Ms. Chen's Fabulous Fives 2025-2026

          April 20-24 Learning Outcomes Students examine government and social systems in ancient civilizations and empires. What Did  Students Do? This Week in Grade 5 Social Studies: Exploring Power, Leadership, and Society This week, students worked on the outcome: Students examine government and social systems in ancient civilizations and empires. We began by learning to differentiate between ancient civilizations and empires , exploring how societies were organized and how power was structured. Students were introduced to the concept of authoritarian governments , where one leader holds most of the power, and discussed what this can look like in different contexts. Through class discussions, students examined how authoritarian leaders gain and maintain power , considering ideas such as control of rules, decision-making, and influence over others. We also explored the opportunities and challenges faced by different social classes , helping students ...

         April 13-17 Learning Outcomes Students interpret numerical and algebraic expressions. What Did  Students Do? This Week in Grade 5 Math: Exploring Algebraic Thinking This week, students worked on the outcome: Students interpret numerical and algebraic expressions. We began by learning about the order of operations , using the “recipe” BEDMAS/PEDMAS to help students solve expressions in the correct order. Through videos, class discussions, and guided examples, students developed an understanding of how to work through multi-step equations. Students practiced applying these skills both with partners and independently , building confidence and accuracy as they worked through different types of expressions. We also introduced the concept of a variable —a symbol (such as a letter) that represents an unknown value. Students learned how to substitute a given value in place of a variable and solve the expression using the order of operations. To make le...

        April 6-10 Learning Outcomes Apply creative-thinking processes to enhance personal expression and artistry. Create text that uses plot, characterization, dialogue, and figurative language to entertain an audience. Create expressive descriptions by selecting vocabulary to convey mood or sensory images. Establish a plot, point of view, setting, and problem through creative writing. Create texts that show, rather than tell, story events. What Did  Students Do? This Week in Grade 5 Writing: Crafting Powerful Stories This week, students began an exciting story writing project where they are bringing together all of the skills they have been developing as writers. Our focus is on creating engaging, meaningful stories that capture the reader’s attention and leave a lasting impression. Students are working to incorporate key writing techniques, including: Bold and engaging beginnings “Show, not tell” using sensory details Creating mood and atmosphere ...

       Mar 30 - Apr 2 Learning Outcomes What Did  Students Do? This Week in Grade 5 Science: Launching Our Flight Unit This week, we began our exciting new flight unit ! Students started by uncovering and sharing their background knowledge about flight, discussing what they already know about how things fly and what makes flying possible. To spark curiosity, students watched videos about different flying machines , including the creative and entertaining Red Bull Flugtag competition. This helped students see a wide range of designs and think about what makes some flying attempts more successful than others. Students then put their ideas into action by building their first paper airplanes . After testing their designs, they carefully observed how their planes performed and recorded their noticings and wonderings . This helped set the stage for inquiry and future improvements. We also began learning about the forces of flight , introducing key ideas that will gu...