3rd Trimester

Well the 3rd Trimester is here!
We will have a busy six weeks before spring break (can you believe it?)
This week we will continue with the following themes:

Language Arts:
Wrapping up Theme 4 Relationships - we will have District benchmark testing this week.

Math:
Finishing chapter 9-Percents,decimals, fractions and probability.
We will also have District benchmark testing this week

Science:
Continue learning about The Human Body and the major organ systems. Students will have a mini-quiz after studying each system. Next system we are studying starting Monday: Circulatory System,
Wednesday/Thursday Respiratory System
Next week Monday Excretory System
The days are approximate depending if we finish covering the material, many times students have many questions and they are very interested so it takes longer.


Social Studies:
We will begin introducing Westward Expansion. This will be a topic we will cover well into April.


State-a-thon:
If you would still like to send in the envelopes for the state-a-thon fund raiser please do so this week. So far I have had 6 students turn in their envelopes.

Electives:
We are approaching the last rotation of electives. They will start March 2nd.


Classroom Changes:
I will be implementing a new behavior card/contract starting this week until the end of the year. I am trying to get the students ready for 6th grade and I know I have been a little relaxed about classroom policies. We (students and I) discussed a new "RED CARD" system. A student will get issued a red card for certain infractions (such as in soccer). These infractions are: no homework, disrespectful, talking during a lesson, etc. If a student receives a red card they need to take it home, have a parent sign it and return it back the following day. If they forget to have it signed and return the card they will get another red card the following day. If they get three in a week (three strikes you're out) the student will get lunch detention. If someone should get three red cards in one day they will visit either the vice principal or the principal that day.
Students are getting pretty relaxed in the classroom and are "chatting" more than usual. This is causing for a lot more distractions and less work being accomplished. I am hoping this new procedure will help the students focus back on classwork. Thank you ahead of time for understanding and supporting this new change.


State Reports:
As many of you may know a requirement for 5th grade is for each student to do a research project on a US state. This will be a "HOME PROJECT". I will hand out the guidelines and rubrics by the end of next week. The students will have approximately 3 weeks to work on their projects. They will choose their states by the end of this coming week.

Physical Education:
This month we will also be doing our physical education testing. So girls, please if possible try to make sure you either bring a pair of tennis shoes to switch into at school or wear tennis shoes to school, it is more comfortable in which to run.

If you have any questions please feel free to stop by, email me or call.
Mrs. Schisnewski