Welcome to the second semester! As we take on this second half of 5th grade, we will be ramping up expectations as students get closer to transitioning to middle school. To that end, we will be starting a new station work grade. Beginning on Monday, we will be adding a new semester-long grade, similar to our homework grades. In both math and reading, students will have a station work assignment. All students will start with a 100 grade for that assignment. If they do not complete the assigned math or reading stations by Friday afternoon, they will lose 5 points from this grade. We want to reward those who have been diligently completing assignments while also trying to motivate students to complete these practice and enrichment activities. We will be going over this during our Monday morning meeting, so all students are clear about this expectation. Thank you for helping us prepare your child for the larger responsibilities they will have as a 6th grader!
Students had a lot of fun collaborating on a STEM experience where they “saved” Fred, the gummy worm on Friday! The students did a great job collaborating, communicating, and thinking critically in their attempts to save Fred! 🙂
House Aries had a terrific time celebrating their quarter 2 win at the house party on Friday while the rest of the students enjoyed interacting with their 5th grade house members with some fun house activities! We also enjoyed some reading opportunities with our 2nd grade book buddies.
PTA News
YEARBOOK DEADLINE: The deadline to order a yearbook is January 31. Click here to order yours! Can’t remember if you’ve already ordered? You received an email from me last week confirming which students have ordered yearbooks.
Yearbook Pictures: If you have pictures you’d like to share for the yearbook please download the free Herff Jones App, ESHARE. Or go to HJESHARE.COM Enter our school’s code: GAESCUBS We would love any pictures from field trips, spirit days, students wearing their house shirts or anything you’d like to share with us!
Kids Heart Challenge – February 28:
Save the date! The Kids Heart Challenge at GAES will be held on February 28 after school. All participants will sign up online. You will need to print and turn in the permission slip for your child to participate by February 24. Look for additional information coming via email.
Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14th. Students are welcome to send in Valentine’s for each student in the class to share. Here is our class list: The Lyons’ Den
1/31 Yearbook Order Deadline
2 /3 Vocabulary & Spelling #1 Quizzes
2 /3 Social Studies Northeast States and Capitals Quiz
2/7 Science Force and Motion Test
2/9 Parent – Teacher Conferences by appointment
2/20 President’s Day – School’s Closed
2/21 Staff Development – No School for Students
2/23 GAES Literacy & STEAM Night
2/28 Kids Heart Challenge
Math: We will start a new unit on graphing and data analysis this week. Students will learn how to construct, read, and interpret a line plot graph and a stem and leaf graph. Later this week we will learn about the measures of center (mean, median and mode). Continue to reinforce master of multiplication and division skills as this is key to success with this skill, as well as with our upcoming math units.
Reading: We will begin our unit on Media messages and distinguishing between fact and opinion. As we begin our celebration of Black History Month this week, we will be looking at important African Americans who have made contributions to our country.Beginning the new semester, we will move into a new unit of vocabulary focusing on multisyllabic words that will enhance students’ reading and writing skills. Our first list, Vocabulary List #1, includes some marvelous, magical words!
Social Studies: We are moving on to the Northeast Region this week! Students will receive a study guide with the map and states and capitals, as well as note cards on the Northeast states this week. A quiz on the states and capitals will take place on Friday, February 3.
Science: We will wrap up our unit on Force and Motion this week with some fun hands-on activities. Please use the study guide and notes to prepare for the test next week.