Sunday, September 20, 2009

PreK3 Buddies

Reminders

Please sign and return Weekly Responsibility Reports
Math Chapter Test on Thursday, September 24
No school Friday, September 25
Like their teachers, 5th graders are both thrilled and a little overwhelmed by the new transition into middle school, but they are adjusting quickly and will have it down in no time. They have many exciting things to look forward to during this school year. As part of middle school, Fifth graders will be eligible for Honor Roll, will participate in and hold one of the in-school quarterly dances, will go on various middle school Field Trips, and will attend a film festival.
Academically, they will work hard on projects and assignments and tests will be more challenging. Fifth graders will be asked to read a lot in a variety of subject areas. They will learn to analyze characters, plot, and settings, as well as to recognize an author’s purpose for writing and his organizational strategies. By reading all the time in the classroom, in libraries, and at home, they will be able to find what they like to read. Reading for pleasure is a priority.
In math class, Fifth graders learn to solve complex problems with complex numbers. They divide whole numbers, with and without remainders. They make connections between decimals, fractions, and percentages. They learn to multiply and divide fractions and to do the same operations using the powers of time. They will apply these skills to the real world by solving problems about time, measurement, and money.
During science lessons, they will learn about the processes of living things, like photosynthesis and digestion. They will look at the Earth and its resources, and how people use and affect those resources. They will carry out experiments with simple chemical reactions. Topics will also include Earth’s atmosphere and weather, the solar system, and classifying matter.
Fifth graders learn about the people and events of early American history in Social Studies classes. They compare Native American and colonial experiences with present-day life, focusing on the differing cultures of each original colony. They learn why people moved to the United States and explore the routes and consequences of those movements.
With such an enriching program and busy schedule, Fifth graders should achieve much this year!