ROOM 12!

DECEMBER 2012

NEWSLETTER

Students work diligently on their state poster projects during Enrichment.

Students are memorizing all states and capitals and are slowly working their way from the east coast to the west coast of the U.S. In order to help their classmates get a feel for the states, students are adding the state

ower, motto, an interesting fact or two, and a lot of visual interest to their posters. By the end of December the students should be about half-way through memorizing all 50!

HELLO, TRIMESTER 2!

Trimester 1 has come and gone. Report cards went home Friday, November 30th, and students should look forward to a new trimester with renewed enthusiasm. Now is a time to reset priorities, focus on areas needing improvement, and strive to achieve more during the next third of the year. I am condent that

each student will make leaps and bounds as the year continues. Please be sure to carefully look over your childs Trimester 1 grades and goals, and discuss the details with him/her. It is important to reinforce social and academic goals both at home and at school.

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ROOM 12!
Poetry This month we will be studying poetry. We will create our own diamantes, Where Im From poems, haikus and more. Our very rst piece of poetic work, our Where Im From poem, is especially meaningful. This type of poetry is focused on the writer - their families, friends, and histories. Students must reect deeply on meaningful times, important people, and even household items that explain who they are. It is a wonderful way to think back on what is important to us, as well as to help others understand who we really are. This special piece of writing will be proudly displayed throughout the rest of the year in Room 12. Begin to get excited about seeing your childs nished poetry. I think you will be impressed with their creativity and artistic talent. It is especially helpful to share enthusiasm for poetry with your child if you have a special fondness for it. Generating enthusiasm at home will greatly increase your childs interest in this wonderful type of writing. Moving from Algebra into Fractions Students are working intensely with fractions this month. They are manipulating numbers by multiplying and dividing fractions. Our fraction work will involve using fraction tiles, creating visuals from word problems, and even playing some competitive fraction games with partners. Please be sure to remind your child to take work from the Math Enrichment bin if they need more practice or challenges. holiday party. Students will rotate through stations themed around the winter holiday. Students will come away with beautiful artwork and fun crafts to decorate their homes over winter vacation. Hopefully the students are looking forward to working with all of the fth grade teachers and parent chaperones. School Hours Policy Due to some confusion, here is Garden Gates before and after school policy. Students are to be dropped off between 7:45 and 8:00. Students at school before the 7:45 bell must wait at the front of the school. After the bell has rung, students may drop off their backpacks near their classroom doors and should immediately head to the playground. There is to be no lingering in the hallways as there is no adult supervision there. After school, students should leave campus immediately. Teachers have noticed that students have been lingering on campus after the 2:35 bell, usually to play games, so please remind your child of these rules. POM The Problem of the Month problem-solving work is quite challenging but often quite fun!

DECEMBER 2012

December Calendar
13 - Divyas Birthday! 14 - Srikars Birthday! 15 - Sonalis Birthday! 23 - Keiths Birthday! 22- Jan 6: Winter Vacation!

Students work through a series of math problems - all related, but increasingly difcult. When they have completed as many as they can, they create a poster to explain the solution. Often, this involves multiple problem-solving methods. Its amazing how many different ways there are to solve a problem! Please ask your child about the November Winter Celebration Squirreling it Away problem and We have a special Grade 5 d a y i n s t o r e f o r D e c e m b e r. Gallery Walk!
December 21st will be the Grade 5

Our P.O.M. Gallery Walk

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