With another full week in the books and Labor Day weekend fast approaching, it amazes me how quickly the beginning of school has gone so far! With a new schedule, new off campus adventures and new cross curricular projects, these middle schoolers are adapting and thriving to all the wonderful things going on here. It is amazing to see first hand just how well everyone is doing and how hard they are working on being the best they can be. Though I am looking forward to enjoying the long weekend (as I am sure many of you are!) I cannot help but express my excitement for this school year, because if it is anything like the start we have had, this is going to be one special year!
-KH
Upcoming Dates:
- Off Campus: Sixth – Wednesday, Sept 2nd
- Labor Day (No School) – Monday, September 7
- Cooper Cluster Lunch – Wednesday, September 9th
- Middle School Curriculum Night – Wednesday, September 9th 5:30pm-6:30pm
ELA: This week in 5th grade ELA, we continued Hello,Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly, and developed theories about character points of view using text evidence. We found ways to build our character theories into larger ideas about what the novel is teaching us, or its overall theme. On Thursday, 5th grade was tested for vocabulary. Be sure to check out their grade in their take home folders. Test corrections can be made on all ELA tests that are below a 90 for partial credit back by the following Monday!
Next week, readers will near the end of Hello Universe and participate in small group discussions around the novel’s theme. We will also begin our first grammar unit of the year with a test planned for 9/10.
Science: This week in Science, 5th graders continued exploring mixtures and solutions. Students separated a saltwater solution and designed plans to separate different mixtures, applying problem-solving skills and scientific thinking. They also explored the difference between dissolving and melting by measuring the mass of substances in both solid and liquid forms, discovering that matter is conserved even when it changes form.
On Thursday, students had the opportunity to visit Mount Pleasant Waterworks, where they learned how wastewater is treated before returning safely to Charleston Harbor. This real-world experience will provide important background knowledge as students begin designing and testing their own models later this trimester.
Next week, students will review what they have learned so far and take a quiz on Wednesday, September 2nd. Students have a study guide that we have reviewed together to support their preparation. We will also begin exploring the concentration of solutions and how scientists measure the amount of dissolved substances in a mixture.
Social Studies: The fifth grade has had a great week finishing their unit on maps and an introduction to basic geographical terms. Their curiosity has been great to see as they get ready for their first project! This is an entire class/ group project as they put their knowledge to use to create a fifth grade world map. Each group will work on a quadrant of the map, working together to make it their own. I look forward to having you see it at curriculum night!
Math: This week in math, 5th graders solidified their understanding of and formulas for the volume of rectangular prisms. We also practiced finding the volume of more complex and compound rectangular prisms. 5th graders will be assessed on their mastery of volume next week, before we move on to Unit 2. We’ll begin Unit 2 next Thursday with review fractions, what they are, what they mean, and how to envision them as division problems.
