• Reading and Writing

    Our reading/writing program follows a balanced literacy model incorporating 
    literature, grammar,  vocabulary, spelling ,word study, reading skills, study skills, research, creative writing, expository writing, and test-taking skills


    Math

    Reveal Math 



    Social Studies

    Geography & Current Events

       These units will be ongoing throughout the year and will include a variety of resources.  Geography will be taught in relation to each Social Studies unit, as well as through isolated lessons and current events.  Students will become proficient at reading a variety of maps.   They will look at history and current events through the lens of cultural universals and understand that events do not stand in isolation but are inter-related.  Current events assignments will focus on analyzing and interpreting different viewpoints and on developing group discussion skills.

    Constitution & U.S. Government
        
        This unit begins with a review of the Revolutionary War and concentrates on the creation of a new government.  Students are introduced to different forms of government and learn how the Founding Fathers shaped our government.  We will study the three branches of government and will visit the county courthouse to participate in a mock legislature session to learn first-hand how decisions are made.

    Immigration

        The immigration unit is one of intense writing, role-playing and technological integration.  The focus of study is on the factors behind various ethnic groups’ mass immigration to the United States, Ellis Island, and the effects of immigration on the United States.  Each student will adopt the persona of an immigrant and experience the turn of the century through that person’s eyes by recording events in a detailed diary and participating in various simulations.

    Capstone Research Project

        The Capstone project is an intensive inquiry research project conducted in early spring of fifth grade. This project focuses on the research process, as well as an innovative final product.

    Students will choose a topic based on their interest
        This project begins with the learner.  Inquiry based learning asks the children what they know and what they want to learn more about.  Students learn best when they are motivated and invested in their learning.

    Students will generate questions
    Students will use curriculum webs and strategic questioning to narrow the topic and formulate a main inquiry question, as well as sub-questions.

    Students will research and identify important information
    Next, the students will investigate and research this topic.  This step begins with identifying and locating resources, and selecting and evaluating the best possible resources.  In this phase, the students brainstorm resources and conduct pre-research to ensure there are appropriate and reliable sources available.  Students will participate in several non-fiction reading lessons to help them use their resources to find information that is relevant to their topic and questions.   

    Finally, the children will synthesize their information and create a product based upon their learning style.



    Science- Here are our new science units!! Descriptions to follow shortly...

     

    Space Systems

     

    Ecosystems

    Property and Matter

     

    Freshwater