Language Arts

What are we learning?

• This week we will be holding our first Reader’s Theater!  We can’t wait for our showtime on Friday during Language Arts.
• We will continue to read and analyze fiction stories.  We will be taking our knowledge of analyzing characters and following a character’s journey up and down the story mountain with our Fantasy Unit.
• Readers follow the character’s quest in order to synthesize multiple ideas and develop a complex theory. 
• Readers interpret how themes and morals are developed through the author’s choices.
• Readers of fantasy evaluate theories about morality and consider their relevance in their lives today.
• Readers are flexible in their thinking, using discussion to uncover layers of meaning.
• In Writing, students will be writing their own fantasy short stories.

Home/School Connection

• How does the setting of your book influence the overall story?
• What theories do you have about your character?  What evidence from the text led you to those theories?
• What kind of person is the main character of your book?
• Do you relate to the main character?
• Why is the element of magic important in your fantasy book?  How would the story be different without magic?
• What lessons are you learning with the main character?

Math

What are we learning?

• In 5th Grade math, students are continuing to develop an understanding of and fluency with the relationship between fractions and decimals. 
  • Emphasis is placed on the use of models and benchmark values (e.g. 0, ½, and 1) to assist students in comparing, rounding, and ordering values. 
• AAP math is wrapping up decimal computation and we will move into fraction computation. We will begin with review of adding and subtracting with fractions.  

Home/School Connection

• Notice what happens as you cake different types of fractions when cutting up a piece of toast or a tray of brownies. If you eat ⅓ how much is left? What is left if the brownies are cut into 6’s? 
• Double or triple a favorite family recipe, notice how the fractions change

Science

What are we learning?

We will spend a few more days with landforms, focusing on erosion and man’s interaction with the land. We will take a final look at the rock cycle.

Home/School Connection

• Take a walk, can you find evidence of erosion? Why do hillsides need special attention when a builder plants bushes and trees?

Social Studies

What are we learning?

• Shortly we will learn about the first ancient culture of Mesopotamia.
• Students will apply historical thinking skills to demonstrate understanding of the importance and influence of Mesopotamia.  
• Throughout the unit, students will make connections to the 8 GATP Connections:
  • Change Over Time
  • Geography
  • Art
  • Leadership
  • Interdependence
  • Government
  • Literature
  • Math & Science

Home/School Connection

• Revisit family conversations about culture, what are some of the elements of your family culture?
• Look at a map, what countries occupy the land of the ancient area of Mesopotamia, what landforms do you notice, how do local resources support and give trouble to a community?