Fifth Grade Social Studies News

Congratulations fifth graders for the excellent work you did creating models of the geographic terms we are learning. The four large dioramas that you made containing landforms like mesa, isthmus, archipelago, and butte, etc. and water features of the earth such as tributary, cataract, river mouth, and strait, etc. are wonderful. The cooperation you showed in implementing this project was commendable. I look forward to having you present your work to each other next week.

Please remember to study for the quiz that you will be having on these terms on Monday, October 5th. It will be multiple choice, but it is important to study the entire definition of each term. There will also be an extra credit opportunity for finding a geographic term that we have not studied yet. You should be able to define and draw an illustration of it. Check out enchantedlearning.com and other social studies sites for some interesting information.

Your research projects on the 50 states are due at the latest next Friday. Students who hand these in on Wednesday can receive extra credit for initiative and organization. Remember to complete pages 43 and 36 in the packet for Monday as you will need this information to work on your travel brochure for Mrs. Hoffman in computer class. Check out the web (with parental permission) for 3 or 4 pictures of interesting places in your state.

I will be researching geography sites that can help you with social studies work and posting them below on my "links".

Please contact me via new schoolnotes.com if you have any questions.

Thank you for your hard work and motivation. You should be very proud!

Dear Students,

I would like to welcome you to a new and exciting year in the fifth grade. I am so happy to have you in my class, and I am looking forward to getting to know you. I hope to work with you to make this a year of both fun and learning. I know that you have many ideas about what fifth grade will be like. Yes, it is the beginning of “changing clclasses nd getting to know four or more teachers and their expectations. We are all here to help you with this challenge. It will also be a year of making new friends and enjoying old friends. Each and every one of you is an important member of our class. Kindness, respect, caring, and helpfulness are some traits that will make our class a place to look forward to coming to each day.

I know that you will all work hard to do your best academically. New challenges such as organizing your work for each teacher, setting priorities for homework and projects, and juggling school with family and activities will be a part of this year. We will talk about this, and I will be available to discuss this individually if you ever need to talk about a particular situation or challenge. Extra help will be available from your teachers in all of your subject areas. So, if you find yourself needing extra time to learn something don’don it, ask for help immediately.

I am planning some fun activities this year, and I am also open to any suggestions from you as we go along. I hope that you are looking forward to moving ahead with enthusiasm and confidence. God has given you many gifts. You will see them unfold this year and in the years ahead. Learn to appreciate these gifts and enjoy the gifts of others as well. Let’s Let  this a great year!

                                                     God bless you,

                                                      Mrs. Reilly

 Letter that went home to fifth grade parents/guardians

 September 2009

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child as we begin this fifth grade year.

My goal as the fifth grade math teacher is to assess your child's ability to master skills and concepts so that the appropriate support as well as enrichment can be provided. The fifth grade is a critical year for students, particularly in math, because they are strengthening their foundation by developing mature number sense and problem solving skills. This will help them to achieve math proficiency in the upper grades. Attached is an excerpt from the math standards for middle grade students outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This will help to explain my objectives as I teach your child to be a confident and successful math student.

Our school is utilizing a math textbook program entitled, Macmillan McGraw-Hill Math for grades 1-5. The program is available on line, which allows your child to access the textbook whenever necessary and avoid heavy backpacking. One of the benefits to this program is that it focuses on both conceptual understanding while providing a strong emphasis on computational skills.

The key to success in math is for your child to stay active and engaged the learning process. Their progress is assessed on quizzes and tests, class work, project work, and homework. Completion of homework is critical to the learning process and a strong indicator of a student's effort to do their best. Students are also required to keep a neat and organized notebook that includes class notes as well as class work and homework. Most homework will be in one of their two workbooks.

This year I will also be teaching Social Studies to the fifth grade. The curriculum focuses on the history, geography, culture, government, and economics of the United States, Canada, and Latin America using the Prentice Hall World Explorer textbook. Students will be expected to read, study, and write about skills and concepts related to the above areas. Map skills will be an important part of this course. They will also be expected to keep a neat and thorough Social Studies notebook.

A progress report will be sent home at the midpoint of each trimester to give you an update of your child's progress in all subjects. In addition, a report may be sent home at any time if a student is not completing homework, studying, or working to their potential. Tests and quizzes will be sent home for signature and may include a progress update. Your cooperation in returning these to school the next day with your signature is appreciated.

If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to make up missing work. Students should also learn to ask for help when it is needed. This is an important skill and a step toward maturity that will help them in the upper grades.

This is a busy time for your child as they adjust their schedule to include time for homework and study. Their success depends on their motivation, their ability to organize their time, and their determination to focus on consistent study and homework. I will be working with you to help them realize the importance of a mature and active approach to their studies.

I am very happy to be teaching this class this year. I know they will be hard-working and successful. Please contact me at school by sending in a note if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance. You may also send me an e-mail via schoolnotes.com.

I am looking forward to a positive year full of academic and personal growth for your child.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Reilly

Letter that went home to sixth grade parents/guardians:

September 2009

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child as we begin this sixth grade year.

My goal as the sixth grade math teacher is to assess your child's ability to master skills and concepts so that the appropriate support as well as enrichment can be provided. The sixth grade is a critical year for students, particularly in math, because they are strengthening their foundation by developing mature number sense and problem solving skills. Attached is an excerpt from the math standards for middle grade students outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This will help to explain my objectives as I teach your child to be a confident and successful math student.

Our school is utilizing a math textbook program entitled, McDougal Littell Middle School Math for grade six. The web site that supports this textbook series is www.classzone.com. Your student can received support and help from this web site. The power point presentations on each skill are particularly helpful. All of the information can be accessed without a password. I encourage each student to take the time to become familiar with this useful resource.

My goal for your child this year is to develop his or her capacity for problem solving and critical thinking while still reinforcing essential computational skills. The sixth grade curriculum focuses on developing your child's proficiency at understanding math concepts while providing a strong emphasis on important foundational skills that will help them to achieve math proficiency in the upper grades and prepare for algebra and geometry in high school.

The key to success in math is for your child to stay active and engaged the learning process. Their progress is assessed on quizzes and tests, class work, project work, and homework. Completion of homework is critical to the learning process and a strong indicator of a student's effort to do their best. Students are also required to keep a neat and organized notebook that includes class notes as well as class work and homework. Most homework will be in their problem solving workbook, but it will be necessary at times to assign homework from the textbook.

A progress report will be sent home at the midpoint of each trimester to give you an update of your child's progress in all subjects including math. In addition, a report may be sent home at any time if a student is not completing homework, studying, or working to their potential. Tests and quizzes will be sent home for signature and may include a progress update. Your cooperation in returning these to school the next day with your signature is appreciated.

If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to make up missing work. Students should also learn to ask for help when it is needed. This is an important skill and a step toward maturity that will help them in the upper grades.

This is a busy time for your child as they adjust their schedule to include time for homework and study. Their success depends on their motivation, their ability to organize their time, and their determination to focus on consistent study and homework. I will be working with you to help them realize the importance of a mature and active approach to their studies.

I am very happy to be teaching this class this year. I know they will be hard-working and successful. Please contact me at school by sending in a note if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance. You may also send me an e-mail via schoolnotes.com.

I am looking forward to a positive year full of academic and personal growth for your child.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Reilly

Homework Policy and Procedures:

Please remember that it is your responsibility to write down your homework for each class. Homework is assigned by each teacher during class time and should be written down at this time. In addition, homework will be posted on the board in homeroom. Students can check at the end of the day to make sure they have all of their work.

Fifth Graders: If you need help with the class codes for accessing the on-line textbook, please contact me via school notes.

The sixth grade math web site for studying, homework help, activities, and games is: www.classzone.com. This is also a valuable and enjoyable resource for students at the sixth grade level.

Please check out other useful and fun math web sites on the list of links below.

Make sure that you check out the new STA websites:

www.stthomastheapostlenj.com