FEBRUARY UPDATE

The Fifth Grade has been VERY busy. After many hours of practice, they are becoming master Grammarians. With the parts of speech behind them, they will now focus on putting “the parts” together to produce great literary works of their own. They have practiced this concept by reading historical novels and critiquing the author’s intent and mastery of the written language. As a class, we are reading The Sign of the Beaver. They seem to enjoy reading this novel as well as discovering the story’s many levels of symbolism. Math class continues to focus on fractions. The students are busy mastering their ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers. More importantly they are attempting to apply these skills to their daily lives.

Social Studies class has taken us through the French/Indian War right up to the beginning of the American Revolution. The students are creating their interpretation of 1770 Boston, by building businesses and assuming the roles of both Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution. This process should allow them the opportunity to “get inside the heads” of our country’s forefathers. In Science class we are beginning a unit about the structure of matter. The students are studying the elements, the Periodic Table and Compounds. The students especially enjoy working with the Periodic Table Application on our Smart Board

Mrs. Hawkins’s computer classes compliment a previous science unit about the human body. She is helping the 5th Graders develop a healthy diet plan. They are each completing nutrition projects through the use of an Excel spreadsheet. I know we will all benefit from these diet plans as we try to lose the weight gained over the holidays!

The New Year has gotten off to a fantastic start. The Fifth Grade is making progress in every area. They are focused and determined to achieve their goal of joining the Middle School next year.