While report cards were initially anticipated to already go out to families, this has changed and the new anticipated report card release date is December 8th. Administration needed to make this shift with middle school grading policy changes and some kinks with the web2school portal. Thank you for patience and understanding. If you have any concerns about how your child is doing in 5M please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Markey.

We are about to start a new STEAM unit and today attempted to piece together 100 piece puzzles to practice patience and problem solving. Fifth grade teachers are working towards kicking off a Project Lead the Way Robitics unit in the second trimester.

 

Don’t forget to bring a packed lunch tomorrow. We don’t think we will be back from our field trip in time for cafe lunch.

Here is a brief list of some of the things we’ve been working on this week…

Reading:  pulling out evidence to confirm the theme of a story

Writing: wrapping up independent, research-based argumentative writing pieces

Math: taking the math assessment and moving on to order of operations, basic division facts, and averaging

Science: presenting biome projects

Social Studies: introduction of the Constitutional Convention and the Constitution through a reader’s theater

Word Study: learning the parts of speech and comma usage with conjunctions

 

We are looking forward to our two day week next week with a trip to the theater to watch Wonder.

Students rallied to show their enthusiasm for all the curriculum related music they’ve learned this past term. They busted out the rules of divisibility rap, Yankee Doodle, and the biome song for the whole school.  It was just awesome to see the kids really get into their singing and dancing. Please ask your child about this week ending highlight.

Term I math assessment scores and biome project scores were sent home today for parents to review, sign, and return.

MathCounts will start November 17! MathCounts is a nationally recognized program that is used throughout the country. This is an after school enrichment opportunity for 5-8 graders. The founding sponsors are the National Society of Professional Engineers and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The mission of MathCounts is to “increase enthusiasm for and achievement in middle school mathematics throughout the United States.” The local competition is held in February 2 at The University of New Hampshire. Each school is allowed one team (four students) to score points and then four additional students can compete as well. We will send home more information regarding the competition.

 

Our first meeting will be Friday, November 17th. The rest of the dates are: Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Jan. 5, 12, 19 and Feb 1. We will meet in Mrs. H.B.’s room (234) after school from 2:45 – 3:45. It is important for students to practice and commit to the competition by January 12th. The official competition date at UNH will be Saturday, February 2nd with a snow date of the 9th starting at 8am and finishing around noon.

 

In the beginning we will be focusing on different problem solving strategies, working together, and math terminology. Students will receive practice problems to work on as well as solutions. We encourage you to sit with you child and give the problems a try! They are challenging and fun!

 

If you have any questions, please call 964-5501 or send us an email:

Dana Hanson Babyak – dbabyak@sau21.org
Chris LaCroix – clacroix@sau21.org

Parents – please look for these in your child’s backpack to sign and return.

Students will start new book groups after Thanksgiving recess and will be working on recognizing theme.

Next Wednesday students will take a term one math assessment on Numbers and Operation in Base 10.  Today a math packet will go home that shows how your child is doing with classwork and which standards we are working on. Please sign and return this packet.

Students should be working on their biome project and reading 20 minutes each night. These projects are due next Tuesday, November 14th. Please see the back of the homework sheet for project expectations.