Week of October 14-18

We had another great week in 5th grade! We are looking forward to having conferences with you and your family over the next few weeks. 

Please see updates below:

October 11th: Parent Conferences/No School 

October 14th: No School 

October 16th: Picture Retake Day 

Parent Conferences

We will be having Parent Conferences all day on Friday, October 11th. Please sign up for a Parent Conference if you haven't already. You can find the link that was e-mailed to you from your learner's teacher. (Please e-mail them again if you can't find it!)

TCE Pumpkin Patch

Your learner came home with a letter that explains Sky Ranch Payment for the year. You can view the letter here. Our Sky Ranch trip will be April 22-April 24. The first payment will be due October 4th and it will be $50. If you would like to pay online, you may visit this link. Please contact your homeroom teacher or Mrs. Ford, the assistant principal, if you would like to discuss payment plans. 

In math next week, we will be practicing word problems for dividing and multiplying decimals. We will also show what we know on decimal operations with a post-unit assessment. Click here for some optional decimal at-home practice.

In science next week, we will begin exploring the various forms of energy such as mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, and sound energy. We will utilize the Numbers app to create a workflow in which learners move through learning experiences and demonstrations at their own pace.

In reading, we will be starting our new unit: Moving Up Levels of Nonfiction. We are really excited to introduce the fifth graders to some high interest nonfiction texts! In this unit, we'll be focusing on identifying main ideas and supporting details in the text, analyzing author's craft, making inferences, comparing and contrasting, and analyzing the effect of text structure on the author's purpose.

We'd love for you to talk to your son/daughter about nonfiction texts. What topics does your son/daughter enjoy reading and learning about? 


In writing, we will also be starting an informational unit! The 5th graders will be writing informational books about topics of interest! We are looking forward to all of the things we'll learn from them.

Do any of you write informational texts or blurbs for your job? Have you ever written to provide information? If so, we'd love for you to talk to your son/daughter about it!

We will continue to study the effects of the tensions between Great Britain and the colonists. We'll focus on the Loyalists & Patriots and the Declaration of Independence before we dive into the American Revolution.

School Board Member, Anthony Hill, stopped by Mrs. Foroodi's class to play Fact or Fib with the kids!

In Science Class, the students went around the building looking for examples of different types of energy! 

The Week of October 19th

Hello, TCE families. Thank you for taking the time to read our 5th grade blog!

What's Happening Around TCE?


Next week is Red Ribbon Week! See the image below for the theme of each dress up day! 

Report Cards came home on Friday 10/19. Please read, sign and return the report card back to your learner's homeroom teacher. 

The Health Expo letter came home on Friday 10/19 with your learner about the upcoming Health Expo on Friday, November 2nd. Please read and reach out with any questions or concerns. 

The Spelling Bee will take place in December, so your learners can begin to study words now. :) In the link below, there is a letter explaining the bee and its details. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C1BaUwQRkU5cSi6PqehoqSQDF7_JeM6R1XL1rN2nbTU/edit

Conferences 

If you would like to still sign up for a conference with your learner's homeroom teacher, the link to sign up has been sent out an email. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher. 

Popcorn During Texan Town:

The learners can order popcorn on Fridays during Texan Town for 50 cents. They also have the opportunity to pay $2.50 for a subscription, which will cover the cost of popcorn for the remaining 5 Texan Town sessions.

PTO FREE Movie Night- Oct. 26th 

     The Town Center Elementary Library will host a Storybook Pumpkin Patch for any TCE students that would like to participate.  At home, students and/or families can decorate a pumpkin to look like one of their favorite children's book characters. Students may bring their decorated pumpkin to the TCE Library 7:30-8:00am on Monday or Tuesday morning, October 29-30, 2018.  The pumpkins will be on display for viewing Monday, October 29 - Thursday, November 1.  Pumpkins must be removed from the library by 3pm on Friday, November 2.  Visit this link for details and guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/TCEpumpkinpatch


A Peek Into Our Classrooms:

Learners from 5C sharing some accomplishments.

5th grade learners working hard in music class! 

You can always follow the hashtag #tce5th on Twitter to see more pictures from our classrooms. 

Curriculum Updates: 

Math

Optional Homework Link-https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vJqvk0-06_GegxxTvzdekpbkz4zUKnUhQAXfjauQ5eU/edit

This week in math, we will continue our unit over decimal operations. Our lessons will focus on dividing with decimals. We will learn how to represent quotients of decimals to the hundredths by dividing up to four-digit dividends and two digit whole number divisors using objects and pictorial models, including area models, as well as divide using standard algorithm.

Science

  This week in science, we will be wrapping up our investigations on types of energy. The learners will be taking a quiz on types of energy on Monday. They are more than welcome to study the Quizlet over the weekend to prepare for the quiz. The learners will also be completing a project over changing forms of energy. The will be selecting a household item, drawing it, and labeling 5 types of energy and one force that the item uses. 

https://quizlet.com/319348914/science-unit-2-force-motion-and-energy-flash-cards/

Social Studies

This week in Social Studies, students will understand the perspectives of Loyalist, Patriots, and Neutralists. Students will also study important individuals such as Benjamin Franklin, Sam Adams, and Mercy Otis Warren. As a reminder, all students have access to a digital Social Studies textbook. The learners will use their computer username and password to login to the online textbook. See the link below. https://student.teachtci.com/student/sign_in

Reading & Language Arts

In reading, the learners will continue to meet with their Book Clubs to discuss and share. In reading workshop, we will focus on analyzing character problems to identify the theme and interpreting ideas in fiction. In spelling, we will be reviewing how to spell words ending in y when we add the suffix -ing. In grammar, we will focus on subject & verb agreement.

The Week of October 12th

Hello, TCE families. Thank you for taking the time to read our 5th grade blog!

What's Happening Around TCE?

Picture Retakes on Tuesday, October 16th. 

Report Cards will be coming home Friday 10/19. 

Conferences: 

If you would like to still sign up for a conference with your learner's homeroom teacher, the link to sign up has been sent out an email. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher. 

Popcorn During Texan Town:

The learners can order popcorn on Fridays during Texan Town for 50 cents. They also have the opportunity to pay $2.50 for a subscription, which will cover the cost of popcorn for the remaining 5 Texan Town sessions.

Metrocrest Food Drive:

TCE is partnering with Metrocrest Services to provide food donations for local families and senior citizens. The food drive will run October 9th-19th. We will have boxes at the end of each downstairs hallways that leaners can place their donations in.

PTO FREE Movie Night- Oct. 26th 

A Peek Into Our Classrooms:

Enjoying their first spirit rally as fifth graders!

Fifth graders representing us well in Student Council. They led the spirit rally today!

Diving into those book club books!

You can always follow the hashtag #tce5th on Twitter to see more pictures from our classrooms. 

Curriculum Updates: 

Math

Optional Homework Link- 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vlM9r29g_CmR3aKmSC0XhXlL8fjhX78y3szii7AB8rM/edit

This week in math we will continue learning multiplying with decimals. The learners will be expected to represent multiplication of decimals with products to the hundredths using objects and pictorial models, including area models, and solve for products of decimals to the hundredths, including situations involving money, using strategies based on place-value understandings, properties of operations, and the relationship to the multiplication of whole numbers.

Science

This week in science we will wrap up our investigation of different forms of energy. The learners will be building pendulums on Monday to investigate mechanical energy. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the learners will be investigating thermal energy. We will do an investigation to help the learners understand thermal conductors and insulators. Our last energy to investigate will be sound energy.

Social Studies

Students will continue to understand the causes of the Revolution. Learners will explore the Declaration of Independence and the impact of Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutralist.

Reading & Language Arts

In reading, the learners will continue to meet with their Book Clubs to discuss and share. In reading workshop, we will focus on analyzing character problems to identify the theme and interpreting ideas in fiction.

In spelling, we will be reviewing how to spell words with the ie pattern. Remind your son/daughter of the phrase: "I before E except after c."

In grammar, we will focus on subject & verb agreement.

The Week of October 8th

Hello, TCE families. Thank you for taking the time to read our 5th grade blog!

What's Happening Around TCE?

No School on MONDAY 10/8- Columbus Day

Spirit Rally Friday 10/12- Leaners are encouraged to wear grade level shirts. #FIFTH

Conferences: 

TCE Parent-Teacher Conferences were on Friday, October 5th. If you were unable to attend, and would like to still sign up for a conference with your learner's homeroom teacher, the link to sign up has been sent out an email. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher. 

Popcorn During Texan Town:

The learners can order popcorn on Fridays during Texan Town for 50 cents. They also have the opportunity to pay $2.50 for a subscription, which will cover the cost of popcorn for the remaining 5 Texan Town sessions.

Metrocrest Food Drive:

TCE is partnering with Metrocrest Services to provide food donations for local families and senior citizens. The food drive will run October 9th-19th. We will have boxes at the end of each downstairs hallways that leaners can place their donations in.

A Peek Into Our Classrooms:

Creating Liberty Poles for a Mind Mission in Social Studies. 

Practicing reflecting with mirrors and flashlights during Science. 

Practicing reflecting with mirrors and flashlights during science. 

Reviewing place value of decimals in math with 5A/B. 

You can always follow the hashtag #tce5th on Twitter to see more pictures from our classrooms. 

Curriculum Updates: 

Math

Optional Homework Link- 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a4xalMTekkj5prB5ejCBImV-uIAMfZLz9rdzypuYhrw/edit
This week in math, we will begin our next unit over decimal operations. The learners will be taking a pre-test on Tuesday.
Our first focus of this unit will be multiplying with decimals. The learners will be expected to represent multiplication of decimals with products to the hundredths using objects and pictorial models, including area models, and solve for products of decimals to the hundredths, including situations involving money, using strategies based on place-value understandings, properties of operations, and the relationship to the multiplication of whole numbers.

Science

This week in science we will continue investigating different forms of energy. We will be discussing mechanical energy and thermal energy. The learners will be participating on hands on activities and then will move on to independent practice using Discovery Education.

Social Studies

Students will continue to understand the causes of the Revolution. Learners will explore the Declaration of Independence and the impact of Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutralist.

Reading & Language Arts

In reading, the learners will continue to meet with their Book Clubs to discuss and share. In reading workshop, we will focus on analyzing character problems to identify the theme. In spelling, we will be reviewing how to spell words with the ie pattern. Remind your son/daughter of the phrase: "I before E except after c."

In grammar, we will focus on subject & verb agreement.

The Week of September 24th

Hello 5th grade families! We can't believe it is already near the end of September. Thank you for taking the time to read our blog updates!

What's Happening Around TCE?

Conferences: 

Mark your calendars for our Parent-Teacher Conferences on Friday, October 5th. The learners do not have school on this day, but are encouraged to join the conferences. Your child's homeroom teacher will email out a sign-up link for a conference time within the next week.

Fair Ticket: 

The learners will be coming home with a free ticket to the State Fair of Texas. The fair is located at Fair Park in Dallas, TX, and will be open from September 28th - October 21st.

A Peek Into Our Classrooms

Happy "FRIYAY" from 5C!

5th Grade Relay Race Challenge in Math

5th Grade Relay Race Challenge in Math

5th Grade Relay Race Challenge in Math

You can always follow the hashtag #tce5th on Twitter to see more pictures from our classrooms. 

Curriculum Updates: 

Math

Here is a link to this week's optional homework.

This week in math we will continue our unit over decimal place value. This unit will require the learners to represent the value of the digit in decimals through the thousandths place using expanded notation and numerals, compare and order two decimals to the thousandths place and represent comparisons using the symbols >, <, or =; and round decimals to the nearest tenth or hundredth place.

Science

This week in science we will be starting our unit on force, motion, and energy. The learners will start by reviewing circuits, conductors, and insulators with hands on investigations. We will then start investigating light. The learners will be learning how light travels.

Social Studies

This week, in Social Studies, the learners will continue exporing the causes of the American Revolution. Learners will learn more about the impact of events such as The French and Indian War, Taxation without Representation, The Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party.

Reading & Language Arts

This week we will be starting fiction Book Clubs! Learners will have the opportunity to select their top fiction chapter books. Then, they will meet with their Book Clubs to write their Club Constitutions, come up with a Club Name, and begin reading & discussing their books.

In writing, we will begin our narrative unit. Learners will start with a quick narrative pre-assessment. Then, they'll write short narratives in the format of a comic strip or graphic novel! We can't wait to see what they come up with.

In grammar, we will focus on collective nouns and irregular verbs. Ask your son/daughter to explain the definition of a collective noun, and then see if you can think of examples as a family!
In spelling, we will focus on words that have consonant changes when we add -ion or -ian.

Conferences

As you know, we will be having Parent Teacher Conferences during the beginning of October. Our official conference day (in which learners will not have school) is Friday, October 7th, but we will be offering additional time slots as well. If you have not yet done so, please sign up for a conference time slot. 

If you sign up for a face to face conference, you will have a 15 minute slot to meet with both of your son/daughter's teachers. These conferences will be learner-led, and we invite you to bring your son/daughter with you.

Miss Peccarelli & Miss Seifert's Classes: 

• 5A/5B Conferences Sign Up
• 5A/5B Pre-conference Question Form - Complete prior to your conference time. 

Miss Natherson & Miss Taylor's Classes: 

• 5C/5D Conferences Sign Up
• 5C/5D Pre-conference Questions Form - Complete prior to your conference time. 

During our conference, one of the things we will be discussing is your learner's beginning of the year data. To help you better understand the data and because the 15 minute time slot can go by quickly, we have created a short presentation for you to view prior to your conference. This presentation includes two videos and will explain each of the assessment tools in detail. Please take a few minutes to view it. 

5th Grade Fall Conferences Parent Presentation

PDF | Google Presentation 

We look forward to conferencing with you about your learner! 

Updates Week 6

Thank you for taking the time to stop by our blog and read about what's going on in 5th Grade. Please be sure to check the Google Calendar that is linked at the top of the blog for important updates. 

Announcements

• We loved having visitors in our room for Special Friends Day last week! 

Parent Teacher Conferences

• Friday, October 7th is our Parent Teacher Conference Day. On this day, learners will have the day off, and educators will be at school having conferences. We would love to conference with you and your son/daughter, and we hope you will be able to sign up for a conference time. 
• If you sign up for a face to face conference, you will have a 15 minute slot to meet with both of your son/daughter's teachers. These conferences will be learner-led, and we invite you to bring your son/daughter with you. (If there is a topic you'd like to discuss without your son/daughter present, we can arrange that as well.) 
• We are offering some conference slots during the week prior to October 7th as well. If you are unable to find a time slot that works for you, please let us know and we will be happy to set something up. 
• If your schedule does not permit a face to face conference, we would still love to offer you a phone or email conference. If this is the case, please email your child's homeroom teacher to set one up. 

Conference Sign Ups: 

If you would like to sign up for a face to face conference, please access the following links. Prior to your conference, please complete the quick questionnaire so that we may be more prepared for your conference. 

Miss Peccarelli & Miss Seifert's Classes: 

• 5A/5B Conferences Sign Up
• 5A/5B Pre-conference Question Form - Complete prior to your conference time. 

Miss Natherson & Miss Taylor's Classes: 

• 5C/5D Conferences Sign Up
• 5C/5D Pre-conference Questions Form - Complete prior to your conference time. 

Classroom Communities

• We have emphasized that at TCE, we are one big family. In keeping with that theme, we will be showcasing family pictures in our classrooms again this year. If you have not already done so, please send a picture of your family to your child's teacher. You may email the picture or send in a printed picture. Thank you for your help with this! 

Curriculum Tidbits

Math

The learners will begin a new unit exploring the place value of decimals. They will be able to represent numbers with decimals up to the thousandths place.

Science

This week in science we will continue exploring the different properties of matter.

Reading

In reading, we will wrap up our study of our first short story, Charles, through the Junior Great Books curriculum with a "Great Debate" in which the learners will discuss their ideas about the story. In preparation for this "Great Debate," the learners will be working on justifying their opinions with evidence from the text.

Writing & Spelling

We are loving our Narrative Writing Unit! So far the learners have learned about how to "Begin with a Bang" and end their narratives with a "Take Away Conclusion." Later this week, we will focus on writing more descriptively and really engaging our readers.

In spelling, the learners will continue to get a new list each week, study and understand the spelling patterns throughout the week, and take a quiz on Friday. As requested at Curriculum Night, you may access the learner's spelling lists on our class websites.

Social Studies

We have begun our study of the United States Constitution! Our learners are beginning to understand the purposes of our checks and balances system and the role of our three branches of government!
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Finally, thank you again for taking the time to read our blog. We know how important it is for our TCE families to know what is happening at school! If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. Our contact information is linked below for your convenience.

5A Morgan Peccarelli - mpeccarelli@coppellisd.com

5B Kate Seifert - kseifert@coppellisd.com

5C Marly Natherson - mnatherson@coppellisd.com

5D Jenna Taylor - jltaylor@coppellisd.com

Upcoming Events: Special Friends Day, Fall Family Picnic, & Conferences

A few important updates for this week: 

• We will celebrate Special Friends Day this Friday, September 23rd from 1:30-2:30. Learners may invite special friends (such as family members or close family friends) to visit during this time. During their visit, the learners' special friends will have the chance to visit our classroom, the book fair, and other areas of our school. Please let us know if you have any questions! 
• The Annual Fall Family Picnic is this Friday, September 23rd at 5:30 PM at the Town Center pavilion right next to our school. This is a fun event for the whole family, and we hope to see you there! 
• This week will be our second Texan Town, and we will be selling popcorn again. Learners may buy a bag of popcorn for $0.50 or purchase a subscription for $4.00. 
• As you may have learned, we do have the book fair going on this year! We would love for you to visit the book fair with your learner before or after school. In addition, you may send your learner with cash to spend. However, we recommend sending the money in an envelope, bag, or wallet; We want to be sure the learners don't lose their money. 
• Finally, we will have Parent Teacher Conferences on Friday, October 7th. We will be sending out a sign up for these conferences in the next few days, but we thought you might want to be sure to add it to your calendar. 

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read our blog!