The 5 Grade Gazette

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(A 5 grade Monthly Newsletter)

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August 23, 2011

Thank you for a GREAT start to the 2011-2012 school year! We are getting to know each other very well and our days have been filled with fun activities.

Be sure to check out our blogs to find out the most current information, as The 5th Grade Gazette will be sent home MONTHLY to conserve paper and ink. Centennials 5th grade blog: http://5thgradecaa.blogspot.com Ms. Dodds blog: http://adventureswithmissdodd.blogspot.com Ms. Humphreys blog: http://fifthgradewithmshumphrey.blogspot.com Mrs. Kennedys website: http://mrskennedysclass.com Mrs. Mays blog: http://mrsmaysclass.wordpress.com Mrs. Thompsons website: http://mrsthompsonteaches.com Mrs. Weisers blog: http://mrsweisersclass.blogspot.com You may also want to check out the following websites on a regular basis:
Gainesville City School System www.gcssk12.net Study Island www.studyisland.com EDMODO www.edmodo.com

TRANSPORTATION-All transportation changes must be made in writing. Please do not call the school on the phone for a change in transportation. If a child does not have a note, we will follow the usual mode of transportation. Please do not come to the classroom to pick your child up; you should check your child out from the office.

Brusters Italian Ice Fundraiserthis month Blue

Raspberry is the flavor. The cost is $2, and it is due on August 24th. Please send CASH ONLY; we are NOT allowed to take CHECKS. Brusters Italian Ice will be delivered on Friday, August 26th. UPCOMING EVENTS: 9/1/11 Skate Country, 6pm-8pm 9/2/11 Chick-Fil-A Biscuit Sale 9/5/11 NO SCHOOLLabor Day 9/6/11 Progress Reports 9/22/11 General PTA Meeting: Open House If you would like to schedule a conference with us, please call our school Parent Coordinator, Ari Guzman (770) 287-2044. We would be happy to meet with you.

The 5 Grade Gazette

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(A 5 grade Monthly Newsletter) Science We will be learning about constructive and destructive forces. This will include discussions and activities on earthquakes and volcanoes. Grading This year we are continuing with Standards Based grading. That means that your child's work will have a 1, 2, 3, or 4 on it. If an assignment has a 1 or 2, that means that the work does not meet the standards and expectations, and the student needs further instruction or assistance to show mastery. A 3 indicates the child has meet the standards, and a 4 means that the work exceeds the standards and expectations of the teacher. There will be more information on our system-wide elementary grading policy to come. Not all of your child's work will be coming home; some of this work will remain at school and be kept as evidence of meeting standards. Again, thank you for such a GREAT start to our 2011-2012 school year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 770-287-2044, or send us an e-mail at: Ms. Dodd ashley.dodd@gcssk12.net Ms. Humphrey erika.humphrey@gcssk12.net Mrs. Kennedy kelly.kennedy@gcssk12.net Mrs. May linda.may@gcssk12.net Mrs. Thompson dallas.thompson@gcssk12.net Mrs. Weiser heather.weiser@gcssk12.net

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August 23, 2011

Reading We will be encouraging children to read fiction books. Last week all students visited the media center and discussed the books on the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl list for this year; be sure to check them out. Check the 5th grade website for a list of Reading Bowl books. Students will have reading homework each night. We are asking them to read at least 30 minutes per night. Language Arts/Writing We will be learning about how to write good sentences. In writing, we will be writing narratives. Students will write at least one story per week. Social Studies We will be discussing citizenship, and then heading into discussions about the Civil War. Math It would be helpful for students to practice their math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) on a daily basis. This can be done by making flash cards. Keep the flash cards in the car and they can practice them while you are driving. It is also a great thing to do right before bedtime. Practice about 3-5 new facts per night; that way they will be memorized quickly. Please continue to practice place value. We will continue to learn about decimals; we will be adding/subtracting as well as multiplying/dividing with decimals.