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5th Grade Team
 

Hello and welcome back to school! I hope you had an incredible Summer filled with fun and adventures. My name is Mrs. Schiff and I am delighted to write to you as your child’s Math, Science and Social Studies teacher. We're going to learn, explore, and grow together in our wonderful classroom.

 

A little about myself: I have been married for 22 years and have lived in Libertyville for 24 years. I have four children: Amanda, who has been married for almost two years now; Olivia, who is a Sophomore at Indiana University Kelley School of Business; Ty, who is a Senior at LHS; and Audrina, who is in 5th grade here at SJCS.

 

Throughout my 13 years at St. Joseph Catholic School, I have been furthering my education. I earned my Education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019. Last year, I assumed the role of 5th - 8th grade Middle School Resource Teacher and worked with students who hold ISP’s and 504 plans. I am currently working towards earning my Special Education credential as well.

 

As this new school year starts, I will be working closely with each student to ensure their success. During my time as the 5-8 Resource Teacher, I gained a strong understanding of the Middle School Math, Science, and Social Studies curriculum. I will continue to work closely with these teachers to ensure the 5th graders are prepared for 6th grade.

 

I am grateful for your trust and support as their teacher, and feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

Many Blessings!

 

Also...I have created a new Amazon wish list of items that will help grow our library of knowledge and also improve my new way of teaching math and ensuring that each student continues to grow and learn in many different ways. We will also be learning study skills and I need supplies from my wish list to make this happen as well. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Link is here or under Amazon tab on the side... thank you!

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

 

 

Posts

12/2/24 to 12/6/24 Week at a Glance

Math: Chapter 5 - Add and Subtract Decimals (one lesson per day) 

  • Monday - Chapter 5, Lesson 1 - Round Decimals (learning objective: learn how to round decimals)
  • Tuesday - Chapter 5, Lesson 2 - Estimate sums and differences (learning objective: estimating sums and differences by rounding)
  • Wednesday- Check My Progress thus far in class
  • Thursday - Chapter 5, Lesson 5 - Add decimals using models (learning objective: explore adding decimals using models)
  • Friday - Chapter 5, Lesson 6- Add Decimals (learning objective: adding decimals)

Science: Chapter 2 - Forces and Motion (one lesson per week)

  • Chapter 2 - Lesson 3 = Answering the essential question: How are forces combined?
    • Learning Objective: 
      • Students will use math to add forces and will engage in an argument from the evidence that a body will not start moving if the forces acting on it are balanced.
  • Key Vocabulary this week: balanced, combined force, and net force
  • Wednesday - Force & Motion packet
  • Thursday - Newton’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Law of Motion packet
  • Friday - Lesson 3 Quiz Check

Social Studies: Finishing “The Bombing of Hiroshima”….

  • Monday - Hiroshima & Nagasaki packet
  • Tuesday - Cause of WWII packet
  • Wednesday - Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima Webquest
  • Thursday - Hiroshima & Nagasaki Escape Room fun
  • Friday - Brain Pop assignment on Hiroshima

Learning Objectives

  • Discuss the ethics of the US government's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. 
  • Consider how the world's attitude toward nuclear weapons has changed since this story was published in 1946.

*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.*

Tuesday, November 26, 2024 Homework

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving break! Enjoy every moment together! 
 
Math - None (Today, we worked on a Thanksgiving "Dinner Digits" packet in class that reviewed previous math lessons from this year and last year. It was just something to refresh our minds. No homework, even if packet was not finished. Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will be doing a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks.)
 
Science - None  (Schiff only - We worked on a Thanksgiving "Who did it" packet. This was so much fun. They used clues to solve the Thanksgiving mystery. It is not homework, even if it was not finished in class. My class will do this tomorrow.)
 
Social Studies -  None (Today, we learned more about the history of Thanksgiving with a great packet and a writing inference section, too. This is not homework, even if it was not finished in class. )
 
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 25, 2024 Homework

Math - None  (Today, we worked on a Thanksgiving "Find the Value" packet in class that reviewed previous math lessons from this year and last. It was just something to refresh our minds. No homework, even if the packet was not finished. Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home, as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks.)
 
Science - None  (Bubis only - We worked on a Thanksgiving "Who did it" packet. This was so much fun. They used clues to solve the Thanksgiving mystery. It is not homework, even if it was not finished in class. My class will do this tomorrow.)
 
Social Studies -  None (Today, we learned about the history of Thanksgiving with a great packet and a writing section, too. This is not homework, even if it was not finished in class. )
 
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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!

11/25/24 to 11/29/24 Week at a Glance

Math : 

  • Monday - Thanksgiving “Find the Value” packets
  • Tuesday - The Dankelson family is visiting to talk to us about the Wonder book the students have been reading in Reading class
  • Wednesday - No School
  • Thursday - No School - Happy Thanksgiving to All
  • Friday - No School

Learning Objective: (Practice previous math skills and Have fun!!)


Science: 

  • Monday (Bubis)/Tuesday (Schiff) - Thanksgiving Escape Room 
  • Wednesday - No School
  • Thursday - No School - Happy Thanksgiving to All
  • Friday - No School

Learning Objective: (Have fun!!!)


Social Studies: 

  • Monday - History of Thanksgiving with writing
  • Tuesday - Brain Pop assigned on Thanksgiving
  • Wednesday - No School
  • Thursday - No School - Happy Thanksgiving to All
  • Friday - No School

Learning Objective: (Learn about the meaning of Thanksgiving and Have fun!!!!)


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

Friday, November 22, 2024 Homework

Math - None (Today, we continued working on long division by dividing by two-digit divisors with remainders. I have decided NOT to give a test on this chapter and continue learning how to do long division for the next few days. The students need more practice. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - None (Today, we Lesson 2 Check Quiz. It was an open book quiz, as always.)
 
Social Studies -  None, BUT packets for Hiroshima are due by next Tuesday if not turned in today (Today, we read chapters 8 & 9 of The Bombing of Hiroshima - which completes the book - and answered questions in our comprehension packets. This was a subject of interest for all the students as they read a book called Sadako and the Thousand Cranes last year in 4th grade, where a young girl was suffering from the aftermath of the bombing and eventually passed away. Ask your child how this book is thus far?)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 21, 2024 Homework

Math - Long Division Worksheet (Today, we continued working on long division by dividing by two-digit divisors with remainders. I have decided NOT to give a test on this chapter and continue learning how to do long division for the next few days. The students need more practice. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - None (Today, we worked on a packet about force, mass, and speed. This packet went more profoundly than the textbook did on these subject areas. It was fascinating to read.)
 
Social Studies -  D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and are due by tomorrow. (Today, we read chapters 6 & 7 of The Bombing of Hiroshima and answered questions in our comprehension packets. This was a subject of interest for all the students as they read a book called Sadako and the Thousand Cranes last year in 4th grade, where a young girl was suffering from the aftermath of the bombing and eventually passed away. Ask your child how this book is thus far?)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 20, 2024 Homework

Math - Practice Test 1A for all (Today, we continued working on long division by dividing by two-digit divisors with remainders. I have decided NOT to give a test on this chapter and just continue learning to do long division for the next few days. The students need more practice. I will provide the practice test as homework tonight, though. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - None (Today, we read about what magnets are. Questions you can ask your child... What is another force you can't see working all the time? - Magnetism  What is the invisible area around a magnet called? - It is called a magnetic field.)
 
Social Studies -  D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and are due by Friday. (Today, we read chapters 4 & 5 of The Bombing of Hiroshima and answered questions in our comprehension packets. This was a subject of interest for all the students as they read a book called Sadako and the Thousand Cranes last year in 4th grade, where a young girl was suffering from the aftermath of the bombing and eventually passed away. Ask your child how this book is thus far?)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 19, 2024 Homework

Math - pgs 269 & 270 Concept Check pages (Today, we continued working on long division by dividing by two-digit divisors.  It was rough for some, but most did get it. I'm hopeful that they will all get it smoothly soon. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - Schiff Only - pgs 67 - 73 in the textbook and questions (Today, Miss Bubis's class read about Newton's laws. We are very well prepared for this unit after reading about Isaac Newton. Questions you can ask your child... Why will an ice skater eventually stop? - Forces, such as friction, will act on the ice skater's skates and the body, then he or she will eventually stop moving.  Which object has more inertia, a bowling ball or a baseball? - A bowling ball has more inertia than a baseball because it has more mass. Bubis's class did this yesterday.)
 
Social Studies -  D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and are due by Friday. (Today, we read chapters 2 & 3 of The Bombing of Hiroshima and answered questions in our comprehension packets. This was a subject of interest for all the students as they read a book called Sadako and the Thousand Cranes last year in 4th grade, where a young girl was suffering from the aftermath of the bombing and eventually passed away. Ask your child how this book is thus far?)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 18, 2024 Homework

Math - pgs 275 & 276 (Today, we continued working on long division by dividing by two-digit divisors.  It was rough for some, but most did get it. I'm hopeful that they will all get it smoothly soon. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will do a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - Bubis Only - pgs 67 - 73 in the textbook and questions (Today, Miss Bubis's class read about Newton's laws. We are very well prepared for this unit after reading about Isaac Newton. Questions you can ask your child... Why will an ice skater eventually stop? - Forces, such as friction, will act on the ice skater's skates and the body, then he or she will eventually stop moving.  Which object has more inertia, a bowling ball or a baseball? - A bowling ball has more inertia than a baseball because it has more mass. My class will do this tomorrow.)
 
Social Studies -  D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and are due by Friday. (Today, I passed out their books on the Bombing of Hiroshima. We started reading the book through chapter 1 and answered questions in our comprehension packets. This was a subject of interest for all the students as they read a book called Sadako and the Thousand Cranes last year in 4th grade where a young girl was suffering from the aftermath of the bombing and eventually passed away. Ask your child how this book is thus far?)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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!

11/18/24 to 11/22/24 Week at a Glance

 

Math: Chapter 4 - Divide by a two-digit divisor (one lesson per day)
  • Monday - Fluency Practice and Concept Check done in class
  • Tuesday - Differentiated Practice Test in class
  • Wednesday - Differentiated Practice test given in class and as Homework
  • Thursday - Differentiated Chapter 4 Math test
  • Friday - Math Game fun!

Science: Chapter 2 - Forces and Motion (one lesson per week)

    • Chapter 2 - Lesson 2 = Answering the essential question: What are Newton’s laws?
  • Learning Objective: 
      • Students will investigate and construct an argument that supports the idea that a given object will have more change of motion with a large force than a small force and that a given force will cause more change of motion in small masses than in large masses.
  • Key Vocabulary this week: acceleration, inertia, and uniform motion
  • Wednesday - What is a Magnet packet
  • Thursday - Lesson 2 Quiz Check Force, Mass & Speed packet
  • Friday - Force, Mass & Speed packet

Social Studies: The Bombing of Hiroshima….

    • We are stepping away from the textbook to enjoy extra enrichment about The Bombing of Hiroshima as the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. The students read a book called “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” last year in 4th grade and were very interested in the topic of Hiroshima. I promised them that we would dive deeper and learn about it. We will read a chapter book on it and answer questions in comprehension packets. We will finish the book by reading all chapters this week and turning in our comprehension packets by Friday.
  • Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the tone of the story and possible reasons why Hersey wrote it in this way. 
  • Discuss the ethics of the US government's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. 
  • Consider how the world's attitude toward nuclear weapons has changed since this story was published in 1946.

- D.O.G. was passed out on Monday and due by 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, November 15, 2024 Homework

Math - None (Today, we took a break from long division as I have noticed a real struggle with subtraction. If you can't subtract correctly during the process of lng division, your answer will be wrong. We worked on three digit by three digit and four digit by 4 digit subtraction with regrouping. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will be doing a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - None (Bubis only: They each worked on a packet that was focused on Force to expand our knowledge on this subject even deeper. Schiff's class did Science BrainPop lessons.)
 
Social Studies -  None (Today we did a packet on how Pearl Harbor impacted our country after the attack, which they should be familiar with from our books we read. We read many cool facts throughout this packet. Please ask your child to share at least two of them with you.)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 14, 2024 Homework

Math - None (Today we worked on check my progress pages in the textbook and they were also given a Check My Progress worksheet. Check My Progress shows me how they understand the lessons taught thus far in this chapter with long division. It was a little bit rough for some, but most did get it. I'm hopeful that they will all get it smoothly soon. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will be doing a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - None (They each worked on a packet that was focused on Force to expand our knowledge on this subject even deeper.)
 
Social Studies -  D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and due by Friday (Today was the 50 States test and all did great! Very proud of them. Grades are in PowerSchool. Please note that there is a 1/2point taken off for spelling errors - they were given a word bank with correct spelling - and 1/2 point taken off if not capitalized.)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 13, 2024 Homework

Math - None (We continued working on long division by dividing by two-digit divisors. It was a little bit of a rough start, but most did get it. I'm hopeful that by the end of the week, they will all get it smoothly. Practice makes progress! Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will be doing a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - None (Today, my homeroom had a visit from Ms. Han and Mrs. Walsh with their monthly Social/Emotional lessons. Miss Bubis's class worked on Science BrainPop or any other homework they had to finish for the week.)
 
Social Studies - Pearl Harbor comprehension packets are due by Thursday, States by Region Practice Packet due by Thursday too and D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and due by Friday (Today we did a packet on how Pearl Harbor was attacked, which they should be familiar with from the book we read. We read many cool facts throughout this short packet. Please ask your child to share at least two of them with you.  Reminder about 50 states test on November 14th...Students must spell the states correctly and make sure they are all capitalized too. If not, they will lose a 1/2 point on each one written incorrectly. They will have a word bank on the day of test, so they have to copy carefully and correctly. I have assigned games/quizzes on google classroom social studies for them to play and practice on too. These were asigned over two months ago and students were aware. We have also been working on worksheets in class. We will be ready for it. No worries!)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 12, 2024 Homework

Math - None (We worked on starting long division by dividing by two-digit divisors today. It was a little bit of a rough start, but most did get it. I'm hopeful that by the end of the week, they will all get it smoothly.  Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will be doing a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks, even with division.)
 
Science - Schiff Only - Lesson 1 Check Quiz if not finished in class (Today we read about what forces are. It is a push or pull that acts on an object? We are very well prepared for this unit after reading about Isaac Newton.)
 
Social Studies - Pearl Harbor comprehension packets are due by Thursday, States by Region Practice Packet due by Thursday too and D.O.G. packets were passed out on Monday and due by Friday (Today we did a packet on how Pearl Harbor impacted American life. We read many cool facts throughout. Please ask your child to share at least two of them with you. Reminder about 50 states test on November 14th...Students must spell the states correctly and make sure they are all capitalized too. If not, they will lose a 1/2 point on each one written incorrectly. They will have a word bank on the day of test, so they have to copy carefully and correctly. I have assigned games/quizzes on google classroom social studies for them to play and practice on too. These were asigned over two months ago and students were aware. We have also been working on worksheets in class. We will be ready for it. No worries!)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
Upcoming Events:
 
- Tis the season of giving....Thanksgiving that is!! Food pantry collection on Wednesday, November 13th. Fifth grade is asked to donated canned meals, such as; spam. Any donation is much appreciated though. Thank you in advance.
 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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, November 11, 2024 Homework

Math - None (We worked on starting to divide by two-digit divisors today. We started with estimating the quotients. It was a little bit of a rough start, but most did get it. I'm hopeful that by the end of the week, they will all get it smoothly.  Please keep practicing multiplication flashcards at home as we will be doing a lot of multiplication in the next few weeks.)
 
Science - Bubis Oly - Lesson 1 Check Quiz if not finished in class (Today we read about what forces are. It is a push or pull that acts on an object? We are very well prepared for this unit after reading about Isaac Newton.)
 
Social Studies - Pearl Harbor comprehension packets are due by Thursday, and D.O.G. packets were passed out today and due by Friday (Today we continued to read Chapters 8, 9, and 10 in our Pearl Harbor books and answered the balance of questions in our comprehension packets. Some finished today and were able to turn in their books and packets to me. They have until Thursday to complete if not done yhet.Ask your child to tell you a fun fact from today's reading. Reminder about 50 states test on November 14th...Students must spell the states correctly and make sure they are all capitalized too. If not, they will lose a 1/2 point on each one written incorrectly. They will have a word bank on the day of test, so they have to copy carefully and correctly. I have assigned games/quizzes on google classroom social studies for them to play and practice on too. These were asigned over two months ago and students were aware. We have also been working on worksheets in class. We will be ready for it. No worries!)
 
Reminders:
 
- I offer office hours Monday - 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 the Google Meet link. 
 
Upcoming Events:
 
- Tis the season of giving....Thanksgiving that is!! Food pantry collection on Wednesday, November 13th. Fifth grade is asked to donated canned meals, such as; spam. Any donation is much appreciated though. Thank you in advance.
 
 
If you are interested in helping out with our classroom needs:
 
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!