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Fifth Grade Curriculum

What Your Need to Know as 5th Grade Student

Field Trip Plan for 2002-2003

Daily Schedule

Recommended Reading Lists

Award winning Children Books
Classical Children Books

Language Art

Language Art (reading, writing, spelling, speaking) are the tools that we use to learn and communicate. These tools are emphasized throughout the day in all subject areas. This emphasis will help prepare students for the fifth grade writing sample (persuasive essay) and the STAR-9 achievement testing in the Spring.

In alignment with the California State Frameworks, we will be using literature in our reading program. Works of fictions, nonfiction, poetry and drama may all be included. We will not merely read books, but we will discuss, do assignments, and projects to help students better understand and get excited about reading. Followings are the required readings.

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Sign of the Beaver
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Tuck Everlasting
Who Really Killed Cook Robin?

Writing is taught as a process that involves the following steps: 1) planning; 2) Create a rough draft; 3) Editing and revising; 4) Producing a final draft. The process will be emphasized through the curriculum. We have recently added a book called Writer's Express as a handbook to help in all language art areas. Students will be asked to write in specific genre's such as autobiographical narrative, persuasive, and informative as well as have the opportunity to write in areas of their own choice.

Spelling is your child's responsibility. It is taken from content areas as well as from the Scholastic spelling program which is in the process of being adopted by the district. Its purpose is to develop a working vocabulary for in class dialogue. This develops the skill of memorization, self discipline, and time management. There will be a pretest on Mondays and posttest on Fridays.

Speaking skill will be developed by frequent student project presentations. The skills of giving an effective presentation will be taught. We are planning on participating in a county wide oral storytelling festival this year.

Mathematics

Our Mathematics program this year will be using mainly 5 sources for instruction. And will focus upon conceptual understanding, computation, problem solving strategies, and real life applications. We will be aligned with both NCTM (National Council of Teacher of Mathematics) and the New California State Standards.

Math Alive! will constitute most of the direct instruction and its goal is to provide conceptual understanding of mathematics. Instructions will focus heavily upon using manipulative for understanding key concepts. It is very challenging program.
Harcourt-Math (the district's adopted Math program addresses practice in math operations). Practice for STAR-9 will also be provided through a program called "Drop in the Bucket".
Problem solver 5 will provide practice and skills in a variety of word problem skills.
Polyhedraville (architectural geometry) and Used Number (data and statistics) address real life application of mathematics.

Social Studies

This year fifth graders will be studying United States history from pre-Columbian times to Westward expansion and the physical geography of our nation. We have a newly adopted text called "A New Nation" which is a collaboration between McGraw-Hill and National Geographic publishers. Students will also develop skills in interpreting graphs, maps, globes, and charts. Many of our literature selections will tie in with the history of United States. Students will also participate in historical simulations to help experience much of our history. I will also spend time discussing age appropriate current events and we will use Time for Kids for that purpose.

Science

Through hand-on experimentation, students are expected to develop basic skills using scientific method and a general conceptual understanding in the subject areas. Lawence Hall of Science GEMS units as well as FOSS kits will be extensively used. Projects developed through a National Science Foundation grant will also be used throughout the year. Units of study this year will include: scientific process, human and plant systems, weather, solar system, and matter.

The Private Eye is a program about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale and theorizing. Designed to develop higher order thinking skills, creativity and scientific literacy - across subjects, it's based on a simple set of "tools" that produce "gifted results".

Historical Pursuit Projects

Every 6 weeks your child will select one area to do research and produce a product. The goal of this assignment are to develop research skills, make choices, time management, and to plan a project from beginning to end.

Historical pursuit projects will consist of a 3-D project, one page summary, 3-5 page research paper, map and time line. Students will also present their projects in the class. These products will reflect the connections between historical events and life today. All disciplines will be investigated.

The Sign of The Beaver Links