Curriculum Sharing

CRGE

About Our Classroom

Our classroom is a blended grade learning environment this year. Our class has 13 5th grade students and 9 4th grade students.

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Due to the unique nature of our classroom we have Mrs. Whetzel with us for support during math, science/social studies, and writing.

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During instruction we split into our grade levels and teach the appropriate grade level curriculum to the students.

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The way our class is structured places a big emphasis on students being independent learners.

Class Agreements

SEL Learning

ELA Learning

Literature Standards

• Your child is learning to identify the message or theme of a story and explain it using key details.
• Your child is practicing writing or telling clear summaries that show they understood what they read.
• Your child is learning to describe and compare characters and events in a story — for example, how two characters handle a problem differently or how the setting affects what happens.
• Your child is learning how the narrator or speaker’s point of view changes the way a story is told — for example, how the same event might look different if told by another character.
• Your child is learning to understand and explain figurative language such as similes, metaphors, and idioms (like ‘busy as a bee’ or ‘a piece of cake’)
• Your child is learning to back up their answers with specific details or quotes from the story — not just what they think, but what the text actually says.

Informational Standards

• Your child is learning to find the main ideas in what they read and explain how the author’s details support those ideas.
• Your child is learning to explain how key people, events, or ideas in a text are related or influence each other.
• Your child is learning to recognize how an author organizes information and how that structure helps readers understand the topic.
• Your child is learning to use information from more than one source to answer questions and think critically about what they read.
• Your child is learning to use information directly from the text to explain their thinking — not just guessing, but proving their answers with evidence.

ELA Learning

Foundational Skills/Speaking & Listening

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• Your child is practicing reading aloud accurately and fluently, so they can focus on understanding the text. Goal by the end of the year is 140 words per minute!
• Your child is learning to participate in group discussions, listen carefully, and express their thoughts clearly.
• Your child is learning to present information or tell a story in an organized way, using details and facts to support their points.

Writing

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• Your child is learning to write about their opinions and support them with facts or reasons.
• Your child is learning to write to explain or teach something, using facts and examples to make it clear.
• Your child is learning to write stories that show what happens, who is involved, and how events unfold.
• Your child is learning to organize their writing so it makes sense and fits the purpose, whether telling a story, explaining, or giving an opinion.

Units of Study ELA - 4th

Unit 1: Personal Narratives

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Students learn how to write about their own lives in meaningful ways. They read and share personal stories, practice organizing their ideas, and learn to add descriptive details to make their writing come alive.

Unit 2: Empires in the Middle Ages

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Students travel back in time to explore life in medieval Europe. They learn about knights, castles, kings, and the daily lives of people during the Middle Ages.

Unit 4: Geology – The Changing Earth

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Students study rocks, minerals, volcanoes, and earthquakes to learn how Earth changes over time. They read scientific texts, conduct investigations, and connect reading with science concepts.

Unit 5: The American Revolution

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Students learn about the people and events that shaped America’s independence. They read about important leaders, battles, and ideas that helped form the United States.

Unit 3: Islamic Empires in the Middle Ages

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In this unit, students explore the history and culture of the Islamic world during the Middle Ages. They learn how new ideas, inventions, and art from this time shaped the world we live in today.

Units of Study ELA - 5th

Unit 1: Personal Narratives

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Students explore the genre of personal narratives. They read and analyze various personal stories, then write their own narratives, focusing on clear organization and descriptive details.

Unit 2: Early American Civilizations

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This unit introduces students to the complex civilizations developed by the Maya, Aztec, and Inca prior to the arrival of Europeans. Students learn about the geography, innovations, and myths of these civilizations.

Unit 4: The Renaissance

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Students are introduced to the Renaissance, a period of great cultural and intellectual achievement in Europe. They learn about renowned figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Shakespeare, and explore their contributions to art, literature, and science.

Unit 5: A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Students engage with William Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream," analyzing literary elements such as character, setting, theme, plot, conflict, resolution, point of view, and dialogue. The unit culminates in a class performance of the play.

Unit 3: Adventures of Don Quixote

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Students delve into the classic tale of Don Quixote, originally written in the early 1600s by Miguel de Cervantes. They learn about the adventures of a man who sets out to revive knighthood and protect the helpless.

Math Learning

1. Operations & Algebraic Thinking

• Students practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers, including multi-digit numbers. They solve word problems and look for patterns in numbers.
• Example: Your child can solve story problems like, “If a pack has 24 pencils and there are 6 packs, how many pencils are there in all?”
• Parent tip: Ask your child to explain how they solved a problem using numbers, pictures, or words.�

2. Numbers & Operations in Base Ten

• Students learn to read, write, and compare larger numbers (up to 1 million), and decimals. They also practice rounding, understanding place value, and performing operations with multi-digit numbers.
• Example: Your child can round 4,276 to the nearest hundred or thousand and explain why.
• Parent tip: Have your child practice comparing prices, distances, or scores to understand numbers in real life.

Math Learning

3. Numbers & Operations – Fractions

• Students learn fractions, including adding, subtracting, comparing, and multiplying them. 5th grade will multiply and divide fraction, and work with mixed numbers. They also understand how fractions relate to whole numbers.
• Example: Your child can figure out that 3/4 + 2/4 = 5/4 or compare which fraction is bigger.
• Parent tip: Use recipes, measuring cups, or pizza slices to practice fractions at home.�

4. Measurement & Data

• Students measure length, area, and volume; understand time and money; represent data in graphs; and solve problems involving measurements.
• Example: Your child can read a line plot, calculate perimeter or area, or determine how much liquid fits in a container.
• Parent tip: Encourage your child to measure items around the house or make a small survey and chart the results.

Math Learning

5. Geometry

• Students study shapes, lines, angles, and symmetry. They learn to classify shapes based on properties and understand geometric concepts.
• Example: Your child can identify different types of triangles, rectangles, and other polygons, and describe their attributes.
• Parent tip: Look for shapes at home, in art, or while driving, and ask your child to describe them.�

6. Mathematical Practices

• What it means: Students learn how to think like mathematicians: solving problems, reasoning, explaining their thinking, and using tools strategically.
• Example: Your child can explain why a solution makes sense, check their work, and approach problems in multiple ways.
• Parent tip: Ask your child, “How did you figure that out?” or “Can you show me another way to solve it?”

Math Learning - 4th Grade

Unit 1: Factors and Multiples

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Unit 2: Fraction Equivalence and Comparison

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Unit 3: Extending Operations to Fractions

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Unit 4: From Hundredths to Hundred Thousands

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Unit 5: Multiplicative Comparison and Measurement

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Unit 6: Multiplying and Dividing Multi-Digit Numbers

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Unit 7: Angles and Properties of Shapes

Math Learning - 5th Grade

Unit 1: Volume

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Unit 2: Fractions as Quotients and Fraction Multiplication

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Unit 3: Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

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Unit 4: Multiplication and Division With Multi-Digit Whole Numbers

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Unit 5: Place Value Patterns and Decimal Operations

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Unit 6: More Decimal and Fraction Operations

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Unit 7: Geometry and Patterns

Science Learning - 4th Grade

1. Human Body, Vision, & The Brain

Students explore how the human body functions, focusing on the brain and senses, particularly vision. They learn about the nervous system, how the brain processes information, and how we perceive the world around us.

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2. Animal & Plant Adaptations

This unit delves into how animals and plants adapt to their environments to survive. Students learn about physical and behavioral adaptations and how these traits help organisms meet their needs.

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3. Earth's Features & Processes

Students investigate Earth's surface features and the processes that shape them, such as volcanoes, weathering, and erosion. They learn about the rock cycle and how these processes impact the planet.

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4. Sound, Waves, & Communication

This unit explores how sound is produced and how it travels through different mediums. Students learn about vibrations, wave patterns, and how we use sound to communicate.

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5. Energy & Energy Transfer

Students learn about different forms of energy (such as light, heat, and motion) and how energy is transferred between objects. They explore concepts like energy conservation and transformation.

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6. Electricity, Light, & Heat

This unit covers the basics of electricity, how circuits work, and the relationship between electricity, light, and heat. Students learn about conductors, insulators, and how energy flows through circuits.

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Science Learning - 5th Grade

1. Ecosystems & The Food Web

Students explore how living organisms interact with each other and their environment. They learn about producers, consumers, and decomposers, and how energy flows through an ecosystem.

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2. Water Cycle & Earth's Systems

This unit delves into the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Students learn how water moves through Earth's systems and its importance to life.

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3. Earth & Space Patterns

Students investigate patterns in Earth's movements, such as day and night, seasons, and phases of the moon. They learn how these patterns affect life on Earth.

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4. Stars & Planets

This unit introduces students to the solar system, including the characteristics of planets, moons, and stars. They learn about the sun's role in supporting life on Earth.

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5. Chemical Reactions & Properties Of Matter

Students explore the properties of matter and how substances can change through chemical reactions. They conduct experiments to observe these changes.

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5th Graders take the Science State Test (SBAC) in the spring this year!

Field Trips and Fun - 4th Grade

Field Trips

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• Field Trip to Two Rivers Heritage Museum
• The Field Trip includes a craft designed and taught by Columbia Play Project that students get to take home with them.
• There will also be a 4th Grade Assembly, with Guest Speaker Sam Robinson, Vice-Chairman of the Chinook Council, sharing about Chinook culture and history,

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Fourth Grade Fun and Opportunities

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• Office Helpers

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Field Trips and Fun - 5th Grade

Field Trips

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• Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge
• JA Biz-Town: Job and finance simulation day
• On-campus field experiences: fish dissection, native plant identification, bird identification

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Fifth Grade Fun and Opportunities

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• Band
• Student Leadership Team
• Morning School Announcements

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