Chicago Fire Artifacts!

Students worked in groups to analyze and discuss artifacts from The Great Chicago Fire.  They used careful observations to predict what the objects were and how they were used back in the late 1800's.

This Week...

April 23- April 26, 2019

Reading:  We continued our study of poetry!  Students learned how poets use purposeful language to convey a mood.  They figured out the mood of various poems and provided text evidence to support their thinking.  Students also made inferences about poems based on the author’s details.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 29.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing key concepts from unit 15.  Students practiced measuring to the nearest quarter inch.  They also chose appropriate units of measure for different situations.  They took the unit 15 test on Thursday.  Next week we will begin unit 16, which focuses on “time”.

Social Studies:  Students discovered interesting problems Chicago had when it was first formed and how transportation transformed the city of in the late 1800s.   They also analyzed and discussed pictures of artifacts that were found in the city after the Great Chicago Fire.

Writing:  Students have been working hard on developing their short fiction stories!  We began by writing the introduction and problem.  Students focused on using showing details to describe the setting and their character.  They also incorporated strong verbs and dialogue.  In grammar, we focused on helping verbs.

Word Study:  This week, students focused on making plural nouns by following certain rules.  They learned that words that end with a consonant and an “o” require an “es” at the end.  They also learned that words that end with a vowel and an “o” require just an “s” at the end.  They completed a word sort to practice these ideas.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, April book orders are due Tuesday, April 30th.  As the weather gets warmer, please make sure to send your child with a water bottle and the correct outerwear.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a wonderful weekend!

5th Grade Service Project

This year for the 5th-grade service project, the students will be collecting donations for the cats and dogs at The Animal House Shelter in Huntley, Illinois. A full list of donation items can be found on the link below, but we are focusing our efforts in the areas of care and wellness and other non-perishable items. If you can donate any new/unopened or reusable items, please have your child bring them to school and place them in our grade level's colorful collection box from April 23 – 26 next week. 

https://www.animalhouseshelter.com/wish-list/

Thank you!

This Week...

April 15- April 18, 2019

Reading:  Students paid close attention to the describing words in various poems.  These words focused on the five senses and allowed us to make meaningful visualizations.  We also talked about the following poetic techniques: alliteration, repetition, and onomatopoeia.  Students learned how to identify these techniques within different poems, while also inferring why the poets used them.  Reading Logs are due Tuesday, April 23.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students took the unit 14 test on Monday.  We also started chapter 15: customary units of measurement!  We spent time measuring objects to the nearest inch, nearest half inch, and nearest quarter inch.  Students also learned the conversions for feet, yards, and miles.

Social Studies:  We discussed the history behind the settlement of Chicago, including Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, our city’s founder.  Students also read a real diary account, preserved from the Chicago Historical Society, written by a woman living at Fort Dearborn back in the 1800s.

Writing:  Students were excited to start their short fiction stories!  They mapped out the parts using a story map.  They figured out their introduction, problem, rising actions, climax, and resolution.  In grammar, we focused on linking verbs.

Word Study:  We sorted a variety of words into three categories.  Students learned that adjectives describe, verbs show action, and nouns are people/places/things.

Miscellaneous:  This week, students completed MAP testing in reading and math.  We enjoyed a PTA sponsored assembly with BMX rider, Matt Wilhelm.  A reminder about ordering yearbooks was emailed.  On Wednesday, we had “Walk to School Day”!  It was great to see so many students walking to school in the beautiful weather.  Today, students enjoyed celebrating our spirit day: “Dress Like Your Favorite Character”.  Just a reminder, there is no school for students on Friday, April 19 or Monday, April 22.  Enjoy the 4-day weekend!

This Week...

April 8- April 12, 2019

Reading:  Students were excited to start our next unit: poetry!  We learned that poetry can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Students analyzed various poems and noticed different types of elements.  Some of these included the shape, font, stanzas, colors, and print size.  Reading Logs are due Monday, April 15.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing fractions!  Students learned how to find a fraction of a set.  They also reviewed fraction number stories, equivalent fractions, and simplest form.  The unit 14 test will be on Monday, April 15.  A review guide went home on Thursday.  Please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic multiplication and division facts at home…thank you!

Science:  We reviewed major concepts from our forces unit by playing Kahoot.  Students took their unit test on Wednesday.  We also started our last social studies unit: Chicago!  Students learned what the symbols on the Chicago flag stand for and why it’s an important part of our city’s history.

Writing:  We continued developing our fictional characters.  Students brainstormed a list of everyday activities that their characters experience.  Then, they used strong adjectives and verbs to show how their character acted during that activity.

Word Study:  We worked on alliterations!  Students identified alliterations by focusing on words that produced the same consonant sound.

Miscellaneous:  Thank you to all of Dryden’s volunteers!  We enjoyed cheering you on at the Volunteer Breakfast!  Students completed IAR testing this week.  Just a reminder, MAP testing is next Tuesday and Thursday.  As the weather continues to change, please be sure your child has appropriate attire for outdoor recess…thank you!  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Have a fabulous weekend!

MAP Testing

We will be taking our spring MAP tests on the following dates:

Tuesday, April 16 (Reading Test in the morning)
Thursday, April 18 (Math Test in the afternoon)

Please let me know if you have any questions!  Thank you!

This Week...

April 1- April 5, 2019

Reading:  We completed our forces and motion reading unit!  Students took the unit assessment.  They also worked on recording their thinking while reading their independent reading books.  Next week, we will begin our final unit of the year: poetry! Reading Logs are due Monday, April 8.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Working with various fractions continued to our main focus.  Students had additional practice with making equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, and putting fractions into simplest form.

Science:  Static electricity was our focus this week!  Students learned that when they rub a balloon with a wool cloth, it produces an electrical charge.  This electrical charge produced a force called static electricity.  Students investigated with the balloons and observed how they interacted with other materials in the classroom.  Some of the objects were attracted, while others repelled.  We will be having our forces unit test on Friday, April 10.  Flashcards will be going home today that students can use to help them study.

Writing:  We began unit 3 in our WEX program!  Students enjoyed learning about how to develop a fictional character.  By analyzing photographs, students described what their character would be thinking, feeling, and saying in various settings.

Word Study:  We worked on categorizing various nouns into three categories: people, places, and things.

Miscellaneous:  Welcome back!  I hope you all had an enjoyable spring break.  On Tuesday, we had our spring bus evacuation drill.  Students learned important bus safety rules and tips.  April book orders went home and are due April 30.  We also started IAR state testing this week.  We will have 3 more testing sessions next week.  On Monday, our IAR math test will be in the morning instead of the originally scheduled afternoon session.  Today, students enjoyed listening to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra during our music field trip.  Thank you to Anna’s mom and Alex’s mom for helping chaperone our trip.  I hope you enjoy the warmer weather this weekend…please let me know if you have any questions!