It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday!  I am beyond thankful to be in such a loving and supportive community!  Glen Allen is an amazing place to be! I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday filled with relaxation and fun!

The academic information in this entry covers the week we come back from Thanksgiving Break as well as our short week this week.  🙂

School Pictures

If you ordered pictures, your child took them home last week.  Retakes can be taken on Monday, December 9th.  You will need to send the original pictures back with your child to give to the photographer on the 9th.  If your child was absent, your child’s picture can be taken on December 9th as well.  Please send in your payment and order on that day. Please let me know if you need another Strawbridge form and envelope.

Our Science Museum field trip is around the corner!  We will leave Glen Allen at 9:30 and return around 1:15 on Friday, December 6th.  Please be sure students have packed a bagged lunch labeled with their name along with drinks in non-glass containers.  They also need to wear comfortable shoes for a day of exploring the museum.  Chaperones will receive more information the week of the field trip.

MATH

The test on converting and ordering fractions, decimals, and percents will be given on Monday, November 25th.  Thanksgiving math activities are on the menu Tuesday.  We will review many skills with a Thanksgiving theme.  Weekly Math (yellow logic puzzle) is due on Tuesday, November 26th.  When we come back we will dive into adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions.  We have been reviewing adding and subtracting with unlike denominators and doing a great job with it!

LANGUAGE ARTS

We will not have Word Trek this week!  🙂  The students will work on writing an essay about three things they are thankful for.  Introductions with strong hooks are our focus.  We will also focus on reading skills such as character conflicts, theme, symbolism, and foreshadowing with  Esperanza Rising.  The biography or autobiography book reports are due on Thursday, December 19th.

SCIENCE

There will be a quiz on cells on Wednesday, December 4th.  This quiz will cover identifying cell types, organelles, and the jobs of the organelles.  This week we will create cells, animal or plant, using craft supplies like pipe cleaners, beads, buttons, sequins, etc.  The students will label each part and describe the job of each organelle.  These are so fun and creative!  The week we get back will entail exploration of the five kingdoms.  The students will first learn binomial nomenclature, the method of naming organisms.  Then we will learn about each of the five kingdoms in detail.  This is a great unit as the kiddos have so much prior knowledge to bring in to our class discussions!  I learn new stuff from them all the time.  I love it!

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will continue our tour of the Southeast Region this week.  There will be a quick check quiz on just the states and capitals of this region on Tuesday, December 3rd.  The students will simply match the state with the capital.  They have study cards with this information on it.  We will also discover the significant features and landmarks of this region.  When we get back from Thanksgiving break we will start a partner project called “Pack Your Bags” where the students will choose a Southeast state and then use a manila folder to exhibit their state’s symbols, maps, motto, and landmarks.  We will also look at the climate, economic opportunities, and natural resources of the region.

IMPORTANT DATES

11/25 – Converting and Ordering Fractions, Decimals, and Percents Test

11/27 -11/29 – Thanksgiving Holiday

12/3 – Southeast Region Quick Check Quiz

12/4 – Cells Quiz

12/6 – Science Museum Field Trip

12/7 – Tree Lighting Ceremony

12/9 – Picture Retakes

12/19 – Biography book report due

Don’t forget that Monday, November 18th is a half-day for students.

Heart Rate Activity: Mrs. Lucas has asked we share this document RHR and THR Sheet  regarding having children take their heart rate. She taught them this during PE this week, but is asking for you to help your child complete this worksheet and turn it in to me on Monday, 11/18. These numbers will be something she uses with students in PE all year long.

Canned Food Drive: We are still collecting non-perishable can and boxed food items until November 21st! We will also be collecting hats and gloves for students in Henrico to help them stay warm as they board buses to school each morning this winter. In addition to providing a brighter holiday season to less fortunate families, we will continue our friendly competition between classes throughout the school. The winner of the “Can Queen” will be announced at the 2nd grade winter performance in December. Thank you for helping us show the Glen Allen Cub Way and spreading love to area families!

Pictures: If you ordered pictures, your child took them home today! If you would like retakes, the photographer will be back on Monday, December 9th. You will need to send the original pictures back with your child to hand to the photographer on the 9th.

If your child was absent and you would like to order pictures, this can also be done on December 9th. Your child will need to hand the photographer your order/payment. Please let me know if you need another Strawbridge form and envelope.

Field Trip Info: Thank you to those who have sent in permission slips already and who have paid online!  Permission slips and all online payments are due November 20th!  If you need financial assistance, please contact me directly and we can discuss alternate funding options.

If you are interested in chaperoning, you must have already completed the GAES volunteer form and training and be on the approved volunteer list. Email me directly if you would like to chaperone this trip. Depending on the number of interested family members, I will do a drawing of names to determine who gets to accompany the class. I will select chaperones on Monday so that they will have time to submit payments by 11/20.  Thank you!

Tree Lighting Performance: The 5th Grade Chorus will be performing at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 7th. Students only need to be there from 4:15 to around 5:00 pm to perform 3 songs. Mr. Mills and the students have been working hard in anticipation of this event! Please read this Tree Lighting Letter from Mr. Mills for more details. Wear red and green!

Cotillion: Please read this Cotillion Letter and email the required information to Hanna Turner by November 20th.

MATH

We will continue practicing ordering and comparing  a set of numbers that includes decimals, fractions, and percents.  the test for this unit will be given on Monday, November 25th.  Your student has lots of notes in their notebooks to help with homework and preparation for this test.  We will also begin adding, subtracting and multiplying fractions.  Weekly Math is due on Wednesday, November 20th.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We have started our new novel study, Esperanza Rising.  This is an awesome novel that takes place in the 1930’s that has lots of historical as well as present day connections.   This novel uses lots of symbolism and great character development.  It is a wonderful book!  So far the students are loving it!  We will work with figurative language, theme and mood, comprehension skills, and writing this week.  The Turkey Disguises are due on Wednesday, November 20th.  I can’t wait to see these!

SCIENCE

We will finish up our Oceans Unit this week.  The test is on Tuesday, November 19th.  Your student has notes and a study guide to help them prepare for this test.  Next, we will delve into cells!  We will start with plant and animal cells by learning some of the significant parts and what they do.  This is such a fun unit!

SOCIAL STUDIES

We are ready to travel into the Southeast Region this week!  The student will learn the Southeast Region’s states and capitals.  They will also discover some of the significant landmarks this regions has to offer.  The Geography Unit Test will be given on Thursday, November 21st.  Your student has lots of notes and two study guides to help prepare for this test.  They will also be assigned some very helpful homework this week.

IMPORTANT DATES

11/18 – Half day for students

11/19 – Ocean Unit test

11/20 – Turkey Disguise due

11/21 – Geography Unit Test

11/22 – Moody IB Writing Prompt

11/27 -11/29 – Thanksgiving Holiday

12/6 – Science Museum Field Trip

12/7 – Tree Lighting Ceremony

12/19 – Biography book report due

Monday is Veteran’s Day!  Students with a guest veteran will be attending the assembly and all others will be able to watch the GAES Veterans Day program from our classroom. The 1st grade choir will be performing.  This is a fantastic Glen Allen tradition and it will be amazing!  A HUGE thank you to all veterans and active service members in our Cub family!

Field Trip Info: Our first field trip will be to the Science Museum of Virginia on December 6th. Permission slips will be sent home on Monday, 11/11. Please note that payments can now be made online. We will need all permission slips and money by November 20th. If you need financial assistance, please contact me directly, and we can discuss alternate funding options.

We are excited about this trip as museum staff will be doing a demonstration in anticipation of our upcoming sound unit, and students will get to see a wonderful STEAM video in the big dome theater! In between, students will get to explore the dynamic and engaging exhibits throughout the museum.

Interested in chaperoning? Each class is allotted a certain number of chaperones. To be considered for a chaperone position on field trips you must have completed the GAES volunteer form and training (https://glenallenes.henricoschools.us/parent-resources/volunteer-information). Please do not submit  chaperone payments until I have contacted you regarding this. Thank you!

Tree Lighting Performance: The 5th Grade Chorus will be performing at the Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 7th. Students only need to be there from 4:15 to around 5:00 pm to perform 3 songs. Mr. Mills and the students have been working hard in anticipation of this event! Please read this Tree Lighting Letter from Mr. Mills for more details.

Please encourage your students to use this link for more interesting and valuable ways to interact with the content.  https://guest.portaportal.com/gaes5thgrade

MATH

We will continue working with converting decimals, fractions, and percents this week.  We will also begin ordering and comparing once all numbers in the set are converted to decimals.  As always, please encourage your student to use their notes when completing homework.  Weekly Math (blue logic puzzle) is due on Wednesday, November 13th.

LANGUAGE ARTS

This coming week, we will be making connections to the text we are reading.  We will discuss text-to-self, text-to-text, text-to-media, and text-to-world connections.  We will also continue to work with inferencing, summarizing, and theme.  In language, the students will finish up their Adjective Menus and participate in a museum walk to see the fantastic menus created by classmates.  They will also work on using homophones correctly, write November journal entries, and identify and include figurative language in writing.

Our November Cubs Read calendar will be sent home. Students who turned in the October calendar earned a No Laps pass for recess! This marking period, we will send home a calendar each month. We will have a special day at the end of the 9 weeks to celebrate those who read above and beyond throughout the marking period.

Students have received their Turkey Disguise information.  These are always such fun!  Please let me know if you questions.  I can’t wait to see what they come up with!  This project is due on Wednesday, November 20th.

SCIENCE

We will continue exploring the ocean this week.  Last week we talked about ocean zones, effects of salinity and temperature on density, and food chains.  The students will also begin working on projects from an oceans choice board.  They are choosing three projects to complete that will show mastery of a particular component of our studies.  There will be a quiz on tides, currents, and waves including the effects of salinity and temperature on density on Thursday, November 14th.  The final test for this unit will be given on Tuesday, November 19th.  Please encourage your student to review nightly using their notebooks, study guide, study cards, and the resources on this blog.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will finish up the five themes of geography and the five regions of the US this week.  The quiz originally scheduled for this Tuesday has been cancelled.  Instead of a quiz on just the five themes and five regions, there will be a test on all of this information on Thursday, November 21st.  Your student has  a study guide and notes in their notebook to help prepare for this test.  The Southeast Region is the first US region we will explore.

IMPORTANT DATES

11/11 – Veteran’s Day program

11/14 – Waves, Currents, and Tides quiz

11/18 – Half day for students

11/19 – Ocean Unit test

11/20 – Turkey Disguise due

11/21 – Geography Unit Test

11/22 – Moody IB Writing Prompt

11/27 -11/29 – Thanksgiving Holiday

12/6 – Science Museum Field Trip

12/7 – Tree Lighting Ceremony

12/19 – Biography book report due

Monday, November 4th is the end of the first nine weeks.  Parent Teacher Conferences are Monday, November 4th by appointment.  Tuesday, November 5th is a student holiday.

Monday, November 11th is our annual Veteran’s Day Program!  🙂 Thanks so much to all veterans for all that they do and have done for us!

The GAES SCA is holding their annual canned food drive November 11 – November 21. Please consider donating non-perishable can or boxed food items. We will also be collecting hats and gloves for students in Henrico to help them stay warm as they board buses to school each morning this winter. In addition to providing a brighter holiday season to less fortunate families, we will continue our friendly competition between classes throughout the school. The winner of the “Can Queen” will be announced at the 2nd grade winter performance in December. Thank you for helping us show the Glen Allen Cub Way and spreading love to area families!

MATH

This week we will begin exploring the relationship between decimals, fractions, and percents  (5.2 & 6.2).  We will start with simplifying fractions and finding equivalent fractions.  Then we will convert decimals to fractions.   Your student will have notes in their notebooks to help with homework.  Please encourage your student to call me if they need help with homework.  Homework is meant to be practice and not a stressful event.  It usually takes just a minute to get things straight on the phone.  Thanks so much for your help with this.  Weekly Math is due on Wednesday, November 6th.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Word Trek is back!  Your student received this week’s list and homework on Friday.  We will continue working with types of characters, theme, and inferential and literal questions.  The students will receive information for the next book report this week.  The genre is biography or autobiography.  It is due on Thursday, December 19th.

The students will receive paperwork regarding one of the fifth grade’s favorite projects…Turkey Disguises!  Each student will receive a turkey outline that they are tasked to disguise to save them from landing on a Thanksgiving table.  The students will also write a short essay, at least 10-15 sentences,  explaining either the disguise, the process of making the disguise, or a creative piece about the turkey disguise.  We will look at several examples from years past.  The students will complete the project at home and turn it in on Wednesday, November 20th just in time to decorate our hallways with their creativity!

SCIENCE

We will continue exploring the ocean floor, the causes of waves, tides, and currents, and the effects of salinity and temperature on water this week.  There will be a quiz on the ocean floor on Thursday, November 7th.  Your student has notes in the notebooks to help prepare for this quiz.

SOCIAL STUDIES

We will  discussing the five themes of geography and the five regions of the United States.  There will be a quiz on the five themes and five regions on Tuesday, November 12th.  This is a change!  The students will create a map incorporating important components in class this week.  

IMPORTANT DATES

11/4 – End of the first nine weeks

11/4 – Henricopolis Conservation Make-up Lesson

11/4 – Parent/Teacher Conference

11/5 – Student Holiday

11/7 – Ocean Floor Quiz

11/11 – Veteran’s Day program

11/12 – Five Themes and Five Regions quiz

11/20 – Turkey Disguise dye

12/19 – Biography book report due