Curriculum Overview (click to view)

 

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In Writing your child will…

This year your child will continue to grow their writing skills through explicit standards-aligned instruction that focuses on why writers write and how writers effectively communicate ideas and information. Students will experience a predictable classroom routine where they take ownership of their writing, share work with peers, and learn to plan, revise, and edit their writing. Students will engage in the writing process as a means to contemplate and develop their ideas, apply powerful revision and editing techniques, and effectively compose their ideas into clear, well-thought pieces that demonstrate an awareness of purpose, style, and audience. 

 

Learn more about the writing units for this grade level.

How Writers Work

Text Type: Launching

For a writing workshop to run smoothly, students need to know what they are expected to do. Procedural conversations—such as how writing workshop will function, what writing tools are and how they will be used, and what to do if you think you’re done writing—are presented in this unit. Rituals and routines are necessary components of writing communities wherein students move about the classroom effectively and use their tools and time wisely. As students become familiar and comfortable with writing workshop, they will become more independent. When students are independent, it allows the teacher the time necessary to confer with individuals or small groups of students who need additional support. Writing workshop is the time when we think about how writers work so students can emulate this process. This unit was created to help students understand the writing process and get to know how and why writers write in the ways they do. They will find out many different reasons for writing and have the chance to build their own writing identities. Fifth graders will explore new and familiar ways to use a Writer’s Notebook and be encouraged to write in their notebooks daily. At the end of the unit, your students will publish a text that will provide a baseline or benchmark assessment to help monitor their progress throughout the year. The books in the study help students read closely and think about the authors’ purposes and inspirations. The texts span multiple genres, styles, structures, and themes. The topics will allow students to connect to the authors’ experiences and share their own.

 

Biography

Text Type: Informational/Explanatory

Biographers choose their subjects with a variety of purposes and intentions, often selecting people who interest and inspire them. The grade 5 Biography unit focuses on purpose and audience, research, integrating facts and opinions, and well-crafted language. Students will explore the features of biographies. As students closely read the mentor texts, they will examine the differences and similarities between these features and how they influence readers. Students will also see how different biographers present the important events, accomplishments, struggles, and character traits of a person’s life, as well as how they use word choices and tone to convey their admiration for and opinions of the people they write about. The biographies selected for this unit give students a chance to explore inspirational people who lived during various time periods, came from different cultural backgrounds, and had various influences on a variety of topics and/or issues, such as sports, science, politics, literature, and the arts.

 

Essay

Text Type: Opinion/Argumentative

Perhaps more than any other genre, essay will be required writing throughout students’ educational careers. Essays can be written to explain, explore, or argue ideas on a specific topic. An essay genre study creates the opportunity to familiarize students with the features of essays and helps them build confidence with and knowledge about the genre. Some of these features include clear organizational form, including a thesis statement and introductory sentence; tight focus on a topic; details and facts to support the writer’s point of view or claim; and a concluding statement or section. Critical to the study of any genre is taking time to explore, enjoy, and respond to the genre as readers. Essays are written to be read and reacted to. The experience of reading essays and responding to them naturally is crucial to appreciating and internalizing their features and functions. In addition, developing an appreciation for essays and essay writers will help entice students to want to write essays of their own. In this unit students will listen to and read essays, identify features of essays, gain an appreciation for the forms and functions of essays, and publish a persuasive essay of their own.

 

Memoir

Text Type: Narrative

Memoir is a short recounting of a portion of a person’s life (unlike a biography, which is usually the story of a person’s whole life). A memoir can be told in retrospect but is almost always told in the first person. This unit will introduce students to what memoir is all about, how memoir writers think, how they work, the kinds of books they create, and decisions they make about content, illustrations, and more. In this unit students will identify how authors use their own life experiences, interests, and observations of the world to generate memoirs; discover the features of memoir writing, such as reflection, use of memories, and sharpening of focus to a brief period of time; publish their own memoirs while studying mentor texts; and identify and discuss the similarities and differences among cultures, experiences, emotions, and ideas as conveyed through memoirs.

 

How can I support my child at home?

To build confidence in writing at home, parents play a crucial role in supporting and celebrating their child's journey as an author and illustrator. Reading together is a fundamental practice, intertwined with developing writing skills. Spend quality time exploring books, discussing characters, plotlines, and various writing styles. Acknowledge and celebrate your child's writing accomplishments, both big and small, providing positive reinforcement to boost their confidence and motivation.

In the process of supporting your child's writing at home, resist the urge to correct the writing. Instead, encourage them to share their message using some of the questions below. Over the course of the year, students will be focusing on revision and editing for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Building their grade level knowledge of grammar, sound patterns, and conventions will be taught in tandem with applying it in their writing. You will notice progress over the year in the clarity of their pieces. 

If they ask for help spelling a word, guide them to isolate the sounds and explore the spelling together. For instance, ask, "What sound are you trying to spell?" and then provide guidance based on the identified sound. Remember, it's okay if they start by representing a word with only the beginning sound —skills will naturally develop over time. By creating a supportive and encouraging writing environment at home, parents contribute significantly to their child's growth as a confident and capable writer.

Praise your child for their writing achievements, reinforcing the idea that writing is a valuable and enjoyable skill. Respect and celebrate their unique writing voice by avoiding excessive corrections and instead appreciating the knowledge and ideas they express.

 

Questions to Ask about Their Writing Pieces

• What Inspired You to Write This?
  • Encourage your child to share the inspiration behind their writing. Understanding their motivations can provide insights into their interests and thought processes.
• Can You Tell Me More About [Specific Part of Their Writing]?
  • Ask specific questions about elements in their writing, such as characters, plot points, or details. This helps them elaborate on specific aspects of their work.
• How Did You Decide on the Title?
  • Discussing the title can lead to a conversation about the main idea or theme of their writing. It also encourages them to think creatively about capturing the essence of their piece.
• What Challenges Did You Face While Writing?
  • Addressing challenges fosters resilience. Discussing obstacles they encountered and how they overcame them provides valuable insights into their problem-solving skills.
• Did You Use Any Writing Strategies or Techniques?
  • Explore their writing process. Discussing strategies they used, such as brainstorming, outlining, or revising, highlights the importance of the writing process itself.
• Who is Your Audience?
  • Understanding the intended audience helps your child think about tailoring their writing to different readers. This can also lead to discussions about how writing styles may vary for different audiences.
• What Part of the Writing Did You Enjoy the Most?
  • Focus on the positive aspects. Identifying the enjoyable parts reinforces a sense of accomplishment and helps them recognize their strengths.
• Is There Anything You Would Like to Add or Change?
  • Encourage reflection by asking if there's anything they would like to add or modify. This empowers them to take ownership of their writing and make improvements.

 

Compliments to Give

• I Love How You Express Your Ideas:
  • Compliment their ability to articulate thoughts and ideas. This reinforces the value of self-expression through writing.
• Your Descriptions Paint a Vivid Picture:
  • Acknowledge strong descriptive elements in their writing. Highlighting their ability to create imagery adds a positive dimension to their work.
• You Have a Unique Writing Style:
  • Celebrate their individuality by recognizing their unique writing style. This fosters confidence in their own voice.
• I'm Impressed by Your Creativity:
  • Praise their imaginative thinking. Recognizing creativity encourages them to continue exploring and pushing boundaries in their writing.
• Your Organization Makes the Writing Easy to Follow:
  • Acknowledge their organizational skills. Highlighting clear structure and organization reinforces the importance of clarity in writing.
• Your Writing Shows Growth and Improvement:
  • Recognize progress over time. Complimenting improvement emphasizes the value of continuous learning and effort.
• I Appreciate the Effort You Put Into Editing:
  • If they've made efforts to edit and revise, commend their commitment to refining their work. This reinforces the importance of the editing process.
• Your Writing Reflects a Strong Understanding of [Topic]:
  • Acknowledge their understanding of the subject matter. This reinforces the connection between knowledge and effective communication through writing.

Additional Ways to Support Writing at Home

• Reading is closely linked to writing skills. Spend time reading with your child, discussing the content, characters, and plot. This exposure to different writing styles will enhance their own writing abilities.
• Acknowledge and celebrate your child's writing achievements, whether big or small. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to continue improving.
• Celebrate inventive spelling! When your child attempts to sound out words, celebrate where they are in their knowledge of sounds rather than immediately correcting. This helps them build confidence and a love for expressing themselves through writing.
• Embrace and celebrate the power of lists! Encourage your child to make grocery lists, to-do lists, or lists of their favorite things. These real-life writing opportunities enhance practical writing skills.
• Start a family journal where everyone contributes short notes, thoughts, or drawings. This shared journal is a wonderful way to celebrate the uniqueness of each family member's writing style.
• Foster creativity by allowing your child to write stories, create poems, or even compose songs based on their experiences. Celebrate their imagination and unique way of expressing ideas.
• Praise your child for their writing accomplishments, whether it's a well-constructed list, a story, or a note. Celebrating their efforts reinforces the idea that writing is a valuable and enjoyable skill.
• Respect and celebrate your child's unique writing voice. Avoid overly correcting their writing and instead, focus on appreciating the knowledge and ideas they are expressing.

 

Additional Information about our core resource:

• Introduction to Writing Fundamentals and the Writing Process (Video 2:30)

 

In math, your child will:

• Use models and strategies to divide 2- and 3-digit numbers by 2-digit numbers, with and without remainders. (Students are not expected to use the standard long division algorithm until sixth grade.)
• Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators
• Multiply fractions and divide fractions in simple cases
• Measure volume
• Explain patterns in the number of zeros and the placement of the decimal point in the answer when multiplying or dividing by powers of 10
• Read, write, round, compare, add & subtract, multiply & divide decimals
• Multiply multi-digit whole numbers
• Locate and graph points on a coordinate plane

 

How can I support my child at home?

• Check out a parent guide for each unit of instruction: Fifth Grade Family Support Page

 

• Math at Home is an additional resource by The Math Learning Center that includes thought-provoking, Bridges-aligned math activities and games that can be used at home or at school throughout the year for students from kindergarten through fifth grade.  

 

Is there an online platform or app available?

• Yes! Dreambox is a personalized math program that builds students' confidence and competence.  Learn more about how to support the program at home.

 

Additional Information about our core resource:

• Bridges in Mathematics Overview English / Spanish

 

• Video: Introduction to Bridges in Mathematics
• Video: Grade K-2 Bridges in Mathematics: Mathematical Models & Strategies
• Video: Grade 3-5 Bridges in Mathematics: Mathematical Models & Strategies

 

District 58 incorporates an inquiry-based approach. Students engage in inquiry through rich discussion, questioning, research using various resources, and summarizing their understanding with a project for an audience. DG58 started inquiry with social studies and embeds it throughout other content areas. Ultimately, District 58 staff light the way for students to engage in a path of exploration and discovery.

 

The gradual release process of inquiry.

 

In Social Studies your child will…

• Explore disciplinary concepts throughout the year within the Our Nation, Our World theme.
• Engage individually and collaboratively in inquiry within four disciplinary concepts; civics, economics, history, and geography.
• Throughout each chapter, explore essential and supporting questions through the SAVVAS Quest Connections 
• Gather and evaluate sources
• Develop claims and use evidence
• Communicate conclusions
• Take informed action to demonstrate understanding

 

Additional Information about our core resource:

Savvas immerses students in history through a perspective-rich environment that grows as the student moves through elementary school. Learn more about the Savvas social studies program by clicking this link.

 

What is inquiry?

Simply put, inquiry-based learning is founded on a "big question". In our K-5 social studies resource, the big question is researched through what we call, Quest. Each lesson begins with a big question. Then, reading and activities guide students through investigation to answer the big question. In the end, students complete a quest project to demonstrate learning and understanding.  

The inquiry process, according to C3, includes 4 stages:  

• Developing Questions and planning inquiries
• Applying the disciplines (civics, economics, geography, history)
• Evaluating resources
• Communicating conclusions and taking informed action

To learn more, watch this quick and helpful video.

 

How can I support my child at home?

As parents, it can be hard to see our children struggle. However, by not giving the answer, through "failure" (F-first, A-attempt, I-in, L-learning), children learn and build self-efficacy. 

 

Below are helpful ideas to easily incorporate inquiry into your home.

• Learn along with children through books, TV programs, and learning hobbies, such rock collecting.
• Visit museums, zoos, aquariums, and historical sites with children. The Downers Grove Public Library has museum passes available. Downers Grove also has a rich history. To learn more, visit the Downers Grove Historical Museum.
• Explore quality television programs like PBS, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel.
• Subscribe children to magazines.

 

1. Bring Inquiry into Your Home

Meet a question with a question. Our first instinct when a child asks a question is to provide an answer. This can prevent a golden opportunity to learn about how to learn. So, next time your child asks you a question (“How do you spell ….?” “What are the types of energy?”), instead of supplying the answer, try responding like this:

Great question! How could you find that out? What resource could you use to discover that? 

 

Be prepared to inquire together. Sometimes, when you meet a question with a question, you get an “I don’t know”. That is an invitation to a great teachable moment! If your child doesn’t know how to find out on their own or what resource to use, you can respond with:

Let’s figure it out together. Maybe we can try this….Let’s see if this resource has the answer…

 

Ask the magic question – “What do you notice?”. No matter what subject – the secret ingredient to inquiry is asking learners to think about what they notice. That one question works every time, and can be followed up with “what else do you notice?”.

You don’t have to be an expert, just be a learner. It is okay to not know. That presents an opportunity to model your own approaches to learning. Confidently to say, “I don’t know”.  Follow it up with, “But now I want to know, so here is how I am going to find out!” or, “Let’s figure this out together!”

 

2. Encourage Reflection

Get them thinking about their thinking. There are two magic questions you can ask your child to help them think deeper – any subject:

 

How do you know?

What makes you say that?

 

3. Support your child’s agency 

Invite their voice. Give space for children to articulate what they like and don’t like about learning. Listen to what they care about and what matters to them and try to understand and find ways to support it.

Respect and support their choices. Be aware of choices you make for your child that they could make themselves. Choices may include when, where, and how they learn. Teach  the decision-making process (What choice are you making for yourself?). Then follow up with a reflection (How did that choice work out for you? How do you know? What will you choose differently next time?).

Emphasize ownership. Sometimes learning can get misrepresented as something done to learners. These phrases build that sense of ownership over their learning:

 

It’s your learning.

You’re in the driver’s seat.

Your learning, your choice. 

*Credit: makinggoodhumans.wordpress.com

In Science your child will...

 

• Explore living things and ecosystems. Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of large organisms. In this unit, students explore how certain trees, animals, and fungi grow to extremes. Students examine the ways organisms interact with their ecosystems, including the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. Students understand how matter and energy move in an ecosystem, what makes ecosystems healthy, how ecosystems change, and in what ways humans change ecosystems. Last, students act as a segment producer for a TV show’s episode featuring big organisms and their ecosystems. Using their knowledge, can students determine what factors cause some organisms to grow really big?

 

•  Investigate Earth’s four systems. Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of California’s droughts. In this unit, students explore Earth’s four systems, including how Earth’s systems produce weather and climate and how Earth’s systems change its surface. Students will assess the anchoring phenomenon and write an article about how Earth’s four systems interact during a drought. Students also investigate human interactions on the Earth’s systems including how farming, industry, and everyday life affect Earth’s systems. Students discover what people can do to protect Earth’s systems and create a public service announcement about the water in their communities in the final performance assessment. Using the knowledge they gain on the interactions of Earth’s system, can students explain what is causing the California drought?

 

•  Observe changes in matter. Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of  transforming gooey batter into fluffy pancakes. In this unit, students explore what matter is made of and why materials are different. Students identify substances, and examine what causes them to change, how those changes affect a substance’s weight, and how scientists know when substances change. Students also find out how engineers improve materials. Last, students test pancake batter’s properties to identify each ingredient. Using their knowledge on changes in matter, can students identify mystery ingredients by their properties to make improvements to pancake batter before it hits the griddle?

 

• Explore Earth, the moon, and the stars. Students are introduced to the unit’s anchoring phenomenon of life being different on a space station than it is on Earth. In this unit, students first investigate the effect of gravity. Next, students examine why distance plays a role in the brightness of the sun compared to other stars, and how Earth’s rotation causes day and night. Students observe how shadows change during the day and year and how stars seem to move during the night and year, as well as how the moon seems to move and change shape. Last, students find out about what tools scientists use to observe space and how astronauts are trained for the ISS. What differences between life on a space station and life on Earth will students discover?

 

District 58 utilizes the Second Step program to support students’ social emotional learning through a holistic approach to building our school communities. Children benefit from social-emotional learning (SEL) at any time, but today it’s especially important to help them develop the skills they need to connect and thrive. Second Step® Elementary is a leading research-based SEL curriculum

 

In Second Step your child will… 

•  Practice skills for learning, empathy, and compassion for differences
•  Learn and practice strategies for emotional management and perspective-taking
•  Learn and pracice communication skills and problem-solving strategies when dealing with gossip, peer pressure, and the need to be assertive.

 

How can I support my child at home?

If you are interested in learning more about the Second Step curriculum and approach, please visit their website at SecondStep.org.

Art

In Art your child will…

• Learn and contemporary art
• Learn about media and methods of art
• Learn about surrealism and perception

How can I support my child at home?

To inspire your child, visit museums, art shows, and the Downers Grove Public LIbrary where there is exposure to a variety of artwork. The library offers museums free passes that you can check out. Build inspiration for art, by learning about local and historical artists. As you drive around town, see if you can identify various forms of art, whether sculptural or other modes. Finally, have a variety of art materials available at home, such as clay, playdough, paint, colored pencils, fun paper, and more. Many stores have small and large art kits available to encourage children tap into their creativity.

Is there an online platform or app available?

Seesaw is a resource our art teachers rely on the most. Through Seesaw, we connect with parents and share a window into your child’s creative side. At the beginning of each year, your child’s teacher will send you an invitation to their Seesaw class, which will automatically connect you to their art class. Once there, families can see updates, helpful videos, assignments and more.

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Music

In fifth grade Music your child will…

• Learn about various musical elements, including but not limited to Harmony, Timbre, the Evolution of American Music, and the music vocabulary words that are associated with these concepts. 
• Continue to perform and identify various rhythmic and melodic notations.
• Experience musical concepts through movement and song.
• Continue learning to play the soprano recorder.

How can I support my child at home?

• Attend various styles of musical performances, play music at home, encourage your child to demonstrate what they are learning about in music, or encourage a variety of musical experiences.

Is there an online platform or app available?

• Your child has an account in our music app Quaver that they can access through Clever on their iPad. They can review past activities, explore new games, quizzes, or listen to their favorite songs from class.

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Physical Education (PE)

In physical education your child will engage in the following activities throughout the school year:

•  Rules of flag football, soccer, and volleyball 
•  Emphasis on team building activities to foster cooperation and collaboration
•  Development of fitness levels through exercises and drills
• Bowling skills
• Basketball and Badminton 
• Floor Hockey skills 
• Continued involvement in team building activities to strengthen interpersonal skills
• Softball and kickball
• Focus on fitness to improve strength and endurance

 

How can I support my child at home?

• Encourage active play: Encourage your child to be physically active every day. Activities such as running, jumping, climbing and playing outdoor games are great for students this age. 
• Make physical activity a family event. Engage in physical activities as a family. Plan trips to the park, nature trails, or the park distinct where everyone can participate in activities like hiking, booking, swimming, or playing sports together. 
• Limit screen time: Set limits on screen time. Excessive screen time can negatively affect a child’s physical activity levels. Encourage your child to engage in more hands-on activities instead. 
• Create a supportive environment: Create an environment that supports physical activity in your child’s daily routine. Provide your child with access to sport equipment, bikes, and other active equipment.  

 

Is there an online platform or app available?

Shape America. Their website offers resources and ideas for parents to support physical education at home and in the community. Website: https://www.shapeamerica.org/MemberPortal/events/parents.aspx

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Library

In Library your child will…

Build an appreciation of literature through a variety of genres that represent neurodiversity and cultures. In Library, students explore the Illinois State Award books, engage in research, and learn how to navigate the library to access books and information online. The library curriculum follows the Association of Illinois School Library Educators standards to engage students in an exploration of genres and modes of media.

 

How can I support my child at home?

Reading and discussing books with children of any age has the most impact on a child’s motivation and ability to read. You can even read the same book that your child is reading. Visit the Downers Grove Public Library to expose your child to a variety of genres and reading materials and even establish a relationship with the local librarian. The library also has free museum passes. The night before your child’s school checkout, brainstorm books or topics they might explore.

 

Is there an online platform or app available? 

Common Sense Media offers helpful resources, articles, videos and digital citizenship parent tips: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles

Visit Destiny to explore books available at your child’s school.