November 2009

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

It is hard to believe that the first quarter has come and gone, and your children have made it through with flying colors!    

I want to take this opportunity to express how much I enjoyed getting to meet each of you during parent-teacher conference week.  Please know that my door is always open should you have questions or concerns which arise during the school year.  

On November 25, 2009, St. Joseph School will be holding its annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Feast.  Fifth Grade students are asked to bring one package of turkey hot dogs (8 pack) on that date. In addition, we are asking that each of you assist the greater St. Joseph Parish Community by collecting food items for the Thanksgiving Food Drive.  The 5th grade class has been asked to bring in boxes of stuffing.  We are also encouraging each child to donate $1.00 from his/her own money to help purchase turkeys and other perishable items.  Thanksgiving Food Drive donations are due this Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.  I know we can count on the generosity of this amazing 5th grade class.  

In Social Studies, the 5th grade has completed their study of the “Earliest Americans” and have commenced our study of “Early European Exploration”.   As part of this unit, the children will learn the names, routes and achievements of early explorers such as Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Juan Ponce de Leon, Henry Hudson, etc.  In addition, they will be participating in the “Discovery” simulation where they will explore uncharted territories facing difficult travels, hunger, illness, and the challenge of establishing a new territory and settlement.   Discovery allows students to live and breathe the early American colonial experience.  Your children become colonists - thinking as colonists, suffering as colonists, and, hopefully, succeeding and prospering as colonists.   During the first phase of this program, your children work together to acquire the skills and knowledge that is required to become a successful colonist.  They learn to read maps, develop an understanding of geography and its importance, examine reasons for exploration and colonization, and study flags and their meaning.  As phase two begins, the students trade points they have earned for supplies and set sail for the New World.  Upon their arrival in the New World, your children select land for their new colony, decide what work needs to be done (fishing, farming and hunting) and divide the labor.  They also trade with Native Americans or other colonies and defend their colonies from attack.  

The Newbery Honor Book Reports are due on January 6, 2010.  The format for this report has been distributed and discussed at length with your children.  

Heritage Reports began on November 2, 2009.  Each child has drawn a presentation date.  As we will be entering the busy Holiday Season, please encourage your children to get an early start on their reports!  

I have also introduced a program into the 5th Grade curriculum which is called Power Speaking for Kids.  The goal of this program is to teach your children to speak confidently in front of groups.  Your children learn tools for making effective presentations as well as how to be receptive listeners.  I am already seeing your children grow in confidence, poise, style and self-expression.

I am including with this letter a homework survey for the first quarter.  Please take some time to complete this survey as a family and return it with your child to the classroom.  Please feel free to call or stop by should you have any questions or concerns.

Best regards for a Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! 

Ms. Deborah Miller