September Newsletter

Room 20 – Grade 5
September Newsletter

Welcome to Grade 5! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself…

My name is Mrs. Shields. This is my third year of teaching at PJ Gillen School. Prior to my time at Gillen I taught two years in Yorkton (Grade 1 and Grade 7), one year in Springside (Kindergarten), and one year in Oklahoma City (Grade 1). I completed my teacher training in Philadelphia where I completed my teaching degree thanks to a volleyball scholarship. Last year, I completed my Master’s Degree from the University of Phoenix.

Things to Know About Grade 5

Agenda – Using a day planner is an important tool that students will use throughout the year to help stay organized. Students are expected to use their day planner daily. Students are responsible for entering information into their planners, taking it home, and returning it back to school with a parent signature or initial for that day. Your support with this is greatly appreciated.

Classroom Blog - http://www.mrsshieldsblog.blogspot.com/
Our classroom blog is a great form of communication for parents, students, and school. Feel free to leave comments and check the blog daily for what we did at school. I will post examples of work, pictures, daily activities, and a classroom calendar.

During the month of September we will be working on…

Math
We will begin the school year with our Patterns and Equations unit. Within this unit, students will be describing number patterns, expressing problems as equations, and creating and solving equations.

Students will be reviewing one specific problem solving strategy within each unit of math, with an exception of our Fractions unit and Multiplication/Division unit when we will cover two strategies because of the increased length of the unit. We will be starting with our first strategy, Use or Look for a Pattern.

Language Arts
Spelling words will be given to the students every Day 1. We will word process our 7 words on Day 2 of each cycle and the spelling test will take place every Day 6. The spelling words used throughout the school year will make up our classroom word wall.

In Writing, we will be focusing on the 6+1 Traits of Writing. To begin the process, we will look at the Ideas trait. Within this trait we will discuss how to come up with ideas for writing and how to make those ideas full of detail and interesting.

Center time will give us an opportunity for Independent Reading and Guided Reading. Students have picked a book from the classroom library that they are interested in reading independently. We have discussed how to pick a Just Right book. Throughout the year, we will review strategies that will help to improve upon our reading skills and creating independent learners. Guided reading will be in small groups and teacher directed. We will read from the Collection series, which is a collection of short stories centered around a variety of themes. Together is Better will be the theme of our first collection.

Social
Grade 5 Social Studies follows a Canadian theme. Our first unit is Location. We will use this unit to look at a variety of maps, globes, symbols, and practice our map reading skills.

Phys Ed – Mr. Leidl
The Grade 5’s will begin their Phys. Ed. classes focusing on sending and receiving skills. Students will also work on fitness planning, strength training, and flexibility skills. Participation, fun and enthusiasm is required.

Health – Mr. Leidl
Students will get an overview of the Grade 5 Health Curriculum which will begin with a unit on Personal, Social, and Emotional Wellness. Students will learn strategies to improve their fitness and wellness initiatives.

Science – Mrs. Gale
Welcome to the wonderful world of science! I hope your child will enjoy the opportunities to learn, explore and discover in science this year.
To start off the year we will be studying a unit entitled, Plant Structures and Functions . In this unit, students will be introduced to the amazing world of plants! They will view the stems, roots, leaves and flowers of various plants, learn how to identify various plant species and take a look at the field and forage crops of Saskatchewan . Students will conclude their study of plants with a plant project. I will be sending information about this home, shortly.
I f you ever have questions or concerns, during the school year, please feel free to contact me at the school (745-2171) or by e-mail at cgale@mail.gssd.ca .
Art – Mrs. Schentag
Welcome back to school! I hope that everyone had a relaxing summer and has come back to school filled with excitement. I am very happy to be teaching your child Arts Ed. this year and look forward to watching them create in the areas of Music, Visual Arts, Drama and Dance.

We will begin the school year in the Music Strand working on the unit entitled The World of Music. Students will be learning about various musicians and the different genres of music, the musical instruments used to create their work and the elements of music. They will also explore rhythm activities, participate in musical games and musical listening activities.

I hope to challenge the students in the areas of technology and research so that they explore all aspects of the art world – creatively, culturally, and historically. I look forward to a productive and fun year in Arts. Ed. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school – 745-2171. Also, if you have any artistic talents that you would like to share with the students we would be happy to welcome you to our classroom – just let me know!