Fifth-grade Newsletter
Friday, April 18, 2008
Dear Parents,
April is a busy month. Please look below to see the dates and times for the Evening of the Arts events. In middle school, conferences are held by request in the spring. Please contact your daughter's advisor if you are interested in a meeting.
Fondly,
The fifth-grade team
Social Studies
Mrs. Mary Ellen McQueen
Please check out the link below to read the student-created newspaper, "Egypt Times." The girls have begun their exploration of ancient Greece. During class the girls are reading about the language, philosophy, religion, human-environment interactions, recreation/education of the ancient Greeks. In partner groups, the girls are writing a basic compare and contrast essay on Egypt and Greece. The girls will also hold a class debate between Sparta and Athens. Lastly, the girls will take a map test on Europe and a Chapter test on Greece.
Language Arts
Mrs. Mary Ellen McQueen
Writers' Workshop
Mrs. Mary Ellen McQueen
The girls are getting ready for their visit from the class of 1958. They just sent a post card reminding their pen pal about the upcoming Jane Lanthrop Society Ceremony on Friday, May 16. The girls are also writing expository essays. In class, they will start a compare and contrast essay on ancient Egypt and ancient Greece. The girls have also been asked to write two expository essays for their Quick-Write assignments. Another main focus has been on writing summaries; we have discussed the appropriate length and the difference between themes and details in a book summary.
Grammar/Spelling
Mrs. Mary Ellen McQueen
The girls have been reviewing semicolons and colons and compound and complex sentences. *Your daughter should be self-editing her Quick Writes with her individualized checklist. The Quick-Write should be five paragraphs, and it should include 10 spelling words. In addition, I have asked several girls to start a spelling journal; the goal of the journal is to hold the girls responsible for their errors in spelling and mark the frequency of their errors. If you notice that your daughter is spelling several of the words below incorrectly, it is important to have a conversation about her editing process (becoming a self-editor is crucial at this stage in her school career). I strongly believe that each student will be a successful speller and writer if she is encouraged to self-edit her own papers.
to
too
two
their
there
they're
your
you're
blue
blew
through
threw
write
right
here
hear
it's
its
which
witch
a lot
where
were
Literature Circles
Mrs. Mary Ellen McQueen
The girls just finished reading their self-selected book from the book talks with Mrs.Audrey Koester. The culmination and assessment of this assignment was to create a summary and a book float or main idea bag. The girls presented their projects and summary in front of the class. They are currently reading and discussing Egypt Game.
Math
Miss Jennifer Pierce
During the first half of this trimester, math 5 has completed a unit on ratios, proportions, and percents. We used ratios and proportions in problem solving and real-life situations. The girls also learned how to calculate sale prices and discounts with percents. Next, we began our unit on geometry, focusing on vocabulary and understanding the new terms prior to doing calculations. The girls learned new ways to express the definitions of well-known shapes by using higher-level vocabulary. This is a challenge for them, but the class as a whole is determined to succeed at this familiar topic. At the mid-point of this trimester we will complete our geometry unit and move on to new material.
French
Miss Josephine Tracey
Please see Miss Tracey's web site
Spanish
Mrs. Veronica Windle
Please see Mrs.Windle's web site
Science
Miss Sarah O'Connor
Please see Miss O'Connor's web site
EVENING OF THE ARTS
DANCE, CHORUS AND BAND
Ms. Ann Morris
The Middle School Evening of the Arts
is fast approaching. On Thursday May 1, the Art Show begins at 6pm and the MS
Dance performance at 7pm. The girls
have been working hard on their dances and look forward to sharing them with
you. They will wear their dance uniforms of black leotards and black dance
pants for their costume. The students will be provided with a colored shirt
as well. This is a required performance and the culmination of the fifth-grade
dance experience. Please be here by 6:30 at the latest. Thank-you in advance
for your cooperation.
Ms. Kristin Witham
The middle and upper school Spring
Concert will be held on Tuesday,April 29th at 7:00 pm in the Silipigno Athletic
Facility Gymnasium. The
girls should be in their seat no later than 6:30 for warm-up. Concert dress
for the program is black skirt or pants and white blouse or
sweater. This is a required performance. The girls have been working very hard
to prepare a wonderful concert. We hope to see you there!
Parent Volunteer List Below
October
Halloween Bash Wednesday, October 31 2-2:30
Treat 1: Hart
Treat 2: Rutnik
Drink 1: Wei
Drink 2: Carney
Goodie Bags (17): DePan
Paper products: Di Bari
Utensils: Sultan
Field Trip to Five Rivers
Possibly moved to Spring
Wei
Breiner
Carney
Daly
Di Bari
November
Fifth-grade Birthday Bash Thursday, November 15 2-2:30
One Birthday cake with all of the girls' names: Cassidy
Drink 1: Stockman
Drink 2: Carney
Paper products: Ramage
Utensils: Sultan
NYC Field Trip
Date TBA
December
Holiday Bash Thursday, December 20 2-2:30
Treat 1: De Pan
Treat 2: Sultan
Drink 1: Carney
Drink 2: Bischoff
Goodie Bags (17): Rutnik
Paper products: Bischoff
Utensils: Cassidy
Holiday Traditions
December 17 8:15-8:45 Buley
December 18 8:15-8:45 Sultan
December 19 8:15-8:45 Silverman
January
Field Trip to Times Union
Date TBA
Wei
Breiner
De Pan
Stockman
Di Bari
February
Valentine's Day Bash Thursday, February 14 2-2:30
Treat 1: Stockman
Treat 2: Wei
Drink 1: Rutnik
Drink 2: Cassidy
Goodie Bags (17): Di Bari
Paper products: Carney
Utensils:
June
End-of-the-year Bash Tuesday, June 3 2-2:30
Treat 1: Sultan
Treat 2: Silverman
Drink 1: Stockman
Drink 2: Cassidy
Paper products: Daly
Utensils: Saitia