Welcome To Ms. Rivers 5th Grade Class!

We have started off to a great year and all of the students are settling into the academic year and diving into curriculum.

We have already started-

Math-

We have already started with a lot of new vocabulary and concepts, including factors, factor pairs, prime, composite, exponents, square numbers and exponential notation. Along with these new concepts, we are practicing multiplication facts for increased automaticity. We practice every day in class. Feel free to encourage your children to practice at home. There will be a Test on Unit 1 next week.

Social Studies-

We are setting the stage for Colonial America with a review of exploration and with learning colonization. Much of Social Studies in the 5th grade is learning the vocabulary related to the topic studied, cause and effect, sequencing events, categorizing, distinguish between primary sources and secondary sources. We have been covering Cortez and the conquer of the Aztecs and New Spain. Jamestown and colonial America will start next week.

Science-Lab safety and The Scientific Process have been the focus thus far. We will soon delve into the solar system. This will include: rotation and revolution in relation to time, causes of day and night, causes of tides, understanding of months and years, properties of the planets, understanding of orbiting, inertia and gravity, and finally, how our understanding of the solar system has changed over time. Earth and It's Neighbors is also our first IB Planner. We will be conducting research as a class and model the research process so that by the time the 5th grade Exhibition comes, students are ready to be independent.

Reading-
Establishing routines for working independently and in small groups is being established. We are practicing silent reading, working on writing, and listening. I will be meeting with small groups and individuals throughout the year and have started working with students one-on-one so that we can determine reading goals for the year. I will be meeting with students to develop writing goals as well.

Spelling/Vocabulary-
Wordly Wise is one of vocabulary development resources. Vocabulary development will also come from reading, writing and spelling. We will be alternating Spelling and Wordly Wise for a few months.

Thank you all for sharing your children. Each and every student brings something special to class and I am thoroughly enjoying them!!!