Classroom Newsletter
Week of December 1st, 2025
📅 Important Dates to Remember
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December 11: Winter Band Concert — 7:00 PM
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December 18: Christmas Program (Grades 1–8) — 7:00 PM
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December 19: 2:00 PM dismissal — NO AFTER CARE
📘 ELA (English Language Arts)
This week, we began working on our opinion writing pieces. Students are learning:
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What elements make a strong opinion piece
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How opinion writing is structured
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How to clearly express their own point of view
Next week, students will choose their own opinion-writing topic.
We’ll also begin Unit 3 in our phonics book, focusing on prefixes and suffixes.
➗ Math
Please head to Ms. Skinner’s page for updates on what your child is currently studying in math!
⛪ Religion
We are wrapping up Lesson 5 and preparing for our upcoming test.
Next week, we will begin Lesson 6, exploring:
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The meaning of a “celebration” in our faith
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Continued Bible study, reflecting on parables and stories to deepen our understanding
(Matthew Chapters 18, 19, and 20)
📖 Reading
We are currently reading the novel The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. We will continue exploring this novel over the next few weeks.
Students also have a reading packet they’ll be working on throughout the week—please keep an eye out for it.
Weekly Reminder:
Every Friday, students take a quiz on the week’s vocabulary words. Quizzes may be corrected for half-credit recovery.
🔬 Science
We just wrapped up our unit on weathering and erosion.
Next week, we will begin learning about the different types of rocks we encounter in everyday life.
We also have a fun hands-on project coming up using Starburst candy—always a student favorite!
🌍 Social Studies
We are continuing Chapter 4, learning about:
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The beginnings of the 13 Colonies
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Life in the Middle, New England, and Southern colonies
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How each region was governed and how they interacted
Up next, we’ll complete Chapter 4 with a news article project, then move on to Chapter 5.
❓ Questions or Comments?
As always, please 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