GRADE 5
In 5th grade science, we are using FOSS to cover 3 main areas of study: Earth and Sun, Mixtures and Solutions, and Living Systems. Each area allows students to engage, explore, elaborate, and evaluate. We are beginning the year with a short unit on the engineering process where students will use the Engineering Design Process to create their own prototype to test and evaluate.
Our new science curriculum, FOSS, encompasses a variety of hands-on investigations that students will get to analyze. The first unit we will be covering is Earth and Sun. Throughout these investigations, students will be able to further develop their deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills. Students will also explore technology, engineering and the importance of innovation.
In Social Studies, students will learn about geography while they learn about different topics throughout fifth grade. They will begin the year learning about the exploration and the colonization of the Western Hemisphere by researching famous explorers and their contributions to the world. We will then move on to the US government where we will focus on how it works and the election process. Finally, students will learn about expansion and reform in America by identifying how America evolved and changed through expansion, immigration, industrialization, and urbanization.
In Mathematics, students work hard to master the basic operations addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There is a high emphasis on number sense throughout the school year. As the year progresses, fractions and decimals are embedded within the operations. We will end the school year by focusing on geometric concepts like shapes, volume, measurement conversion, and line plots and line graphs. Our Go Math program uses a word problem approach. Within each lesson, students learn to work with numbers as well as solve both one step and multistep problems.
Students will be participating in a Reader’s Workshop Program allowing them to grow as readers and analyze different types of text. Students will develop the necessary skills in order to read independently and respond to reading by demonstrating an understanding of a selection. As students delve deeper into more complex texts, they increase their reading stamina and analytic skills. They advance their writing strategies and skills by writing both short and long pieces to develop stronger writing skills.
The reading units that are covered are as follows:
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Unit 1: Interpretation Book Clubs – Analyzing Themes
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Unit 2: Tackling Complexity – Moving Up Level of Nonfiction
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Unit 3: Argument and Advocacy – Researching Debatable Ideas
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Unit 4: Fantasy Book Clubs – The Magic of Themes & Symbols
In fifth grade, students are exposed to several different types of writing styles and begin to develop their own person writing ‘voice.’ The main areas of writing that are focused on are:
Meet the Fifth Grade Teachers
Miss Santana
My name is Gabrielle Santana and this is my first year teaching! I have worked at Troy Hills as an instructional paraprofessional for the past 3 years. I am thrilled to have gotten my teaching certificate and return to Troy Hills School as a fifth grade teacher. I grew up in Parsippany and have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I look forward to working with the fifth grade students this year as we celebrate their accomplishments at Troy Hills School and get ready for bigger and better things in middle school!
Mrs. Vento
My name is Jamie Vento and I am thrilled to join the Troy Hills family. I have been at Northvail Elementary for 22 years. I have taught grades 5,4, and Kindergarten. It was my mom who encouraged me to become a teacher. I earned my B.S in Psychology, then decided to pursue my Masters in Teaching and then returned to Montclair State University for a M.A. in Administration. As usual, my mom was right, teaching is where I belong. I began my career in grade 5 and now I look to finish off my career in 5th grade. I adore all students, however ten year olds are by far my favorite to teach. Thank you for sharing your kiddos with me.