5th & 6th Grade
In fifth grade, students begin to feel like one of the ‘big kids’. The students are often asked to help younger students. Homework is more challenging, and there are more extra-curricular activities.
Religion
Students learn Bible stories that relate to their everyday lives. Students are reading sections of the Bible and making application to their own lives. Luther’s Small Catechism is introduced as the beginning of the students’ training for Confirmation. Christ like behavior is taught throughout the day.
Memory Work
Students memorize and recite Bible verses as well as prayers two times per week.
Reading
Students develop the ability to comprehend varied genres. The reading program teaches students to make inferences and generalizations. Main ideas and themes are taught and students practice writing their own. Topic research is introduced to begin crafting essays. Students are creating book reports that are oral and project-based.
Handwriting
We place emphasis on learning basic strokes and writing legible. Handwriting is practiced as a part of our phonics and math curriculum as well.
Math
Students are working through multiple step problems in all four areas of math: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Algebraic concepts of fractions, expressions and equations are introduced and practiced. Students practice making change, counting money, and learn how the decimals and fractions are related.
Science
Life, Earth, and Physical Science in the main focus. Life science students are introduced to micro-biology and the parts of the cell and the three parts of cell theory. Taxonomy of living things is also a focus. In Earth science the students learn about the forces that have shaped the surface of Earth: weather, weathering and erosion, oceans and tides, and plate tectonics. The forces of Earth: gravity, water and nitrogen cycles are also introduced.
Social Studies
Students learn about history of the U.
Technology
Our students have access to computers, iPads, Chrome Books, and Smartboards on a daily basis. They have technology class two times per week.
- Recess
- Physical Fitness
- Music
- Spanish
- Library
- Art
- Chapel
Choir and Pee-wee Basketball is available to those who want to join. We take field trips to Leaman’s Green Apple Barn, Johnson’s Pumpkin Patch, Baby Acres, and Bay City State Park.
CLASS
- 2 – Large Boxes of Kleenex (200 ct.)
- 2 – Pkg. Wide Rule Notebook Paper
- 2 – Reams of Copier Paper
- 1 – 12” Ruler/Metric Measurements
- 24 – Pencils
- 2 – Pink Erasers
- 2 – Containers of Disinfectant Wipes
- 1 – School Bag/Backpack (no Wheels)
ART
- 2 – Box (24 ct.) Crayons
- 1 – Box of Colored Pencils/ 12 Count
- 6 – Glue Sticks
- 8 – Markers (Basic Colors)
- 1 – Bottle of Glue
- 1 – Pair of Scissors (Pointed)
- 1 – 2 pk Black Sharpies
Gym shoes to be left at school
Headphones to be left at school
Sweater/Sweatshirt to leave at school
Bible (ESV)
Put Names on ALL Student Items
Derek Young
5th/6th Grade Teacher
I feel it is important to form relationships with your students. Find out their interests, what they like to read about, their favorite games, who is in their family, and more. Once they see you care about them, they will care more, they will be engaged in the lesson, they will have more fun knowing that you care and that this classroom is a safe place to learn.
I use a variety of teaching methods depending on the lesson. Her classes have been to the Capital Building and The Michigan Museum. Visits to the Bay City Historical Museum, have enjoyed the River of Time, Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum, Bay Veterinarian Clinic and to the Good Samaritan House.
I want to get my students interested in reading and hopefully change their interests into the love of reading. I feel I can do this by showing them, my love to read. I also use the Daily 5 structure to encourage and build independent readers. It is important to get to know your students, their interests and setting them up for success.
One thing that I do is when I teach I move. We are moving from the carpet to desks, to standing and more. My students do work in several different ways; with partners, independently, and in groups where they can learn to interact and learn how to learn in different situations. I also love to pray with my students.
One of my favorite lessons I love to teach are reading games. I also have a secret love of teaching science and using interactive notebooks and hands on lab activities. I love teaching these lessons/games because I can be more creative and my students see me excited.
I believe learning can be fun. I think it is important for the teacher to adapt to the needs of his/her students. Finding out what works and doesn’t work for the group of students is important, because with each new school year brings a different set of students.
Jesus is the best role model for a teacher. Jesus formed relationships and he loved. Forming relationships with your students and love them is important.
