Hard to imagine it’s been almost two months of Grade 5. It’s busy, messy, crazy times in room 5 and it’s only going to get wilder. With the Jays having sadly finished their second postseason push in as many years, and now that my heart-rate and stress levels have return to normal as a result, I wanted to pass along a larger, more in-depth update to you all.

1. Math - Place Value and Division

Having now finished our look and practise of double digit multiplication, we’re taking a pause to refresh and practise out knowledge of place value. That being said, students will still be expected to practise and apply their multiplication skills in weekly computations and weekly quizzes. That aside, we have begun the work of reinforcing how we read and write numbers using the Place Value System. With this, students are practising the reading/writing of numbers using Expanded Form, Standard Form (aka Number Form) and Word Form. This here is a review sheet using all three forms. With this wrapped up, we’ll move on to division. I particularly want to draw your attention to the DMSB for Long Division explanation, these Long Division Class Notes and the Division Danger Zones that you can all refer to when reviewing the concepts with your child. The algorithm we use is the same one that you’re all familiar with. In short, we teach for mastery. Each student is entirely able to master this algorithm and by focusing their efforts on this algorithm, it allows them to master the skill rather than being confused by many different, though equally effective, strategies. 

I’ll also mention once again some great resources for you all. In addition to my Math Resources, Math-Drills.com is a great resource for some good old fashioned practise questions. There is also the Zetamac online facts site which is an excellent, minimal and distraction free resource that many of the students have said they love.

2. Science - Weather Watch

We’ve been having a ton of fun lately exploring all the different kinds of crazy, insane and bizarre forms of weather out there. This had us exploring things like the atmosphere and how it affects us, the different types of clouds that exist and what they tell us as well as how we can predict and measure the weather. We looked at weather symbols, the Water Cycle and how/why we have seasons. We had a really great time a few weeks ago on our field trip to Fish Creek Park and enjoyed the challenge of designing our own weather instruments from household materials. Coolest of all, we had the man, the myth, the legend, DAVID SPENCE come visit and share with us all about his job as a meteorologist and the different tools he uses to predict the weather. This man is seriously impressive and the students loved the opportunity.

We’re coming up to the end of the unit though, which sadly means I have to say the “T” word - TEST!!! Aghhh what a catastrophe!!. We’ll be providing the students with a Study Guide outlining everything they need to review as their test will be happening hopefully within the next 2 weeks. I strongly encourage you all to work with your child as they review. All students are familiar with the Weather Web Links, Instruments, Clouds and Symbols pages as well as the resources directly on the Science homepage.

Standing in the on-deck circle is Classroom Chemistry. Our initial focus will be on understanding and working with the two main types of Mixtures - homogeneous and heterogeneous. We will be experimenting and becoming familiar with the Scientific Method/Experimental Procedure. We will then focus on the separation of mixtures, followed by a look at the states of matter (liquids, solids & gases) and the identification of acids & bases. Anyways.... This is a really exciting unit where we get to make huge messes, blow things up and I get to do things that Ms. Day and Mrs. Flanagan usually give me the sideways glance for and insist “this is a bad idea”. It’s awesome. Feel free to explore the Chemistry Web Links and the other chemistry resources on the Science homepage.

3. Language Arts - Wonder & Grammar

We are continuing our class novel study of R. J. Palacio’s “Wonder” and have gotten to know its main character, August Pullman, really well. We’re enjoying seeing everything that’s happened from all the different perspectives of each character as well as looking at all the different pop culture references that Palacio includes in the story. I have uploaded some resources to the Language Arts Resources page such as character information, a trailer for the book, info on the author as well as a link to The Daily Wonder App - the free companion app to the book.

At the same time as we read Wonder, we’re focusing on reviewing the core aspects of grammar. This has us looking at different parts of speech so that we can build a core foundation before diving into some big time writing.

4. Social Studies - Remembrance Day & Canada

As promised, I put together a few links for the students to explore as we work

towards understanding the significance of Remembrance Day. On the Social Studies Resources page, scroll down and you’ll find the section. The Canadian War Museum is a great resource and one of their sections is Over The Top, an interactive experience showing what life was like in the trenches. As a class, we talked about how with any discussion or look into war, there will inevitably be images that are upsetting or disturbing. We talked about how to approach this in an open and respectful manner but also being aware that it can be upsetting. I strongly encourage you to talk to your child in an open and honest manner, allowing them to ask the questions they have so that they can appreciate the significance of the events. With your help and support, this can be a really meaningful experience.

With the Remembrance Day assembly rapidly approaching, all grade 5 students are busily working on various projects and presentations. As a grade, the students will be performing John McCrae’s ‘In Flanders Fields’. We have been talking to the students about the different ideas contained within the poem as well as relating a brief history of Lt. Col. John McCrae’s life.

Our Remembrance Day assembly will be Thursday, November 10th at 10:45am. Please join us if you can. Grade 5 students should wear white tops and black or dark bottoms. If your child has a guides/Brownies, Cubs or Scouts uniform please encourage them to wear this uniform on Thursday. Donations will be accepted for poppies. There is no school on November 11.

5. Pumpkin Carving

As part of our Halloween celebrations, we will be joined by our buddies in Mrs. Langford’s Grade 2 class for a good old fashioned pumpkin carve next Monday. We will be meeting with them today to make our designs and plans. If you are able, please have your child bring their pumpkin in by this Friday. If you have any pumpkin carving tools that you’re able to send with your child (scoops, pumpkin carving tools, etc.), please make sure they’re labelled so that we can make sure they return home.

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We’re having a great time so far this year and I can already see growth in every single student so thank you for all your work and continuing efforts to support the work we’re doing here at school. I hope you all manage to survive the craziness and shenanigans of Halloween. Who doesn’t love massive hordes of children all jacked up on unending streams of sugar?! Haha in all seriousness, I cant wait to see the students in their costumes this coming Friday.

Sincerely,

Daniel Polsky 

Grade 5 Teacher | Learning Leader
Fish Creek School | cbe.ab.ca
t | 403-777-6400 | twitter @mr_polsky