Curriculum Overview

FIFTH GRADE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Social Studies

Students will be learning about a variety of topics this year in social studies. The main focus of social studies instruction in fifth grade is American History. We will occasionally be reading from our textbooks, but the bulk of our social studies time will be spent on large and small group discussions, debates, reenactments, simulations, and projects. Throughout the entire year, beginning with the first day of school, students will be engaged in a wide-reaching economics project in which they will learn to earn, save, and spend money wisely. SEE POST DETAILING THE CLASS ECONOMY for more details.

Science

You can’t learn science by simply reading about it! You have to experience it first hand, which is why the bulk of our science time will be spent on demonstrations, experimentation, modeling, and group work. This year students will learn about some of the most intriguing scientific concepts, including the properties of matter, biology and ecosystems, energy and motion. As we have in past years, we will also be holding a science fair at the school during the last nine weeks. In fifth grade these will be individual or paired projects. Details on this project will come sometime in March.

Mathematics

Duval County Public Schools uses the mathematics program, Math Investigations. The program has a heavy emphasis on practical applications, problems solving, and multiple strategies for finding solutions to problems. I have had enormous success with teaching through this philosophy over the last six years. It is a style of teaching that addresses children as individuals with different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. I will also be supplementing the program with daily skills practice with the newly adopted Everyday Counts math program. .

CHECK STUDENTS’ BINDERS FOR PARENT PACKETS AT THE START OF EACH UNIT. These will provide you with an overview of what your child will be learning in each unit, as well as tips for helping your child with homework.

Reading


Students will learn and practice a wide variety of reading comprehension strategies to make them better readers and thinkers. But it is most important that students develop joy, passion, and excitement for reading. Children will experience a wide variety of reading during the year, including fantasy, realistic fiction, mystery, drama, and nonfiction. To reach their 25 Book Reading Goal set by the district, students will need to simply log each book in their Reading Log (located in their planners) and inform Ms. Harris. It’s as simple as that! In addition, however, we will be using Accelerated Reader computer tests as an incentive program. Students will be able to earn a lot of “Bonus Money” by reading and taking tests on AR books. SEE POST ABOUT ECONOMIC PLAN FOR MORE DETAILS.

Writing

This year students will further refine and develop their writing skills within the five main genres to which they should be quite accustomed at this point: Narrative, Report, Procedural, Responding to Literature, and Persuasive writing.

PARENT COMMUNICATION


It is very important to me to form a strong home/school connection. To do this successfully, you need to be kept up to speed continually on what is happening in the classroom and how your child is doing socially, emotionally, and academically. There are many ways for you to stay informed on what is going on in school.

Assignment Notebook

The most frequent and most reliable daily communication comes in the form of the assignment notebook. Everyday, we will record what we did in school in each academic area, what was homework, and any important notices that you need to know. It is the responsibility of each student to fill out their planner, take it home, and have you read and sign it so you are kept informed. I will then check each morning that the planners have been signed by a parent or guardian. In addition, I will be posting all daily homework assignments on the class blog: www.sofferin.blogspot.com

How to Contact Us


There are several ways to reach us. Whatever method you choose we will do my best to respond within 48 hours. Please keep in mind that Mr. Sofferin works extended day five days a week, so he may not be able to return phone calls during those times.

* Notes – Either in assignment book or on separate paper. Most reliable and efficient method. But it is the child’s responsibility to give us the note!
* E-Mail – Checked daily, but often not until afternoon hours. This is the best method if you don’t need an immediate response. sofferinj@duvalschools.org harrisk@duvalschools.org
* Mr. Sofferin’s Personal Cell Phone – Cannot answer during school hours. Leave a message (including phone #) if there is no answer. I will call back as soon as I can.

(904)-608-8687

* School Voicemail – Will not usually be checked until after school each day. Mr. Sofferin would really prefer you call his cell phone if you need to speak with him.
* Message with the Secretary – Mostly for transportation changes and anything you need me to know before the end of the school day. (904)-739-5226

HOMEWORK POLICIES

Homework will be given most days on Monday through Thursday, and almost never on the weekend. Every day, your child will bring home their binder, including important notes, homework, and their planner. Homework will always be clipped in the binder with the planner. The planner is expected to be read and signed by parents every day and returned to school with the binder. It is also expected that each student completes his/her homework and returns it to school the next day (unless otherwise noted in the planner). In the event that your child CANNOT complete the assignments due to family obligations/emergencies, please send a brief note explaining this. If your child fails to take responsibility for completing their homework, they will be issued a fine of $50, which will double each consecutive day that the homework is not returned. (SEE POST ABOUT CLASS ECONOMY AND BEHAVIOR PLAN FOR MORE DETAILS).

Typical Homework Schedule:


Ø Math – Almost daily (MTWR)

Ø Social Studies and Science – Varies, more frequent just before a test

Ø Reading – Review weekly anthology story – test on Friday, 30 – 60 minutes of sustained reading (MTWR)

Ø Writing – Varies – There may be times when you are asked to help proofread your child’s work at home.

Ø Spelling – Writing sentences for spelling words on Monday and Tuesday

Also, keep in mind that often work that is not finished in class may be brought home for completion. This may happen in any of the subjects as necessary.

Weekly Tests/Quizzes


· Spelling – Every Friday

· Reading – Every Friday

· Math Skills – Every Thursday

· Additional Science, Math, and Social Studies Tests and Quizzes – Varies (see blog for all upcoming tests/quizzes)

What to do if your child misses school:


Ø When your child is absent for one day, they will receive any work that they missed the next day. You do not need to request assignments for that day.

Ø When your child is absent for more than one day, please call me before 8:00 AM on the day you want to pick up the schoolwork, or call the office if it is after 8:00 AM.

Ø If your child is going to be absent for an extended period of time due to a planned event or medical situation, please let me know as soon as possible, so that I can prepare assignments that need to be made up.

SNACKS AND DRINKS


Since we have a very late lunch (1:00), we have no problem with a child bringing a light, healthy snack that they can eat during the morning while they work. We encourage ALL students to bring a water bottle everyday. Either one of these privileges, however, can be revoked if the snack or bottle become distractions.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS


It is very important to us to recognize each child’s birthday at school with a little celebration. Please feel free to drop off or have a child bring in a treat for 26 students on or around your child’s birthday. Please let us know in advance if you plan to send in a treat so that we can be sure to work in time on the schedule.

THE EXTRAS

Field Trips


We will have a few field trips throughout the school year. One of the highlights is a trip to the Marine Science Center. Fifth graders love this field trip and they always learn so much! This field trip is currently scheduled for the end of September. Of course, it is the school’s tradition to take an end of the year trip an amusement park! The grade level is also working on planning at least one other educationally-based field trip. More information will come when it is available.

Monthly Pay Day


On the last Friday of each month, we will have Pay Day. During this time, students will receive their monthly pay check, deposit it in the class bank, and pay their rent on their desk. After that, we will hold an auction at lunch, during which students can use extra left-over monies to bid on school supplies, prizes, and other cool stuff. As they’ll find out, it pays to save your money, as the monthly auction items will improve as the year goes by.

Monthly Luncheons and Parties


At the end of each month, both classes will be having a luncheon in the classroom. All parents are welcome to join us for the luncheons and are encouraged to help out by bringing in or sending something in for the luncheons! We will also have a few parties throughout the year. One just before the winter holidays, another after FCAT, and then a whole bunch of them at the end of the year!

Projects


There will be two big fifth grade projects this year. The first one will be the Live Wax Museum, in which each fifth grader will research a famous person and present a short oral report about the person. The second one will be their science fair project in the spring. More information about these will come out when we get closer.