Nerd Attack!

April 26-30

This week is Spirit Week!

Math: We will be covering volume, ratios, graphs, percents, and algebra. Students will have math homework every night. We will review chapters 5 and 6 in order to prepare for end of year testing. Students who do not receive a 70% or higher on in class assessments will be given reinforcement pages to complete at home for rewards.

Writing: We are continuing our narrative stories

Language: Students have spelling this week and will complete 3 spelling pages. The spelling and vocabulary tests are this Friday. The vocabulary words are as follows:

blockade: the closing off of a city or other area

Dixie: slang term for the Confederacy

artillery: large weapons such as cannon and mortars

emancipation: the formal release of slaves

rations: military term for food

border state: slave-owning states that did not secede from the Union

dysentery: an often fatal disease of the human intestines

greenback: paper money used during the Civil War in the North

recruit: a soldier who has just signed up to be a soldier and has no battle experience

ironclad: a ship covered with iron plates

Social Studies: We are talking about the end of the Civil War. Students will be studying questions in order to play a Jeopardy game this Thursday. They will also be participating in a "Boot Camp" for their individual armies on Thursday so they should come dressed to work hard:)

A reminder to please not plan any vacations for the next few weeks because we are reviewing and testing.

April 19-23

Math: This week there will be math homework every day but Monday. We will be covering area of triangles, solid figures, views of solid figures, and surface area. We will also be reviewing chapters 4 and 5 for the end of the year tests. If your students score less than 70% on the chapter review tests, they will bring home a reinforcement page to complete with an adult. These pages are not part of their grade but will be help them understand crucial concepts.

Writing: We are finishing our Civil War lanterns and will begin writing narrative stories.

Reading: I will be doing Fontas and Pinnell testing this week for the last time this year. Students will receive their final reading level.

There is spelling and vocabulary this week!

Social Studies: We are studying the Civil War 1862 this week. Students will be studying questions in order to play a Jeopardy game this Thursday.

April 12-16

Math: We are finishing chapter 8 tomorrow and will not be taking a unit test. On Wednesday we start learning parts of chapter 9. We are also reviewing all math units during some afternoons. Students who do not pass review tests with a score above 70% will be given reinforcement pages to do at home. These pages are not a part of their grade, but will help them do well on the end of the year tests. Students will receive a reward for completing them.

Writing: We are writing a short narrative from the perspective of a runaway slave on the underground railroad. We will also be reviewing how to include dialog, comma placement etc...

Reading: This Wednesday we are taking the final SRI reading comprehension test in the computer lab.

Spelling and Vocabulary: Students do have a spelling and vocabulary test this Friday. The vocabulary words are as follows:

abolitionist: someone who is against slavery

liberate: to set free

secede: to pull out of the Union

regiment: a group of soldiers

Confederacy: the southern states that wanted to secede from the Union

Rebel: a soldier who fought for the South

Yankee: a person who fought for, or lived in the North

Union: the states that wanted to keep the country together (the North)

Social Studies: We are beginning a unit on the Civil War. Students will be memorizing some questions each week for the next month in order to play a Jeopardy game each Thursday. This week their questions focus on the first year of the war, 1861. Students are divided into the North and the South. In the next few weeks they will be competing against each other in various games and activities. The team with the most points at the end of the unit will win the war! Students can gain points for their team individually by turning in their homework and following class rules.

Wednesday is Store! Students can team up with other 5th graders or can bring things to sell individually. Students should not spend more then $5 each on items to bring and sell. This activity will be taking place from 1:45-3:10 in the activity room. They can bring a blanket to place their items on. Students will be buying and selling items with fake money they have earned in class.