Newsletter Nov. 19-23

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates: November 19-23, 2018

Curriculum Information for the Week:

Literacy: Students will be continuing their Nonfiction reading and writing unit.  This unit will be integrated with our science unit, so students will be using texts about sustainable energy to improve their nonfiction reading. This week we will understanding more complex nonfiction text and practice writing various text structures (compare/contrast, problem/solution, description, chronological order). Students will choose a topic that they are interested in to begin to investigate.

Math: Students will be tuning in to coordinate planes this week. We will use important vocabulary to express ourselves and explain our thinking, focusing on one quadrant of the coordinate plane. They will be plotting ordered pairs, as well as reading and interpreting data on coordinate planes. This week we will be building a map of a State fair with coordinates and practice coordinates with mystery pictures.  Students will continue to review our learning from Unit 1 and Unit 2 in the daily warm ups.

Unit of Study:  We will continue to work with the Sustainable Energy unit. Classes will continue to get into the labs working with circuits and get to build their own LED flashlight. In 5CC, we will continue investigating the question "What happens when you waste electricity?" and working in our classroom committees to inform our school about the impact as well as our usage at school.  Ask your child what committee they are a part of!

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)
No School on Tuesday, November 20th.
Friday, November we are celebrating Deepavali

Newsletter Nov. 5-9th

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates: November 5-9, 2018

Curriculum Information for the Week:

Literacy: Students will be starting their Nonfiction reading and writing unit.  We will focus on text structures and how these structures help support the main ideas.  Students will read from a variety of informational text, including picture books and articles.  This unit will be integrated with our science unit, so students will be using texts about sustainable energy to improve their nonfiction reading.

Math: Students will finish up Unit 2-Adding and Subtracting fractions.  This week classes will focus on word problems including mixed numbers, addition and subtraction. As we venture into our next unit, coordinate planes, we will continue to review our learning from Unit 1 and Unit 2 in the daily warm ups.

Unit of Study:  We will get started with our Sustainable Energy unit.  Classes started with tuning in activities, which sparked curiosity.  This week classes will have their first science lab exploration, focusing on circuits.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

Tuesday, November 6-No School-Deepavali

Friday, November 9-Flag Parade

Saturday, November 10-International Fest

Highlight - Last Week:

We have completed our literary essay unit.  Students worked hard to show their learning on the on-demand assessment.

Newsletter Oct. 29-Nov. 2

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates:  October 29-November 2, 2018 

Curriculum Information for the Week:

Literacy: We hear from many parents, how do I support my child in reading anything but fantasy? Well the next reading and writing units are a supportive step in that direction. From now until the winter break students will be immersed in the world of nonfiction (but still have that independent choice reading book!). In fifth grade we ask them to tackle a more complex text and look at how the content is organized, how to decode content specific words, and how to approach a text with multiple main ideas. Since reading and writing are heavily linked, we will also be asking kids to produce this type of writing aligned with our science unit on renewable energy.  As a parent you can support by talking about articles that you are reading, current events, or interesting non-fiction books that you have read (in any language!). Who knows, maybe they will set down Percy Jackson for a few minutes...by choice! 

Math:  Adding and Subtracting Fractions continues this week as we move into operations with mixed numbers and unlike denominators. Students will continue to develop their conceptual understanding by drawing and labeling rectangular fraction models to show their thinking.

Unit of Study:  The students will  finish our learning on Types of Government, and reflect on the Melaka trip. We will also start our first science unit of the year, where students study energy sources and its properties as well as sustainable alternative energy sources.  They will also be participating  in a variety of lab experiences, looking at electrical circuits, energy consumption and conservation. You can support at home by engaging with your child’s home learning. There is always a component linked to our Unit of Study!

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.



Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC updates)
This Week: 
ES Halloween Dress UP Day, Wed Oct 31, School Policy: NO weapons, NO masks, NO scary costumes

Upcoming Events :
New Event: Bake Sale for International Fest click HERE for details
Sat Nov. 10, ISKL Annual International Festival, 4:00 pm - 8:00, see flyer below
Tues Nov. 13, Deepavali Cultural Celebration Tour,  Temple of Fine Arts. More details coming soon.
ES Dress Up Days: plan your days in advance click HERE for dates and details

Highlight From Last Week:
What an amazing trip as students climbed a ropes course, wondered about the rich history of Malaysia and of course went swimming in Malacca. You know it was a rich experience when kids come home smiling and exhausted.
A HUGE SHOUTOUT to our parent volunteers who joined us in Melaka. We could not have had a successful trip without you!!!

Children’s Hospital visits
Our next visit is on Sunday 4 Nov.

Newsletter Oct. 15-19

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates:  October 15-19, 2018 

Curriculum Information for the Week:
Literacy: Students are continuing with book club groups using discussions to help them stretch their thinking about the book and develop themes. We are encouraging students to think about what they are learning about real life from their books. These ideas that are generated from their book club books will be used in their literary essays, which we will continue to learn about next week.

Math:  Adding and Subtracting Fractions continues this week as we move into operations with unlike denominators. Students will develop conceptual understanding using manipulatives and models to show their thinking.

Unit of Study:  We will continue our learning on Types of Government, and will begin our preparation for Melaka trip by looking into the history of the area.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates)
This Week: 
Friday Oct 19 RED HAT Free Dress Days for RM 5 Donation to charity
Upcoming Events :
New Event: Fri Oct 26, 6:30-8:00, 1st Annual PTA Family Trunk or Treat
ES Halloween Dress UP Day, Wed Oct 31, School Policy: NO weapons, NO masks, NO scary costumes
New Event: Bake Sale for International Fest
Sat Nov 10, ISKL Annual International Festival, 4:00 pm - 8:00,
Tues Nov 13, Deepavali Cultural Celebration Tour,  Temple of Fine Arts. More details coming soon.

Grade 5 Specific: 
Tues 23 - Wed 24. Oct - Melaka Trip - 5DH, 5KC 
Wed 24 - Thurs 25. Oct Melaka Trip - 5CB, 5CC and 5JV

Highlight from Last Week:
The kiddos have a great Social Change Makers Conference on Thursday last week listening to passionate changemakers in our society. We look forward to our students’ future contribution as new changemakers, and we are also excited welcome more speakers in April.

Children’s Hospital visit started yesterday with our students. There are more opportunities for your child to partake in this great community service. 

Newsletter Oct. 8-12th

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates:  October 8-12, 2018 

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for the Week:

Literacy: 
The students will continue read independently using their book club discussions to go more deeply into one book or story to write their literary essay. They will continue to discuss connections, predictions, characters, setting and most importantly THEMES (life lessons). You can support your child by making sure that your child is reading for 30 minutes a day (365 days a year!) at home on a just right book (graphic novels/comics count!). 
During writing, the students will continue to work on making a claim (opinion) about a theme(s) of a short story or novel and provide evidence from the story to support their claim.

Math: 
We continue on with your understanding of fractions.  Ordering, identifying and comparing fractions is just the beginning! Having a conceptual understanding is demonstrated through modelling, either with diagrams or through the use of manipulatives.  This will help to secure the students’ understanding before we begin adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.

Unit of Study:  
The students will be participating in the Social Change Makers Conference. 
Children’s Hospital October 9:
Dr. Teh Kok Hoi - works at the KL Children’s Hospital as a Paediatrician.
Conference Part 1 October 11:
Janine Williams - volunteers at the CWO (Chin Women's Organization)
Suan Tan - works for WWF Malaysia
Naima Ismail - Community Health Educator at HEI (Health Equity Initiatives)
Siti Kasim - lawyer who volunteers as a legal advocate for Malaysian indigenous people - the Orang Asli
Munirah Hamid - set up and organizes volunteers at the The Pertiwi Soup Kitchen
Ana Popovich - volunteer ‘Trash Hero’ and  ISKL MS student

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates)

G5 Melaka Trip Parent Information meeting and Q & A on Thursday, October 11 from 9:15-9:45 am in the ES Community Room. Parents are invited to attend. 
G5 Social Change Makers Conference will be on Thursday, October 11 from 10:30am-12: 30 pm. A list of presenters will be available shortly. Parents are invited to attend.

Band Master Class continues:
Day 1-Flute
Day 2-Clarinet
Day 3-Saxophone
Day 4-Trumpet
Day 5-Trombone
Day 6-Baritone and Tuba
Day 7-Percussion

Highlight from Last Week:
Thank you so very much for attending the conferences either Thursday or Friday. It is so very important that children take the time to reflect on their learning and set attainable goals. Your support is invaluable!

Newsletter Oct. 1-5th

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates:  October 1st-5th, 2018 

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for the Week:

Conferences:
This week students will continue to reflect on their learning, set goals and will prepare to talk with their parents during conferences about their plan.  Parents, please plan to bring your child to conferences on Thursday or Friday so, they can share all they have done in 5th grade so far. Your child and their teacher will be sharing about their learning and goals.

Literacy: 
The students will continue read independently using their book club discussions to go more deeply into one book or story to write their literary essay. They will continue to discuss connections, predictions, characters, setting and most importantly THEMES (life lessons). You can support your child by making sure that your child is reading for 30 minutes a day (365 days a year!) at home on a just right book (graphic novels/comics count!).
During writing, the students will continue to work on making a claim (opinion) about a theme(s) of a short story or novel and provide evidence from the story to support their claim.

Math:
We begin a new fraction unit! Students will begin by showing what they know about ordering fractions, identifying fractions and comparing.  Later students will begin to model different types of fractions as well as adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.

Unit of Study:
The students will be introduced to various forms of government: monarchy, democracy dictatorship etc. and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these government systems. This work helps us to explore the essential question: How does government affect people’s lives?

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates):
ISA testing Monday, October 1st and Tuesday, October 2nd.
Tuesday, October 2-Parent Band Workshop
Three Way Conferences on Thursday, October 4 and Friday, October 5,
G5 Melaka Trip Parent Information meeting and Q & A on Thursday, October 11 from 9:15-9: 45 am in the ES Community Room. Parents are invited to attend.
G5 Social Change Makers Conference will be on Thursday, October 11 from 10:30am-12: 30 pm. A list of presenters will be available shortly. Parents are invited to attend.
Please complete, sign and return the Melaka parent permission, medical information and emergency contact form by Wednesday, October  3.

Band Master Class continues:
Day 1-Flute
Day 2-Clarinet
Day 3-Saxophone
Day 4-Trumpet
Day 5-Trombone
Day 6-Baritone and Tuba
Day 7-Percussion

Highlight from Last Week:
The new playgrounds have opened! Much more space to run around and wonderful places to just sit and socialize.

Newsletter September 24-28

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates:  September 24-28, 2018 

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for the Week:

Digital Literacy:
It takes a team to support our students as they learn to be educated, digital citizens. We are lucky to have Mr. Steve Katz as a resource for us. It is also important that you are talking with your child (in any language!) at home about the choices they are making online (this includes ISKL email). This week we reviewed with fifth graders on three important topics…
How to keep your passwords private (ONLY share with parents and teachers).
What to do if you come across inappropriate content online.
ISKL email is for school-related items. Students should not be chatting with each other through ISKL email. If you or your child needs support with other online communication options, please talk with your child’s teacher. 
Check out Common Sense Media for resources such as Here's the Secret to Raising a Safe, Smart Kid and other ways to support your 5th-grade digital citizen!

Literacy:
The students will continue to read and discuss their book club novels or short stories. They are using ‘thinkmarks’ to promote rich discussion about their books. They will continue to discuss connections, predictions, characters, setting and most importantly THEMES (life lessons). Most importantly, you can support by making sure that your child is reading for 30 minutes a day (365 days a year!) at home on a just right book (graphic novels/comics count!). 
During writing, the students will continue to work on making a claim (opinion) about a theme(s) of a short story and provide evidence from the story to support their claim. This practice will prepare the students for writing literary essays. 

Math: 
The students will continue to work on using their basic division facts, extended division facts and dividing larger numbers by multiples of 10, 100, 1000 etc. to prepare them for using the partial quotients long division algorithm and solving division problems with double-digit divisors. This week we are finishing up our first unit of study. You can support by talking to your fifth grader about how they solve math problems (What strategy did you use?).

Unit of Study:  The students will be introduced to various forms of government: monarchy, democracy dictatorship etc. and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these government systems. This work helps us to explore the essential question: How does government affect people’s lives?

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates)
Picture Day is this week Monday, September 24: Individual Photos (Smart-Casual)
Wednesday, September 26: Class Photos (School Uniform)
Tuesday, October 2-Parent Band Workshop
Three Way Conferences on Thursday, October 4 and Friday, October 5, watch for your appointment time coming home this week.
G5 Melaka Trip Parent Information meeting and Q & A on Thursday October 11 from 9:15-9:45am in the ES Community Room. Parents are invited to attend. 
G5 Social Change Makers Conference will be on Thursday October 11 from 10:30am-12:30pm. A list of presenters will be available shortly. Parents are invited to attend.
G5 Melaka Trip First Parent Information Letter will be sent home with your child on Mon. 24 Sept. Please complete, sign and return the parent permission, medical information and emergency contact form by Wed. 3 Oct. 

Band Master Class continues:
Day 1-Flute
Day 2-Clarinet
Day 3-Saxophone
Day 4-Trumpet
Day 5-Trombone
Day 6-Baritone and Tuba
Day 7-Percussion

Highlight from Last Week:
RED HAT LEADERS are everywhere at ISKL! Fifth graders were spotted…
Collecting over 2000 RM for free dress day (money to be donated to charity)
Helping clean up the common area
Being role models throughout the hallway
Choosing to be KIND 







Weekly Newsletter Grade 5
Dates:  September 18-21, 2018


Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for the Week:
Literacy: The students will continue to read and discuss their book club novels or short stories. They are using ‘thinkmarks’ to promote rich discussion about their books. They will continue to discuss connections, predictions, characters, setting and most importantly THEMES (life lessons). During writing, the students will continue to work on making a claim (opinion) about a theme(s) of a short story and provide evidence from the story to support their claim. This practice will prepare the students for writing literary essays later in the unit. 

Math: The students will continue to work on using their basic division facts, extended division facts and dividing larger numbers by multiples of 10, 100, 1000 etc. to prepare them for using the partial quotients long division algorithm and solving division problems with double digit divisors.

Unit of Study:  The students will be introduced to various forms of government: monarchy, democracy dictatorship etc. and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these government systems. They will also work on types of government on their Home Learning Choice Board. 

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates)
No school this Monday 17 Sept. due to Malaysia Day holiday.
After School Activities continue on Tuesday 18 Sept.
G5 Social Change Maker’s Conference will be on Thurs. 11 Oct. from 10:30am-12:30pm. A list of presenters will be available shortly. Parents are invited to attend.
G5 Melaka Trip First Parent Information Letter will be sent home with your child on Mon. 24 Sept. Please complete, sign and return the parent permission, medical information and emergency contact form by Fri. 5 Oct. 
Band Master Class continues:
Day 1-Flute
Day 2-Clarinet
Day 3-Saxophone
Day 4-Trumpet
Day 5-Trombone
Day 6-Baritone and Tuba
Day 7-Percussion

Highlight from Last Week:
Hari Raya Cultural Day assembly and hallway activities were a great success last Friday!
MAP reading and math testing completed.

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5
Dates:  September 12 - 14, 2018


Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for the Week:
Literacy: We have all begun our new novels or short stories. The students are now reading in groups and having wonderful discussions about their books. They are talking about connections, predictions, characters, and most importantly THEMES (life lessons). More to come on themes soon...

Math: We will be continuing our work with multiplication, becoming more effective and accurate with multi digit problems.  We will also start reviewing long division and move towards solving problems with double digit divisors.

Unit of Study:  Students will begin to understand that individuals have rights, responsibilities and roles in relation to broader society. We will discuss our deserted island simulations from early in the year and talk about the advantages of government systems. 

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates)
No school this Monday and Tuesday as we celebrate King’s birthday and Awal Muharam
After School Activities continues Wednesday September 12th
Change Maker’s Conference will be happening on October 11th
MELAKA...is 41 days away!!!!
Band Master Class continues:
Day 1-Flute
Day 2-Clarinet
Day 3-Saxophone
Day 4-Trumpet
Day 5-Trombone
Day 6-Baritone and Tuba
Day 7-Percussion

Highlight from Last Week:
The soccer field is ready! 
Melati visit




Weekly Newsletter Grade 5
Dates: September 3-7, 2018


Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for the Week:
Literacy: In reader’s workshop, we will be learning about ways to record our thinking when reading texts so that we can provide evidence for our ideas.  We will practice having group discussions that are focused and keep the conversation going. Students will also begin taking the ideas they gather to write effectively about a text.

Math: We will be continuing our work with powers of ten and move into multiplication, becoming more effective and accurate with multi-digit problems.  We will also start reviewing long division and move towards solving problems with double digit divisors.

Unit of Study: Grade 5 will continue with the ideas of leadership that were presented during Red Hat training and start to look at the different forms of government.  We will look at how the structures of leadership change and the how that may affect the citizens in the community.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information:(also see GLC updates)
Please remember to bring a hat and water bottle on PE days.  The new artificial turf field is ready to use and PE classes will be going outside this week.  Hats are required when going outside.
After School Activities (ASAs) begin Monday, September 3.
MAP testing will take place this week:
Tuesday, September 4-Grade 5 MAP reading
Thursday, September 6-Grade 5 MAP maths
Friday, September 7-Guest speaker Melati Wijsen (Co-founder Bye Bye Plastic Bags) will present to G5 students in our common area from 1:30-2:15pm.

Band Master Class continues:
Day 1-Flute
Day 2-Clarinet
Day 3-Saxophone
Day 4-Trumpet
Day 5-Trombone
Day 6-Baritone and Tuba
Day 7-Percussion

Highlight from Last Week:
Thank you for attending Open House Parent Night. It was a wonderful opportunity to share information about Grade 5!
Free Dress Day was a roaring success as donations totalled over RM2,050. The newly crowned Red Hats did a wonderful job collecting money in the morning and 5JV were the lucky money counters. Our next Red Hat’s free dress day is September 21.