Kimberly Greenwell's BLOG

Welcome to Fifth Grade 2011-2012!

Welcome to fifth grade at Whiting Lane School! I am looking forward to meeting you or getting reaquainted with those of you I already know. I hope you are enjoying your summer and time with your friends and families.

Fifth grade will be a very exciting and busy year. You will be learning about many new and exciting topics. Some of the topics that you will learn about this year are listed below:

Reading

During reading this year we will work on our reading strategies including a) visualizing, b) questioning, c) making connections, predictions and inferences, d) determining importance, e) summarizing and f) character analysis through character traits. We will read stories about students just like you, natural disasters and American heroes. These stories will challenge and inspire you as people and readers.

Mathematics

During math this year we will work on our problem solving strategies. We will use Trailblazers to learn about data and graphing, multiplication and division, fractions and decimals as well as time, measurement and money. Our first unit will involve populations and samples. Be sure to practice your basic multiplication and division facts!

Writing

During Writer’s Workshop we will begin with expository writing this fall. We will focus on developing our pieces to include three main ideas, amazing details and strong vocabulary. We will also write poems and some narrative stories.

Science

During science this year we will study the Earth, sun and moon, as well as electricity and magnetism. We will also discover tools to enhance our vision and more about the human senses. We will track the phases of the moon and discover ways the sun and moon affect the Earth. We will also experiment with tools such as microscopes, fish bowls and magnifying glasses to learn the ways that they help us to see better.

Social Studies

During social studies this year we will learn about the colonization of North America through the Revolutionary War. We will also participate in a colonization project called Discovery III. Other aspects of the social studies curriculum include current events and government. We will study current world events through the Time For Kids (TFK) magazine. As a part of our study of governement we will establish and maintain a country and elections.

Remember that Open House and the Walk-Through are on Wednesday, August 31^st from 2:30-3:30pm. Click here for a copy of your School Supply List 2011-2012!

We’re going to have a terrific year together!

Miss Greenwell