5th Grade
The Serviam Shield, a symbol of our commitment to serve, is worn on all student uniforms. Serving others is a component of every class curriculum. More importantly, the active engagement in service, from Pre-Kindergarten through our expanded middle school community service program, not only plants the Serviam seed in all Mount Merici students toward a greater likelihood that they will become leaders and good stewards in the world as adults but also instills in young children a belief in their own abilities to influence positive change and compassionate improvements in the world around them.
Whether our youngest students are collecting food to benefit the local ‘Weekend Backpack Program’ or contributing their own precious dimes and dollars to the ‘Rice Bowl Program’, they recognize that they are capable of helping to feed children less fortunate than they are and that with some compassion and effort, they can make a difference.
Our 6th and 7th-grade students work diligently every week at the area soup kitchen, food bank, the Muskie Center for elders and disabled adults, here at school, and on a multitude of fulfilling service projects.
Our 8th-grade students draw from the wealth of their previous years of service work to create a year-long senior service project based on their own individual interests. so that they leave Mount Merici Academy with a clear understanding of their abilities to extend their hearts and hands by contributing their own individual gifts in their communities and in the world-at-large. At Mount Merici Academy, every child learns what it feels like to make a difference.
Learn About the 5th Grade Curriculum
Reading:
We will be reading nonstop in 5th grade! Some books will be whole class, some in small groups as part of an author or theme study, and some independently. We will also read shorter articles or excerpts beyond our reading ability to hone our reading and comprehension skills. We will analyze, summarize, and compare the books we read and present our findings. We will rate, recommend, and respond to what we read. Some examples of our reading material include: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, George Washington’s Socks, The Phantom Tollbooth, and author studies on Andrew Clements and Roald Dahl. We will also explore different genres, including realistic fiction, historical fiction, biographies, mystery, poetry, fantasy, and science fiction.
Writing:
The focus in 5th grade writing will be on expository writing. We will improve our grammar, vocabulary, and spelling skills throughout the year with weekly grammar and written response work. We will become more independent in our ability to proofread and organize our own writing. We will also learn to use the writing process to plan, draft, and revise our writing in various genres.
Math:
The Saxon Math program will be used and enriched with various Investigations and Math Labs that explore consumer mathematics, geometry, logic, and problem solving.
Social Studies:
We will study United States History. We will begin with early Native Americans then move on to the Massachusetts colonists, the Revolutionary War, Lewis and Clark, and the Civil War. We will supplement the textbook with in-class activities, home projects, online research and reports, reader’s theater, and historical simulations.
Science:
We will cover topics in Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. In Life Science, we will study human body systems (muscular, circulatory, and respiratory) and ecosystems. In Earth Science, we will cover weather and space, as well as some work with matter in relation to Chemistry. In Physical Science, we will study forces and motion, electricity, and magnets. Multiple hands on experiences, home projects, labs, and interactive technology will be used to support this curriculum.
Religion Curriculum:
Grades K-3 religion curriculum will include the use of the book Christ Our Life by Loyola Press. The Christ Our Life Workbook, includes 5 units with a total of 24 weekly lessons. Grades 3-8 will use the Pflaum Gospel Weekly series. Students will receive a “pamphlet” type packet that focuses on Catholic faith through the Gospels. Students participate in daily prayer, school wide Liturgies, service projects and daily experiences in living Christian values. Special Liturgical seasonal activities include: Christmas programing, Advent activities, St. Angela study, Lenten projects and Easter season activities. Teaching in the Ursuline tradition will allow the students to grow spiritually and emotionally while learning about God in a safe and supportive environment.
Fifth Grade Classroom Expectations
• The priority in our classroom will be creating a space for students to learn; about themselves, about each other, and about their surroundings. For this to be successful they must feel safe; to make mistakes, to be unsure, and to say “I don’t know.” It will require respect, tolerance, and patience from the teachers and the students and support from their families.
In our classroom, the expectations (or rules) are simple.
~ Show kindness.
~ Show respect.
~ Take care of one another.
~ Take care of our school.
• Fifth graders should feel as though their learning is their responsibility. The purpose of Mount Merici, according to Our Mission, is to nurture their growth, so they can “achieve their personal best.” This means they will have struggles and triumphs. They will hopefully make mistakes and even more hopefully, they will learn from them. They should leave the fifth grade feeling confident in their strengths and comfortable with ways to work on their weaknesses. They will mature, they will grow, and they will eventually succeed.
• In conjunction with the learning expectations for fifth grade, the consequences for repeated poor choices will depend upon the action. Verbal reminders will always be given at the outset, but repeated behavior patterns will result in parent and/or principal involvement.
• Fifth grade students and families can expect approximately 45 minutes to an hour of homework each night. As the year progresses, students will have the opportunity to practice time management; in other words, using their time wisely one night means they have less work another night.
~ All homework should be completed to the best of their ability.
~ No homework will require unfamiliar skills.
~ PARENTS!! If you feel your fifth grader does not understand something, please send the work in incomplete with a note from
you. If they did not understand it, chances are they are not alone. I will find time the following day to go over it with them at no grade-related penalty.
~ Projects, reports, papers, etc. will all have deadlines that will be shared via email (with you), and in their planners.
How to Succeed in Fifth Grade…
-Make sure your fifth grader arrives at school on time. We encourage arrival to be no later than 7:40. Our day begins at 7:45. They need those five minutes, I promise!
-Provide them with the space and time at home to complete their homework. Feel free to check that it is done and point out simple errors, but please do not feel you have to correct it. That’s what I get paid for (and it helps me understand where I need to do a little more work). ☺
-Let them be independent and responsible. Fifth grade is a low-stakes situation. This is the time for them to make mistakes- forget their gym clothes, leave a book at school, have a disagreement with a friend. The best way for them to learn how to find solutions to these problems is for them to actually solve them and possibly deal with a consequence. For them to succeed later, they need to make mistakes they can learn from now.
-Communicate with me and with your fifth grader. I send weekly emails that include upcoming assignments, graded work I have passed back, and resources to use for at home review. Please do not hesitate to contact me with a concern and I will do the same. Most importantly, trust that we are on the same side.