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5th Grade Team

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Hello, and welcome back to school! I hope your family had a wonderful summer filled with fun, relaxation, and memorable adventures. My name is Mrs. Schiff, and I am delighted to be your child’s Math, Science, and Social Studies teacher this year. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, exploring, growing, and creating lasting memories together in our classroom.

A Little About Me

I have been married for 24 years and have called Libertyville home for the past 26 years. My husband and I have four children: Amanda, who has been married for almost four years and blessed us with our first granddaughter this past June 2026; Olivia, a senior at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business; Ty, a sophomore at Arizona State University Carey School of Business; and Audrina, who is in 7th grade here at SJCS.

During my 15 years at St. Joseph Catholic School, I have been blessed to grow both personally and professionally within this wonderful school community. I earned my degree in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019 and continue to further my education.

I also had the opportunity to serve as the 5th–8th Grade Middle School Resource Teacher years ago, working closely with students who have ISPs and 504 Plans. This experience strengthened my understanding of differentiated instruction and the importance of meeting students where they are while helping them build confidence and reach their individual potential. I am currently continuing my education as I work toward earning my Special Education credential.

Looking Ahead to a Wonderful Year

As we begin this new school year, one of my greatest priorities is to ensure that every student feels seen, supported, challenged, and capable of success. I believe children learn best when they feel comfortable asking questions, taking academic risks, and recognizing that mistakes are an important part of learning and growth.

My experience as the 5th–8th Grade Resource Teacher also provided me with a strong understanding of our Middle School Math, Science, and Social Studies curriculum. I will continue collaborating closely with our Middle School teachers throughout the year to help ensure that our 5th graders develop the academic skills, study habits, independence, and confidence they need for a successful transition into 6th grade.

I am truly grateful for the trust you place in me as your child’s teacher. I value the partnership between home and school and believe that open communication plays an important role in each child's success. Please never hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or anything you feel would help me better support your child.

I am excited for all that this year has in store for us!

Many Blessings,
Mrs. Schiff

Help Support Our Classroom

I have created an Amazon Classroom Wish List with items that will help enhance our students’ learning experiences throughout the year. The list includes resources to expand our classroom library of knowledge, support new and engaging approaches to Math instruction, provide opportunities for hands-on and differentiated learning, and help students develop important study skills, organization, and independent learning habits.

Every item, big or small, will be put to good use and directly benefit our students. Any donation is sincerely appreciated, but certainly never expected. I am incredibly grateful for the continued generosity and support of our SJCS families.

You can find the wish list using the Amazon tab on this webpage or by visiting the link below.

Thank you for helping me create a classroom where our students can continue to learn, grow, and thrive!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Posts

May 11 to May 15, 2026 Week at a Glance

Math: Chapter 11 - Measurement (one lesson per day)

On Monday, Tuesday, and, if needed, Friday, we will be doing i-Ready Math. I need children to be well-rested for this assessment. They must have headphones and completely charged Chromebooks.

Mrs. Annunzio (middle school math teacher) will administer the math placement test on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14. The students will do 16 problems each day, and there is nothing to prepare or study for before the test. After the tests are finished each day, Mrs. Annunzio will grade them.

Science: Chapter 6 on Earth and Space (two lessons this week)

Lesson 1 - We will focus on the main question: How does Earth move?

How do objects move in space?

Students will learn how the Earth rotates and revolves. Students will also learn to explain why the sun, moon, and stars appear to move across the sky.
Key vocabulary learned in this lesson is: axis, revolution, and rotation

Lesson 2 - We will focus on the main question: What is a star?

How do objects move in space?

Students will analyze the sun’s physical characteristics and will investigate why the star Polaris is essential.
Key vocabulary learned in this lesson is: constellation, solar flare, and sunspots.

The Earthworm Dissection Lab will be on Monday, May 18. All parents and students will receive a PowerPoint presentation on what the Lab will focus on, which will be emailed out soon. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE SAFETY GOGGLES TO PARTICIPATE!!!!
Lesson Check 1 & 2 quiz will be given on Thursday, May 14 - open-book quiz

We are finishing our book on Thomas Edison on Friday with the comprehension packet. Each student will receive an energy-saving kit to take home, courtesy of Comcast.

Learning Objective about Thomas Edison:

Use vocabulary related to Thomas Edison's life in context
Explain how Thomas Edison's light bulb solved a problem and affected people's lives
Explain the traits that made Thomas Edison a successful inventor

Important Vocabulary throughout book: hyperactive; telegraph; invention; laboratory; phonograph; sophisticated; cylinder; incandescent; patent; generate

Social Studies: Presidents

We have finished our textbook and extended topics for this year, and now we will focus our energy on learning about the balance of the President’s powers that we have not discussed throughout history. We will start with:

Hoover, F.D. Roosevelt, Truman, T. Roosevelt, Presidential Pets, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Reagan, and Carter, all this week

We will complete reading comprehension packets on each of the above Presidents this week as well

Learning Objective:

Students will be able to identify the roles and responsibilities of the President of the United States and analyze how these have evolved over time

Weekly D.O.G. (Daily Oral Geography) will be passed out on Monday as well, due on Friday

*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we did in class that day.*

Friday, May 8, 2026 Homework

Tryouts for Grades 5-8 will not be in-person: Please use your Chromebook and/or phone at home to video your performance and send it to Mr. Showstead, Dr. Brua, and Mrs. Kujundzic. These need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 11.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

You will be responsible for submitting your own music for tryouts. We will need to be able to upload your music, cut and ready to go, to our devices for the rehearsal and the show. If you sent it in the application, we have it.

Spring iReady Math testing will start on Monday, May 11th. Please ensure each child gets a good night's sleep, eats breakfast, has a fully charged Chromebook, and headphones. I will not allow plugging in to charge at school.

Mrs. Annunzio (middle school math teacher) will administer the math placement test on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14. The students will do 16 problems each day, and there is nothing to prepare for or study before the test. After the tests, she will take the tests to grade.

Field trip forms for our next field trip went home earlier this week. They are due back May 13th with cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School in the amount of $20. Thank you.

Math - None - optional: IXL lesson XST (Today, we measured the capacity of liquids...gallons, cups, quarts, and pints with a packet. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None (Today, we continued reading in our Thomas Edison books and comprehension packets. I thought it would be fun to learn about another great historical scientist. The students will also enjoy learning about him. Today we read chapters 3 & 4.)

Social Studies - None (Today, we read chapters 7, 8, & 9in our Escape By Night book. Some questions to ask: Why does Tommy need to get rid of Annie?... Tommy didn't want Annie to spill the secret about the soldier. What did Red dream about?... He dreamt of crossing a bridge, perhaps a bridge to freedom, but his dream ended before he knew whether he had crossed it. Prediction: What do you think Tommy is going to do about Red?... Talk this out, and anything reasonable will do for an answer.)

Coming up, so plan accordingly: May 18th - 22nd

Monday, May 18: Comfy Clothes/PJ day
Tuesday, May 19: Sports/Jersey Day
Wednesday, May 20: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, May 21: Career Day
Friday, May 22: SPIRIT DAY DRESS DOWN

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Thursday, May 7, 2026 Homework

Tryouts for Grades 5-8 will not be in-person: Please use your Chromebook and/or phone at home to video your performance and send it to Mr. Showstead, Dr. Brua, and Mrs. Kujundzic. These need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 11.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

You will be responsible for submitting your own music for tryouts. We will need to be able to upload your music, cut and ready to go, to our devices for the rehearsal and the show. If you sent it in the application, we have it.

Field trip forms for our next field trip went home earlier this week. They are due back May 13th with cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School in the amount of $20. Thank you.

Math - pgs 837 & 838 - optional: IXL lesson XST (Today, we measured the capacity of liquids...gallons, cups, quarts, and pints. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Thomas Edison Chapters 1 & 2, if not finished in class (Today, I passed out our Thomas Edison books and comprehension packets. I thought it would be fun to learn about another great historical scientist. The students will enjoy learning about him as well. Today we read chapters 1 & 2.)

Social Studies - Escape By Night Chapters 5 & 6 - D.O.G. was passed out on Monday and is due by Friday (Today, we read chapters 5 & 6 in our Escape By Night book. Some questions to ask: What happens to Yankee prisoners?... Some are traded back to the North in exchange for our men, but most are sent to prison until the war is over. What conclusions does Tommy reach about Red, and why does he think this?... Tommy starts to believe that Red is not a Confederate Soldier but maybe a Yankee because he talks and sounds different, with an accent unlike anyone else around. What news did the Reverend reveal about the war after they finished reading?... The fighting was getting closer, and he worried that if Georgia was lost, the Confederacy could scarcely survive.)

Coming up, so plan accordingly: May 18th - 22nd

Monday, May 18: Comfy Clothes/PJ day
Tuesday, May 19: Sports/Jersey Day
Wednesday, May 20: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, May 21: Career Day
Friday, May 22: SPIRIT DAY DRESS DOWN

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Homework

Tryouts for Grades 5-8 will not be in-person: Please use your Chromebook and/or phone at home to video your performance and send it to Mr. Showstead, Dr. Brua, and Mrs. Kujundzic. These need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 11.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

You will be responsible for submitting your own music for tryouts. We will need to be able to upload your music, cut and ready to go, to our devices for the rehearsal and the show. If you sent it in the application, we have it.

Field trip forms for our next field trip went home earlier this week. They are due back May 13th with cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School in the amount of $20. Thank you.

Math - Check My Progress worksheet, if not finished in class, optional: IXL lesson XST (Today, we checked in with our Check My Progress worksheet that covers lessons 1 through 5. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None (We took our open-book Chapter 5 test today with helpful hints from me on where answers were located. I told them the page numbers, but they had to find the answers on the pages I provided for each question.)

Coming up, so plan accordingly: May 18th - 22nd

Monday, May 18: Comfy Clothes/PJ day
Tuesday, May 19: Sports/Jersey Day
Wednesday, May 20: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, May 21: Career Day
Friday, May 22: SPIRIT DAY DRESS DOWN

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Homework

Tryouts for Grades 5-8 will not be in-person: Please use your Chromebook and/or phone at home to video your performance and send it to Mr. Showstead, Dr. Brua, and Mrs. Kujundzic. These need to be submitted no later than Monday, May 11.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

You will be responsible for submitting your own music for tryouts. We will need to be able to upload your music, cut and ready to go, to our devices for the rehearsal and the show. If you sent it in the application, we have it.

Field trip forms for our next field trip went home yesterday. They are due back May 13th with cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School in the amount of $20. Thank you.

Math - Conversion WS Day #2 - optional: IXL lesson XST (Today we worked on another conversion packet as a continuation of what we learned last week. It was on yards, feet, and miles. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None - Schiff Only (Today, we read what erosion and deposition are. Questions to ask: What is the main force causing erosion?... Gravity is the leading force causing erosion. How do rock particles get moved from place to place?... They are moved by water, wind, and ice. What is the primary cause of erosion along coastlines?... Waves are the primary cause of erosion along coastlines. Miss Bubis's class did this yesterday. Also, ScienceTest is on Wednesday, and I will provide the study guide for it on the day of the test.)

Social Studies - Escape By Night Chapters 3 & 4 - D.O.G. was passed out on Monday and is due by Friday (Today, we are reading chapters 3 & 4 in our Escape By Night book. Some questions to ask: Who is the one-armed soldier?... The one-armed soldier's name was Redmond Porter, or Red for short. What is a commonplace book?... You can write anything in a book, like a diary or journal. What is Big Steve?... Big Steve is the fire bell that rings daily at noon to remind them to pray.)

Coming up, so plan accordingly: May 18th - 22nd

Monday, May 18: Comfy Clothes/PJ day
Tuesday, May 19: Sports/Jersey Day
Wednesday, May 20: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, May 21: Career Day
Friday, May 22: SPIRIT DAY DRESS DOWN

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Monday, May 4, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Field trip forms for our next field trip are coming home today. They are due back May 13th with cash or a check made out to St. Joseph Catholic School in the amount of $20. Thank you.

Math - Conversion WS Day #1 - optional: IXL lesson XST (Today we worked on a conversion sheet as a continuation of what we learned last week. It was on yards, feet, and inches. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None - Bubis Only (Today, we read what erosion and deposition are. Questions to ask: What is the main force causing erosion?... Gravity is the leading force causing erosion. How do rock particles get moved from place to place?... They are moved by water, wind, and ice. What is the primary cause of erosion along coastlines?... Waves are the primary cause of erosion along coastlines. My class will do this tomorrow. Also, ScienceTest is on Wednesday, and I will provide the study guide for it.)

Social Studies - Escape By Night Chapters 1 & 2 - D.O.G. was passed out on Monday and is due by Friday (Today, I passed out a new book for us to read called Escape by Night (a Civil War Adventure). We read chapters 1 & 2 and are very much enjoying it. Questions to ask... Where do Tommy's and Anna's dads work, and what do they do? He was a pastor in a Presbyterian Church and worked at a hospital. Why is Annie upset with Samson?... Samson was the family dog that always wanted to be with Tommy and never slept or went near Annie. Prediction making....Now that Tommy has found the soldier the book belongs to, what do you predict will happen in Chapter 3?... Any reasonable prediction will do)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

May 4 to May 8, 2026 Week at a Glance

Math: Chapter 11 - Measurement (one lesson per day)

Chapter 11, Lesson 5 - Convert Customary Units of Weight (learning objective: Convert measurements of weight within the customary system)
On Thursday, we will work on a Check My Progress worksheet for the lessons taught thus far
Chapter 11, Lesson 6 - Estimate and Measure Capacity (learning objective: estimate and measure the capacity of liquids using words like cups, pints, and gallons)
Chapter 11, Lesson 7 - Convert Customary Units of Capacity (learning objective: convert measurements of capacity within the customary system using words like fluid ounce, pint, cup, quart, and gallon)
Chapter 11, Lesson 10 - Convert Metric Units of Length (learning objective: convert measurements of length within the metric system using the centimeter side of the ruler and yardstick…centimeter, millimeter, meter, and kilometer)

Science: Chapter 5 on Water Cycles (one lesson per week)

We will read the next lesson, asking us to focus on the question, “What are erosion and deposition?”

How does melting ice cause erosion?

Learning objective:

Students will construct an evidence-based argument that erosion and deposition can change the Earth’s surface

Key Vocabulary in this lesson: erosion, deposition, and sand dunes
Lesson 6 Quiz on Monday/Tuesday - open book
We will work on the Review pages in the textbook on Wednesday
Chapter 5 Science Test on Wednesday, May 6th - open-book test
I will also pass out a book about Thomas Edison and a comprehension packet on Thursday. We will start reading chapters 1 through 4 about him this week.

Learning Objective about Thomas Edison:

Use vocabulary related to Thomas Edison's life in context
Explain how Thomas Edison's light bulb solved a problem and affected people's lives
Explain the traits that made Thomas Edison a successful inventor

Important Vocabulary throughout book: hyperactive; telegraph; invention; laboratory; phonograph; sophisticated; cylinder; incandescent; patent; generate

Social Studies: The Civil War

On Monday, I will pass out their new books (Escape by Night - A Civil War Adventure) to start reading and comprehension packets to answer questions.

We will be reading chapters 1 - 12 this week and answering questions along the way (please read my nightly Edlio for specific questions and a summary of each chapter read)

Learning Objectives:

Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how key details support them; summarize the text.
Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

Weekly D.O.G. (Daily Oral Geography) will also be passed out on Monday, due Friday.

*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we did in class that day.*

Friday, May 1, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None (Today, we went to see the baby chicks that hatched during Math class before they left our school.) The kids enjoyed this so much. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None (Today, we continued our teachings on the Seven Grandfather Lessons from the field trip. Each child had a worksheet with seven characteristics. They had to fill each circle with an animal that represents that characteristic. Today we presented them to the class for a test grade.)

Social Studies - None(Today, we focused our learning on a key figure in the Civil War: Abraham Lincoln. We read a packet on him and answered questions. Then, I had them watch a short video about him that I assigned in BrainPop.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Thursday, April 30, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - pgs 811 & 812, if not finished in class - optional: IXL lesson 7E8 (Today, we worked on converting basic customary units. Example: 72in = 6ft. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - Seven Grandfather Teachings worksheet (Today, we continued our lessons on the Seven Grandfather Teachings from yesterday's field trip. Each child had a worksheet with seven characteristics. They had to fill in each circle with an animal that represents that characteristic for them. Tomorrow we will present them in front of the class for a test grade.)

Social Studies - None, but the weekly D.O.G. (Daily Oral Geography) is due by tomorrow. (Today, we watched a few Civil War videos on BrainPOP and answered questions for them too. This was not graded.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

We had so much fun on our field trip, and learned so much too!

The Anishinaabe, also called the Ojibwe or Chippewa, are Native American people who have lived around the Great Lakes, including Wisconsin, for a very long time. Long ago, they moved from the East Coast to this area. They built their lives around nature by fishing, hunting, and gathering food. One of their most important foods is wild rice, which is special to their culture. They used birchbark canoes to travel on lakes and rivers. Today, many Anishinaabe people still live in Wisconsin and work hard to keep their traditions, language, and culture alive.

Owl pellet dissection is a fun science activity that helps us learn what owls eat. Owls swallow their food whole, like mice or small birds. Their bodies digest the soft parts, but not the bones, fur, or feathers. These leftover parts are packed into a small ball called a pellet, which the owl spits out. When students carefully take apart a pellet, they can find tiny bones, like skulls and ribs. This helps us understand food chains and how animals survive in nature.

The Ice Age was a time long ago when huge sheets of ice, called glaciers, covered much of the Earth. In North America, glaciers covered places like Wisconsin. As the ice slowly moved, it reshaped the land, creating lakes, hills, and valleys. When the Ice Age ended about 11,700 years ago, the glaciers melted away. During that time, giant animals like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats lived on Earth. Today, we can still see how the glaciers shaped the land in Wisconsin.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

A huge THANK YOU to all the parents who showed their love and support during our field trip to the Kenosha Public Museum today. We learned so much about the indigenous Native American Tribes in Wisconsin and had fun dissecting Owl Pellets. This was so informative and educational. We had a lot of fun!

Math - None (Field Trip today)

Science - None (Field Trip)

Social Studies - None, but the weekly D.O.G. (Daily Oral Geography) was passed out on Monday and is due by Friday. (Field Trip)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

We have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None, we did IXL in class with rulers (optional: IXL lesson MHR...look it up by clicking the search button, typing MHR, and then selecting the 5th-grade lesson). (Today, our unit in measurement has started, and we worked on measuring with a ruler to the closest 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None - Schiff Only (Today, we focused on the question...What is climate? We learned about concepts such as climate, latitude, and elevation. So, what is climate?... Climate describes the pattern of weather conditions over a long time, at least thirty years. What area of Earth does the sun's energy hit most directly?... The tropical zone. Name three factors that can influence climate?... Latitude, elevation, and distance from water. Miss Bubis's class did this yesterday.)

Social Studies - None (Today, we were in our textbooks reading about what the Civil War was all about. They had to focus on the central question: What factors contributed to the outcome of the Civil War? Some questions to ask: True or False? Was the Civil War the deadliest in American history?...TRUE In the Emancipation Proclamation, what did Lincoln order people in the South to do?... He ordered the freedom of people who were enslaved in the Southern states. Why did each army adopt special uniforms?... They adopted special uniforms to prevent confusion on the battlefield.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

Monday, April 27, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None- (Today, we worked on our weekly 40-minute requirement of iReady Math lessons. We will start measuring with rulers tomorrow for our new chapter, lesson 1. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None - Bubis Only (Today, we focused on the question...What is climate? We learned about concepts such as climate, latitude, and elevation. So, what is climate?... Climate describes the pattern of weather conditions over a long time, at least thirty years. What area of Earth does the sun's energy hit most directly?... The tropical zone. Name three factors that can influence climate?... Latitude, elevation, and distance from water. My classroom will be reading this assignment tomorrow.)

Social Studies -None (We are now entering the unit on the Civil War. Today, we started reading pages 395-410 of our textbooks on the causes of the Civil War. We learned words like: abolitionists, Civil War, Confederacy, secede, sectionalism, Underground Railroad, and Union. Some questions to ask.... What was the root cause of the Civil War? - The root cause of the Civil War was a dispute over slavery. What crop was popular to plant and harvest by many plantation owners? - Cotton What was the purpose of the Underground Railroad? - It helped many people make the arduous journey from slavery to freedom, and abolitionists were the ones who organized the escape system.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!

April 27 to May 1, 2026 Week at a Glance

Math: Chapter 11 - Measurement (one lesson per day)

Monday - Chapter 11, Lesson 1 - Hands On: Measuring with a ruler (learning objective: measure length to the nearest half inch and quarter inch)
Tuesday - Chapter 11, Lesson 2 - Convert Customary Units of Length (learning objective: Convert measurements of length within the customary system)
Wednesday - Field Trip
Thursday & Friday - Conversion worksheets

Science: Chapter 5 on Water Cycles (one lesson per week)

We will read the next lesson, asking us to focus on the question, “What are erosion and deposition?”

How does melting ice cause erosion?

Learning objective:

Students will construct an evidence-based argument that erosion and deposition can change the Earth’s surface

Key Vocabulary in this lesson: erosion, deposition, and sand dunes

Social Studies: The Civil War

We will start the Civil War by reading in our textbooks for this unit

Lesson 20 - The Causes of the Civil War

What factors helped drive apart the North and the South in the mid-1800s?

Learning objective:

Identify key events that led to the Civil War
Solve a series of six visual puzzles to reveal key images about the causes of the Civil War
Discuss critical thinking questions about the causes of the Civil War
Key Vocabulary: abolitionist, Civil War, Confederacy, secede, sectionalism, Underground Railroad, Union

Lesson 21 - The Civil War

What factors contributed to the outcome of the Civil War?

Learning Objective:

Analyze primary source images of the Civil War to discover the factors that enabled the Union to win the war.
Appreciate the role of historical artifacts in creating historical memory and a sense of shared nationhood.
Key Vocabulary: draft, Emancipation Proclamation, technology

On Wednesday, we have our field trip to the Kenosha Public Museum
On Friday, we will focus our learning on a key person during the Civil War - Abraham Lincoln
Weekly D.O.G. (Daily Oral Geography) passed out on Monday and will be due on Friday

*Please note that The Week at a Glance is very broad. Please check my nightly Edlio posts to read about what we did in class that day.*

Friday, April 24, 2026 Homework

Calling All Performers!

SJCS is delighted to announce that the 2026 Variety Show will be held on Friday, May 15th.

Auditions for the Variety Show will be held in the gym on Wednesday, May 6th, at 2:10 p.m.

Please share this Google Form:

https://forms.gle/25PkT6BGpacyZVAb9 with your child(ren) for details and to register.

We look forward to a fun event to share your child’s (ren’s) talents!

Math - None- (Today, we played iReady math games as a treat for ending the unit with a great math test. We will start Chapter 11, Measurement, on Monday. Please continue practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication and division in the next few weeks.)

Science - None (Since we are ahead in Science, I used our class time to start our Wonder of the World presentations today. They are doing a great job, and most were so creative in Canva. I'm so proud of them, plus I'm learning a lot from them too.)

Social Studies - None (Today, we worked on a Westward Expansion Webquest in which they visited the website to read the text and answer the questions.) They enjoy doing packets like this. Most did not finish, but I appreciated how focused and hard everyone worked the entire class period. Full credit was given to all.)

Reminders:

~ I offer office hours Monday through Thursday if your child needs me to reteach something in Math, Science, or Social Studies. Please email me for assistance, and we will meet via Google Meet.

~ A friendly reminder: make sure your child is dressed for the weather (boots, COATS, hats…). If the temperature (real feel) is above 20, we go out!

Looking Ahead

Field Trip on April 29th to the Kenosha Public Museum to learn about Native American tribes living in Wisconsin and dissect Owl Pellets. We also have another Field Trip on May 20th to the Civil War Museum in Kenosha. More info on chaperoning by our room parents. I am so excited about these enrichment opportunities.

If anyone would like to donate wish list items to our classroom, please use this Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3RS691H76HBK0?ref_=wl_share

Thank you all so much in advance for your continued support. It truly makes a difference in our school community!