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3
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4/25/17
Important
Upcoming
Dates:
Mark Your Calendars!
MCAS
ELA
4/26
MATH
5/1 and 5/3
SCIENCE
5/8 and 5/10
6/7
5 Grade Spring
Concert
th
A Curriculum Update
From Mrs. Mahoney, Ms. Hyder,& Ms. Liu
We hope you had a relaxing
April vacation! It is hard to believe
that May is almost here! We
wanted to provide you with a quick
update on the happenings over the
last month. Please pay close
attention to the important upcoming
dates, as this is a very busy time
for us.
In Math, we just finished
learning about exponents, the
Order of Operations and negative
numbers. We have been
emphasizing the importance of
showing all of your work and your
children have embraced this
challenge. We are moving into
preparation for the upcoming Math
MCAS. We will be learning different
test-taking strategies for multiple
choice math problems. In addition,
we will review how to respond to
math open response questions by
putting their mathematical thinking
into words, a skill they have been
practicing all year. Ask your fifth
grader: “What is one strategy you
learned for answering multiple
choice questions?”
In Reading, we just started
reading the book Crash by Jerry
Spinelli. Students read the book
using a variety of different reading
structures such as buddy reading,
small group, and whole class. The
story provides great insights into
why Crash becomes a bully and
how someone can be “rich” without
money. Overall, we have been very
impressed with the thoughtful
discussions students have been
having in their book groups. Please
ask your child, “Why do you think
Crash continues to pick on Penn?”
Our most recent Writing unit is
integrated with our Social Studies
curriculum. Students have selected a
Colonial American topic that interests
them. They have read a lot about their
topics and have worked diligently to
develop thick and thin questions,
which will guide their research as they
write an informational essay.
Currently, they are taking notes about
these questions and will use their
notes to write their informational
essay. We are looking forward to
seeing the progress they make on
their essays. Ask your child, “What
Colonial American topic are you
researching and what have you
learned so far?”
In Science, we will finish our
science rotations this week. Your
children learned a lot about weather,
magnets, and electricity and it was a
pleasure getting to know and teaching
all of the 5th graders. Starting this
week, we will begin reviewing MCAS
questions and content
d in preparation
for the Science MCAS at the beginning
of May. Please ask your child, “What
did you enjoy learning about during the
science rotations?”
It is such a joy teaching your
children each and every day. We are
inspired by their creativity, diligence
and desire to learn. We appreciate
your support!