It’s hard to believe that it is the end of the school year already! The past 5 months have flown by! I cannot put into words what a wonderful time I had working with your children this year! They really are a spectacular class 
And now that all of our tests are behind us, we will having some “end of the year fun” this week. We will be making t-shirts(hopefully!), friendship bracelets and will even have our own awards ceremony!
Tuesday 6/7
– Archdiocese Religion final
– Math quiz (Area of a circle)
Thursday 6/9
– Spelling Unit 35
– Reading Test (“What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?”)
Tuesday, 6/7: Archdiocese Religion Exam
Friday 6/10: Grades 5, 6 & 7 field trip to the Maritime Museum in Kingston.
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* Reading *
-We finished reading “What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?” last week. It was actually perfect timing, as we have been learning about Mr. Franklin and all of his contributions to our country in Social Studies.
- The students had a great time reading, illustrating and translating Franklin’s proverbs and adages. This week we will work on creative writing. Each student will pick two historical figures and write a story about them or write a humorous dialogue. The humor may come out of a funny situation, a twist on a historical fact or a meeting between two characters from different historical periods. They will then illustrate their story.
- On Tuesday, we will begin the study guide in order to prepare for our test on Thursday.
* Math *
- Last week we measured and calculated the area of various circular objects around the classroom. On Monday, we will review and on Tuesday we will have a quiz on finding the area of a circle. Then we are moving on to Chapter 10, where we will learn how to compare and order integers. Next week will soon be diving into integers and algebra!
* Science *
-We are wrapping up our Chapter on water; after a new more activites we will begin the study guide. A test is scheduled for early next week. Then it’s on to weather!
* Social Studies *
- This week we will focus on the branches of government and their duties as well as the duties of national and state government.
* Grammar *
- We are moving onto contractions. A test will be scheduled for early next week.
* Religion *
- We will begin Chapter 10 on Eucharist.
* Spelling *
Unit 35
I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend and had a chance to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!
** Reminder **
- There is no school on Thursday 6/2 for the Feast of the Ascension.
- Friday 6/3 is a half day.
- The Archdiocese Religion Final is on Tuesday 6/7.
- Since this is a short week; Science and Social Studies tests are scheduled for early next week. Our Spelling test on Unit 34 will still be on Friday and depending on how the week goes, our Reading may be on Friday.
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*Reading*
-On Tuesday, we will begin reading “What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?” This story is a biography of Ben Franklin which tells how he wrote and published “Poor Richard’s Almanac, experimented with electricity, invented the lightening rod and played an important role in establishing the United States. Historical facts are interwoven with amusing anecdotes that make this biography fun to read while giving insight into Franklin’s “big ideas.”
*Religion*
- We will continue to review for the Archdiocese final on June 7. We have been reviewing for the past month in class; taking practice tests, reviewing vocabulary, the sacraments, etc. Your child will have Religion homework each night, but please be sure to have your child study each night in addition to the homework!
*Math*
-We have learned and conquered how to find the radius, diameter and circumference of a circle; now its on to how to find the area of a circle! Since the students had such a fun and delicious time using cookies to calculate the circumference of a circle; this week we will use other yummy “circle foods” to determine the area.
*Science*
-We have finished reading about water and now it’s time for some fun! This week we will conduct more water, cloud and precipitation experiments and hands on activities.
*Social Studies*
- This week we will be covering the three branches of government and the different responsibilities of state and national government.
*Spelling*
- Unit 34 is words from other languages, so it should be a fun unit!
* If any parent would like to donate empty soda bottles for our science experiment it would be greatly appreciated
* Kindly supply your child with a package of index cards and have them bring them to school this week, we will be using them to make flashcards for the Religion final.
* Our field trip to the Maritime Museum in Kingston is June 10! If you wish for your child to attend, please send in the permission slip and $19, if you have not done so already.
* The May Crowing is this Friday.
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* Reading *
- This week we will begin our sixth and final theme in our reading series! Theme 6 is titled “American Adventure” and we will be reading about adventurous and inventive Americans, both fictional and real, famous and not famous. We will also learn about diverse people who contributed to the growth and development of our country, the goal of which is to give the students a greater appreciation and understanding of our nation and its history.
- The first story in the new series is called “Across the Wide, Dark Sea.” This story will cover the nine week journey of a young boy from England to Plymouth, Massachusettes aboard the Mayflower.
* Math *
-This week we will continue to work on pi and the circumference of a circle. The students really seem to have the concepts down pat, so a test on radius, diameter, circumference and Pi is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. We will be reviewing in class on Tuesday to prepare for the test. However, if you or your child have any questions, concerns or need further clarification of the topics, please let me know- I am available for extra help. After our test we will begin investigating how to find the area of a circle.
* Religion *
-The Religion final is June 7, we have been busy taking practice tests and having review sessions each day. Expect Religion homework each night and please make sure your child does the review assignments, as they are key to their success on the test. I also suggest visiting our textbook publisher’s website for review activities.
* Science *
- We had a blast last week conducting various science experiments with water. I have two additional experiments planned for this week. We will be making and filtering our own “polluted water” and we will also be making our own clouds and condensation.
- This week we will also learn about the water cycle, clouds and precipitation. I have a variety of fun hands-on activities planned that I am sure the students will enjoy!
- A test on Chapter 7 is planned for early next week.
* Social Studies *
- This week, we will learn about the federal system of government, the three branches of government, and the roles of both national and state government. A test on Chapter 9 is also tentatively scheduled for early next week.
* Spelling *
- Can you believe that we only have four spelling units left? This week is Unit 33- synonyms and antonyms. Make up tests will be given at the end of this week.
Tuesday 5/24
-Grammar Quiz-Verb tenses
Wednesday 5/25
- Math Test: Radius, diameter, circumference, Pi
Friday 5/27
- Reading Test: “Across the Wide, Dark Sea”
- Spelling Test: Unit 33
* Reading *
- We have finished reading “The Hundred Dresses.” The students did a wonderful job on their “Cut out Bullying” and the “In Their Shoes” projects, which are now proudly hanging up in the hallway.
- This week the students will be assigned a character from the story and will write 3 diary entries as their character.
- Our test on “The Hundred Dresses” is scheduled for Friday.
- Then it’s on to our final reading theme: American Adventure.
* Math *
- I am extremely proud of how well the students did with area and perimeter of squares, rectangles, parallelograms and triangles! Their test results were outstanding!
- On Monday, we will begin learning about tessellations.
- Then it’s on to Pi and finding the area of a circle. This is a rather complex topic, so I would like to spend the rest of the week covering these topics. There are no tests or quizzes scheduled in math this week, I would like to be assured that the students have a solid grasp on the concept before testing.
* Science *
- We have a ton of fun and exciting things happening in science! This week we will be conducting a variety of experiments with water. On Monday, we will learn that clear water does not always equal clean water. The students will also be making posters highlighting the importance of clean water and how we can help keep our water clean. On Tuesday, we will use water at different temperatures and salt concentrations to explore the layering effect of liquids with different densities. And on Wednesday, the students will make their own “polluted water” and then build a filter using an empty soda bottle and attempt to filter out all of the “pollutants.” We will also learn how water gets from oceans and rivers to our faucets. Hopefully, we will have time this week to also write letters to our state senators about why clean water is so important and what we do to keep our water clean and safe.
* Social Studies *
- We have finished learning about the American Revolution and are now beginning Unit 5: A New Nation. In Chapter 9 we will learn why the new nation’s leaders decided to replace its first plan of government and investigate the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Since there is a plethora of information in this chapter, there will be lesson check-ups after each lesson.
* Religion *
- The students have been busy reviewing for our upcoming Religion final. Each day we will have an in-depth review. The students will be completing practice exams, essay questions and reviewing important vocabulary words. I have re-posted the textbook’s website and strongly urge students to visit it daily and complete the review activities.
* Spelling *
- This week in Unit 32, we are studying words that end in suffixes -ous, -ish, -ant, and -ic.
Friday 5/20
– Reading Test: The Hundred Dresses
– Spelling Unit 32
* Religion *
http://www.sadlierreligion.com/webelieve/main.cfm?sp=family§ion=activity&grade=5
-Textbook website (Please have students visit this website to review for our upcoming final!)
* Science *
http://games.noaa.gov/
-Tons of water games that will test your knowledge
http://apps.southeastwater.com.au/games/education_kidsroom_wcactivity.asp
-Water cycle game
http://estuaries.gov/Students/Home.aspx
-All about estuaries
http://www.epa.gov/kids/water.htm
-The EPA has a ton of wonderful water activities, games, puzzles and more!
* Math *
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/perimeter_and_area/index.html
– Finding area and perimeter of various shapes
http://www.funbrain.com/poly/index.html
-Calculating area and perimeter
http://www.mathplayground.com/area_perimeter.html
-More area and perimeter
*Grammar *
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/englishfile/upperint/j_games/gotoschool/nef_upper_games_gts01/
-Irregular past participle verb game
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/participles1.html
-Past and participle verb form quiz
* Social Studies *
http://www.congressforkids.net/Independence_articles.htm
-The Articles of Confederation for kids
*Reading*
- We will continue to review for our test on “Frindle,” which is scheduled for Tuesday.
- We are also busy learning about propaganda. The students have invented their own brand of cereal, designed a cereal box and composed a TV commercial script. The next step will be to record their own TV commercial, please watch for the permission slip which will be coming home this week.
*Math*
- The students are off to a great start with area and perimeter. Everyone had a wonderful time using Cheez-Its to measure area; this week we will be using pretzel sticks to measure perimeter. We will also be going on a “Measurement Hunt” around the classroom and the school this week!
*Science*
-We are on to Earth Science! This week, we will begin learning all about water; the hydrosphere, the water cycle and clouds. We will be conducting a variety of experiments this week!
*Social Studies*
- We will finish Unit 4 this week. We will be completing various activities on the Declaration of Independence and then its on to the Constitution!
*Religion*
- We will begin reviewing for the Archdiocesan Religion final. The students will be taking practice exams and completing review activities.
*Spelling*
- Unit 31
