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5th Grade
About fifth grade (for parents):
- Grades: This is the first year the boys receive number-based
grades. Click here
to see how the teachers grade.
- Curriculum: The beginning of the year is devoted to microbes
(bacteria, protists, fungi, and viruses). After that, the boys study
invertebrate animals (dissections!). In the winter they study basic
chemistry and the history of spaceflight, and in the spring we return to the
study of ecology and resources. A year-long assignment (which continues
in 6th grade) is the article
summary, which involves reading and summarizing current science news in
order to develop critical thinking, analysis, reading, and writing skills.
See more details on the curriculum
page.
- Homework: I keep it predictable. The first class of
the week, he brings in the article he's going to summarize. The second
class, it's textbook questions. Third class, article summary. Fourth
class, notes on the chapter lesson he read that week, and review for the weekly
quiz. Every week, except when he has a chapter test.
- Text: He will have a copy of the unit readings in his folder,
and there is a copy on this web site. See the readings.
- Tests: We have chapter tests every five to seven weeks. One
test is equivalent to about five homework assignments on his grade for the
marking period. I tell him about chapter tests more than a week beforehand,
and I send the marked tests home for your signature afterwards.
- Article summaries: It may look like a research paper to you,
but please, don't try to do it for him or tell him what to say. I
am thrilled with a five-sentence article summary that is written in fifth-grade
language if it shows thought, understanding, neatness, and effort. If
your son works slowly, have him read his article well in advance (he's supposed
to pick it out over the weekend). If he struggles with reading, encourage
him to pick easier articles (I'll help with that too).
This and all his written homework should be done with a proper header.
If you have any questions, check the article
summary guidelines.
Click here for a short list
of Internet science news sites.
He can use any kind of magazine or newspaper as well. Click here
for a short list (and some links).
- Independence: "He won't let me help him with his homework
any more," - the most frequent thing I hear from fifth grade parents. Luckily,
colleges don't seem to care nearly as much about fifth grade transcripts as
we do. The sixth grade teachers aren't even that concerned. You'll
find out fast if he's not doing his homework, because I (like the other
fifth grade teachers) will send a notice home or call home if I'm concerned.
Give him room to try it on his own.
Questions? Send me some e-mail! Click on the address below.
dturner@haverford.org
This page last updated
August 15, 2002