Fifth Grade Newsletter
From: Miss Bane, Miss Dellano, Mrs. McCullough
Upcoming Events and Reminders
Date: January 31th 2014
Staff Pages
Check out our webpage to find updated information. Go to
the Lafayette School website and click on Staff Pages.
Specials Schedule
Monday – (C)
 Spanish/Character
Tuesday (D)
 Bane-Music and PE
 Both- Applied Music
Bridges Project will be
completed on February
11th.
Early Dismissal on
Friday, February 14th.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS:
How do I order books online?
Dellano- Art and DARE
Wednesday (E)
 Spanish/Academic Flex
1. Click on the link:
https://orders.scholastic.com/JG7JH
2. Type in the activation code:JG7JH
Activation Code: JG7JH
Thursday – (F)
 Bane- Art and DARE Dellano- Music and PE
Friday – (A)
 Spanish/Academic Flex
Language Arts News
HW for next week:


Type Research-Based Argument Essay at home (this was completed in class)
Read to identify Signposts (Contrasts and Contradictions and Words of the Wiser) Students should
use their Signpost Bookmark to help them locate and understand what to ask when they locate these
signposts.
This week in ELA, the students compared and contrasted two characters in a story, drawing on specific details
in the text. Students used DANT (dialogue, action, narration, and thinking) as evidence to support the
emotions and character traits that these characters showed throughout the stories. The students were then
able to observe these actions in order to compare and contrast the experiences that Tricia Ann faced in the
story Goin’ Someplace Special (historical fiction) and Ruby Bridges in The Story of Ruby Bridges (biography).
Next, the students completed a character analysis on how and why the characters changed throughout the
story, and how the plot of the stories developed through these character’s traits and emotions.
In writing, the students created a thesis using TOSSS (topic, opinion, support, support, support) and a
grabber opening for their research based essay on chocolate milk. After the students chose a side to their
argument, they drafted a five paragraph essay outlining their reasons, evidence, and explanations. In each
body paragraph, the students included transition stems, reasons, text evidence to support their reason, and an
explanation of the text evidence. Finally, the students wrapped up their essay with a concluding sentence and
crafty wrap.
Science News
We had a busy week in science! The students have spent the week reviewing for their test on
the skeletal system. I am very proud of how hard they worked and how thorough their work
has been with a great deal of new information!
Math News
This week in math, the students have begun multiplying fractions. We worked with multiplying
fractions and whole numbers, estimating products and multiplying fractions! To make things a
bit more interesting, we even got to work with Play-Doh to help us better understand the
meaning of multiplying fractions!
Social Studies News
Ch. 7 Comparing the Colonies
Students learn about the similarities and differences among the New England, Middle, and
Southern colonies
Preview

Students analyze how a billboard persuades people to do something
Problem Solving Group work

Students create a billboard for one of six British colonies and then try to persuade other
students to settle in their colony. Afterward, students read about the six colonies and
evaluate the claims of each group.
Reading Further

Students compare and contrast the job opportunities of young colonists in each region.
Processing activity

Students synthesize their knowledge to write a letter from the perspective of someone
moving to one of the colonies.