NECAP Testing

Our new standardized testing for fifth graders will begin next Thursday. We'll be testing on Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. Please get plenty of sleep, and eat a great breakfast each morning!!

What a Great Job the Kids are Doing in 5th Grade!!!

We are very pleased with all of our hard-working 5th graders! In Social Studies this week, we studied the Battle of Bunker Hill and our New England states and capitals. In Science, we constructed a map of the world and turned it into Pangea. In Reading we caught up on world news including informational reading about the H1N1 virus. Lastly, in math, we finished unit one and went onto unit two that starts with estimation.

Great to See You at Open House!

It was very nice to meet all of our new parents at Open House, and welcome back our parents that we know from other fabulous brothers and sisters!

In Social Studies this week, we started learning about the first battle of the Revolutionary War, the Boston Massacre. We also studied the Bill of Rights in celebration of Constitution Day on Thursday.

In Everyday Math, we learned how to square and unsquare numbers. Keep practicing your multiplication facts. You must know all of them by the end of first trimester to exceed standards!

The reading materials are trickling in slowly but surely. Mrs. Sands went to a training session for Storytown, and is sure that the kids will really like it! Please make sure that your child is reading from their chosen novel at least 20 minutes each night.

In science we are continuing to learn about the layers of the earth. We are working in small groups to read about the individual layers of the earth, and then will present our findings to the class. We are also focusing on informational reading strategies.

5th Grade Social Studies, Reading, and Science

I'm so excited to share my love of Social Studies, history, and geography with all of the 5th graders! This year we will begin by studying the Revolutionary War and all of the important people involved in the fight for freedom. We will also begin mapping all of our U.S. states and capitals and will also stay on top of current events by reading, "Time for Kids" magazine.

In reading, we are still awaiting the arrival of our "Storytown" materials. Until they arrive, we will be working our fluency and comprehension skills. Please talk with your child about the novel they have chosen to read. Ask them questions! Make connections! It all helps. Remember, each student in 5th grade is expected to read from their novel at least 20 minutes each night.

Science class is focusing on Pangaea and the layers of the earth. We started learning about what's inside the Earth beneath our feet. We discovered that the Earth is made up of many layers, and we live on the thinnest layer, the crust.

Math is fun in fifth grade! We started by reviewing rectangular arrays and factors. It is essential that students know their multiplication tables!! Please be reviewing these facts with your child nightly. It's something you can do in 5 minutes after dinner, during a car ride, or when there's a commercial on TV!

NOTES REQUIRED FOR PARENT PICK-UPS

This is just a reminder that every time you come to pick up your child at school, we need for you to send in a note for permission to do so. Otherwise, kids will be sent home on buses. Thanks in advance for sending them in!!

Welcome to Fifth Grade!

Mrs. Sands, Mrs. Woodward, and Ms. Shane are back at school, preparing for another fun and challenging year at SBES. We are so excited to meet all of our new students and to begin the 2009-2010 school year. Mrs. Sands will again be teaching reading, but this year she will be piloting a new reading program, "Storytown." Ms. Shane will be back in her role as the fun and creative science teacher, and Mrs. Woodward will share her love for history by teaching social studies.

We are looking forward to another great year here in fifth grade!