Fifth Graders Are Awesome!!!
Fifth grade is a wonderfully exciting year between elementary grades and middle school years. Fifth grade is truly a transition year that bridges many significant gaps. Our goal is to make the jump as smooth and productive as possible, by modeling and encouraging the acquisition of effective study skills and habits. As part of our integrated curriculum, our fifth grade program incorporates traditional skill work, teacher modeling, student exploration, and cooperative group practice.
Fifth grade is truly a growing year. It is a year for students to learn that THEY can be the most important person in their own education. We let the students know that we expect them to be responsible and accountable for their own work. We encourage parents to support these efforts by giving students more independence in schoolwork, while still keeping an eye on their progress and work/study habits. If you have any concerns about grades, study habits, workload, or the independence of your child, please do not hesitate to set up a conference to discuss your concerns.
Fifth graders are also role models. In an effort to welcome and acclimate our kindergarten students to Saint Joseph School, we have a kindergarten buddy system. Fifth grade students are paired up with kindergarten students. When the school attends mass, fifth grade accompanies kindergarten. The fifth grade students are responsible for helping and educating the kindergarten students during mass. The fifth grade student helps the kindergarten student understand the proper behavior during mass and answers any questions the kindergarten student might have. As well, throughout the year, activities are scheduled between fifth grade and kindergarten.
PBS Parents has a pretty accurate article describing fifth grade life. It looks at what and how fifth graders learn. While schools and students are, of course, all individual and generalizations are never one hundred percent accurate, this article does a good job of summarizing what can mostly be expected during the fifth grade year. It is worth a visit.
Fifth grade is truly a growing year. It is a year for students to learn that THEY can be the most important person in their own education. We let the students know that we expect them to be responsible and accountable for their own work. We encourage parents to support these efforts by giving students more independence in schoolwork, while still keeping an eye on their progress and work/study habits. If you have any concerns about grades, study habits, workload, or the independence of your child, please do not hesitate to set up a conference to discuss your concerns.
Fifth graders are also role models. In an effort to welcome and acclimate our kindergarten students to Saint Joseph School, we have a kindergarten buddy system. Fifth grade students are paired up with kindergarten students. When the school attends mass, fifth grade accompanies kindergarten. The fifth grade students are responsible for helping and educating the kindergarten students during mass. The fifth grade student helps the kindergarten student understand the proper behavior during mass and answers any questions the kindergarten student might have. As well, throughout the year, activities are scheduled between fifth grade and kindergarten.
PBS Parents has a pretty accurate article describing fifth grade life. It looks at what and how fifth graders learn. While schools and students are, of course, all individual and generalizations are never one hundred percent accurate, this article does a good job of summarizing what can mostly be expected during the fifth grade year. It is worth a visit.