5th Grade MP3 Campus

School Data is open on the 1st for parent reviews. These are due by the 5th. We hope the cut and paste grade level newsletter will be helpful to supplement your remote learning plan reviews. Thank you for submitting in a timely manner and if you need help, please reach out to your SLPC.

Topics: Measurements

Activities: This month, we finished our fractions unit and have moved onto converting measurements. In our new unit, we will be converting between metric units or converting between Imperial/conventional units of measurements. We also talk about the basic conventional unit conversions that students need to have memorized by the end of the year assessment. These are equivalent conversions that are assumed students will know and will not be given to them in order to answer conversion questions. These include: 2 cups equal 1 pint, 2 pints equal 1 quart, 4 quarts equal 1 gallon, 12 inches equal 1 foot, 3 feet to 1 yard, 16 ounces to 1 pound, and 2,000 pounds to 1 ton. We are currently practicing converting between these measurements and others (teaspoons, Tablespoons, fluid ounces, miles, etc.).

Teacher Tip or Reflection Questions: Have students help with baking and converting measurements from one unit to another as you bake. For example, if a recipe calls for 4 Tbsp, they could use a 1/4 cup instead.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Alexander, halexander@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Informational Writing, Ode Poetry

Activities: We are knee-deep into our informational writing and the kids are doing great! Because this is a new format for many of them, we are taking time to break it down into chunks and learn each one well. Our introductions contain the hook and main idea, in addition to giving the reader some background information for orientation to our topic. The body of our work includes our claims, evidence and commentary. We spent several days just practicing this skill and I’m pleased with how it’s coming together in their papers. And then our conclusions wrap it up and restate the main idea. Throughout this process we have learned about interesting topics such as Komodo Dragons, Pompeii, Eagles and Horned Lizards. We also spent one day writing Ode Poetry - the art of expressing your adoration for a seemingly mundane item. They turned out great and are displayed on the poetry wall in our classroom.

Teacher Tip: Assignments get turned in on our Google Classroom. Be sure to have your students show you their completed work!

Teacher info: Rachel Oscarson, roscarson@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: Native Americans, British Explorers, Jamestown, Pilgrims at Plymouth

Activities: This semester, 5th graders have been challenged to think like historians as we dig into some of the earliest years of US history. In fact, we are going all the way back to take a look at the British explorers who established the first permanent settlement in Virgina. Jamestown was founded in 1607 by a group of men, led by the famous John Smith. These men, who were described mostly as "gentlemen" were ill-prepared for the adventure at hand. When they came into contact with the local Native tribe, the Powhatan, the two groups soon learned they had very different ways of life. For a time, the British lived in peace with the Tribes in the Chesapeake Bay but through a close examination of some fascinating materials, students learned that the English attitudes shifted quickly. We read passages that described the early contact with the Powhatan Tribe in the Chesapeake Bay and learned how the Native Americans reacted to the arrival of the Europeans. What began as a tenuous relationship between the Powhatan and the settlers fell apart quickly as more Englishmen arrived. The explorers were hoping to spread Christianity and to bring gold and glory to the King. Unfortunately, their greed for more and more land and the introduction of diseases to the Native peoples that left tribes battling for survival. We used resources from a terrific resource called Since Time Immemorial to try and understand this period from a Native point of view. A fascinating primary source we looked at is a famous map of the region that was created by captain John Smith. Smith was able to use his map making skills to create a detailed map that served future explorers and travellers in the region for more than 100 yrs! After enduring hardships in the early years and the near collapse of the colony, Jamestown endured and in 1620, another colony was established to the north. This time, it was the Pilgrims who sailed across the Atlantic on the Mayflower not seeking gold or glory for England, but rather religious freedom. The Pilgrims were better prepared for life in America than were the settlers in Jamestown, but they worked hard, first to survive and then thrive in Massachusetts. Students completed a compare and contrast activity to enhance their understanding of the who, what, why, when and how of the European exploration of N. America.

Students are being challenged this semester to sharpen their skills reading and responding to informational texts. This is a critical language arts standard and a key skill for young historians.

As we spend more time in the coming weeks learning about the New England Puritans, we will read about Anne Hutchinson and take a look at the Salem Witch Trials. We will see how the growth of the 13 Colonies led to glory for England but dark days for the tribes of the eastern woodlands.

Teacher Tip: Please make use of the Google Classroom to preview and/or review the reading passages and questions students are doing on campus.

Teacher Info: Let me know if you have any questions!

Mr. Caraco, jcaraco@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics: keyboarding, file organization, Google Slides

Activities: This semester students began by learning how to create new files and organize documents on their Chromebook. Time to clean up files and delete old documents will become part of the monthly classroom routine along with keyboarding tests and cleaning their devices.

The focus for the majority of the month has been Google Slides. Students reviewed how to create slide shows, including adding transitions and animations, to create a 6-8 slide presentation about themselves and present it to the class. They were given the opportunity to assess their own work using a rubric.

Student assignments, rubrics, and review materials can be found in the Google Classroom. Please ask your student to share these skills with you.

Teacher Info: Mrs. Montgomery, rmontgomery@meridian.wednet.edu

Topics:Elements of Art: Color, Value, Shape, Line, Space, & Form; Principles of Design: Pattern, Unity, & Contrast; Techniques: Clay, oil pastel, & art critique; Artists: Alma Thomas, Jason Naylor, & Beauford Delaney

Activities: Welcome to a new semester of art! We began by learning about Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have artwork included in the White House’s permanent collection. Students explored several of her vibrant paintings and worked collaboratively to create a mural that now brightens our classroom. Each week, we start with an art critique called “Masterpiece Monday.” Students looked at murals and sculptures by artist Jason Naylor. They discussed his themes of positivity and his use of bright colors set against black backgrounds. We used clay techniques and neon colors to create our own heart-art inspired by Naylor’s piece titled, Opn Heart. Our final art critique of the month was by artist Beauford Delaney. Students looked at his city scenes and discussed themes of color, symbols, and movement. They have chosen a city scene of their own and are busy sketching. (This project is still a work in progress.) It has been a vibrant and joyful celebration of Black History Month in the art room!

Teacher Tip: Please mark your calendars! April 27th from 6:00-7:30 is the Meridian School District Art Show, and YOUR STUDENT’S WORK will be on display! I hope you can save the date!

Teacher Info: Mrs. Warnock, swarnock@meridian.wednet.edu