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2025-2026 Class Syllabus
2025-2026 Class Syllabus
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5th grade is a tranistion year as students begin to prepare for middle school. Students will be expected to organize their time to finish work both inside and outside the classroom. On larger assignments, there will be chekcpoints where the student will turn in work.
Students should utilize their homework planner and check Google Classroom daily to ensure they are up-to-date on their homework and project responsibilities. Classroom announcements will also be posted on Google Classroom.
In-Class Books
In-Class Books
Blood on the River: James Town 1607
Blood on the River: James Town 1607
by Elisa Carbone
by Elisa Carbone
During the first trimester of Social Studies, we learn about the founding of the colonies in North America. To incorporate our reading program with this topic, I have chosen the book Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone as our first whole-class reading book.
This book follows the life of a real-life, 10 year old boy who was aboard the first group of ships to arrive in the Jamestown settlement. All of the main characters were real life colonists...many who we will also be reading about from our Social Studies textbook. The author did lots of research while writing the book and she included many primary sources, plus incorporates information which she gathered from reading through the journals of those who lived in the settlement.
I have previously worked with this book at another school, as well as since my start at Visitation, and have many activities planned while reading this book. One of my hopes is that this book will launch many discussions where we can compare and contrast what we read in our textbook, with the primary sources which are included in Blood on theRiver.
I have attached two links to this email for book-ordering purposes.
Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-River-James-Town-1607/dp/0142409324
Barnes and Noble Link:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-on-the-river-elisa-carbone/1101992569?ean=9780142409329
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
This book has become a classic in many fifth grade classrooms.
The story follows the life of a girl named Esperanza. She is the only daughter of wealthy Mexican parents. Following the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) and the death of her father, she must flee to California with no money during the era of the Great Depression. Upon entering this new life she finds a different way of living and discovers that the agricultural work does not pay a lot.
This book is filled with figurative language, new vocabulary, and I hope it will begin many educational conversations within the classroom as it parallels topics we are discussing in social studies.
Esperanza Rising can be found through most any bookstore, Amazon, or even Scholastic! Remember all Scholastic orders help to raise money for books for the classroom library, so it is a great option!
Past Field Trips
Past Field Trips
Reagan Presidential Library
Reagan Presidential Library
The library has a special 5th grade only activity based field trip in which we particiate.
The morning of our trip, the students will arrive at school at the normal time for morning assembly. Following morning assembly, we will go to our classroom and review some of the policies of the Reagan Museum and get organized for the bus to arrive.
This is always a favorite field trip!
This was an all day field trip.
The day was be split into two parts:
Science center tour
Mars interactive simulation
Please be aware of the following:
Students must bring their own lunch. No lunches will be provided at the science center. They need to be packed in disposable bags.
Students need to wear the following: class shirt and uniform bottoms
California Science Center: Big Lab Field Trip
California Science Center: Big Lab Field Trip
Students participated in a fun field trip which included a squid dissection!
At School Activity: Walk Through - The American Revolution
At School Activity: Walk Through - The American Revolution
The Walk Through is an engaging and interactive educational presentation with friendly competition and lively retelling of American history. During the presentation you will be competing in a friendly contest to earn points. All points are awarded by the presenter. Points will be awarded for the following reasons:
Memorization of your pre-assigned Expert Word Cards and Character Cards
Dressing in colonial costumes
Brining props specific to your character
Students will listen as the presenter tells the story of the founding of America. When an expert word is spoken, or a character is introduced, the student assigned to that card will go up and recite their part of the story. You must be paying attention and listening so you know when your part is called.
At certain points during the presentation, each team will be called up to present one of the Battle Scenes with props and small set pieces you create. Your groups and roles for this have already been assigned.
A portion of the Declaration of Independence will also be read by students using American Experiment Cards. Throughout the presentation, games, music, and dramatic activities encourage participation and comprehension of the curriculum. At the end of the presentation, the winning team is announced.
OUR NEXT STEPS:
We will begin meeting with our groups to practice battle scenes
You will practice your assigned roles at home (Remember: extra points for memorization)
You will be creating costumes and props at home for your assigned role (these will need to be brought to school on Monday, November 7th)
Families will sign up to help us create some of the setting props for our scenes
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