Teaching 5th Grade Computer Science Collaboration Skills
A parent once asked me if learning to code meant my students would just sit in front of screens in total silence. I laughed because it is actually the opposite. In our 5th grade computer science curriculum, students learn that coding is a social activity. When they... read more
Supporting 5th Grade Social Studies Students in European Exploration
A parent once asked me if fifth graders really need to know the difference between the Spanish Reconquista and the Protestant Reformation, or if it is enough for them to simply memorize a few names and dates. It is a fair question, but it hits on the specific wrong... read more
Teaching coordinate systems in 5th grade mathematics
Coordinate graphing is a fundamental skill in 5th grade math. Laying the foundation for this concept is critical. The standard CA.MATH.5.G.1 asks students to use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of... read more
Fifth Grade Math Lessons for Measuring Volume
I remember watching a student try to calculate the space inside a box by tracing the perimeter, completely forgetting that he was working in three dimensions. That moment captures the exact hurdle we face when teaching geometry in 5th grade math. The jump from... read more