Three weeks left in the third quarter-it's hard to believe! I think we may have our first full week of school since getting back from winter break. (Now let's hope I haven't jinxed it...)
I have been working with the students on utilizing their time management skills, especially when it comes to homework. I do not give homework nightly. Rather, I give the students long term homework which they have anywhere from one weekend to a month to complete. Lately here it seems they have been procrastinating more and more. When this occurs all of a sudden they have a TON of homework to complete and they become overwhelmed. The purpose of giving them a period of time to complete it is so they can do just a little at a time and steadily complete it without being overburdened. I feel time is better spent reading and studying for tests when at home. In reality, we just don't always have enough time at school to get the things done that need finished. I try to give the least amount possible, but starting this week I am going to try a new strategy with the students. Let's see if it works!
This week:
English: We will begin our Adjective unit and continue working on our Crosswalk book.
Reading: We will continue to work on Comparing and Contrasting and Point of View. Book reports are due Friday. Next month we will begin working on non-fiction books rather than fiction.
Science: Quiz on Light Energy is Monday, and then we move on to Sound Energy! This should also be short and sweet like the Light Energy unit, and will conclude with a quiz rather than a test. We will then do Force and Motion, and then move on to Life Science!
Social Studies: We have started our Interactive Notebooks which the students seem to enjoy so far! This week we will finish up the French and Indian War, and then begin looking at what led up to the American Revolution by focusing on the Stamp Act.
Pennies for Patients begins this week. The students really impressed me when we talked about it last week! When I mentioned the fundraiser, someone asked if there was a "prize" for winning. Before I could answer, a majority of the class began answering with comments along the lines of "it doesn't matter, we are doing it for a good cause to help those in need!" Needless to say, I thought it was a very impressive way of thinking for fifth graders!
The testing time is upon us. Starting in the first week of March we will begin our MAP testing, followed by PARCC tests at the end of March, then OAAs at the end of April, and more PARCC testing in May. Plenty of rest and a healthy breakfast will go a long way in success for all students on all of these tests!
Have a great week!
Mrs. Perkins
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