Welcome to Fifth Grade!

Fifth grade is a challenging year where students expand on their thinking skills and rise to the challenge of looking at life through different perspectives.

Fifth Grade Language Arts  

Reading instruction moves across literacy settings where there is focused strategy instruction.   Students apply the following strategies that "good" readers use:

• Determine the most important ideas and themes in text
• Ask questions that help the reader understand the text
• Create sensory images from text
• Draw inferences using text clues and background knowledge
• Synthesize text for deeper understanding
• Make relevant connections that elevate text understanding
• Utilize a variety of fix-up strategies to repair comprehension when it breaks down

Throughout the process responsibility for reading and thinking is gradually released to students as they move through the literacy settings.  Literacy settings include:

• Teacher think aloud where the teacher models thinking of the reader while students observe the process
• Shared reading where students join in with the teacher to read and understand the text
• Guided reading where students practice the strategy with teacher coaching as needed (students grouped at instructional level)
• Independent practice where students are engaged in reading from self-selected texts or reading for various literature purposes (book clubs, novel studies, research, book sharing, etc.)

Throughout the year students are encouraged and supported as they learn how to think deeper about their reading.  They are coached as they orally explain that level of thinking and transfer it to rich, written responses.  At this point, students use writing as a tool to explain their understanding about their reading.

                                            Writing Workshop                             

In writing workshop students experiment with the craft of writing as they hone their ability to communicate what they understand about their world.

Mini lessons focus on modeling what accomplished writers do to draft, revise, and edit their writing.  Examples of chosen text are selected carefully to provide appropriate discussion of good writing strategies, skills, and techniques.  Following the mini lesson, the goal is for students to apply these strategies and skills during independent practice.  Prewriting activities include focus and draft webs, graphic organizers, T charts, etc.  Oral rehearsal is an important element of the writing process.  During oral rehearsal students talk through their piece.  Students write multi- paragraphed pieces where they apply mechanics, spelling, and grammar properly with peer and teacher collaboration.

Throughout the year, students apply strategies to help communicate their ideas in writing:

• Write an engaging lead or introduction
• Add details to elaborate main ideas
• Utilize precise word choice
• Use transitions for sentence and paragraph fluency
• Incorporate voice into their piece keeping audience in mind
• Write an effective closure

Spelling
       The goal of our spelling program is for students to apply spelling rules and strategies in their writing.  Spelling lists are located in students' Take Home Folder for use at home and school.  The final test is given on Thursday.  Spelling lists are differentiated based on the needs of the students.

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Fifth Grade Math                                                       

The district areas of focus for fifth grade include Fractions, Decimals, Percents, Data Analysis, Patterns, Introductory Algebra, and Probability.  Problem solving is embedded throughout the year.  Students use writing as a tool to explain mathematical thinking.

• First Trimester:  Students learn fraction concepts.  Click here for the first trimester math pamphlet. Encourage your child to review the addition/subtraction facts and to practice the multiplication/division facts 5-10 minutes each day.
• Second Trimester:  Students learn decimal and percent concepts.  Additionally data analysis, patterns, and introductory algebra concepts are introduced.  Click here for the second trimester math pamphlet
• Third Trimester:  Students continue to develop their understanding of data analysis, patterns and introductory algebra concepts.  Also probability is explored at an elementary level.  Click here for the third trimester math pamphlet

•  

  Here are some sites you may like to visit:
  A+ Math
  Visit this site for some math games, flashcard practice or creation, and a homework helper section (student's type
  in the problem and answer, the computer then tells your child if their answer is correct). http://www.aplusmath.com/
   
  FunBrain.Com
  This site has some fun math games for fact practice. Most games allow you to set the difficulty level.
  http://www.funbrain.com/
   
  Brain Teasers
  Brain teasers for students grades 3-8. Each week there is a new brain teaser.
  The answers are given the following week.
   http://www.eduplace.com/math/brain/index.html
   

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Fifth Grade Science                                                                        

• First Trimester - Microworlds - Students learn to think like scientists as they develop observation and classification skills.  Additionally they learn to keep accurate records as they draw and write about their observations.  Experiences with magnifying tools leads students to discover the properties of lenses.  The unit includes observation of microbes found in pond water.

• Second Trimester - Simple Machines - Within this unit students learn how simple machines make work easier.  Initially students experiment with lever and pulley systems to determine the mechanical advantage of the system.  With experiments students form hypotheses and draw conclusions from collected data.  Students use their understandings to apply these concepts to real-world situations.  In the latter part of the unit students study other simple machines and use Lego to construct compound machines.  Then they analyze how the simple machines work together to overcome resistance.  Students work to refine their models to make their machines more efficient.  Throughout this study students continue to use and improve observation and classification skills.

• Third Trimester - Weather - Students develop an understanding of the factors that affect weather: temperature, air pressure, moisture, and wind.  As students observe models they draw conclusions about how each model simulates the causes of weather.   Authentic experiences with weather allow students to collect data as they make daily observations.  This provides learners with the opportunity to make connections between classroom models and actual weather occurrences.  Students then apply weather concepts to understand the interaction between humans and their environment. 

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Fifth Grade Social Science                               

The social science curriculum was designed to provide an integrated study to prepare students to become responsible citizens.  All of the social science strands (historical, economic, political, geographic, and behavioral sciences) are tied together throughout the case studies.  As seen in the trimester outlines, the curriculum is built around a key concept with case study examples.  Understanding the concept helps students learn from the past and how it relates to the present.  Students use higher order thinking skills to gain the enduring understandings. 

• First Trimester - Concept: Revolution- What are the causes and effects of a revolution?

Working Definition: A revolution is a significant change in the way people live.

Enduring Understandings:

• Leaders have an essential role in a revolution.

• Disagreement about the availability and the distribution of resources impact forces of change.

• There are positive and negative effects in a revolution for all involved. 

Possible Case Study examples:  American Revolution, Industrial Revolution

• Second Trimester - Concept: Pluralism- How do societies maintain the welfare of a diverse population?

Working definition: Pluralism is maintaining a balance between individual rights and common good within a diverse population.

Enduring Understandings:

• Groups form to address common needs
• Our society works to balance individual and group rights
• Diverse perspectives can lead to conflict and/or understanding

Possible Case Study examples: Civil War, Reconstruction, Women Suffrage,  Child labor, Labor Unions, Immigrants, and Civil Rights Movement.

• Third Trimester - Concept: Power-  How does the distribution of power affect people?

Working Definition: Power is the use of strength to get something done or to overcome opposition.

Enduring Understanding:

• Power can have positive and/or negative effects.
• Resources influence the use of power.
• A shift in power changes the way decisions are made.

Possible Case Study examples: Spanish American War, Panama Canal, Acquisition of Alaska and Hawaii, World War 1, Depression, World War 2, and Global Economy. 

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Homework generally includes:

• 30 minutes of silent sustained reading
• Math homework
• Spelling activities and/or review for weekly spelling tests
• Periodic social studies, science, or language arts assignments

How to Help Your Child with Homework:

• Monitor your child's consistent use of the assignment book.
• Clarify directions when needed.
• Help with an example problem.
• Establish a consistent homework routine for all children in your family.
• Provide a dictionary in the study area.
• Monitor your child for excessive frustration.
• Stay in contact with the teacher!

DISTRICT 203 K-5 HOMEWORK GUIDELINES

Definition: Homework is defined as any work planned by the teacher to be completed by the student outside of the regular classroom without immediate and direct teacher interaction.

Philosophy:
District 203 has a commitment to excellence in its instructional program while taking into consideration the unique developmental stages of children. Homework is a continuation of a learning process developed in the classroom and carried on by the child in the home environment. Its effectiveness depends upon careful planning by the teacher as well as supportive parental involvement.

District 203 recognizes the importance of having opportunities for growth and development provided by parents for their children outside of school hours. We realize that children participate in many after school activities and the need for proper rest cannot be over emphasized. As a result, no regularly assigned amount of daily homework will be prescribed at the elementary level. However, work not completed in class, drill and practice activities and occasional special projects may be assigned. Good parenting skills such as reading to children, providing cultural activities and working on language development are encouraged.

Homework -- Planned Absence:
Because of the highly interactive nature of learning, it is often difficult to simply assign  "work" for a planned absence.  Often it would mean providing assignments on topics and skills that have not yet been taught.  If you feel it is necessary to take your child out of school for an extended period of time, please keep this in mind.  Make-up work, as appropriate, may be assigned upon return from the vacation. Trip assignments may be used at teacher discretion. Suggestions for parent and child activities could include recreational reading, journals, and map activities.

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