Fortis 5th Grade - Week 3 (August 26-September 1, 2025)
Link to Google Folder: 5th Grade Documents
Anything in blue should be turned in as homework on the next school day.
Anything in red is a special note to the co-teacher.
Anything in purple denotes a formal assessment.
Anything in magenta is optional (at the discretion of the co-teacher).
Act – Activity
Ch – Chapter
Ex – Exercise
L – Lesson
p – Page(s)
Math:
TG – Teacher’s Guide
TB – Textbook
WB – Workbook
FP – Facts Practice (A, S, M, D, etc. denotes which sheet to use)
Language Arts:
AAS - All About Spelling
AAS - All About Spelling
IEW- Institute for Excellence in Writing
KWO - Key word outline
KWO - Key word outline
History:
TL - Timeline Card(s)
TL - Timeline Card(s)
Science:
PS - Physical Science
TB – Human Anatomy Textbook
NJ – Notebooking Journal
WDYR - What Do You Remember?
"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands..."
Psalm 90:17
IMPORTANT DATES/COMING SOON:
Monday, August 25 - Picture Day!
Wednesday, August 27 - DOGS/Pizza Day. Students may wear a Fortis spirit shirt with jeans or uniform bottoms.
Friday, August 30 - Mrs. Allan's Birthday
Monday, September 1 - Labor Day. No school or homework.
BIBLE/VIRTUES:
This month, we'll be focusing on the virtues of wisdom and responsibility in our classroom. (Attention is the schoolwide virtue.) As we study the Proverbs, we will gain an understanding of the value of wisdom for bringing blessing into our lives and the lives of those around us. Being responsible means doing the things you are expected to do and accepting the consequences--good or bad-- that result from your actions. The beginning of the school year is a great time to set an expectation for responsibility: for our choices, our assignments, our homework, our behaviors, and more! Additionally, our read-aloud for the first six weeks of school is a biography of George Muller, who relied solely on prayer to care for thousands of orphans in Bristol, England. The story of his conversion is one that always resonates with the students, as George goes from mocking God, making a series of terrible life choices, and refusing to take responsibility for any of them, to wholeheartedly repenting, trusting God to provide for his every need, and taking full responsibility for the thousands of children he rescued, nurtured, and taught about Jesus. He exemplifies wisdom, responsibility, and attentiveness!
MATH:
- Solve multi-step word problems involving whole numbers.
- Review use of bar models to solve word problems.
- Practice concepts related to order of operations.
- Assess mastery of concepts related to order of operations.
- Review multiplication of two-digit and three-digit numbers.
- Multiply up to a five-digit number by a two-digit number.
- Practice multiplying by a a two-digit number.
- Improve speed and accuracy of multiplication facts.
SPELLING:
- Learn to spell words containing the sound of /k/ spelled "ch."
- Assess mastery of words spelled with the sound of /ŭ/ spelled “a."
GRAMMAR:
- Know that adverbs do not always follow the verb and can be located in other parts of a sentence.
- Write sentences from labels.
- Classify and diagram pattern 1 sentences that include inverted word order and adverb exceptions.
WRITING/VOCABULARY:
- Learn the definitions of the four vocabulary words and be able to correctly use each word in an original sentence.
- Practice dictionary skills.
- Know what a who/which clause is, and be able to correctly use and punctuate one when writing.
- Write a paragraph from a key word outline.
- Be able to summarize a passage through oral narration.
- Expand vocabulary.
- Identify virtues, as well as elements of truth, beauty and goodness, in reading passages.
LATIN:
- Assess mastry of previously learned vocabulary words and maxims.
- Learn ten new vocabulary words.
- Memorize the first conjugation "amo" chart and be able to use the chart to conjugate a verb.
- Practice verb conjugation.
- Begin memorizing the four principal parts of a Latin verb.
- Understand that the entire world changed as a result of Columbus's discovery of the Americas.
- Gain an understanding of Columbus's mixed legacy and the controversy that surrounds it today.
- Know the basic facts surrounding the Lost Colony of Roanoke.
- Begin learning about what life was like in the English colonies.
SCIENCE:
- Know the purpose of ligaments.
- Be familiar with different types of joints in the body.
- Continue memorizing the names of the major bones.
- Identify key facts from a reading passage.
GEOGRAPHY:
- Develop a heart of compassion for the peoples of the world who don't yet know Christ.
- Begin learning the names and locations of the islands of the West Indies.
MEMORY WORK:
Geography: We'll be working on the continents and oceans for the first few weeks. A hard copy of the map can be found behind the "memory" tab in your child's binder. Additional maps, as well as MP3s of the song, are available at this link: Geography Resources.
History: Students will memorize 28 key dates. The key dates have accompanying jingles that do not have to be memorized, but will help students memorize the dates and retain details about the events to which they correspond.
1. Leif Ericsson Explores America - 1000
2. Columbus Sails to the Americas - 1492
3. Lost Colony of Roanoke - 1583
4. Founding of Jamestown - 1607
5. Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth - 1620
6. Salem Witch Trials - 1692
1. Leif Ericsson Explores America - 1000
2. Columbus Sails to the Americas - 1492
3. Lost Colony of Roanoke - 1583
4. Founding of Jamestown - 1607
5. Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth - 1620
6. Salem Witch Trials - 1692
7. First Great Awakening - 1740s
Poetry: This quarter, we'll work on memorizing and reciting Proverbs 2:1-11 (NIV).
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Link to Google Folder: 5th Grade Documents
Anything in blue should be turned in as homework on the next school day.
Anything in red is a special note to the co-teacher.
Anything in purple denotes a formal assessment.
Anything in magenta is optional (at the discretion of the co-teacher).
BLOG KEY
General:
Act – Activity
Ch – Chapter
Ex – Exercise
L – Lesson
p – Page(s)
Math:
TG – Teacher’s Guide
TB – Textbook
WB – Workbook
FP – Facts Practice (A, S, M, D, etc. denotes which sheet to use)
SS - Singapore Sprints
WR - Weekly Review
Language Arts:
AAS - All About Spelling
AAS - All About Spelling
IEW- Institute for Excellence in Writing
KWO - Key word outline
KWO - Key word outline
History:
TL - Timeline Card(s)
TL - Timeline Card(s)
Science:
PS - Physical Science
TB – Human Anatomy Textbook
NJ – Notebooking Journal
WDYR - What Do You Remember?
"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands..."
Psalm 90:17
IMPORTANT DATES:
Saturday, August 9 - Meet-the-teacher
Monday, August 11 - First day of classes
Wednesday, August 13 - Spirit Day. Students may wear a Fortis spirit shirt with jeans or denim shorts. They can also wear their regular uniform.
Wednesday, August 27 - DOGS/Pizza Day. Students may wear a Fortis spirit shirt with jeans or uniform bottoms.
MATH:
- Assess multiplication math facts (100 in 5 minutes) to obtain a baseline.
- Understand the value and beauty of studying math.
- Recognize the hand of God in mathematics.
- Read amd accurately write numbers up to the billions place in both digits and words.
- Multiply and divide by 10, 100, or 1000.
- Multiply or divide by tens, hundreds or thousands.
- Improve speed and accuracy of multiplication facts.
MATH FACTS:
The code FP-M means "Fact Practice-Sheet M," (M stands for Multiplication) so you will know which one to use each day. You can print copies of the facts sheets and keys using the 5th Grade Documents link at the top of this blog. The first semester we will stick with one operation for about a month before testing over it. For math facts, set a timer for five minutes. Have your student complete as many facts as possible before the timer goes off. After five minutes, turn off the timer and have the student fininsh the page using a different color pen or pencil. The goal is to gain speed and accuracy each day. Students will get full credit for doing these as long as they complete the sheets. Co-teachers should grade the sheets and have students make corrections right away. Turn it in as homework the following school day.
SPELLING:
- Review phonograms
- Review concepts from previous All About Spelling levels
SENTENCE DICTATION:
The co-teacher should say each sentence aloud only once, (see note in top, left-hand corner of page 24). The student should repeat the sentence aloud and then write it from memory in cursive.
The co-teacher should say each sentence aloud only once, (see note in top, left-hand corner of page 24). The student should repeat the sentence aloud and then write it from memory in cursive.
Spelling dictation is about so much more than spelling. We use this classical skill time to kill several birds with one stone:
1. Build working memory and visualization skills.
2. Improve attentiveness and listening skills.
3. Practice proper mechanics.
4. Develop the art of beautiful, cursive handwriting.
5. Review previously learned words.
It also incorporates almost every learning style. By fifth grade, most students should be able to do dictation with ease. If your child struggles, visit the following link to the All About Learning Press blog: https://blog.allaboutlearningpress.com/spelling-dictation/.
NOTE: Students may first write the sentence in print and then copy it in proper cursive if they are not yet proficient in cursive. Use the following book to get your child up to speed: https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/penmanship/new-american-cursive-3-fourth-edition Note that students will be required to write all spelling quizzes and final drafts of compositions in cursive.
GRAMMAR:
- Know what synonyms and antonyms are and understand their value in good writing.
- Know what nouns and verbs are and be able to identify them in sentences.
- Name the four types of sentences and be able to identify them.
WRITING/VOCABULARY:
- Learn the definitions of the four vocabulary words and be able to correctly use each word in an original sentence.
- Practice dictionary skills.
- Write key word outlines.
- Know what banned words are and why we avoid using them when writing.
- Understand the importance of using good structure and style when writing.
VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES:
Please print copies of the vocabulary activities worksheet (you will find it in the documents folder using the link at the top of this page).
1. Use the vocabulary activity homework sheet, a thesaurus, and a hard copy of a dictionary, to complete the following for each word:
a. Write the first word on the activity sheet.
b. Write the definition for the corresponding word from the blue card at the back of the IEW book.
c. Look thew word up in the dictionary.
d. Draw a line or dots between letters in the word to correctly divide the syllables (if applicable).
e. Write the part(s) of speech. NOTE: The acronym NVP AA PIC is used in Shurley Grammar to help students remember the parts of speech. We will encounter it in a few weeks in our grammar studies, but it should be review for most students.
f. Write the definition(s) of the word from the back of the blue card.
g. Use the word in a sentence (other than the one on the back of the card).
h. Try to find at least one (more if you can) synonym and antonym for each word using the dictionary, a thesaurus, or an online source.
i. OPTIONAL: Using a dictionary (online or print copy), look up the etymology for each word. Write the oldest form of the word available and what the roots mean. Does it come from Latin, Greek, or some other root? What do those roots mean? Can you understand how the words got their meaning in modern-day English?
j. Write other forms of the word if applicable. For example: "prosper" (v) and "prosperous" (adj) would also be acceptable forms of the word for students to use, instead of "prosperity" in their writing assignments.
the writing tab in the binder. I will periodically look in binders to check them for
completion.
READING:
- Learn about the lifestyles of Native Americans prior to the arrival of the Europeans.
- Be able to summarize a passage through oral narration.
- Expand vocabulary.
- Identify virtues, as well as elements of truth, beauty and goodness, in reading passages.
LATIN:
- Begin to learn ten vocabulary words and the chapter maxim.
- Understand the value of the Latin language .
LATIN INSTRUCTIONS:
I know that Latin is completely new to many of you, and you may feel ill-equipped to help your student with it at first. But you (and they) will soon get the hang of it, so don't get discouraged. In fifth grade, we are laying the groundwork for things they will learn later in Latin, and I promise that it will all make sense eventually.
There are two versions of the Latin book with the same ISBN number. One of them is a color version and one is not. Either version will work (the words, maxims, and charts are all the same), but if you have the black-and-white version, please be aware that the page numbers given on the blog may be slightly different.
- Know the theories on how Native Americans came to populate the Americas.
- Understand that native peoples had diverse cultures, lifestyles, and languages, that were dictated by where they lived.
HISTORY JOURNAL: Students will have weekly history journal assignments that will vary from things like writing paragraphs, to conducting basic research, to completing simple projects. This week, they need to answer questions, using proper mechanics, about a tribe of their choice. Before you get started, be sure to read the instructions on the first page of the journal and review the sample journal pages.
SCIENCE:
- Know the definitions of "anatomy" and "physiology."
- Learn some basic history of anatomy and physiology and understand what different cultures have contributed to our modern understanding of the body.
- Know that cells have organelles and be familiar with the basic anatomy of an animal cell: that it contains organelles that have specific functions within the cell and that the nucleus contains DNA.
- Know that DNA contains the instructions that determine a person's physical traits.
- Identify key facts from a reading passage.
SCIENCE JOURNAL: As students read, they should make notes about the most important facts they discover. Bolded words may be important new vocabulary. Dates and names may also be important. The first sentence of a paragraph is often the main idea and the most important sentence. Generally, I would expect to see at least one sentence/bullet point of notes per subherad in the reading assignment, but this is not a hard-and-fast rule, obviously. Parents will have to help the student learn to discern between key facts and extraneous information or details. This is a skill we will work on all year long. This is also an important opportunity for your student to practice reading comprehension of non-fiction passages.
GEOGRAPHY:
- Develop a heart of compassion for the peoples of the world who don't yet know Christ.
- Know the names and locations of the world’s seven continents and five oceans.
- Understand how the northern and southern hemispheres are different, and how they work together to keep the planet in balance.
- Know the terms "equator," "prime meridian," "tropics of Cancer and Capricorn" and "Arctic and Antarctic circles."
- Know some characteristics of the tropics and the polar regions.
MEMORY WORK:
Geography: We'll be working on the continents and oceans for the first few weeks. A hard copy of the map can be found behind the "memory" tab in your child's binder. Additional maps, as well as MP3s of the song, are available at this link: Geography Resources.
History: Students will memorize a portion of the Declaration of Independence (bolded portion only - recitation on 11/10) and 21 key dates. The key dates have accompanying jingles that do not have to be memorized, but will help students memorize the dates and retain details about the events to which they correspond. We will test over the first six dates on 9/29:
1. Leif Ericsson Explores America - 1000
2. Columbus Sails to the Americas - 1492
3. Lost Colony of Roanoke - 1583
4. Founding of Jamestown - 1607
5. Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth - 1620
6. Salem Witch Trials - 1692
1. Leif Ericsson Explores America - 1000
2. Columbus Sails to the Americas - 1492
3. Lost Colony of Roanoke - 1583
4. Founding of Jamestown - 1607
5. Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth - 1620
6. Salem Witch Trials - 1692
7. First Great Awakening - 1740s
Poetry: This quarter, we'll work on memorizing and reciting Proverbs 2:1-11 (NIV). Recitation will be on 10/6.
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
