LAKER NEWS
October 2019 5th and 6th Grade Newsletter
Upcoming events in October
9th: 2 Hour Early Release
10th and 11th: No School- Fair Days23rd: 2 Hour Early Release
25th: End of 1st Grading Period -- Report Cards Home Nov. 1st
MATH
5TH MATH
In Grade 5, students expand their range of arithmetic concepts and skills to include greater multi-digit whole numbers, as well as decimals to the hundredths place. In Chapter 2, students solve division problems with dividends up to 4 digits and divisors up to 2 digits. They also model division problems with base-ten blocks and bar models. They use estimation, partial quotients, and the standard division algorithm to solve problems. Students also learn to interpret the remainder depending on the context of a real-world problem, and in appropriate situations, write it as a fraction. In a later chapter, students will learn to divide with decimals using the standard algorithm.
(5.NBT.B.6, 5.NF.B.3, )
6TH MATH
The major work in Grade 6 includes applying and extending previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers. In Chapter 3, students work toward an understanding of the complete rational number system. Comparison of values, location on a number line, and coordinates in a two-dimensional plane are all extended to include negative numbers. Students also extend their understanding of number sorting, comparison, and conversion to include any rational numbers.
(6.NS.C.5, 6.NS.C.6a, 6.NS.C.6b, 6.NS.C.6c, 6.NS.C.7a, 6.NS.C.7b, 6.NS.C.7c, 6.NS.C.7d, 6.NS.C.8)
Science
5th Grade
(5.LS.1-3)
6th Grade
Sixth graders will return to science on October 28th. We will continue our Earth studies with rocks and soil. Be prepared to get your hands a little dirty!
(6.ESS.2-5)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
5th GRADE ELA
One of our biggest goals this year is writing in response to text. The students are working on Daily RACE questions every other week. They respond to information text by answering with the formula of R-A-C-E.
R- Restate the question
A- Answer the question
C- Cite textual evidence to support
E- Explain your answer further , in you own words.
The kids will also be peer editing their writing to get a different perspective on the rubric for RACE writing.
Writing- Our first lengthy writing will be a narrative on a Halloween experience. We will construct the narrative using proper plot sequence. Once we have worked on it a bit, we will place it in our new writing program from Pearson, called “Write to Learn. This program automatically helps students edit their writing to improve in conventions, sentence fluency, and structure.
This month, students will be introduced to new vocabulary using Greek and Latin root words. Our kids are placing the new words in their interactive notebook for future reference when using close reading skills to read informational and fictional passages .
6th GRADE ELA
The sixth grade students have been reviewing the components of the RACE writing response. Since this is the second year they have been using this formula for writing, they are working on giving more in their responses. This includes using higher vocabulary and complex sentence structure.
When reading nonfiction passages or articles, our sixth graders are learning to scan the documents for the author's perspective. They not only learn how the author feels about their topic, but use evidence from the text to support their answer.
This quarter’s writing includes plot sequence and narrative essays. We are using a new writing program that allows students to “tune in” to their grammatical errors, and sentence structure problems. This program gives instant feedback on ways to improve their writing.
Coming up: Persuasive essay writing.
Literature: Theme. Analogies. Text Structure
Social Studies
6th Grade
The 6th Graders have been focusing their study on the different types of governments and will be culminating the unit with a very hands on activity using gummy bears. They will create a Google Slide Presentation of the characteristics of each of the given governments, and include a picture of the scene they created using the gummy bears. I have added an example of one below, from last year. The students always seem to enjoy using their creative instincts to represent the governments, in this activity.
For the rest of the time that I have the 6th Graders we will be reviewing their Geography standard. This is all a review from last year and I plan to incorporate more study skills into this unit as students still seem to be struggling with how-to study. Their interactive notebook is full of the information that they need to be studying to ensure they are successful during this unit.