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Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year!!!  We are very excited to welcome a new group of students into 5th grade.  Please visit our class webpage often.  Here you will find updates regarding school assignments and activities at school.  If you ever have a question or concern regarding an assignment, please do not hesitate to contact us via note, email (rhoward@schooldistrict100.org), or phone (708-795-2364 ext. 4515)  The lines of communication are always open. Together we will accomplish great things for your child.

Math

 
Students are deep into their preparation for the ISAT test.  Students are generally assigned a lesson or two a night.  Students should read through each lesson and understand the information before attempting to solve the problems.  Lessons are gone over in class and examples are given and explained.  Students should have ample examples to assist in their homework completion.  Students will be receiving different packets as we go along.  It is IMPERATIVE that students have a folder to keep these organized.  They WILL NOT be given duplicate packets.  Ask your child to see these packets and review the problems with them. 

Students are currently working on area and perimeter of regular and irregular shapes.  Have your child explain these concepts to you.  This is the best way to ensure their understanding.

Students should be reviewing their Math facts every night.   If you have a computer at home follow these steps:


Here are the how-to's:
1) Go on the internet and
type www.thatquiz.orgin the address
bar at the top of the screen.
2) Click on the square which says arithmetic
(top of the far left column)
3) Click on the arrow next to the box which
says "Length"  change the number to 100.
4) Click
on the arrow next to the box which says "Timer".  Change the time to 3
minutes
5) Make sure ONLY ONE of the following is checked: addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division. 

Make it fun and have a contest with your child.  Have a contest with an older sibling or relative.  This is a fantastic way to keep their basic math facts sharp and build a strong foundation for the future   When you go to the store with your chld, have them estimate; when you are in the car, add the number on license plates.  Math is everywhere!!!!


As we get closer and closer to ISAT time, it is so important that students' Math skills stay sharp and on-target.

Novel Study

 Before Winter Break, students finished reading Crash by award-winning author Jerry Spinelli.  We will soon begin reading his Newberry Award-winning novel, Maniac Magee.  This is his most popular book and a wonderful story.  Jerry Spinelli is an amazing author and has many books available either at a bookstore or any public library.

English

Students will be using English as a time to practice the writing of their extended response questions for the ISAT test.  it is imperative that students learn to convey their thoughts clearly not only in their speech, but in their writing as well.  Students will receive plenty of guidance both from teachers and their peers.  This will serve as test preparation as well as becoming better writers.

Spelling

Students are given a Spelling packet every Monday.  They are expected to completed by Wednesday when they will be given a pretest on the unit.  Students missing 0 or 1 word will be exempt from the test on Friday.  Any handwriting assignment as well as the packets will be collected on Friday.  Students should study their Spelling words every night.

Be on the Lookout for.......

 Always ask your child to see their assignment notebook.  This is where all their assignments should be written down. Assignment notebooks should be brought home every evening and returned to school each day.  Should homework completion become an issue, students will be required to have a parent signature in their assignment notebook as well as being checked in and out on a daily basis.
 

Reminders.....

Some important reminders...........

Students should always come to school with their laptops FULLY charged.  Consider this as a daily homework assignment.  A full charge will last through the school day.  If a student needs to charge their computer during the day, it causes a distraction for the class.

Laptops are also a privilege.  Students should use them for academic purposes.  Periodic laptop checks will be conducted.  If there is misuse, students will be given an afterschool detention for a first offense. On the second offense, students will not be able to take their laptop home for a break.  On the third offense, students will not be allowed to take their laptops home for the remainder of the year.  The laptops are for your child's use.  These should not become "family" computers.  Your child is responsible for the search history on their laptops.  Under no circumstances should the search history be deleted.  If this is found to be the case, there will be consequences.  Please discuss the proper use of laptops with your child.

Playground supervision does not begin until 8:20.
Please be aware that there is not playground supervision before 8:15 in the morning.  Students should not be dropped off any earlier unless they are in a before school activity.  

If you are dropping your child off in the morning or picking them up after school, please use the drop-off zone in the front of the school.  Please refrain from dropping them off on the west side of the street and have them cross in the middle os the street.  If students need to cross the street, please do so at the corner.  This is for your child's safety.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

Especially during the winter months, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.  Unless the windchill is below freezing, students will go outside for recess.  Please make sure they come to school with hat, gloves/mittens and scarves.  Students will not be allowed inside because "they are cold."

Homework

Students will have homework every night.  Some nights will have more homework than others.  Students are given time at the end of every day to record any assignment that they may have.  If there is no assignment there should be the word "none" in the appropiate box.  If the assignment has been completed during the school day the word "done" should be written in the box.  Please check your child's assignment notebook every night.  Unless otherwise noted, homework is to completed and brought back to school the following day.  Please help us make your child's school year a success!!

Homework forJanuary 27, 2012

Math: Lesson 33. IXL or That Quiz practice 
Spelling: None
English:None
Science: Renewable/Non-Renewable resources wkst. 
Social Studies:  Study Guide 7.3 completed Tuesday
Reading: Woodsong Extended response due Tuesday.

 

Suggested Websites

www.harcourtschool.com (This website provides enrichment for any subject.)
www.ixl.com (fractions, place value, decimals)
www.kidport.com (basic math facts)
www.coolmath-games.com (many different math concepts)
www.primarygames.com
   (language arts and math games. Kids are familiar with this website)
www.schooltimegames.com (tons of fun word activities)
www.funeducation.com (in the format of "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" students are asked questions about different subjects
www.bigbrainz.com (learning multiplication facts in the form of video games)
www.funbrain.com

http://faculty.usiouxfalls.edu/arpeterson/Math%20standards.htm (Awesome site with a ton of math activities sure to keep your student busy for hours!!)