Grade Five

Mrs. Casalino was born and raised in Long Island, New York.  She has a B.S. Degree in Special Education from C.W. Post/Long Island University.  She began her teaching career as an assistant in Kindergarten for 4 years, and taught 4th grade for 2 years before relocating to Florida.

Mrs. Casalino joined Our Lady of Lourdes in 2001 as the Resource Teacher and taught Intermediate Math and Reading classes.  She is currently the 5th grade teacher.  She has permanent  Florida certifications in Exceptional Student Education (K-12), and Elementary Education (K-6).  Mrs. Casalino is  Catechist Certified through the Diocese of St. Petersburg

Email Mrs. Casalino here!

FIFTH GRADE CURRICULUM

The 5th grade curriculum centers on our Catholic faith which extends into all aspects of our learning. Students are challenged to be independent thinkers and learners. This happens through a strong academic program which integrates small group learning, hands-on projects, and independent practice as well the use of technology to enhance learning across the curriculum.

Religion
In Religion class we are using the Sadlier Religion series, We Believe. There are 4 main focus points for the year; Jesus Christ Shares His Life with Us, Confirmation and Eucharist, Sacraments of Healing, and To Love and Serve as Jesus Did. More specifically we will study and learn about the Sacraments, Beatitudes, and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. In addition to the main content areas, strands on Church, saints, Holy Days, Trinity, and morality are interwoven throughout the curriculum.

Reading
We are using the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill series Treasures. The focus of this program is the development and encouragement of fluent readers, articulate speakers, and critical thinkers and listeners. We will read various types of literature including poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Time is set aside daily to read for enjoyment. We will also read several trade books throughout the year. Students will focus on vocabulary words pertinent to the stories we read as well as vocabulary from Wordly Wise, which strengthens the students’ word base.

Language Arts
Students will be focusing on language awareness such as nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and other parts of speech. We will also learn various forms of writing such as narration, persuasion, creating, informing, researching, describing, and classifying. In order to promote and define many of these skills, writing assignments will be integrated throughout the curriculum. Spelling is also included in the language arts program. Students will learn to spell words that focus on phonics, word origins, spelling rules, usage, etc.

Math
In math we will use the Harcourt Brace Math series. In fifth grade, we will continue to build on the many skills learned in fourth grade. We will review and learn new skills including a strong focus on fractions and decimals. In addition we will continue learning numbers, operations, data and graphing, multiplication and division, geometry, measurement, and probability.

Science
The series, McGraw-Hill, will provide a hands-on approach in the learning of the scientific inquiry using sc collect and interpret data, classifying, estimating, predicting, inferring, making definitions, and making and using models.) The approach to science is spiral. Themes are repeated yearly which include living things earth and beyond, water and weather, energy and matter. Students will be challenged individually and in small groups to explore science through experiments and research projects.

Social Studies
In social studies, we are using the Harcourt series entitled, Horizons. The fifth grade curriculum focuses on the rich cultural and historical diversity of American history. This includes the geography, environment, people, culture, and heritage of the past and present. In addition, map and geography skills will be reviewed and reinforced on a continuing basis. We will also incorporate current events on an on-going basis through weekly periodical, “Scholastic News.”