





|
English
This
year we will be making a special effort to continue to improve writing
skills. Students will use many forms of writing, such as persuasive
paragraphs,narrative writing, poems, descriptive writing, and research
reports. They will also write for different purposes - to ask for
information, to express feelings, to summarize what they have learned.
We will be working closely with our school library media specialist,
Margie Sawyer, to teach the students the fine art of doing research
for reports, and to polish their keyboarding skills. This year we
will be focusing on learning the parts of speech, spelling, and
improving writing skills using the 6 trait + One writing skills.
The writing traits are: ideas, organization, voice, word choice,
sentence fluency and conventions (mechanics). Not all of these traits
will be assessed in every writing assignment. Students will know
before hand what the trait is that is being assessed . Students
will also learn how to assess their own work. Fifth graders have
access to computers in the classroom to publish their work. The
spelling grade comes from their writing and knowing the words on
the Most Frequently Used Word List. We will be stressing 100% accuracy
of commonly used words list. Students will be given a list of spelling
words each week from the Zaner-Bloser text and will be be tested
on them at the end of the week. These words must also be spelled
correctly in assignments across the curriculum.
5th
Grade Writing.doc overview |
| |
|
 |
Literature
We will be using a literature based reading program this year. During our literature time, I will be meeting in "Literature Circles" with small groups of students reading the same book, or doing whole class lessons. Students are expected to complete a variety of assignments during their scheduled literature time. During literature discussions, students will be assessed on their comprehensive skills, understanding of the concepts presented, and analytical skills based on character behaviors and conflicts within the book.
Each month, students are required to read a selected genre book and complete the independent reading assignment.
5th
GradeThirdTrimester Independent Literature
|
| |
|
 |
Weekly
Spelling Lists
|
| |
|
 |
U.S.
History
History
curriculum
The fifth grade social studies curriculum is US History. Our studies
will include information about geography, Native Americans, European
settlement, and the Revolutionary War. Students will be tested after
completion of a topic, and will be assigned reports that they will
be given time to do the the library. Students will be required to
have a knowledge of basic facts of US history.
|
| |
|
 |
Mathematics
Math is much more than manipulating numbers. The goal of math education today is to help children become problems solvers. This means teaching kids to observe the world around them by looking for patterns and relationships, estimating, measuring, comparing and using reasoning skills. Below are general topics that will be covered in the math class this year.
Number sense - basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions), estimation, and reasonableness of answers.
Measurement - standard and metric
Spatial Sense - geometric shapes and solids
Probability - develop understanding of chance, and prediction
Problem Solving - students will learn a variety of strategies
What about calculators?
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NTCM) recommends integration of calculator use in math skills. After students have mastered basic facts, learned estimation strategies, and developed number sense, calculators should be used to explore numbers concepts, to complete lengthy computations necessary for problem solving, and for self-checking. A classroom set of calculators is provided for student use. Students are not to bring calculators from home. |
| |
|
Prayers to Memorize
Our Father
Hail Mary
Apostle's Creed
Glory Be
Mysteries of the Rosary
Gloria at Mass |
Religion
We will be using a variety of materials in religion class this year. Students will also be attending weekly Friday Masses and prayer services. 5th grade students will be using the Religion text: Blest Are We. The focus this year is an in-depth study of the sacraments.
Steps to Respect
We will be continuing with the Steps to Respect program . The 5th grade program helps students to work cooperatively with one another by demonstrating respect and care for one another. Students are given tools to help them become good friends. |
| |
|


|
Science
We will be using the FOSS science kits again this year. It is a hand-on program where students learn by investigating, experimenting, gathering data, organizing results, and drawing conclusions based on their own experiments. The students in the past have really enjoyed all of these science experiments!
- The first kit we will be using is on Measurement . This kit introduces students to the metric measurement system. They will learn the metric units use to measure length, weight, volume, and temperature.
- The Environments kit exposes students to a variety of different plants and animals and their environments. Students will develop the concepts of environmental factors, tolerance, environmental preference, and environmental range.
- The Variables kit introduces students to the concept of a variable. Students identify variables, control variables, and conduct controlled experiments using a variety such as pendulums, airplanes, boats, and catapults.
- Astronomy Students will study the universe and the planets. We will explore the constellations, black holes, myths about the stars and NASA.
|
|