Religion

To ensure a successful year for all, some basic classroom rules students must follow are:

I will reflect respect.

I will be a responsible student

I will display good manners

I will practice acts of kindness.

I promise to always do my best.

• Each month we end our day with a specific prayer.  February's prayer is Act of Charity, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Students will be responsible for recitation of the prayers by 2/28/12 as part of their grade.

Act of Charity

O my God, I love you above all things with my whole heart and soul because you are all good and worthy of all my love.
I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you.
I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen

Saint of the Day Link:  http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.aspx

Fifth grade is a period of change. They continue developing strategies for multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. into the millions.  They continue to learn the patterns multiplication facts and have hopefully memorized their facts to 12.  Other fifth-grade skills include understanding large numbers in addition to working with small numbers using equivalent fractions and decimals (to the thousandths).  They continue the study of geometry, negative numbers, calculator skills, telling time, geometry, and most importantly algebra/functions.

Practical application of measurement skills includes linear, weight, and capacity with customary and metric units.  Students perform probability experiments that provide information for analyzing data and predicting outcomes.  Fifth graders will have problem solving homework on a regular basis.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School has adopted Everyday Mathematics for their K-5 math program.  It provides students with a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.  This is done by using multiple methods and strategies for problem solving, continuous review and practice, concrete modeling as a way to get to  abstract understanding.  There is much collaborative learning in partner and small group activities.  What the students like the most is game time!

Each Monday, students will bring home a spelling list for the week, as well as an accompanying homework (spelling pie) will help them learn to spell new words. I recommend creating flashcards for your child to use at home as study aides in preparation for these tests.  Generally, the words will follow a pattern, incorporate a newly-learned spelling skill or be part of a theme that we are studying.

Don't forget to check out the games on:  www.spellingcity.com/wiseapple

We will have a weekly spelling pretest usually every Thursday on all of the spelling words.

Below please find our weekly lists. (Work in progress, words might change some.)

3/26 through 3/30 Homophones

sweet, suite, peel, peal, pole, poll, waste, waist, manner, manor, pier, peer, currant, current, counsel, council, presents, presence, stationary, stationery, journal, budge, ranger, kernel, colonel.

2/13 through 2/24 Due to the short week we will have these words for 2 weeks.  Pretest on 2/23, final test on 2/24.

slogan, woolen,  listen, heron,  frighten,  lengthen,

captain,  mountain,  sandal,  signal,  global,  bushel,\

marvel,  barrel,  practical,  pretzel,  fable,  chuckle,

angle, nozzle,  scissors,  pillar,  governor,  dungeon,

salmon

2/5/12 Vowel Patterns in Accented Syllables:

dozen, beside, motion, appoint, season, phony, observe, active, restore, expert,

reserve, embrace, coastal, python, govern, scorching, flurry, canvas, copper, cocoon,

partner, footprint, dolphin, superb, bleachers.

The social studies curriculum in fifth grade focuses on American history. We began our year with a review of geography terms and geographical features. We will took a virtual "train trip" to the various regions of the five regions of the United States  Students participate in activities that teach them skills in geography, problem solving, and study skills.  Students are responsible for learning the 50 states and capitals.

Students also studied the Native Americans -  past and present who settled in the different regions of the United States. Currently, students are learning about the explorers, their interaction with  the Natives already here, and the eventual settling of the United States.

We also study in depth the "Colonial America" and the fight for Independence. We  study  biographies of individuals who changed history. We also look at the life and times of everyday people who took the challenge and braved various hardships to travel across the ocean and the interaction between these immigrants and the natives that were here. 

We will study the development of the branches of government so that students expand their understanding of core democratic values.

Ms. Weishapl's 

Website

Dear Parents,

Welcome to our class' website!  I believe that parent-teacher communication is essential in order to maximize your student's learning. It is my hope that this website will help you communicate with me.  In addition to having the option of calling me at school (620-227-6532) or sending a note with your child, I can also be reached via e-mail.  If you ever have a question or concern, please feel free to use the e-mail link.   I check my e-mail multiple times each day.

Again, welcome to our class' home on the Web.  This is a work in progress, so any feedback regarding how I can make this site better would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Ms. Rona Weishapl