Dear 5S Community - 

I look forward to seeing you this week for conferences and have a few slots still available if you have not signed up already. Please note that all conferences will be held in person unless you notify me ahead of time via email to meet virtually. Also, feel free to email me with any questions/topics you would like to be sure to discuss. Finally, students are invited to attend their conference and discuss their progress firsthand. 

Trimester 3 will be a busy one with field trips, testing and more. Please note upcoming events and dates. There have been a few changes since I last posted (see highlights). You will receive a paper copy of this schedule at conferences. 

Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Upcoming Events:

March 13-16: March Conferences

March 17- March 26: Spring Break

March 28: Social Media Safety Presentation by Kali Matt SOR (see below)

March 29: Montana Shakes (12:00-12:45)

April 4-5: Science SBAC testing (begin @ 9:15 am)

April 11-April 21: Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Presentations 

April 21: Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Field Trip to Milltown Dam

April 25-26: ELA SBAC testing (begin @ 9:15 am)

April 28: Rattlesnake Fun Run

May 5: Band & Orchestra Solo Day

May 8: Leave No Weeds Presentation 

May 10-12: Math SBAC testing (begin @ 9:15 am)

May 17: Leave No Weeds Field Trip to Mount Jumbo (morning)

May 22: Band & Orchestra Concert

May 23: Butte Field Trip (8:15 am - 5:30 pm, specific details to be announced)

May 24: All 5th grade students to Washington Middle School

Other events to be scheduled:

• Washington Middle School to follow up at Rattlesnake

• Last week of school 5th Grade Promotion

Internet Safety Presentation with MPD Detective Kali Matt: March 28, 2023 - exact time TBD: Please join us for an important discussion about internet safety with Det. Kali Matt from the Missoula Police Department. Det. Matt will present information to students about staying safe online and while using social media. We’ll discuss how to keep information private, how personal information is used once it’s online, the consequences of cyberbullying and oversharing online, and how to stay safe from online predators. You are encouraged to join your child’s class for this discussion, but you are welcome to join any class depending on your schedule. We’d love to have you in attendance!

Curriculum Update

ELA: Students finished the Birchbark House with a focus on summary writing, inferring and finding evidence about themes and citing evidence and explaining how a character has changed in response to their challenges faced. This past week, students completed the summative assessment explaining the connections between events in Birchbark House (westward movement, smallpox epidemic, fur trading, and assimilation of Native American youth through education and boarding schools) with actual historical evidence. The task involved research, citing text evidence, explanation and elaboration and writing organization. The students worked diligently over the course of several days!

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for at least 30 minutes. Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: Students worked on decimal computation with a focus on multiplication (Unit 3, Lesson 15 and 16) and division (Unit 3, Lesson 17). We will review this coming week and take the mid-unit assessment. After Spring Break, students will return to fractions with a focus on multiplication and division. For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. 

Social Studies: Students have been learning about the American Revolution, the events leading up to the writing of the Declaration of Independence as well as key battles in the war, specifically the Battle of Yorktown. This coming week, we will combine ELA and social studies to research and reflect on the Constitutional Convention and the Bill of Rights.

SEL: March’s focus is on Cooperation. 

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary. 

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community - 

Greetings from Room 402! Spring is hopefully right around the corner, and the 3rd Trimester calendar is quickly filling up. We are in the process of scheduling field trips, SBAC testing and other events. Please see below. SBAC testing dates will be added once finalized. In the meantime, please be on the lookout for March conference sign ups this coming Thursday, March 2. Students are invited to attend their conference. Also, please feel free to email with any questions/topics you want to be sure that we address. All conferences are offered in person. Virtual conferences will be held only by specific request.

Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Internet Safety Presentation with MPD Detective Kali Matt: March 28, 2023 - exact time TBD: Please join us for an important discussion about internet safety with Det. Kali Matt from the Missoula Police Department. Det. Matt will present information to students about staying safe online and while using social media. We’ll discuss how to keep information private, how personal information is used once it’s online, the consequences of cyberbullying and oversharing online, and how to stay safe from online predators. You are encouraged to join your child’s class for this discussion, but you are welcome to join any class depending on your schedule. We’d love to have you in attendance!

Upcoming Events:

March 13-16: March Conference

March 17- March 26: Spring Break

March 28: Social Media Safety Presentation by Kali Matt SOR

April 11-April 21: Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Presentations 

April 21: Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Field Trip to Milltown Dam

April 28: Rattlesnake Fun Run

May 5: Band & Orchestra Solo Day

May 8: Leave No Weeds Presentation 

May 19: Leave No Weeds Field Trip to Mount Jumbo

May 28: Band & Orchestra Concert

May 23: Butte Field Trip

Other events to be scheduled:

SBAC testing (Science, ELA and Math)

All fifth graders to visit Washington Middle School

Washington Middle School to follow up at Rattlesnake

Curriculum Update

ELA: Students finished their Spark residency by creating and performing a poem/rap about life and events during the French and Indian War. Since then, we have resumed our reading of Birchbark House with a focus on summarizing chapters, identifying themes, and determining how the main Omakayas continues to change throughout the story, specifically in response to challenges. Also, we continue to focus on the interactions and relationships between the Ojibwe and the European settlers, both historically and within the novel. Students will complete a summative assessment task by finding connections between events in the story and actual historical events, citing text evidence for both.

Students finished their informational writing projects. Students can share final pieces via Google Classroom and during conferences. Overall, they did a wonderful job expanding and sharing their expertise about space!

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes. Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: Students worked on converting units of measurement in order to solve problems (Unit 4, Lessons 25 and 26). Now, we are back to decimal computation with a focus on multiplication (Unit 3, Lesson 15 and 16) and division (Unit 3, Lesson 17 and 18). For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. 

Social Studies: We are transitioning into the American Revolution.  Students will be looking at the events leading up to the American Revolution as well as how the colonists reacted to various taxes and rules imposed on them: the Tea Act, Intolerable Acts, the Boston Massacre etc.  We will be making connections about how this led up to The Declaration of Independence.  

SEL: February’s focus is on Honesty as defined by being truthful in what we say and do. Our March focus will be Cooperation. 

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary. 

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community - 

A big thank you to those that contributed items for our fractions baking lesson. We ran into an issue with procuring an oven; however, we were able to bake the muffins in the classroom using an Air-Fryer oven. Needless to say, the lesson was a success, and the muffins were delicious! 

Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

My Absence

I wanted to let you know that I will be on personal for family obligations Tuesday, February 7-Friday, February 10. I will be checking email; however for time-sensitive messages, please contact the front office at 406-542-4050.  

Valentine’s Day

We will have a Valentine’s Day celebration on February 14. Participation is optional in that students are welcome to bring cards and a decorated box/container. If your child chooses to participate, we ask that they bring cards for each classmate. Also, we have some extra hot chocolate and cider from our last celebration, but we are in need of cups and spoons for serving. Please let me know if you can contribute either item. 

Field Trip to the Planetarium

We will be taking a field trip to the University of Montana Planetarium on Wednesday, February 15 from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm. Students were given an opt-out form to bring home last week. If you did not receive the form and would like your child not to attend, please let me know and we can make arrangements for them to stay with another class. Also, if you would like to be a chaperone, please email to let me know. I will have two slots available. 

Travel and Extended Absences

If your child will be missing school for an extended period, please prepare in advance by completing Family Educational Tour or Trip form here. Please read here for more information and the rationale. Thank you in advance. 

Upcoming Events:

February 7 - SPARK arts acting through history

February 13 - No School - Professional Development 

February 14 - SPARK arts acting through history & Valentine's Day 

February 15 - Field trip to the planetarium

February 17 - SPARK arts acting through history

February 20 - No School, President’s Day

Curriculum Update

ELA: After a short break from Birchbark House to prepare for our Spark lessons, students will continue reading and writing about the novel. A main focus of this work will be identifying and describing how the main character Omakayas is changing throughout the story, specifically in response to challenges. Also, we will focus on the interactions and relationships between the Ojibwe and the European settlers, both historically and within the novel.  

Students are finishing up their information writing project. The typed report will be in Google Classroom. Once I return from my absence next week, students will do a final read through and edit their writing, self-assess using an informational report rubric, and turn in the final paper for grading. 

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: Students have taken the Unit 2 assessment on fractions and decimals. Next, we will begin Unit 4 - Measurement, Geometry and Data Collections. For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. As you will see, Unit 4 has five lessons with 3-4 sessions in each lesson. 

Social Studies & Spark Arts: Students have been building background knowledge on the French and Indian War, including the causes, the timeline of main events and prominent figures. As we move through the Spark sessions, students will be writing and performing an event from this historical time period. 

SEL: This month's focus is on Honesty as defined by being truthful in what we say and do.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary. 

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community -

Greetings from Room 402! Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Passion Projects: Most students have finished and shared their Passion Projects with the class. It was a delight to see so much creativity and self-guidance as the students pursued their interests. The presentation process involved either a set of Google Slides, a poster, a narration of their creative process (along with their artifact(s)) or a combination of these options.

Travel and Extended Absences: If your child will be missing school for an extended period, please prepare in advance by completing Family Educational Tour or Trip form here. Please read here for more information and the rationale. Thank you in advance.

Human Development Lesson: Nurse Lisa Flanagan visited our class on Friday for the human development lesson. Given the sensitive nature of the topics, the students did an excellent job of being mature and composed. After, we had a few follow-up questions and

some brief discussions. If your child was absent or did not attend, you can find the video we viewed here.

Upcoming Events:

January 31 - Fraction baking lesson*

February 3 - SPARK arts acting through history

February 6 - SPARK arts acting through history

February 10 - SPARK arts acting through history

February 13 - No School - Professional Development 

February 14 - SPARK arts acting through history & Valentine's Day (TBD)

February 17 - SPARK arts acting through history

February 20 - No School, President’s Day

*We still need a few items for Tuesday’s lesson. Please visit the Sign Up Genius Link here if you can help out!

Curriculum Update

ELA: We have finished the first section of the Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. In addition, students researched to build background knowledge on the fur trade and interactions between the Ojibwe tribe and the Europeans. After, student wrote an essay summarizing the impact of these interactions as well identifying whether the impact could be classified as positive, negative or a combination.

In combination with our Science unit, students began an informational writing project about a space topic of their choosing. After narrowing a topic, formulating big questions around the main ideas, students started researching and taking notes using nonfiction books and through teacher approved websites. Note-taking consists using key words and phrases in bullet point structure so that students can draft their information using their own words. of Early this week, students will begin drafting the body section of their informational report. The project will conclude with a focus on writing an introduction and a conclusion prior to typing the report in Google Docs.

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: After finishing fraction computation with unlike denominators, students are now using estimation with benchmark fractions to determine the reasonableness of an answer. The Lesson 14 quiz will be taken mid-week. Then, we will be reviewing all of Unit 2 (nine lessons!) prior to taking the end-of-unit assessment.

For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. As you will see, Unit 2 has nine lessons with 3-4 sessions in each lesson so we will be spending a considerable amount of time exploring, developing and refining decimals and fractions concepts.

Social Studies & Spark Arts: This coming week we will begin our next Social Studies unit on the French and Indian War in combination with our Spark Arts residency on acting through history. Students will have the unique opportunity to transfer their knowledge gained about the French and Indian War through dramatic script writing and performance.

Science: Students are been researching and collecting evidence on space related patterns such as the interaction between the sun’s altitude and shadow lengths throughout the years as well as the interactions between Earth’s tilt, the sun’s altitude, temperatures and seasonal patterns. Using the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning model for scientific writing, students have been practicing formulating an evidence-based argument in order to explain these interactions.

SEL: This month's focus is on Perseverance. Students demonstrated their perseverance while completing their Passion Projects!

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community -

Greetings from Room 402! Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Passion Projects: Students have been spending our afternoon WIN block working on Passion Projects, whereby they selected a topic, started to research and/or made a creative plan, gathered evidence/started creating and are now working on the final products/presentations. It’s been exciting to see and hear the enthusiasm throughout the process as well as witness individual perseverance toward a self-selected goal!

Assessment: Students are in the process of completing mid-year updates for I-Ready Math Diagnostics, Star Math and Star Reading assessments.

Travel and Extended Absences

If your child will be missing school for an extended period, please prepare in advance by completing Family Educational Tour or Trip form here. Please read here for more information and the rationale. Thank you in advance.

Upcoming Events:

January 27 - 5th Grade Human Development Lesson (please be sure to sign the form, either granting permission for your child or choosing to opt out of the experience.

February 13 - No School, Staff Development Day

February 20 - No School, President’s Day

Curriculum Update

ELA: We have started a new novel study using the text: Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. During this unit, students will be looking at the growth of the main character Omakayas, the themes throughout the text, and the interactions/outcomes between the Ojibwe people and the Europeans. The bulk of the reading will be done during the ELA block; however, students may be required to read a portion of most chapter independently. A recorded version of each chapter is available on Google Classroom. The writing components include responding to text-based questions accurately and citing text evidence; analyzing figurative language; defining and using key vocabulary words; and constructing responses to open-ended, inferential questions.

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: Students are working on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by finding the least common denominator and converting to equivalent fractions in order to produce an equal sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. Later, students will apply this process when solving word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions.

For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. As you will see, Unit 2 has nine lessons with 3-4 sessions in each lesson so we will be spending a considerable amount of time exploring, developing and refining decimals and fractions concepts.

Social Studies: Students have been learning about the Ojibwa People, specifically in relation to the Birchbark House novel as well as the connection to the current Montana Anishinabe (Chippewa). Among the 12 tribal Nations of Montana, two include Chippewa or Anishinabe people and they are located on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and among the Little Shell communities. Furthermore, we will be exploring how European colonization in North America had an impact on the Ojibwa, specifically through the fur trade and the spread of smallpox. 

Science: We have started our space unit where we will be working to study and examine patterns that happen in space in reference to seasons, planets, stars, moons etc.  Students will be able to support an argument with evidence that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.  Students will be able to represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in the length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky.

SEL: This month's focus is on Perseverance. Students have been demonstrating their perseverance while completing their Passion Projects!

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community -

Greetings from Room 402! Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Winter Celebration: We will be having a winter celebration on Wednesday, December 21 in the afternoon. Please see the Sign-Up Genius if you would like to contribute. Just a few slots are left. Thank you to those that have signed up already!

During the celebration, we will have a sock exchange - white elephant style. Students that would like to participate should bring in a pair of new socks, wrapped and labelled - boy/girl/neutral.

Upcoming Events:

12/20: Winter concert (2:30-3:00)

12/21: Winter Celebration

12/22-1/2: Winter break

1/3/2023: School resumes!

Curriculum Update

ELA: We have finished reading Esperanza Rising and students will be writing their assessment essay during the short week. The essay will involve evaluating and comparing how Esperanza responds to her challenges throughout the story.

Our next novel will be The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich, an authentic historical tale of a young Ojibwa girl living on an island off Lake Superior in the the 19th century. Students will be drawing historical parallels between the text’s plot and setting with actual events.

ELA WIN: As a fifth-grade team, we have decided to have differentiated reading groups 4 days a week. Students will go to their groups for targeted reading instruction during this time. These groups have been determined by assessments that were taken this year. As your child’s data changes, so will the student’s group assignment. The groups are flexible and will last 4-6 weeks.  We will be doing reading groups Monday-Thursday 10:20-10:55.

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: Students have taken and reviewed their results on the decimal’s mid-unit assessment. We will finish adding and subtracting decimals before the break and then pick up with adding fractions (Lesson 12) in January.

For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. As you will see, Unit 2 has nine lessons with 3-4 sessions in each lesson so we will be spending a considerable amount of time exploring, developing and refining decimals and fractions concepts.

Social Studies: Students learned about the interactions between the rich and poor colonists and then researched different jobs/trades in order to create employment advertisements.

Science: Students explored matter using the Project Lead the Way curriculum with Ms. Ellison.

SEL: This month's focus is on Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships.  

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community -

Greetings from Room 402! Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Absences and Winter Holidays: Please let me know if your child will be absent either the days leading up to or after the winter holiday.

Winter Celebration: We will be having a winter celebration on Wednesday, December 21. I will send a Sign-Up Genius in the coming days for those interested in providing snacks.

Upcoming Events:

12/20: Winter concert (2:30-3:00)

12/22-1/2: Winter break

1/3/2023: School resumes!

Curriculum Update

ELA: We are about half-way through our novel Esperanza Rising. Students continue to be responsible for reading a chapter each night for homework. Also, they have been busy analyzing and comparing character responses to challenging situations; determining the meaning of figurative language; identifying extended metaphors and connecting them to the book’s themes; and using context clues to determine the meaning of academic vocabulary. Students took the mid-unit assessment on Friday.  

The second half of the unit involves continued exploration and practice with the above learning targets as well as writing and performing a two-voice poem.

ELA WIN: As a fifth-grade team, we have decided to have differentiated reading groups 4 days a week. Students will go to their groups for targeted reading instruction during this time.  These groups have been determined by assessments that were taken this year.  As your child’s data changes, so will the student’s group assignment. The groups are flexible and will last 4-6 weeks.  We will be doing reading groups Monday-Thursday 10:20-10:55.

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: During the first half of Unit 2, students have been practicing reading, writing, and comparing decimals; using expanded form, fraction notation, and the powers of 10 to show connections between place value.  which is a focus on decimals and fractions. Students will review and then take the midi-unit assessment at the end of this week.

The next half of the Unit 2 involves computation of decimals. For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. As you will see, Unit 2 has nine lessons with 3-4 sessions in each lesson so we will be spending a considerable amount of time exploring, developing and refining decimals and fractions concepts.

Social Studies: Students completed their research about a European explorer and wrote a persuasive essay about whether that explorer would be considered a hero or a villain or both. Now, they are learning about the concept of perspective through historical accounts of Thanksgiving and Life in the 13 Colonies, including slavery and relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

Science: Next week, students will explore matter using the Project Lead the Way curriculum with Ms. Ellison.

SEL: This month's focus is on Empathy. One way to think about Empathy is “understanding and connecting with other people’s feelings.” Empathy is a practice that can help us grow strong relationships.  

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Greetings from Room 402! Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Instruments: Daily lessons for Band and Orchestra are in full swing. For specific questions about instruments, please contact Mr. “Z” (Zschaechner) for Band at rjzschaechner@mcpsmt.org or Ms. “K” (Kalasz) for Orchestra at akalasz@mcpsmt.org.

Upcoming Events:

11/15: Lady Griz basketball game*

11/23 -11/25: Thanksgiving break

We will be eating lunch at the game so please send a packed lunch as appropriate.

Curriculum Update

ELA: We will begin our next novel, Esperanza Rising, a historical fiction story set in Mexico and California. Students will have specific reading homework in order to prepare for class discussions. An audio version of the assigned chapter(s) will be provided in Google Classroom for students that need/want the extra support. The class code for access is zaroypo.

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should finish about one chapter book per week.**

Math: We have started Unit 2, which is a focus on decimals and fractions. Students will take the Lesson 6 quiz tomorrow (Monday) - Understanding Decimal Place Value. For specific information on each Lesson, please find the Family Letters on the 5S website here. As you will see, Unit 2 has nine lessons with 3-4 sessions in each lesson, so we will be spending a considerable amount of time exploring, developing and refining decimal and fraction concepts.

Social Studies: Students are learning about the concept of perspective through historical accounts of Christopher Columbus. Next, they will research an additional European explorer to form an opinion and write a persuasive essay about whether that explorer would be considered a hero or a villain or both. 

Science: Students researched and analyzed data to determine the cause of differences in life expectancy between the Madison Valley and Lamar Valley elk herds. Ask your child to explain why the elk in Madison Valley have shorter life spans and fewer numbers.

SEL: This month's focus is on Gratitude.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Dear 5S Community -

Greetings from Room 402! Please read on for classroom information and curriculum updates.

Classroom Information

Halloween Celebration: We are excited to celebrate Halloween on Monday afternoon. If you signed up to bring treats, please have them at school by 1:15 pm. Also, please note that students may bring costumes to change into before the celebration. Costumes are optional; however, if your child decides to bring their costume, please note that school rules prohibit masks, weapons and make-up (that prevents recognition of the student).

Lunch for Wednesday’s Field Trip: Please remember to send a packed lunch for Wednesday's field trip. If your child buys school lunch, (s)he will be able to take a packed lunch from the cafeteria. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences: The Sign-Up link and procedures were sent via email on October 27. If you have not done so already, please sign up here.

Also, since we have limited time for each conference, I am asking for your input in order to better prepare for our time together. Please use this link to complete a pre-conference questionnaire. 

School Pictures: Picture forms were sent home with students last week. If you haven't received the form, please remind your child to check his/her mail slot at school. 

Instruments: Daily lessons for Band are in full swing. Orchestra continues on a modified schedule until further notice: Mondays & Tuesdays: Violin, Viola; Wednesdays and Fridays: Cello, Bass. For specific questions about instruments, please contact Mr. “Z” (Zschaechner) for Band at rjzschaechner@mcpsmt.org or Ms. “K” (Kalasz) for Orchestra at akalasz@mcpsmt.org.

Upcoming Events

10/31: Halloween celebration

11/2: Field Trip to the MAM and Missoula Public Library*

11/7-11/10: Fall conferences

11/10: Half day

11/11: No school

11/15: Lady Griz basketball game

11/23 -11/25: Thanksgiving break

*Please see the attached Opt-Out form. If you choose for your child to opt-out for the field trip, please print, sign and return the form at least one day beforehand. 

Curriculum Update

ELA: Students have been working on comparing the main characters from Hoot and from Night of the Spadefoot Toads and looking at how each character reacted to different situations throughout the texts. Part of the requirement is that students are able to quote accurately from the text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.

**Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes.  Students should be finishing about one chapter book per week.**

Math: Students have been working on finding whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. We finished with a quiz on Friday. This coming week, we will be reviewing volume and then students will take an end-of- unit assessment on volume, multiplication and division. 

Social Studies: Students have been working on describing what life was like for various Indigenous cultures prior to 1492.  Students have chosen a tribe to research, created a slideshow or a poster presentation that they will use to teach their classmates about their selected tribe. 

SEL: This month's focus for 5th grade is on Responsibility, with a specific emphasis on goal-setting. Another focus of Responsibility is how we interact with others and understand that our choices impact those around us.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

P.S. The 5S Google Site has been Launched!

Dear 5S Community -

Greetings from Room 402! Fall Break is right around the corner, and we have several upcoming events scheduled in the coming weeks.

Instruments: Daily lessons for Band begin this Monday the 17th; however, Orchestra will continue on a modified schedule until further notice: Mondays & Tuesdays: Violin, Viola; Wednesdays and Fridays: Cello, Bass. For specific questions about instruments, please contact Mr. “Z” (Zschaechner) for Band at rjzschaechner@mcpsmt.org or Ms. “K” (Kalasz) for Orchestra at akalasz@mcpsmt.org.

Halloween: We will be having a Halloween celebration on Monday, October 31st. Students can bring their costumes and change into them prior to our afternoon celebration.  If you would like to contribute a snack for the celebration, please visit the sign-up genius link attached below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CAEAA2FAAF9C34-halloween

Important Dates

10/10: GUTS after-school group

10/12: B.O.B. lunch meeting

10/18: ZWAP in-class lesson

10/19: School Pictures

10/20-10/21: No School

10/27: ZWAP field trip to Home Resource*

10/27: Conference sign-up link will be sent out

10/31: Halloween Celebration

11/2: MAM and Library Field Trip

11/7-11/10: Fall Conferences

*Students should be bringing home information for our upcoming ZWAP Home Resource field trip on October 27th. Please be sure to read and sign both sides of the document and send back to school in advance. In addition, you will see the optional ‘Opt Out’ form that will be provided for every field trip.

Extras: Please email me if you are interested in volunteering for either the ZWAP Home Resource of the MAM/Library field trips. Two additional adult volunteers would be greatly appreciated!

Curriculum Highlights

ELA: Students have been applying their understanding of story structure and author’s techniques in order to write a short narrative about a character that cares for his/her environment. These well-crafted stories include a descriptive setting; sensory details; and characterization through inner and outer dialogue. After planning out and hand writing their drafts, students are publishing their work via Google Docs. This coming week, they will work on editing and revising their stories before turning in the final copy.

In addition, students will be starting to work in targeted literacy groups based on their independent levels. Students will have a designated meeting time and are expected to have their assigned task completed in order to participate in their group. **Please make sure that your student is reading every day for 30 minutes. Students should be finishing about one chapter book at their level per week.**

Math: Students finished the lessons on multi-digit multiplication. The preferred method when multiplying by a one-digit number is the standard algorithm; however, we are still working toward this expectation when multiplying by a two-digit or larger factor. We also spent this past week reviewing/extending division concepts using the partial quotient method - which is the 5th grade learning target. (see Family Newsletter) Again, students’ automaticity with their multiplication facts will help improve accuracy with this this procedure.

Science: Students modeled the movement of matter within an ecosystems, specially the Yellowstone National Park ecosystem. We also explored the impact of changing biotic factors within an ecosystems, such as the over-population of one species, and how that affects the equilibrium.

SEL: This month's focus for 5th grade is on Responsibility, with a specific emphasis on goal-setting. Another focus of Responsibility is how we interact with others and understand that our choices impact those around us. Please see the family letter attached.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out as necessary.

In partnership,

Sarah Silver

Responsibility

Division