MATHEMATICS

The fifth grade mathematics program has explored factors and products in number theory with prime and composite numbers, square numbers and square roots. The algorithms for addition, subtraction and multiplication were reviewed and extended to decimals. In the unit on geometry properties of basic plane figures, angles, triangles and polygons were examined using rulers, compasses, protractors, calculators and computer programs. Tessellations were explored with polygons. Division facts and division algorithms were reviewed and extended to include division with decimals. Fractions and their relationship to decimals were reviewed and extended. 

SOCIAL STUDIES

Fifth grade is currently using the text, A Message of Ancient Days, in social studies. Unit 1 reviewed different kinds of maps and basic map skills and terms. Students studied the role and work of archaeologists and historians in uncovering the history of the ancient past. Through a simulated “dig” in October students then had the opportunity to be amateur archaeologists. Our next unit of study dealt with prehistoric peoples and the beginnings of civilization. The first civilization studied was ancient Mesopotamia, with a primary emphasis on ancient Sumer, considered to be one of the first. We examined all aspects of Sumerian life, including daily life, language, religion, government, trade and environmental influences. Our study went on to examine the first empires of ancient Mesopotamia, including such people as Sargon, the early Assyrians and Hammurabi, a Babylonian king. We completed our study of Mesopotamia with a look at the empires of the Assyrians and the Babylonians. At this point we have begun our study of the ancient Egyptians and this study will continue throughout the month of January.

ART - Mrs. Chapman

The year began with fifth grade artists being introduced to relief sculpture. Students developed imaginative Maya glyph images using a process called foil repoussé. These relief sculptures were then mounted on obelisks to form three shining Maya stela. Students enjoyed the fall leaves as they sketched outdoors, portraying some of our campus trees. These sketches were taken back to the art room where they were enlarged and developed into expressive acrylic paintings. Students learned to mix and match hues using only the primary colors. We finished the semester with an in-depth printmaking lesson. Fifth graders went “Under the Sea” to create imaginative collagraph plates used to produce colorful editions of prints by each artist.

COMPUTERS - Mr. Friedman 

The fifth grade started the year with a thorough introduction to the new technology lab. The students were quite receptive to the new computers and monitors, adapting to them quickly. In relation to Internet usage, the children were told about and signed the school’s AUP, Acceptable Use Policy. This semester brought about many enriching learning activities for the children. For example, the children used the multimedia program, Microsoft PowerPoint to create a slide presentation entitled, “All About Me.” The students added transitions and special effects to really make their presentations stand out. Fifth grade was also instructed about the use of proper file management and its benefits regarding saving and opening files. The children continued to strengthen their touch-typing skills by using the program, Type To Learn 3. This highly animated program challenges the students in the area of accuracy and WPM, words per minute. The children also use keyboard covers which makes this even more challenging. To support their science curriculum, the children participated and completed an Internet Web Quest on snails. Using our web browser, Microsoft Internet Explorer, students needed to access different web sites that provided the answers that they needed. To enhance their word processing skills the students completed a tutorial on the program Microsoft Word. The children completed activities that help develop their formatting and editing skills. The mathematics curriculum was supported by the children using the exciting program, Math Munchers Deluxe. Students practiced their fractions, decimals and geometry skills as they advanced through different levels of difficulty in the program.

FRENCH - Ms. Flippo

Fifth grade began their final year of French by reviewing the French alphabet and playing “Comment S’écrit?” (How do you spell?) using French vocabulary learned in past classes. They practiced a simple conversational dialogue and wrote a Halloween story that incorporated twenty French words into the narrative. Numbers fifty through one million were introduced and several activities (games, dialogue and listening exercise) were done for practice and assessment. Fifth grade finished out the semester by learning the song “Les 12 Jours De Noël” (The Twelve Days of Christmas) and sang it at the final assembly of the semester. 

LIBRARY - Mrs. Holt 

The library program endeavors to instill in our students a joy of reading and a lifelong love of books. Fifth graders have completed a review of skills taught last year. They demonstrated their proficiency in the use of the on-line catalog and the Dewey decimal system, and are appropriately independent in their ability to locate and use the print resources of the library. An overview of the evolution of U.S. copyright law included a lively discussion of plagiarism, fair use exemptions for educators and students, issues of academic honesty in high school and beyond, and common violations of the law. Students were made aware of on-going global discussions of copyright issues pertaining to the Internet. The Power library, Internet research databases funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, was introduced and students were given the directions for home access. Flexible scheduling for the rest of the year will provide time for borrowing books and teacher directed research.

MUSIC - Mrs. Wilson

This semester, fifth grade students began the year enjoying the new music text, Share the Music. During September, fifth graders also studied patriotic and folk songs. In October, students honed their notation skills by studying intervals, the major scale, note values and meter. Using movement and dance, musical form was studied and experienced with Gershwin’s An American In Paris and music from the 60’s. In chorus, fifth graders honed their vocal skills by practicing vocal warm-ups, diction, sight-reading, intonation, timbre and good posture. The students also prepared unison, two and three part songs for the December Winter Concert and performed them on December 17, from memory. In the music lab, the software programs Music Ace and Making More Music reinforced note reading, the piano keyboard, treble and bass clef, whole and half steps, sharps and flats, key signatures, and major scales. Using Music Ace, students composed ostinato bass accompaniments, melodies and repeat patterns. Music Ace’s listening library allowed each student to hear and view the form and structure of many great musical works.  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Mr. Speers

A new format was incorporated into the fifth grade physical education program at the start of the school year. All three classes have physical education at the same time with different instructors and in three separate locations. In the old gym, one class participated in a physical fitness unit. The students learned and practiced the components of fitness; flexibility, muscular strengthening and endurance, aerobic endurance, and body composition. The students were provided with opportunities to learn fitness concepts while participating in enjoyable activities that enhanced their personal fitness levels and to recognize the need for setting a personal goal of being physically fit. The second class divided its time between the new gym and the outside fields. Foot and eye coordination was emphasized through the practice of soccer skills such as dribbling, passing, trapping, ball control, play making and shooting on goal. The third class met in the new gym where eye and hand coordination was emphasized through the practice of hockey skills such as stick handling, dribbling, passing, tackling, dodging, play-making and shooting on goal. During the course of the semester, each class rotated through all three locations. In the soccer and hockey units, greater emphasis was placed on a variety of small-sided games for the continued development of the learned skills. A typical class in the soccer and hockey units consisted of practicing basic learned skills and eventually incorporating them into small-sided games, such as 3 on 3 and 6 on 6. Emphasis is placed on using all learned skills in increasingly dynamic and complex game situations. Students are expected to understand and incorporate fundamental components of game playing such as rules, positions and tactics. The game situations are also used to foster good sportsmanship and teamwork by instructing the students to work together as a team to accomplish a goal.  

Second semester

For physical fitness students participate in their first formal assessments. They are based on the components of flexibility, muscular strengthening and endurance, aerobic endurance, and body composition. Interpreted results are used as an indicator of their personal health status. Assessments are criterion-referenced based on the meaning that the criterion is focused on personal improvement rather than attaining unrealistic standards. In addition, student’s interpreted results are also used to set future personal goals. Students should learn to self-assess their fitness level, interpret assessment results, plan personal program and motive themselves to remain active on their own.  

SCIENCE - Mr. Young

We began this semester learning about biomes using teacher selected sites on the Internet. Students worked together and presented what they learned about their assigned biomes to their classmates. We concentrated our studies on the temperate forest biome. Students learned about trees and how they grow. A three-day trip to Camp Speers-Eljabar in the Poconos reinforced what was learned in the classroom. Students were required to keep a science journal while at camp. A special lesson on snails followed, and students investigated living land snails in the classroom and performed simple experiments with them. Students were evaluated on a leaf collection project and a written test. The test was also used as a vehicle to help them learn how to organize homework, lab papers, notes and handouts in order to review vocabulary and concepts.