5th Grade

What We're Learning: January 2025

Reading & Writing
This month, we will dive into short stories. Readers will look closely at how authors use special writing tools like figurative language, foreshadowing, and building tension to make their stories exciting. In writing, students will share their thoughts about what they read and give examples to back up their ideas.

Math
This month, we will focus on multiplying and dividing numbers. We will use tools like fraction bars, arrays, and grids to help us solve problems with fractions and decimals.

Social Studies
This month, we are moving away from South and Central America and learning more about North America. As we start the New Year, we will also work on growing our community and building teamwork skills.

  • Students participating in a student-led lesson
  • Students coding on tablets
  • Students coding at the Microsoft Experience Center
  • Students playing video games at the Microsoft Experience Center field trip
  • Students outside the Microsoft Experience Center field trip
  • Students posing with characters at the Microsoft Experience Center field trip

Home Connection

  • Equivalent Fractions
     Converting equivalent fractions 
    In 5th grade, we learn how to add unlike fractions. This procedure involves converting the fractions to equivalent fractions with a common denominator. So, the concept of equivalent fractions is an important prerequisite to add and subtract  fractions.


  •  Comic about perspective of roses with thorns
     What is perspective?     Two people can have the same experience but feel differently about it. Look at this comic and think about the difference in perspective.

  • Reading assessments are happening this month. Make sure your student is reading independently for 40 minutes every day. They should stop to jot their ideas every 3ish pages. They should use literary terms (e.g. foreshadowing, theme, symbolism, suspense, etc.) when talking/jotting/writing about their reading.

Important Dates

  • Thursday, January 2nd: Return from Winter Break
  • Friday, January 10th: Parent Association Meeting and Family Fitness Night at 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, January 11th: PA Clothing and Goods Swap from 12:00 to 2:00 PM
  • Monday, January 20th: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Schools Closed)
  • Tuesday, January 28th: Picture Day
  • Wednesday, January 29th: Lunar New Year (No School)

Contact Your Teacher

Ms. Aucapina maucapina@ps343.org Text Ms. Aucapina

Ms. Rabin srabin@ps343.org Text Ms. Rabin

Ms. Verde everde@ps343.org Text Ms. Verde

Ms.  Ramirez jramirez@ps343.org Text Ms. Ramirez

B-412 Ms. Clock's Class