2021-2022

Parent Guide to 5th Grade

INTRODUCTION

In the Brighton Central School District, parents are highly regarded as important

partners in education. “The Fifth Grade Parent Guide” provides valuable information

to help you guide and reinforce your child's learning. Within these pages you will find

helpful suggestions, which will contribute to your child's

success. As you follow your child's learning development please keep two things in

mind; all learning progresses through stages which cannot be rushed and no two

children learn in the same way or at the same pace. Parents are encouraged to join

educators in recognizing and celebrating the individuality of each child.

It is our hope that all children will become responsible for their own learning in the

classroom and beyond, just as they become responsible for the routines and chores

in which they participate at home. Expecting children to complete chores and

assignments, as well as giving them choices and holding them responsible for the

choices they make, serves them well.

Most ten-year-olds enter fifth grade with an understanding of themselves as learners.

They are sometimes pre-occupied by concerns of competence as competitiveness

begins to become an issue.

LANGUAGE ARTS

The goal of fifth grade language arts is to support students as they continue to

develop reading, writing, listening, speaking and presentation skills. The new

Common Core Learning Standards provide a roadmap for instruction throughout the

year.

One goal of fifth grade reading is to help students read quickly and accurately in a

variety of texts, for a variety of purposes. Students also learn from books on topics in

science and social studies.

Children's writing development continues to progress through stages. Children at

this stage gain control over a variety of writing forms; persuasive, narrative,

informational, report, story, and technical or process writing.

Fifth grade students will also all have three common literacy units of instruction

as described below:

• Through the examination of a variety of literature, students will participate in a

human rights/historical fiction unit where they will develop an understanding of

human rights and how challenging situations impact people. Students will apply

their learning about human rights as one lens through which to interpret character

and theme.

• Through the examination of a variety of literature, students will participate in a

survival unit where they will develop an understanding that each person has his/

her own unique way of coping with difficult situations and that intrinsic personality

traits tend remain the same regardless of situation. They will use textual evidence

when analyzing text to create a strong position in an argument.

• The final common unit has an informational reading and writing purpose.

Students will read texts including magazines, feature articles and other non-fiction

texts to build their understanding of non-fiction writing. Working with their

teachers and peers, they will write publish an informational writing piece about a

topic of their choice. Teachers will support student writers as they go through the

writing process.

We use the instructional model of the 6+1 Traits of Writing.

The traits are:

Logical organization: the internal structure of the piece

Effective voice: the way the writer brings the topic to life

Creative word choice: the specific vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning

Smooth sentence fluency: the way words and phrases flow throughout the text

Accurate conventions: the mechanical

correctness of the piece including spelling,

punctuation and capitalization

Attractive presentation: the overall appearance of the work

Interesting ideas: the meaning and development of the message

We expect to see:

conventional spelling and

expanded vocabulary

longer sentences and reports with well developed and more complex ideas, reflecting the child's

growth in language and ability to maintain focus

children who continue to set goals and to evaluate their progress

children who continue to be reflective and use voice as an author

Students in grade 3-5 will be involved with the Word Study program. This is a student centered

approach to phonics, spelling & vocabulary instruction that engages the learner in

constructing concepts about the ways words work. Twice a year students will be given a short

assessment called the Developmental Spelling Analysis which will help teachers to target

instruction to match the student’s instructional learning level. The primary learning activity

students will be involved with is sorting – examining sounds, spelling patterns and word

meanings. The goal of word study is for students to generalize what they learn not memorize.

You may want to save samples of your child's writing so that you can celebrate your

child's growth of writing proficiency.

Reading progress is closely monitored using a variety of assessments. n the Fall and

Spring students will take the MAP test (Measures of Academic Progress) to monitor

comprehension. Fluency progress is also monitored throughout the year through the

use of DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). Classroom

teachers use the Fountas and Pinnell benchmark assessment system to gather

valuable information used in daily classroom instruction. During the Spring, children

also take the NYS English Language Arts Test to monitor their reading/writing

progress.

MATHEMATICS

The goal of fifth grade mathematics is to help students continue to develop problem

solving skills that serve lifelong learning. The New York State Learning Standards

provide a roadmap for instruction throughout the year. The mathematics program

builds upon skills previously learned and also develops a student's ability to

communicate, explore, conjecture, and reason logically. It is important that students

see the value of math and its relationship to everyday life. The emphasis should be

on "doing" math rather than “knowing" math. Students will be given the NYS Math

test in the Spring.

Fifth grade students learn about:

Number Sense and Operations

Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis and Probability

Mental Math

PRACTICING MATH FACTS

As we go through elementary school, gaining math fact fluency is always something

we ask our students to work on. Practice certainly makes perfect when it comes to

fact fluency. Whether it be addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, students

should be comfortable with all facts from 0 to 12. While we don’t expect all of our 3rd

grade students to have mastered multiplication and division facts by mid-year, our

expectation is that they should be able to complete at least 20 addition and subtraction

facts in one minute. For our 4th and 5

th grade students, our expectation is that they

should be able to complete at least 20 facts per minute in each of the four operations.

In addition, we expect all 5th grade students to know their basic facts up to 12. Again,

practicing facts will help with fluency and will ultimately assist with all areas of

mathematics. Please contact your child’s math teacher if you have any questions.

Useful math websites:

• Everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents

(go to EM4 and your desired grade level)

• connectED.mcgraw-hill.com

• https://www.ixl.com/signin/brightoncsd

SOCIAL STUDIES

Fifth grade students study the Western Hemisphere. They focus on the regions of the United States, Canada, and Latin America, examining geography, the different economic and political systems, and the varied ways of life. Children take part in the following:

comparing/contrasting the geography and government of the United States, Canada and Latin America

locating places by latitude and longitude and using special purpose maps and globes

studying about key events, major movements, and themes in the history of the United States and its hemispheric neighbors

examining current issues and events which affect people in North and South America

Use family trips and outings to help your child learn more about other peoples and time periods. Discussion of books, TV shows, and films can also spark valuable learning. Ask your child's teacher or the school or public librarian to recommend interesting books which will supplement grade five social studies.

SCIENCE

The goal of fifth grade science education is to foster an understanding of scientific facts, concepts, and methods so that students continue to appreciate and understand scientific learning practices - how they contribute to their lives and society, and how this impact decisions regarding the environment, career choices, and future learning. Students work through coherent storylines that build towards answering a question or solving real-world problems. The investigations deepen students understanding of challenges that exist today for real-life scientists.

The New Generation Science Standards are divided into four areas: Life Science, Earth and Space Science, Physical Science and Engineering Design. Students use the Science and Engineering practices to learn about their world. Children come to school with their own ideas about how the world works. These ideas are strongly held and in many cases may differ from the scientific understandings the curriculum aims to teach.

Fifth grade students study and learn about:

• How we can predict change in ecosystems

• How we can use the sky to navigate

• How we can identify materials based on their properties

• How we can provide freshwater to those in need

Fifth grade science helps children to discover what they know and don't know, and

that they possess information, which may need to be investigated and applied to real

world problems. Fifth grade students are expected to: observe, describe, infer,

classify, compare, communicate, record, predict, and verify information throughout an

integrated approach to learning applied science and engineering.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The goal of the fifth grade physical education is to help children develop and maintain

healthy and active lifestyles. Students learn basic and creative movement, rhythm and

dance, games and sports, gymnastics, and physical fitness.

Fifth grade students continue to develop basic conditioning skills for building strength

and flexibility. Games, introduction to skills for sports, and gymnastics skills are also

taught. Cooperation, good sportsmanship, leadership, trust, and respect are

emphasized. Safe use of space during movement also continues to be a point of

emphasis.

Children love "P.E." and are eager to attend these classes, which are taught for three

40-minute sessions per cycle. In addition, classroom teachers structure recess

periods during the day several times per week, weather permitting.

VOCAL MUSIC

The goal of fifth grade music education is to help students learn about the music

of various cultures through the exploration and celebration of literature and song.

Students participate in activities focusing on beat, rhythm, melody, tone, musical

expression, and creativity. They will also explore various major, minor and modal

tonalities. The guitar will be taught to the students in May and June.

Fifth grade students read, sing, and play songs in different meters, perform

pieces with different voice parts, improvise with classroom instruments, perform

and listen to examples of musical forms.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Instrumental music lessons and orchestra and band continue for any fifth grader

who started fourth grade year. The instrumental music staff will visit each fifth

grade homeroom in the fall to register students for the program. Lessons will be

scheduled on a rotating pullout basis with each lesson group meeting for 45

minutes once each week on a specific day of the week rather than on the six-day

cycle as was done in fourth grade. The times each lesson group will come for a

lesson will rotate from week to week so that the children will not miss the same

class each week. Students are responsible for making up missed work.

Usually the children miss a specific class no more than once each four to six

weeks. Lesson groups are comprised of from three to five students who play the

same instrument.

ART

Students in 5th grade will be actively engaged in the creation of art. They will be

introduced to a wide variety of techniques and mediums helping students

develop an understanding of the elements of design and art principles. Students

will learn to respond to and analyze different works of art, as well as learn about

and gain a better understanding of the cultural contributions of the arts. Art 1-12

is based on a spiraling curriculum in which students build upon information and

skills learned in prior years.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Fifth grade students have access to instructional technology in the classroom

plus visit the Technology Lab once a cycle as a "special". There they practice skills

that complement the classroom curriculum including basic iPad care, keyboarding,

and digital safety.

As the year progresses, students become proficient creators of digital content by

reading, writing and publishing in the Cloud. Fifth grade students are introduced to

the process of performing research and citing sources as they prepare for middle

school.

EXTENDED STUDIES SERVICES (ESS)

The Brighton Central School District provides a range of opportunities for students to

develop special talents and extend learning. The French Road Extended Studies

Curriculum is multidisciplinary and discovery- oriented, emphasizing higher level

thinking skills, problem solving and hands- on experiences. Extended Studies Ser-

vices are intended to be flexible to meet the needs of the children. There are several

delivery options that allow for this flexibility and provide a continuum of services.

General classroom enrichment, small groups, accelerated math, and consultation

are some of the services on our continuum.

SPECIAL SERVICES

If a child is experiencing emotional difficulty, he or she may be seen by a mental

health specialist. A social worker, psychologist and counselor are also available to

assist families and children. If you feel that your child is in the need of any special

services, please call the Principal or Assistant Principal to discuss the appropriate

action to take.

SIX POINTS TO ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS

1. Let your children know that you believe they can succeed.

2. Praise your child for doing what is requested and for being cooperative.

3. Provide a special place for study, and allow your child to design the space

according to his or her learning style.

4. Maintain household routines such as bedtime activities and chores. These help

children to learn about learning. It is through routines that they learn about cause and

effect, sequencing, and predicting

5. Encourage group study. Open your home to informal study groups. This will be

especially important, as your children grow older.

6. Don't expect all homework to be easy. It is good to affirm that the task is difficult.

An acceptance that learning is hard work and that hard work pays off is a powerful

in sight all good learners need to succeed.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Please review the Parent Student Handbook for complete details. FRES promotes the Star

Qualities of Respect, Responsibility, Self Control, Kindness and Integrity.

We also actively promote a Bully Free School through our actions, discussions, activities,

assemblies and through the Purple Hands Pledge of The Hands and Words are Not for

Hurting Project.

PURPLE HANDS PLEDGE:

I will not use my hands or my words for

hurting myself or others.

STAR QUALITY PLEDGE:

As a responsible French Road Citizen,

I will treat others with kindness.

I will respect the right

and property of others,

And think before I speak or act.

I pledge to do my best,

even when no one is looking