation.
February 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Feb. 7th (Wednesday): 80% AR benchmark
Feb. 7th (Wednesday): Global Play Day
Feb. 9th (Friday): Last day of science with current science teacher
Feb. 12th (Monday): Art with Mrs. Caldwell returns to Bel Aire
Feb. 14th (Wednesday): Valentine’s Day Class Parties
Feb. 15th (Thursday): Math Centers
Feb.16th (Friday): 90% AR benchmark
Feb.16th (Friday): Math Module 4 Ends
Feb.19 - 23rd: Mid-Winter Break - No School
Feb. 26th (Monday): New science classes begin with a new teacher
Feb. 26th (Monday): Math Module 5 Begins
March 2nd (Friday): 100% of AR Goals Due
March 2nd (Friday): End of 2nd Trimester
March 5th (Monday): 1st Day of 3rd Trimester
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
Good news!!! We have enough chaperones at this time.
Language Arts:
Writing
This month, students will:
•Learn what persuasive/opinion essay writing is.
•Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
•Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
•Continue to make progress publishing their novels.
Reading
This month, students will finish the unit called Author’s Point of View focusing on:
Next up, they will begin the unit called Conflicts That Shaped a Nation which pairs nicely with our social studies curriculum.
Math:
This month students will complete the second half of Module 4. Lessons 13-33.
Students will learn:
Science:
This month, students have learned all about the anatomy of a plant: The xylem, phloem, and vascular bundles. Students have also classified leaves into several groups. We’ve been comparing the plants and animal systems.
Feb. 7th (Wednesday): 80% AR benchmark
Feb. 7th (Wednesday): Global Play Day
Feb. 9th (Friday): Last day of science with current science teacher
Feb. 12th (Monday): Art with Mrs. Caldwell returns to Bel Aire
Feb. 14th (Wednesday): Valentine’s Day Class Parties
Feb. 15th (Thursday): Math Centers
Feb.16th (Friday): 90% AR benchmark
Feb.16th (Friday): Math Module 4 Ends
Feb.19 - 23rd: Mid-Winter Break - No School
Feb. 26th (Monday): New science classes begin with a new teacher
Feb. 26th (Monday): Math Module 5 Begins
March 2nd (Friday): 100% of AR Goals Due
March 2nd (Friday): End of 2nd Trimester
March 5th (Monday): 1st Day of 3rd Trimester
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
Good news!!! We have enough chaperones at this time.
Language Arts:
Writing
This month, students will:
•Learn what persuasive/opinion essay writing is.
•Learn the key components of an effective opinion piece.
•Review and implement strategies for writing organized essays.
•Continue to make progress publishing their novels.
Reading
This month, students will finish the unit called Author’s Point of View focusing on:
- Drawing inferences from the text
- Comparing points of view
- Identifying key events & summarizing
Next up, they will begin the unit called Conflicts That Shaped a Nation which pairs nicely with our social studies curriculum.
Math:
This month students will complete the second half of Module 4. Lessons 13-33.
Students will learn:
- Multiplication of a fraction with a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
Science:
This month, students have learned all about the anatomy of a plant: The xylem, phloem, and vascular bundles. Students have also classified leaves into several groups. We’ve been comparing the plants and animal systems.
january 2018 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
- Monday 1/15 - MLK Jr. Day, no school
- Friday 1/12 - 60% of AR goal
- Thursday 1/18, 11:15-12:15 (with optional hike 10-11am) - Walker Creek Open House Tour. More information HERE
- Thursday 1/18, 1-2:30 - 5th grade seminars begin
- Friday 1/26 - 70% of AR goal
Walker Creek (Outdoor Ed.):
- Walker Creek is having an open house and parents tour on January 18 from 11:15 am to 12:15 (optional hike from 10 am to 11 am) RSVP to (415) 491-6602.
- Currently we have 21 cabin leaders, but we need 30. Make sure to get your fingerprints done and enjoy the adventure with us.
Language Arts:
Writing
This month in writing students will:
- Begin a major writing project of 5th grade: the opinion essay.
- Learn the aspects of an opinion essay.
- Research & write about a topic on which student’s hold an opinion.
- Begin publishing novels on CreateSpace
Reading
This month students will focus on:
- Listening skills using audio recordings of informational texts
- Analyzing and comparing authors’ viewpoints
- Explaining the meaning of idioms, adages & similes
- Drawing inferences from texts
Math:
Students are beginning Module 4 in math which covers multiplication and division of fractions and decimal fractions. Module 4 videos can be found HERE. Module 4 Parent Tip sheet can be found HERE. Also, all students have a Dreambox account paid for by the school district. This a great way to get additional math practice at home. Teachers also make assignments on Dreambox that reinforce what students are learning or need to review. If you need more information please read the parent letter HERE.
Science:
This month students continue to learn about the basic unit of life: The Cell. Students will be focusing on the anatomy of vascular plants’ specialized systems to transport water, minerals and sugar to the cells. Students will also learn about how leaves plan an important role in the transport of water to the cells in vascular plants, as well as classifying leaves based on their venation patterns.
december 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
Walker Creek
Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting is going to be held on Wednesday, December 13 from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. in the library. If you have any questions or are interested to find out more about this amazing trip, please come to this informative meeting. We are still short male and female cabin leaders! We currently have 10 chaperones with fingerprint approval, which means we still need 20 more. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it. (And if you know anyone whose arm you can twist, please do so ;)
Camp Dates: April 3-6th; Live Scan fingerprints needed
Language Arts:
Writing
National Novel Writing Month has now concluded. Please congratulate your child on writing a whole novel in just one month! And if they did not finish the novel, congratulate them on trying! Now students begin the processes of revising and editing their work. Students will look at the work of published authors, work in writing groups, work with partners, and receive lessons on revision, grammar, and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts. We are requesting that parents sit with their children over the winter break, or before, to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January.
Reading
Students will wrap up the unit of reading focused on the essential question; how do we decide which resources we should develop? Through reading non-fiction articles about this topic students will learn how to:
Math:
Students are working on Module 3 this month. It covers addition and subtraction of fractions. Math videos for Module 3 can be found HERE. Math tips for parents newsletter for Module 3 can be found HERE.
Science:
This month our class will rotate to Ms. Tuatagaloa to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Monday December 11th - Students should be 30% toward AR goal
- Wednesday December 13th from 7:30-8:15 am - Outdoor Ed parent information meeting in the library.
- Wednesday December 13th from 8:30-9:30 am - Winter Holiday Concert for parents in the MPR
- Friday December 22nd - students should be 40% toward AR goal
- Monday December 25th - Monday January 8th - Winter break
- Tuesday January 9 - first day back at school
Walker Creek
Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting is going to be held on Wednesday, December 13 from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. in the library. If you have any questions or are interested to find out more about this amazing trip, please come to this informative meeting. We are still short male and female cabin leaders! We currently have 10 chaperones with fingerprint approval, which means we still need 20 more. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it. (And if you know anyone whose arm you can twist, please do so ;)
Camp Dates: April 3-6th; Live Scan fingerprints needed
Language Arts:
Writing
National Novel Writing Month has now concluded. Please congratulate your child on writing a whole novel in just one month! And if they did not finish the novel, congratulate them on trying! Now students begin the processes of revising and editing their work. Students will look at the work of published authors, work in writing groups, work with partners, and receive lessons on revision, grammar, and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts. We are requesting that parents sit with their children over the winter break, or before, to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January.
Reading
Students will wrap up the unit of reading focused on the essential question; how do we decide which resources we should develop? Through reading non-fiction articles about this topic students will learn how to:
- Identify main ideas & key details
- Identify subjective & objective points of view
- Analyze multiple accounts of the same topic
- Analyze cause & effect relationships
- Analyze reasons & evidence
- Integrate information from several texts
Math:
Students are working on Module 3 this month. It covers addition and subtraction of fractions. Math videos for Module 3 can be found HERE. Math tips for parents newsletter for Module 3 can be found HERE.
Science:
This month our class will rotate to Ms. Tuatagaloa to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Learn that all living cells require four basic components for survival- water, gas exchange, food, and waste disposal.
- Learn about human body systems- namely the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems.
november 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates:
- November 1: 8-9am Parent Ofrenda Walk in the library
- November 7: Shakespeare Assembly 1:30-2:30pm
- November 10: No School
- November 13-17: Conferences, Early dismissal daily at 11:50am
- November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break
- November 28-30 Play Auditions
Language Arts:
Writing
This month is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short). Students will participate in the international challenge to write an entire novel in just one month! Students get to set their own word-count goal, and therefore, the length of their novel. Students will attempt to finish the first draft of their novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30th. Time to write will be given at school, but students are also encouraged to work on their novel at home.
Reading
Students have been exploring narrative texts with a focus on character development. They have practiced. As they read excerpts from Tom Sawyer, they annotate with notes about:
- Similarities & differences between characters
- How one character changes throughout the story
- How dialect affects the mood
- How metaphors affect the mood
- Key events to help summarize the text
Walker Creek
We still need more male and female cabin leaders! With seven 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 15 men and 15 women to make this happen. If we don’t get enough parent cabin leaders, we can’t go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it. And if you know anyone who's arm you can twist, please do so ;)
Dates: April 3-6; Live Scan fingerprints needed
Math:
We are halfway through Module 2. The first half of this module students learned to multiply with multi-digit numbers. In the second half of this unit students will learn to divide three and four digit dividends by two-digit divisors resulting in two and three digit quotients with remainders. Students will also learn to divide with decimals and solve measurement word problems. More information HERE.
Science - Elements (Chemistry)
This month our class will study elements. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Understand that the Earth has 94 naturally occurring elements.
- All atoms are made of three basic parts in varying numbers; protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- Recognize the periodic table of the elements which shows increasing atomic number in rows and similar chemical properties.
- Understand that most matter on Earth, including organisms, is made from a small number of elements.
- Know that all scanning tunneling microscope (STM) can produce discrete images of atoms and molecules in ordered arrays.
October 2017 updates!
Important Dates:
Language Arts:
Using our new Benchmark Advance program students are learning about The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now by studying the following:
Writing
Reading
Math:
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal/Fraction Operations
Science - Chemical Reactions (Chemistry)
This month our class will study chemical reactions. During this unit students will focus on the following:
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night.
- Wednesday, October 4: International Walk to School Day
- Thursday, October 5: Bel Aire Family Night
- Monday, October 9: Staff Development Day - No school
- Thursday, October 12: Make-up Picture Day
- Monday 23-Friday, 27: Book Fair
- Wed., Oct. 25 between 7:40-8:00 a.m. in the Library: Spanish Ofrenda due
- Tuesday, October 31: Halloween! Parade in MPR from 1-1:45
- Wednesday, November 1st from 8:00-9:00 am - Spanish Ofrenda Gallery Walk in the library
Language Arts:
Using our new Benchmark Advance program students are learning about The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now by studying the following:
Writing
- Explain how a persuasive speech is different from a personal narrative.
- Creating an opinion essay by practicing an opinion statement and the order of supporting paragraphs
- Organizing and revising an opinion essay into a clearly written response.
- Edit writing to check for correct shifts in verb tense as well as correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
Reading
- Read to identify and annotate key details.
- Use key details to determine a main idea.
- Read to identify and annotate examples of powerful words in a persuasive text.
- Reread a text to draw an inference based on text evidence.
- Respond to a Close Reading Prompt.
Math:
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal/Fraction Operations
- In Module 1, students explored the relationships of adjacent units on the place value chart to generalize whole number algorithms to decimal fraction operations. In Module 2, students apply the patterns of the base ten system to mental strategies and the multiplication and division algorithms.
- Topic A of Module 2 focuses on mental strategies with multi-digit whole number multiplication in lessons 1 and 2.
- Topic B focuses on the standard algorithm for multi-digit whole number multiplication is lessons 3-9.
Science - Chemical Reactions (Chemistry)
This month our class will study chemical reactions. During this unit students will focus on the following:
- Compare reactants and products before and after chemical reactions.
- Observe, separate, and identify the products of chemical reactions.
- Learn that atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and that all substances are composed of atoms.
- Learn that atoms rearrange during chemical reactions to form new substances.
- Use atom models and chemical formulas to represent atoms and molecules.
- Represent chemical reactions with chemical equations.
- Measure volumes of solids and liquids.
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night.
September 2017 UPDATES!
Important Dates
Language Arts:
Using our new Benchmark Advance program we are learning about The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now by studying the following:
Math:
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Science - Mixtures & Solutions (Chemistry)
This month our class will study physical science. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night.
- Sept. 4: No School (Labor Day)
- Sept. 6: Green Transportation Day
- Sept. 13: Character Day at Bel Aire
- Sept. 14: Picture Day
- Sept. 18: No School (Staff Development Day)
- Sept. 27 - 8:30am - 10am: 5th Grade Parent Meeting (Dr. Gold will “paint a development picture” of a 5th grader)
- Oct. 4: International Walk to School Day
- Oct. 5: Family Night at Bel Aire
- Oct. 9: No School for Kids (Staff Development Day)
- Oct. 10: Art w/Mrs. Caldwell begins at Bel Aire
- Oct. 12: Make Up Picture Day
- Oct. 31: Halloween Parade (1pm - 2pm)
Language Arts:
Using our new Benchmark Advance program we are learning about The U.S. Constitution: Then and Now by studying the following:
- Identify Main Ideas and Key Details
- Analyze Text Structures
- Analyze Genre Features: Informational Text & Persuasive Speech
- Compare and Contrast Informative and Persuasive Texts
Math:
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
Science - Mixtures & Solutions (Chemistry)
This month our class will study physical science. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Learn that solids, liquids, and gases can be combined to make mixtures.
- Compare the mass of a mixture to the mass of its parts.
- Separate mixtures by particle size; using screens and filters.
- Identify substances by crystal shape
- Become familiar with physical properties of common solid and liquid substances.
- Measure and weigh solids and liquids, using appropriate tools to make quantitative observations.
- Write a plan for separating a mixture of three solid materials and test the plan for effectiveness.
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night.
April News for E-7
Please Join us for Open House:
Wednesday, april 26, 2017
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Important upcoming Dates:
Del Mar field Trip April 28th
SBAC (smarter Balance test) Begins:
April 24 - april 27 for ELA testing (English language Arts)
May 1 - 5 5th grade Science testing for SBAc
May 8 - 11 Math testing for sbac
Writing Update: Tuesday, March 21, 2017
We are in the process of finishing our work on the Artist Reports in class tomorrow, and moving into researching and writing about Colonial Trades. I have a few children that I still need to meet with for individual conferencing and to help edit their work. Many students have printed out their work, which I am holding for them at school till they are ready to put it up on their tri-fold. Any work that has not been finished thus far, will need to be completed at home. However, they will have Study Hall on certain days, so work can be finished then as well. The due date for the Artist Report is April 18th. Please check in with your child to make sure they are on track for their report.
Upcoming Dates
- Feb 27 - March 3rd - Read Across America Week
- March 3rd - End of Trimester 2
- March 3rd - Marin Theater Company of Tortoise and the Hare
- March 13th - No school (Staff Development)
- March 22nd - 26th - Beauty and Beast Performances
Writing
We are currently working on Artist Reports and building students’ informational writing skills. Students are taking notes, creating t-charts, and writing the rough and final draft of their artist biographies. Later, students will also write a two-paragraph letter to their artist and complete a bibliography.
Math
We are working on math module 5; Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area In this module, students work with two- and three-dimensional figures. Volume is introduced to students through concrete exploration of cubic units and culminates with the development of the volume formula for right rectangular prisms. The second half of the module turns to extending students’ understanding of two-dimensional figures. Students combine prior knowledge of area with newly acquired knowledge of fraction multiplication to determine the area of rectangular figures with fractional side lengths. They then engage in hands-on construction of two-dimensional shapes, developing a foundation for classifying the shapes by reasoning about their attributes. More information can be found HERE. Videos and homework pages can be found HERE
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions:
- What events led to the Revolutionary War?
- How did the colonists work together?
- Why did the colonists declare independence?
- Who caused change in the colonies?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our third literary book of the school year, called My Brother Sam Is Dead written by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The Newbery Honor book realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution and entails the classic story of one family torn apart by the Revolutionary War.
Science
Students are learning about variables and how scientists use critical thinking, careful observation, and measurement to conduct experiments. The big ideas in the variables unit are system and variable. Any collection of objects that is working together we identify as a system. The systems we will work with are a pendulum and a boat. In each of the labs we will do students will work with a controlled variable and graph the changes they observe.
Liberia
Once again our school is working to raise money for our sister school in Monrovia, Liberia. In years past we have helped them to build a well on their campus, stock a school library, compile learning packets during the Ebola outbreak, and buy a school bus to transport students safely to school. This year we are raising money to help bring technology to their school. Currently they have no Internet nor computers. There is a classroom competition at Bel Aire to see which class can raise the most money. Our goal is to raise $6,500 by March 24. Currently, we have raised $800. There are collection envelopes in each classroom, and students may bring cash or checks payable to the Rotary Club of Tiburon Belvedere Foundation. If you prefer to donate by credit card, please visit The Liberia Project website. You can also learn more about the history of the project there. Thank you for your support!
PE
Dear 5th Grade Parents,
I am writing to inform you all that the mandatory 5th grade fitness testing is coming soon. We will be doing the mile run to test endurance, push-ups to test upper body strength, sit-ups to measure core strength, and a reach test to measure flexibility. These tests will also be done when your child reaches the 7th and 9th grades.
Bel Aire has a strong history of performing well on tests, both mentally and physically. I want the students to exceed and welcome the challenge, to “bring it on,” like we learned during our week of outdoor education at Walker Creek Ranch. To prepare we have been doing practice tests, running the mile and recording our times, so that we may set goals and improve our times. We have been practicing the push-up and sit-up tests to learn the proper form and cadence of the tests. I am pleased to tell you that many of our students excel. They train hard, improve their scores, and constantly ask when we will take the test because they feel confident and ready, “bring it on!”
I do have a few concerns as we prepare for the tests.
One: students do not come to PE prepared. We are nearing the end of the second trimester and students still come to PE wearing boots and flats. This is not only a safety concern, it’s a health concern. Many students complain of back problems, or knee problems, or their feet hurt, or their head hurts, etc., etc., etc. Can you imagine running the mile in flats or Uggs? Dressing properly on PE days would alleviate many of these problems. Please make sure your children wear athletic shoes on PE days, or ask them to put a pair into their backpack they can change into for PE. A healthy breakfast would also help them perform better in PE and in the classroom.
Two: students who choose not to do their best or make excuses. Please help by talking to your child about facing challenges, not avoiding them. As adults we can all look back and recall the challenges we had to face and overcome to become the successful people we are today. We didn’t become successful by avoiding challenges and making excuses. Please share a story with your child about a challenge you faced and overcame. Ask your children what their mile time is, how many push-ups and sit ups they can do; help them practice, practice with them. Encourage them to set goals, reach them, and set new goals.
Three: students coming to school with a note from home saying that they are sick and cannot participate. IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE SICK, THEY SHOULD NOT BE IN SCHOOL. If your children are sick they should not return to school until they are symptom-free. This is a health issue, and it is school policy. We want to protect our children from disease and keep our school healthy and happy.
With your help I am confident that our children will do their best and establish Bel Aire as a school where children excel in all realms of life; mentally, physically and socially. Run a mile? “BRING IT ON!” Do push-ups and sit-ups? “BRING IT ON!”
Best Regards,
Mr. Jacobson
Bel Aire Physical Education
FEBRUARY 2017 updates!
Upcoming Dates:
Writing
Math
We are continuing with Module 4, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions, this month. This is one of our longer units. Helpful videos can be found HERE. Also, the math parent newsletter is HERE.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will complete their second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.
Science
Students have been working on a series of projects in the new and improved Purcell Design Lab. During this science rotation they will complete the Air Rocket project and the 3D Coding project. In Air rockets students learn about physics and aerodynamics to build an air rocket. They used a plastic mold to build the body and then designed the fins, length and nose cone for optimal flight. Once built, the students recorded the flight times of their rockets to determine the best design. For 3D coding students learn how to program in 3D using a Scratch based programming language called Beetle Blocks. After going through a series of challenges, their final project is to design and program a 3D object that could be printed on the MakerBot. Click the links to
watch the videos that go with each lesson.
- February - Art is Back!
- Feb 1st - Global Play Day
- Feb 3rd - 80% of AR Goal
- Feb 15th - 90% of AR Goal
- Feb 16th - Math Centers
- Feb 16th @ 10:30 - Marin Theater Company 5th grade assembly
- Feb 20 - 24th - Mid-Winter Break
- Feb 27 - March 3rd - Read Across America Week
- March 3rd - End of Trimester 2 and 100% of AR
Writing
- 80% of the month:Students will work on Part 2 of their Expository Research Essay Unit.
- Part 2 will culminate with students writing a biography about a famous artist.
- •20% of the month: Students will work on publishing their novels, using the website, CreateSpace.
Math
We are continuing with Module 4, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions, this month. This is one of our longer units. Helpful videos can be found HERE. Also, the math parent newsletter is HERE.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions:
- What events led to the Revolutionary War.
- How did the colonists work together?
- Why did the colonists declare independence?
- Who caused change in the colonies?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will complete their second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.
Science
Students have been working on a series of projects in the new and improved Purcell Design Lab. During this science rotation they will complete the Air Rocket project and the 3D Coding project. In Air rockets students learn about physics and aerodynamics to build an air rocket. They used a plastic mold to build the body and then designed the fins, length and nose cone for optimal flight. Once built, the students recorded the flight times of their rockets to determine the best design. For 3D coding students learn how to program in 3D using a Scratch based programming language called Beetle Blocks. After going through a series of challenges, their final project is to design and program a 3D object that could be printed on the MakerBot. Click the links to
watch the videos that go with each lesson.
January 2017 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
- January 12 - new seminar classes begin
- January 12 - 60% of AR goal
- January 16 - MLK, Jr. Day; no school
- January 17-20 Outdoor Ed.
- January 20 @1:00 - pick up students from the MPR; a parent or designated guardian must sign out each child
- January 23 - 70% of AR goal
- January 23-27 - Bel Aire Geo Bee during lunch recess in the MPR
Walker Creek
Our Outdoor Ed trip is right around the corner. Make sure you have filled out a registration form for your child (your teacher should have emailed it to you). It is sure to be a wet one up there so check out this packing list and think about bringing rain gear and multiple shoes and socks. On Tuesday, all luggage should be walked up to the MPR and dropped off by the teacher’s name. School will start at normal time. Please send your child with a lunch on Tuesday - this should be packed in a separate day pack and sent to the classroom with your child. Feel free to join us for lunch and a hike up at Walker Creek Tuesday, Jan, 17th at 11:00.
Writing
- Most of the writing sessions each week will be devoted to completing part two of our Informational Research Essay unit we began in the first trimester.
- Information Research Essay will be about a famous artist
- One session each week will be devoted to learning how to publish the novels students wrote in November and December.
Math
We are currently working on Module 4, Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. This is one of our longer units. Helpful videos can be found HERE. Also, the math parent newsletter is HERE.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions:
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will complete their second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. Brigulio to learn about variables and how scientist use critical thinking, careful observation, and measurement to conduct experiments. The big ideas in the variables unit are system and variable. Any collection of objects that is working together we identify as a system. The systems we will work with are a pendulum and a boat. In each system the interacting parts influence how the whole system behaves or performs. If the parts of the system can change, those parts are variables.
December 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Walker Creek
Our Walker Creek Adventure is fast approaching. Here are a few reminders:
Writing
Math
We are continuing with Module 3, addition and subtraction of fractions, and then we will move to Module 4, which focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Fight for a Continent by answering following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students have been reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. McDonald to study Life Science. Students have recently completed their Mini-Me projects which highlight the four major systems in the human body: respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and excretory. They are currently participating on an experiment on vascular plants where they are studying xylem, phloem, and vascular bundles and comparing plant and animal systems. We will end our unit by locating and classifying leaves.
- Dec. 5 - 9th - Hour of Code week
- Dec. 5th - Play cast/schedule reveal
- Dec. 7th - Green Transportation Day
- Dec. 15th - Holiday Concert
- Dec. 21st - 40% of AR goal
- Dec. 23 - Jan 9 - Winter Recess
Walker Creek
Our Walker Creek Adventure is fast approaching. Here are a few reminders:
- Make sure you get your child’s Outdoor Ed packet and check to the office by Monday, December 5.
- If you are interested in being a cabin leader, please let your child’s teacher know. 5th grade teachers will be confirming with interested parent volunteers this week.
- A packing list will come home this week. Check it out and let your child’s teacher know if you have any questions.
Writing
- National Novel Writing Month has come to a close. Rough draft novel writing has ended, and now the students begin the processes of revising and editing their work.
- Students will work in writing groups, work with partners, work alone, and receive lessons on revision, grammar and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts.
- Parents will sit with their children over the winter break to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January. This final edit will consist of checking for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting issues.
Math
We are continuing with Module 3, addition and subtraction of fractions, and then we will move to Module 4, which focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
- Line plots
- Fractions as division using models and equations
- Multiplying whole numbers and fractions by fractions (in fraction and decimal form)
- Dividing fractions and decimal fractions
- Numerical expressions and word problems
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Fight for a Continent by answering following Big Questions:
- Why did European nations and American Indians compete in North America?
- How did colonies and American Indians cooperate?
- What major conflicts did this European colonists and American Indians have?
- How were American Indians forced off their land?
- What conflicts occurred amongst American Indians?
- Who were the leaders in the struggle for American Indian lands?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students have been reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. McDonald to study Life Science. Students have recently completed their Mini-Me projects which highlight the four major systems in the human body: respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and excretory. They are currently participating on an experiment on vascular plants where they are studying xylem, phloem, and vascular bundles and comparing plant and animal systems. We will end our unit by locating and classifying leaves.
November 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
- Tuesday November 1, 8-9am - Dia de los Muertos gallery walk for parents
- Tuesday November 1, 6:30-7:30pm - Parent meeting for school play
- Wednesday November 2, 8:30-9:30 - Parent meeting for school play
- Friday November 4 - End of trimester; AR deadline
- Monday November 7, 1-2pm - 5th grade Shakespeare assembly
- Wednesday November 9, 7;30-8:30am - Parent meeting for Outdoor Ed
- Wednesday November 9, 10:30-11:20 - 5th grade AR assembly
- Friday November 11 - Veteran’s Day, no school
- Monday November 14-Friday November 18 - Conference week, early dismissal @11:50
- Tuesday November 22 - Grandparents’ Day
- Wednesday November 23-Friday November 25 - Thanksgiving recess, no school
3 Important Notes about Walker Creek
- We still need more cabin leaders! With eight 5th grade classes this year, we'll need about 14 men to make this happen. If we don't get enough parent cabin leaders, we can't go to camp. If you can go, please email me. We sure would appreciate it.
- All students were given a Walker Creek packet to give to you. Please ask them for it.
- Please consider attending the Walker Creek Outdoor Ed. parent information meeting on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:30 a.m. in the Bel Aire library. This will be a chance to ask questions, watch a video, and learn about this great experience.
Writing
All students have been preparing for National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo! They’ve participated in lessons about main/supporting characters and villains, setting, dialogue, and various stages of a plot over the past few weeks and are now ready to start writing their novels. This month they will be letting go of their inner editor and focusing on writing, writing, writing. It’s exciting to see their creativity and confidence building each day.
Math
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number Multiplication and Division
- In Module 2, students apply the patterns of the base ten system to mental strategies and the multiplication and division algorithms.
- Specifically the first half of the unit covered multi-digit whole number multiplication and problem solving with multiplication. The second half of the unit covered multi-digit whole number division and problem solving.
- Mixed into the whole module was measurement and unit conversion and multi-step problem solving.
This month in Social Studies we'll begin studying the Age of Exploration by answering the following Big Questions:
- Why did Europeans sail to new places?
- Who were the explorers and what did they find?
- What explorations were made by land?
- Where in the Americas did European countries claimed land?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science
This month our class will rotate to Ms. McDonald's class to study life science.
- We have begun our unit on Living Systems.
- We have learned that all living cells require four basic components for survival- water, gas exchange, food, and waste disposal.
- We are currently learning about human body systems- namely the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems.
october 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Events:
Writing
Students will complete the final draft of their first research essay by October 14th. They will then move into the pre-writing stages of their narrative writing unit through a program called, “National Novel Writing Month,” which begins on November 1st!
Math
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal/Fraction Operations
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll begin studying the Age of Exploration by answering the following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students are wrapping-up our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
Science - Chemical Reactions
This month our class will study chemical reactions. During this unit students will focus on the following:
Walker Creek
- International Walk and Roll to School Day - Wednesday, Oct 5th
- Bel Aire Family Challenge Night - Thursday, Oct 6th from 5:00-6:30pm
- Field Trip: Mill Valley Film Festival - Tuesday, Oct 11 from 9:30-12:30
- Picture MAKEUP Day - Thursday, Oct 13th
- Staff Development Day - Monday, Oct 18th - NO SCHOOL
- Bel Aire Book Fair - Monday, Oct 24th - Thursday, Oct 27th
- Family Night at the Book Fair - Tuesday, Oct 25th from 5:00-7:00pm
- Step Parenting Workshop - October 20th, 2016 from 8:30 - 10:00am (Location TBD) - RUSD School Psychologist, Dr. Allan Gold will host a special workshop addressing the challenges and rewards of Step Parenting. Please join him on Thursday, October 20th for this unique opportunity.
- Bullying: Is My Child Being Bullied or Bullying Others? What Parents Can Do - Parent Education Opportunity on Fri, October 28th from 8:30-9:30 in the Bel Aire Staff Development Room.
Writing
Students will complete the final draft of their first research essay by October 14th. They will then move into the pre-writing stages of their narrative writing unit through a program called, “National Novel Writing Month,” which begins on November 1st!
Math
Module 2: Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal/Fraction Operations
- In Module 1, students explored the relationships of adjacent units on the place value chart to generalize whole number algorithms to decimal fraction operations. In Module 2, students apply the patterns of the base ten system to mental strategies and the multiplication and division algorithms.
- Topic A of Module 2 focuses on mental strategies with multi-digit whole number multiplication in lessons 1 and 2.
- Topic B focuses on the standard algorithm for multi-digit whole number multiplication is lessons 3-9.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll begin studying the Age of Exploration by answering the following Big Questions:
- Why did Europeans sail to new places?
- Who were the explorers and what did they find?
- What explorations were made by land?
- Where in the Americas did European countries claimed land?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students are wrapping-up our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
Science - Chemical Reactions
This month our class will study chemical reactions. During this unit students will focus on the following:
- Compare reactants and products before and after chemical reactions.
- Observe, separate, and identify the products of chemical reactions.
- Learn that atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and that all substances are composed of atoms.
- Learn that atoms rearrange during chemical reactions to form new substances.
- Use atom models and chemical formulas to represent atoms and molecules.
- Represent chemical reactions with chemical equations.
- Measure volumes of solids and liquids.
Walker Creek
- Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed. Thank you for those that have signed up to be a cabin leader this year! We are still in need of many more leaders. Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader. If you are able to join us in this capacity, please email your classroom teacher.
- There is the Annual Fall Parent Open House on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Walker Creek Ranch. Feel free to go check out the facility and learn more about our upcoming Outdoor Ed week.
SEPTEMBER 2016 UPDATES!
Upcoming Dates:
Writing
Fifth graders begin the year with the following activities:
Math
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The First Americans by answering the following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
Science - Mixtures & Solutions
This month our class will study physical science. During this unit they will focus on the following:
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night, and homework will not be assigned on Fridays. Bel Aire is joining a district-wide Homework Committee this fall that will answer the question: What is the optimal homework policy for Reed and Bel Aire schools given the research, our students, and our commitment to academic and personal growth. Additionally, on any given night that math homework is not assigned, our grade-level team is working on collecting a variety of resources to provide additional practice. We will keep you posted about that.
- Monday September 5 - Labor Day, no school
- Wednesday September 7, 6-7:30 pm - Back to School Night (adults only)
- Thursday September 8 - picture day (specific class times TBA)
- Monday September 19 - staff development day, no school
- Wednesday September 28, 8:30-10am - 5th grade parent meeting with Dr. Gold
Writing
Fifth graders begin the year with the following activities:
- Writing poetry about their childhood memories
- Composing letters for Back to School Night
- Building a well-structured paragraph
- Learning about topic sentences, STAR ideas, supporting details, and concluding sentences
Math
This month our class will study Eureka Module 1: Place Value and Decimals. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The First Americans by answering the following Big Questions:
- How did geography and climate affect how people lived?
- What common ways of life developed among American Indian cultures?
- How did American Indian groups work together?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
Science - Mixtures & Solutions
This month our class will study physical science. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Learn that solids, liquids, and gases can be combined to make mixtures.
- Compare the mass of a mixture to the mass of its parts.
- Separate mixtures by particle size; using screens and filters.
- Identify substances by crystal shape
- Become familiar with physical properties of common solid and liquid substances.
- Measure and weigh solids and liquids, using appropriate tools to make quantitative observations.
- Write a plan for separating a mixture of three solid materials and test the plan for effectiveness.
Homework
Students are required to read for 30 minutes a night in 5th grade. Additional homework may be assigned as needed for skill practice and reinforcement. The total time spent (including reading) is not to exceed 60 minutes a night, and homework will not be assigned on Fridays. Bel Aire is joining a district-wide Homework Committee this fall that will answer the question: What is the optimal homework policy for Reed and Bel Aire schools given the research, our students, and our commitment to academic and personal growth. Additionally, on any given night that math homework is not assigned, our grade-level team is working on collecting a variety of resources to provide additional practice. We will keep you posted about that.
May 2016 Updates!
Upcoming Dates:
- Week of 5/2-5/6 - Teacher Appreciation Week
- Wednesday 5/11, 7:30-8:30 am - Family Life Parent Meeting in the Staff Development Room (next to MPR)
- Wednesday 5/11 - Spirit Day: BAOlympics!
- Wednesday 5/11 & Thursday 5/12 - Field trips to Del Mar (times vary by class)
- Wednesday 5/18, 8:30-10am, MPR - Spring Sing Concert for parents
- Thursday 5/19, 8:30-10am - 5th Grade Parent Meeting with Dr. Gold
- Friday 5/27 - AR deadline to meet goals
- Monday 5/30 - Memorial Day, no school
- Wednesday 6/1, 10:30-11:30 - AR Assembly
- Friday 6/3 - End of Trimester 3
- Tuesday 6/7, 10:30-1:30 - 5th grade bowling field trip (lunch provided by PTA)
- Wednesday 6/8, 9:30-12 - Field Day
- Thursday 6/9 - Last day of school (early dismissal)
Dr. Gold’s 5th Grade Parent Meeting:
Dr. Gold will be having his Spring 5th Grade Level parent meeting on May 19th from 8:30-10am in the Bel Aire Staff Development Room. This is an opportunity to meet with Dr. Gold and other parents to discuss social, academic, and parenting issues and questions and to hear different perspectives and receive advice as your child moves to the next grade. We hope to see you there.
SBAC:
- Tuesday, May 3 - ELA
- Thursday, May 5 - ELA
- Tuesday, May 10 - Science
- Thursday, May 12 - Science
- Tuesday, May 17 - Math
- Thursday, May 19 - Math
Practice questions for ELA can be found here.
Practice questions for Math can be found here.
Practice questions for the Science test can be found here.
All of the practice questions from above contain information about the test, standards, how each question is scored, etc. There is a lot of information. You may find it interesting or overwhelming, therefore , use them however best serves your family.
There are also some ways that you may be able to help ensure your child is feeling good on testing mornings.
- Please make sure that your child gets a solid, healthy night's rest throughout the week. This means 10 hours of sleep! :)
- In order to make sure that mornings are smooth and calm I suggest helping your child pre-plan his/her outfit for school and packing their backpack and lunch the night before. In case of early finishers...please be sure your child has a book ready to silent read.
- Starting off each day with a healthy breakfast is one of the most important ways to keep a child's mood steady and his/her brain in top performance mode! Please help make sure your child has a balanced meal of protein and carbohydrates before leaving the house in the morning.
Math:
Students have begun Module 5: Addition and Multiplication with Volume and Area. This month students will be reinforcing understanding of volume by composing and decomposing three-dimensional shapes, using multiplication to find the volume and area of two and three dimensional shapes with fractional side lengths, and drawing, analyzing and classifying two dimensional shapes.
Writing:
This month, students are working on their Persuasive Writing Unit. They will finish their first formal piece, and create blogs that will allow students to read the “Op-Ed’s” of other 5th graders at Bel Aire.
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying the Revolutionary War and answering the following questions:
- How did the American Revolution affect the creation of state governments?
- How did the United States move into western lands?
- How did people’s views on slavery change after the Declaration of Independence was created?
Students are on the last chapters of My Brother Sam is Dead. It is a young adult historical fiction novel by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier which realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution.
States & Capitals:
- We are learning the names of all 50 states and their capitals as well as the states' locations.
- We are teaching them by region, and each week students will take a quiz on that week’s region plus any previously studied regions.
- Quia is a fun site to get some states/capitals practice.
- The goal is for every student to have a 100% success rate.
Family Life:
The Family Life Parent Meeting is Wednesday, May 11th 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the Staff Development Room.
Sample Scope and Sequence:
- Day 1 - Introduction, Ground Rules, Board of Directors
- Day 2 - Puberty Introduction and Hygiene
- Day 3 - Puberty Boys with video
- Day 4 - Puberty Girls with video
- Day 5 - Reproduction/Anatomy
- Day 6 - Pregnancy: Nine Month Journey Video
- Day 7- Twins
- Day 8 - Refusal skills/Aides
- Day 9 - Breakout session - boys/girls
April 2016 Upadates
Upcoming Dates:
- April 4 - April 8 - Math Smarter Balance Practice Tests (during math class)
- April 7 - Lawrence Hall of Science - Remmers / Bradshaw / Burgess /
- April 8 - Author Assembly - 9:30am - 10:15am
- April 9 - Mrs. Le Clair's Birthday
- April 11-15 - Spring Break
- April 18 - 5th Grade Hearing Screenings
- April 19 - Tiburon Day at the SF Giants PacBell Park
- April 25 - April 29 - Smarter Balanced ELA practice
- April 27 - Open House from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- April 29 - Mid-Trimester Progress Reports mailed home (IF your child is struggling in an area)
- May 3 - May 6 - Official Smarter Balanced ELA Testing Begins
- May 5 - Chorus/5th Grade Percussion Ensemble Assembly
- May 9, May 10, May 13 - STAR Science TEST
- May 11 + May 12 - 5th Graders Visit Del Mar for tours, etc.
- May 16 - May 20 - Smarter Balanced Math Testing
Math:
Students are continuing Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We have been exploring the following concepts:
- Multiplication of a fraction by a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals as scaling and word problems
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
In Unit 5 students will be learning:
- Concepts of volume
- Volume and the operations of multiplication and addition
- Area of Rectangular Figures with Fractional Side Lengths
- Drawing, analysis, and classification of two-dimensional shapes
Writing:
This month students will be focusing on the third and final type of writing -- opinion writing. They will:
- Review the organization of an essay
- Practice different styles of topic sentences
- Write opinion paragraphs for practice
- Learn about making a rebuttal.
- Conduct research
- Write a final product of a 3-5 paragraph opinion essay
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Revolutionary War by answering following Big Questions:
- How did the American Colonies defeat Great Britain?
- How did other nation help the Patriots?
- What role did women play in the Revolutionary War?
- What was life in colonies during the Revolution?
- How did the United States move into western lands?
- How did people’s views on slavery change after independence?
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
We have begun familiarizing students with the testing interface and question types through English Language Arts and Math Interim tests. We will continue to work with using the online testing system, reviewing test taking skills, and analyzing problem on practice tests. The testing timeline is below. This link http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents/ will take you to the parents SBAC page for further research into the test, system, etc. We will be sending more information regarding routines during the specific testing weeks in May.
SBAC Testing Timeline
Date / Activity
Mon, April 4
- Math Interim IAB Test (Computer Based)
- Math Interim IAB Test (Performance Task
April 25 - 29
- ELA Practice Test (1 day, you choose)
- ELA Summative SBAC Test (Computer Adaptive) – approx.1 ½ hours
- ·ELA Summative Classroom Activity – approx. ½ hour
- ELA Summative SBAC Test (Performance Task) – approx. 2 hours
- Math Practice Test (1 day, you choose)
- 5th grade Science CST test
Tues, May 17
- Math Summative SBAC Test (Computer Adaptive) – approx.1 ½ hours
- Math Summative Classroom Activity – approx. ½ hour
Thurs, May 19
- Math Summative SBAC Test (Performance Task) – approx. 2 ½ hours
May 23 - June 9
- All SBAC make-ups
March 2016 updates
Upcoming Dates:
Math:
Students will continue Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
Writing:
This month students will take part in the following writing activities:
Science:
Students will continue to study planet Earth. Students will learn the following concepts this month:
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our third literary book of the school year, called My Brother Sam Is Dead written by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The Newbery Honor book realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution and entails the classic story of one family torn apart by the Revolutionary War.
- March 1-4 - Read Across America Week
- March 2 - Pajama Day
- March 3 - Book Exchange
- March 4 - Dress as favorite book character
- March 4 - Dive Deep Selections Revealed
- March 4 - End of Trimester 2
- March 2 - 6 - Bel Aire School Play
- March 7 - Start of Trimester 3
- March 10 - Last Day of Seminars
- March 11 - Report Cards Mailed Home
- March 14 - No school for students
- March 15 - 18 - Dive Deep Week
- April 1 - Lawrence Hall of Science (Sanchez / Alexander)
- April 7th - Lawrence Hall of Science (Remmers/Bradshaw/O’Leary)
- April 11-15 - Spring Break
Math:
Students will continue Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
- Multiplication of a fraction by a fraction
- Multiplication with fractions and decimals as scaling and word problems
- Division of fractions and decimal fractions
- Interpretation of numerical expressions
Writing:
This month students will take part in the following writing activities:
- Revising artist biographies and bibliographies
- Creating final drafts of artist biographies
- Continuing the publishing process for their novels
- Beginning to learn about the third major writing form: opinion writing
Science:
Students will continue to study planet Earth. Students will learn the following concepts this month:
- The Uneven Heating of Earth’s surface.
- Convection Currents and Wind
- The Water Cycle
- Distribution and Information about fresh water on this planet.
- Severe Weather
Social Studies:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying Causes of the Revolution by answering following Big Questions:
- What events led to the Revolutionary War?
- How did the colonists work together?
- Why did the colonists declare independence?
- Who caused change in the colonies?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our third literary book of the school year, called My Brother Sam Is Dead written by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. The Newbery Honor book realistically depicts what happened in the American Revolution and entails the classic story of one family torn apart by the Revolutionary War.
February 2016 updates
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday 2/4, 10:40-11:40 - 5th grade assembly with Marin Theater Company
Monday 2/8, 11:15-1:15 - field trip to Rafael Film Center, lunch at school after our return
Monday 2/15-Friday 2/19 - Mid-winter break, NO SCHOOL
Wednesday 2/24, 1-1:35 - trimester 2 mini-dive classes begin
Wednesday 3/2-Sunday 3/6 - Bel Aire play performances
Friday ¾ - end of trimester 2
Math:
Students have begun Unit 4. This unit focuses on multiplying and dividing fractions and decimal fractions. We will explore the following concepts:
- Line plots
- Fractions as division using models and equations
- Multiplying whole numbers and fractions by fractions (in fraction form and in decimal form)
- Dividing fractions and decimal fractions.
- Numerical expressions and word problems
Writing
Students will be working on writing the biography bibliography portions of the Tri-Fold Artist Report. They will do this entirely in class. Parents should NOT help with this essay. Students will conduct research, take notes, record citations, make graphic organizers, write a first draft, proofread and edit, and create a final draft.
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions:
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science -
This month our class will rotate to Mr. Remmers to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- Solar System, focusing on the Sun as our major source of heat, light, and energy.
- Evaporation and condensation.
- Earth’s water - fresh vs. salt distribution and the conservation of water
- Water Cycle - global recycling of water on Earth
- Distribution of freshwater on Earth
- Uneven heating of the Earth’s surface and convection currents
- Weather - severe storms
Liberia Fundraiser
You may have already heard from your children, but here’s another reminder about this year’s Liberia Project. Our school is aiming to raise $10,000 to buy a small bus to be used as a school bus for our sister school, the Elizabeth Sele Mulbah Institute in Monrovia, Liberia. Cash will be accepted immediately, and we will let you know where to write checks as soon as possible. Please send the money with your child to school. Each classroom has a donation envelope, and classes are competing for a prize for the most amount of money raised!
January 2016 updates
Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed!
We need 2-3 more male and 2-3 more female cabin leaders. Even if you can sign up as an “on call” or “if needed” cabin leader, that would really help.
Currently, we are two short on the men’s side and have the exact number of female cabin leaders we need. Each year, cabin leaders back out at the last minute for a variety of reasons, or leave halfway through camp for one emergency or another. Normally this is fine because we have extra cabin leaders. If we have no additional cabin leaders as backup, we will have a crisis on our hands.
Walker Creek Medication Due!
All medications for your child MUST be turned in to the office NO LATER than Monday, Jan. 11th. It is very important that this deadline be respected. Thank you!
Upcoming Dates:
- Due now! - all Walker Creek Outdoor Ed. paperwork and payments are past due! Please turn in to the office.
- January 11th, Monday - All meds for Walker Creek MUST be turned into the office!
- January 15th - Mid-Trimester Alerts are sent home (only for students struggling in an academic or behavior area)
- January 18 - No School - MLK's Birthday Observance
- January 19-22 - Walker Creek
- January 25 - Mrs. Caldwell begins art for 5th graders at Bel Aire
- Feb. 15 - 19 - No School - In Observance of Mid-Winter Break
- March 2 - Bel Aire School Play begins
- March 4 - Last day of Trimester 2 and Last day to reach 100% of AR goals.
Math:
This month we continue to practice and review the objective in Module 3: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions. Students began the New Year (where we left off in December) with using equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators. Students will also be learning how to add, subtract, and estimate fractions greater than or equal to 1, solve multi-term and multi-step word problems using a variety of methods, and explore part-to-whole relationships before completing the unit.
Writing
This month all fifth grade students will focus on both fiction and non-fiction writing as they:
- Are guided through the steps of self-publishing their NaNoWriMo novels
- Review the elements of an “accordion paragraph” learned in September and October
- Review the use of transition words
- Learn how to string several paragraphs together to create a multi-paragraph essay
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions:
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science - Life Science
This month our class will rotate to Dr. Alexander to study living systems. During this unit they will focus on the following:
- All living cells require four basic components for survival- water, gas exchange, food, and waste disposal.
- Human body systems- namely the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems.
December 2015 Updates
Upcoming Dates
Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed!
Fifth Grade needs a lot more cabin leaders. We currently have 2 or 3 men and 9 or 10 women signed up. However, we need 14 men and 14 women to sign up and go to camp to help make this wonderful experience for our students possible. Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader. If you are able to join us in this capacity, please email your classroom teacher ASAP. Thank you for considering being a cabin leader!
Writing:
First draft novel writing has ended, and now the students begin the processes of revising and editing their work. Students will look at the work of published authors, work in writing groups and with partners, and receive lessons on revision, grammar, and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts. We are requesting that parents sit with their children over the winter break to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January.
Math:
In Module 3, students’ understanding of addition and subtraction of fractions extends from earlier work with fraction equivalence and decimals. Students will:
Science:
During Investigation 2 Nutrition Systems, students investigate nutrient systems of yeast, plants, and animals. They design an investigation to determine the necessary conditions for activating dry yeast. They plant wheat and observe the seedlings to determine which plants have chlorophyll. Students infer that the plants growing in light are producing food to provide nutrients to their cells. Students investigate how animals acquire nutrients by eating and digesting food.
This module contains three sections:
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
- Friday December 11 - all Walker Creek Outdoor Ed. paperwork and payments due!
- Friday December 11 - Ritter House gift donations due in the office
- Wednesday December 16, 8:30-10am - Winter Holiday Concert for parents
- December 20-January 4 - Winter Break, no school
Walker Creek Cabin Leaders Needed!
Fifth Grade needs a lot more cabin leaders. We currently have 2 or 3 men and 9 or 10 women signed up. However, we need 14 men and 14 women to sign up and go to camp to help make this wonderful experience for our students possible. Click Here to learn more about what it means to be a cabin leader. If you are able to join us in this capacity, please email your classroom teacher ASAP. Thank you for considering being a cabin leader!
Writing:
First draft novel writing has ended, and now the students begin the processes of revising and editing their work. Students will look at the work of published authors, work in writing groups and with partners, and receive lessons on revision, grammar, and punctuation, all in an effort to improve their rough drafts. We are requesting that parents sit with their children over the winter break to do a final edit of their novels so that they will be ready to begin the publishing process in January.
Math:
In Module 3, students’ understanding of addition and subtraction of fractions extends from earlier work with fraction equivalence and decimals. Students will:
- Add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators
- Understand addition and subtraction of fractions
- Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions
Science:
During Investigation 2 Nutrition Systems, students investigate nutrient systems of yeast, plants, and animals. They design an investigation to determine the necessary conditions for activating dry yeast. They plant wheat and observe the seedlings to determine which plants have chlorophyll. Students infer that the plants growing in light are producing food to provide nutrients to their cells. Students investigate how animals acquire nutrients by eating and digesting food.
This module contains three sections:
- Investigation 2, Part 1: Yeast Nutrition
- Investigation 2, Part 2: Plant Nutrition
- Investigation 2, Part 3: Animal Nutrition
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Life in the Colonies by answering following Big Questions:
- What influences where Europeans settled in North America?
- Who founded the colonies and why?
- How did religion affect the founding of the colonies?
- How did the First Great Awakening affect the colonies?
- What systems developed in the colonies?
- What was the role of slavery in colonial America?
- What brought on democratic ideas in colonial America?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
November 2015 updates
Upcoming Dates
Writing
November is here, and that can mean only one thing: National Novel Writing Month (affectionately known as NaNoWriMo) has finally begun! The students have spent several weeks planning their characters, the setting, the plot outline, and the dialogue. They have put away their Inner Editors, and now they are focusing on creating their novels this month. They will receive many mini-lessons during writing classes, but much of the time will be spent simply writing. Students are writing in Google Docs. This means that they can access their writing from any device that has Internet access. If your child wants to work on the novel during his/her free time, we encourage that. Sometimes your child will be asked to work on the novel for homework. Come December, we will pull out those Inner Editors to correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar, but until then, let the ideas flow!.
Math
We are halfway through Module 2: Multi Digit whole number and decimal operations. Students will be taking a test the Mid-Module Assessment on Tuesday, November 3rd. There are four topics (E-H) remaining in this module. Students will be assessed on the concepts of the entire module after these four topics have been taught.
Please see parent letters for each topic on the classroom website along with review videos and additional copies of the homework pages. You can also get extra practice by using www.tenmarks.com, www.frontrowed.com, and www.zearn.org. Your child has a login for each of these sites.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Fight for a Continent by answering following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science (Living Systems with Mrs. Alexander)
Students started a unit on Living Systems. They will learn that:
- Tuesday - Wednesday, November 3 - 4, 1-7 pm - Book Fair in the MPR
- Friday November 6- End of Trimester 1; end of AR Trimester 1
- Tuesday, November 10 - Student Council Blue Ribbon Celebration
- Tuesday, November 10, 7:30-8:30am - Walker Creek Parent meeting in the library
- Wednesday, November 11- Veteran’s Day - No School
- Monday -Friday, November 16 - 20 - Minimum Days; Student Led Conferences
- Tuesday, November 24 - Grandparents Day
- Wednesday - Friday, November 25-28 - Thanksgiving Break No School
Writing
November is here, and that can mean only one thing: National Novel Writing Month (affectionately known as NaNoWriMo) has finally begun! The students have spent several weeks planning their characters, the setting, the plot outline, and the dialogue. They have put away their Inner Editors, and now they are focusing on creating their novels this month. They will receive many mini-lessons during writing classes, but much of the time will be spent simply writing. Students are writing in Google Docs. This means that they can access their writing from any device that has Internet access. If your child wants to work on the novel during his/her free time, we encourage that. Sometimes your child will be asked to work on the novel for homework. Come December, we will pull out those Inner Editors to correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar, but until then, let the ideas flow!.
Math
We are halfway through Module 2: Multi Digit whole number and decimal operations. Students will be taking a test the Mid-Module Assessment on Tuesday, November 3rd. There are four topics (E-H) remaining in this module. Students will be assessed on the concepts of the entire module after these four topics have been taught.
- Topic E: Mental Strategies for Multi-Digit Whole Number Division
Lessons 16-18 - Topic F: Partial Quotients and Multi-Digit Whole Number Division
Lessons 19 - 23 - Topic G: Partial Quotients and Multi-Digit Decimal Division
Lessons 24-27 - Topic H: Measurement Word Problems with Multi-Digit Division
Please see parent letters for each topic on the classroom website along with review videos and additional copies of the homework pages. You can also get extra practice by using www.tenmarks.com, www.frontrowed.com, and www.zearn.org. Your child has a login for each of these sites.
Social Studies
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The Fight for a Continent by answering following Big Questions:
- Why did European nations and American Indians compete in North America?
- How did colonies and American Indians cooperate?
- What major conflicts did this European colonists and American Indians have?
- How were American Indians forced off their land?
- What conflicts occurred amongst American Indians?
- Who were the leaders in the struggle for American Indian lands?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our second literary book of the school year, called The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about a young girl in 1687 who moves to the Connecticut Colony. Readers are given a realistic and vivid portrait of colonial New England and sketch the larger transatlantic issues that defined the colonies’ political landscape.
Science (Living Systems with Mrs. Alexander)
Students started a unit on Living Systems. They will learn that:
- A system is a collection of interacting objects, ideas, and/ or procedures that together define a physical entity or process.
- Earth can be described as the interaction of four earth systems: the rocky part (the geosphere), the atmosphere, the water (the hydrosphere), and the complexity of living organism (the biosphere)
- Food webs are subsystems within ecosystems. They describe the transfer of matter and energy within the system.
- Food webs are made up of producers (organisms that make their own food), consumers (organisms that eat other organisms to obtain food), and decomposers (organisms that consume and recycle dead organisms and organic waste)
SEPTEMBER 2015 updates
Upcoming Dates
Writing
Math
Science (Chemistry)
Social Studies / Reading (Language Arts)
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The First Americans by answering the following Big Questions:
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.
- Wednesday, Sept. 2 - Back to School Night – 6pm MPR, 6:30pm classrooms
- Friday, Sept. 11 - Picture Day
- Monday, Sept. 21 - Staff Development, no school for students
- Tuesday, Oct. 6 – Bel Aire Play Parent Info Meeting - 6:30pm
- Thursday, Oct. 9 - Make-Up Picture Day
- Monday, Oct. 19 - Staff Development, no school for students
Writing
- Students began the year with letter writing and poetry writing.
- Next focus will be on building a well structured paragraph.
- Students will learn about topic sentences, STAR ideas, supporting details, and concluding sentences.
Math
- We began the year with an exciting challenge!
- Students participated in the Marshmallow Challenge - in teams they tried to build the tallest freestanding structure using: one marshmallow, 1 yard of string, 1 yard of tape and 20 pieces of spaghetti. There were many successes and failures giving rise to interesting discussions about how to test ideas and "work like a kindergartener."
- The first unit focuses on Place Decimal and Decimal Fractions.
- Students are learning about: place value, rounding decimals, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.
- Students can get extra practice with any of these concepts on IXL, Khan Academy, the Houghton Mifflin online textbook and Brainpop.
- Next, they will learn about Multi-Digit Whole Number and Decimal Fraction Operations
Science (Chemistry)
- Students will learn about the states of matter and how to observe properties of different types of matter
- Students will experiment with creating and separating mixtures and solutions.
Social Studies / Reading (Language Arts)
This month in Social Studies we'll be studying The First Americans by answering the following Big Questions:
- How did geography and climate affect how people lived?
- What common ways of life developed among American Indian cultures?
- How did American Indian groups work together?
Teaching alongside our nonfiction studies, students will begin reading our first literary book of the school year, called Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. It is an historical - fiction novel about survival in the Maine wilderness and relations between white settlers and American Indians.