Suggestions for review at home:
Google Classroom: We post assignments and resources regularly. If your child is sick, look there for assignments.
Most of our on-line programs (Zearn, IXL, Reflex, and Frax) are accessible via My Backpack. If your child needs help logging in. Please email us and we can help you troubleshoot.
STEM Updates:
Week of 5/5/25
This week we finished Science Milestone testing. We have begun to work on STEAM projects combining Art, Math, and Science. Projects include mandalas with rotational symmetry, parabolic line art, tessellations, logic puzzles, and a stop motion Science extravaganza. We are excited about getting students out in nature during our trip to look for real examples of Science in action in nature.
Week of 4/28/25
We have been working hard on Milestones this week and hitting some review when possible. Both sections of Science are on Monday the 5th and then we will be done with testing. We have some fun off-line activities combining Art and Math, STEM Challenges, and experiments in the coming weeks.
Week of 4/14/25
Sorry for a lack of update before the break. Overall, the 5th grade students did AMAZING on MAP. We are in really great shape for Milestones (4/28 - 5/5) in both Math and Science. Kids shouldn't feel stressed out, but we do want everyone to take it seriously and do their best.
As we near these end of year tests, we have some material designed to prepare students so that they feel confident. Some of the review material is more engaging and some can be a bit dry. We want to give a shout out to all the families who sent in items for our lottery draws (Eggett, Perullo, Avisar, Magnuson, Johnson, and Facusse-Jaar). Sorry if I omitted any names, some of the items came without gift receipts, so if you want a shout out - please let me know. The tickets and daily draws are a great external motivator for getting through the less engaging tasks.
Kids can earn tickets for work done at home - they just record their work and show us once they get to school the next day. Getting the 3 review playlists (weeks 30 - 32) completed could make a difference in performance levels on those final tests.
Week of 3/17/25
This week we had an amazing in-school Science field trip about constructive and destructive forces. Be sure to ask your student about it. We also conducted student-designed experiments on the factors that impact how sugar dissolves in water. Our final Science test was moved to Monday since, we had such a jam packed week. It is not too late to review with your child: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yq8ioaafsE4pytcFo23iNqnucSt1IV1oRQovRoe9AXE/edit?usp=sharing
In Math we were busy learning about the coordinate plane and graphing our first linear expressions. Next week we will be working on answering word problems about measurement.
We have MAP Math on Wednesday 3/26 and Science MAP on 3/27. Once that is over, we will begin our review for the year. Students will take a series of google quizzes to identify areas where they need support. Students will get support in just those areas rather than having to sit through re-teaching in every area. Math Milestones are scheduled for May 1st (section 1) and May 2nd (section 2) and Science Milestones are on May 5th (both sections 1 & 2).
Week of 3/10/25
The students have been busy classifying polygons based on their attributes. Our test on volume and polygons is tomorrow 3/14. Students completed classwork practices to prepare them for the test and a study guide of what will be on the test is provide below. On Wednesday 3/19 we will begin our final unit on graphing patterns on coordinate planes. We will have some time Milestone review after Spring break. As a grade level we are in great shape for Math as we have had time to thoroughly cover the standards and many students are already exceeding state standards.
In Science, we are doing activities designed to look for signs of chemical changes verses physical changes. We will finish our final unit with a test on the 20th. Study guide provided below. On the 21st we will have another in-school field trip which will begin our review of this year's Science standards. Check it out: https://sparkpointinnovations.com/big-canyon-balloon/ For Science we have several resources that should make reviewing this year's standards engaging.
Week of 3/3/25
We are working on completing our volume projects and have begun to explore the world of polygons. We started with a review of triangles and are now working on quadrilaterals. Our next Math test will be on March 14th and will cover volume of rectangular prisms and classifying polygons.
Math Study Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1giuT__5nlvEqHoPpRekxCOnxJk_ddDr-3SJHSARlaSI/edit?usp=sharing
In Science we have been learning about chemical and physical changes. We have started a few hands on activities and have several more to complete next week. Our next Science test is on March 20th.
Science Study Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yq8ioaafsE4pytcFo23iNqnucSt1IV1oRQovRoe9AXE/edit?usp=sharing
Week of 2/24/25
This week we have been having fun with rectangular prisms. Students have in-class prism projects due on March 6th. Next week we will begin exploring the properties of polygons.
In Science, we are investigating chemical and physical changes. This concept is super tricky for kids to understand as we can't see the change at the molecular level. We have several labs planned to investigate the properties of matter and learn how to identify when a chemical change has taken place.
Week of 2/10/25
We have had the most fun building nets for rectangular prisms. We will next be exploring the volume of composite figures made of multiple rectangular prisms.
In Science we have taken our Electricity and Magnetism test. We will begin exploring Physical and Chemical Changes by reviewing the properties of matter. There are lots of great hands on labs and demonstrations in this unit.
We also are planning two additional in-school Science field trips before the end of the year.
Just a reminder - Fifth grade takes both the MAP for Science (quarterly) and a Science Milestone assessment at the end of the year. The MAP for Science is general Science knowledge about all Science topics while the Milestone assessment is based only on the Science that we have learned this year. Reading the questions carefully is an important part in doing well on both tests.
Week of 2/3/25
In addition to our day of play and taking writescore, we wrapped up our fractions unit and explored magnetism. On next Math unit, Geometry, is our most hands-on one of the year. We are exploring 2-d shapes and 3-d figures. We will begin with learning about how to calculate volume. We will extend this learning to the 6th grade standard of calculating area with fractional dimensions.
Our Science test to end electricity and magnetism will be on Thursday the 13th. Our next and final unit is on chemical and physicals changes in matter. It is another unit with lots of hands-on investigations.
Science Study Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wc365ysDXPPyFdqCzEq80S9btKaKCXoJzcQBnSSlPbY/edit?usp=sharing
Week of 1/27/25
This week we are wrapping up our unit of fractions by dividing whole numbers by fractions and dividing fractions by whole numbers. Our unit test will be next week on 2/7.
Study Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H7Ha33XLegp5OQd84H4wyF-AdQ9pPBQT3hvxIQALhY8/edit?usp=sharing
Our next Math unit is on Volume and the properties of two-dimensional shapes.
This week in Science we have been finishing learning about circuits with an online simulation. We have been testing conductors and insulators, investigating battery strength, and comparing series verses parallel circuits. Next week we will be building electromagnets and comparing them with permanent magnets.
Week of 1/21/25
We aren't getting too much accomplished this week due to two snow days, a half day, and a field trip...
Next week in Math, we will be looking at multiplication by fractions equal to, less than, and greater than one.
Next week in Science we will finish circuit electricity and start examining the properties of magnetism.
Week of 1/13/25 Updates:
We are zipping through our unit on fractions. Right now we are focusing on multi-step word problems with fraction multiplication. We will spend a bit of time comparing fraction and decimal multiplication and then move on to dividing whole numbers by fractions and dividing fractions by whole numbers. Expect a Fraction Unit test on the week of February 3rd.
Last week in Science, we explored static electricity. This week we are starting our introduction of current electricity and circuits. We will be in the STEM lab exploring circuits and have some virtual labs planned as well. Expect a test for this material and magnetism the week of February 10th. As always, a study guide will be issued a week before.
End of Year Updates:
We have been busy wrapping up for the end of the year. As a part of this, each student will be conducting a Math self audit (attached below). Students will evaluate how well they were able to complete all of the assigned computer tasks. While each task only takes a few minutes, completing it all builds strength in fluency, problem solving, and prepares pre-requite skills for the heavy lifting that we do in class. Your child may want to complete some of the tasks over break if they realize that they haven't yet maximized their potential.
We expect that Reflex is at 100% mastery by January 31st and Frax sectors 1 and 2 completed by February 14th. These have been assigned every week since the start of the school year.
In Science, we will be building circuits and electromagnets when we return.
Mr. Harness was extremely impressed with 5th grade student MAP growth in all areas. Individual reports are in Thursday folders.
Self Audit Form:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_MP3gWPuG0DTxnijwmx6gLPeAAL7V79K232eXG-AZ6U/edit?tab=t.0
Week of 12/9/24:
We had a busy week of fractions as division (i.e. how 3 friends can split 4 cookies). Next week we will still be doing learning until the last minute. We are tackling fractions of a number (i.e. what is 1/3 of 18).
In Science, we are growing a "bread pet" aka a bread starter - in connection with our study of beneficial microorganisms in the kitchen. We learned about other ways that microorganisms can be helpful including keeping us healthy, cleaning up oil spills, and eating plastic trash. Remember - our Science test is on Monday. A blue study guide for cells and microorganisms went home this week and is also posted below.
Week of 12/2/24:
Teachers have seen a sneak peek of MAP scores and overall they look amazing with a lot of student growth. Copies of the MAP report will come home once all students have completed testing.
In Math, we are moving from adding and subtracting fractions to multiplying and dividing with fractions. Our study of fractions will continue when we return and will wrap up with a test during the first week in February.
We are coming to a close on our cells and micro-organisms with a Unit test on 12/16/24. A study guide will go home next week and there is a link below. Our next Science unit is on circuits and electricity.
Study Guide for Cells and Microorganisms:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mDII553NE3p1bhqDZn1E0FZ_Uv260baBg8rra2JIDAs/edit?tab=t.0
MAP Math is December 4th! This Math MAP score, along with other requirements, will determine eligibility for Advanced Math at Howard in 6th. The cut score for entry is 228 and up. If your child is close to this score (80th percentile and above), you may want to take a few moments over the next few weeks to lean in and practice some higher-level skills that may appear on the test. We will practice a few skills next week in addition to the regular 5th grade material.
Below, we have listed 18 6th-grade IXL skills that you can practice at home with your child. Even if you just introduce the skill and work on it for 15 minutes (you don't need to get to 100%), it may give your child a boost. However, if this stresses your child out, STOP! It isn't worth stressing out your child!
If your child misses the cutoff score this year, don't worry! There will be many other opportunities to place into Advanced Math in Middle and/or High School.
6th Grade IXL Skills:
D.6 Powers with Fractional Bases
F.4 Prime Factorization
I.3 Multiply Decimals
I.5 Divide Decimals by Whole Numbers
I.9 Division with Decimal Divisors
L.6 Multiply two Fractions (We get to this in 5th, we just aren’t there yet.)
L.13 Multiply Mixed Numbers
O.5 Understanding Absolute Value
O.7 Compare Integers
R.3 Graph Points on a Coordinate Plane (We get to this in 5th, we just aren’t there yet.)
S.1 Write a Ratio Using a Colon
U Convert Between Percents and Fractions
V.1 Estimate Percents of a Number
Y.5 Evaluate Multi-Variable Expressions
BB.2 Graph an Inequality
GG.6 Area of Triangles
HH.1 Volume of Cubes and Rectangular Prisms (We get to this in 5th, we just aren’t there yet.)
JJ.2 Calculate Mean, Median, Mode, and Range
Week of 11/03/24: This week is STEAM Week. In 5th grade, we had the opportunity to explore Spheros Bolts in the Maker space and we are collaborating to build bridges. Our writing this week is about how robots can benefit people. We are jumping in to our fractions unit with the first hurdle for students of adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators. We are also starting to explore cells and the organelles inside. We hope that our next Unit Test on cells and microorganisms will be right before Winter break in December.
Our second Unit Test for Math will come home shortly. Overall the test had more challenging material, reflecting the rigorous nature of 5th grade Math. There are two areas where students struggled that we will continue to loop back to throughout the year: long division with 2-digit divisors and order of operations. If your child struggled with these, please go over them at home and know that we will continue to go over them at school. Remember, students who complete weekly classwork perform much better on assessments as this classwork is designed to prepare for the tests. Be sure to check IC for weekly classwork grades regularly.
Week of 10/28/24: This week, we are finishing up on our tests. Next week we are starting two new units. In Math we are beginning our exploration of fraction. By January, students will be able to add and subtract mixed numbers with different denominators, multiply fractions, and compare fractions using a variety of strategies. In Science, we are beginning our work on cells and microorganisms. This exploration includes labeling cells, learning about organelles, creating edible models, using microscopes, and learning about common microorganisms in our environment.
Week of 10/21/24: We have two big tests coming up in Math and Science. Science is on Monday the 28th and Math is on Wednesday the 30th. Study Guides for both tests went home this week.
Science Study Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O8orjVxQUaZR9EkVHhDsyAb-nolJWWmqLtVV_6MusWk/edit?usp=sharing
Math Study Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oTsgQlDLhWZ7Ykfl7Luw--3KHyQmkq_R82ftLUxgvXE/edit?usp=sharing
Up next will be fractions for Math and cells and microorganisms for Science.
Week of 10/7/24: Our 2nd Math test will be on Friday October 25th. It will cover interpreting written expressions (i.e. 6 times the sum of 12 and 3), order of operations, multiplication, and division.
Our next unit will be on adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators with a test right before we leave for Thanksgiving break.
In Science we will be starting inherited traits and learned behaviors once we return from Fall Break. Our Unit test will be on November 1st and a study guide will go out one week before.
Week of 9/30/24: Students were allowed additional time to complete last week's playlist due to the district closure due to Helene.
This week we are tackling one of our hardest skills in 5th grade - dividing a 4-digit number by a 2-digit number. We are also using multiplication to check our work. The students are rocking out on this very challenging skill. We will next apply our multiplication and division skills on measurement word problems. In 5th, we are required to learn both Customary and Metric measures.
We are well into our unit on Animal and Plant Classification. The students learned how to identify specimens with a dichotomous key and about binomial nomenclature.
We will be making candy dichotomous keys to show how amazing we are at sorting items by attributes. We would love extra bags of individually wrapped candy for kids to sort on Monday (no peanuts please).
Next week we will be starting to examine how traits are inherited. Don't be surprised if your 5th grader starts asking if your tongue rolls and closely inspects your ear lobes.
Week of 9/16/24: In Math we are finishing with Multiplication and moving on to Division. While we examine alternative strategies, our main strategy in 5th grade is the traditional algorithm. The standard requires students to divide by 2-digit divisors up to 25. Where appropriate, we will extend student thinking with decimal division.
We will start our unit on Animal and Plant Classification. While students don't need to know every phylum and genus, we do expect students to be able to use tools to classify living things on Earth. In October, students will have a chance to complete an in-school research project about a living organism.
ONE FAIR: Our STEAM Coordinator Mrs. Rhee came to every class to introduce students to the One Fair that will happen in early December. The One Fair project is REQUIRED in 5th grade and optional in other grades. GATE students can use their Invention Convention project as their submission. Other students can select between Science, Engineering, Technology, and Social Studies. Decisions about the type of project are due 9/20/24.
One Fair Project Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGuOl5N0KiM1sV3Poqv1uOPFVw0kVfdHmUqMMeS8UV5yk9LA/viewform
One Fair Presentation: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGQeAWWtdw/DIkQYqrMmKMpSzad1nBUVw/edit?utm_content=DAGQeAWWtdw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Week of 9/9/24: In Math we have been working on our multiplication traditional algorithm. We have a few more days of practice before starting our division algorithm. Where appropriate, we will be extending thinking for both multiplication and division with decimals.
Next Thursday the 19th, we will have a Science test for our unit on Constructive and Destructive Forces. This includes weathering, erosion, deposition, plate movement, earth's layers, earthquakes, and volcanoes. If you want to review the material with your child, the text book can be accessed via HMH in My Backpack. In our next unit we will be studying animal classification.
Week of 9/2/24: In Math we are starting our new unit as soon as we return from the holiday weekend. In this unit we will be learning to multiply 3-digit by 3-digit numbers and divide 4-digit by 2-digit numbers. We have finally reached the moment when the math loop back to the "old school" ways of doing things. We are using the traditional algorithms for both multiplication and division. So the way you know how to solve it is the way the kids are learning to do it. We will also be diving into order of operations (PEMDAS) once we are secure on all 4 operations. This unit should take us to the 3rd week in October.
In Science we are entering the 2nd phase on our unit on Changes in Earth's Surface due to Constructive and Destructive Forces. We are exploring how the movement of the plates creates mountains, volcanoes, rifts, and trenches on the Earth's surface. We will announce an end of unit test for mid-September shortly.
Week of 8/22/24 In Math we will be having our first end-of-unit test one week from today - Thursday August 29th. It will cover adding and subtracting decimals, rounding decimals, comparing decimals, decimals in expanded form, powers of ten, multiplying and dividing by powers of ten, and decimal place value. As you can see, we have covered a great deal in the first few weeks. On Monday, a list of IXL skills will be given to students that will provide them with review of all of these skills. We also recommend that all students have completed Lessons 1-3 and 5-10 on Zearn before the Unit test. Students will have class time for this review.
Here is an example of our weekly Math playlist. It can always be found in students Google Classroom. It helps students learn to manage their independent class time. Students must plan ahead and stay of task to ensure that they are able to complete their work by the end of class on Friday. Any work that isn't completed in class should be completed for homework.
