Dear Parents,

 

Here’s an update on all of our endeavors!

 

History

We are exploring Mesopotamian history through the lenses of the Assyrians and Babylonians. Our class was amazed to learn that the Babylonians were not only the first to have a written set of laws, but they also were the first to notice the Earth revolves around the sun, and to devise units of seconds, hours, days and years. This week, we will begin to explore another aspect of the Mesopotamian legacy—the oldest written myth, the Epic of Gilgamesh. We’ll consider two versions of the story, in order to compare and contrast elements of plot. Finally, students will embark on the first step of their yearlong civilization project by researching the geography of their chosen location.

 

Writer’s Workshop

We’ve been delving into exploring how writers generate and develop ideas. Last week, inspired by our touchstone text, Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street, we developed our observation skills and zoomed in and stretched out moments in our personal narratives. This week, we’ll see how writers can recycle old ideas into new ones and be inspired in some surprising ways…

 

English

Our first novel of the year, Wilson Rawls’ Where the Red Fern Grows provides us not only with a relatable story of a boy desperate for dogs, but also allows us to note Rawls’ masterful ability to show, rather than to tell, the action. Students are learning active reading strategies, such as using a reading card, pausing after each page to ask what the “take-away” is, and to notice the use of sensory detail. As we read together, there’s rich opportunity for discussion of new vocabulary.  This week, students will also have a spelling test on Friday.  PTR projects are due October 4th and students should be finishing their books soon.

 

Math

While we spent the first few weeks looking at the ways that data can be represented in a variety of graphs, we will now move into a unit on place value. Students may find they need to begin reviewing their math facts at home. Please let me know if you need flashcards and I can send them home. Last week, we introduced a new challenge activity into our math routine, a visual special game called Q-bitz, which they really seemed to enjoy playing.

 

Advisory

Last week, I presented the class with a variety of role-plays in order to foster a discussion about compassionate behavior in (potentially) awkward moments. Using real-life fifth grade situations, the students broke into pairs and shared ideas about how they might react, and then shared them with the class.

 

Helpful Hints:

  • Please remember to sign the planner each day.
  • PTR is due October 4th.
  • Students will have a large number of typed assignments coming up. Please be sure to have ink and paper for your home printers this year as students will need to print homework at home.