Greetings GRAIS Community,
The children settled back into the routines of school well this past week, and we have enjoyed hearing about some very restful vacations, as well as some great family fun times! Below is a look into where we are headed in classrooms upon our return.
Please be reminded that there is no school in the district on Tuesday, the 5th.
Campus Programs:
Home Alone Class
https://www.freelake.org/docum...
PTO:
George R Austin Intermediate School's fundraiser starts today, and we need your
help. Our goal is to raise $10,000.00 for essential programs not currently funded
through traditional means. It's as simple as 1, 2, 3!
1. Register TONIGHT at www.ShopFund.com
2. Share custom support links with family & friends via Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, Email, Text and more.
3. Student Goal: Minimum of 5 Online Supporters.
REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Sharing gets you tickets for chances to win over
$100,000 in instant prizes.
Fundraiser Links:
● How To Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/8752027)
● Kick-Off Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/10451109)
● Parent Letter - (https://grpsvcs.link/LobCwm)
● Prize Program - (https://bit.ly/3Y5wXxw)
Games Night:
https://forms.gle/nKFegxpZKz1s...
Library News:
Students are continuing to learn about the Google apps in Library class. So far this year we've used Classroom, Drive, Docs and Slides. This week we're starting to look at Google Forms and students will both fill out forms and create their own forms. They will choose books that they've read to create their own quizzes.
A Note from the Reading Specialist:
In our small groups, fourth and fifth grade students are working on specific literacy skills, as well as comprehension of grade level texts. Students continue to be introduced to new vocabulary words, studying their meaning in context and applying them to longer pieces of writing in response to reading. In writing, students are working on expanding sentences, using conjunctions for meaning, and staying on topic when responding to text.
A Note from the Math Specialist:
Students have learned a lot of new math skills this year so far, and I am thrilled to be able to support both grade levels. Beginning in the second half of the school year, I am able to support even more students, as I am spending more time in their classrooms. Fourth graders are working on fractions and geometry, while fifth graders have begun to multiply and divide fractions, and to work on geometry and measurement skills. Students working in small groups allows them to focus on reviewing skills, as well as getting the support on the skills being introduced in their math classes. We also continuously review math facts in both grade levels, as they are the cornerstone to math concepts.
Grade Four ELA and Social Studies:
We are focusing on responding to fictional texts, including telling a story from a different perspective in our ELA classes.
In social studies, we’re continuing to move across the regions of the United States. It is interesting to learn about the different cultures and natural resources that are here in our country.
Grade Four Math and Science:
We are now working in our fraction unit in math classes. We start by making and identifying equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions using strategies for comparing fractions that have the same denominator, or the same numerator, as well as finding common denominators to compare fractions. Next, we move onto adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator.
In science, we are building on what we have learned about rock patterns and changing land by exploring plate tectonics. We are also learning about plate boundaries, and the patterns that can be found all over the world where there is tectonic plate activity.
Grade Five ELA and Social Studies:
In ELA, students have been focused on closely reading a variety of texts digging in deep to analyze meaning and character’s point of view. Writing continues to remain a focus as students work to examine their own writing and revise/edit as needed.
In social studies,we are learning about some of the important battles of the American Revolution and analyzing their causes and effects. Examining the reasons as to why Americans chose different sides during the war has also been a great topic for discussion. Students continue to use primary sources and text features to learn about these important historical events.
Grade Five Math and Science:
We are now beginning our unit on multiplying and dividing with fractions. Students are learning how to multiply whole numbers by fractions, fractions by fractions, and mixed numbers by each other. We will discuss how fraction multiplication can be used to scale up or down measurements, like in a blueprint or recipe. For example, multiplying by ½ yields a smaller product while multiplying by 2 ½ yields a greater product.
In science, we are finishing up our unit on plants. Students have seen that plants can grow hydroponically without soil. They have learned that most of a plant’s matter comes from water and carbon dioxide in the air. Students have learned how plants use the process of photosynthesis to transform light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into chemical energy in sugar/food and oxygen. Students have also learned about seeds’ many different adaptations that allow them to be transported to new locations. Your fifth graders should be using his/her study guide and related materials to study for the upcoming test.
GRAIS Loves Music:
This week in music class, we finished up our musician of the month Whitney Houston. Fifth graders, now having completed their packets on music of the 20th Century, are getting back to playing instruments with "Uptown Funk" on bucket drums. Fourth graders are capturing the magic of our African drum circles and will soon return to where they left off last year on their recorders.
Spring chorus forms have been passed out and have a firm deadline for return of March 6th. If you need a form or have any questions, please contact Mr. Alex Duff at aduff@freelake.org or 508.923.3506. extension 3035.
GRAIS is Prepared:
We thank you for helping our students arrive at school every day with their refillable water containers. Our three hydration stations get lots of use throughout the day! Additionally, as we approached MCAS season, we appreciate your help in sending the children in with their FULLY charged school-issued chromebooks AND chargers in their cases every day.
Here are the links to the MCAS practice questions so you wish to take a look or have your child practice for the April and May state assessments at home:
http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-ela/
http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-math/
http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/practice-tests-science/
Dates to Remember:
No School – Next Tuesday, March 5th
ELA/Math Games Event – March 21st at 5:45 - 7:15 p.m.
PTO’s Mardi GRAIS Drop-off Evening Social – March 22nd from 6 - 8 p.m.
Spring Picture Day – March 27th
Early Dismissal at 11:30 a.m. – April 1st
No School – April 12th
Spring Vacation – April 15th through the 19th
Scholastic Book Fair – April 29th through May 3rd
No School – May 27th
Nature’s Classroom – June 4th - 7th
Survivor Day – June 14th
Projected Last Day of School – June 20th
Spring MCAS Dates:
Grade Five ELA MCAS – April 2nd & 3rd
Grade Four ELA MCAS – April 4th & 5th
Grade Five Math MCAS – May 13th & 14th
Grade Four Math MCAS – May 15th & 16th
Grade Five Science MCAS – May 20th & 21st
Fondly,
Dr. Sullivan
508.923.3506 X3150
Find the district on X @FLRSDsuper and on Instagram @FLRSDsuper.