Curriculum Overview

5th Grade Curriculum Overview

Language Arts:

  • Reading – 5 days a week we spend time learning new vocabulary words, focus on improving our reading skill, and reading from our 5th grade textbook or from one of the 2-3 novels we will study this year. (From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Maniac Magee, and TBD.)
  • Spelling – We will have weekly spelling words. On Mondays we will take the pretest, during the week students will have regular spelling homework, and on Fridays they will take the posttest. Spelling homework and posttest scores will be reported in their spelling grade. 
  • Writing/Grammar –  We will studying the “6+1 Writing Traits” (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, and Presentation) in order to help the students practice their writing skills. We will be working on proper English grammar through our writing.
  • Handwriting – We continue to work on cursive throughout 5th grade. All assignments are expected to be written in cursive.

Math: We study math daily, and will have math homework almost everyday, including Fridays.

Major topics of study:

  • Division of Whole Numbers
  • Addition and Subtraction of Fractions and Decimals
  • Geometry – Identify 2-D (triangles, rectangles) and 3-D (cubes, prisms) shapes by their definitions, find volume and surface area of 3-D shapes. 


Science: **New Standards**

Four Core Standards

  • Structure and Function
  • Interaction and Change
  • Scientific Inquiry
  • Engineering Design

Science Topics to be covered using these standards:

- Cells & Living Systems – Plant and animal cells and organs; possible “Tour of Trees” field trip to Laurelhurst Park to study trees.

- Ecosystems and Adaptations – Food webs, interaction between plants, animals, and the environment.

- Weather Patterns and the Sun – Understanding the sun’s role in creating weather patterns, and local climates.

- Astronomy – Study the Earth, sun, and moon and their interactions.

- Friction, Gravity and Magnetism – Discover how these three forces affect life and objects on earth. Possible field trip to Oaks Park.

** An OMSI field trip and in-class activity are yet to be determined.

Social Studies:

  • Civics and Government – We will explore life in colonial America, understand the Articles of the Confederation, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and their role in early American government.
  • Economics – Focus on responding to the needs of others and how goods and services are distributed. We will visit the Blanchet House and study homelessness to observe this.
  • History – From the Native Americans to the American Revolution, we will learn our national history and focus on the famous people who helped shape our nation. Field Trip to Lelooska Foundation (Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011) to learn about local Native Americans.
  • Geography – We will learn the names of all 50 states and Capitals. We will study the effect of landforms on climate and culture in the United States.
  • Social Science Analysis – We will learn how to solve conflict, participate in community service, and work to understand current events.

Religion: 2-3 days a week we study our Catholic Faith.

  • Sacrament Studies – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony
  • Church Seasons – Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, and Easter
  • Second Step and Steps to Respect – empathy training and anti-bullying curriculum
  • Homelessness Unit – We learn about what homelessness is, how it affects peoples lives (including children) we read Maniac Magee (a novel about a homeless boy) and visit the Blanchet House to feed those in need.

 

Grading:

Basic Homework – math, reading, spelling, and worksheets in social studies and science – for these general and regular assignments I give 10 points for the assignment turned in on time.

Losing points -

  • 5 points will be taken away for late work,
  • 3 points can be taken away for no name or improper heading

Bonus points -

Occassionally I give bonus points for a job well done, or for extra work. These extra points will be averaged in at the end of the trimester.

Tests and Large Projects:

Tests and Projects - will be worth more points and will be marked with a percentage earned, which can be equated to a letter grade.

 

Grading Scale:

A = 93% - 100% - Excellent

B = 85% - 92%   - Very Good

C = 72% - 84%   - Average

D = 60% - 71%   - Needs Improvement

F = 59% - 0%      - Not Passing

+ / – is not used in 5th Grade with letter grades

 

Tri-Annual Assessments:

            Three times a year - Fall, Winter, Spring

                        DIBELS Reading – Oral Reading Fluency

                        DIBELS Maze – Reading Comprehension test

                        DIBELS Math – Computerized math tests

                        Spelling Assessment – standardized spelling check

                        Writing Assessment – evaluate growing skill in writing

 

5th Grade Fun Stuff

Buddies:

Fifth grade is the exciting year that the students are paired up with a kindergarten buddy. The kindergarten teacher and I will plan “buddy” activities throughout the year. We are hoping to gather about twice a month for small activities. At Halloween and Christmas we will celebrate with our buddies. There will also be a few fun field trips to enjoy with our buddies:

  • Pumpkin Patch – Friday, October 21st, 2011
  • Festival of the Trees at the Convention Center – early December (a surprise for buddies)  
  • Zoo Trip – June

 

Birthdays:

After a discussion with the class, the students decided to celebrate all the birthdays on one day a month. The students who have a birthday in a given month will collaborate and celebrate their birthdays together on one day arranged with Mrs. Morrison. On the day decided, the students can bring in a treat to share with the class. Students will also be allowed to wear free-dress on their birthday, or their half-birthday if their birthday falls in the summer (or the closest appropriate school day).

 

Food in the Classroom:

No one in our room has any food allergies that we are aware of. Please notify me if your child develops or has an allergy we need to be aware of.

Birthday or Party Treats – (shared with the whole class). I honor the desire to have something sweet and special to celebrate birthdays, but I ask that parents help their child choose a snack that is reasonible (ie. a small cupcake is fine, but giant cupcakes from Costco is probably too much). If a cake is brought in, please plan on helping to cut and serve.

Snack Time – Students are expected to bring a healthy snack to school each day. We have a snack break in the morning after morning recess. I request that these snacks be healthy. Ideally, the snacks would fall into a major food group (ie. fruit, vegetable, grain, dairy, or meat). As a teacher I have noticed that too much sugar and salt in their system can cause an inability to focus and do well in class.