This would be a good time to go over the addition and subtraction facts with your child. Many students tend to forget these over the summer. Students should know them well enough not to have to count on their fingers to get the answer. Flash card practice is very helpful.
We begin our study of geology in science class and geography in social studies class. The skills learned in the geography lessons will carry over throughout the year in social studies.
We should be covering the topic of
money sometime this month. Now is a good time to strengthen your
child's money skills by working on the concepts when going to the store.
Having your child count out the money themselves as they give it to the
cashier is good practice, as well as counting their change to make sure
they got the correct amount back. Estimating whether or not they
have enough money to buy what they want before they even get to the counter
is another good skill to practice!
In social studies we will begin to
study government. With the upcoming elections, this is a great time
to discuss the political system with your child.
As you prepare for the holidays coming
up, have your child read recipes to you, and practice their measurement
skills as they help you in the kitchen. Doubling or halving a recipe
together is another good practice of math skills.
Students should have the basic addition
and subtraction facts from second grade mastered by now and should work
to brush up on their basic multiplication facts they were to master last
year in third grade. It may be helpful for students who need a lot
of review to take one group of facts at a time. Work on that group
until s/he has it mastered, then move to the next group. (But don't
forget to keep reviewing the previous sets!)
Continue reading and practicing with recipes over the holidays. This is a good month to talk with your child about service to others in the community.
This month we begin research reports. Students can always work on them if we have a snow day. You will receive a timeline for you and your child to follow as we go through the writing process. These projects are long range ones that will require a significant amount of work outside the classroom.
Multiplication facts should be mastered
by now. Continue to work on these if they have not been mastered.
In language arts, our unit of study is poetry for this month. Ask
your child to read aloud some of their poems they are creating!
This month students will be taking
the Ohio Fourth-Grade Proficiency Tests. These tests will take an
entire morning, every morning for the whole week. We will take one
test a day, so please do not make any plans for the mornings during that
week of testing. The dates for the test are usually around our spring
break. Look over the section in this booklet and watch for notices
coming home with your child concerning the dates for these tests!
This month we will be busy authoring
our own books. It is a long process that students generally enjoy
going through. Their final product can be a great one if they put
their effort into it. Ask your child how they are doing!
Some students begin to "shut down"
as the weather begins to get nicer. Help them to keep on track with
any review they may need and by asking them about their studies.
The spring Music/Art Program will be coming up soon. Ask them to
sing the songs they will be performing. Continue to look over the
assignment book about any special activities coming up!
Don't give up yet! Key concepts
are still being covered. Many school-wide, grade level, and classroom
activities are going on! Stay focused on academics, go over papers
together that come home, and look over the assignment book about any special
activities coming up!
We will be going over the 50 states,
and students will be expected to spell them correctly on a couple spelling
tests at the end of the year. They will also be given a state identification
test at the end of May. One special activity is our Author's Party
which parents are invited to attend. Keep an eye out in the newsletter
for the date and time!
Have a great summer, but keep on learning!
Trips to the library for reading, making change at the store, practicing
math and reading skills when making recipes, writing letters to relatives
and friends, and reading maps during vacation travels are excellent activities!
Remember to review those multiplication facts over the summer to make your
math time easier and more fun in fifth grade!
Look for a packet to come home with
tons of ideas you and your child can do together! Have a great break!
