What to Expect

Math Expressions

Math is taught with a focus on independent thinking in problem solving situations. An integral tool for mathematics is arithmetic. The children MUST have a solid grasp of multiplication tables and other number facts

Literature

We will be utilizing four core novels and integrating comprehension, spelling and vocabulary. Students should read each night per week for a minimum of 30 minutes. Each month the students are required to read a specific genre. At the end of the month there will be an assignment associated with each genre. These projects will be done independently and outside of class.

We will be teaching language arts utilizing our newly adopted curriculum "BENCHMARKS" this integrates rich social studies and science expository texts. Additionally, Lucy Calkins framework will guide our instruction and we will utilize the six traits, which includes: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The genres we cover over the course of the school year include: narrative, expository, and opinion. As we transition to the Common Core standards, there will continue to be a greater emphasis on expository writing throughout all curricular areas.

Writing

We will be teaching language arts which will emphasize the six traits of writing, as well as a focus on grammar and figurative language. The six traits include: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The genres we cover over the course of the school year include: narrative, expository, and opinion. As we transition to the Common Core standards, there will continue to be a greater emphasis on expository writing throughout all curricular areas.

Social Studies

The 5th grade social studies curriculum covers the period of the early people of North America through the creation of the United States. Research and study skills will be taught and reinforced through specific projects. The workbook we are using is Our Nation.

Science

The 5th grade science curriculum will include the study of space and weather, matter and energy, living systems and finally, health and human development. In addition to reading and discussion, experiments and hands-on activities will emphasize observing, classifying, comparing, measuring, communicating, inferring, and predicting. The curriculum for Health and Human Development will be available in the office for your perusal.

Discovery Quest & Current Events

Discovery Quest is an oral question-of-the-month activity that allows students to learn public speaking skills and independent research skills. Students should prepare to participate once a month. Each student is assigned a student number at the beginning of the year. Your child’s student number corresponds with the order in which they will present each month. The schedule may need modification according to holidays and other school events.