Grade 5

Ms. Jessica Misiaszek
Mrs. Sarah Fuchs
Ms. Jackie Walsh

The fifth grade curriculum is focused on preparing students for Connecticut Masterly Testing now given in the Spring. Reading includes six themes from the Hough Mifflin series. Many of these themes coordinate with the social studies themes. Essential comprehension strategies are reinforced on a daily basis. Mathematics instruction is from Houghton Mifflin. It introduces new skills while reinforcing those skills presented in the previous grades. Students are exposed to advanced skills while mastering the basics. District wide mathematic mastery testing objectives are reinforced daily. Fifth graders focus on expository writing skills using process writing.

Social Studies concentrates on Native Americans, the discovery of the Americas, and Colonial American history. There are three hands-on units in Science: Earth, Moon & Sun; Mixtures and Solutions; and Animal Studies.

The fifth grade curriculum is focused on developing critical thinking skills in order to foster independent problem-solving. We are currently using the Houghton Mifflin Reading and math programs to teach strategies and develop skills to build on various concepts. In writing we focus on the expository pillar through the writing process, and encourage creative thinking to develop detailed paragraphs. Social Studies is a three- unit collection of Colonial America, The Revolutionary War, and Moving West. In Science our students study the physics of sound, light and color, and The Earth, Moon and Sun. We work collaboratively with one another as well as other staff members to develop meaningful and engaging lessons in order to meet all our students’ needs.