Brainwaves and Backpacks Bi-weekly news (Highlights all the wonder happening in 5th grade)

📚 Classroom Newsletter

Week of September 30, 2025


📅 Important Dates to Remember

  • October 1Picture Day! 📸

  • October 3Pep Rally! 🎉

  • October 10 – 2PM dismissal
  • October 13 – Columbus Day No School

✏️ ELA (English Language Arts)

This week, we assessed our knowledge of nouns, subjects, and verbs. Next week, we’ll dive into complete sentences — what makes them complete, how to spot a fragment, and how to correct one.

We also just wrapped up our adventure story writing project! Up next: Character Traits. We’ll explore what traits make a strong character, and even reflect on what traits we might have if we were characters in a story.


Math

Ask your child about powers of 10 and exponents! We’ve been practicing how to find missing exponents and multiply using exponents — and they’re doing an amazing job.

Next week’s focus will shift to multiplying numbers with regrouping. Parents, some methods may look different from what you’re used to — feel free to reach out if you need help!


✝️ Religion

We’ve been learning about the differences between Apostles and disciples and how we can help grow the Kingdom of God here on Earth.

Next week, we’ll begin exploring:

  • The Paschal Mystery

  • Evangelization

  • Works of Mercy
    We’ll also continue our Bible Study, reflecting on parables and stories to deepen our faith and understanding.


📖 Reading

We’re more than halfway through George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt! 🚀
Will George, Annie, and Emmett save the planet? Are there aliens?! Stay tuned!

🔍 Weekly Reminder:
Every Friday, students will take a quiz on the chapters we’ve read that week. Quizzes can be corrected for half-credit recovery.


🔬 Science

We’ve just wrapped up our unit on Earth’s orbit and rotation. Next week, we’re jumping into the Law of the Conservation of Matter.

We’ve got an exciting lab planned that students are going to love — hands-on science is always a favorite!


🌍 Social Studies

We’ve taken a deep dive into the 1500s, focusing on Native American tribes and the geography of where and how they lived.

Next week, students will begin a research project on their favorite Native American tribe we’ve studied so far. This is a fun and creative way to apply what we’ve learned — they’re going to love it!


💬 Questions or Comments?
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions. Let’s keep learning and growing together!


✉️ Have a blessed week!
Miss Pretzie 

5th Grade teacher

St. Cletus School

Language