7425 SE César E Chávez Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97202
Phone 503-774-8871 Fax 503-774-8872
Fifth Grade
-
Photo Albums
-
.JPG)
Helping in the Parish Garden
4 Photos
-
OMSI Field Trip
3 Photos
-
Preparing Ashes for ASH WEDNESDAY
4 Photos
-
Burning Calories Science Lab
5 Photos
-
Design and Engineering
4 Photos
-
-
WELCOME TO THE FIFTH GRADE!
Fifth graders at Holy Family focus on the Catholic Social Justice Principle of Caring for God's Creation. This principle is woven throughout the curriculum and the fifth grade class embodies the principle through numerous activities and service projects.
Updates for 11/16/2018
This week culminates with the 70th anniversary gala party. Thank you to Ashley Heichelbech and Tiffany Grabenhorst for chairing this event and for all of you parents who volunteered to put this on, and all of those who will come tonight to support our school. We truly appreciate your donations of time and treasure!
Important Reminders- TODAY! - 70th Anniversary Gala, 6pm
- Tuesday, November 20: Science Vocab. quiz
- Wednesday, November 21: Sustainable Fish Meal due; noon dismissal
- Thursday, November 22: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving
- Friday, November 23: NO SCHOOL
ELA
This week we continued reading Hatchet. We finished reading chapter 8 and are talking about the theme of the book. So far things that students have come up with are: courage, overcoming adversity, determination, acceptance, and hope. Students are learning to back up their ideas with evidence from the text. We are also finishing up our Where I'm From poems. You are going to LOVE reading them. They are very creative!
Dinnertime question: What happened to Brian in Hatchet that surprised you?
Math
This week we worked on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators using various methods: clocks, money mats, and converting to like denominators. Students took a formative assessment today that will determine whether or not we are ready to move on.
Dinnertime question: Which method of adding fractions do you find easiest?
Religion
We are continuing to explore the Cardinal and Theological Virtues, but we also took time to write to our Prayer Partners.
Dinnertime question: What is virtue?
Social Studies
We are working hard on our tribes research. Students are beginning to use Chromebooks to enhance their knowledge of their tribe. Students will be bringing home any leftover general tribes work to do this weekend. Most are finished but there may be a few who need some extra time.
Dinnertime question: What is something you have learned from this unit on Native Americans?
Science
We furthered our study of ecosystems this week. Students used the Yellowstone website to help them define ecosystem terms like: omnivore, primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers, keystone species, predator, etc. We also played a game called Eat or Be Eaten. It was lots of fun! There will be a vocabulary quiz on these terms next week on Tuesday. Don't forget - the sustainable fish meal is due by Wednesday. If your child hasn't planned their fish meal, maybe they can try it out this weekend.
Dinnertime question: What was it like to play Eat or Be Eaten? What did you learn?
No new spelling words this week. Spelling test on Wednesday!
Updates for 11/9/18
This week a visiting team came from near and far (from as close as Lake Oswego, and as far as Boise, Idaho) in order to assess the Self Study that Holy Family did last year and to see evidence at our school. Although they don't give grades like As or gold stars, they were very positive about our school, and said numerous times what an exceptional school Holy Family is. They especially commented on the warm and loving environment and the open communication between us all. In the spirit of gratitude, THANK YOU ALL for being the wonderful, supportive parents that you are and allowing me to guide your kids every day.
Important reminders:Monday, November 12 - VETERAN'S DAY - No school
Tuesday, November 13 - No school
Wednesday - No hot lunch / microwaves / milk due to a funeral - please plan ahead
Thursday - First Mass that kids will sit with family groups
Friday - Spelling Test; 70th Anniversary Gala
ELAWe are moving along with our novel, Hatchet. This week, we read chapters 5 and 6. If you would like to review chapters 5 and 6 over the long weekend, you can find it read aloud on YouTube for free. We also began our "Where I'm From" poems in writing. Check out the original "Where I'm From" poem by George Ella Lyon here .Dinnertime question: George Ella Lyon describes where she's from in terms of the experiences she has had instead of a location. What is something unexpected you put in your poem?
Science
At the beginning of the week, students worked with their science teams to construct a definition of "ecosystem" based on some examples and non-examples that I showed them. Then, they researched more information to revise and add to their definitions. They realized that an ecosystem is made up of both living and non-living (biotic and abiotic) factors. We explored how abiotic factors interact with the environment around them, and ended up the week with a visit from OMSI. Unfortunately, my communication about which OMSI classes this class has done was less than stellar and they ended up repeating a class "Funtastic Physics" that they have done before. However, I talked to them about the idea of going deeper once you have a basic understanding of something and that it was like watching a movie when you are really young, and then coming back to that movie when you are older. You notice so much more!
Dinnertime question: How can abiotic factors like sunlight, water, air, or rocks affect their environment?
Math
We are well under way in our study of fractions. This week we added the use of a clock to help us solve fraction equations that aren't easily solved by thinking of money - fractions like sixths, twelfths, and thirds. Math practice will be going home more often this unit. It will always be on yellow paper. Keep an eye out for it.
Dinnertime question : How do clocks help you to solve fraction equations?Social Studies
Most kids are finishing up their regional studies of tribes in the US. They are moving into research of their own assigned tribes next week. Here is a very quick overview of what we are learning.
Dinnertime question: How do different tribes adapt to their environment? (Example: How did the people of the Great Plains adapt to the fact that their food source, the bison, roamed? Hint: think about their dwellings...)
Religion
We are moving into a study of the Cardinal and Theological Virtues. Cardinal virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. The Theological Virtues are: faith, hope, and love. If at some point this week, you can work those into your conversations at home, that would be great. These are quite complex words for students this age to understand completely.
Dinnertime question: When have you demonstrated fortitude in your life?
Spelling List - 11/14 to 11/21/18 (Test on the 21st)
(Silent Letters)
1. building2. cupboard
3. raspberry
4. science
5. scissors
6. exhibit
7. rhythm
8. assignment
9. honor
10. climbed
11. guarantee
12. salmon
Review words:
immediately
loving
completelyUpdates for 10/30-11/2
This week was so full of fun. Thanks to the many volunteers who made our Halloween carnival the success that it was! On Thursday, it was wonderful to celebrate All Saints' Day with the adorable 2nd graders dressed up as saints. There was much talk among the 5th graders afterwards about the saints. Friday wrapped up with a PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) assembly. Our class won the "Hallway Angels" award, and our very own Mieke Foubert won the individual P.E. award! Congratulations, Mieke! Here's what we were up to this week:
ELA
We are continuing our novel study of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Students are enjoying the excitement of the story line. This week we made inferences as to how Brian (the protagonist) might feel after crashing into the Canadian wilderness. We are also talking about character traits and discussing how we can find evidence (a commonly heard word in fifth grade) to support our claims.
Dinnertime question: What character trait would you say Brian has demonstrated?
Math
This week we wrapped up our study of volume and did a little bit of fun Halloween math. It was music to my ears when, on Halloween, I said it was time to clean up from math to have snack and break and I heard a chorus of, "Aw!! Can we work on this during break?" - truly a teacher's dream. Friday we began our unit on fractions. We are using specially designed "money mats" to show fractional relationships.
Dinnertime question: What was the most fun thing you did in math this week and why did you enjoy it?
Science
This week we focused on the word "sustainable" a bit more. We talked about how the word means different things in different settings. Next week we begin talking about ecosystems. This is one of my favorite units. So much to learn!
Dinnertime question: What is one thing that you think we, as a family, can do to help our planet?
Social Studies
Students learned about different groups of native tribes this week: the Ancestral Puebloans, the Mound Builders, and the Eastern Woodland tribes. We are doing some general studies before students get into their specific tribe studies in order for students to have some background knowledge about what sets their tribe apart from others.
Dinnertime question: What is division of labor and how is it represented in our household?
Religion
Students worked hard on their seven sacraments scrapbooks this week. We also invited Father Rodel to come to the classroom on Wednesday (yes, Halloween!) to pray the Rosary with us, to culminate the month of the Rosary (October) and to have the experience of praying the Rosary with our rosaries that were a gift from the Rosary Club.
Dinnertime question: What was the experience of praying the Rosary like?
Important reminders this week:- The visiting team for accreditation will be here Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. If you see someone you don't recognize in the building, please say hello and welcome them. Feel free to answer any questions they may ask you.
- The students have earned "Stuffy Day" on Thursday. Students may bring a stuffy that can fit in their backpack to school.
Spelling Words for the week of 11/5-11/9
Silent "e" plus a suffix
1. hoping
2. completely
3. loosely
4. wholesome
5. typing
6. admiration
7. loving
8. icy
9. eraser
10. definitely
11. unfortunately
12. immediately
Review words: salute*, conclusion, valuable*
*These words are a change from the printed spelling list. I will go over the new review words in class. After the last spelling test, it was evident that students needed more exposure to these words.
Updates for 10/22-10/26Can you believe October is coming to an end already? With Pajama Day, the music test, the math test, and family groups this week, we stayed BUSY! Read on to find out what we’re up to. Next week will be busy as well. With both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, the All Saints’ Mass, and a work day on Monday, there are many announcements and special days. Please double check your calendars.
Halloween reminders: Appropriate costumes include no weapons or blood, appropriately covered bodies, and masks only for the parade. Students must also be able to sit comfortably. Please do not bring Halloween candy to school either on Halloween, or afterwards for snacks.
Reminders
* Monday, October 29 – No school – Accreditation work day
* Wednesday, October 31 – Halloween Carnival in the afternoon – WEAR COSTUMES!
* Thursday, November 1 – All Saints’ Day Mass; Bread of the Dead (Pan de los Muertos) tasting
* Friday, November 2 – Spelling Test
ELA
We are into our novel, Hatchet, making inferences and connections to the text. Students have been revising their personal narratives and making them clearer to the reader by using peer conferencing. We are also furthering our word study by adding the Greek root “hydr” and the Latin root “aqua”.
Dinnertime question: What has happened so far in Hatchet?
Math
With our math test, we culminated our unit of study. Next up is fractions. We will be adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions using a variety of strategies.
Dinnertime question: Looking ahead to fractions, how do you feel?
Science
We have talked about what the word “sustainable” means in terms of fishing practices, and will be widening the scope of our definition next week. We used the Seafood Watch Sustainable Fish card to explore why some kinds of fish are more sustainable than others, and students researched a recipe that would include a fish on the list. I am asking that before Thanksgiving, students accompany you to the grocery store with their Seafood Watch Card and help you to prepare a recipe using a sustainable fish. They have chosen one that looks interesting, but have not taken food prices into consideration. I would like students to be involved in purchasing the fish, choosing a recipe (even if it’s not the one they originally chose), and preparing the meal. It’s extra credit if they are willing to try it. ;)
Dinnertime question: What does sustainable mean? Which recipe did you choose?
Social Studies
We are beginning our unit on native tribes. I passed out and explained information about the next big project. Students will be researching a tribe and sharing information to the class via a Google Slides presentation. This project will largely be done IN CLASS. There is an artistic component, which students will need to complete at home, but the bulk of the project will be done at school. Parents will be invited to the final presentations.
I have attached the assignment with all the details to this email.
Dinnertime question: What tribe are you researching? What have you learned about them so far?
Religion
Students are finishing up the planning stages of their 7 sacraments scrapbook and will decorate next week. As we conclude October, the month of the Rosary, we will be praying the Rosary with Father. Your children have each received a Rosary from the Rosary Club and will be able to bring it home to pray with once October is over.
Dinnertime question: What are some of the symbols that you included in your 7 sacraments scrapbook?
Spelling words for the week of 10/30-11/2
Long /u/ sound- humor
- avenue
- gratitude
- solution
- duplicate
- menu
- community
- conclusion
- numerator
- lunar
- salute
- valuable
Review words:
priest
receive
weigh
Updates for 10/1-10/5
Fall has arrived in Portland! We are starting to see the beginning of indoor recess and chilly outdoor recess! Please remind your students to bring a coat every day. If it's a light drizzle we will go outside. They need the fresh air. If it's really coming down, we will be indoors, either playing intramural sports in the gym, or playing games indoors.
Here's what we were up to this week:
Religion
We hosted Mass this week on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Thanks to all those who were able to make it in person to support our students. They did a great job and were flexible with the different ways of a guest priest. Just an FYI, I do give out a 5 point test grade for participation in Mass. It's not about how well everyone reads / does their part, because I know that reading at a microphone in front of a large crowd is nerve-racking and mistakes get made. It's the only time I ever grade on behavior. The grade reflects that the students show respect for the fact that they are in church and that they model the behavior we talk about daily. If your student is ever absent for a fifth grade led Mass, they will be expected to write 2 paragraphs about the saint of the day to make up for the "test" of Mass. October is the month of the rosary. We will continue our study of the 7 sacraments, and also learn to pray the rosary. Students will be receiving their very own rosary in class as a gift thanks to the generous donation from the Rosary Club.
Dinnertime question: What was your part in Mass? Did you enjoy it? What will you choose to do next time?
Math
We are finished up our study of volume of rectangular prisms. We will be working on composite figures (more than one rectangular prism stuck together) and then having a test the week of the 15th.
Dinnertime question: How is math feeling these days? What has gotten easier for you lately?
ELA
This week we delve deep into comparing and contrasting non-fiction articles. Being able to compare and contrast is one step in the process of analytical thinking. We hope to prepare students to be able to think deeply about a topic and analyze multiple sides of an argument. It's critical in today's society when they are presented with information from multiple sources to be able to find similarities and differences and then to be able to understand the difference.
Dinnertime question: What non-fiction article set was the most interesting to you?
Writing
Students are finishing up their personal narrative essays. The focus for this essay is word choice and a focus on presenting their ideas in a logical way. Their essays look very interesting so far! I can't wait to read the finished product.
Dinnertime question: What did you change about your personal narrative to make the word choice more exciting?
Science
We started brainstorming on Friday about topics in environmental studies, which is our next unit in science. Students are very aware of issues affecting our environment, but less aware about how they are interconnected. We watched a short video about plastic water bottles. Most students beforehand said that they were fine because they are recyclable. We figured out that they are made from oil, cannot biodegrade if accidentally thrown away in the trash (which most are) and that the caps from the water bottles are a huge problem in our oceans, contributing to the micro plastics that affect fish, marine mammals, and ultimately, humans. The students are excited abut the topics!
Dinnertime question: What did you think about the video about plastic water bottles? Did anything surprise you?
Social Studies
Students are wrapping up their regions posters and will be finished by Thursday. Then we can move into our next unit, which will focus on the different native tribes that were present before English settlers arrived to what is now the United States.
Dinnertime question: How is your group working together and supporting each other while you create your poster?
Spelling Words for the week of 10/8-10/11
-au and -aw- audio
- author
- chainsaw
- awesome
- applause
- awkward
- because
- August
- audition
- gnaw
- caution
- laundry
Review words- unpleasant
- health
- breathe
Reminders:- Thursday is the cut off for late assignments before progress reports.
- NO SCHOOL this Friday for students - enjoy!
- Please sign up for conferences if you haven't already.
Updates for 9/25-9/28
I can't believe it's already the last week of September. This week flew by! The trees are starting to turn and it seems the weather can't decide if it's going to be summer still or fall. The garden is in great shape. If you and your child water the garden on the weekends, know that you are always allowed to harvest when you are there. I just ask that you leave enough of the plant to keep producing.
Please check out the important dates / reminders below and copy them to your calendar if they apply.
Thursday, October 4 – Fifth grade leads Mass – 8:15
Friday, October 5 – Blessing of the Pets – 3:15
*Sign ups for conferences have gone out to the families with multiple children and will be going out to all soon. Please be sure to schedule a conference with me during the October 18-19 conference time. I appreciate your time to be able to communicate about your child’s progress, get input from you, and generally tell you how wonderful your kiddos are!
Here’s what we’ve been up to this week in fifth grade:
Math
We solidified our understanding of volume this week through a variety of activities. We practiced building models of rectangular prisms with a certain volume, we measured objects around the classroom and discovered their volume, and we did a card sort.
Dinnertime question: Which formula for finding volume do you find easiest to use?
area of the base x number of layers / height
OR
length x width x height?
ELA
We are working on increasing our reading fluency and making inferences from their novels. Students are also working on spicing up their language in their personal narratives, changing phrases like, “really mad” to “furious” and “I walked into the room” to something more precise and related to their narrative like, “I snuck into the room.” Using language that conjures feelings or allows for readers to connect more deeply with the text is our goal!
Dinnertime question: What kinds of phrases did you find yourself replacing in your personal narrative?
Science
Students completed their posters about recycling this week and we talked about how to present the information to other classes in a positive, encouraging way. We also defined the three states of matter that we are studying (solids, liquids, and gases) and gave examples and non-examples for each. There will be a science test next Thursday on this information.
Dinnertime question: Can you tell me some examples of each of the three states of matter you are studying?
Social Studies
Students are almost finished researching their regions of the U.S. and on Wednesday we got the chance to go to the computer lab so they could explore pictures of the landscapes they were researching. I saw students reading more about and expressing an interest in visiting several of the places! There may be some requests for vacations to these locations coming your way. Here are some of the places that got the biggest Ooohs and Aahhhs: Niagara Falls, Everglades National Park, Disney World, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, the lighthouses of Maine, and the Rocky Mountains. They will be creating group posters next week.
Dinnertime question: What did you see that looked interesting from the region you are researching?
Religion
We continued our study of the seven sacraments this week. Students learned why the sacraments are grouped as they are into the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation), Sacraments of Service (Matrimony, Holy Orders) and Sacraments of Healing (Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation). Next week we lead Mass, so we will put this study on hold as we prepare our Mass in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Dinnertime question: How are Matrimony and Holy Orders sacraments of service? Who are they serving?
Spelling words for the week of 10/1-10/5
Three sounds of –ea- health
- unpleasant
- breakfast
- reason
- spread
- already
- breathe
- breath
- swear
- break
- treaty
- meant
Review words:
allowed
sour
thousand
Updates for 9/17-9/21We had a productive week! Here’s what we’re up to in fifth grade:
Math
We are talking about how area and volume are related, and how you can express those relationships by writing expressions with parentheses. We have been building rectangular prisms and showing how the volume of a rectangular prism is equal to the area of the base layer x the number of layers present. We are simultaneously talking about order of operations as it relates to volume.
Dinnertime question: What do parentheses in an expression mean? (Answer: Do that part first!)
ELA
In writing, are working on our personal narratives, using exciting word choice and spicing up our writing. We are also identifying the inferences we make when we read. Good readers infer all kinds of information from a text. Understanding character development is based on the ability to make inferences.
Dinnertime question: What are the clues that would allow someone to infer that you are in a grouchy mood? What about a happy mood?
(Clues may be: frown, stomping, looking down)
Science
We are clearly defining states of matter this week and have started making some recycling posters for the school in order to educate other students about the products that are and are not recyclable in our school. We are taking care of God’s creation through education!
Dinnertime question: What do you most often see in the recycling bin that should go in the trash?
Social Studies
Students are finishing up their research about their assigned region of the United States and will be working together on a poster about that region. Map quizzes are finished and will be coming home today.
Dinnertime question: What is one interesting fact that you have learned about the region that you are studying?
Religion
We have learned how to look up a verse in the four Gospels and have talked about the many books that make up the Bible. Today we are examining some Bible verses about peace for Peace One Day. Students have also written examples of how they embody one of the SLEs of being self-aware and engaged learners, responsible decision-makers, and faith-filled learners. They are beautiful and are up on the wall outside the classroom. Stop by and see them!
Reminders for next week:- Oktoberfest – This Saturday, September 22 from 1pm-8pm – Come and enjoy the fun!
- Picture Day – Tuesday, September 25 – Free Dress
- Noon dismissal – Friday, September 28 for staff development / FREE DRESS / PBIS assembly at 11:30
Spelling Words for the week of 9/24-9/28
-ou and -ow- hour
- boundary
- eyebrow
- county
- countdown
- anyhow
- sour
- around
- mountain
- thousand
- aloud
- allowed
- neighbor
- particular
- worship
Updates for 9/10-9/14It was so wonderful to see so many of you at Back to School night last night! Thank you for taking the time. If you think of any more questions that you may have, please feel free to email me any time. Here’s what went on this week:
Math
We started talking about volume of rectangular prisms today. In our monthly math calendar, we are looking at how fractions can sometimes be represented as money (a dime is one tenth of a dollar) and sometimes the model of a clock can be easier to understand (if you shaded from 12-4 on the clock, that would represent one third of the clock). Earlier in the week, we were still doing an inventory of what math skills students already have so I could determine where the best starting point was.
Language Arts
We spent a chunk of time this week talking about the main idea of a text. Students noticed that the main idea of a paragraph is often found in the topic sentence, or the first sentence, of the paragraph. This will guide our personal narrative writing, where we will use the same strategy – topic sentence, followed by supporting details. We had our first spelling test today!
Dinnertime question: How did the spelling test go for you today? Did your study strategy seem to work for you?
Science
We continued our study of matter this week. Students learned what the different phases of matter are, and sorted characteristics of each phase.
Dinnertime question: How is the particle arrangement in a solid, liquid, or gas different from each other? (Hint: It has to do with how closely “packed” together the particles are…)
Religion
Students have finished up their Holy Trinity pictures in class and we talked about our Student Learning Expectations (SLEs):- Faith-filled learner
- Responsible decision-maker
- Self-aware and engaged learner
Students came up with personal examples of each one for our bulletin board. They also reflected on which one they will focus their attention on this month.
Dinnertime question: Which SLE do you feel you are a good example of and which one needs some work?
Social Studies
Students completed our interactive notes about world geography and there will be a quiz next Wednesday, September 19 on it. Study guides will be going home in their home/school folders this weekend. The study guide was also emailed home.
Spelling words for the week of 9/17-9/21
/er/ spelled with -er, -ur, -ar, -or- remember
- answer
- Thursday
- worship
- surprise
- instructor
- governor
- popular
- particular
- neighbor
- anchor
- behavior
- vehicle
- assemble
- example
Successful First Week!
It has been such a lovely week getting to know your kiddos. This is an enthusiastic class of generous, helpful, and excited learners! I wanted to give you a little heads up about what went on this week in case, like me, you get the typical kid answer of "fine" when you ask about school.
We started the week with some getting to know you activities and setting the stage for a successful year: goal setting, talking about expectations, and encouraging some classroom community. We welcomed two new students to Holy Family in fifth grade: Getzemani Urena and Jack Kiesel.
We also dove right into work. We work hard during the day in fifth grade, and rest in the evenings, allowing time for family, extracurricular activities, and of course, reading! Here is what we were up to this week:
Math - We started off talking about what math class should look like and sound like and today we played the Product Game. It will be coming home next week (Monday) as a homework assignment due Thursday. One goal I have for each of them in math this year is to experience what we called "gentle frustration" in math. If they are overly frustrated, they are not able to learn, but if everything is easy peasy, they aren't learning either. What I want is that happy medium where they have a "Huh...I don't know what to do here" moment.
Dinnertime question: How did it feel playing the Product Game?
Language Arts - We started brainstorming to write personal narratives so that I can get a sense of their writing and began today to talk about the main idea in a text. I am in the middle of conducting reading interviews with each student. I'm about halfway through. I hope to use these interviews to guide them towards books that they may love, and ones that may stretch their thinking.
Dinnertime question: What are you writing about for your personal narrative?
Science - We are learning about physical and chemical changes and have started talking about matter and mass.
Dinnertime question: Can you tell me an example of a physical change and a chemical change? (If they forget, ask them about paper...)
Religion - The Holy Trinity is on the docket for this week and next week. We saw lots of beautiful representations of the Trinity in art from around the world - both simplistic and complex. Students are designing their own Holy Trinity drawings.
Dinnertime question: How can water help us to understand the concept of the Holy Trinity?
Social Studies - We have started our study of geography and maps. We talked about the hemispheres today and how maps can vary depending on perspective. Our standard Mercator projection is not the only one!
Family Study option: Look up various types of map projections. How does the shape and relative size of the continents change in the different projections?
It has been such a pleasure to be in the class with your children this week. Thanks for trusting me with them. As always, if you have any questions, please call or email any time.
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!
Can you believe that it's almost time for back to
school? I hope you have had a wonderful summer
and that you have had time as a family (and
individually) to relax and recharge. I am very much
looking forward to this year and I hope you are,
too!