October
Fifth Grade Newsletter
Bethesda Elementary
Ms. DeNisco, Mrs. Piemme,, Mr. Zukoski
5th Grade News...
Literature Circles
All students have received their literature
circle books and have been reading and
meeting with their literature circle groups..
Literature circles will meet weekly. Be sure
to ask your child what book they are reading! Students should be reading their books
at home and at school. You should also see
students using sign posts as they strive to be
active readers. They have a schedule of
when their group will be meeting and what
chapters will be discussed.
Writer’s Workshop…
We have begun implementing strategies of writing using Lucy Calkins.
Students have been learning how to
write about a moment using events
from their lives and incorporating
thoughts, feelings, and dialogue.
The key to good writing is to
“show” not “tell.” In the month of
October, students will select one of
their moments to take through the
writing process. Please remind
your child to write in their writer’s
notebook for a minimum of ten
minutes.
Inside this issue:
5th Grade News
1
Classroom Reminders
1
Coming Attractions
1
Spelling
1
Magnet Programs
1
Coming Attractions

Dismissal

Oct. 9 —In school Wind
Energy

Oct. 12th—Parent Visitation Day

Oct. 16th—No School

Oct. 30th—Strathmore
field trip

Oct. 30th –Halloween
pararade and party in
AP room
SpellingStudents received their first set of spelling
words on Tuesday, September 29th. Spelling
words are given on a two week rotation, and
tests are given the following Friday. Students have nightly homework to practice
spelling and sorting their words in order to
learn about the word pattern they have been
assigned. Spelling homework is checked on
the Friday that they have their spelling tests.
Middle School Magnet Programs
Key Points:
• Deadline for middle school magnet program applications and Middle School Magnet Consortium
(MSMC) Choice forms is November 6th
• Applications and test preparation materials for the middle school magnet application programs will be
available on the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) website.
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/
• Mrs. Nicholson met with all fifth grade classes to share information about the magnet programs on
Thursday, Sept. 24th. You will find information in the Lion’s Den, the school paper.
Oct. 2nd —Early
Classroom Reminders

Students should ready
nightly for at least 20
minutes.

Spelling homework is
checked Friday of the
spelling test.

Spelling words are
given on a two week
rotation.

The first spelling test
will be on Friday, .

Lit Circles are meeting
every Thursday.