Our Biztown volunteer spots are all filled. We are only allowed to take 8 volunteers per class, and I currently have 10 volunteers. If you have requested to volunteer, I sent home confirmation last week with directions to Biztown.

What are we learning?
Reading We will learn about the genre of non-fiction by reviewing how to determine the main idea and supporting details of a passage. In addition, we will continue our read aloud book Indian in the Cupboard.

Writing We will continue our study of root words this week. We will also be focusing on examining the structure of a narrative story. This week we will begin revising our writing by taking a closer look at how to make the setting more descriptive and interesting to the reader.

Math We have started chapter 3 which focuses on long division. We will be learning how to divide decimals by decimals this week and take a test on Friday. Mastery of multiplication facts is essential to doing well in this section of math. Please continue to practice facts at home if your child struggles with them.

Social Studies Last week we began a unit on explorers. We also learned about Spanish exploration. This week we will learn abotu French, Dutch, and English exploration. Your child received instructions about the explorer speech and visual aid. Time will be given in class to research all of the information that needs to be included in the speech. Students will be taking notes on an outline. They will then take their outlines home to write their speeches and create a visual aid for homework. All speeches and visual aids will be due on Wed. 9/15.

Science We have finished our study of atoms and elements.

Upcoming Events
Mon.9/6: Labor Day- No School!
Fri. 9/10: Math Ch. 3 assessment
Tues. 9/14: Biztown Field Trip
Wed.9/15: Explorer speech and visual aid due
Wed. 9/22: Explorers assessment and learning log due

Links
Scholastic Book Orders
To place an order online, go to
http://scholastic.com/bookclubs
*Create your own username and password. Enter class Activation Code: GJYX6

Access your Science text book online!
go to: http://www.eduplace.com/eservices
log in: allstudent5
password: student

*Visit Spelling City for cool interactive games and quizzes to help improve spelling skills!

*Visit http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/songs/50capitals.html for states and capitals activities.

Homework
***Note: Studying states and capitals continues to be a part of your child's daily homework each night if he/she has not passed all 4 quizzes. I will no longer be writing this under each night's homework due to the fact that some students have passed all 4 states and capitals quizzes already and will not have this for homework any longer.

Monday: No school!

Tuesday:

1. Reading Log: Read for 20 min. Enter title, author, pages read, and parent signature in your planner
2. Daily 5: Math 3.9 and LA
3. Social Studies: pg. 143 -> Answer questions in complete sentences
4. Explorer speech and visual aid due 9/15

Wednesday:

1. Reading Log: Read for 20 min. Enter title, author, pages read, and parent signature in your planner
2. Daily 5: Math 3.10 and LA
3. Social Studies: pg. 120-121 -> Answer questions in complete sentences
4. Explorer speech and visual aid due 9/15

Thursday:

1. Reading Log: Read for 20 min. Enter title, author, pages read, and parent signature in your planner
2. Math textbook pg. _____ (to be determined) odds only
3. Explorer speech and visual aid due 9/15

Friday:

1. Daily reflection signed by a parent due by Tuesday

*Important Information and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions*

• Responsibility is a major part of 5th grade. I do not excuse a student from homework club if he/she left materials or assignments at school or at home or forgot to get something signed.
We will have P.E. every Friday (unless it is extremely hot or raining). Please make sure your child wears appropriate clothing and shoes on these days.
• Students should bring a water bottle to school each day to keep hydrated and cool during these hot summer days.
• Your child should bring his/her math journal home each day to help with math homework. Everything that is on the math homework was done in class that day and should be written in their journals.
• Students need to read a minimum of 20 minutes each night and record their reading, along with a parent signature on their reading log each day.
• Schoolgrams will go home every Wednesday. Please review each paper in the schoolgram, as they will now only contain important flyers and announcements from the school. All other non-school related flyers will be sent home separately.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.