Fifth Grade February Newsletter

This month we will continue working on answering the Essential Question in Module in 5 (How can caring for the earth and its living things help life now and in the future? Then we will move on to Module 7, Above, Beyond and Below and work towards answering the question "What role does curiosity play in exploration? We will read both historical and scientific informational texts about a variety of explorations, from under the sea to Mars to help us consider how curiosity impacted people's motivations, choices, and problem solving skills in different times and environments.

In Writing, students are finishing up their editorials and will be focusing on responding to a variety of literary texts. They will interpret prompts, learn planning strategies, identify the best supporting details, and practice explaining their thinking, evidence and the relationship between these. The students will also apply the expectations of this writing to reread and revise their work.

In Math, students are learning about fractions. This includes comparing, multiplying whole numbers by fractions, fractions by fraction and also multiplying mixed numbers. They will also learn to divide a whole number by a fraction and divide a fraction by a whole number.

Class 502, 503, & 504 are finishing up their unit which focuses on multiplication and division of larger numbers. They learned the standard algorithm for multiplication (can compared it to the partial products method) and then learned partial quotients algorithm to divide. They will move into studying place value and decimal operations in Unit 5 of Illustrative Mathematics.

In Social Studies, we are learning about South America, from its land to its people. We will be answering the focus question: How is the geography of the Western Hemisphere unique?

The Scientists have learned that movement of electrons from atom to atom creates electricity. We have also experimented with simple circuits and discusssed open and closed circuits. Students will work on creating parallel and series circuits. Upon completion of this unit, students will begin an investigation called Light it Up! where they will be asked to create a circuit and test it.

In February, fifth grade students will be learning about the quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend, Alabama and their functional quilt art made from recycled materials, and with an improvisational approach that builds on the work of quiltmakers of the past. Additionally, we will be honoring Black History Month by learning about African Americans' contributions to the arts. We will study Black portrait artists and compare and contrast styles.

We will be continuing our Scratch unit and begin creating our own games

We will continue our preparation for our exciting trip to see the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. To celebrate Black History Month, we will learn about Blues and Jazz. We will play the Blues on the xylophone, and create our own blues lyrics.

The students will finish the rest of the FitnessGram Test. After, they will begin the soccer unit. We will work on skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and some defense. We will practice these skills in a variety of group games.

Girls cannot be drummers. Long ago on an island filled with music, no one questioned that rule―until the drum dream girl. In her city of drumbeats, she dreamed of pounding tall congas and tapping small bongós. She had to keep quiet. She had to practice in secret. But when at last her dream-bright music was heard, everyone sang and danced and decided that both girls and boys should be free to drum and dream. Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere.

This month we will be celebrating students who demonstrate a sense of courage, perseverance and a belief in themselves and therefore can transfer that self-respect to others.

• They are patient and work to overcome challenges and obstacles.
• They are open to the perspectives, values, and traditions of others.
• They are responsible, respectful, and empathetic.

No School:

February 16-20th Mid Winter Break. Return on 2/23

PS 230 Events:

February 2nd to 6th Scholastic Book Fair

February 6th 5th grade Sports Day

February 11th Student of the Month Celebration

February 13th 5th grade trip to Lincoln Center

February 25th Upper School Tiger Family Morning 8:15 AM - 8:45 AM

February 27th Black History Celebration 4-6pm