September · Week 1 of 4 · School week 1 of 36
Week 1: A Fresh Start and a Big Map
Skills this week
Word study
Divide long words into syllables using closed (VC/CV), open (V/CV) and VC/V patterns, then read each part.
RF.5.3a
Reading & writing
Set up reading and writing routines, describe characters, setting and conflict in a novel, and draft a personal narrative moment.
RL.5.1, RL.5.3, W.5.3a, SL.5.1
Math
Read and write numbers to the millions and explain that a digit is worth 10 times the place to its right and 1/10 of the place to its left.
5.NBT.1
Science
Use a balloon balance and a cup of trapped air to show that air is matter: it has weight and takes up space.
5-PS1-1
Social studies
Use map tools and the latitude and longitude grid to locate places in the United States.
C3 D2.Geo.1.3-5, D2.Geo.3.3-5
Word study this week
Syllable patterns: in VC/CV words split between the consonants (bas-ket). In V/CV words try a long vowel first (ro-bot), then flex to VC/V if it does not sound right (cab-in).
Words to read: basket, napkin, robot, pilot, cabin, lemon, fantastic, excellent
Build it: nap → napkin → napkins
Sentence: “The pilot folded a napkin into a fantastic paper plane.”
Spelling: basket, napkin, problem, robot, pilot, music, cabin, lemon, fantastic, excellent, important, hundred
Day plans
- Day 1Welcome to Fifth Grade
Frindle by Andrew Clements (or similar) - Day 2Maps and Millions
Frindle by Andrew Clements (or similar) - Day 3Is Air Something?
Frindle by Andrew Clements (or similar) - Day 4Lines That Wrap the World
Frindle by Andrew Clements (or similar) - Day 5Week 1 Check and Celebration
Frindle by Andrew Clements (or similar)
Centers this week
- Syllable sort: cut word cards and sort them into VC/CV, V/CV and VC/V piles.
- Place value build: use digit cards 0 to 9 to make the largest and smallest 7-digit numbers.
- Map station: add a title, compass rose, key and scale to a blank U.S. map.
- Reading nook: read a self-chosen book for 20 minutes and log the pages.
Student games this week
Syllable Splitters Millions Mountain Latitude Lookout
Week at a glance (printable)
| Block | Day 1 Welcome to Fifth Grade | Day 2 Maps and Millions | Day 3 Is Air Something? | Day 4 Lines That Wrap the World | Day 5 Week 1 Check and Celebration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question of the day | What is one thing you want to get better at this year? | If you could visit any state, which one would you pick and why? | Is air something or nothing? How could we prove it? | Where is the best place to read, and why? | What was the best part of our first week? |
| Word study | Closed syllables: VC/CV words like nap-kin | Open syllables: V/CV words like ro-bot | Flex it: VC/V words like cab-in and lem-on | Three-syllable words like fan-tas-tic | Word sort and spelling check |
| Reading | Launch reading notebooks; Frindle chapter 1 | Characters and setting in Frindle | What is the problem? Conflict in Frindle | How Nick responds to Mrs. Granger | Retell with key details; first theme ideas |
| Math | Place value chart to the millions | A digit is worth 10 times the place to its right | A digit is worth 1/10 of the place to its left | Standard, expanded and word form | Place value check |
| Science | Does air have weight? The balloon balance | Social studies day | Air takes up space: the dry paper towel test | Social studies day | Draw a particle model of air |
| Social studies | Science day | Map tools: title, compass rose, key and scale | Science day | Latitude and longitude lines | Find cities by their coordinates |
| Writing | Writer's notebook: an idea list | A letter to my teacher about me | Pick a small summer moment | Add sensory details to the moment | Share a draft with a partner |
| Game | Syllable Splitters | Millions Mountain | Syllable Splitters | Latitude Lookout | Millions Mountain |