Student Council Kindness Committee Fundraiser

Families:

The Kindness Committee of the Fifth Grade Student Council is taking on TWO fundraisers this holiday season. The first -- a school-wide effort -- will kick off on Wednesday and supports the nonprofit organization, Cradles to Crayons. This organization provides much-needed support for poverty stricken Massachusetts children up to age 12. The organization accepts donations of new or nearly new clothing (including coats, boots, etc.); toys, games, and stuffed animals; and, school supplies (including backpacks). You can also send coins or dollar bills to contribute to the coin drive students have set up.

Please talk with your child about this fundraiser. It is a wonderful way to involve kids in giving to those in need.

I will also keep you informed about the Student Council's second fundraiser for People Helping People. This fundraiser is specific to fifth grade.

Thanks for your support.

December News

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends! As we move into the next term there are several exciting things to come.

As we move forward in Social Studies we are learning about early settlements: Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth. We will learn about the cooperation and conflict between Native people and English settlers. One focus will be King Philip's War. In addition, students have done their research and are beginning to write their explorer books. To support this effort, each teacher continues to conduct ELA lessons on research, note taking, turning notes into text, citing sources, etc. Mr. Murphy is supporting our work with lessons on how to use the i pad for research and to enhance our presentations.  
We had a great opportunity to see a master teacher, Kelly Boswell, teach a model lesson to my ELA students. Ms. Boswell complimented our Fox Hill students who were very cooperative and engaged during her writing lesson. I was extremely proud of my class! This month in ELA in addition to informational reading I am planning to begin our third core book, Number the Stars. Students will participate in literature circles to discuss this great WWII story.

In Math we continue with long division and as problems become more complex I encourage students to use the problem solving template and strategies we practice every day. Reflex Math is a great resource to help students practice math facts. They should be using Reflex for 10-15 minutes per day.
That's just the beginning! Winter is almost upon us, and our winter concert is right around the corner, so watch the blog for updates!

Celebrating Our Diversity!

Directions for Cultural Identity Quilt

Due: Dec. 2

                           

        At some point in your history, you or some members of your family came here from another country or countries. For this assignment, you will use the Internet, interviews with family members, and an atlas in your social studies textbook to find out more about your ancestors. You will use this information to create a square for a Cultural Identity Quilt.

Directions:

        Your quilt square must include a picture of yourself. Also, use marker or colored pencil to fill the background of your square Then, choose five of the six options below to complete your square:

        1.      A picture/drawing of a map of your family’s country or countries of origin

        2.      The flag of your family’s country or countries
3.      A picture/drawing that represents a special tradition celebrated in your

country (perhaps a holiday)

        4.      Pictures/drawings of food that is unique to your family’s country

        5.      A picture/drawing of an important landmark in your family’s country

6.      A word or two written in the language of your family’s country

        We worked on a rough draft in class and students have a clean 9x9 square to complete their quilt square.