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SCIENCE

Oceanography is the theme for the year in 5th grade science. We will learn about geology, matter, light, sound, cells, and classification through the study of the ocean. Additionally, as this is an SOL year for science, we will spend time reviewing concepts from 4th grade including electricity, motion, plants, and the solar system.

Overview of Course by Quarter:

First Quarter Introduction to Scientific Investigation Geology

o The Rock Cycleo Composition and history of the

Eartho Forces that change the Earth

Second Quarter Matter

o Periodic Table of Elementso Characteristics of matter

Third Quarter Sound

o Characteristics and behavior of sound waves

Lighto Characteristics and behavior of

light waves Cells

o Basic cell structure and functionso Microscopes

Fourth Quarter Classification

o Kingdoms of living thingso Sea Creature Project!

Review for the SOL

Scientific Investigation:Throughout the year, we will continue to

explore the components of scientific investigation through various experiments and demonstrations in the classroom.

ABOUT FIFTH GRADE....

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/NORMS:Each class will work together to form classroom expectations that will then be posted in the classroom.

HOMEWORK POLICY: Students are expected to complete all homework assignments.

GRADING SCALE:A+= 98-100 A= 92-97 A-= 90-91B+= 88-89 B= 82-87 B-= 80-81C+= 78-79 C= 72-77 C-= 70-71D+= 68-69 D= 62-67 D-= 60-61

F= 59 and below

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Leah PartridgeFun Facts: Coaches Mason Mustangs JV Girls Soccer Grew up in northern Vermont Loves the outdoors

Contact Information: partridgel@fccps.org (703) 720-5791 https://sites.google.com/site/

misspartridges5thgradeclass/

Lynn VarshneyaFun Facts: Has a dog named Pearl Native Californian, lived through 25 + earthquakes Lives on a lake

Contact Information: varshneyal@fccps.org (703) 720 – 5764 http://www.varshneyal.webs.com/

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle SchoolFifth Grade2011-2012

Each team is named after zones of the ocean!

The Tidal FlatsMs. Partridge, Mrs. Varshneya

The Sunlight ZoneMs. Blandford, Mr. Lo, Mr. Malone

The Twilight ZoneMiss Dengler, Mrs. McCann,

Mr. Mendenhall

The AbyssMr. Andrews, Ms. Mueller

EDUCATIONAL PHIILOSOPHY:

We will collaborate to develop an innovative, integrated, and challenging curriculum which is relevant to the diverse and creative needs of our fifth graders.

LANGUAGE ARTS

In 5th grade, reading and writing skills continue to support content area learning. The students will continue to develop an appreciation for literature by reading a variety of genres and to increase communication skills using online, print, and media resources.

Overview of Course by Quarter:

First QuarterReading Use background knowledge to connect to texts Determine the most important information depending on the

purpose for reading Ask questions to set guidelines for learningWriting Identify and audience and format for writing Brainstorm and plan ideas prior to writing Organized main idea and details to support a central idea

Second Quarter Reading Organize key ideas from the text, world and self to create a

deeper meaning Identify patterns and structures within texts Writing Write a clear topic sentence Use descriptive vocabulary to create voice Revise for clarity Collect information to develop meaningful notes

Third Quarter Reading Summarize a text using main ideas and details Identify confusing parts of texts Use comprehension strategies to make meaning from text Writing Write multi-paragraph compositions Use transition words to vary sentence structure

Fourth Quarter Reading Draw conclusions and make inferences by combining clues

from the text with personal experiencesWriting Use technology to gather and share information using a

variety of media

Skills we will develop throughout the year:o Word Study: applying learned spelling strategies to newly

encountered vocabulary o Vocabulary: making meaning from words using clues from

the texto Reading Fluency: reproducing and understanding the

author’s intended meaning from the texto Editing Writing: correcting grammar, capitalization,

spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and paragraphing

MATH

In 5th Grade Mathematics, students will develop number sense and demonstrate proficiency in using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals to solve problems. We will transition from exploring mathematical concepts using hands-on materials to more abstract math that builds a foundation for algebra. Our pacing guide is based on the Virginia Grade 5 Mathematics standards. Teachers develop differentiated lesson plans to meet the needs of the students in each class.

Overview of Course by Quarter

First Quarter Graphing: Collecting, organizing,

displaying data Data Analysis: Median, Mean, Mode,

and Range Decimals and Place Value

Second Quarter Multiplication and division with whole

numbers and decimals

Third Quarter Fractions: Adding and subtracting with

like and unlike denominators. Probability

Fourth Quarter Geometry: properties 2-D geometric

shapes

Skills we will develop during the year:

Using variables to represent unknown values in an expression

Solving for a single variables in an equation

Measurement: US Customary and Metric

SOCIAL STUDIES

In 5th grade, students will learn the U.S. History I curriculum which begins with the early inhabitants of North America and ends with the Civil War. Throughout the year, students will use maps, atlases, political cartoons, biographies, and other texts to help them develop connections between the past and the present.

Overview of Course by Quarter:

First Quarter Geography (continents, bodies of

water, landforms, and the eight Geographic Regions)

Native Americans Explorers of North America

Second Quarter Colonization of North America Revolutionary War

Third Quarter Birth of Our Nation Westward Expansion Abolitionists and Women Suffragists Civil War

Fourth Quarter Civil War Review for the SOL

Skills we will develop during the year: Identifying historical figures Map reading Locating and identifying the 50 United

States Interpreting political and societal cartoons Comparing past and present issues of our

nation