Week of May 7, 2012

Hello students & families,

Welcome to another wonderful week of school! This Friday is the school talent show from 1:00P-2:30P. Some of our very own fifth graders are performing so get excited! Here's what we are studying in our different content areas:

Language Arts
In Language Arts we are writing our own short stories. Final drafts are due this Friday. Please make sure your short story follows the plot diagram (see below).

The following website has some good tips for short story writing:
http://www.coreygreen.com/storytips.html

Social Studies
We are currently studying how the 13 colonies worked together to defeat the great British army during the American Revolution. Look at the following websites for some interesting facts and games about the war.
Facts on the American Revolution 
The Road to Revolution Game 
Who is it Revolutionary War Game
Interactive Map of the Battles

Science
In Science we are studying the difference between mixtures and solutions. Look at the following websites to read up on the differences between the two.
Solutions 
Mixtures 
Mixtures & Solutions Activity 

Photos from our experience with Oobleck:

 

Week of April 23, 2012

Hello students & family!

Here are some announcements for this week:

• This Wednesday & Thursday are auditions for the St. Raphael Talent Show in Room K from 3:15P-4:15P. Show the school your talent by participating!
• This Wednesday, April 25th, is mass with the 1st grade at 8:00AM.
• This Friday is a full day

Reading:
Use the following website to practice your current vocabulary words from the selection "Pioneer Girl":
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/ewordgame/index.html?grade=5&theme=5&selection=2

Mathematics:
Use these websites to help you with your fractions:
http://www.visualfractions.com/
http://www.visualfractions.com/Games.htm
http://www.maths-games.org/fraction-games.html

Let's have a great week!

Week of April 16, 2012

Hello students and families,

Welcome back to school! We have ten wonderful weeks ahead of us!

Remember that this Friday is noon dismissal and the awards/medals ceremony at 10:30A! Tell your parents to come join us!

Get some vocabulary practice at the following website:
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/ewordgame/index.html?grade=5&theme=5&selection=1

Get some fractions practice at this website:
http://www.visualfractions.com/

Let's have a good week!

Week of April 2, 2012

Hello students and family!

Our Easter break is slowly approaching...

• This Thursday is a short day
• Friday is NO SCHOOL
• School is out until April 16, 2012

After many weeks of timed tests and multiplication facts, the following students will be awarded medals for all of their hard work! If you are not receiving a medal this time, make sure you keep studying your basic facts so that you can get one next time!

 If you get confused when changing your unlike denominators to like denominators, remember the steps we wrote on the board yesterday:

On March 29th our class went on a wonderful field trip to the Music Center. Here are some of the pictures we took:

Thank you to all of our amazing chaperones! I am happy you had the opportunity to be a part of our experience!

Have a beautiful Easter! Please remember to complete your final Holes project!

Week of March 19, 2012

Hello students & families,

Welcome to another wonderful week of school! Here are some reminders for the week:

-This Friday, March 23rd, there will be no school.
-Our next field trip is on March 29th to the Music Center. Please return field trip slips as soon as possible!

Language Arts
In Language Arts we have started our unit on the book Holes. Students will be expected to read from the book nightly and complete five vocabulary word boxes. All students have been assigned a classroom copy, but you are still more than welcome to buy your own copy.

Mathematics
In Math we are working on fractions. Next, we will be adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators. Remember, tutoring is every Tuesday from 3:15p-4:15p.

Visit the following websites for more help and fun with fractions:
http://www.mathsisfun.com/fractions-menu.html
http://www.visualfractions.com/index.htm
http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse (scroll down to "arithmetic and pre-algebra: fractions")

Photos from our class field trip to the Griffith Observatory on March 9th: 

 

Week of February 27, 2012

Hello students and families,

I hope that everyone enjoyed their weekends!
Here's what is coming up this week:

• Thursday is our first Stations of the Cross @ 2:00PM in the Church
• Friday is Whole School Mass @ 8:00AM and Noon Dismissal

Science
In Science, we have just begun our new unit on The Solar System in preparation for our March 9th field trip to the Griffith Observatory. We are learning about the characteristics of the different planets in addition to some of the other things that exist in space. To explore Outer Space a little more from home, visit the following websites:

• http://www.kidsastronomy.com/
• http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html

Social Studies
In Social Studies, we are finishing up our study of the 13 original colonies. The students will have their final 13 colony exam this Wednesday, February 29th. They will be given time to complete review sheets in class to study with. Remember, students must be able to locate the original 13 colonies on a map like the one below:

 

Math
In Math, we are now beginning our adventure into fractions! It is more important than ever to KNOW YOUR MULTIPLICATION FACTS. Students are given a basic facts test every Friday, which can either help or hurt their math grade depending on their improvement with their times tables. Students who receive a 96% or above on the basic facts test by the end of the quarter will be presented with medals at the 3rd quarter Honors Assembly. Let's get studying!

Lastly, we will be going on another fieldtrip on March 29th, 2011. If you are interested in participating as a chaperone, please write me a handwritten note indicating that you are free and available to attend as soon as possible as there is limited space for parents. I will write you back to confirm whether you will be able to attend the field trip with us or not.

Thank you!
Let's have a great week!

Ms. Jordan

Week of January 6, 2012

Dear students & parents,

Welcome to another great week of school!
Here are some announcements for the coming week:

• Tuesday, January 7th, at 7:00PM is a Parent Meeting on helping your kids to achieve more in reading
• Thursday, January 9th, the NED Show is coming to St. Raphael! Get ready and get excited by looking into more at the following website: http://www.thenedshow.com/kids 

Congratulations to our 5th grade Spelling Bee Champs, Ricardo Guevara & Romelle Mansel! Good job 5th grade for doing your best and participating! I'm proud of all of you!

  

In Art, we talked about Pointillism. Here are some photographs from our adventures: