Week 23 - February 29 - March 4

Camp is coming! March 9 is the morning that we will be leaving for camp. You should have received a reminder email with information about what the students need. Please be sure that your child packs accordingly. It's difficult to keep up with this Michigan weather! I will send another packing list home for everyone.

March - National Reading Month - The school Read-A-Thon has kicked off! You should have received a packet for this including reading raffle tickets. The upper elementary students can fill out a ticket for every 1/2 hour that is read. Please be sure that they are clearly filling out the ticket. There is an email that you will receive (or have received) that has an adjustment for fifth grade only due to our trip to camp.

Math - Students should continue to work on Xtramath or Khan Academy for practice. The students all know how to log on to Khan Academy through their Gmail and choose the appropriate level.

Please be sure to check Important Dates tab for new information.

Week 22 - February 22 - 26

Science - Science Fair is coming this week. Projects are due in school Thursday morning. Students can bring them in to the classroom earlier in the week if they are finished. This will give them an opportunity to present them to one another before setting them up for the school. I have been helping students who have asked for help and can continue to do that this week. Your child needs to come to me if he or she needs help finishing up the project.

Math - We will be continuing Unit 5 this week and next. We should be taking the end of unit assessment by the end of next week. In the next few weeks the fifth grade teachers will be doing intense work with the students on fraction word problems. The students have all taken a pre-assessment for their placement. It will be once a week for approximately 5 weeks. This is in addition to the regular math. We find that focusing on this with the students for a period of time helps them be more successful in this area which will help them in middle school.

Reading - We will be doing reading assessments in the next few weeks. Your child's reading teacher may have them complete a reading assessment to see the growth that has been made so far this year. We look forward to seeing the progress that the students have made and plan for the rest of the year. Please be sure that your child is reading every night. Even if you have not read the book, you can talk to your child about the book they are reading and ask questions. The following are some questions you can ask your child. *Look for Read-A-Thon information to come home this week.

Before your child reads a book, ask:

• Why did you select this book?
• What makes you think this book is going to be interesting?
• What do you think the book is going to be about?
• Does this book remind you of anything you've already read or seen?
• What kind of characters do you think will be in the book?
• What do you think is going to happen?

While your child is reading a book, try asking:

• Will you catch me up on the story? What's happened so far?
• What do you think will happen next?
• If you were that character, what would you have done differently in that situation?
• If the book was a TV show, which actors would you cast in it?
• Where is the book set?
• If the main character in that story lived next door, would you guys be friends?
• What does the place look like in your head as you read? Would you want to visit there?
• Did you learn any new words or facts so far?

After your child has finished a book, ask questions like:

• What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
• Who was your favorite character? Why?
• What was the most interesting thing you learned from the book?
• Why do you think the author wrote this book?
• Would you have ended the book differently? Did it end the way you thought it would?
• Did the problem of the book's plot get solved?
• If you could change one thing in the book, what would you change?

Week 21 - February 8 - 12

Count Day - Wednesday, February 10

Science - We are still looking for empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Thank you for the donations so far.

Math - Students are working on adding and subtracting mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators. Some students are having a bit of difficulty with this. I may have your child stay in with me for extra study time once or twice a week this month to support him or her in this area.

Valentine's Day- Students will have an opportunity to exchange Valentines (if they choose to) and enjoy a small treat Friday afternoon.

Mid Winter Break begins Monday, February 15
Please be sure your child continues to read and practice math during this time away from school.

Technology Night coming to Pattengill - Look for more information on this coming soon. Come learn about the use of technology in our school.