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Mrs. Chris Mura

Mrs. Lisa Twining

Welcome to the 5th Grade at Assumption Catholic School.

5th Grade is a year of academic growth and social growth in responsibility and morality.

Our theme this year is "The Twelve Gardens of Stewardship"

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English

       This year we will be making a special effort to continue to improve 5th graders writing skills.The writing traits we will learn to develop are: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions (mechanics). Students will learn how to write many forms of writing. Students will learn to write position papers, poetry, descriptive writing, researched point of view stories and complete 2 research reports.

       We will be working closely with our school library media specialist, John Allen, to teach the students the fine art of doing research for reports, and to polish their keyboarding skills.

      In English grammar, we will be focusing on learning the parts of speech, spelling, and improving writing skills using the 6 trait + One writing skills. Students will also learn how to assess their own work. Fifth graders have access to lab top computers in the classroom to publish their work.

   Spelling conists of words on the Most Frequently Used Word List. We will be stressing 100% accuracy of commonly used word 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

 

Weekly Spelling Lists

Chapter 1 Chapter 4 Chapter 7 Chapter 10 Chapter 13
Chapter 2 Chapter 5 Chapter 8 Chapter 11 Chapter 14
Chapter 3 Chapter 6 Chapter 9 Chapter 12 Chapter 15
Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19
Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24
Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29
Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34
Chapter 35 Chapter 36      
   
   
Literature

5th Grade utilizes a literature based reading program. 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 Grade Third Trimester Independent Literature

   
 

 

   

U.S. History

History curriculum

The fifth grade social studies curriculum is U.S. History. Our first unit focuses on geography with an emphasis on learning to read maps for information .  Students will learn how 5 selected Native American tribes used their skills to survive their particular environment. The emphasis then will focus on the European explorers in North America, European settlement, and the events which led up to the American Revolutionary War. 5th graders will learn the three branches of government, their powers and how the Constitution protects the citizens of the United States. Students will be tested after completion of each  chapter in the text.   The  year will culminate in writing and researching a report on one of the areas covered in U.S. 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

Apostle's Creed

Gloria at Mass

Nicene CreedJoyful Mysteries

Prayer for Souls in Purgatory

Queen of Heaven

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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Astronomy Students will study the universe and the planets. We will explore the constellations, black holes, myths about the stars and NASA.