Fifth grade is a very exciting time for the students here at Bishop Dunn. We focus on creating a positive learning environment. The children consider their role as a student and their right to learn in a classroom that is safe, respectful, and caring. This leads them to think about their responsibility in helping to foster such an atmosphere.
Our studies are full of interesting, short term and long term projects that involve artwork, writing, and drama. The students will be performing in different Readers Theatre.
Mathematics: The fifth grade curriculum focuses on fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, word problems, and an introduction to algebra. Students will be required to complete computation problems each night. Students should continue to practice their multiplication facts. We will be using manipulatives and the SmartBoard during math instruction.
Social Studies:
Fifth Grade focuses on United States History. We begin with Revolutionary War and end usually with World War II.
Fourth Grade: Focuses on the history of New York. Topics include Native Americans, Important historical figures, wars, and conclude with New York today.
Grade 3: Focuses on Communities Around the World- learning about people and places.
Document Based Questions
You can check out The Primary Source and Document Based Questions web site @ http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listdocumentpa.html to see a list of many different web sites for Primary Sources and Document Based Questions. Have fun exploring!
Try visiting the Scott Foresman web site as well @ http://www.sfsocialstudies.com/index2.html for some fun social studies activities.
Religion: This year we study the Holy Days of Obligation, the Mysteries of the Rosary, and the Seven Sacraments. We act out our sacramental celebrations when we finish studying them. Our religion text is Sadlier We Believe and the web site is http://www.webelieveweb.com/index.cfm.
Writing: The traits of effective writing, choosing a subject, and narrative and expository writing establish the basis for an end of the year portfolio anyone would be proud to show off.
Reading: The reading series we use provides interesting stories with opportunities for the children to strengthen previously learned skills and foster the growth of new skills. We will use Literature Circles and Guided Reading throughout the year. You can find information about our reading series @ http://www.sfreading.com. /5/index.html
Vocabulary: In the fifth grade, our vocabulary series is Vocabulary Workshop Blue Level from Sadlier Oxford. You can find fun and exciting ways to study at the web site @ http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/index.cfm. Vocabulary is also studied in connection with our reading series.
Science: We explore topics that are part of the fifth grade curriculum through discussion, lab experiments, and hands-on activities. Focus is placed on thinking like a scientist by hypothesizing and questioning how natural occurrences happen.
Topics that we cover (in order) throughout the year are:
- Changes to the Earth's Surface
- The Solar System
- Building Blocks of Matter
- Energy and Motion
- Processes of Living Things
- Systems and Interactions in Nature
Textbooks:
Harcourt Science text (ISBN 978-0-328-30694-7)
Scott Foresman Addison-Wesley Math text and workbook (ISBN 0-201-36397-6)
Scott Foresman Addison-Wesley Reading text (ISBN 0-328-01820-1) and workbook
Scott Foresman Addison-Wesley Social Studies text (ISBN 0-328-01763-9)and workbook
Sadlier We Believe Religion text
Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop
Animation: Betty Brainy www.bettybrainy.com/education_animations.htm
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