Week of November 19th, 2012

Hello students and parents,

I hope you had a restful weekend. We are embarking and short, but fun, week! Here are some reminders:

• We are still having our canned food drive so please continue to bring in canned goods!
• This Tuesday and Wednesday there will be no after school tutoring.
• Wednesday is a whole school mass for Thanksgiving.
• Wednesday is a short day with early dismissal at noon.

Mathematics
In math, we are studying dividing decimals. Review the following videos for extra instruction/practice:

1. http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/decimals/v/dividing-decimals-2-1
2. http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/decimals/v/dividing-decimals
3. http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/decimals/e/dividing_decimals

Science
We are learning about the Water Cycle. Here is a link to the song we listened to in class: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Yi4dAzHsc

Social Studies

We have just finished learning about the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock--just in time for Thanksgiving! Enjoy reading up on more information about them and share what you've learned with your family over your Thanksgiving meal:

1. http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/homework-help/who-were-pilgrims
2. http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/History/family.php
3. http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/

Have a beautiful holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!

Week of November 5th, 2012

Hello students and families,

Here is a photograph from our Halloween carnival of all your great costumes!

  

Here are some important announcements for this week:

• This Friday is our A and B Honors/Math Medals Assembly following the 8 AM whole school mass. Tell your families to join us!
• Next Monday, November 12th, there is NO school due to celebrating Veteran's Day.
• Tomorrow, November 6th, is ELECTION DAY--remind your family members who are registered voters to go vote for our next president!
• We are now starting our canned food drive. Start bringing in extra canned foods to donate to those in need.  

Computer Lab Assignment 11/6

Even though you can't register to vote until you're 18, it's important that you know who your candidates for president are and what they both believe.

Here's your assignment: 
Research the two candidates for President, Mitt Romney & Barack Obama, and in the form at the bottom of the blog write who you would vote for and five reasons why you would vote for them and five reasons why you wouldn't vote for the other candidate. Below are some links to websites with information for kids about the candidates and the election. Read through information about BOTH candidates and take notes as you are reading.

What do both candidates think about these important issues?
Meet Barack Obama
Meet Mitt Romney
Meet the Candidates
Video: How do the elections work?
Meet the Candidates Part II

 

Who will win?

Week of October 29th, 2012

Hi students and families,

We have a short, fun week ahead of us! Here are some announcements:

• The costume parade is tomorrow at 8:15AM
• The Halloween carnival is from 12:30PM-3:30PM
• Please make sure to bring $5 and a bag of candy by tomorrow
• Thursday is parent/teacher conferences--make sure you schedule a time with Mrs. Coba in the office!
• There is NO SCHOOL for students on Friday so have a wonderful, long weekend!

Mathematics
In Math, we are working on multiplying decimals by whole numbers and multiplying decimals with decimals. Review the video below for extra help/practice:
Multiplying Decimals

For Ex: 4.53 X 100 = 453.0 or 6.25 X 10 = 62.5

Social Studies
In Social Studies, we are studying the voyage of John Smith and the establishment of the Jamestown colony, one of the first successful colonies in the new land. Here are some fun websites to teach you more about Jamestown:
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/jamestown.htm 
http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement.htm 
Jamestown Adventure 

Let's have a great week!

Oh, and have a HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Week of October 22nd, 2012

Hello students and families,

We have begun our new selection, "The Fear Place", and the spelling and vocabulary words for this selection have been posted at the left of the blog.

This week is Red Ribbon Week and St. Raphael is celebrating being drug free. Don't forget to wear your Red Ribbon everyday this week (and beyond if you like) to show your commitment to staying drug free.

Here are some important announcements for the upcoming weeks:

• Please bring in $5 and a bag of candy for the Halloween carnival
• Don't forget to sign up for a parent/teacher conference!
• There is no school for students this Friday, October 26th

Let's have a great week!

Week of October 15th, 2012

Hi students and families,

Let's take a look at what we're studying this week:

Mathematics
In math, we are learning about algebraic expressions and variables. Use the following website for practice and extra help:
http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol7/expressions.html
Or play this really fun game to test your knowledge of algebraic expressions:
Who wants to be a Millionaire: Algebraic Expressions!

Science
In Science, we are continuing to learn about our different body systems. We are finishing learning the Excretory System and starting to work on the Respiratory System. Check out all of the fun and exciting website below for more information!

• http://www.e-learningforkids.org/Courses/Liquid_Animation/Body_Parts/Respiratory_System/index.html  
• http://www.kidsbiology.com/human_biology/respiratory-system.php  
• http://lung.ca/children/grades4_6/respiratory/index.html 

Announcements

• Remember that this Thursday is the CLC's second pizza sale! Help to raise money for this year's haunted house! 
• This Thursday is also California's annual "Shake Out" which we will be participating in at school.  Learn more about the Shake Out at the following website: http://www.shakeout.org/california/

Let's have a great week!

Week of October 1st, 2012

Hello students and families,

This past week we visited the L.A. Country Fair and had a great time. We even got to see a 1 day old baby calf!

Thank you to all of the parents who helped out as chaperones! We are so appreciative of your help!
  
Language Arts 
In Language Arts we are working on descriptive writing and using sensory details. We are currently writing a descriptive paragraph on our favorite place. We are also starting a new theme, "Give it All You've Got". We will be reading Selection 1, "Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion". The new spelling and vocabulary words are posted on the left side of the blog. To learn more visit: Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion

Math
In math, we are starting to work on dividing numbers. Please visit the following videos for help with division. Remember, division is much more difficult if you do not know your multiplication facts, so practice them every night!
Division #1
Division #2
Division #3
Activities:
#1
#2

Social Studies
We are currently studying Christopher Columbus' expedition to the Americas and his experience with the Taino people. Complete the quiz at the bottom of the blog on Christopher Columbus and the Taino.

Science
Take a look at out Digestive System shirts!

Week of September 17th, 2012

Hello students and families,

Welcome to Week 6 of the fifth grade and one of the most important weeks of the school year--ITBS Testing! I hope that everyone is continuing to get plenty of sleep at night and eating a healthy breakfast!

This Friday is noon dismissal so don't forget to remind your parents to pick you up on time! Next Friday is our school field trip to the L.A. County Fair. So far we have five volunteer chaperones. If you are interested in chaperoning the field trip, please send a handwritten note indicating that you are available September 28th, or e-mail me at fifthgrade@straphaella.org.

Computer Lab Work

This week we are continuing to work on multiplication. Now we are reviewing multiplication by 1 and 2 digit numbers. Review the activities below to help you improve on your multiplication:
Multiplication Activity
Multiplication Activity #2
Multiplication Activity #3

In Science, we will begin learning about body systems and we will start with the digestive system. Look at the following links below to familiarize yourself more with the Digestive System:
Fun Link to Learn About the Digestive System
The Digestive System Movie
Digestive System Information
Digestive System Animation

Don't forget to bring in a white t-shirt in your size by Thursday of this week!

If you get done viewing these activities and web pages, please use Mavis Beacon or Math Invaders.

Thank you!

Let's have a great week and do well on the ITBS Test!