Learn it. Live it. EVERY DAY! Mrs. Gossett’s Fifth Grade South Shades Crest Elementary www.bgossett.wiki.hoover.k12.al.us
Save the Date
CLASS HAPPENINGS Dear Parents, Happy New Year! We have a very busy semester ahead of us! Check out the Save the Date portion of our newsletter to keep up with upcoming events! Thanks! Mrs. Gossett bgossett@hoover.k12.al.us 205-439-3000 Curriculum News Reading We ended 2010 with the reading of Lyddie by Katherine Paterson. We had some great class discussions about the challenges Lyddie faced working as a mill girl during the Industrial Revolution. Currently, we are reading different narrative texts and discussing things stories have in common. Our major focus is gaining a thorough understanding of plot, characters, setting, and conflict. Mid-year reading assessments are also being administered at this time. Writing/Language Arts Students produced their first narrative of the year in December. Students were asked to write about time when they were proud. We talked extensively about the writing process and the characteristics of a strong narrative. I met oneon-one with each student during the revision process to provide feedback before final publication. We will continue narrative writing over the next two weeks before moving into expository essay writing. Various grammar topics will also be integrated into our writing units this nine weeks. Math Unit 4 of Investigations, What’s That Portion?, is our Fractions Unit. In order to understand the fractional relationship of part to whole, we created a fraction kit for one whole, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16. We also played two games, Cover and Uncover, to teach about equivalent fractions. We are now investigating the relationship between fraction and percent equivalents. For more information about this unit, be sure to check out the Parent Letter and
January 6, 2011
Related Activities to Try at Home posted on our wiki. Social Studies Students have enjoyed the latest Science unit with Mrs. Davidson. This unit has produced many exciting experiments as students have learned about chemical and physical changes. Students will return to Social Studies on Monday, January 10th. We will begin Chapter 14 and our study of the Civil War. Spelling/Vocabulary We are continuing a bi-weekly rotation of Spelling and Vocabulary Units. This semester, our vocabulary units will focus on suffixes. Too Good for Drugs This nine weeks, students will participate in the Too Good for Drugs Program presented by School Resource Officer, Chad Godsey, of the Hoover Police Department. All fifth graders in Hoover City Schools participate in this program. Students will learn facts about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A heavy emphasis is placed on helping students set goals and make good decisions that contribute to their overall health and well-being. Program lessons and activities will also help equip your child with skills for managing emotions, communicating effectively, making positive friendships, countering social influences, analyzing media messages, and refusing peer pressure.
January 12, 2011 Report Cards Go Home January 17, 2011 Martin Luther King. Jr. Day No School for Students January 20, 2011 Parent Academy Night at SSC January 21, 2011 5th Grade Talent Show February 18, 2011 SSC 5th Grade Career Fair February 21, 2011 President’s Day Inclement Weather Day No School for Students February 23 - 25, 2011 Camp McDowell Field Trip
To Inspire... “Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if
Community Service As part of our ongoing community service project with The Oaks Assisted Living, students will be making birthday cards to send to residents. I am also working with the Events Director to secure dates for future visits. Thank you for supporting our efforts to make a difference in our community!
we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we
Supplies Needed Our stock of paper towels, hand soap, and Clorox cleaning wipes is running low! All donations are greatly appreciated! Scholastic Book Orders The January order will be due on Friday, January 21st. Remember, you can always order online. Use access code: GQLHH .
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think, say, want and do.” - Emmanuel Swedenborg -