OTHER: Please consider sending in a box of tissues. There are so many classroom allergies and developing colds this time of year. We would really appreciate it. THANK YOU!! Please note that your child has many forms that need to be signed by you. Please take the time to complete and return them. Books should also be covered. Thank you for your cooperation on these matters.
WHAT WE ARE LEARNING:
Language Arts: The fifth grade integrates the reading, writing, English grammar, spelling, and speaking in this academic area. In reading, students practice on their oral reading (effective speaking), focusing on fluency, fluctuation, projection, and enunciation. They also demonstrate their thinking abilities in the areas of literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension. Various genres in literature are and will be investigated---realistic fiction, biographies, news articles, informational writings...to name a few. Trade books and the new StoryTown reading series are used. Book reports are also assigned throughout the year.
Students utilize the following appropriate steps for process writings---brainstorming with pre-writing sessions, revising rough drafts using editing marks, and publishing/evaluating finished products. Holistically scored writing prompts are administered and graded throughout the year. Writings for fun along with inspirational pieces are and will be encouraged.
English grammar will be introduced, maintained, and/or reviewed according to the Grade 5 curriculum. Parts of speech, sentence structure, and paragraph formation are stressed for accuracy and understanding. Language mechanics include continuous reinforcement of capitalization and punctuation application. Correct word usage such as with verbs are practiced along with special problems and unique situations as they apply to our English language rules.
Spelling is more than learning and applying assigned words. It also assists in developing an enriched, more extensive "robust" vocabulary, and it further enhances their writing pieces.
Math: Students begin the year by working with whole numbers. Items to be included at this time are the mastery of basic facts for accuracy and speed, place value, pictorial representations of numbers, the various forms of a number (standard, expanded, and word), decimals, having money sense, number lines, ordering numbers, rounding, estimating, working with patterns, computations, simple algebra, and word problems. These areas will help the students in preparing for the Connecticut Mastery Test. ***Please note that this is a partial list. More will follow as the year progresses.***
Social Studies: The first part of the year is devoted to maps skills. In the Map Skills Handbook, the various types of maps are investigated along with the major components necessary for understanding them. Mastering the items needed for map-making are then put to the test for the students to now make their own. Locating places on maps using latitude and longitude are also practiced.
In Chapter 1, the "Physical Regions of the United States" are covered. Areas here include the Coastal Plain, the Appalachians, the Central Plains, the Mountain West, and the Pacific Coast.
Chapter 2 is entitled "The United States Today" and it is briefly discussed. An abbreviated test is given after its completion.
In Chapter 3 entitled "The First Americans", the students learn about the Native Americans' migration from Asia, the gradual movement from hunting and gathering to farming for survival, and the role that archaeologists have in unleashing the meaning of past clues through artifacts. It is here that the students then study the Indians of North, Middle, and South America with a special emphasis on the North American tribes.
"Europeans Come to America" is the title of Chapter 4. It is in this section that the students investigate the travels of the Vikings and the European attraction to Asia and all its riches. The famous voyages of Christopher Columbus now come to the forefront in American history, being closely followed by other Spanish, Portuguese, English, and French explorers...all trying to find a shorter route to Asia.
Chapter 5 is entitled "Spanish Exploration and Conquest". Through exploration and conquest, the Spanish now become the leaders in claiming territory in Latin America and in the southern part of North America. Explorers, such as Ponce de Leon, Cortes, Pizarro, Coronado, and De Soto help to change the Native American population in those areas forever and with great consequences and results.
**********More chapters and their details will be continued here.****************
Current Events is an important area of study, and the students are involved with it on a weekly basis throughout the school year. Together, we explore Time for Kids magazine as regular part of our Current Events program. Students also bring in news articles that are local, state-Connecticut, national/country-U.S.A., and international/world for presentation and sharing.
The students are also given map and written assessments that directly coincide with their course of study this year.
Science: The fifth grade course of instruction starts off with electricity. It defines elements using the Periodic Table and the composition of atoms of the various elements. This area will be developed in the near future.
Please note that the above areas are developing as the year progresses....Thank you for your patience......
HAPPENINGS:
* Please visit the Watertown Schools website for upcoming events, including PTA announcements.
VISIT THESE LINKS:
*Clicking on any of these sites may take you out of the Watertown District website*
Map Skills Practice: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/
Need homework help?----timeforkids.com/hh-----for expert writing tips, reference tools and kidtested websites.
Again, thanks for your cooperation on these matters.......
School E-mail Address:
greenwoodpa@watertownctschools.org