Welcome to the Fifth and Sixth Grades web page!
Tutoring Schedule
Math
Fifth and sixth grade students are increasing their math skills that were learned last year. The curriculum is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), Stanford 10 Assessment, and the enVision math program for 5th grade and Prentice Hall Course 1 textbook for 6th grade. Biblical integration is also incorporated throughout the lessons.
The fifth grade enVision math program is based on scientific research on how children learn mathematics as well as years of classroom-based experience. Students are encouraged to get online at home on pearsonsuccessnet.com to review what we are learning in school. We begin the year with place value from the billions to the thousandths, adding and subtracting whole numbers and decimals (along with estimating), multiplying up to 3 digits, and dividing by 1- and 2- digit divisors. Around mid-year we begin working with fractions and decimals. We spend a lot of time working with fractions (equivalent fractions, comparing and ordering, adding and subtracting with like and unlike denominators). By end of the year we work on geometry, measurement, graphs and data, and finally probability.
The sixth grade textbook is Prentice Hall Course 1. It is the first of the three middle school math books. Seventh grade uses Course 2 and eighth grade uses Course 3. Course 1 is based on the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Principles and Standards. Students in the sixth grade are also encouraged to get online at home and at school on PHSchool.com to take daily quizzes, chapter tests, chapter projects, and watch homework tutor videos. We begin the year working with whole numbers and decimals operations. We then move into data and graphs and then using variables in equations and patterns (pre-algebra). Around mid-year we work with number theory and fraction operations. Models are introduced for percents and proportions. Geometry comes next with students using grids, nets, and block diagrams to build concepts of area and volume. They explore symmetry and transformations. The coordinate plane is also introduced. We end the year with exploring probability and working with more algebraic topics such as integers, equations, and inequalities.
Language Arts
The 5th and 6th grade both use the Purposeful Design textbooks for learning SPELLING throughout the year. The students learn how to spell a variety of words grouped together by short and long vowels, schwas, homophones and homographs, prefixes and suffixes, plus many others. Correct spelling is also emphasized throughout the other subjects.
The LANGUAGE textbook is by Houghton Mifflin. The curriculum teaches both language skills as well as good writing skills. Both grades begin the year with learning correct sentence structure, then move into nouns, verbs, and modifiers (adjectives and adverbs). By the second semester they learn the correct rules for capitalization and punctuation, using pronouns and prepositional phrases.
Writing units are taught throughout the year. These include writing to express opinions, persuasive, compare and contrast, personal narratives, and finally a research report.
Science
In 5th and 6th grades, the students will learn different aspects of earth and life sciences. Our first investigation is of the scientific method where students will learn how experiments are conducted. They will also be instructed on how to keep themselves and others around them safe during lab activities. 5th and 6th grade students will study different body systems and how to keep your body healthy with our unit in Nutrition.
Fifth graders will be taught how to create different plant and animal cells, discover different types of forests, investigate motion and force, travel through the universe in our space unit, and learn about how things move.
Sixth graders will investigate the diversity of life and all the classifications of animals. They will learn about renewable and nonrenewable energy resources, electricity, matter, weather, and flight.
The Bible is the foundation for all scientific truth. At CASA we integrate that truth. The students will learn to love and respect their environment and to honor and glorify Him.
Social Studies
In 5th grade Social Studies our students study American History. Our journey begins be focusing the students on God’s design of the majestic world we live in by studying the earth’s geography. We see God’s plan for our county as we understand how He blessed us by His creations.
We then turn our attention to the two world wars, the great depression, America’s government and the economy. The curriculum has been designed to teach students about major events from out country’s past, as well as highlighting Christian leaders who have shaped our country. In addition, our students learn skills to read maps, charts, and graphs, as well as create their own, from information they have gathered.
Our curriculum includes a wide variety of activities to engage each child and their different learning styles.
Our goal is to increase the awareness of our children to the world around them, and to equip them with the intellectual and spiritual ability to make decisions that will some day make them future leaders of our country.
The focus of the 6th grade Social Studies is the study of Ancient History. Our study begins as we learn about the history of Abraham in Mesopotamia and the beginning of a nation. We learn to appreciate different cultures as we learn about the Jewish people. Our study then moves us to explore the geography and culture of Egypt, Israel, India, China, South America, and Africa. Our study focuses a great deal on the religion of these ancient civilizations and how that religion shaped the countries history. This also helps the students to examine their Christian beliefs while giving them the tools to understand and evangelize to the those that do not know God’s Word. In each unit of study, our students are challenged to compare and contrast the truths of the Bible, with the false teachings of the ancient peoples.
The 6th graders also learn map skills and how to use timelines and place events in chronological order. The 6th grade curriculum is designed to engage students with different learning styles and needs.
Bible
Fifth graders study Possessing the Land, a Positive Action Bible Curriculum. The basis of this study is a survey of the Old Testament. Beginning in Genesis, students gain a much clearer perspective of how the stories of the Old Testament fit together into one pattern.
Sixth graders study Winning the Race, a Positive Action Bible Curriculum. Taken from the entire Word of God, students learn about characters in the Old and New Testaments as well as the life of Christ. Throughout the chapters, students will clearly see how the principles of God specifically affect their lives. An overview of the book of Revelation is also included in this study.
Both the fifth and sixth grade textbooks offer life principles and life applications taught through Bible stories and characters with an emphasis on discussing them in a classroom setting and applying them on a personal level. Character trait activities are sprinkled throughout the chapters, and the lessons are designed to be ongoing, allowing our students to grow in the Lord daily.
Students memorize passages of Scripture that are easily related to their everyday lives. Special care is taken to make these passages more than just words. In order to make them an integral part of their lives, we spend time in the classroom discussing their true meaning.
Weekly chapel services are a huge part of the spiritual formation of our C.A.S.A. students. Weekly chapel services are a great opportunity for students to draw nearer to Christ through praise and worship, skits, and teaching times. Chapel is often the highlight of the week for many students as they have the opportunity to take turns leading worship in an exciting church-like atmosphere.
Reading
In fifth and sixth grade reading classes, students have established themselves as readers and use their fluency skills to explore the world around them. Through the study of award-winning young adult authors like Lois Lowry, Gary Soto, Gary Paulsen, and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, students find biblical truths in a variety of genres. Developing comprehension skills through interactive Smart Board activities heightens student interest in learning. Students are also challenged with the Accelerated Reader program as they set goals and work towards increasing their reading level each quarter. Collaborative classroom assignments among peers help develop interpersonal skills. Summer reading projects are a requirement, and the diverse project options address a variety of learning styles.
FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADE TEACHERS
