Grade 5 FALL CURRICULUM NEWSLETTER
Hello again! Now that we have delved deeply into learning in our grade 5
classroom, I felt that it was time to let you know what we will be focusing on
for the first term. Please remember if you have any questions concerning
this newsletter or anything else to do with your child, you can call me 6093699 ext 217 or email lkonik@redeemer.ab.ca.
I would like to thank everyone who came to “Meet the Teacher.” In this letter I have
included information that I spoke about at “Meet the Teacher.”
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GRADE 5?
Homework Beliefs
Most homework is assigned on a weekly basis. Occasionally there will be
extras, or special projects. It is important that parents initial home reading
nightly, to ensure your child is meeting the grade 5 reading expectations (25
minutes a night). Please make sure to check your child’s agenda to know
what the homework expectations are. Your support in this effort is greatly appreciated.
When homework is not completed or handed in I will be sending a note home, either in
the agenda or via email.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In grade 5 there are two basic aims. One aim is to encourage, in students, an
understanding and appreciation of the significance and artistry of literature. The other
aim is to help students understand and appreciate language and use it confidently and
competently.
Writing: Through out the year students will be focusing on
the creative and mechanical parts of writing through
narrative writing (stories) and functional writing (new
articles, reports, projects ect…) This term we are focusing
on Narrative and functional writing. We will be learning
about planning and writing stories, section by section.
For example we will be starting with “What is a Good
Beginning?” In addition we will be working on specific
creative writing skills such as; elaborated details and
suspense. As well we will be focusing on learning and
improving writing conventions (spelling, grammar and
punctuation).
Reading: In grade 5 students will have the opportunity to explore and
read a variety of texts and novels. This term in reading we will be
focusing on “what good readers do,” and on specific reading
strategies to help improve reading skills and comprehension. These
strategies will be a focus through out the year and they include;
predicting, visualizing, questioning, connecting, indentifying, inferring
and evaluating.
MATH
During the first few weeks of school we will be reviewing number
concepts and practicing skills learned in previous years. As the
month progresses we will be getting into Patterns and Equations.
In this unit students will; analyze a number pattern and state the
pattern rule; pose and solve problems by applying a patterning
strategy; describe a pattern using an expression; interpret a
problem and select the best strategy; express a problem as an
equation; and create and solve equations using all four operations. Students will be
engaged in a variety of math activities throughout the unit practicing number sense,
operations and problem solving. By mid October we should be learning about whole
numbers (multiplying and dividing).
SCIENCE
This term in science Mr. Henman will be focusing on the following units; Weather Watch
and Classroom Chemistry.
SOCIAL:
The focus of Social Studies in grade 5 is CANADA. In grade 5 students will be
provided with opportunities to explore how the diversity of stories and
experiences, and the vastness of Canada, affect citizenship and identity in
the Canadian context. This term students will explore the geographical
vastness of Canada and the relationships between the land places and
people. As well student will explore and learn how the physical geography
and natural resources of Canada affect the quality of life of all Canadians.
During social time we will be having a lot of discussions and working together
in large and small groups. As well students will be responsible for special
projects as the year progresses.
RELIGION:
Faith and religion are integrated into all aspects of school. The grade 5
religion program seeks to assist students in understanding more fully what
the Church does as it gives witness to Jesus in the Spirit. It focuses on how
the church is a gathering, a communion of people from all nations in and
through the Spirit of God. In grade 5 students will take part in daily prayer
and reflections, monthly assemblies and liturgies through out the year. In
our class we will be building and creating a community that celebrates our
faith. Our grade 5 family prays, learns, plays and laughs together.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
 Our school is a NUT FREE zone! Please note we have
students in grade 5 with severe allergies to nuts, peanuts
and sesame seeds
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Every month the school sends home a newsletter to inform you about what is
happening at the school. Please make sure to keep the calendar page!
I will be sending out seasonal curriculum news letters
I will also be sending out weekly or bi-weekly classroom updates via email (if you
would prefer a hard copy, please let me know)
Grade 5 library time is on Thursdays starting Sept 16th
You can email me at lkonik@redeemer.ab.ca, leave me a voicemail at 6093699ext 217 or write a note in your child’s agenda
THANKS AGAIN!
I appreciate the time you have taken to read this important information. Thanks to all of
you who have returned the forms that have flooded your home the last couple of weeks.
Our class is in need of some games, and puzzles. If you have anything you are willing to
donate we would appreciate it!
I look forward to the year ahead, working with you and ensuring a successful learning
year for your child.
God Bless,
Lise Konik 
Our Grade 5 Family ROCKS!!!