Livingston Christian Schools 5th Grade Nov. 2-6

Bible: Exodus opens with a view of the bondage the Israelites faced as they continued to live in Eygpt. In the Bible, Eygpt is often a picture of sin. Students will see how Satan puts us in bondage through giving into temptation. The Bible, however, provides direction on how to resist temptation. Bible quiz 6 will be scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5. This week students will complete their study of Psalm 19:1-14 by writing the message from this passage. They will write in their own words the meaning of the verses. Generally, I expect at least one sentence for every two verses. That would mean they would write 7 sentences to explain the passage.

Spelling: List 9 words are recreation terms. Spelling sentences are due Thursday, Nov. 5. The pre-test and final test will be set for Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

Language Arts: The reading selection is entitled Voyager to the Planets, pgs. 182-199. The author of this text uses elaboration through providing facts. The comprehension quiz is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Grammar lessons will provide practice in identifying verbs, subjects, and prepositional phrases. The next preposition quiz is on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Students will be responsible for memorizing the first 30 prepositions: aboard, about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, during, except, for, from, in, into, inside, of, off, on, over.

I will continue to model writing a position paper by taking the position that the earth is between 6000-10,000 years based on biblical authority. Students are learning about writing a thesis statement, identifying counter-arguments, and establishing assertions. This week they will select their own topic on which to take a position from a list of options. Parents will approve the topic selection by the following week.

A publication celebration will take place on Wednesday to honor the diligent efforts of the Explorer's Journals that were recently completed. Students will enjoy a sweet snack as they read their writing to the class.

Math: Chapter 3 math test is set for Monday, Nov. 2. Other concepts of the week include: multiplying decimals and whole numbers, the distributive property, and dividing whole numbers.

History: What happened after explorers traveled the world? Many European poeple from Spain, France, and England began competing for land rights in the New World - where WE live! We will read about the struggles and triumphs and who finally won out in the long run.

Science: This week's lessons will highlight the reproduction of seedless plants and conifers and God's plan for pollination methods and seed dispersal. Students continue to observe their terrariums for plant growth as well as activities from the sowbugs and pillbugs. We will also create the aquarium ecosystem. Eventually, these will be combined to build a complete and self-sustained ecocolumn similar to our earth. A test will be scheduled for early next week.

Other:
*Book-it slips for October are due by Tuesday. Select a book you really want to read that has at least 250 pgs. in it. We will have a Read-a-Thon afternoon next week featuring your personal pillow and/or sleeping bag! If you don't select a good book, I'll do it for you!!!!
*Thanksgiving basket $ due if you plan to participate.
*Animal fiction book report is called "Bag-it Report." I will demonstrate this
oral report this week.
*Keep working on memorizing the analogy definitions!! The analogy meet is set for Nov. 27.
*Parent-Teacher Conferences Nov. 12-13.

Livingston Christian Schools Fifth Grade Oct. 26-30

Bible: We will conclude our study of Joseph's life this week as we consider his example of forgiveness. Again, we see God's principle that although life doesn't always work out the way we want it to, God can still work all things together for our good. The Bible memory passage Psalm 19:1-12 will be tested on Friday, Oct. 30. Quiz 5 on Joseph's life will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Spelling: List 7 words are music terms. Spelling sentences are due Thursday, Oct. 29. The pre-test and final test are set for Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

Language Arts: The reading selection this week is entitled Circles, Squares, and Daggers, pgs. 146-155. Students will observe the author's use of headings and captions to organize the text. A comprehension quiz is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29.

Writing Workshop time will provide instruction in writing a "position paper." Over the next several weeks, I will model what a position paper is and and how it is organized. Later, students will take a position on a particular topic and write a 5 paragraph essay about it.

Grammar lessons will focus on locating verbs, nouns, and prepositional phrases in sentences. The next 10 prepositions should be memorized in addition to the first 10: aboard, about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, during. Students will write these from memory on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Math: Concepts covered this week are the following: decimal estimation; adding and subtracting decimals; review of previous material. A test is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2.

History: Chapter 4 highlights the European settlement of the New World - North America. We will see how Spain, France, and England all compete for land in the New World between 1600-1700's. Students will receive notes as we progress through the material to study for the test scheduled two weeks from now.

Science: Students will understand that vascular plants have specialized structures used to transport materials and compare them to nonvascular plants. They will be able to describe the reproduction process in spore-bearing plants and compare the differences in gymnosperms and angiosperms. They will observe the germination process and oxygen/carbon cycle in their ecocolumn.

Other:
*Book Report is due Friday, Oct. 30.
*Book-it program has begun. Make sure your parent signs your reading verification slip!
*The class analogy meet is set for Nov. 20.
*Thanksgiving Baskets for the Family Impact Center - 5th graders are donating disposable baking pans

Livingston Christian Schools 5th Grade October 19-23

Bible: This week's life principle is that God works all things together for our good, but He doesn't promise things will always be easy or comfortable. This is certainly revealed in the life of Joseph as he faced many trials in Eygpt where he was sold to be a slave. In the end, however, God used his influence to provide for his family many years later. The Bible memory test is Psalm 19:1-12 to be given on Friday, Oct. 23. The Bible 5 quiz will be set for Thursday, Oct. 22.

Spelling: List 6 words are food terms. Spelling sentences are due Thursday, Oct. 22. Students have been directed to write sentences that reveal they understand the meaning of the word. For example, "What is a carbohydrate?" would not be acceptable because I am unable to understand if they really know the word's definition. The pre-test and final test are set for Wednesday and Friday, respectivley.

Language Arts: The reading selection this week is entitled The Heavenly Zoo, pgs. 228-245. The legends in this reading showcase the author's talent for writing descriptive paragraphs. A comprehension quiz is set for Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Grammar lessons highlight prepositions and prepositional phrases. Students will have a quiz over prepositions 1-10 on Tuesday, Oct. 20. They have already received a list of common prepositions. Knowing these words will help students distinguish between verbs and prepositions.

Writing Workshop time will be devoted to revising the Explorer's Journal. The typed, rough draft is due Monday, Oct. 19. The final revisions are due Thursday, Oct. 22. The final copy must be typed, double spaced, and in font 12.

Math: Lessons this week focus on the following concepts: Decimals and place value, metric measures, ordering decimals, rounding decimals, and estimating decimals.

History: Students will have a history test over chapter 3 on Friday, Oct. 23. They received notes a week ago.

Science: As we begin to build the ecocolumns, students will observe plant growth. This will assist them in describe the process of photosynthesis, leaf structure, and the role of plants in the carbon and oxygen cycles. We will learn the difference between vascular and nonvascular plants and describe the process of reproduction in gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Other:
*Book-it has begun. Students who read 250 pages above and beyond the book report book will receive a free personal pan pizza coupon through this reading program. A parent signature is required to verify the reward.
*Book report book should be almost completed. The brochure on your topic is due Friday, Oct. 30.
*Fort Fifth Grade - Bring a bed sheet to build the classroom fort on Monday for the marble reward party. It will be returned home undamaged.
*Thank you to Mrs. Schemanske for organizing the refreshments for grandparent day. Thank you to all the families who contributed food.
*Thank you for allowing me the privilege of spending time with your children day in and day out. Each one is very special to me. I pray for all of you often.

Livingston Christian Schools 5th Grade: October 12-16

Bible: The principle for this week is that whatever a person does, whether it be good or bad, it will be returned to him. The Bible says, "Whatever a man sows, he will reap. We will wrap-up our study of Jacob's life and see how God taught him to overcome deception and make amends with his brother. Bible quiz 4 is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15, and Bible memory is Psalm 19:1-10 on Friday, Oct. 16.

Spelling: List 5 words are more plural terms. The pre-test and final test are set for Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Spelling sentences are due Thursday, Oct. 15.

Language Arts: The reading selection this week is entitled Galileo, pgs. 166-175. Dicussion will center on how the author used elaboration through providing concept information. The comprehension quiz will be scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Grammar lessons will highlight prepositions and prepositional phrases. Students will be memorizing a list of common prepositions. They will be quizzed over the first ten words on Tuesday, Oct. 20. After understanding the common preposition, students will be better equipped to distinguish verbs from prepositions.

Writing Workshop time will continue to provide instruction on writing historical fiction in the form of the Explorer's Journal. Students have begun the rough draft which should be completed by Friday, Oct. 16. After one-on-one editing with students, a typed rough draft will be turned in by Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Math: Concepts covered this week -mean, median, mode, range; and review of previous material. The chapter 2 test is tentatively set for Friday, Oct. 16.

History: The Explorer's Projects are well underway. The map, 5 W's, and artifacts are due Wednesday, Oct. 14. Students should decide today what artifact they will construct. This project is to be completed at school.

Science: Very soon we will begin building ecocolumns to create water and land environments in the pop bottles students have contributed.

Other:
*Grandparent/Special Friend Day Friday, Oct. 16. Students will be presenting a program in the gym and later bring their guest to the classroom and the book fair.
*Thank you to Mrs. Frederick, Mrs. Weeks, and Mrs. Whelan for driving on our field trip.
*It's your turn now! Students will be assigned a portion of the bulletin board to create a display about themselves. Please see that attached schedule and help your student plan what to use to help others learn about them.
*Marble Reward Party! Students voted to construct a fort in the classroom. Each person will need to bring a large bed sheet to make a cover for the fort. The sheets will be returned, unharmed. Students may also bring pillows. Our party will take place on Monday, Oct. 19.

Fifth Grade Livingston Christian Schools Oct. 5-9

Bible: After applying life lessons from Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac, we move on to Jacob and Esau. We will meditate upon the principle that a man reaps what he sows. Lesson 3 quiz will be on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The Bible memory test on Psalm 19:1-8 is set for Friday, Oct. 9.

Spelling: List 4 words are plural terms. Spelling sentences are due Thursday, Oct. 8. The pre-test and final test are set for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

Language Arts: the reading selection this week is entitled Sun and Calendars, pgs. 156-165. We will observe how this author used strong topic sentences. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the comprehension quiz will be distributed.

Grammar lessons will continue to focus on spelling irregular verbs as well as reviewing helping verbs, compound verbs, and being verbs. A test will be scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8.

Writing Workshop time will be devoted to supporting students in writing historical fiction. As part of the Explorer's Project, each student has been assigned an explorer from the 1400-1500's. Just as ancient explorers kept journals of their expeditions, each student will write a "pretend" journal including the criteria defining historical fiction such as a story that takes place in the past, a plot that includes events from history, period dialogue and vocabulary.

Math: Lessons will include concepts such as bar graphs, coordinates, line graphs, and circle graphs.

History: Students have been assigned an explorer for which they will be researching and creating items to teach the class about this person's life. Students have received an outline of the requirements for this in-school project. Presentations will be shared on Wednesday, Oct. 14 so all parts should be completed by that time.

Science: A test on cells, single-celled organisms, and human body systems is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9 after the field trip. Students have received a study packet and should use this to prepare for the test.

Other:

*Monday, Oct. 5 Fun at the Field to wrap up U of M/MSU week.

*Health Exploration Station Field trip - Friday, Oct. 9. Depart LCS at 8:30 and arrive back by 2:00. Bring money for a subway lunch. Mrs. Weeks, Mrs. Frederick, and Miss Chapman will be driving.

*Book report for Oct. is an information text which must have at least 100 pages.

*Grandparent's Day or Special Friend Day, Friday, Oct. 16. Let them know now so they can set aside the afternoon to visit with you at school. An invitation will be coming home soon.