October 29- November 2

*The Halloween Parade and Party is Wednesday beginning at 2:00. 

*Report cards go home Friday. 

Spelling: Unit 8 Spelling Words are uploaded to the spelling tab. Make sure studying occurs throughout the week!  

5H Math:  Our Unit 4 math test is this Friday.  Optional study sessions will be Thursday during lunch and/or Thursday after school 3:35-4:10. This week we are using geometric shapes to design a floor tile and then describing the tile using geometric properties/attributes.  We are also talking about how to write equations that require multiple operations; e.g. 3 + (4 x 12). Right now we are focusing on setting up equations based on a story problem, but not actually solving them. 

Reading/Writing: Almost all of the groups have presented on their "change the world" project.  I'm most impressed with how kids have worked together cooperating and sharing responsibilities in completing their writing piece and presentation.  Their presenting skills are improving- kids are speaking loudly enough, giving eye contact, and referring to their PowerPoint only as reference (not reading off the board!). 

We learned that in persuasive writing you need to state your opinion clearly, have multiple supporting reasons, and conclude your paper by restating your opinion in a persuasive manner. We looked at persuasive writing pieces to determine what kind of word choice we should use in our papers. We will continue learning about persuasive writing this week in a fun Halloween persuasive piece...

Well, we are 1/4 through our school year, so is your child 1/4 through their reading goal of 40 books?  Check in with your child on what they are reading and how they are doing toward meeting their goal!  I know we can do it! 
Social Studies: We are finishing up colony projects and will present by Thursday (no social studies Wednesday, so pushed back to Thursday). 

The debate last week was fun- ask your kids who they think "won" and why. Mr. Vaid and Mr. LeCrone both had good arguments! 

October 22-26

Spelling: Unit 7 Spelling Words will be uploaded Monday after school. 

5H Math:  This week we will be using our vocab sheets to discuss how polygons can have multiple names and talk about the similar properties between polygons. We'll make a quadrilateral "family tree" to show how the shapes are "related". We will also begin talking about how to write equations that require multiple operations; e.g. 3 + (4 x 12). Right now we are focusing on setting up equations based on a story problem, but not actually solving them. We will go over making line plots with decimals this week- a standard that we did not get to in the first unit. 

Reading/Writing: This week we will continue our group  research project that will positively change the world. Each group will write a proposal and give a presentation in order to try to earn 1 billion dollars to carry out their plan. Students will present by Thursday.   

Social Studies: We started a time-line project last week, so we didn't start our colony project yet.  As a way to summarize our first unit, students chose an event they feel is important and are describing and illustrating the event to add to an ongoing timeline. Students will begin their colony project this week. Students will plan where their colony will be located, what the government will be like, and how they will earn money.  Students will also research the climate and geography for their colony location. It will be fun! 

In the spirit of debates...Mr. Vaid and Mr. LeCrone will oppose each other in a debate. They will debate the topic of year-round school. To prepare, we will debate the topic of cell-phones in schools with the use of our Time for Kids magazines. We will also go over persuasive writing techniques. 
*Students all got a "Current Events" handout explaining how they will present a current event to the class by Oct. 25. I added student friendly news web sites for them to visit in the Social Studies tab.

October 15-19

Spelling: Unit 6 Spelling Words will be uploaded Monday after school. 

5H Math:  This week we will begin by defining a lot of important vocabulary words that will help us understand and be able to talk about geometry.  Students will have a couple vocabulary sheets that we will work on for a couple days.  Then we will learn about the types of triangles and begin defining the properties or attributes of polygons.  I added a link that has a lot of good information on it.  We will use it in class, and it is a good reference for kids at home as well. 

Reading: Reading, writing, and social studies are very much intertwined this week!  We are reading about colonies in our social studies text and using researching and writing skills to develop a colony (more info below).  Last week we began a group project in which kids have decided upon an idea that will positively change the world. Each group will write a proposal and give a presentation in order to try to earn 1 billion dollars to carry out their plan. 

Writing: The kids worked so hard on their first writing pieces of the year and they are wonderful!  They have enjoyed reading each others pieces and giving each other feedback. 

Social Studies: We will finish discussing Roanoke and Jamestown early this week before students begin a group project in which they will plan the establishment of their own colony. Students will plan where their colony will be located, what the government will be like, and how they will earn money.  Students will also research the climate and geography for their colony location. It will be fun! 

*Students all got a "Current Events" handout explaining how they will present a current event to the class by Oct. 25. I added student friendly news web sites for them to visit in the Social Studies tab.

Hill Family Reading Night 

An invitation

To 5^th GRADE families

to THRILL MIDDLE  SCHOOL’S

 evening of Thrills, Chills, Mystery, and Magic

Monday, October 29 6 – 8 p.m.

Wear your costume! (optional)

Thrilling and chilling activities

Dazzling magic from jonathan kamm

Scary stories and more…..

hill middle school

Monday, October 29 6 – 8 p.m.

be there!

October 9-12

This week we have Interim Assessments Tuesday through Friday from 9:30-10:30.  Math has been moved to 10:35-11:35. For more information on the assessments, ask your child for the letter they got in their mailboxes.  

Spelling: This week we will be making up a spelling list using adjectives.

5H Math:  This week students will get their tests back and we will go over any questions.  We will begin Unit 3: Geometry.  We will begin by talking about what vocabulary kids know that refers to geometry and begin talking about the properties of polygons.   

Reading: The kids are enjoying our read aloud, Mr. Terupt.  It is told from the point of view of 7 very different fifth grade students. We will be reading more Time for Kids magazines this week and continuing to use the strategy "scan and run".  One of the best parts of this strategy is that students should preview the selection and ask themselves questions based on the title and headings.  This helps kids set a purpose for reading.

Writing: Student writing pieces are due Wednesday morning.  We will have some time on Tuesday to work on the pieces, and if they are not finished should be taken home to be completed (the kids know this).

Social Studies: I was very impressed how many kids watched the first presidential debate! We discussed who we thought "won" the debate giving evidence for our point of view and what we thought of the debate process. The kids did a really wonderful job listening to each others' points of view. This week we will begin learning about some of the original settlements in the United States: St. Augustine, Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth.

*Students all got a "Current Events" handout last week explaining how they will present a current event to the class by Oct. 25. I added student friendly news web sites for them to visit in the Social Studies tab.