May 4- 5th grade visits Shasta 9:30 a.m.
May 9- Track meet 4-6, mandatory chaperone meeting for coast field trip Rm 55 6 p.m., Shasta principals presentation in Danebo library 6:30 p.m.
May 15- Planned Parenthood parent presentation
June 14- 5th grade Movin’ On ceremony 9:30
Who was the master spy of Yorktown? What was the shot heard round the world? Who is John Hancock? These questions will all be answered in our next unit of study- The American Revolution. Espionage, battles, and amazing coincidences make this topic super-engaging. Check out the new social studies page under What’s Hot for more information about the American Revolution.
5th graders have completed their first round of OAKS testing in reading and are gearing up for the OAKS math test. In addition to the high-quality instruction they are receiving in these subjects, students are also learning test-taking strategies to maximize their success. Please help your student be successful by helping them get plenty of rest and a good breakfast each day!
Test-Taking Tips for Math Tests
I am pleased to announce that Danebo’s 5th grade has received a scholarship from the Bandon Submarine Cable Council for almost $1000. The funds were awarded so that the entire 5th grade can participate in a Marine Discovery Boat Tour on the Yaquina Bay.
The field trip, which includes the boat tour and a visit to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, is scheduled for June 1st. The scholarship covers the cost of admission on the boat but not the cost of admission to the aquarium. Danebo’s PTO will pay for the transportation cost to and from the coast.
Look for information about the field trip in Tuesday folders in late April, early May.
Parents may notice their student is asking a lot of questions about family traditions and ancestry. That’s because we have started a new unit on Heritage in language arts. Students are reading about various cultures and will be writing about their own. We will be compiling Heritage Albums that will include an “I Am From” poem, an interview with a family member, and a family tree.
I find myself losing sleep these days… not because I’m worrying how we will do on state testing or even because I know that I still haven’t taken down my Christmas lights yet, despite the accusing looks of my neighbors… No, it is the universe that keeps me up at night. More specifically “How the Universe Works,” a series that is airing on the Science Channel late each night. Luckily, you can watch some clips of this incredible series on Astronomy and the origins of the universe on YouTube well before bedtime. It will make your brain tingle. Here’s a sample of what’s in store…
Full episodes at: http://watchdocumentary.com/watch/how-the-universe-works-episode-01-big-bang-video_8f7059c91.html
I know parents are excited that school is back in session, even if students are still a little groggy from holiday treats and super-late nights. This first day back was seamless and was a pleasant reminder of what a treasure I have in this year’s 5th grade class.
We are hitting the ground running with adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, animal classification and ecosystems, and a puppet show in reading. I’m sure your student’s head is already swimming with the new information we learned today.
The end of this month marks the midpoint in the school year (can you believe it?) and the end of the term. Now is the time to confirm your student is current with all homework and classroom assignments. Continue to look for twice-monthly progress reports in Tuesday Folders.
Students and parents can expect upcoming rounds of district testing (EasyCBM Math, writing samples, oral reading fluency) as well as the beginning of state testing (science, math, and reading).
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns during this busy time.
5th graders have been learning about archaeoastronomy and how ancient cultures used astronomical events such as the solstices and equinoxes to mark their calendars. The solstices mark the longest days and nights of the year while equinoxes mark when night and day are of equal length.
Follow this link to find a calendar of these events. Winter Solstice will occur at 9:30 p.m. Pacific Time on December 21st.
Through the technology of time-lapse photography, from the remote regions of South Dakota, we can see the sky as our ancestors must have seen it, before light pollution made it so difficult to view the heavens. Watch a video of the night sky in winter from Dakotalapse.com to see the constellations Orion and Scorpio. Look for the belt of Orion, three bright stars in a row, at 2:39 in the video. Can you see Scorpio chasing Orion out of the sky? You can also see the Milky Way as viewed from Earth and other interesting videos.
Orion
Scopio