DMS 5th Grade Newsletter
Friday, October 14, 2016
Important Dates:
October 20- 5th grade parents/students invited to DMS @6:00—Device Intro
October 20- picture retakes (students should sign up in the office by Oct. 19)
October 20- 2nd/final turn in day for magazine sales
October 28- End of Quarter 1
Nov. 1 & 3- Parent/Teacher conferences 5:00-8:00 (watch for sign up info coming soon)
Nov. 4- No school
Writing Contests:
*American History Writing Contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution
Due to Mrs. Nowack by December 9, 2016
Topic: America’s National Parks
Click here for more information
*Old Creamery Theatre
Due to homeroom teachers by January 6, 2017
Topic: How can I be the best version of me? (incorporating the six pillars of good character)
Click here for more information
Opportunity for Parents:
See attached link (Click Here) for information on a workshop available for parents: Steps for Growing Respectful and Responsible Kids.
Study Buddies:
All DMS students are invited to Room 220 (Mrs. Suhr’s room) after school Monday - Thursday until 4:00 to have a quiet place to do work. Staying for Study Buddies is voluntary; students come when they have homework to do and only stay until their work is done! If your child is interested, ask for or have them get a form from their PrimeTime teacher and return the form to school. Be sure to communicate with your child about where to go or meet you when they are done each day.
NEWS FLASH!!
From Mrs. Halweg:
Math- This week we in math we learned and practiced the traditional algorithm for multi-digit multiplication. Today we put these into context by solving real world problems involving multiplication. Your student will be assessed over this skill next Thursday, October 20.
From Mr. Kelley:
Social Studies - Students worked within groups to research and present on one of four Native American tribes. Each student was responsible for one cultural feature within their groups such as men and women’s work, food, crafts, and homes. We will test on Tuesday over chapter 3.
Reading and Language: In reading, we continue to work on theme and understanding narrative structure with various short stories. In language, students just finished writing a short realistic fiction narrative. Next, we will write one more narrative writing piece for the Old Creamery Theatre writing competition. Students have already begun brainstorming and looking at past samples of student winners. See http://www.oldcreamery.com/education/writingcontest/ for more details.
From Mrs. Nowack:
Science: The students did a fantastic job on their second Living Systems assessment earlier this week! We continue our learning in the living systems unit by investigating the differences in leaves and how different plants get nutrients to their cells. This weekend is the 30th anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s establishing of the World Food Prize. Monday we will spend some time learning about local humanitarian and hero, Dr. Norman Borlaug. Tentatively, I am planning the final assessment of the Living Systems unit on October 25. Students have been asked to observe the moon over the course of several weeks. I have provided them with a calendar where they will draw what they see each night. They should start their moon observations this Sunday.
Reading: This week we reviewed the difference between summary and main idea and began a unit on identifying main idea and supporting details. I highly suggest talking to your child about what he/she is reading; ask questions such as, “What has happened in the story so far?” or “What do you predict will happen next?” Book orders are due Monday.
Language: We continue to work on memoirs; students should be almost done with their first drafts; we will begin typing them next week. Lessons have been on compound subjects and using words that describe places. See the information above regarding two exciting writing contest opportunities!
Next week’s VIP: Brynn
From Mr. Peterson:Science: We are learning more about how producers (autotrophs) make their own food and how consumers and decomposers (heterotrophs) get the energy and matter they need for survival Reading and Writing: We are thinking a lot about themes in fictional narratives. We’ve been practicing looking for “clues” (evidence) in the text and developing ideas from that. We’ve also been working on citing evidence to back up our own ideas. Finally, after thinking a lot about characters and story elements, we are writing our own realistic fiction narratives.
From Mrs. Suhr:
Social Studies - We are working on a unit about Native American cultures in North America during the 1400’s. We are learning that homes, clothing, and artifacts were closely related to the region in which they lived. They used natural resources around them to survive.
Language - Spelling lists are always handed out on Friday for the next week. Spelling tests are always on the last day of the week. We are practicing grammar and writing skills through DLR and Daily Writing. We are working on writing drafts of our memoirs.
Star of the Week: Next week’s star is Sydney G. (Oct. 17).
Friday, October 14, 2016
Important Dates:
October 20- 5th grade parents/students invited to DMS @6:00—Device Intro
October 20- picture retakes (students should sign up in the office by Oct. 19)
October 20- 2nd/final turn in day for magazine sales
October 28- End of Quarter 1
Nov. 1 & 3- Parent/Teacher conferences 5:00-8:00 (watch for sign up info coming soon)
Nov. 4- No school
Writing Contests:
*American History Writing Contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution
Due to Mrs. Nowack by December 9, 2016
Topic: America’s National Parks
Click here for more information
*Old Creamery Theatre
Due to homeroom teachers by January 6, 2017
Topic: How can I be the best version of me? (incorporating the six pillars of good character)
Click here for more information
Opportunity for Parents:
See attached link (Click Here) for information on a workshop available for parents: Steps for Growing Respectful and Responsible Kids.
Study Buddies:
All DMS students are invited to Room 220 (Mrs. Suhr’s room) after school Monday - Thursday until 4:00 to have a quiet place to do work. Staying for Study Buddies is voluntary; students come when they have homework to do and only stay until their work is done! If your child is interested, ask for or have them get a form from their PrimeTime teacher and return the form to school. Be sure to communicate with your child about where to go or meet you when they are done each day.
NEWS FLASH!!
From Mrs. Halweg:
Math- This week we in math we learned and practiced the traditional algorithm for multi-digit multiplication. Today we put these into context by solving real world problems involving multiplication. Your student will be assessed over this skill next Thursday, October 20.
From Mr. Kelley:
Social Studies - Students worked within groups to research and present on one of four Native American tribes. Each student was responsible for one cultural feature within their groups such as men and women’s work, food, crafts, and homes. We will test on Tuesday over chapter 3.
Reading and Language: In reading, we continue to work on theme and understanding narrative structure with various short stories. In language, students just finished writing a short realistic fiction narrative. Next, we will write one more narrative writing piece for the Old Creamery Theatre writing competition. Students have already begun brainstorming and looking at past samples of student winners. See http://www.oldcreamery.com/education/writingcontest/ for more details.
From Mrs. Nowack:
Science: The students did a fantastic job on their second Living Systems assessment earlier this week! We continue our learning in the living systems unit by investigating the differences in leaves and how different plants get nutrients to their cells. This weekend is the 30th anniversary of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s establishing of the World Food Prize. Monday we will spend some time learning about local humanitarian and hero, Dr. Norman Borlaug. Tentatively, I am planning the final assessment of the Living Systems unit on October 25. Students have been asked to observe the moon over the course of several weeks. I have provided them with a calendar where they will draw what they see each night. They should start their moon observations this Sunday.
Reading: This week we reviewed the difference between summary and main idea and began a unit on identifying main idea and supporting details. I highly suggest talking to your child about what he/she is reading; ask questions such as, “What has happened in the story so far?” or “What do you predict will happen next?” Book orders are due Monday.
Language: We continue to work on memoirs; students should be almost done with their first drafts; we will begin typing them next week. Lessons have been on compound subjects and using words that describe places. See the information above regarding two exciting writing contest opportunities!
Next week’s VIP: Brynn
From Mr. Peterson:Science: We are learning more about how producers (autotrophs) make their own food and how consumers and decomposers (heterotrophs) get the energy and matter they need for survival Reading and Writing: We are thinking a lot about themes in fictional narratives. We’ve been practicing looking for “clues” (evidence) in the text and developing ideas from that. We’ve also been working on citing evidence to back up our own ideas. Finally, after thinking a lot about characters and story elements, we are writing our own realistic fiction narratives.
From Mrs. Suhr:
Social Studies - We are working on a unit about Native American cultures in North America during the 1400’s. We are learning that homes, clothing, and artifacts were closely related to the region in which they lived. They used natural resources around them to survive.
Language - Spelling lists are always handed out on Friday for the next week. Spelling tests are always on the last day of the week. We are practicing grammar and writing skills through DLR and Daily Writing. We are working on writing drafts of our memoirs.
Star of the Week: Next week’s star is Sydney G. (Oct. 17).