Ms. Caroline Frey Mrs. Cheryl Rossi

Mr. Robert Creamer

WELCOME TO FIFTH GRADE

ROOM SIX

Mathematics~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Students are now exposed to a Math Block, which takes up most of the morning. During this time students work on problem solving, computation, and Investigations.

Lessons take on many faces and are presented in a variety of ways. At times students will work together in groups and investigate a problem with each other. There are also teacher directed lessons, which is probably the way most of you were taught. Still other activities ask students to play games in order to further their understandings.

Students will be assessed in all aspects of mathematics with equal emphasis. It is just as important to be able to look at a problem and figure out where to go with it as it is to understand a concept or have the ability to do computation in order to problem solve. It is my goal to provide your child with a well-rounded mathematics education.

Homework: Your child will have math homework almost every evening. This work should not consume more than twenty minutes of his/her time. Homework is meant as further practice and is given in areas that we have been over in class. If your child receives a poor grade on homework they have the opportunity to redo it and hand it in again. I will change their grade accordingly. I want students to succeed and will do all that I can to help them so please encourage them to keep trying. It is after all through our mistakes that we learn.

Reading~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reading takes place on many different levels and covers a wide range of genres including non-fiction, of which science and social studies are apart. They have become more than just content areas they also offer students the ability to become more proficient readers of non-fiction. They learn how to better read for main ideas and how to out line and take notes so that they can better study for tests and quizzes. They are asked to read for enjoyment during silent sustained reading and they explore books together during literature circles. I also read to them and we investigate topics together that they may need a bit more guidance with. We also write letters to each other about what we are reading at home. During all of these activities we are seeking a better understanding of what we read and what the author’s purpose might be we also need to make our own connections so that we can internalize our thoughts and make sense of what we read. Discussions and writing are integral parts of the Language Arts Block. Book reports are also important in that they help students explore a variety of genres and then writs about them in unusual ways. Each report focuses on a different aspect of both reading and writing. These reports are also meant to help students organize their time by working on a project over several weeks.

Writing~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Learning how to express ourselves in a variety of ways and to feel comfortable with it is a difficult task for many of us. Students write about a variety of topics with different audiences and a different purpose in mind. They will be asked to write a narrative, a persuasive argument, poetry, directions, letters, reports and essays. Each of these serves a purpose and is meant to further develop their skills as both readers and writers. All parts of the writing process are explored. It is important to remember that the final copy is just one part in a long and sometimes painful process. It is the brainstorming, the drafting, the editing and revising that your children work so hard on. The final copy is like the icing on the cake! I hope to help your child develop his/her own voice, one that speaks clearly and is a reflection of who they are.

It is my hope that I will be able to help your child be successful, secure, and well rounded. Towards that end I ask you to feel comfortable sharing with me any problems you and your child may encounter throughout the year. Please feel free to contact me about anything big or small. I learn as much from all of you as I hope your children do from me. You can reach me by phone at school, send a note in with your child or e-mail me at cafrey@cox.net. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Links to some helpful websites

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Literacy

http://www.cogcon.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

http://www.tooter4kids.com/classroom/writing4kids.htm

Here is a site to help you pick a book that is just right for you to read.

http://src.scholastic.com/ecatalog/default.asp?UID=CF4AB47D3C0A4494B95DB68F6B9787AC&subt=0&Test=NA\

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Mathematics

http://www.adrianbruce.com/maths/index.htm

http://www.funbrain.com/

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Science

http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmsc/5/