In 5th grade, your child will be expected to have a higher level of "operational fluency" with fractions and decimals. For example, write the decimal equivalent of a fraction with a denominator of 1,000.

This means your child automatically knows the answers. He or she doesn’t need to use scratch paper or fingers to figure problems out.

• Multiplication WebMathMinute.com 100 problems in 5 minutes-by October 31st  (Range 1-10) 

• Multiplication WebMathMinute.com 100 problems in 4 minutes-by December 30   (Range 1-11) 

• Multiplication WebMathMinute.com 100 problems in 3 minutes-by February 28th  (Range 1-12) 

• Division WebMathMinute.com 

In 5th grade, your child also will be building a deeper understanding of volume.

Your 5th grader wants to:

• Write and evaluate numerical expressions with parentheses.
  Subtract 8 from 9, then add 10 to the result: (9 – 8) + 10 = 11

• Identify mistakes involving the order of operations.
  Identify and correct any mistakes: ( 3 + 5 ) x 4 = 3 + 20 = 23.

• Complete a table for a two-variable relationship and graph it.
  Complete the table for c = t + 10 and then graph it:

• Understand place value.
  What is value of the 5 in 27,548.09?

• Multiply and divide by a power of ten with decimals.
  6 x 10.

• Read, write and compare decimals to thousandths.
  What sign (<, >, =) makes the statement true? 38.098 ___ 38.189

• Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place.
  What is 7.586 rounded to the nearest tenth?

• Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
  7 x 9 x 11

• Divide 4-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers.
  What is 7854 divided by 22?

• Add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals to hundredths.
  2 x 10.11

• Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers).
  ½ + 1 ¼

• Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions.
  ½ x ¾

• Solve word problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication or division of whole numbers leading to answers in the form of fractions or mixed numbers.
  Philip and Craig each made a bowl of punch. Craig used 6 times as much lemonade as Philip did. If Philip used 5/6 of a cup of lemonade, how many cups of lemonade did Craig use?

• Interpret multiplication as scaling (resizing).
  Which symbol (<, >, =) makes the statement true? 5 x ½ ____ 5

• Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.
  Which is more, 6 inches or 1 foot?

• Make a line plot to display a data set of measurements in fractions of a unit (1/2, 1/4, 1/8).

• Understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition.

• Measure volumes by counting unit cubes, using cubic centimeters, cubic inches, cubic feet and improvised units.

• Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition and solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume.
  Brandon wants to grow tomatoes and herbs, so he can make his own fresh pizza sauce. Brandon's planter box is seven feet long and four feet wide on the inside. Brandon fills the planter box with soil to a height of two feet. What is the volume of soil in Brandon's planter box?

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

• Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties.
  Example: Parallelogram, Rectangle, Rhombus, Square, etc.

Your 5th grader wants to spend more time reading longer chapter books, as well as nonfiction books and texts. Teachers will be increasing the length and the complexity of the passages and textbooks they give your 5th grader to read.

So again, be sure you're working with your 5th grader on reading stamina.

Your 5th grader wants to be able to:

• Find main ideas and supporting details using more advanced reading comprehension strategies (like inference)

• Summarize what's been read through writing or speaking

• Synthesize information from two texts

• Think analytically and give specific examples from the text

• Interpret information from charts, images, videos, timelines and diagrams

• Compare and contrast the information that's being read

• Proficiently read at grade level five in both fiction and nonfiction texts

• Learn new vocabulary words using context clues

• Use the Internet to access and research information

Fluency Goal: 

Your 5th grader will be writing informational reports in complete paragraphs, and teachers will be looking for a higher level of vocabulary and specific detail.

Writing is a "higher cognitive load activity," meaning it takes more of your 5th grader's energy and brainpower to complete it.

With that in mind, it’s important to continue building up your child's writing stamina.

Your 5th grader should be able to:

• Write in a variety of formats for a variety of subjects

• Understand that writing a book report is different than writing an email or writing a PowerPoint presentation

• Understand the nuance of who's the audience (Why are you writing this and what does the audience need to know?)

• Know the basic parts of speech

• Write a structured paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting details and a closing sentence

• Use punctuation such as commas, apostrophes and quotation marks appropriately

• Understand synonyms, antonyms and homophones

• Identify prefixes and suffixes

• Use research to write an informational report

• Write description and persuasive texts

Writing is one of those skills that will be important no matter what your child does after high school/secondary school.

Your child needs to be able to write and send messages whether he or she is a scientist, works in retail, is a mechanic or teaches English class.

Fifth grade is the time to take stock of your child's writing abilities and make sure your child has the skills necessary to excel.

Spelling Goal: 

In social studies the history of the United States is used to teach pride in our heritage, tolerance of a diverse population, and an understanding of the importance of democracy in the world. Map studies, analysis of historical documents and figures, and research of famous events and people provide students with a solid knowledge and understanding of American history. Technology is infused into this course to enhance study skills and support the curriculum through research and cooperative learning projects.

Science in the 5th grade year continues to build on the students’ understanding and application of the scientific method. An appreciation for science and discovery, as well as an appreciation and respect for the earth and our environment, are also emphasized. Students are encouraged to relate their knowledge of science concepts and theory to their everyday experiences. Problem solving as it pertains to scientific inquiry continues to strengthen critical thinking skills and prepare students for life in the 21st century. Dissection is introduced as the fifth graders delve into a hands-on approach to learning and application of scientific knowledge. Furthermore, participation in the schoolwide science fair allows for individual recognition of student achievement, further develops student presentation skills, and helps to create a school-wide atmosphere where science is celebrated. 

It's the end of one era and the start of another!

Now's the time to take action if:

• You've noticed any academic issues that have been simmering for a while

• Your child is just getting by (but isn’t really excelling), or ...

• You want to give you child an edge for middle school

How? 

-Tutoring, create an academic plan with the teacher, intervention groups, set goals, be involved, help in the classroom, library opportunities, etc. 

With the needs of every child in mind, daily curriculum is also enhanced through an intentional focus towards developing the 4Cs: creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. These competencies are nurtured and built upon in a carefully crafted continuum throughout each Garretson student’s journey, ultimately preparing him or her to be a productive asset in a global society.