SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE 5 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

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1 SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE 5 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW Parents and Guardians: This guide provides an overview of what your child will be learning in fifth grade. It is based on the Common Core Standards, the Massachusetts Frameworks, and the curricular approaches which have been adopted by the Somerville Public Schools. The detailed Massachusetts Frameworks are available at: Academic standards are important. They ensure that all students, no matter where they start, are prepared for success in the next grade level, college and their careers. By defining standards clearly, we aim to help families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed. There are some students who will need additional support to meet a standards. Other students will need more complex work to go beyond the standard. Teachers craft their day-to-day classroom instruction based on the standards, individual student needs, and the unique characters of their schools and community, How can I support my child s learning at home? Talk to your child about what they are learning in school Contact your child s teacher with any questions or concerns and attend Parent Teacher Conferences Check your child s folder and/or agenda book every night Provide a space and a consistent time for your child to complete their homework ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ARTS: Somerville Public Schools uses the Balanced Literacy Approach to best address the needs of all students. This approach involves mini-lessons about key reading skills; frequent and in-depth discussions; exposure to high quality literature and non-fiction texts; and the reading of books at each student s own level. See the Somerville Curriculum website for a video and more information. Reading: During the year, students in the fifth grade will be working on: Understanding characters in-depth (how they respond to challenges, their point of view, their thoughts, feelings, and motivations). Comparing characters in a story by drawing on specific details and quoting accurately from the text. Using multiple strategies (specifically visualizing, making connections, predicting, inferring) to carefully read and comprehend a fiction text or poem. Identifying two or more main ideas and using evidence to support the main ideas of a non-fiction text. Summarizing the text by explaining the relationships between ideas and quoting accurately. Using multiple strategies (previewing & predicting, activating prior knowledge, setting a purpose for reading, summarizing, asking questions, and synthesizing information) to read and comprehend a nonfiction text. Using the elements of poetry (figurative language, imagery, rhythm/meter, alliteration, onomatopoeia, consonance, and assonance) when talking about poems. Figuring out the theme/author s message of a poem by drawing on evidence and quotes from the text (tone, language used, imagery). Comparing and analyzing different points of view by reading multiple texts on the same topic. Communicating multiple sides of an issue using evidence from research. Forming an opinion based on information gathered using multiple sources and points of view. Comparing books with similar themes using specific details (setting, characters, lessons, etc.) and quoting accurately from the text. Engaging in discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) on topics and texts, building on others ideas, expressing their own ideas clearly, and using evidence to support claims.

2 Writing: Somerville s new writing model introduced in the Fall of 2013 emphasizes giving students many opportunities to write each day across subject areas. As they write during the year, students in fifth grade will be working on: Organizing ideas on a topic into a multi paragraph piece. Linking ideas in my writing (consequently, specifically, in contract, especially, however). Writing a conclusion that goes beyond just repeating the introduction. Using formal, informal, and specialized language that s appropriate for the purpose and audience. Using figurative language (metaphors and imagery) to create an effect on the reader. Use details and evidence to support an idea. Writing sentences of varying lengths and structure to communicate meaning or mood. Correctly spelling grade level words using resources if needed. Using commas to separate clauses. Correctly using multiple tenses in one piece of writing as needed. Over the course of the year, students will complete three types of writing: narrative (story), informative, and opinion. Examples of these in fifth grade could include: writing original poetry, writing an essay about a story s themes, or writing a feature article about a science topic. How can I support my child s literacy learning at home? Encourage your child to read daily and discuss the texts he/she is reading. When your child shares an opinion or thought about a book, ask them why? and have them use evidence from the book. Encourage your child to write by keeping a diary, sending a thank you note, or a letter to family or friends. MATHEMATICS Adapted from PTA Common Core Guide and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Critical Areas. Please see the Massachusetts Frameworks for more detailed standards and skills. During the year, students in the fifth grade will be working on: Fluently multiply and dividing multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm. Using parenthesis, brackets, and braces in solving equations e.g. [ 3 x ( ) ] = Reading, writing, comparing, and rounding decimals to the thousandths place. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals to hundredths. Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers). Solving word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions. Solving word problems involving multiplication and division of whole numbers. Solving word problems involving multiplication and division of fractions. Using positive and negative numbers to describe quantities such as temperature, credit/debit, and elevation. Understanding the concept of volume, and solving word problems that involve volume. Graphing points in the coordinate plane (two dimensions) to solve problems. Analyzing mathematical patterns and relationships. How can I support my child s math learning at home? Point out examples of using math in everyday life such as using fractions while measuring ingredients for a recipe, estimating the cost of items at a store, figuring out a tip at a restaurant. Practice newly acquired skills with your child at home to help build confidence (ex. Math facts, addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division).

3 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, and ENGINEERING During the year, students in the fifth grade will be learning to: Describe and explain how changes occur on the surface of the earth. Identify the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes. Describe characteristics of the sun. Explain revolution and rotation of planets in including the earth. Describe the changes in the moon over the course of a month. Define heredity and give examples of inherited and acquired traits. Explain the relationship between food webs and food chains. Explain the process of photosynthesis. Identify the properties of a variety of objects. Identify solids, liquid and gasses based on characteristics of their shape and volume. Describe how matter changes states and what factors can cause matter to change states. Describe and explain magnets and magnetism. Identify forms of energy and describe how energy can change from one state to another. Identify different ways that a design problem can be solved, and explain why a and how a required design feature can impact other elements of the final plan (Includes building a prototype) SOCIAL STUDIES During the year, students in the fifth grade will be learning: South and Central American history: Mayan, Inca, Aztec to Spanish conquest. Early America and Americans to Settlements, colonies, and the emerging American identity The American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The early government The geography related to the content listed above SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL The Somerville Public Schools are committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment in order to maximize student learning. To this end, the District strives to support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to: Effectively communicate their needs, interests, and opinions. Make healthy choices Respect the needs, interests, and opinions of others. --Social Competency Vision Statement, approved by the Somerville School Committee on 10/15/2007 Schools guidance counselors and other support personnel assist teachers and students to work towards attaining these goals. The staff at your child s school can give you more detailed information about the sequence of skills taught and how social/emotional skills are taught. SPECIALISTS: The Somerville Public Schools provides each student with 40 minutes per week of instruction in General Music, Library/Media, Art, and Physical Education. The specialists at each school are available to give you more detailed information about specific skills addressed. ASSESSMENT: We believe that there is more than one way to accurately assess student learning. These include not only standardized measures such as DIBELS (Grades K-3), MCAS (Grades 3-10) and MAP (Gr. 2-8), but also more informal assessments including common end of unit assessments, reading/writing conferences, classroom participation, classroom projects, and writing assignments.

4 MATH AND ELA YEAR AT A GLANCE FOR 5 th GRADE: Please note that this calendar is only an approximate guide. Some units might take more or less time depending on the needs of the students and other initiatives happening at individual schools. Approximate Time Frame ELA Units of Study (Based on Balanced Literacy Curriculum) Math Units of Study (Based on the Investigations Curriculum) Early September Launching Readers Workshop Place Value Late September October Properties of Numbers Narrative Multiplication & Division November December January Early February Late February March April Early May Late May June Nonfiction Poetry & Drama On-Demand Reading Nonfiction #2 Narrative - Theme Volume Comparing Fractions Addition/Subtraction of Fractions Multiplication/Division of Fractions Geometry/Area Decimals (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division) Measurement (Decimals/Conversions) Growth/Patterns Statistics Positive/Negative Numbers

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