Language Arts & Reading
Students have been taking a look at transition words and their meanings. Fifth graders learned why authors use transition words and how they can impact writing. In reading, students have been identifying and determining theme. Talk to your student about what the theme of a story or novel is and how they know. In the upcoming weeks, we will be learning about formatting titles and nonfiction text structures. Students continue to work on spelling, writing, and finding text evidence. Don't forget to encourage your student to read 20 minutes each night!
Science & Social Studies
Science: We finished learning about Earth as The Watery Planet, and will begin exploring other ways that Earth supports life. Students will understand that…
The sun is a star that appears larger and brighter than other stars because it is closer. Stars range greatly in their distance from Earth.
Patterns of seasons can be observed, described, and predicted.
The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis between its North and South Poles, cause observable patterns. These include day and night; daily changes in the length and direction of shadows; and different positions of the sun, moon, and stars at different times of the day, month, and year.
Social Studies: Students continue to learn about the effects of slavery on The United States. In particular, we will be learning about the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Students will analyze the following information:
The South’s main reason for fighting in the Civil War was to protect their way of life and their economy.
The North’s main reason for fighting in the Civil War was to end slavery and keep the country united.
The Confederacy was created mainly to protect states’ rights.
The Civil War resulted in the Reconstruction of the South which led to economic changes and migration.
BINGO After School Activity
Pacific Intermediate is offering, for the first time ever, an after school BINGO Event!
There will be fun and prizes. There will also be a concession stand if students would like to purchase snacks or drinks!
Where: Pacific Intermediate Cafeteria
Who: Any 5th or 6th Grade Student
(With a signed permission slip and $2)
When: 3:00-4:15pm
Cost: $2
Permission slips will be handed out to students the week before the event. Only the 1st 100 students will be allowed to patriciate. Students MUST be picked up by 4:15pm.
The 5th grade character education lesson last month was "Goals: Plans and Personal Responsibility. This lesson plan focused on teaching students about short-term and long-term goals along with the different types of goals such as academic, home and personal goals. Students created their goals and five-step plans to be able to reach them. The purpose of the lesson is to help students understand they achieve more with goals in place. Goals have to be followed up with plans which can be monitored and adjusted as needed. When obstacles occur we don't just give up, we adjust the plan.
This month 5th graders will be learning about the differences in 6th grade versus 5th grade. Even though we want them to continue working hard in 5th grade, we feel that if they know next year's expectations they can work harder towards preparation. Students will learn about next year's class offerings and select which elective path they are interested in pursuing.
The 6th grade character education program last month and early February is on "Goals: Personal Responsibility and Self-Management" through time management. The goals lesson plan has students build on their 5th grade skills and add time management to complete responsibilities to reach goals. The objective is for students to reflect on how their time is being used and to reduce "time wasters" which can prevent them from meeting their goals. Additionally, the 7th grade Riverbend counselor(s) will be at here to offer a two-part lesson on 2/14-2/15 to introduce students to 7th grade at Riverbend and discuss a typical day, expectations, and class offerings. They will also be providing registration sheets which need to be completed and returned to school before registering for classes. The Riverbend Counselor(s) will return on 2/21-2/22 to register students for 7th grade classes.
Have a great February,
Jeanne M. Diamond
School Counselor
636-271-1425 x 3504
Pacific Intermediate
195 N Indian Pride Dr.
Pacific, MO 63069
Phone: 636-271-1425
Fax: 636-271-1465