5th Grade
October 2022
Quote of the Month. . .
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King
Book of the Month…
by Carole Lindstrom.
The Themes for October are
Kindness and Speaking Up for What is Right.
S.E.L…
The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) focus for October is goal setting: setting a goal, making a plan, tracking your progress, changing your plan if necessary, and reflecting on your goals.
Reading
In reading…
This month we will be reading/exploring reading genres. Students will identify the two major genres, fiction and nonfiction. Then, we will dive deeper and study subgenres. Some examples are realistic fiction, historical fiction, biographies and historical texts. Students will also write responses on the books read.
By the end of the month all students will have their reading levels and resources to help them while reading those levels independently.
Be sure to have active conversations with your child about their reading. Ask them, “What are you reading?, “What is happening in the book?, “What genre is the book?” and “What is the sub-genre?”
Writing
In writing…
Based on the books they read, the students will write a book review. In this unit the students will do the following:
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Brainstorm ideas and choose a text to write about
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Making a plan (outline for book review)
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Draft step by step using our model and checklist
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Publish their work
Most of the writing will be completed in class, but there may be times they will work on it at home.
You can help your child by asking them about their writing. Ask them, “What book did you choose to write a review?”, “What genre is the book? How do you know?”, and “Did you read over your writing for capitalization, punctuation and spelling?”
Math
In math…
We are beginning our year studying the place value system and the powers of ten. We will move on to decimal fractions, thinking about how numbers change when you multiply and divide them by powers of ten.
Throughout this unit, students will be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals. Fifth graders are required to use their understanding of the place value system and numbers to explain their thinking about decimals. Models such as place value discs and the place value chart will help them develop their understanding.
In all of their mathematics work, students are striving to make sure their written mathematical work matches their actual thinking about problems.
Science
In science…
I am looking forward to a great school year full of learning and fun Science activities! Thank you for the supplies that were donated to the Science room!
The fifth grade Scientists in training are beginning the first Unit of Study called Physical and Chemical Changes. We are starting with what makes up matter and how matter can be described. We will explore solids, liquids, and gasses.
At home, you can try blowing up two balloons to the same size. Put one of the balloons in the refrigerator. Leave the other at room temperature. After an hour, compare the sizes of the balloons. Share your findings with your class!
Social Studies
In social studies…
We have many exciting topics to cover in Social Studies this year, and they all require the ability to read and use maps to fully understand historical events and patterns.
To aid students with these skills, we will be launching the year by studying maps and gaining more familiarity with map skills and the features of maps.
Then, students will be focusing on some Indigenous Peoples of the Americas (Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Inuit). By studying their cultures, students will be answering the guiding question, “How does environment and geography affect culture?”
In Art…
Fifth graders will be learning about American artist, Georgia O’Keefe while basing an artwork after her painting “Autumn Leaves, Lake George 1924”. They will be exploring the principles of design: unity and variety, as they draw detailed fall leaves and arrange them into an image of falling leaves.
Technology...
In technology we are learning how to log into our chromebooks and use our G Suite accounts. We will also be learning how to create a slideshow using google slides.
In Health and Gym…
Students are reviewing gross motor skill activities in fun exercise stations.
In Music…
Fifth graders are exploring composition and vocal performance. We will also be exploring song structure and different musical genres, from hip-hop to classical. As this month is 'Rocktober,' we will emphasize rock history.
Upcoming Dates
- October 5 School Closed (Yom Kippur)
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October 10 School Closed ( Columbus/Indigenous Day)
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October 11 PTA Holiday Sale Begins
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October 17 and 18 PTA Picture Days
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October 21 PS 230 Hoe Down
- October 25 5th Grade Parent Meeting: Middle School!
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October 31 Character Day Parade
Middle School
The Deadline to submit your Middle School Application in myschools.com is December 1
Do you know what schools you want to apply to?
Use the Middle School Choice page to help you research schools.
If you have questions, speak to Mr. Scrubb, PS 230 Guidance Counselor
or Ms. Jill Reinier, PS 230 Parent Coordinator