Fifth Grade News! October/November 2018 English Language Arts Our English Language Arts block is broken down into several different subjects-- Common Core reading, guided reading, independent reading and writing. Each of these subjects are designed to work together to help our students learn to become better readers while fostering a love of reading! During independent reading, students practice different strategies in order to decode and comprehend books that are on their reading level. During guided reading, students will work in small groups to work with a teacher to learn new strategies to decode and comprehend texts that are above their level. During our Common Core ELA block, our students will be reading various grade-level short stories and learning how to write their own! We will focus on the plot arc, writing dialogue, and crafting a naturally-paced short story. Stay tuned for the date of our writing celebration! Following our short story unit, classes will be reading the book “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate diCamillo or “Night of the Spadefoot Toads” by Bill Harley. While we read, our students will be working to understand what belongs in a good summary of a page, chapter, or book. At the end of the book, the students will be challenged to write a review of the book that explains why they did or did not like the book and gives reasons to support their opinion. You can help your child to become a better reader at home by making sure that he/she reads a book on his/her level for at least 50 minutes each night, then asking him/her questions such as: What character trait does [character] demonstrate? What clues helped you infer this trait? How would you describe the relationship between [character] and [character]? How did [character] respond to the problem? Did he/she respond the right way? What clues reveal how [character] feels? Mathematics This month in math, our students will continue to expand their understanding of numbers and operations in the base ten system. During the the month of October, our students will work to understand how our system of numbers, called the base ten system, works. Students will learn that each place value is ten times as big as the previous place value. They also learned how to multiply and divide by powers of ten. In November, our students will begin to learn how to add and subtract numbers with decimal place values. The most important rule when adding and subtracting numbers is to line up the place values correctly! Our students are learning to use a place value chart to explain the relationships between numbers, to multiply and divide by powers of ten, and soon they will be using the same charts to help them add and subtract. You can help your child at home by having them explain what they’ve been learning about the place value system at home!

Music Fifth grade musicians are diving into the world of hip-hop and how to use words as a form of self-expression. In October and November, students will learn about the process of songwriting, choose a topic of their own, and begin to craft their own lyrics. If music is special to your family, or if someone in your family plays an instrument, please contact me. It would be so special to involve families in our musical explorations in the classroom. Ms. Brigida ms.brigida@ps204.org (718) 960-9520 Gym We are working on the skills of catching and throwing. We will work to have students be able to catch with both hands and throw with their dominant hand. Grade 5 will work in teams and individually to practice working on their under and overhand throws. Student will work in teams and will have to hit targets throughout the gym and tally up points. Grades 3, 4 and 5 will be working on teams sports and game strategies. We will be playing soccer game like activities and having students give their best and making an effort to learn the game. Please remind your child to wear sneakers on the days that he or she has physical education. Students can easily get hurt if they are running around in flats, dress shoes, or boots. Depending on what game is being played in the gym, your child might have to sit out because he or she is not wearing sneakers. Science Our fifth graders are presently learning how to test independent, dependent, and controlled variables while conducting an experiment using the scientific method (Make an observation, Ask a question, Make a hypothesis, conduct the experiment, record the results and draw their conclusions.) Our first investigation is exploring with swingers and how many times they swing in 15 seconds. Then, choosing one independent variable to change the outcome of the experiment. For example: the length of the string, the release point and the mass. Each group will test each variable three times to see if their results are accurate. Once each variable is completed they will compare their results. For our next investigation the students will be testing how far our foss planes will travel in a given amount of time. Have your child ask questions and use the scientific method. For example: What happens to gummy bears when placed in water overnight? How many days does it take for a banana to turn brown and mushy. If you do them at home have your child share it in our class. It is always fun to try experimenting at home. An example of something you could test would be: take three cups with the same amount of oil in them. Place one in refrigerator, one by the window and one keep in the kitchen. Leave for a few hours and compare and record the changes each one made. If you would like some other suggestions feel free to contact me: ms.sass@ps204.org

MIDDLE SCHOOL INFO. WORKSHOP Social studies In 5th grade Social Studies, we have begun learning about geography. We are currently using a variety of tools to develop our understanding of the world’s geography. After learning the basics of world geography, we will shift our focus to the geography of the Western Hemisphere. Throughout October and November, we will be focusing on how geography influences the communities of the Western Hemisphere. For more information, contact Mr. Geelan at mr.geelan@ps204.org. MyON My name is Ms. Simpson and I am the MyOn teacher. MyOn is an online e-library that has over 5,000 books for our student's use. Students in the fifth grade will be exploring a wide variety of texts on their grade level and focusing on collaborating with their peers to discuss and analyze the texts. This year, students will be exploring major historical events. We are beginning with a discussion of the 1849 Gold Rush. They will read a variety of texts on this. topic and respond to questions that arise during student led discussions. Please see Ms. Simpson during parent teacher conferences to learn more about how to use the MyOn program at home. You can contact Ms. Simpson by emailing: ms.simpson@ps204.org. Important Dates! October 8th- Columbus Day- Schools Closed October 12th- Class 501/503 Whitney Museum Field Trip! October 17th- Picture Day! October 30th- Awards Ceremony/ Presentations at 9:30am- auditorium November 6th- Election Day- Schools Closed November 12th- Veterans Day- Schools Closed November 15th- Parent Teacher Conferences (Half day for students) November 22-23rd- Thanksgiving Break MIDDLE SCHOOL INFO. WORKSHOP OCTOBER 9TH 8:30am and 5:00pm Sessions PS 204 Auditorium Contact Information Phone: (718) 960-9520 Email: Class 501: ms.greenberg@ps204.org Class 502: mr.maqueda@ps204.org Class 503: ms.lehmert@ps204.org Class 504: ms.levitt@ps204.org mr.peo@ps204.org Class 505: ms.shainker@ps204.org Class 502,503,504,505: If you have not already signed up for Class Dojo, please do! You will need an access code, which was sent home with your child. It is the fastest way to communicate with parents/ guardians about upcoming events, their child’s progress, or any other concerns. School Day: 8:00-2:20 pm Breakfast: 7:30-7:50 am Uniform: Students must be in full uniform daily.