2009-2010 Fifth Grade Syllabus/Newsletter

 

The following is an outline of material we will be covering during the first few weeks of school.  Continue to look for information about each subject area in our newsletter that will be sent home every two weeks.

 

Math   

Throughout the year fifth grade concentrates on skills to maintain, process standards, and the algebra strand. This includes: fractions, decimals, graphing, solid figures, and plane figures. Routine topics such as order of operations will be addressed on an ongoing basis. We will be incorporating exemplars, A+ math, Harcourt eproducts, timed tests, and task centers.  Students will be given a username and password for access to Harcourt Math online located at:  http://www.eharcourtschool.com/

Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday.

 

ELA

Our county has adopted a new English Language Arts (ELA) program, using the SRA Imagine It! series. The SRA series consists of three strands:  Preparing to Read, Reading and Responding, and Language Arts.

Preparing to Read:  Word Structure

Reading and Responding:  Comprehension Strategies, Skills, Fluency, Selection Vocabulary

Language Arts:  Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Usage and Mechanics, Study Skills, Listening, Speaking, Viewing

The students will expand and deepen their comprehension, synthesize and organize, use inquiry to investigate, become more independent and responsible, and work efficiently in collaborative groups.

The students will participate in cooperative learning environments, workshop, as they move independently around the room to gain information from other students.  They will work cooperatively in a variety of situations, assuming productive roles within each group. 

 

Writing:

Fifth graders are required to take a statewide writing test on March 3, 2010.  In order to prepare for the writing test, students will be using persuasive, informational, narrative, and the response to literature genres.  Each writing assignment will be graded using a rubric that the students will receive prior to beginning so they will be aware of what is expected. They will also practice by writing in their journal daily.

 

Accelerated Reader (AR) Students will work with the reading teacher to set a personal goal, which may be modified each nine week period. As an incentive to read, students will be invited to an A.R. party if they reach their goal and achieve an accuracy of 80% or higher by the end of the nine weeks. Media Skills and checkout is provided weekly.

 

Science Our science curriculum incorporates inquiry throughout the year.  Our new science series is Harcourt Georgia Science. Fifth grade concentrates on the understanding of Physical Science, The Nature of Science, Life Science, Habits of Mind, and Earth Science. We will be implementing the scientific method throughout the year utilizing hands-on projects.  We will be concentrating on science vocabulary especially vocabulary that includes the scientific method to include: question, hypothesis, experimental plan, investigation, observation, results, organize, analyze and conclusion.  The science textbook can be found online:  http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do  Students will be given a username and password.

 

Social Studies Our social studies curriculum concentrates on the history of the United States, from the Civil War to the present.  We will be learning about the actions of great leaders and the contributions of men and women, both in the past and present.  In our first nine weeks, and continuing throughout the year, we will be concentrating on history, economics, citizenship and geography.  To enhance our learning of these concepts we will work on in-class research projects, group projects, power point presentations, and Internet projects.   The social studies textbook can be found online: http://www.eduplace.com/eservices/

Username: columbiastudent5  Password: student

 

Grading All graded work will be sent home EVERY WEDNESDAY!  Please look for graded papers and help your child average their grades.  Graded papers will help students and parents know what to expect when progress reports and report cards are sent home.  Please check your child’s agenda for assignments and test dates.  Parent signature is required on student agendas each Monday.  You may also check i-Parent to keep up with your child’s grades. 

 

Testing In the fifth grade we administer the ITBS (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills) September 21st – 28th; Writing Test March 3rd; and CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Test) April 19th – 23rd.

 

Please visit our Fifth Grade Website for future events and information.

http://www.ccboe.net/ece/fifth.html

Please visit the Georgia Performance Standards for our fifth grade curriculum.

http://www.georgiastandards.org/

Please visit Columbia County Student-Learning Curriculum – all curriculum maps and standards can be viewed

http://www.ccboe.net/learning/elementary/home.html