5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS​ ~​A few things to keep in mind…
Going Paperless! Papers typically sent in Wednesday envelopes will now be sent
electronically as attachments when the weekly newsletter is sent out. If you need a paper
copy, please contact your child’s homeroom teacher.
Recycling:
Please help Team Cooperation, Team Integrity and the Middle School by joining us in
recycling. We are collecting plastic containers and aluminum cans. Each team will
earn credit for every pound we collect! Containers can be found outside the teachers’
classrooms.
“HIGH TOPS” Collection
The Middle School will be collecting new and gently used high-top sneakers for the
Youth Basketball League. Please see the attachment for more information.
Literacy Week Donation
Please consider making a donation for Literacy Week. For details, see the attachment
section of this week’s email.
Parents can check PowerSchool ​to keep track of student progress throughout the year. Call the
office or Mrs. Alderfer, our fifth grade guidance counselor, if you do not know your password
information.
Note from SVMS Office:
Any student in grade 5 that changes their usual transportation home MUST have a note or phone call.
We will NOT send students home in any other way than the usual without a note.
Remember: If you wish to assist with events such as field trips,
Parent Clearances Needed - Click to read more –
http://www.svpanthers.org/page.cfm?p=3379&newsid=538​ takes about 3-4 weeks.
Giant A+ Registration is now OPEN​! Please log on to ​www.giantfoodstores.com​ ​and select A+
School Rewards under the Bonus Card Tab. You will need the first three numbers of your LAST
name, your Giant Card number and the SV Middle School code = 23438. Please sign up! This is free
$ for our school to help pay for field trips. Even if you signed up during school registration you still
need to log on to the Giant website to enter your info
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
Active email links are provided below for your convenience.
Team Cooperation
Team Integrity
Mrs. Kemper (team leader)​ Language Arts
[email protected]
Mrs. Kishbaugh​ Language Arts
[email protected]
Mrs. Stotz​ Language Arts
[email protected]
Mrs. Marsilio​ Language Arts
[email protected]
Mrs. Steirer​ Math
[email protected]
M​iss Burkholder ​ Math
[email protected]
Mr​s. Paulson​ ​Science/Social Studies
[email protected]
Mrs. Faccinetto​ Science/SS
​[email protected]
Mrs. Lewis​ Enrichment Teacher-LA & Math
[email protected]
Mrs. Henderson​ LA/Math
​[email protected]
Mrs. Kunkel​ ​Language Arts/Math
[email protected]
Miss Makoul​ Language Arts
[email protected]
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
Team Integrity’s Newsletter
Mrs. Marsilio~Language Arts
READING:​ We will begin to explore different types of figurative language including alliteration,
hyperbole, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification and simile. We will explore these through picture
books, poems and novels. We will be exploring different forms of poetry and identifying the author’s
point of view, theme, and figurative language used by the author.
Reading Test tomorrow, Tuesday December 18th.
Students will also be working in class and for homework on an independent reading book of their
choice. All students have a “just-right” book to read that has been approved by me. This book will
allow your child to practice their reading skills with a text that is appropriately challenging for them. I
will ask that students bring this book to class every day. Students should also read at home during
the week. My goal for students is to complete 5 books by April 1st and complete a summary graphic
organizer for each one. Students will receive a Book It, Free Personal Pizza when they reach this
goal. I will hand the certificate to the students when five books are complete. They can earn up to two
certificates.
2nd Book Summary is due by January 3rd.
WRITING:​ We have been examining what opinion writing is and what is involved in writing a 5
paragraph opinion piece. We will be continue to examine:
1. What is an opinion?
2. How are words used to persuade? How can I use words to express my opinions?
3. How do writers state their opinion through a thesis statement?
4. How to writers use details to support their opinion/thesis?
5. Students have brainstormed ideas with a main idea and details. We will begin the writing
process this week in class.
6. Students are completing their graphic organizer and will be using google docs to type a rough
draft.
7. Rough drafts will edited and turned into final drafts this week.
SPELLING:​ Holiday Spelling List this week. We will be doing all the activities in class. This will NOT
be a tested list.
GRAMMAR:​ We will be doing a review on all the grammar lessons to get ready for the 2nd
Benchmark. Students will participate in a Jeopardy Game.
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
Mrs. Kishbaugh ~Language Arts
Reading​- We will be taking a poetry test on 12/20. The students will be reading a poem. Explaining
the author’s purpose, point of view and theme. They will also be identifying lines of alliteration within
the story. We will begin our new unit when we get back from break.
We will finish up the week by working on a text dependent analysis essay. The essay question stems
from the story each child finished reading during literature time.
We are finishing up our novel notes/literature packet. The students will also be picking out an
independent book to start reading over break and for the month of January.
Period 1-2 Novel Note Due Dates​- December 22nd
Period 3-4 Literature Packet Due Dates-​ December 22nd
Writing​- The superhero piece is will be completed by Friday. The students will be using the opinion
rubric to help support the editing.
Spelling:​ The unit 11 spelling test will be given on Tuesday, December 20th.
There will be no new spelling,
Grammar: ​We are continuing to explore verbs.
Miss Burkholder Math
Have a wonderful winter break! Enjoy your family time. There is no
math fact calendar is required over break.
Period 1 - Students will have a quiz on Tuesday the 20. The quiz will cover comparing and
ordering fraction, simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, and changing a mixed number into
improper fraction or improper to mixed number. Next we will be moving to adding and subtraction
fractions and mixed numbers.
Periods 2 Monday students will practice the mathmatical process of changing a mixed number into
improper fraction or improper to mixed number. Tuesday and Wednesday students will review making
equivalent fractions. Students have a quiz on Thursday the 22nd. The quiz will cover comparing and
ordering fraction, simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, and changing a mixed number into
improper fraction or improper to mixed number. Next we will be moving to adding and subtraction
fractions and mixed numbers.
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
Period 3 & 4 - Students are continuing to work on division unit. They will solve real world problems
requiring interpretation of the remainder. Students will need to solve the division problem but then
decide how to interrpret the remainder. Depending on the problem 1) “bumped up” to the next whole
number 2) ignore the remainder or 3) share the remainder as a fraction or a decimal.
***There will be a math fact test 12/20. Please have your child practice his/her basic facts (for
multiplication or division) at home for speed and accuracy. The goal is 50 facts complete in 3 minutes
with 100% accuracy.
*Key Vocabulary​:
Period 3 and period 4:
Period 1 and period 2:
divisor
fraction
covert
dividend
quotient
proper fraction
equivalent
remainder
improper fraction
simplify
division
mixed number
reduce
Mrs. Faccinetto ~ Social Studies​:
Periods 1-4​: Lesson 2 Quiz: CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS on Thursday, Dec. 22nd.
Students are to use CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS NOTES that should already be placed in
their folder. Please study in small-chunks to help alleviate “cramming” before a quiz.
We will be continuing our new unit of the European Explorers but studying in more depth, the
voyages and discoveries of Christopher Columbus. Students will identify and discuss why he was
the first explorer to head west looking for an all-water route to Asia. They will begin to comprehend
how Columbus and his crew interacted with the people they met as well as explain how Columbus
paved the way for future exploration of Asia and the Americas.
Questions to think about:
● What happened to the native people on the island of San Salvador and Hispaniola after
coming in contact with Europeans?
● What does ​inferior ​mean? Why did Christopher Columbus think the Arawaks were ​inferior​?
● How did Columbus come about calling the native people “​Indians”?
Looking Ahead…. (​after holiday break)
--Wrap-up explorer unit with charting specific explorers information (What country they explored for?
Dates/TIme periods? Where did they travel? What did they develop?)
--End-of-Unit Test
--Explorer Research Project
*Key Explorers
Marco Polo
Jacques Cartier
Ferdinand Magellan
Prince Henry the Navigator
Christopher Columbus
Amerigo Vespucci
Vasco Da Gama
John Cabot
Bartholomeu Dias
*Key Vocabulary/Phrases​:
Crusades
all-water-route
trade
conquistador
empires
economy
The Silk Road
cartographer
Arawaks
East Indies
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
Northwest Passage
The Columbian Exchange
inferior
Extension, Reinforcement and/or Discussion Starters​​:
--What tools, supplies and crew might an explorer need to set off on an unknown course? How would
YOU go about preparing for a voyage of unknown length and unseen challenges?
--Create a trivia game with cards labeled WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHY. Question on one side of a
card and the answers on the reverse. Can you make a trivia game that connects to each explorer we
have been studying & learning about?
--​Letter of Persuasion: What arguments might have explorers used to convince a queen or king to
sponsor their journey? Create a “pretend” letter to a potential sponsor asking for support.
--Write a fictionalized account of one of Columbus's voyages or his meeting with the Arawaks. Use
the point of view of someone other than Columbus (one of his crew, one of the Arawaks)
Reinforcement Videos & Online Games and/or Activities:
Early European Exploration 1400-1550
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVGFX7DJiWc
Marco Polo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpLoSEGqw_w
Christopher Columbus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmRFcXrWKCY
*Please be sure to check you son/daughter’s Social Studies folder for up-​to​-date materials,
occasional “clean​outs” and that they are keeping up with general organization/neatness.
Team Cooperation’s Newsletter
Miss Makoul~Language Arts
READING:​ Unit 2’s theme is “Doing the Right Thing.” Throughout the unit, we will be analyzing
various picture books where the main character(s) must decide whether or not to help others and do
the right thing even if there are risks involved. Students will discover that sometimes it is difficult to
stand up for the rights of others, but doing so can make us feel good. We will be taking our poetry test
on Tuesday, 12/20 (no writing this time!).
Students will also be working in class and for homework on an independent reading book of their
choice. All students have a “just-right” book to read that has been approved by me. This book will
allow your child to practice their reading skills with a self-selected text that is appropriately
challenging for them. I will ask that students bring this book to class every day, and read this book for
their 20 minutes of reading homework as well. They will have one “reading job” each night to go
along with what they read that night for homework. This homework will look a little different after
break.
WRITING:​ We will continue with our opinion writing pieces this week. The topic we chose is “should
electronics be allowed in school?”. At this point, most of the writing is finished and we are just
“polishing” our rough drafts. Please feel free to discuss this topic at home and brainstorm with your
child. They had some really interesting ideas!
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
We will also be having a class debate to discuss our ideas on Friday, January 13th. Both Language
Arts classes will be participating. All writing pieces will be due no later than January 10th. Prior to the
debate, students will meet in groups (according to their stance) in order to determine what details that
what to discuss to support their stance.
SPELLING:​ No spelling this week! We will be working on a fun holiday list in class.
GRAMMAR:​ We will not be starting a new Grammar concept this week. We will continue to review
previously discussed concepts leading up to the Benchmark Test.
Mrs. Kemper~Language Arts
READING​ - (Reminder : Social permission forms due tomorrow, Nov. 30)
Reading- We have been focusing on literacy devices in poems, point of view in poems, finding the
main idea, the theme, and the tone and mood in poems. Students continue to work through chapter
books during our reading workshop time.
Grammar - Tenses - past, present, future
Spelling P1/2 lesson 10, words with schwa. Period ½ will have spelling test on Thursday.
P3/4 - students are at various lessons. You can see which lesson by reviewing the packet. Period ¾
will have spelling test Thursday and a culminating Socratic Seminar discussion on Friday.
Writing - New topics for our 5 paragraph argumentative essays have been introduced. These topics
include: Can virtual reality be dangerous for kids, Are optimism and success infectious? and Is the
first impression of someone always right?
​Mrs. Steirer~Math
Periods 1: This week we will be starting Unit 3: Operations and Algebraic Thinking. The students
will be working with order of operations involving whole number, decimal, and fractions operations.
They will also be working on analyzing number patterns.
Period 2: This week students will begin division when there is a decimal in the dividend. They will
also work on using mental math strategies to multiply and divide numbers by powers of 10.
Periods 3 and 4: . We will continue reviewing adding and subtracting fractions/ mixed numbers with
like and unlike denominators throughout the week (Period 4 will have a quiz on Monday on these
skills.) We will begin multiplying fractions by whole numbers and fractions by fractions, developing
the conceptual understanding and then relating this to the procedures that are used.
● Please have your child practice his/her basic facts (especially multiplication) at home for speed
and accuracy. The goal is 50 facts complete in 3 minutes with 100% accuracy. I will be
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016
providing practice packets for those students that need to work toward achieving the goal.
● Happy Holidays!
*All Students have Study Island accounts​. They can log into their accounts at home and practice
skills that have been covered in class. They have been doing a great job with this!
Mrs. Paulson ~ Social Studies
We will be continuing our unit on European Exploration by studying in more depth, the voyages and
discoveries of Christopher Columbus. Students will identify and discuss why he was the first
explorer to head west looking for an all-water route to Asia. They will begin to comprehend how
Columbus and his crew interacted with the people they met as well as explain how Columbus paved
the way for future exploration of Asia and the Americas. A Christopher Columbus quiz will be given
on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Students should use the notes they already have on
Columbus, as well as the additional notes we will take on Monday of this week.
Questions to think about:
● What happened to the native people on the island of San Salvador and Hispaniola after
coming in contact with Europeans?
● What does ​inferior ​mean? Why did Christopher Columbus think the Arawaks were ​inferior​?
● How did Columbus come about calling the native people “​Indians”?
Looking Ahead…. (​after holiday break)
--Wrap-up explorer unit with charting specific explorers information (What country they explored for?
TIme periods? Where did they travel? Accomplishments?)
--End-of-Unit Test
--Explorer Research Project
*Key Explorers
Marco Polo
Jacques Cartier
Ferdinand Magellan
Prince Henry the Navigator
Christopher Columbus
Amerigo Vespucci
Vasco Da Gama
John Cabot
Bartholomeu Dias
*Key Vocabulary/Phrases​:
Crusades
trade
empires
all-water-route
conquistador
economy
Northwest Passage
The Columbian Exchange
The Silk Road
cartographer
inferior
Arawaks
East Indies
*Please be sure to check you son/daughter’s Social Studies folder for up-​to​-date materials,
occasional “clean​outs” and that they are keeping up with general organization/neatness.
5​th​ Grade
WEEKLY UPDATE
December 19, 2016