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•  Social Studies and Science are sometimes considered the more difficult subjects in 5^th grade because of the content and vocabulary. Study skills, such as studying for test and taking notes, are as important as the content to the success of 5^th graders in these areas. In Science class, students have been studying the earth and will be moving on to space.  There have been many hands on projects to help make this more real to them.   In Social Studies, students have learned about the geography of their nation and will be moving into lessons on Native Americans.
• In Reading students have completed a variety of projects.  Designing book jackets, mobiles, and reports to using their computer skills to construct a PowerPoint presentation, Mrs. Hendrickson has fifth graders using their imagination to express themselves while reading some of their favorite books. Math has us moving into larger numbers.  We find that students who know their multiplication facts have an easier transition into the multiple steps problems expected of our fifth graders.
• Fifth graders will have some new experiences the year.  First, they will take the writing assessment online 2 times this year.  In the past, the number of times we have had to take it has changed.   The test is done online.  This process appears to be more of a learning process rather than simply evaluation.  We believe the changes are for the best and we are looking forward to them.  Also during the last quarter fifth graders will have an opportunity to take part in the DARE program and participate in band.  Exciting and new experiences to help them grow and be prepare for middle school.
• It will be a busy and exciting year.

• Speech  Pathologist~ Mary Hempel  mary.hempel@k12.sd.us  
• Taking the time to sit down with a child to read a new or classic story can open endless possibilities.  The field of Speech Therapy understands the value of using children's literature as a tool for facilitating speech and language development.  In particular, shared reading of children's books has several unique benefits related to the development of articulation and phonology skills.
• Reading stories aloud to children encourage speech and language development in addition to increasing their interest and success in reading. An important part of learning to say a sound or phonological pattern is the focused auditory bombardment of the target sound.
• In addition to exposing children to multiple examples of a target sound, the words and pictures encourage a natural conversation using that sound.  As the story is read, encourage your child to answer and ask questions, make comments about the pictures and events, and to take part in the storytelling. In addition, calling attention to the letters on the page that make the sounds they are practicing contributes posi

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