September 2nd - 5th

Our fifth graders will work on becoming independent readers who think deeply about what they read. During the first nine weeks, students will build stamina, learn how to select “just right” books, and practice strategies that help them understand texts on a deeper level. They will analyze characters, themes, and author’s craft while discussing ideas in book clubs and jotting down their thinking as they read. Our goal is for students to experience “reading growth spurts” and develop a lifelong love of reading. 

During this time, we will also be meeting individually with each student to complete their Fountas & Pinnell reading assessment. These assessments help us learn more about each child’s reading strengths and areas for growth so we can support them best throughout the year.

Our class is currently reading Eleven by Tom Rogers, and the students are fully engaged! They’ve been on the edge of their seats using context clues to infer who the mysterious “Man in the White Shirt” might be—it has sparked some amazing discussions and predictions. Students will have the opportunity to have a virtual meet & greet with the author, himself, in October!

Next week, we will begin reading Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate. This moving story follows a boy named Kek, who has immigrated to America from Sudan. As he adjusts to a new culture and navigates the challenges of loss and change, he discovers resilience, friendship, and hope.

We’ve chosen Home of the Brave because it is one of the core texts in Lucy Calkins’ 5th Grade Interpretation Book Clubs – Analyzing Themes unit. It provides rich opportunities for students to notice recurring ideas, make deep connections, and practice identifying themes that stretch across characters and events—an essential part of their growth as thoughtful, independent readers.

Our fifth graders will continue their writing journey by learning how to craft thoughtful literary essays. Students will practice reading closely, analyzing characters, themes, and author’s craft, and then use their ideas to write clear, organized essays about literature. They will learn how to develop a strong thesis, support their thinking with text evidence, and revise their work for clarity and style. Our goal is for students to grow into confident writers who can express their ideas about reading in meaningful ways. 

Unit 1: Whole Number Operations - Your child is about to explore multiplication and division algorithms. To master this skill, they will build on their knowledge of multiplication and division from fourth grade. In fourth grade, your child learned models, strategies, and algorithms to solve multiplication and division problems. As your child extends their knowledge of this concept throughout fifth grade, they will learn the following concepts:

•  Fluently use multiplication and division algorithms

  • For example: The first model shows partial products in the area model. When compared to the standard algorithm (second model), you can see how the same partial products transfer to the standard algorithm. 

• Understand prime and composite numbers to support becoming fluent with multiplying three digits by two digits and with dividing a four-digit dividend by a two-digit divisor.

  • For example: The number 7 is a prime number because it only has two factors (1 and 7). There is only one type of array that can be formed: 1 by 7. The number 8 is a composite number because it has at least three factors (1, 2, 4, and 8). There are two types of arrays that can be formed: 1 by 8 and 2 by 4.

While working with your child at home, the following vocabulary terms might be helpful in your communication about multiplication and division algorithms. These are terms your child will be encouraged to use throughout our explorations and during our math chats, which are short, whole-group discussions at the conclusion of each activity.

● Terms to Know

○ prime number: a number with exactly two factors—one and itself

○ composite number: a number with at least three factors

○ square number: the result multiplying an integer by itself

○ long division: an algorithm used to find the quotient of two numbers

○ product: the answer to a multiplication problem

○ quotient: the answer to a division problem

We will do many explorations in class to help your child learn these concepts from firsthand experiences. Encourage your child to share these experiences with you and to teach you what he or she has learned. As your child to identify examples of what he or she is learning in everyday life, such as finding the total cost of an item paid over many months or finding the amount of vehicles needed for a certain number of people going on a trip.

Thank you for your support as your child begins this new learning adventure.

We are now in the second lesson in our unit on Matter and Energy!  We will be comparing and contrasting the physical properties of mixtures vs. solutions.

1. Compare and contrast properties of matter - analyzing the three different states of solid, liquid, gas and understanding that each state has its own unique properties

2. Properties of mixtures - comparing mixtures (solids mixed together) versus solutions (liquid and solid mixed together)

3. Conservation of matter - understanding matter cannot be created nor destroyed

4. Particles of matter - realizing matter is all around us even though it is made up of particles too small to be seen

Our Focus

In our first Social Studies unit this year,  fifth graders will begin developing an understanding of how maps demonstrate unique insights into the relationships between humans and their environment. They will use this understanding to help them further understand places and regions in the United States.

Instructional Approach

Your child will develop their understanding of maps and places in the United States by exploring regions, locating states, populous cities, and physical features. They will also learn about:

• Landforms, climate and vegetation and how these features contribute to regions in the U.S.

• Location of the 50 states and the 5 most populous cities.

• How to create a map of the U.S. that includes political features (states and cities), and physical features such as The Appalachian Mountains, Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Great Plains, and Rocky Mountains,.

• How information can be interpreted through maps, such as physical features, political data (Ex. state borders, capitals, major cities), natural resources, climate, and elevations. 

After much  guided practice through these hands-on learning experiences, your child will show their ability to locate physical features of the U.S. on a blank U.S. map.

Family Support

Your support is always appreciated in your child’s learning. Here are some ways you can help:

• Today’s students are familiar with the GPS technology we have today.  But how did YOU find places when you and your family take trips.  Share those experiences and maybe a map, too.

• When watching shows on television or reading books, talk about the places where stories are taking place and locate them on a map.

• When travelling around your city/county/state, help your child recognize landforms that you might encounter (plains, hills, lakes, rivers, valleys, etc.) 

• Every time you and your child look at a unique map ask this question:  What does this map tell us about this place? 

It’s our hope that you will find yourself happily curious, too, as you support your child’s geography learning.