• 2/1: WIDA - Listening (not all students)
• 2/2: WIDA - Reading (not all students)
• 2/7-15: WIDA - Speaking (not all students)
• 2/16-24: WIDA - Writing (not all students)
• 2/17: Math - Unit 6 test
• 2/20: Holiday - No school for students
• 2/23: Reading - Unit 6 test
• 2/24: Advanced Math - Unit 6 test

• If it is cold, please send your child to school in a winter coat. If your child is in need of a winter coat, let their teacher know and we can get them one.
• Attendance is very important, as students miss many valuable learning opportunities each day they are not at school. Because the guidance has changed frequently in the last few years, please reach out to your child’s teacher for Fairfax County’s current guidelines for keeping your child home from school.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 7: Content Area Research (GATP) - Through the Global Awareness Technology Project, we are learning to engage in a process of inquiry to ask and seek answers to compelling questions; synthesize information across multiple texts and experiences in order to construct emerging understandings; and collaborate and discuss to seek new ideas or clarify unresolved questions.

HOME PRACTICES

• Seek out answers to questions in texts (online or print)
• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 7: Measurement - We are learning to derive and use formulas to find the perimeter of polygons, the area of squares, rectangles, and right triangles, and the volume of rectangular prisms; solve practical problems that involve area, perimeter, and volume, and justify which attribute is most appropriate for a given situation; explore measurements within the metric system; and determine elapsed time.

HOME PRACTICES

• Find equivalent measurements (within the metric system) for metric measurements found in real life
• Measure objects and find their area, perimeter, and/or volume
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 7: Proportions - We are learning to determine whether a proportional relationship exists between two quantities; represent a proportional relationship; make connections between various representations of proportional relationships; and determine the unit rate  of a proportional relationship and use it to find a missing value in a ratio table.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real-life examples of proportional relationships and calculate the unit rates
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

A few of the AAP curriculum and strategies that fifth-grade students have engaged in this month are: 

Jacob's Ladder, Reading Above, and Questioning

Ask your child more about which strategies they engaged within their classroom in this month.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 6: Poetry - We are learning to respond to poetry through performance, art, and writing in order to express our thoughts about a poem; analyze the effects of poetic devices in a variety of poetic forms; and deliberately choose poetic tools to reveal images, evoke feelings, and produce sound.

HOME PRACTICES

• Read poetry and identify figurative language and rhyme, when applicable.
• Identify themes in poetry.

• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes

• Lexia

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 5: Fantasy Book Clubs - We are learning to follow the character’s quest in order to synthesize multiple ideas and develop a complex theory; and interpret how themes and morals are developed through the author’s choices.

HOME PRACTICES

• If reading any fantasy text, look for examples of theme developed by the author.
• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4, Part 1: Nonfiction - We are learning to adjust our thinking based on how the author presents and organizes information in order to understand the information and messages the author is communicating; evaluate our theories against other texts and media to create new understandings about the world; and consider the perspectives of others to broaden our own thinking through discussion.
• Unit 4, Part 2: Narrative Nonfiction - We are learning to consider the significance and impact of the information presented in the text in order to understand the message the author is communication; engage with the narrative arc while learning information about the topic; and evaluate how the literary techniques impact our interpretations of the text.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of persuasion techniques, perspective, and bias.
• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 6: Algebraic Reasoning - We are learning to identify, describe, create, express, and extend number patterns; investigate and describe the concept of a variable; write an equation to represent a given mathematical relationship, using a variable; use an expression with a variable to represent a given verbal expression; and create a problem situation based on a given equation.
• Unit 7: Measurement - We are learning to derive and use formulas to find the perimeter of polygons, the area of squares, rectangles, and right triangles, and the volume of rectangular prisms; solve practical problems that involve area, perimeter, and volume, and justify which attribute is most appropriate for a given situation; explore measurements within the metric system; and determine elapsed time.

HOME PRACTICES

• Create variable expressions to represent real-life scenarios
• Find equivalent measurements (within the metric system) for metric measurements found in real life
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 5: Fantasy Book Clubs - We are learning to follow the character’s quest in order to synthesize multiple ideas and develop a complex theory; and interpret how themes and morals are developed through the author’s choices.

HOME PRACTICES

• If reading any fantasy text, look for examples of theme developed by the author.
• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Decimal Computation - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with the relationship between fractions and decimals; and computation of decimals and fractions.

• Unit 5: Fraction Computation - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with the relationship between fractions and decimals; and computation of decimals and fractions.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of decimal & fraction computation
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 6: Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities - We are learning to work with variables, write expressions, solve expressions, solve one-step linear equations and inequalities, and graph inequalities on a number line.

HOME PRACTICES

• Create and solve variable expressions to represent real-life scenarios
• Create linear inequalities to represent real-life scenarios
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Integer Operations - We are learning to identify and represent integers; identify and describe the absolute value of integers; add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers; and solve practical problems involving operations with integers.
• Unit 5: Coordinate Plane and Congruence - We are learning to identify the components of the coordinate plane; identify the coordinates of a point and graph ordered pairs in a coordinate plane; and determine congruence of segments, angles, and polygons.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of negative numbers
• Look for real life examples of integer computation (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive & negative whole numbers)
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Integer Operations - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals, and integers (including negative numbers).

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of negative numbers
• Look for real life examples of integer computation (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive & negative whole numbers)
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Science

• Magnetism & Electricity - We are learning that energy can take many forms; electricity is transmitted and used in daily life; and that the conservation of energy resources is important.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of different forms of energy
• Look for real world examples of electricity transmission and daily life use
• Look for real world examples of energy conservation

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Science

• Landforms - We are learning to identify and describe the layers of the earth; infer what fossil evidence tells us about Earth’s past; describe how changes in Earth’s crust cause earthquakes and volcanoes; model and explain how weathering, erosion, and deposition shape and change Earth’s surface; separate mixtures; classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic; and model the rock cycle and describe how one rock type changes to another.

Social Studies

• Africa - We are learning to explain how geography impacted the civilization and culture of eastern and southern Africa from 500 BCE - 1500 BCE; and explain how trade impacted the Kingdom of Axum and the civilization of Great Zimbabwe and how the exchange of ideas has influenced the world today.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of weathering, erosion, and deposition
• Look for real world examples of mixtures and solutions
• Look for examples of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis in the news

• Look for real world examples of Africa’s cultural influence.

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Science

• Landforms - We are learning to identify and describe the layers of the earth; infer what fossil evidence tells us about Earth’s past; describe how changes in Earth’s crust cause earthquakes and volcanoes; model and explain how weathering, erosion, and deposition shape and change Earth’s surface; separate mixtures; classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic; and model the rock cycle and describe how one rock type changes to another.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of weathering, erosion, and deposition
• Look for real world examples of mixtures and solutions.

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 3: Critical Literacy - We are learning to understand that media messages (advertisements, blogs, etc.)  represent beliefs held by the author; analyze the author’s choices (format, language, organization); take a critical stance, comparing the author’s beliefs to our own; and determine whether or not to accept the text’s position.
• Unit 4, Part 1: Nonfiction - We are learning to adjust our thinking based on how the author presents and organizes information in order to understand the information and messages the author is communicating; evaluate our theories against other texts and media to create new understandings about the world; and consider the perspectives of others to broaden our own thinking through discussion.
• Unit 4, Part 2: Narrative Nonfiction - We are learning to consider the significance and impact of the information presented in the text in order to understand the message the author is communication; engage with the narrative arc while learning information about the topic; and evaluate how the literary techniques impact our interpretations of the text.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of persuasion techniques, perspective, and bias.
• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading
  • Unit 2: Characters - We are learning to follow the journey of characters to develop new understandings about the human experience; consider multiple points of view within a text; and compare perspectives with others and build on ideas in discussion.
  • Unit 3: Critical Literacy - We are learning to understand that media messages (advertisements, blogs, etc.)  represent beliefs held by the author; analyze the author’s choices (format, language, organization); take a critical stance, comparing the author’s beliefs to our own; and determine whether or not to accept the text’s position.
• Writing
  • Unit 2: Memoirs - We are learning to analyze significant moments in our lives for larger lessons and ideas; revise our writing using literary techniques to elaborate on the message; use a combination of narrative and expository writing to develop our message; and discuss, share ideas, and provide feedback with peers.
  • Unit 3: Persuasive Essay - We are learning to consider multiple perspectives to develop our position on an issue; craft a more persuasive piece when voice is informed by their audience; decide how to organize and order the parts of our essay to build the most convincing argument; and rely on feedback from the community to help refine our argument.

HOME PRACTICES

• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading: Unit 2: Characters - We are learning to follow the journey of characters to develop new understandings about the human experience; consider multiple points of view within a text; and compare perspectives with others and build on ideas in discussion.
• Writing: Unit 2: Memoirs - We are learning to analyze significant moments in our lives for larger lessons and ideas; revise our writing using literary techniques to elaborate on the message; use a combination of narrative and expository writing to develop our message; and discuss, share ideas, and provide feedback with peers.

HOME PRACTICES

• Read any text (book, MyOn, article, newspaper, etc.) for 20 minutes
• Lexia

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Decimal Computation - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with the relationship between fractions and decimals; and computation of decimals and fractions. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of decimal computation
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 3: Whole Number Computation - We are learning to refine and extend understandings of division of whole numbers; and to use understanding of computation and properties to solve multistep problems.

HOME PRACTICES

• Practice multiplication facts
• Look for real world examples of using computation of whole numbers
• ST Math

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 2: Decimals & Fraction Number Sense - We are learning to develop an understanding of and fluency with the relationship between fractions and decimals.
• Unit 3: Whole Number Computation - We are learning to refine and extend understandings of division of whole numbers; and to use understanding of computation and properties to solve multistep problems.

HOME PRACTICES

• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 3: Rational Numbers & Exponents - We are developing an understanding of the connections among ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents.
• Unit 4: Integer Operations - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals, and integers (including negative numbers).

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents
• Look for real life examples of negative numbers
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 2: Fractions & Decimals - We are learning to develop an understanding of the connections among ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents; and to develop an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.
• Unit 3: Rational Numbers & Exponents - We are learning to develop an understanding of the connections among ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents.

HOME PRACTICES

• Practice multiplication facts
• Look for real world examples of fraction and decimal computation
• ST Math

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 1: Ratios - We are learning to develop an understanding of the connections among ratios, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Unit 2: Fractions & Decimals - We are learning to develop an understanding of the connections among ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents; and to develop an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real-world examples of ratios
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

November

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Social Studies

• Greece - We are learning to understand how geography shaped the civilization and culture of ancient Greece; how myths and religion contributed to the culture of Greece; and how the growth of democracy and their contributions have influenced the world today.

Science

• Landforms - We are learning to identify and describe the layers of the earth; infer what fossil evidence tells us about Earth’s past; describe how changes in Earth’s crust cause earthquakes and volcanoes; model and explain how weathering, erosion, and deposition shape and change Earth’s surface; separate mixtures; classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic; and model the rock cycle and describe how one rock type changes to another.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of ancient Greece's contributions to our civilization and culture
• Look for real world examples of weathering, erosion, and deposition

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Science
  • Force, Motion, & Energy - We are learning to develop an understanding that energy can take many forms; to develop an understanding that there is a relationship between force and energy of moving objects; and to develop an understanding that the conservation of energy resources is important.
• Social Studies

China - We are learning to explain how geography impacted the daily lives of people living in Classical China; and explain how China’s contributions to architecture have influenced the world today.

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Science: Unit 1: Force, Motion, & Energy - We are learning to develop an understanding that energy can take many forms; to develop an understanding that there is a relationship between force and energy of moving objects; and to develop an understanding that the conservation of energy resources is important.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real world examples of force, motion, and energy.
• Look for real world examples of conserving energy.