An unexpected goodbye

Today was a difficult day, as I had to had to say goodbye to 27 of my favorite people much earlier than I had expected. I have appreciated all of the kind words and positive thoughts sent my way - your support has meant a lot.

Mrs. Tooker (science specialist) and Mrs. Rafferty (reading specialist) will be taking over our class for the next few weeks, so the kids are in excellent hands. They will be reviewing for the science STAAR test, while continuing book clubs, exhibition, and some extension math work. For class updates, please visit Mrs. Berens' blog, as she will post all relevant information the the 5th grade class.

Again, thank you for a memorable year. I have enjoyed working with you all and look forward to watching this awesome group walk across the stage and into the next phase of life in a few short weeks!

With love,

Mrs. Moliver

Week 31

• Community Night - Friday, April 26th. Please follow this link if you are willing to sign up as a volunteer for our very last fundraising event of the school year!
• Portfolio Picnic - April 29 - May 1 Picnic Sign Up Link & Picnic Info Link
• Science STAAR – May 15th
• Exhibition Night – May 23rd 
• 5th Grade Promotion - May 28th

Math: We will continue learning about percentages and will take a short quiz on Wednesday. Here is a video that helps explain the concept: Percents: Math Antics. Problem Solving Quiz on Friday

Reading: We will start our final book clubs on Monday!
Spelling and quizlet on Friday

Science: This week we will cover the different types of forces and how they affect motion, and how simple machines make work easier/more Simple machines video

Social Studies: We will be wrapping up our lessons on the Civil War (week 19 newspaper) and taking a test on Thursday.

Exhibition: This week we will be working on presentation supports. Each group will need a trifold board by Monday, 4/22, these can be purchased at Office Depot, Staples, Target, etc. I suggest that if one group member makes the purchase, other group members chip in $1-2 to cover the cost.

Week 30

• Spring Holiday - April 19
• Portfolio Picnic - April 29 - May 1 
• Picnic Sign Up Link & Picnic Info Link
• Science STAAR – May 15th
• Exhibition Night – May 23rd
• 5th Grade Promotion - May 28th

Math: 

We are learning about percentages and how to convert a decimal or fraction to a percent. Here is a video that helps explain the concept: Percents: Math Antics
Problem solving quiz on Thursday

Reading:
Week 30 quizlet & spelling (week 28 list) quizzes on Thursday

Science: 

Biomes and adaptations projects due on Thursday

Life science unit test on Wednesday, the best study tool is your science journal!

Social Studies: 

We will continue to cover the Civil War, there will be a final test next week (week 31)

Exhibition:

We are wrapping up revisions & edits to research papers and will begin working on presentation supports. Each group will need a trifold board (preferably by Monday, 4/22), these can be purchased at Office Depot, Staples, Target, etc. I suggest that if one group member makes the purchase, other group members chip in $1-2 to cover the cost. I will provide colored paper, and other supplies to create an eye-catching board.

Week 29

• School Carnival - April 6 (10am-2pm)
• Dunking Booth 5th grade Fundraiser sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094aaea92aa75-5thgrade  
• Math STAAR - Tuesday, April 9
• Reading STAAR - Wednesday, April 10
• Due to testing, visitors/volunteers will not be allowed on campus on Tuesday or Wednesday
• Please be sure to get lots of rest and a healthy breakfast prior to testing
• Each test may last up to 4 hours - I suggest packing an extra snack or two, but please make sure these are "CLEAN" and "quiet" so that we don't mess up our test documents or disturb others.
• Students may read after testing - be sure to have a good book ready to keep you busy until the entire grade level completes the day's testing
• Field Trip to the Menil Collection - April 12
• Please be sure to wear your grey 5th grade class shirt!!!
• Spring Holiday - April 19
• Portfolio Picnic - April 29 - May 1 Picnic Sign Up Link & Picnic Info Link

Monday will be a final review of math and reading strategies for testing taking, and small groups will address any last minute content concerns.

Tuesday & Wednesday - Testing 8am - 12pm. Lunch, ancillary, and recess will follow.

Thursday we will begin a two part life science project involving research of various biomes and the adaptations that help organisms thrive there.

Friday will be fully dedicated to working on the science project and exhibition papers' revising and editing. We will not have a POD, quizlet, or spelling quiz this week.

Note: We did not have time to take our spelling quiz this past Friday, 4/5. The list for that week will be used next week, and the quiz will take place on Thursday, 4/18... I expect very high grades :)

Week 28

• PJ Day (Fun run reward) - Monday, April 1
• Spring Picture Day - April 5
• School Carnival - April 6
• Dunking Booth Fundraiser sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094aaea92aa75-5thgrade
• Math STAAR - April 9
• Reading STAAR - April 10
• Field Trip to the Menil Collection - April 12
• Spring Holiday - April 19

Math: We are continuing our review for the Math STAAR test this week.

Students have daily math review homework, and with any extra time, they can work on Imagine Math online as a great supplemental review from home.

Reading: The students begin their historical fiction group projects on Monday, April 1st. The projects will be due on Friday, April 5th. We will also be reviewing for STAAR with the use of passage practice and task cards during rotations. Quizlet and Spelling on Friday.

Science: This week we are covering incomplete vs complete metamorphosis and heredity. Study Jams  has some great videos on living organisms and life cycles to check out. Under the "Plant" tab: Roots & Stems, Flowers, Plants with Seeds. Under the "Animals" tab: Animal Life Cycles

Social Studies: Students will continue to learn the causes of the war, the differences between the Northern and Southern economies at that time, States' Rights, Slavery/Underground Railroad, and a couple of key battles of the war

Week 27

• Report Cards go home - Tuesday, March 26
• Science Mock STAAR – Wednesday, March 27
• Field Day/Fun Run - Friday, March 29th
• Spring Picture Day - April 5
• School Carnival - April 6
• Math STAAR - April 9
• Reading STAAR - April 10
• Field Trip to the Menil Collection - April 12
• Spring Holiday - April 19

Math: We are beginning our review for the Math STAAR test this week. There will be daily math review homework, and Imagine Math can be used as a great supplemental review from home.

Reading: We will continue to read the historical fiction books for book club this week. Group projects will begin on April 1st. We will also begin reviewing for STAAR by practicing with passages and task card activities. Spelling and quizlet quizzes on Friday

Science: This week we are covering invasive species and plant/animal adaptations. Check out Study Jams, Plant tab: Roots & Stems, Flowers, Plants with Seeds. Animals tab: Animal Life Cycles

Social Studies: We will continue to learn about the causes of the Civil War, the differences between the Northern and Southern economies, States' Rights, Slavery, the Underground Railroad, and a couple of key battles of the war.

EXTRA STAAR review options:
Reading STAAR Quizlet Click here!
Math STAAR Quizlet Click here!
Imagine Math or Reading

Are you having a hard time logging into Imagine Math?
Tips on logging in to the HISD HUB from home:
1. Use Google Chrome.
2. Google “HISD HUB”
3. One of the first choices should be “PowerUp/HUB – Houston ISD.” Click on it.
4. Click on the orange button near the bottom of the screen that says “HUB Sign In.” A screen should come up that says “HISD Single Sign On Service”
5. Where it says someone@example.com, enter the student’s username. Username is “student\s1900000” – the numbers being your student’s HISD ID number. So a student named Jay Smith, with an ID number of 1923456, would have the username of “student\s1923456.” The word “student” changes the domain to the student domain.
6. When typing the username, be sure you are using a BACK SLASH, not a forward slash. The back slash key is located above the Enter key on the keyboard.
7. Password is the student’s birthdate in an 8 digit format. For example; Jan 1, 2010 would be 01012010.

Week 26

I hope everyone had an amazing spring break!

If you are looking for something to get you back in gear for the weeks ahead...

• Reading STAAR Quizlet Click here!
• Math STAAR Quizlet Click here!
• Extra Financial Literacy Quizlet
• Science STAAR Quizlet Click here!
• Imagine Math/Imagine Reading Roberts Wiki
• Read out loud, ask yourself summary and inference questions

Reminders:

• School resumes - Monday, March 18
• Report Cards go home - Tuesday, March 26
• Spring Picture Day - April 5
• School Carnival - April 6
• Math STAAR - April 9
• Reading STAAR - April 10
• Field Trip to the Menil Collection - April 12

Math:
Continue financial literacy. There will be a test on Thursday, March 21st
Extra Financial Literacy Quizlet (this will not be a quiz, but is good for practicing financial literacy terms) Fun Taxes Activities
On Friday we will begin reviewing for STAAR. Each day we will revisit and practice an objective we learned this year. We will be playing fun games, using task cards, and looking through our math journals to refresh our memory. Problem solving quiz on Friday.

ELA/Reading:
This week will start a new historical fiction book club.
Spelling and Quizlet on Friday

Science:

This week we will begin our unit on life science. This includes ecosystems, habitats, and the interaction of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things.
Study Jams Ecosystems Tab Under the Ecosystems tab, watch the videos: Ecosystems, Carbon Cycle, Population Growth and Biomes.

Social Studies:
Civil War: Students will continue to learn the causes of the war, the differences between the Northern and Southern economies at that time, States' Rights, Slavery/Underground Railroad, and a couple of key battles of the war.