Fifth Grade
Jennifer Weber
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." ~ Benjamin Franklin
About the Teacher:
My name is Jennifer Weber and I am entering my tenth year teaching at Bishop Dunn Memorial School. During my time at Bishop Dunn, I have taught fourth grade, fifth grade, and middle school science. Prior to teaching at Bishop Dunn, I worked in the Wappingers Central School District as well as the Newburgh Armory. In addition to my degrees in the math and science fields, I have a MS degree in Literacy.
For me, teaching is more than a job; teaching is my passion. I have known since the first grade that I wanted to be a teacher. It is my hope to instill a love of learning in my students and to give them opportunities to find success as they grow.
"Knowledge will bring you the opportunity to make a difference." ~ Claire Fagin
Teaching Philosophy:
The key to being a successful teacher is not only increasing students’ knowledge but also inspiring them. Unfortunately, there are certain obstacles that may occur even before teaching a lesson that may make this a more daunting task. While I am of the firm belief that everyone has the ability to learn any topic, I have found that many students have the misconception that they are incapable. Therefore, to be a successful teacher, my first role is to help my students overcome any fear they may have and to help them believe that each one of them is capable of understanding the concepts that are being taught. In order to eradicate students’ fears, it is important to create an inclusive environment that provides continuous opportunities for success.
My goal as a teacher is to inspire and support students as they secure and increase their knowledge. As students are guided through their lessons, it is my responsibility to stress that learning is not about getting the correct answer but about continually trying and growing. By providing knowledge and tools in an accessible manner, every student will have the opportunity to be successful.
"Anyone who thinks they're too small to make a difference has never met the honey bee." ~ Unknown
Welcome to Fifth Grade
Mathematics: The fifth grade curriculum focuses on fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, word problems, and an introduction to algebra. We are common core aligned. Students will be required to complete computation problems each night. Students should continue to practice their multiplication facts. We will be using manipulatives and the Interactive White Board during math instruction.
Social Studies: Social Studies Fifth grade focuses on United States History. We begin with Revolutionary War and end with the Civil War. The topics include: causes of the American Revolution, Branches of Government, the Constitution, Moving West and the Civil War. There are many opportunities for students to demonstrate learning through oral presentations as well as creative group projects.
Religion: This year we study the Holy Days of Obligation, the Mysteries of the Rosary, and the Seven Sacraments. We act out our sacramental celebrations when we finish studying them. Our religion text is Christ Our Life.
Writing: In fifth grade we implement the Writer's Workshop. This workshop is designed to turn each student into an author who is able to share and be proud of their "published work." Students will experience different types of writing and be assessed using a rubric.
This year I will be incorporating Image-Making Within the Writing Process into the curriculum which is an art-and-literature based approach to writing designed to support literacy skills in students with diverse learning styles.
Reading: This year we are continuing to implement the Reading Workshop Model. Students will read for meaning and through the use of reading strategies they will become independent readers. They will receive small group instruction that is focused on their strengths and challenges. As a class, students will be exposed to different genres as well as gathering information through the reading of informational text. Ongoing informal assessment will monitor your child's progress through out the year.
Word Study -Vocabulary: In the fifth grade, our vocabulary series is Vocabulary Workshop Blue Level from Sadlier Oxford. You can find fun and exciting ways to study at the website at http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/vocabulary/index.cfm.
Vocabulary is assigned every two weeks and continues throughout the entire school year. Students work on this assignment independently and be tested on every unit.
Science: We explore topics that are part of the fifth grade curriculum through discussion, lab experiments, and hands-on activities. Focus is placed on thinking like a scientist by hypothesizing and questioning how natural occurrences happen.
Topics that we cover throughout the year are:
Classification of Organisms Cells to Body Systems Building Blocks of Matter Processes of Living Things (plants and human body systems) Systems and Interactions in Nature (Ecosystems and Biomes) Solar System
There are no field trips scheduled for this year.
Social Studies
New York State Social Studies Inquiry Topics and Key Ideas
Battles of the Civil War ThingLink
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1046142644339605505
Math
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Math Help
engageny.org
For November conferences, I will post a SignUp Genius link.
Fifth Grade Schedule 2023 - 2024 - Coming Soon
Writer's Workshop:
As the students move from childhood to adolescence, we will be encouraging the students to find their voices as writers. What is Writer's Workshop?
- Mini-Lesson (5-15 minutes): This is where a short lesson is taught that focuses on a single topic that will help students with their writing. This is usually 2-3 times per week.
-Status of the Class (5 minutes): Finding out where each student is in the writing process.
-Writing Time (20-30 minutes): Students write! I will conference with individual students or small groups during this time.
-Sharing (5-10 minutes): Writers will share what they have written. The class will offer positive feedback.
Assured Writing pieces will include:
literary response (Esperanza Rising) biographies (religious saints) writing like a scientist (ecosystems/biomes) compare and contrast poetry persuasive essay
Reader's Workshop Skills:
Evidence based terms, "I Wonder" strategy, making inferences, using Post-Its, steps in a process, setting, character traits, main idea and supporting details, compare and contrast, determining theme of a story, and identifying text structures in both fiction and non-fiction passages.
We use the Common Core Modules:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Esperanza Rising!
Guided Reading Groups
Natural Disasters
Poetry
Wonder
