5th Grade October Newsletter

Fall is a gorgeous time here in Steamboat, and just as it represents change in the seasons, it also represents change in our amazing 5^th grade students!  We are all settled in, and as the year’s journey continues, the students are stretching their independent learning skills, exploring new friendships, and learning to be leaders in the school and buddies to the 1^st grade. 

                    The 5^th grade classes have now met their 1^st grade buddies and will get the chance to spend another day with them in October at Stagecoach wetlands.  The purpose of having “study buddies” is to foster responsibility, school community, and shared learning about the Yampa River ecology.  We will spend time throughout the year doing projects with our buddy class around these concepts. 

October will bring some change in our curriculum.  We will complete our formal ecology study and engage in understanding US geography.  All students are responsible for knowing all 50 states as well as the major land forms of the US.  We will use our knowledge of ecosystems to study each region, and the students will create a project that demonstrates their learning.  We will also spend time exploring genetics and evolution as a way to understand how the biotic (living) species in our ecosystems have adapted and changed over time. 

Band is now underway with over 70 students!  They are all very excited to learn how to play their instruments and be a part of this musical creativity.  We encourage each family to establish a system to help the students remember their instrument each band day and to practice playing at home. Band is on Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Friday (just to make it additionally challenging) from 2:20-3:05.   

Our classroom routines and behavior expectations are now established.  All students are responsible for knowing the classroom expectations and their weekly homework.  They need to ask for help before it is due, and do their best (neat handwriting, writing conventions, labeling math answers, etc).  Please remember that each student is responsible for reading daily at home. 

Enjoy October and all the changes in our ecosystems!

The fifth graders are off and running into this great new school year.  We have been building the systems and structures within our classrooms to provide all students a safe environment in which they can take academic risks and achieve personal goals.  Teambuilding has played a major part in building these structures into 5^th grade.  We have been learning the importance of trust and support from both classmates and teachers. 

Our literacy learning began with oral story telling brought to life through performance skits.  Connecting our oral language with the written language, we are now working on writing personal narratives. Our keyboarding is just beginning, so many of our written pieces will be typed this year.

As the third week of school is underway, we have been diving into all content areas.  Curiosity has led us into the study of our natural environment and the geography of the United States.  We will be studying our  country through the eyes of geographers and ecologist. All fifth grades are Yampa Valley ecology study buddies with the first graders here at Soda Creek.  We will be using our newly gained knowledge of ecology to guide the learning of our study buddies.  In mathematics, we have practiced basic facts, which we will continue to do throughout the year, and are now constructing knowledge of  prime, composite and square numbers.

  In addition, fifth graders were introduced to all the instruments in the school band.   Listen around the commons area as the students begin to play an instrument of choice.  Band instrument rental night will be held on Monday, September 14, 2009.  Mr. Lewis will be sending home a letter with more detailed information soon.

The fifth graders are excited to be the role models of school and are looking forward to a great year. We hope to see you all at Back to School Night here at Soda Creek on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

As this is written, snow is falling, covering the green lawns and hiding the glacier lilies. Ash, springtime in the Rockies. This is the time of year when fifth graders’ thoughts turn to middle school. This transition from elementary school to middle school marks a significant milestone in students’ lives. Accordingly, several events are planned for May to support students and their parents as they begin planning for middle school. For specific dates, see the handout provided at conferences, check students’ planners, or call Marsha or Tammy at the office.

However much middle school is anticipated, several weeks of elementary school remain! During this time, fifth graders will review the math they have learned, and will apply it to solve non-routine problems. Only a small handful of units remain in our reading program, which allows students to spend more time reading about the areas of focus in science and social studies, including weather and climate, colonization and the American Revolutionary War.

With the warmer weather, fifth graders will be getting out of the building for a number of events this spring, including a visit to the Strings Music Pavilion, a watershed walk with Karen Vail, and an end-of-the-year celebration at the Glenwood Caverns and Hot Springs. As this group of students has been especially wonderful to work with, it is a celebration that is much deserved!

Important Dates:

All Fifth Grade-

            Authors Visit, SCE Library: Friday, May 14^th  1:45- 2:30

            Auditions for Talent Show: Tuesday May 19^th 12-3

            Band Concert, MS, Wednesday, May 20^th  6 p.m.

Fifth Grade Writing Celebration, SCE, Friday, May 22^nd 11-12

            Jazz Performance, SCE:  Tuesday, May 26^th 6:30 p.m

            End of the Year Celebration, Glenwood Springs: Either Wednesday May 27^th or   Wednesday  June 3^rd-

            Talent Show, SCE: June 5^th 9-11

Lang’s Class-

            Watershed Walk: Friday, May 8^th 1:20-2:20

            Middle School visit with Lunch: Tuesday, May 12^th 10-12:30

            Stream Table Demonstration, District Office: Wednesday, May 13^th 1:30-2:15

            Strings Music Pavilion: Thursday, May 14^th, 10-12

Watershed Walk: Friday, May 8^th 11:30-12:30

Middle School visit with Lunch: Wednesday, May 13^th 10-12:30

Stream Table Demonstration: Wednesday, May 13^th 12:30-1:15

Strings Music Pavilion: Friday, May 15, 9:30-11:00

Spanish Fiesta, La Cantina: TBA