The first month of 2023 has flown by, but we have made every day worth it here at TCS. This week was filled with good spirits welcoming Mr. Dan back to the school! The offsite PE has been a hit the last couple of weeks at the gymnastics gym. Here are some interesting fun facts to start off your weekend:
The little dot over a lowercase i and j has a name, “tittle” meaning a tiny amount or part of something.
Water sounds different depending on its temperature due to how fast the energy molecules move (faster when hot).
Rhythm is the longest English word without a vowel.


Here’s a look at what is happening in each of the classes:


What’s happening in Science?
Fifth graders began to think deeply about the scientific method this week! They performed a lab using the scientific method to identify who in their class spread a mock “Covid” virus…using chemistry of course and not the real virus. They hypothesized, followed the procedure, collected data, analyzed their results, and drew conclusions to identify who in the class started with “Covid.” Fifth graders will continue to deepen their understanding of the process as they investigate where there are bacteria and fungus within the school.

What’s up in ELA?

This week fifth graders are finishing up with their literary essays. Each student has taken their essay through the writing process using the box-and-bullet method. You can ask your child to show you an example of what that means. Your students also learned how to write an introduction identifying the topic and thesis. Students are expected to use MLA for the cover sheet, in-text citations, and the bibliography. I anticipate the students being through with their essays no later than Tuesday, January 31st. Please follow up with them and see where they are in their literary essay. They should have an introduction, three paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Finally, your students have completed week twelve grammar lessons and will begin week thirteen next week. Your fifth graders are now expected to not only know how to use their grammar vocabulary words in context, but they are also expected to be able to spell the words.


What’s going on in Math?

This week, 5th graders have had some great practice with multiplying decimals. Students took a very small, 3 question assessment on Tuesday. In this unit, they have mastered place value, comparing decimals, adding and subtracting decimals, and multiplying decimals. Their last step is to divide decimals. We began working with dividing decimals on Thursday. They will have an End of Unit Assessment at the end of next week!

What’s happening in Social Studies?
Students took great pride in the creation of their very own Greek god/goddess. After a wonderful presentation, the students’ works are now being displayed in our social studies classroom! Students then took a look into the Roman Empire.

Next week, the students will look at the Byzantine Empire and compare what life was like in the three; Greek, Roman, and Byzantine. Students will then look into the Middle Ages and create a skit about what they have learned to perform in class.



Important Dates:

February 14 – Valentine’s Day Bake Sale, Book Fair, and Bingo! (1:15 – 2:45)
February 20-21 – February Break (No School)