Fifth Grade Newsletter
5th Grade Families,
It has been so wonderful getting to know your children! We are off to a great start and are looking forward to the rest of the year!
Mrs. Henceroth, Mrs. Jackson, & Ms. Tran
Important Dates & Reminders
- Monday, October 9th-No school for students (Staff Development Day)
- Tuesday, October 10th- Final day of Book Fair
- Friday, October 13th-Field Trip to Riverbend Park
- Thursday, October 26th-Fall Picture Retakes
- Friday, November 3rd-End of 1st Quarter and 2 hour early dismissal at 1:35 p.m.
- Reminder: Please do not send soda, candy or gum to school with your child.
- Students should be reading at least 30 minutes each night.
Language Arts What are we learning?
- Reading: Characters
- Readers follow the journey of characters to develop new understandings about the human experience.
- Readers consider multiple points of view within a text.
- Readers compare perspectives with others and build on ideas in discussion.
- Writing: Memoirs
- Writers analyze the significant moments in their lives for larger lessons and ideas.
- Writers revise their piece using literary techniques to elaborate on the message.
- Memoir writers use a combination of narrative and expository writing to develop their message.
- Writers discuss, share ideas, and provide feedback with community members who can provide support on specific aspects of their piece or process.
Home/School Connection
Continue to read to your child-they love it!
Have your child read to you and other family members!
Questions to ask your student:
- What book are you reading independently?
- Tell me about the main characters. What are some of their character traits?
Books We’ve Been Reading
- The 6th Grade Nickname Game
- Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
- A variety of picture books of different themes
Math What are we learning?
- Recognizing and naming fractions and their decimal equivalents
- Comparing and ordering fractions and decimals
- Distinguishing between terminating and repeating decimals
- Rounding decimals to the nearest whole number, tenth, or hundredth
- Coming soon-Whole number computation
- Advanced Math: Ratios and using them to compare quantities
- Started learning about equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents
Home/School Connection
Questions to ask your student:
- Is this fraction closer to 0, ½, or 1?
- How do you read this decimal number?
- *What time is it (on an analog clock)?
Science What are we learning?
- Force, Motion, & Energy
Home/School Connection
Questions to ask your student:
- How do forces influence motion?
- In what ways can energy be transformed or transferred?
- How can energy be conserved?
Social Studies What are we learning?
- Coming soon-The Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia)
Home/School Connection
Questions to ask your student:
- How does where a person lives affect how a person lives?
- How might geographical features (rivers, mountains) impact daily life for people?
- In what ways do the contributions and accomplishments of Mesopotamia continue to influence the world today?
Specials What are we learning? & Home/School Connections:
- Library: 5th graders will continue exploring the concept of books as mirrors and windows (books can be mirrors, reflections of their own identity and experiences, and windows, ways to see and understand the identities and experiences of others), and how they can find stories that are mirrors and windows for them. They will also dive deeper into the features of the library catalog that can help them select books that meet their needs for informational and pleasure reading.
- PE: After mastering our first unit- “Rules, Routines, and Expectations,” all classes are progressing to the next unit. Students in grades 3-6 are mastering throwing and catching concepts and proper form. Our connection to FCPS’ “Portrait of a Graduate” is currently connected to “Communicator” traits. Please contact Ms. Brod or Mr. Bergin for any questions or concerns.
- Music: Ms. Shaw’s Music Class 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade: Recorders! We are building our music theory knowledge and repertoire of recorder music!
- Music: Mr. Sawasky’s class: K – 6th grade will continue to explore traditional Hispanic music for Hispanic heritage month.
- CHORUS 5TH & 6TH: Falcon Singers have been getting to know each other and learning how to blend our voices. We have been practicing the Star Spangled Banner for our performance with Lewis High School on Oct 13, 2023. (Participation is optional for this performance)
- STEAM: 5th graders will continue to apply force, motion, and energy concepts as they improve delivery device designs.
- Art: In the Forestdale art program, the primary goal is to create an environment in which every student feels confident, safe, and supported by Ms. Barrett and by the other students. The goal is that each student will reach a level of technical mastery and self-confidence that allows them to take risks with their own artwork and create work that they value. In October all students will be wrapping up their printmaking units and doing their planning drawings for the upcoming painting unit!
- 5th graders made marker prints of their favorite flower using Presto foam printing plates.
AAP Corner
- Thursday, October 12th Full-Time (Level IV) Screening Family Night
- If your student is in grades 2-6 and you are interested in referring them for full-time AAP services, please attend the Full-Time AAP Screening Night with Katelyn Spengler. It will be at Forestdale from 6pm-7pm in the library. There will be a Spanish interpreter. Email Katelyn Spengler at @email with any questions.
ESOL - English Speakers of Other Languages
During the month of October, we are highlighting the language of informing. Here are some questions you can ask your students and sentences you can use to help them practice how to inform.
- Tell me about what you noticed.
- Tell me what happened.
- What does that look like?
- How might you describe that?
- I notice that __________.
- That is __________.
- That has __________.
- This shows __________.