Teachers


Our Fifth Grade Teachers

Fifth Grade

  • This is definitely one of the most exciting grade levels of elementary school!  Our fifth grade teachers take the job of preparing our students for middle school very seriously, and when students demonstrate the work habits and study skills necessary to reach this goal, we also like to have a little fun!  Our classes choose their own rewards for whole class success towards homework completion goals, teamwork and overall effort.  Students who complete all homework for the month participate in "Breakfast Club" held once a month before school.  Monthly softball games are a fifth grade favorite where we practice teamwork and mutual respect in a non-competitive atmosphere.  Rest assured you will really enjoy our 5th grade production of the "13 Colonies!"  We enjoy the fun parts, but we never lose sight of our main goal of preparing students for middle school and beyond.  Please read on to learn more about what this year has to offer!

    English Language Arts
    Students in fifth grade will engage in all types of reading!  We read as a class, in partners, teacher read aloud, and in guided reading homogeneous groupings.  Both fiction and non-fiction pieces support fifth grade standards in the form of core literature, guided reading, and the textbook anthology.  Also, students will read outside of class and complete their reading logs.
    Fifth graders will gain confidence in their writing skills this year.  In fact, we will teach them how to debate or argue logically in persuasive writing.  They will enjoy moving through the steps of the writing process in various genres.  Our writing plan is as follows:

    • Trimester #1:  narrative, summary and research report
    • Trimester #2:  persuasive and research report
    • Trimester #3:  response to literature

    Math
    Through the use of the Mathematical Practices* fifth graders will:

    • Write and interpret numerical expressions.

    • Analyze patterns and relationships.

    • Understand the place value system.

    • Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.

    • Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.

    • Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplications and division to multiply and divide fractions.

    • Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.

    • Represent and interpret data.

    • Geometric measurement: understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition.

    • Graph points to the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

    • Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties.

    *Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    Social Studies
    The fifth grade Social Studies experience will encompass early United States history and the "We the People" program.  We begin by researching the Age of Exploration and colonization.  There is a special emphasis on the Revolutionary Period and the development of the Constitution.  The students will also learn the locations and spellings of the 50 states and capitals.  In the third trimester we will participate in the "We the People" program.  In this program the students will learn about our Constitution and the way government works. In conclusion, fifth grade Social Studies teaches a great deal about the foundations of being an American.

    Science
    This is one of the favorite subjects for many students!  We will be studying the three areas of science using FOSS curriculum.

    • Trimester #1:  Earth Science - "Water Planet"
    • Trimester #2:  Life Science - "Living Systems"
    • Trimester #3:  Physical Science - "Mixtures & Solutions"

    An emphasis will be placed on working through the scientific method and identifying the independent, dependent and controlled variables in each experiment.  The hands on experiments are fun, and now the students will learn how important it is to document their research just like professional scientists.

    Public Speaking
    Public speaking is an area of emphasis for fifth grade in our district.  Fifth graders will have many opportunities to practice and improve their public speaking skills.  Many activities are planned within the classroom.  Additionally, each trimester project will include a public speaking component.  Public speaking will count towards the students' writing grades.

    Reports and Projects
    Research reports are in the writing standards for most grades, and fifth is no exception.  Fifth graders will learn the important steps needed to complete a research report.  If students come to class prepared with the necessary materials and use their time in class wisely, reports will be completed during the school day.  Not only will we work on writing and researching, but time management will be a key component for completing projects.  We expect most of the project to be finished at school.

    • Trimester #1:  Severe Weather Research Report
    • Trimester #2:  State Research Report
    • Trimester #3:  Public Speaking Activities and "13 Colonies" play