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October 6, 2006
DEAR
FAMILIES,
Important
Dates:
- October 11th & 12th
– Parent Teacher Conferences (Students too)
- October 13th & 16th
– No School for students
- October 31st – ½ Day
Halloween Parade and Parties (Please see Arapahoe Ridge Newsletter for
additional information on costume guidelines.)
Conferences:
This
week I sent out confirmation of your studentÕs conference appointment. The conference time should also be
noted in your childÕs student planner. If you have any questions please call me or email me.
Progress
Reports:
Progress Reports will be sent home on
Monday. The grades are based
on a studentÕs performance so far this semester. If you have questions about the report please call,
email, or bring the report to conferences next week. The grades are given in
percentages, but you can use the grading scale to determine the letter
grade.
Homework:
Fifth
grade students have homework every night. They should spend about 50 minutes
a night on homework and study.
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Students should
spend about 30 minutes or more reading each night, or a total of 3 to 4
hours per week.
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Common Knowledge
is a page of 12 general knowledge questions. Students may use reference books, internet, and parents
as sources. I expect all
answers to be in complete sentences, with correct spelling, capitalization,
and punctuation. This is sent home Monday and due on Friday.
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Math ÒStudy LinksÓ
homework is sent two to three times a week and is due the next day. On nights I do not send home Òstudy
linksÓ students should practice math facts. In the Math Parent Reference there are also ideas for
home extensions of the current math unit.
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When there is
going to be a unit test I send a study guide home to help students prepare
for the test.
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Spelling words are
written in their planners and the test is on Friday. They should study a few minutes
each night.
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If work has not
been completed in class, I expect students to take the work home to
complete.
Reading:
The
class is reading realistic fiction and learning more about responding to
reading on different levels – inferential, literal, and
critical. Reading
instruction includes the class reading, responding, and discussing the same
book, article or passage, and reading groups where strategies are practiced
in small groups.
Independent
reading of Òjust rightÓ books is another important component of reading
instruction. During
Independent Reading students read books of their choice and conference with
me about the books.
Also
Home Reading is important. A
letter and reading log went home this week detailing the home reading
requirements.
Writing:
The
students have completed writing projects on responsibility, the respect
trait for the month, and descriptive autumn paragraphs. Also we are studying poetry through
reading and sharing poems as well as writing poems. Look for the autumn poems we wrote
with our first grade buddies on a downstairs bulletin board when you come
for conferences. The writing instruction focus has been on expected fifth
grade conventions for the first trimester, word choice, and sensory
details.
Following is a list of 1st
trimester writing convention expectations.
Indent
paragraphs
Use
readable handwriting
Use capital letters -
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At the beginning of each sentence
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The word ÒIÓ
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For proper names
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Titles
Correctly
spell all high frequency words.
Use
punctuation at the end of sentences.
Use
proper grammar.
Math:
Unit one, on number theory, has been completed
and I will have the grades to share with you at conferences. We are into the next unit on
Estimation and Computation.
Because
of the difficulty level of fifth grade math, it is very important for
students to know their multiplication and division facts. The standard is
100 problems in 5 minutes. On
nights when there is not a math assignment, students should spend some time
practicing their basic facts.
Social
Studies/Science:
We
have completed a unit on the Constitution and are working on mapping
concepts. When the mapping
unit is complete we will begin working on science. We will learn about the
scientific process and then will start a unit on magnetism and electricity.
Please feel free to
contact me with concerns or questions:
Phone: 720-972-5740
Email: susan.voorhees@adams12.org
Sincerely,
Susan Voorhees
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