Highlights of January

Language Arts

We have been continuing with the novel, The City of Ember, a science fiction novel that might or might not take place on a future Earth. We have been focusing on making predictions, discussing right vs. wrong, finding evidence within the novel to support the theme “curiosity leads to wisdom and apathy leads to ignorance”, and figuring out the turning point (climax).

After lunch we have been enjoying  Re-Start by Gordon Korman. It is a story about a bully who suffers from amnesia and gets a second chance in life.

Room 22 has begun an expository non-fiction writing unit focusing on writing a state report. We have explored many state books to get a feel for the different topics covered, the set-up of the book, and to pique our interest in the different states. Students chose one to research and we have begun taking notes on four different topics about a state.

Math

Room 22 has been busy with Algebra. We have been learning about Order of Operations, variables, coordinate pairs and graphing on a coordinate plane’s first quadrant. There are online algebra games posted on the blog below – feel free to play!

Science

We focused on the hydrosphere and discussed the Earth’s oceans and where fresh water is found. We have begun focusing on the biosphere by learning about the different ecosystems and the plants/animals within by creating a Google slide presentation. We are also discussing the food chains/food webs within an ecosystem.

Social Studies

Room 22 is learning about the reasons European Explorers went exploring (Asian spices, gold and riches, spreading Christianity, and having a sense of adventure). We began reading about individual explorers and learned that Leif Eriksson was the first European to land in America (Canada) in 1000 AD.

The postcard race is ending on the last day of February! Keep those cards coming! To date we need the following: North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Miscellaneous

Pigeon Point paperwork went home, please make sure you have seen it! Don’t forget that Toni Guy, our human growth/development instructor, will be conducting a parent education night on Tuesday, February 5 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm in the library.

The Physical Fitness Testing will begin in March. Please see a post below in this blog (click on the links) to see the tests the students will be taking.

Algebra Math Games

Write Expressions

Evaluate Expressions

Number Patterns

Order of Operations 

A bunch of Pre-Algebra games

Writing Expressions

Sheppard Math  Algebra 

Physical Fitness Testing

 The California Department of Education provides videos to show the tests 5th grade students will be taking in March 2019.

Flexibility Test:  Shoulder Stretch 

Abdominal Strength/Endurance Test: Curl-Up

 Trunk Extensor Strength/Endurance Test: Trunk Lift

Upper Body Strength/Endurance Test:  Push Up

 Aerobic Capacity Tests:   PACER  or One Mile Run

Food Chains/Web

Read about Parts of the Food Chain here Food Chains here and  As you read fill out the worksheet.
Play the food chain game here . Put headphones on and watch the video by my favorite gal, Crash Course Gal .  Listen to a few Food Chain songs here  and here .

Keep the worksheet in your science section of your binder.

Highlights of November/December

Language Arts
We finished the novel Holes by Louis Sachar. An ending assignment was to write to Mr. Sachar and tell him what they loved about the novel and any questions they were left wondering. We are waiting to see if he responds - fingers crossed!

We began our new novel, The City of Ember, a science fiction novel that might or might not take place on a future Earth. We are focusing on the main characters, Lina and Doon, making inferences about them and thinking about the sci-fi genre and comparing their world to modern day Kensington.

After lunch we enjoyed hearing 100 Cupboards by NH Wilson. Thank you for making this year's Book Fair and success and for adding to Room 22's library!

Room 22 finished a memoir writing unit. Mentor texts were read (this one being the start of the unit). Students were encouraged to write about such things as: a favorite room, a special object, a turning point moment, a time they learned a lesson, etc. After choosing one to publish, students began the typing and editing process in Google docs.

Math
Room 22 has been busy with adding/subtracting and multiplying/dividing decimals. We have been using our knowledge of multiplying/dividing whole numbers and applying that process to decimals.

Science
We began a unit on Earth's Systems. We have discussed the four spheres of Earth: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. We will dive deeper into each sphere.

Social Studies
Room 22 learned about different different theories on how people came to the Americas, we learned about the first civilizations in the Americas, and focused on the Native People by region who lived in the United States. Students have been working on a specific tribe from a region by creating a group poster detailing the tribe.

The postcard race is going well! Keep those cards coming! To date we need the following: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Winter Celebrations

New Year Celebrations 
Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, St. Lucia Day, La Posada
How do People Celebrate the Winter Holidays?
What Foods Bring Luck in the New Year?
How did Candy Canes Get Their Shape?

Native American Tribe - Research Links

Nez Perce
Chinook
Arapaho
Pawnee
Hopi
Osage
Abenaki
Cherokee
Navajo
Yurok