October 30, 2020

 Welcome back!

Reminders:

The weather is changing! Make sure your scholar brings an extra layer for mornings and recesses. It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

English Language Arts:

This week, we read through "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" Chapter 6. Next week, we will continue the adventure with Caspian, Eustace, and the Pevensies to see what they do next!

        **This book is a "Classics to Keep" book. Each student should have their own copy to read from and annotate in.

For Poetry, we have started working on "The Bells" by Edgar Allen Poe. We will recite it at the end of the quarter.

Math:

Hello Spartan Family!

We have completed Unit 3 on fractions this week! Next week we will spend a great deal of time reviewing key concepts in preparation for our Unit 3 test. 

Sincerely,

Mr. Dorazio

History:

We've started fresh this quarter with a new unit on the Reformation. This week we focused on Martin Luther and the spread of Protestantism. Next week, we'll move on to reform within the Catholic Church.

Science:

This week, we started learning about living things--how to tell if something is living by how it interacts (or doesn't!) with its environment. We will continue this subject next week, with an assessment at the end of the week.

Grammar/Writing: 

In Grammar, we've started working with predicate nominatives. Students should be getting familiar with the definition of a predicate nominative, finding them in the sentence, and reviewing the linking verbs that often help to distinguish a predicate nominative from a direct object. Next week, we will continue working with both of those parts of speech and will end the week with a Ch. 5 quiz on Friday.

In Writing, we'll continue practicing descriptive writing. We will also start to practice telling the difference between details and main ideas. 

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

October 16, 2020

 Welcome back!

Reminders:

Quarter 1 ended this week! Electronic report cards will be sent to you today (Friday, Oct. 16).

Fall Break is next week! No school Monday-Friday, Oct. 19-23. We hope you enjoy a restful, rejuvenating week!

English Language Arts:

This week, we started reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and began our journey with Lucy, Edmund, Reepicheep, and many others. After the Fall break, we will continue our reading to see where the sea voyage takes us. This week for Poetry, we concluded our practice of Sonnet 29 and held our recitations. After the Fall Break, we will begin our next poem: The Bells by Edgar Allan Poe. 

Math:

Hello 5th Grade Spartans!

We have been working with fractions all week and I am very impressed with what I have seen! Upon our return from break we will be delving more into different operations with fractions, specifically division. Have a great Fall Break!

Sincerely,

Mr. Dorazio

History:

We've finished our unit on the Renaissance. After the break, we'll begin looking at the Reformation and its effects on society and industry. 

Science:

This week we finished up studying pendula (plural form of pendulum) and celebrated all the wonderful things we learned this second half of the first quarter. Starting up on Monday October 26, we are turning to living things and how they interact with their environment. 

Grammar/Writing: 

In Grammar, we've finished our focus on direct objects, but they'll keep showing up in our sentences! After the break, we'll begin working with different types of predicates, starting with predicate nominatives.

In Writing, we'll begin doing some more personal writing to practice descriptions. Your student should start thinking about some of their favorite things; we're going to be brainstorming, describing, and writing all about them! 

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

October 9, 2020

Welcome back!

English Language Arts:

This week we solved the Mystery of the Blue Carbuncle with Sherlock Holmes and next week we will be starting a sea voyage with some new and old friends in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 

Poetry: Next week is our last week with our current poem, Sonnet 29. Next week our recitation will be on October 16th. We will begin The Bells by Edgar Allen Poe after Fall break.

Math:

Hello 5th grade Spartans,

 Next week in math we will be working with mixed numbers and how to add and subtract them. We will also be looking at what a fraction means in relation to a whole and how to determine that fraction in respect to more than one whole number.

Sincerely,

Mr. Dorazio

History:

In History this week --- We will continue our unit on the Renaissance with a lesson over one of the most famous Renaissance writers, William Shakespeare. Later in the week, we will have a unit review followed by a short Story Board project.   

Science:

This week we introduced pendulums and started exploring how they work. The next step will be to test different variables to see what will affect the number of cycles. We also have a science test approaching, so prepare any questions you have for your teacher and ask them during small group times!

Grammar/Writing: 

In Grammar this week we were reintroduced to Predicate Verbs and Direct Objects, which we'll keep working with next week.

In Writing, we've seen chronological narratives of past events and of scientific discoveries, and next week we will write our own.

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

October 2, 2020

  Welcome back!

English Language Arts:

We've started reading "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" and will continue to do so in the coming week. We'll be exercising our knowledge of context clues to make predictions about the mysteries and will familiarize ourselves with stories written in first-person point of view.

Math:

Happy Friday 5th grade Spartans!

This week we ended Unit 2 in math and started fractions. We reviewed some concepts and next we will delve even deeper into how to work with fractions, including adding, subtracting, and even working with mixed numbers. 

Sincerely,

Mr. Dorazio

History:

We will identify and discuss the causes and effects of the spread of Renaissance ideas to Northern Europe. We’re heading to Germany in Northern Europe, following the path along which Renaissance ideas spread. Remember Guttenberg’s printing press--it plays a very important role in spreading Renaissance ideas into Northern Europe.

Science:

This week we saw how to build circuits and how a parallel circuit works. Now we are transitioning to something really fun: we are going to look at a pendulum and see how it works. If you want to play along at home, you  will need some string, a washer/heavy object, a pencil, and some paper clips. 

Grammar/Writing: 

We've finished our focus on adjectives in Grammar, but we won't forget about them! They'll keep showing up in our sentences, but our next focus will be on Predicate Verbs and Direct Objects.

In Writing, we've begun working on ordering events. In the next couple of weeks, we'll focus on identifying main events and writing about our own events in chronological order.

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

September 25, 2020

 Welcome back!

Important Dates and Information:

We've completed a week of Hybrid Learning! Both Distance Learners and Brick & Mortar students have shown integrity and perseverance in their learning, and we appreciate you sticking with us as we've navigated this latest transitional period.

English Language Arts:

This past week we said goodbye to Mary, Dickon, and Colin as we finished The Secret Garden. Next week we will review The Secret Garden before beginning our next Literature text - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. 

Math:

Hello 5th grade Spartans!

It was great to see some of your scholars in person, and to have an extended amount of time with them on zoom. This week we came to the end of our second unit in math, meaning next Tuesday we will have our second test. We will have a cumulative review on Monday of what we have learned so far. Then we venture in fractions and what they really mean or represent. Hope everyone has a great weekend, and we will see you all next week!

-Mr. Dorazio

History:

Next week, we will continue our multiple-part unit on the Renaissance with the Medici family and the merchant class of Florence, Italy. We will continue our discussion of the Renaissance by Identifying and explaining the significance of Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli.

Science:

This week we worked with color and energy. There were some musical instruments and flame! Next week we will start to build circuits and parallel circuits. Distance learners, you may want to have some pipe cleaners and look for paper lightbulbs and paper batteries that you may want to print out to play along. 

Grammar/Writing: 

This week in Grammar we started identifying and using adjectives. Scholars have come up with some creative descriptions of things! Next week we will continue working with analyzing and diagramming adjectives in sentences and composing our own descriptive sentences.

In Writing we will continue improving our summarizing and outlining skills. Our focus will be identifying and accounting for main events in chronological order. We will do this using a passage, then will write our own chronological narrative.

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

September 18, 2020

 Welcome back!

Important Dates and Information:

Monday, 9/21, is our scholars' first day back on campus! Please consult the email from your scholar's teacher regarding what supplies to bring to campus. 

Also note that moving forward we will no longer offer homeroom or tutoring Zooms, but we will have new small groups Zooms for our distance learners as well as social Zooms twice a week; we will keep you posted with times and dates!

English Language Arts:

This past week we worked on analyzing character relationships in The Secret Garden, and next week we will finish the last chapters of our first novel of 5th grade! For Poetry, we had our Recitation on The Road Not Taken and next week we will begin Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare. 

Math:

Hello Fifth Grade Spartans,
Next week we will wrap-up our Unit 2 and delve deeper into long division. There will be a brief review over the past few lessons and a cumulative review of everything we have done this year in math so far. These reviews are important for your scholars to gauge how they are doing with the material and where they need more practice. Have a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing some of you in person next week!
Sincerely,
Mr. Dorazio

History: 

Monday—

We will start our multiple-part unit on the Renaissance, beginning with the Origins of the Renaissance: the factors that brought about this rebirth of Europe and its people.

Wednesday—

We will continue our discussion of the Renaissance with an introduction to Humanism, the belief that people should be educated and that things like art, music, and science could make life better for everyone.

Science:

This week we wrapped up learning about chemistry and moved on to light energy. Next week we deal more with energy and what happens when light touches an object--why does an apple appear red? We will also introduce electrical energy and talk a little bit about circuits.

Grammar/Writing:

In Grammar, we will start working with adjectives. We'll learn what they do, how they're used, and how to analyze and diagram them in sentences. 

In Writing, we'll continue using different types of passages to practice key concepts of recognizing main topics and ideas and being able to summarize and outline. We'll also learn about the use of synonyms and thesauruses to make written work more interesting.

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.

September 11, 2020

 Welcome back!

Important Dates and Information:

Reminder: Each day starts at 8:00 a.m., when we look forward to seeing all students sitting scholarly and ready for our Homeroom Zoom meetings!

English Language Arts:

Literature: This week we practiced finding themes in The Secret Garden and next week we will find specific ideas in the story to back up our main ideas. 

Poetry: This last week and this next week we are practicing for our recitation on the 18th. 

Math:

Next week we will be taking a step further into working with word problems and learning how to navigate them. We will also see the fruition of the distributive property in the algorithms we use for multiplication and division. Have a great weekend!

History:

Monday of next week will consist of the Mesoamerican Review/ Test. The slide-video will take the students through the review and the Cornell notes will be provided as a reference to be used on the Google Classroom Test. The Test itself will have ten questions this time, as opposed to the usual five question quiz. Students can change their answers until they “Submit” those answers to GC. A grade should be given to them soon after in the top right-hand corner of the graded Test.

Wednesday will consist of a reflection project. One question will be asked about each of the Mesoamerican Civilizations: Maya, Aztec, Inca. Students will be asked to answer the question in 3-5 sentences and create a picture from their words to bring the words to life through art.   

Science:

We had some exciting developments with physical and chemical changes this week. We were able to see that after the baking soda reacted to the vinegar, the bag stayed relatively the same weight! Next week, we finish up our conversation about chemistry and start to turn our attention to energy and light. Here's a sneak peek!

Grammar/Writing:

Next week in Writing we will continue identifying topics and main ideas in paragraphs and putting them into outlines. In Grammar, we will continue practicing using and diagramming adverbs.

Specials link: https://ghwhspecials.blogspot.com/

5^th Grade Contact Info:

5A Lead – Mr. Craig Swanson; craig.swanson@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5B Lead – Mr. Vinny Dorazio; vincent.dorazio@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Ms. Kate Wall; katharine.wall@greatheartswesternhills.org

5C Lead – Ms. Hannah Harkness; hannah.harkness@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

5D Lead – Mr. Travis Chisholm; travis.chisholm@greatheartswesternhills.org

              AT – Mr. Daniel Coronel; daniel.coronel@greatheartswesternhills.org

 

If you need us, we’re here! Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or concerns.