Mrs. Kolter's
5th Grade
About Mrs. Kolter's Classroom
Reading
I am so excited about our Reading series: WONDERS. We read from our Student Anthology book for one unit, which usually equals 5 or 6 stories and 1 unit test. Then we will read a chapter book together as a class. Students need to keep up with their AR daily as it is a big part of their weekly reading grades. AR crate books are loaded on the ConnectED website for your child. We will also read them in a small group on Wednesday. Then they will be tested over their book on their book by completing the AR test online for that book. Please read them with your child each night. Please help your child by making sure they are reading at least 20 minutes a night.
Math
I am just as excited about our Math books called: My Math. . I ask the students to take their work home EVERY night to have it checked over BEFORE turning it in. The ONLY work they can not bring home is a test! We try to do Otter Creek math facts 3 times a week so they should be practicing their math facts every day so they can pass those tests.
Social
Studies
We will cover the history of the United States this year. We start with our Native American friends and continue through the Pilgrims coming to the "New World". The students will learn the capitals and states this year. This year they will be tested on I-STEP in Social Studies. The students will be able to complete extra credit for each chapter that we cover. It is the chapter review in the book at the end of each chapter. It will be due when we finish that chapter. Please refer to the class newsletter for a specific date. Tests are the ONLY item that can NOT come home to be checked over. Please encourage your child to bring their work home.
Spelling
Science
Physical Science - Describe the weight and volume and measure the weight and volume of various objects.
Earth Science - Observe, describe, and ask questions about patterns in the sun-moon-earth system.
Life Science - Observe, describe, and ask questions about how changes in one part of an ecosystem create changes in other parts of the ecosystem.
Science, Engineering, and Technology - Design a prototype that replaces a function of a human body part.
These are the core standards for fifth grade this year. It will be an exciting year!!
Spelling
I will send their words home on Friday in their red homework folder on their newsletter. They may study the words over the weekend. On Monday, we will have a pretest, if your child gets all 25 words correct, they will not need to take the test on Friday. The words that they miss on the pretest on Monday, they will write five times each to practice and turn them in with their pretest on Tuesday. They will have free time to use an iPad or do what they would like. All students will complete the worksheets throughout the week.
Language
Arts
We work on different topics for each story that we read in our textbook. We also do many different styles of writing to meet the numerous standards for fifth grade throughout the year. The writings will be cross-curricular. We will also read one picture book a week through a program called "Mentor Sentences". This program helps to teach various Language Arts skills. The students will also take an AR test weekly on each book.
Religion
We will use our Religion textbook and Bibles throughout the year. The students were given a list of prayers that were broken down by months that they need to memorize. Please help your child with these prayers at home, we do say them daily in the classroom also. The children will also get participation grades for paying attention, responding appropriately, and singing in Mass. Here is the address for the prayers:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JjJwfnKYjwfMyOdo3ZyNd8CTS579ax-lwXDvRodpSdI/edit?usp=sharing