We’re feeling the benchmark CRUNCH! The word of this week was REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! Students worked hard as we wrapped up the quarter with practice reading summative passages and questions, end of unit tests, and a PAW Achievment celebration. I applaud you all for your perseverance during these last few (shortened) weeks as we prepare for our upcoming benchmarks. Keep up the hard work…YOU CAN DO IT!
Benchmark testing begins next Thursday. Our homeroom will take the math benchmark on 1/31 and 2/1, reading on 2/5 and 2/6, and science on 2/8. 
Shhhh, I need your help surprising students with encouragement and goodies to brighten these long testing days! I am seeking donations of snacks, treats, fun pencils, etc. to leave on students’ desks each day we test. We have 21 students and there are 5 testing days. I appreciate any help you can provide! Please text/email me if interested. As an additional reward, students that meet benchmark goals will earn additional time at our fifth grade benchmark celebration on 2/11. Students can choose from a BYO-device reward or a grade level nukom tournament in the gym!
A LOOK INTO ROOM 8:
Reading- We reviewed both fiction and nonfiction skills as we prepare for the reading benchmark. This benchmark will cover all skills that we have learned over the semester. Through our review, a skill that stood out as needing more growth for our fifth graders is word analysis. This includes roots and affixes, synonyms and antonyms, and context clues. Encourage your children to select these areas when completing MobyMax activities at home! We will continue to review next week as we close in on our benchmark testing dates.
Social Studies- Students concluded the unit on the Southeast region of the United States. Throughout this quarter we have learned all about the region including the states/capitals, land/water features, significant landmarks, and more. Next week we will dive into our next region: the Northeast! Students can get a jump-start on this by taking a look at the region this weekend. 
Math & Science-Visit Miss Capano’s blog to read what students did in math and science this week!
A GLANCE AT NEXT WEEK:
- MATH: Benchmark Review
- SCIENCE: Benchmark Review
- READING: Benchmark Review
- SOCIAL STUDIES: Northeast Region of the United States
- WRITING: Quotation Mark Usage
UPCOMING NEXT WEEK:
- NO SCHOOL MONDAY
- Tuesday, 1/29:
- Parent window opens for sixth grade course registration
- Thursday, 1/31:
- Reading Benchmark for Capano
- Math Benchmark for Golden
- Parent-Teacher for Conferences for Capano/Golden
- PTO Spirit Night at Zaxby’s
- Friday, 2/1:
- Reading Benchmark for Capano
- Math Benchmark for Golden
- Quia Science Quiz on SOL 4.4 – Plants Due
- Family Honor Roll Dinner
NEWS & REMINDERS:
- Family Honor Roll: I will collect Family Honor Roll logs on Tuesday, so be sure that yours is completed if you would like to participate in the dinner on 2/1.
- Aquarium Field Trip: This letter went home this week about our field trip to the aquarium in March! Please send in forms/fees by 2/22.
- Sixth Grade Course Registration: See the packets sent home this week for directions to confirm our course recommendations and select electives for sixth grade. We are happy to walk you through this process at conferences as well. Contact us or Mrs. Bushey with questions!
- (Repost) CONFERENCES: Miss Capano and I invite you to join us for Q2 Parent-Teacher Conferences on January 31st and February 5th! Click here to sign up for a slot.
- (Repost) Valentine Party Message from PTO: We appreciate all the support we received from your signing up for classroom events and parties at Back to School Night in September, however, we would like to try a new system to streamline the communication. We ask you to “forget” what you signed up for in regards to the Valentine’s Party and to use the following Sign-Up Genius instead. This way, you know if you are the one bringing a specific item. Every classroom is represented. Scroll to find your teacher (in alphabetical order), then sign up for what you’d like to donate to the party or to volunteer in the classroom. All food items must be store bought and peanut-free. Number of students will be different for each class based on enrollment. Please check with your child’s teacher for an accurate student number. Thank you for all your support in everything we do!
Enjoy one final 3 day weekend!