Reading
We will be continuing to take 2 weeks for each Journey’s lesson. In addition to each story, we will be working in smaller groups to learn individualized skills and strategies.
This weeks Story: Darnell Rock, Reproting!

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Skills: Author’s Purpose, Summarizing
Vocabulary: Greek and Latin Suffixes
Spelling: Lesson 19 Spelling List

Math
This week we will be finishing Chapter 9 – Multiplying and Dividing decimals
Chapter 9 Test: Friday, March 13, 2020

By the end of the chapter, Students will be expected to:
- Multiply decimals
- Multiply decimals by tens, hundreds, and thousands (move the decimal point)
- Divide decimals
- Divide decimals by tens, hundreds, and thousands (move the decimal point)
- Estimate using decimals
- Convert metric units
- Solve real world Problems that involve decimals.
Switching Classes
Here’s what is going on in the Switching subjects:
Science: Taught by Ms. Zuke
- This week students will complete the phases of the moon activity and move on to a gravity mystery. In this Mystery, students discover that gravity exists on all planets and moons, but the amount of gravity is different because it depends on how massive the object is. In the activity, Gravity Jump, students learn about the gravitational pull of the Earth, the Moon, and other places within our Solar System. Students measure how high they can jump on Earth and then calculate how high they would be able to jump on other planets.
Grammar/Spelling: Taught by Mrs. Garza
- In Language Arts students will complete their final drafts of their Snow Globe writing, where they will practicing using a variety of grammar strategies they have learned. We will also we being learning about transitions words.
Social Studies: Taught by Ms. Higgins
- In Social Studies this week, we will be finishing up our Chapter about the the Southern Colonies, and why they were settled. This will conclude our Study of the settlement of the 13 colonies. Look for a study Guide coming home soon!
Fifth Grade Camp
22 days until we leave for 5th grade camp!!!
Health forms are available on the school website (
Click here for the Camp Health Form )Once at this website, you can click on the code for the google doc and fill it out about your students. These health forms will go directly to the camp. Health forms have to be completed before we attend camp.
Please be sure to Fill out the Health Form ASAP!
Information regarding camp was sent home in your child’s Friday folder on March 6, 2020. In case it didn’t make it home, the information is also located on here!
New Card Marking News:
Grading Policy
For our last trimester I will be making some changes to our classroom grading policy. On homework students will only be allowed to do corrections if they did not receive a passing grade, and they will earn half credit back. This is to allow them to revisit the material and hopefully fill in any gaps they might have missed the first time. On tests and quizzes, students who did not receive a passing grade will be expected to do corrections to help them continue to learn the material. However, on tests and quizzes, students will not receive any points back.
These changes are being implemented in hopes to ensure that students are giving their full effort the first time an assignment is completed, and to prepare them for middle school.
Missing Assignments
I am also making changes to our missing assignments policy. I will accept missing assignments up until we have taken the test for the corresponding unit. Once the test and unit has been completed, students will no longer be able to turn those assignments in and will receive a zero. If your child struggles with turning work in on time, please use this trimester to work with them on responsibility.
M-Step Prep
On Friday, students will bring home 10 M-STEP vocabulary words to study at home and an extra credit crossword puzzle. If students complete and return the extra credit crossword puzzle, they will earn 1 extra credit point on the quiz. On Fridays, the students will be quizzed on these words. If your child earns 80% or better on Friday’s quiz, he/she will earn a charm for his/her M-STEP charm necklace.
The purpose of these vocabulary practice quizzes is to expose 5th graders to words and terms that they may see on the M-Step Tests we will take in the Spring.
The next quiz will be on Friday, March 6, 2020!
Week #9 Words to study:
- Phrase: a group of words that have meaning but are not a sentence.
- Event: something that happens
- Example: a sample of something
- Compare: to show similarities and differences
- Contrast: to show differences
- Error: a mistake, something that is not correct
- Timeline: a list of important events arranged in the order in which they happened
- Pre-writing: the first step in the writing process, brainstorming
- Blog: a regularly updated website or webpage
- Central Idea: the point that the author wants you to remember most.
M-Step Homework Packets
Packets will be sent home on Thursdays, and are due the following Thursday. The purpose of this is to help students become familiar with previously taught skills and concepts before taking their end-of the-year assessments.
M-Step Packet #3 is due on Thursday, March 12, 2020
Bingo for Books
Bingo for Books will be on Thursday, March 19, 2020. You MUST register ahead of time to attend!
Reservation forms will be sent home today, Monday, March 9, and are due on/before Friday, March 13, 2020!!!
Parent Connect
Did you know that you can check to see if they are turning in work and view your child’s grades through Parent Connect? It is a great way to check and make sure that when you child tells you they don’t have any homework – they really don’t have any homework! If you need PIN and password, contact Mrs. Cathy Anderson in the school office!
Info on Parent Connect from the district website:
- You must have a PIN and Password to log into Parent-Connection.
- Parent-connection is a web program that allows parents to view information about their child.
- To receive a PIN and passwords for Parent-connection contact your child’s school.
- If you have more than one account to view your children, please contact the school office.
- Make sure to insert your email after logging into Parent-connection. Inserting your email will allow you to access the automated password reminder system
NHS Tutoring – Change of Venue
While the Allen Park Library is under renovation, the NHS will be tutoring at the high school media center!

Lunch Club
A letter came home a few weeks ago, introducing the new “Lunch Club” We as 4th and 5th grade teachers understand that sometimes students will have a lot of homework. We wanted to offer a way to allow students to work on their assignments so that they can enjoy their evenings! Lunch Club is completely optional, but if you know your child has busy evenings, you may want to encourage them to participate! 🙂
This is the letter that was sent home explaining Lunch Club:
This year the fourth and fifth grade teachers will be starting a Lunch Club as an opportunity for students to complete unfinished classwork or homework during lunchtime. We understand that not everyone is able to complete all of their work during the school day, and/or you may have commitments after school as well- this will provide an opportunity for students to finish this work. during the school day. This will be a great opportunity for students who have missing assignments or absent work and want to get caught up. Students who just want extra time to finish work for the day can come as well. Lunch Club is completely optional. If you know ahead of time that a night will be very busy then this would be a great opportunity to help students manage and prioritize their workload.
Starting October 8, 2019, Lunch Club will be offered each week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students will be expected to let their classroom teacher know before lunch that they plan to attend, so that a list can be given to the teacher in charge that day. At lunch time, students will bring their lunch to the hosting classroom and will work while eating their lunch. Coming to Lunch Club is meant to be a positive experience for students who would like more time to work. Students do not have to come every day, and can leave when they have finished their work. If this is something you think would benefit your child, please encourage them to participate.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher.