Welcome Fifth Grade Parents!

The following information is a brief overview of our plans for the year. We have developed a strong, broad-based academic program with an emphasis on fostering a cooperative and collaborative community of learners.

SCIENCE
Science is a hands-on program taught by the three fifth grade teachers. The skills of making observations, recording data, forming hypotheses, testing theories, and drawing conclusions are practiced in a fun and challenging atmosphere. We will rotate the homerooms through six five-week units. Kathy will teach earth science and solar system concepts, focusing on comparisons between Mars and Earth. Alysa will teach two units of chemistry. JJ will teach physics and zoology.

MATH
This year the fifth graders will be learning mathematical concepts through the program, Everyday Mathematics. This problem-solving based, challenging program provides a rich and balanced curriculum with attention to: operations and computation, numeration, patterns, functions, fractions/decimals/percents, pre-algebra, data and chance, measurement, and geometry. The Fifth Grade also participates in Math Olympiads.

Here are some wonderful math sites for your students!

SOCIAL STUDIES
United States history and geography will be the focus for the year. An overall theme of the year will be for students to explore their roles as citizens of the United States. We will begin with a family research project which will help them understand that our country is a mosaic of various cultures coming together under one government. We will continue with units on exploration and settlement, immigration, colonization, the Revolutionary War and the documents of democracy, slavery and the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement..

LANGUAGE ARTS
The fifth grade uses a novel-based reading program. We include discussion, literature-based projects, and individual reading. Each class has a reading goals program to help students become lifelong readers. Our reading categories include non-fiction, adventure, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, biography, multicultural studies, poetry, humor, classical literature, and modern fiction.

Our writing topics will include various writing forms such as narrative, persuasive, descriptive, expository, and imaginative writing and poetry. Students will also be writing in science, social studies, and math. Students will practice the writing process, which consists of taking selected pieces of written work through a series of steps: pre-writing, rough drafts, peer and teacher reviews, editing and final drafts. Not all stories will be written into final drafts.

Using correct grammar in speaking and writing is an important skill. Grammar will be covered in mini-lessons and on an individual basis. Each student will have a writing notebook which will contain poetry, rough drafts, thoughts on writing, and grammar and punctuation references. Students are exposed to spelling patterns, rules, root words, and vocabulary through written work and topics we are currently studying. Correct spelling is reinforced through writing and weekly practice and tests.

TECHNOLOGY
Apple computers and laptops are available to all fifth graders. Classes have weekly computer classes that teach essential skills such as: keyboarding, word processing, creating presentations, creating spreadsheets, and Web research. Students will be encouraged to use computers for most of the final stages of their written work. We will also use educational software to extend our class studies and to enhance presentation of work. We model the effective use of educational software and the Internet at school and at home

HOMEWORK
Students should expect to have daily homework assignments in math skills and concepts, and reading. Homework in social studies, science, writing, and research projects may be given out on a weekly or long-term basis. Students will develop skills in: budgeting work time, both in class and at home; taking responsibility for work; and planning around after-school activities. Students may spend about an hour to an hour and a half each evening on homework. This time should include 20 minutes of reading either independently or with a parent. The students and teachers will keep track of work together and will let you know about your child's progress on a weekly basis. Please feel free to email with questions or concerns.

SOCIAL GROWTH
Fifth grade is a period in which children experience a great amount of social growth. These are some of the guidelines for behavior we are trying to promote:
o Respect and responsibility are the guiding tenets of Lower School.
o Fifth graders are the leaders of the Lower School.
o We encourage fifth grade students to initiate and run community service projects.
o Each person should be treated as a valued member of the community.
o We encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning.

CAMP HANCOCK
This is an outdoor education experience in Eastern Oregon May 15-19, 2006. We will have a parent information meeting two to three weeks before outdoor school. Please check out the individual link to our Camp Hancock Web page. This page contains essential information and forms for parents and students..

WEDNESDAY ENVELOPES
Look for important information and teacher comments in the Wednesday Express envelope. Please return the envelope by the end of the week.

UNIFORMS
We will remind your children about the do's and don'ts of uniforms during the first week of school and will send a list of all acceptable clothing shortly after our meetings. Thanks for your help with this.

CONFERENCES
We are all doing student-involved conferences in Lower School for fall and spring conferences. Your children will be preparing work samples and self-assessments in preparation for this.

GENERAL
We are very excited about this year. Fifth grade is fun, challenging, and full of creative projects and activities. We love our awesome team and love working together to provide a unique year for your children.