Current Learning Goals

May

Math: We are finishing our last unit before we start our big review. In this unit, Students learn to draw and identify points, rays, segments, angles, and lines, including parallel and perpendicular lines. Students also learn how to use a protractor to measure angles and draw angles of given measurements, and identify acute, obtuse, right, and straight angles in two-dimensional figures.

Literacy: This unit examines the fiction genre through a classic novel, Treasure Island. Students will focus on character development, setting, and plot, as well as literary devices. They will use this knowledge to create their own adventure story! 

April

Math: Students interpret, represent, and solve multiplicative comparison problems using an understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division. They use this thinking to convert units of measure within a given system from larger to smaller units. For Example: grams/kilograms, milliliters/liters, inches/feet

Literacy: The American Revolution: The big idea of our current literacy unit is that disagreements about principles of government led colonists in North America to seek independence from Great Britain. The causes, major figures, and consequences of the American Revolution provide a framework for understanding what caused the 13 colonies to break away and become an independent nation, and what significant ideas and values were at the heart of the American Revolution. 

Social Studies: Students will begin to understand the role of citizens in local and state government. This will start with an exploration of the North Carolina history timeline leading into government roles, rights, and responsibilities of today. 

Science: Students will learn that a magnet pulls on all things made of iron without touching them, and that this pulling can result in motion. Students will learn that a magnet attracts some metals, but not all of them. Students will learn that an object that has been electrically charged pulls or pushes on all other charged objects and that this can result in motion. 

March

Math: Students interpret, represent, and solve multiplicative comparison problems using an understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division. They use this thinking to convert units of measure within a given system from larger to smaller units. For Example: grams/kilograms, milliliters/liters, inches/feet

Literacy: We are starting our contemporary fiction unit. Students will learn how a story’s literary elements help readers learn implicit information from the story. Students will learn how to identify a theme and how point of view can affect a story.  

Social Studies: Students will begin to understand the role of citizens in local and state government. This will start with an exploration of the North Carolina history timeline leading into government roles, rights, and responsibilities of today. 

Science: Students will learn that a magnet pulls on all things made of iron without touching them, and that this pulling can result in motion. Students will learn that a magnet attracts some metals, but not all of them. Students will learn that an object that has been electrically charged pulls or pushes on all other charged objects and that this can result in motion. 

February

Math: We are applying our knowledge of 1/10 & 1/100 to introduce decimals. Students will learn how to convert some fractions to decimals as well as hot wo add and subtract decimals. 

Literacy: Middle ages and medieval times continued throughout the month. The Empires in the Middle Ages unit covers the history of both the Middle Ages in Europe and the Islamic Medieval Empires. While the Middle Ages deals primarily with the events of western Europe, and the relationship between the Christian Church and the rulers of the region, the concurrent Islamic Empires in the Middle Ages unit looks at events in another part of the world (particularly in what is now called the Middle East). 

Social Studies: What is North Carolina Culture? 

Science: Phases of the Moon

January

Math: We are back to fractions! We are now extending our knowledge of operations with fractions. This until will focus on multiplying and dividing fractions. 

Literacy: We are wrapping up our poetry unit and heading into the Middle Ages. We will be studying Medieval times through both fiction and non-fiction texts. On the non-fiction side, we will learn about a variety of jobs, housing, social status, the feudal system and more. For fiction, we will be focusing on King Arthur and a variety of knights!

Social Studies: We will kick-off black history month with MLK day. After celebrating the life and contributions made by Dr. King, we will learn about other african american figures whose influence helped change the lives of many. 

December

Math: We will be wrapping up our geometry unit in early December and moving back into fractions. Students will begin to extend their knowledge. Students will add and subtract fractions with like denominators as well as relate fractions to decimals for tenths and hundredths. 

Literacy: December we will focus on poetry. We will learn to determine the meaning of a poem, what affects the tone of a poem, and different types of poetic devices.

Social Studies:  What is culture? What cultures are in North Carolina? 

November

Math: We have kicked off our geometry unit by sorting and identifying different types of triangles and quadrilaterals based on attributes. During this process students discuss types of lines (parallel, perpendicular, equal lengths) and types of angles (obtuse, acute, right).

Literacy & Science: We are wrapping up our Geology Unit. We have begun to research types of rocks and specific rock formations. Students will create a 3D representation to support their research. Please check the homework tab for more information.

Social Studies:  Students will be learning about the many cultures that reside throughout North Carolina. 

October

Math: We are using our knowledge of multiplication and division to create equivalent fractions. We are also learning to compare fractions with unlike denominators and numerators by comparing the fractions to a benchmark such as a half or whole. Soon we will find a common denominator to compare fractions as well. Students now know how to recognize when a fraction is greater than a whole as well as how to convert this improper fraction into a mixed number. 

Literacy & Science: We are now in our Geology Unit.We are currently reading and researching on earth's layers, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. Students have created informative writing pieces including a pamphlet and a "wiki entry." Next, we will research types of rocks and specific rock formations. Students will create a 3D representation to support their research. More info to come soon!

Social Studies:  Now that we have learned about present day North Carolina, we are researching its roots. Students are learning about Native American Indians of North Carolina. Students are focusing on which tribes lived in each region, what foods each ate, different types of housing, games, and traditions. 

September

Math: We are continuing to extend our knowledge of multiplication, division, and the area of a rectangle and deepen our understanding of factors and multiples. After this, we will move into fractions. Students will extend their prior understanding of equivalent fractions and comparing fractions. 

Literacy: We are continuing to examine the genre of personal narratives, this consists reading nonfiction first-person stories. Students will begin identifying the elements of the genre and using these elements in writing a variety of their own personal narratives. These elements include logical sequence, dialogue, vivid descriptive language, characters traits, sensory details, figurative language, and writing strong introductions and conclusions.

Science: We will begin the study of living organisms and what they need to survive. This will guide students into understanding how both plants and animals adapt to their environment. 

Social Studies: We are currently building our mapping skills and learning about North Carolina. Students will know how to use longitude and latitude to locate specific locations on a map. They will also learn about different landforms, bodies of waters, cities, and other important details about North Carolina.  

August