Science
We began our Astronomy Unit by completing a “K-W-L” Chart with what the
students already “Know”, “Want to know” and “Learned”. Throughout the quarter
we will continue to add to this chart and it is being copied in their Science Journals
so that they have a personal updated copy. Please share this with them and feel
free to engage them in what they are learning about now or have already
learned!  Our Science MSA testing is next Friday, March 4th. In order to help
the students prepare more for this comprehensive test, we have been getting on
the website during some Science class time and homeroom time. As we reminded
the students, though they should do their best on this and all tests, this is just one
of many data points that we collect in order to determine their mastery levels of
various concepts. Recently, your 5th grader brought home their Moon
Observation sheet which will be part of their Science Homework for a
month. Please help them to remember to complete it nightly. The horizon part
indicates where the 5th grader was when they observed the moon. Depending on
where they are geographically, the moon can appear differently. Next, we will be
studying different constellations and building a model of one of those common
ones found in different seasons or year round. After that we will investigate other
celestial objects and compare and contrast meteors, comets and asteroids.
Mrs. Kessler and Mrs. Hoffman are planning a 5th Grade Science Fair as there
was a lot of interest from our 5th graders to do so. No information on this has
been discussed or sent home as of yet, but we will begin planning it and hope to
have the criteria out to you sometime next week, giving the students a few weeks
to prepare! 
Science MSA begins next week, and links are posted on google classroom to help
students study for it.
Language Arts
We are currently working on three different novels. One group is reading
Hatchet, another group has The Whipping Boy, and our third group is reading
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Students have lessons and readings
assigned via Google Classroom. The books are electronically given to them by
chapter. Parents can check Google Classroom to see the progress of their
child each week.
Ms. Kessler’s class is reading realistic fiction stories and we will be continuing in
the next week reading a new book, Joe Cocker Spaniel. We will be reading the
book by chapter and filling out an organizer. After reading the book we will be
comparing it to the book we just finished, Salamander Surprise.
Writing
In writing, students are creating an original story based on a genre of their
choice. The details for this assignments are also give in Google Classroom. Ms.
Kessler’s class is beginning their narrative writing assignment. Students will be
starting this next week, where they will “roll a story” to create a character,
problem and solution, and setting to write about. We will be looking at
characteristics of narrative texts, and also reviewing plot elements.
Social Studies
In social studies, we are studying the geographic characteristics of the United
States and Maryland in particular. Assignments and resources are posted under
the social studies tabs. Ms. Kessler’s class is also studying the geographic
characteristics of the United States, as well as learning about environmental
changes.
Math
In math we are continuing to work on multiplying fractions with area models. We
are now up to multiplying two fractions greater than one, and using area models
to express how we find our answer. We learned to decompose fractions to make
them easier to multiply, as well as multiplying fractions by a whole number.
Students will be getting into division of fractions, and plotting sets of numbers.
PARCC Practice Tests links are on Classroom, and Mrs. Hoffman’s Enrichment
page as well as Matific, Matific is something new and exciting that we will be using
to help the students master their skills, while learning new skills. The user id is the
same as school username and passwords are the same too. Mrs. Hoffman has
already began using Matific and Ms. Kessler’s class is going to be getting set up.
 Congratulations to Brayan Panning for earning the 3 month FREE
membership on Prodigy for having the most questions answered. 
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Upcoming Important Dates
 3/04 Science MSA
 3/21Family Life
 3/22 Family Life
 3/23 Family Life
 3/23 End of 3rd Marking Period
 3/24 No School
 3/29-3/31 Spring Break, No School