September Monthly Report

Dear 5th-grade families,
I hope that you are having a great week. MAP testing is finally finished and test results will be ready to send home later this month. Here is a recap of the things we did in September and a look ahead to what we will be doing in October:

• Math: Students have been studying volume and will have their first unit test coming up next week. In this unit, students have been working with unit cubes to measure the space inside 3-dimensional figures. In math investigations, we have been discovering different ways that we can show our thinking and communicate our mathematical ideas clearly. In October, we will be learning more about decimals and the value of each digit in the base-10 place value system. Homework will be assigned 2-3 times per week as they progress through the unit. Please also encourage your child to practice their multiplication facts as they are very important to remember as we get into more complex questions.
  
• Literacy: Students have been using their reading folders to track their reading in various ways while in the classroom and at home. Our reading focus has been finding interesting words within the text and deciphering the meaning through several reading techniques. In October, we will be working on writing book reports and answering comprehension questions about our class read-aloud, Blue Crowne: A Greenglass House Story by Kate Milford. Students in 5th grade are instructed to read at home for 30 minutes a night. Please give your child time at home to read a library book.
  
• Science: Students have completed their first practical exam and multiple hands-on investigations that have to do with the phenomena of matter and its interactions in our everyday life—mixtures, solutions, solubility, concentration, and chemical reactions. The driving question to our investigations has been what is matter and what happens when samples of matter interact? Students have been keeping detailed notes in their science journals and will be using these notes for unit tests and performance assessments. In October, we will continue to discover experiences with mixtures, solutions of different concentrations, and also engage in engineering experiences with the separation of materials.
  
• Social Studies: With Mr. D, Students have been studying the Inca and are coming to the end of their presentations that answer 12 questions about the Inca. In October, students will be studying the Aztec civilization.
  
• Bible: Students have been continuing to discover the ways in which God shows Himself through Creation, design in nature, and in people’s consciences through worksheets, discussions, and small group activities. We have been reflecting on Biblical hope, which is based on God’s unchanging character and promises. In October, students will have their first memory verse test and begin a chronological survey of the Old Testament that focuses on a number of Bible characters, starting with Cain and Abel.
  
• SEL: Students have been focusing on building each other up and encourage one another. We have been learning the science behind mirroring emotions and made #1 fan signs for one of their classmates. In October, students will continue a unit entitled "Being loving at all times”. Students will learn how to show God’s love to all people, especially when it feels most difficult.
  
• Writing: Students have been learning techniques for editing and raising the level of narrative writing. They have been working their way through the writing process to write their own personal narratives. In October, students will be completing their narratives by typing them and submitting them through Google Docs. When we finish our narratives we will be working on Research-based argumentative writing.
  
• Makerspace: Students have been working on exploring and developing an idea for a hands-on Makerspace project. Students have been introduced to the basics of Scratch block coding with CS First. In October, students will be working on researching their individual projects and will be introduced to the basics of Tinkercad 3D design and
  

UPCOMING 

October 11th - No school - Health and Sports Day (Teacher work day)
October 29 - End of 1st quarter
October 29 - Ice skating @ Southern Hills Ice Arena
November 3 - No school - Parent Teacher Conferences