5th Grade September News
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to school! We are excited to really get to know your children and build special relationships with them.
Please review McNair’s S.O.A.R. expectations with your child so he/she can do his/her best socially and academically each day. Thank you to our fifth graders who demonstrate these values on a daily basis! Here's the link for SOAR expectations: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiX1m9E08m9FKvRBjcfRL-w0J76BTfuoKe3GGUtpHJQ/edit
- The 5th Grade TeamMrs. Barrios, Mrs. Calabretta, Mrs. Finn, Mrs. Hogan, Ms. Maloney
September Learning
Reading / Writing
Grade 5 Benchmark Curriculum
Students who are learning the Benchmark Curriculum take the first 15 days of school to review reading skills and reading classroom routines. This includes how to write proper reading responses, identifying key details, reviewing foundational skills, and building reading and writing stamina.
We will then move into analyzing informational texts. They will read and compare selections about the development of laws and about people who have fought to change unfair laws to analyze why laws evolve. Students will analyze multiple sources in order to write informational passages with a focus on process, production, and research.
Enriched Literacy Curriculum
We will explore a sense of belonging and fitting in by reading Junior Great Books Series 5 literature selections, a Jacob’s Ladder text, and short stories. We will also delve into the text more deeply and synthesize our ideas through written responses and group discussions.
For the first (or last 4 weeks) of each marking period, we will have literature circles that will focus on different genres where students analyze certain aspects of literature such as characters’ struggles and motivations. Each student will be assigned a role at the beginning of each week to prepare them for literature circle discussions by the end of the week.
In addition, we will read multiple informational texts on the Chesapeake Bay watershed to identify organizational and text structures, text features, domain-specific vocabulary, and learn how to take notes effectively and efficiently.
Math
We will focus on the place value system in order to perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths. Students will also use exponents and the metric system to make conversions.
Be sure to ask your students about the homework and homework helpers in our guide books that correspond with each lesson. These are a great resource to monitor your child’s progress as many of the strategies and vocabulary terms are new. You can access the Parent Tip sheets from the Great Minds Website.
Grade 5 / 6 Compacted Math
We will begin with Grade 5 Module 4.
This module covers Multiplication and Division of Fractions and Decimal Fractions. In Topic A, students will plot decimal fractions on a line plot. In Topic B, students will use tape diagrams to interpret fractions as division, and to model fractions as division, and solve word problems involving division of whole numbers with answers in the form of fractions or whole numbers.
Science / Social Studies
In science, students will explore environmental challenges in the Chesapeake Bay region. They will use these challenges to develop potential solutions for the future.
Social Studies
During Unit 1 students will dive deeper into the Development of a New American Government between 1787-1800. They will begin September by explaining the purpose of the Constitution and how it established a more effective centralized government.
Calendar Reminders
- September 4 NO SCHOOL – LABOR DAY – HOLIDAY
- September 8 PTA Back to School Picnic 5:30-8:00 p.m.
- September 21 Back-to-School Night (Grades K-5) 6:15-8:10 p.m.
- September 22 Early Release Day- STUDENTS DISMISSED 1:20PM
- Sep 25 - No School for Teachers and Students
Get to Know the Teachers
Which grade levels have we taught?
Mrs. Barrios:
20 years
Grades taught: 1st grade, 4th grade, 5th grade
Mrs. Calabretta:
18 years
Grades taught: 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade
Mrs. Finn
20 years
Grades taught: 5th grade
Mrs. Hogan:
19 years
Grade taught: 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and special education
Ms. Maloney:
23 years
Grades taught: 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade
How to Contact Us
Mrs. Calabretta: Anne_K_Calabretta@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Finn: Kirsten_Finn@mcpsmd.org
Mrs. Hogan: Kerri_E_Hogan@mcpsmd.org
Ms. Maloney: Kristen_M_Maloney@mcpsmd.org