CLASSROOMS/K-5 CURRICULUM

GRADE 5 - Mrs. Ricciuti, Mrs. Gaffey, Mrs. Smart

Reminders and Upcoming Events

May has arrived so quickly, the nice weather is here to stay, we hope! Each month we reflect back upon the tremendous amounts of learning we have accomplished. We will continue to look ahead to what promises to be an exciting year at the Ottoson Middle School. The students should be very proud of their accomplishments. They have each found a way to instill that Stratton Pride in everything they do. Perseverance, responsibility, independence, determination, and empowerment are all enmeshed in learning and decision-making. They have
understood and accepted more and more responsibility for their learning.

Students continue to be engaged in challenging activities across the curriculum. Although we have completed our Wordly Wise vocabulary program the students continue to expand their understanding of words through Latin Roots. Students have significantly expanded their reservoir of words in which to communicate ideas
in both written and oral form.

In math, we have stretched our minds and have really begun to understand how neat and useful geometry is in everyday life. Lately, we have been focusing on the difference between area and perimeter as well as using strategies and formulas to find the area and perimeter of various figures. We are also finding ways to determine surface area and volume of 3D shapes. As we continue to learn
about these 3D shapes we are also practicing what to expect from the math MCAS.

In Social studies we understand the importance of the connections each age presents to another. We see several ideas, ideals, motivations, and goals that weave their way through exploration, colonization, revolution, settlement, and expansion. Our focus for the next two months will be the structure of
government.

Once again we have set aside a two-week testing schedule for MCAS for grades 3-5. By now you have received the notice of specific dates for grade five testing. The children are aware of the importance of plenty of rest and nutritious food items for
breakfast and snack. We thank you for helping us prepare the students for a series of tests. In the upcoming weeks, we will spend some time reviewing previously taught concepts. This will help to prepare the students the end of the year math assessment and the MCAS exam. Fifth graders will be taking the Math MCAS on Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 9, and the Science MCAS on May 14 and 15.

It’s amazing that the Fifth Grade Activities will be starting soon. A special thanks and appreciation goes out to the Fifth Grade Activities Committees who have been tirelessly planning and organizing the year end events for 5th grade students! Students in the company of their teachers, principal and parent volunteers will venture off to Canobie Lake Park on June 5th for a day filled with fun and excitement! Students will also be participating in a special 5th Grade Field Day on June 18th! Much work has gone into the organization of this event, and it promises to be a fabulous day! In addition, students are anxiously awaiting the special Recognition Night, an Ice Cream Social, and Memory Book signing. The next several weeks will be very busy and jam-packed with memorable experiences for students!

Book Report Central:

Book Project resources will be posted a few days before the first of each month and removed the week after its due date.

Book Projects Guidelines:

Projects Guideline

Monthly Newsletter

Curriculum Links:

The following are links to lists of VERY USEFUL links of resources, support and practice for you and your 5th grade student.

Open Circle: Language and Vocabulary:Open Circle

Wordly Wise Website- Wordly Wise

Fraction Track

Math Links

Reading Links

Writing Links

Social Studies Links

Science Links

Classroom Policies/Procedures

• Homework
  • Must be copied in Agenda book and be signed by guardian daily
  • Given daily Monday-Thursday
  • Unfinished or late work may go home over the weekend
  • Missing Homework- student stays in for recess, homework note filled out
    • 2 missed homeworks = Warning
    • 3 missed homeworks = Parent Notification
    • 4 + missed homeworks = Deduction in Grade
• Snack
  • No SHARING of snacks!!
  • Snack is a vital part of each day, please send healthy snacks with your student

Curriculum Outline

• Reading
  • Leveled reading
  • Read A-louds with oral and written literature responses
  • D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read)
  • Book Projects

• Writing
  • Expository
  • Narrative
  • Persuasive
  • Descriptive
  • Poetry
  • Research Reports
  • On-Demand writing
    
• Math
  • Prime Time- an investigation of numbers
  • TERC-fractions, decimals and percents
  • Geometry
  • Estimation Station (Weekly)
  • Quick Checks (part of morning work)
    
• Science
  • Biomes
  • Ecosystems
  • Classification
  • The Moon
  • Rocks and minerals
  • Magnetism and electricity
  • Simple Machines
    
• Social Studies
  • Map skills
  • Explorers
  • Settlement of the 13 Colonies
  • American Revolution
  • U.S Government and Constitution
    
• Spelling
  • Spelling Contracts are due bi-weekly