What’s Coming Up – Week of March 9-13, 2020

Miscellaneous

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences (Monday, March 9 & Wednesday, March 11)
      • Please see the link with the Spring parent-teacher conference schedule HERE
  • Scholastic Book Fair March 9-13 Our class’s preview day is Tuesday, March 10 and our shopping day is Thursday, March 12.
  • Show off your 5th grade spirit! Join us in wearing our 5th grade shirts every Friday
  • Important Dates for Fifth Grade Document

March 6 – Early release

March 9 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:10 (Mrs. Walenta’s class only)

March 10 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:10 (Mrs. Wysocki’s class only)

March 11 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:10 (Mrs. Ball and Mr. Cooley’s classes only)

Math:

  • We are beginning unit 6, Operations and Word problems.
  • Students should be completing MobyMax Fact Fluency practice at home for five minutes per day unless they have mastered all math facts.

ELA:

  • We’re beginning a test prep unit, which is a review of topics covered in 5th grade.
  • Students should be reading for 20 minutes each night and filling out the reading log.

Science: 

  • We’re continuing our unit: Go With the Flow which investigates invasive species and their impact on our waterways.

Social Studies:

  • We are continuing our fifth unit, Road to Revolution. We will be examining the events that led to the colonists declaring independence from Britain.

Check this out!

We went to see the Grand Rapids Symphony perform in Holland! We had a great time listening to beautiful music!

What’s Coming Up – Week of March 2-6, 2020

Miscellaneous

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences (Monday, March 9 & Wednesday, March 11)
      • Please see the link with the Spring parent-teacher conference schedule HERE
  • Scholastic Book Fair March 9-13 Our class’s preview day is Tuesday, March 10 and our shopping day is Thursday, March 12
  • Show off your 5th grade spirit! Join us in wearing our 5th grade shirts every Friday

March 3 – Symphony Trip (No chaperones needed)

March 6 – Early release

March 9 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:10 (Mrs. Walenta’s class only)

March 10 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:10 (Mrs. Wysocki’s class only)

March 11 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:10 (Mrs. Ball and Mr. Cooley’s classes only)

**March 17 7:00 PM Middle school music information night for parents at Riley Street Middle School

**March 18 7:00 PM Middle school music information night for parents at Baldwin Street Middle School 

**These meetings will include the same information regardless of location; you may attend the one that best fits your schedule.

Check Out What We’ve Been Up To

We performed an investigation to examine water clarity. We used a secchi disk to measure the depth of which we could see into the water.

We looked at 3 different buckets with different amounts of soil mixed in with water. We did three trials for each bucket to measure the depth to ensure consistency.

Group members had to work together to stir, drop, observe, and record their data.

It was cold outside, but at least the sun was out to help encourage warm thoughts!

Students had to pay attention to when the disk “disappeared” int he water.

Student took turns in various roles. 

To review for our math test, we played Jeopardy in class. Each group worked on math problems and were awarded points for correct answers!

If the team who got to choose the category and question got the problem correct, they got to play “trash-ketball” and earn some possible extra points.

Kids Heart Challenge! Help Us Earn MONEY for Our School!

The Kids Heart Challenge is in full swing!  We hope you’re having a ball and feel as rewarded as we do helping fight heart disease and stroke. Keep up the great work, you’re making a HUGE difference!

Remember, more than 50% of kids are not getting the physical activity they need to be healthy. You’re helping to change that. We have a special incentive at our school.  If we can get 50% of our students registered and taking the healthy challenges, we will receive an additional $500 to purchase new PE equipment.  Help us reach our goal!  Get your student registered for Kids Heart Challenge today!

http://www2.heart.org/goto/georgetownhudsonville

What’s Coming Up – Week of February 17-21, 2020

Miscellaneous

  • Camp Chaperones – A letter came home outlining chaperone opportunities. Please return the form if you are interested in being a chaperone by Tuesday, Feb 18th. Parents will be notified by March 2nd.
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences (Monday, March 9 & Wednesday, March 11)

February 21 – Early Release

March 3 – Symphony Trip (No chaperones needed)

March 6 – Early release

March 9 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:00 (Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Wysocki’s classes only)

March 10 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:00 (Mrs. Walenta’s class only)

March 11 – Baldwin Street Middle School Visit 10:30-2:00 (Mr. Cooley’s class only)

Check Out What We’ve Been Up To!

To help prepare with our Unit 4 Social Studies test we worked collaboratively on a digital escape room!

The escape room included several reading passages about early colonial life and had quiz questions, puzzles, and interactive images. Student have access to this in their emails if you want to offer some educational computer time at home!

In Science, we kicked off an investigation which involved a simulation to show an effect zebra mussels have on ecosystems.

Students performed, observed, and modeled the investigation in groups and each had a role.

It was fun to see our “lake water,” a mixture of soil and coffee grounds, be filtered by our “zebra mussel,” the coffee filter.

We also discussed whether or not “clear” water was good or bad for ecosystems. We’ll continue this investigation and conversation as we look at the further impacts of zebra mussels.

What’s Coming Up – Week of February 10-14, 2020

Miscellaneous:

  • Camp Chaperones – A letter came home outlining chaperone opportunities. Please return this with your level of interest by Tuesday, Feb 18th. Parents will be notified by March 2nd.
  • Valentine’s Day
      • In fifth grade, we do not have individual parties for Valentine’s Day.
      • We will have an optional Valentine exchange. If your child chooses to participate, please have him or her bring a Valentine for each student in the class . 
      • We will decorate bags to use to gather our Valentines, so there is no need to create a box or container to send in.

Math:

  • We are beginning unit 5, Division of Whole Numbers & Decimals.
  • Students should be completing MobyMax Fact Fluency practice at home for five minutes per day unless they have mastered all math facts.

ELA:

  • We’re continuing our reading unit which is investigating non-fiction texts and tackling text complexity.
  • We are publishing our literary essays which are about themes in our book club books.
  • Students should be reading for 20 minutes each night and filling out the reading log.

Science: 

  • We’re launching our unit: Go With the Flow which investigates invasive species and their impact on our waterways.

Social Studies:

  • We are continuing our fourth unit, Life in the Colonies, which examines the development and impact of growing colonial regions.

Kids Heart Challenge

Information about Kids Heart Challenge will be coming home with students today.  Please note that this fundraiser is for the American Heart Association, it does also helps us get P.E. Equipment for GT.  The Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser registration is here:  February 6 until February 28.

When your child joins Kids Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for Heart) they will hear from kids with special hearts and raise funds to help those born with heart defects.  Students learn about taking care of their own heart through fun challenges and activities for physical, social and emotional health.

Get online and register your child today here.

Please note that thank-you prizes earned by students will be handed out when they come to P.E. class.  Some prizes need to be ordered when the fundraiser is over and will be delivered sometime in March.  Any money donated after Feb. 28 will not earn prizes.

Thanks for your help!  Mrs. Nienhuis & Mrs. VanKoevering

Check Out What We’ve Been Up To!

We’ve tagged and labeled the necessary components of our literary essays to ensure we had everything we needed.

We also spent some time with others to peer edit and revise. Our partners read our writing out loud, which allowed us to hear our written words and make changes as partners asked for clarity.

What’s Coming Up – Week of February 3-7, 2020

Miscellaneous

    • Early Release – Friday, Jan. 31
    • Midwinter Break – Monday, February, 3rd and Tuesday, February 4th
    • Remaining balances of the fifth grade activity fee are due by February 1. Reminders with updated balances were sent home last week.
  • Camp Chaperones – Be on the lookout next week for a letter outlining chaperone opportunities. 
  • Valentine’s Day Reminder
    • In fifth grade, we do not have individual parties for Valentine’s Day.
    • We will have an optional Valentine exchange. If your child chooses to participate, please have him or her bring a Valentine for each student in the class . 
    • We will decorate bags to use to gather our Valentines, so there is no need to create a box or container to send in.

What’s Coming Up – Week of January 27-31, 2020

Miscellaneous

    • P.E. apparel sale orders due by Wednesday, Jan. 29.
    • Early Release – Friday, Jan. 31
    • Midwinter Break – Monday, February, 3rd and Tuesday, February 4th
    • Remaining balances of the fifth grade activity fee are due by February 1. Reminders with updated balances were sent home earlier this week.
  • Valentine’s Day
    • In fifth grade, we do not have individual parties for Valentine’s Day.
    • We will have an optional Valentine exchange. If your child chooses to participate, please have him or her bring a Valentine for each student in the class . 
    • We will decorate bags to use to gather our Valentines, so there is no need to create a box or container to send in.

Math:

  • We are continuing unit 4, multiplication with whole numbers and decimals. 
  • Students should be completing MobyMax Fact Fluency practice at home for five minutes per day unless they have mastered all math facts.

ELA:

  • We’re beginning a reading and writing unit which will be investigating non-fiction texts and tackling text complexity.
  • Students should be reading for 20 minutes each night and filling out the reading log.

Science: 

  • We’re discussing collaborative work practices and scientific understanding.

Social Studies:

  • We will be continuing our fourth unit, Life in the Colonies.

Important MSTEP Dates + Cool Opportunity

IMPORTANT M-STEP DATES

Dear Parents,

The M-STEP State testing for grades 3-5 will take place this spring. I wanted you to have information on the dates in advance so that you can schedule appointments around these testing dates.

  • The dates for our M-STEP tests for Grade 5 are: April 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 (9am – 12pm)

Thank you for you help!

COOL OPPORTUNITY: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (4th-8th Grade)

Date: Saturday, February 22, 2020

  • Who: 4th-8th graders
  • What: Attendees will get the opportunity to rotate through 5 different hands-on Engineering activities led by students, graduate students, and faculty.
  • Cost: FREE
  • Register Here
Thanks, Mrs. Totten, from our STEAM Studio, for passing along!

What’s Coming Up – Week of January 20-24, 2020

Miscellaneous

  • P.E. apparel sale orders due by Wednesday, Jan. 29.
  • For more information and to order, visit the Georgetown Physical Education blog.
  • Early Release – Friday, Jan. 31
  • Midwinter Break (No School Monday, February, 3rd and Tuesday, February 4th)
  • Remaining balances of the fifth grade activity fee are due by February 1. Reminders with updated balances will be sent home on Monday, January 20.

Community Education Opportunity: Film Screening and Panel Discussion of Screenagers: The Next Chapter  – Tuesday, Jan. 21

Image result for screenagers the next chapterAs a 5th grade team, we feel this would be a great opportunity for parents to check this out as it is in line with a lot of things we’ve been noticing and observing in students as technology continues to play an important role in students’ lives. Check out the trailer for the film, Screenagers: The Next Chapter,  or the original film, Screenagers, to help inform you and your family as you navigate the increasing social demands and pressures of today’s students with technology. 

Image result for screenagers the next chapter

 

We picked up with our Book Club Groups last week and tackled our work with Themes!

We collaborated with our partners to find evidence from the text to support potential themes.

 

To celebrate 30 Outstandings, we had some gym time today where we played Dodgeball! We had a fun time together and will work towards our next goal of 50 Outstandings!

Video of Dodgeball