December 5-9

There are lots of exciting things going on in fifth grade!  Below are just some of the highlights.

Advent Musical Offering
Any 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade student may make a musical offering this Advent season at the end of divisional chapel.  Students are welcome to play an instrument or sing and students who are interested should see Mrs. Watt to sign up.

Family Ornaments
Students on the second floor are invited to bring in a picture of their family to help decorate our Christmas Tree.  Students who wish to bring in a family ornament will make a wish and hang it at the end of divisional chapel.

Shoebox Christmas
Like years past, the Lower School will focus on a service project during this Advent Season.  This year we will fill shoe boxes with personal hygiene items for patrons of the St. Paul's Food Pantry.  Each class has been assigned a specific item, and if students wish they may purchase one of the assigned items.  Students may bring in items and shoe boxes until Tuesday, December 13th.   The fourth and fifth grade classes will then  fill and wrap the shoe boxes during their Christmas Party.
1st Grade - Brush & Comb or Shampoo & Conditioner
2nd Grade - Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Mrs. Barber's Class - Mouthwash & Pocket Sized Tissues
Ms. Beilharz's Class - Body Wash or Bar Soap
4th Grade - Hand and/or Body Lotion
Mrs. Jones's Class - Disposable Razors & Pocket Size Tissues
Mrs. Nash's Class - Men's or Women's Shaving Cream

Secret Santa Starts next week
Students drew names for Secret Santa on Monday. They are invited  to begin bringing gifts on Monday, December 12th. We ask that all three gifts total no more than $5 combined.  Students are also encouraged to use their talents and time to create unique, handmade gifts.  Students will exchange one gift per day on December 13th, 14th, and 15th.

A Christmas Carol
On Tuesday, December 13th the fifth graders will attend A Christmas Carol at The Rep.  After the show, students will have the opportunity to participate in a talk back with the actors, actresses, and stage crew.  Students will return to the school at 12:30.

6th Grade Shadowing
Beginning in January, students will have the opportunity to spend a morning with a sixth grader to see what sixth grade is like.  All students who would like to participate should return the shadow letter that was sent home on December 2nd.

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Ice Skating Trip
The tradition continues!  On Friday, December 16th the third, fourth, and fifth graders will travel to Line Creek for some ice skating fun.  Students are welcome to bring their own skates, but skates will also be available.  Students are welcome to bring $5 or less if they wish to purchase items from the snack bar.

Even with all of the exciting holiday activities going on, we have stayed very busy in class!

• We started our verbs unit in language arts, and students took their tenth Wordly Wise test. They also received Wordly Wise 11.
• In social studies we began our third unit of study, Colonial America.
• Science classes took their unit exam on Monday, and then began their next unit of study on cells.
• Mrs. Nash's reading class continued reading Shiloh and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and Mrs. Jones's reading class concluded Small Steps and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Book reports are due Monday, December 12th. 
• Both classes invited their buddies over to our classrooms to make Christmas ornaments together!