5th Grade

Reading

• Choose books they can read independently for a sustained period of time (TEKS 5.5A)
• Read with the intention of sharing with a partner (TEKS 5.6A & 5.6G)

Fiction

• Study details to see characters beyond the surface and outgrow initial ideas, paying attention to how their relationships change and how they act in different situations (TEKS 5.8B)
• Make thoughtful predictions that are grounded in text evidence (TEKS 5.6C)
• Retell or summarize stories to cement comprehension (TEKS 5.7D)
• Think analytically about cause and effect across the plot elements, paying close attention to details (TEKS 5.8C)
• Link ideas to build larger theories and interpretations while seeing the text through the eyes of other readers (TEKS 5.6F)
• Defend different viewpoints with claims, reasons, and text evidence (TEKS 5.7C)
• Express the similarities and differences they see across texts with the same theme (TEKS 5.8A)

Nonfiction & Research

• Use context and morphology to determine the meaning of vocabulary in complex texts (TEKS 5.3B)
• Reread to understand the author’s meaning, determine implicit main ideas, and summarize challenging texts (TEKS 5.10A & 5.6G & 5.7D)
• Evaluate trustworthiness of sources and forming their own perspective on a topic (TEKS 5.13D)
• Synthesize subtopics throughout the research process, noticing disparities across texts, and acknowledging conflicting information in summaries (TEKS 5.6H)

Writing 

Narrative (TEKS 5.12A)

• Tell stories about small moments in a compelling way and self check through the writing process (TEKS 5.11B)
• Put a story into a page by drafting quickly, read it aloud to imagine themselves in the story, and redraft to bring out meaning (TEKS 5.11B)
• Study mentor texts for different ideas on how to use commas (TEKS 5.11D)

Information (TEKS 5.12B)

• Write with the purpose of teaching, adding details (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11B)
• Revise by reading their own writing through the eyes of a stranger (TEKS 5.11C)
• Organize ideas into chapters while balancing facts with thinking (TEKS 5.11B)

Literary Essays (TEKS 5.12C)

• Analyze mentor texts to notice patterns and determine literary essay characteristics (TEKS 5.11B)
• Work on a strong thesis statement and support the claim with an analysis of craft (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11B)
• Use a checklist as an editing tool (TEKS 5.11D)
• TEKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110a.html#110.7

GRAMMAR

English

• Past Tense Irregular Verb (5.11D.ii)
• Quotation Marks with Dialogue (5.11D.x)
• Simple Sentences (5.11D.i)
• Complete Sentences with Subject-Verb Agreement (5.11D.i)

Spanish

• Possessive Pronouns (5.11Dvii)
• Past Tense Verbs (5.11Dix)
• Dialogue (5.11Dx)
• Subject/Verb Agreement (5.11Di)

• English Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment__K-12_English_06-2019.pdf
• Spanish Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment_K-12_Spanish_06-2019.pdf

Questions to ask your child (Reading and Writing):

• What type of books do you enjoy reading? Why?
• What surprised you about [character]? Why?
• How is the relationship between [two characters] in this story?
• How do you think the ending of the story would change if [character] was different?
• Do you see more than one theme in [story]?
• What strategies can you use to tackle difficult words?
• How is the information provided different between [two texts about the same topic]?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Visit the public library to allow your child to access a variety of books based on their interests.
• Inquire about what they have learned through reading.
• Read stories together and engage in deep conversations about the main character’s relationships with other minor characters. Create theories about how those relationships shaped the plot and test them against new text evidence.
• Inquire about what they have learned through reading nonfiction texts. Encourage your child to dig deeper into the topics of interest by reading several books about the same topic and compare them. Help them use what they have learned to create theories and discuss them.

Math

• Estimate solutions to math problems. (TEKS 5.3A)
• Add and subtract whole numbers. (TEKS 5.3K)
• Multiply a three-digit number by a two-digit number. (TEKS 5.3B)
• Divide a four-digit number by a two-digit number (TEKS 5.3C)
• Identify prime and composite numbers (TEKS 5.4A)
• Simplify numerical expressions that do not include exponents (TEKS 5.4F)
• Describe the meaning of parenthesis and brackets in a numerical expression (TEKS 5.4E)
• Represent and solve a multi-step problem (TEKS 5.4B)
• Use benchmark fractions to estimate the solution to problems(TEKS 5.3A)
• Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (TEKS 5.3K)
• Add and subtract a variety of rational numbers (whole numbers, decimals, and fractions) (5.3K)Represent the addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators with objects or a picture (TEKS 5.3 H)
• TEKS https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/texas-administrative-code/19-tac-chapter-111

Questions to ask your child (Math):

• When would knowing how to estimate the solution to a problem be helpful? Why?
• What is the relationship between prime and composite numbers and divisibility rules?
• What is the purpose of using parentheses or brackets in an order of operations problem?
• How is adding and subtracting fractions similar to adding and subtracting whole numbers? Different?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Ask your child to draw 4-5 cards from a stack of playing cards. Have them create either a 2 X 2 or 2 X 3 multiplication problem with the cards. Solve.
• Extension: Have them use their estimation skills to create a problem with the greatest product. Then solve it.
• Talk to your child about real-world situations and have them write expressions, with grouping symbols, to match. Then have your child solve the problem.
• For example,  at the store, I bought 2 pairs of pants for $15.95 and a shirt for $24. I had a coupon for half off one item. How do I figure out my total? Your student may write an expression such as: 2 X 15.95 + (24 / 2)
• When cooking or following a recipe, have your child add up the fractional quantities to determine how much is used.
• For example, if a recipe calls for ¼ cup sugar, 1 ⅔ cup flour, and ½ cup brown sugar you could ask your child to determine how much sugar and flour are used in the recipe.

Science

• Investigate how organisms interact with the living and nonliving elements of their ecosystem. (TEKS 5.9A)
• Describe the flow of energy within a food web, including the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers. (TEKS 5.9B)
• Explain how energy flows in a food web including the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers. (TEKS 5.9B)
• Predict how an ecosystem can be impacted by other living organisms including humans. (TEKS 5.9C)
• Compare the structures and functions of different species that help them live and survive in a specific environment such as hooves on prairie animals or webbed feet in aquatic animals. (TEKS 5.10A)
• Differentiate between inherited traits of plants and animals such as spines on a cactus or shape of the beak, and learned behaviors such as animal learning tricks or a child riding a bicycle. (5.10B)
• TEKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/ch112a.html#112.16

Questions to ask your child (Science):

• How do living things interact with other living things in the same ecosystem?
• How do living things depend on nonliving things to survive in an ecosystem?
• What is the difference between an inherited trait and learned behavior?  
• What are some examples of inherited traits and learned behaviors?  
• How do different structures and functions of living organisms help them survive in their environments?  
• What are some examples of plant and animal adaptations? 
• Have your child compare the inherited traits of various plants and animals. 
• Explain how learned behaviors are different from inherited traits and provide examples of both. 

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Make and record observations of how living organisms utilize nonliving elements of their environment. 
• Describe how changes in an ecosystem impact living organisms including natural disasters and human interactions. 
• Explain the flow of energy in a food web including the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers. 
• Have your child compare the structures and functions of different organisms and how they aid in their survival in their environment. 

Social Studies

• Describe a variety of regions in the United States in regards to physical characteristics and economic development that results from population patterns (TEKS 5.6A, 5.6B)
• Locate on a map important political features (such as the largest cities and the 50 states) and physical  features (such as the Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, and Great Lakes)  (TEKS 5.6C, 5.6D)
• Understand the four main reasons European people colonized America (gold, glory, God (religious freedom), and goods) (TEKS 5.1A)
• TEKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter113/ch113a.html

Questions to ask your child (Social Studies):

• What can geography teach us about the United States?
• Why is it important to give an exact location and to use correct geographic vocabulary?
• How were the colonial regions alike and different? 
• Why should we study American History?
• How did the exploration of the Americas lead to settlement?
• What challenges faced the first English Colonies?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Read and learn more about US Regions together.
• Celebrate Freedom Week is in September and Constitution Day is September 17. Share with your student what freedom means to you and discuss why the Constitution is such an important document for our country.

English Learner/Emergent Bilingual Students

Overview:

If this is the first time your child attends a Texas school, the first nine weeks will be the time your child becomes accustomed to the new environment as they learn.

How does the school know that my child is an English Learner/Emergent Bilingual student?

When you register your child in school for the first time, you are asked to fill out a home language survey that asks two specific questions: (1) What language is spoken in the child’s home most of the time? and (2) What language does the child speak most of the time? If the survey indicates that your child speaks a language other than English and/or the home language is other than English, he/she will then be tested at the Multilingual Department’s Welcome Center. If the assessment indicates that your child is not yet proficient in English, the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will make a program recommendation for your child.

How will my child learn English?

Dual Language programs are designed to make grade-level academic content accessible to English learners through the development of literacy and academic skills in the child’s primary language and English. English as a Second Language program (ESL) targets English language development, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, through academic content instruction that is linguistically and culturally responsive.

Questions to ask your child?

• What was one interesting thing you did at school today?

• Who did you sit with during lunchtime?

• Who did you talk to the most today?

• What is your homework for today?

How may I support my child?

• Encourage your child to use a bilingual dictionary.

• Encourage your child to read daily in his /her home language and/or English. In the primary grades, read to/with your child.

• Schedule time every day for your child to do homework.

Resources:

Parent Guide: https://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/resources/parent-guide-el-english.pdf

U.S. Department of Education - English Learner Tool Kit: https://ncela.ed.gov/files/family_toolkit/EL-Family-Tool-Kit-All.pdf

U.S. Department of Education - Especially for Parents: https://www2.ed.gov/parents/landing.jhtml?src=pn

Supporting English Learners in Texas: ​​​​​​​https://www.txel.org/Parents-And-Families

Reading

• Choose books they can read independently for a sustained period of time (TEKS 5.5A)
• Read with the intention of sharing with a partner (TEKS 5.6A & 5.6G) 

Poetry

• Notice various elements of poetry, from form to mood to sound to rhythm to wordplay (TEKS 5.9B)
• Explore how poets play with words, structure, and sound to create meaning (TEKS 5.9B & 5.10B & 5.10D)
• Describe how the parts of a poem work together to convey an idea or image (TEKS 5.10D)
• Pose questions to get at a poems intended effect, while paying close attention to the endings of poems to glean insights from them (TEKS 5.8A & 5.10A)

Drama/Literary Non-Fiction

• Study details to see characters beyond the surface and outgrow initial ideas, paying attention to how their relationships change and how they act in different situations (TEKS 5.8B)
• Make thoughtful predictions that are grounded in text evidence (TEKS 5.6C)
• Retell or summarize stories to cement comprehension (TEKS 5.7D)
• Think analytically about cause and effect across the plot elements, paying close attention to details (TEKS 5.8C)
• Link ideas to build larger theories and interpretations while seeing the text through the eyes of other readers (TEKS 5.6F)
• Defend different viewpoints with claims, reasons, and text evidence (TEKS 5.7C)
• Express the similarities and differences they see across texts with the same theme (TEKS 5.8A)

Nonfiction & Research

• Use context and morphology to determine the meaning of vocabulary in complex texts (TEKS 5.3B)
• Reread to understand the author’s meaning, determine implicit main ideas, and summarize challenging texts (TEKS 5.10A & 5.6G & 5.7D)
• Evaluate trustworthiness of sources and forming their own perspective on a topic (TEKS 5.13D)
• Synthesize subtopics throughout the research process, noticing disparities across texts, and acknowledging conflicting information in summaries (TEKS 5.6H)

Writing  

Information (TEKS 5.12B)

• Write with the purpose of teaching, adding details (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11B)
• Revise by reading their own writing through the eyes of a stranger (TEKS 5.11C)
• Organize ideas into chapters while balancing facts with thinking (TEKS 5.11B)

Literary Essays (TEKS 5.12C)

• Analyze mentor texts to notice patterns and determine literary essay characteristics (TEKS 5.11B)
• Work on a strong thesis statement and support the claim with an analysis of craft (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11B)
• Use a checklist as an editing tool (TEKS 5.11D)

GRAMMAR

English

• Complex Sentences & Commas in A Complex Sentence (5.11D.x)
• Conjunctions (5.11D.viii)
• Conjunctive Adverbs (5.11D.v)
• Prepositions and Subject-Verb Agreement (5.11D.vi)

Spanish 

• Subject/Verb Agreement (5.11Di)
• Parenthesis (5.11Dx)
• Comparative Adjectives (5.11Div)
• Superlative Adjectives (5.11Div)

• English Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment__K-12_English_06-2019.pdf
• Spanish Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment_K-12_Spanish_06-2019.pdf

Questions to ask your child (Reading and Writing):

• What surprised you about [character]? Why?
• How is the relationship between [two characters] in this story?
• How do you think the ending of the story would change if [character] was different?
• Do you see more than one theme in [story]?
• What strategies can you use to tackle difficult words?
• How is the information provided different between [two texts about the same topic]?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Visit the public library to allow your child to access a variety of books based on their interests.
• Inquire about what they have learned through reading.
• Read stories together and engage in deep conversations about the main character’s relationships with other minor characters. Create theories about how those relationships shaped the plot and test them against new text evidence.
• Inquire about what they have learned through reading nonfiction texts. Encourage your child to dig deeper into the topics of interest by reading several books about the same topic and compare them. Help them use what they have learned to create theories and discuss them.

Math

• Use benchmark fractions to estimate the solution to problems(TEKS 5.3A)
• Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (TEKS 5.3K)
• Add and subtract a variety of rational numbers (whole numbers, decimals, and fractions) (5.3K)Represent the addition and subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators with objects or a picture (TEKS 5.3 H)
• Identify a prime number and a composite number  (5.4A)
• Represent the multiplication of a whole number and a fraction with objects or a picture (5.3I)  
• Divide a unit fraction by a whole number (5.3L)
• Divide a whole number by a unit fraction (5.3L)
• Explain how 1/3 divided by 7 is different from 7 divided by 1/3 with objects or pictures 
• (5.3J)
• Represent decimals using expanded notation (TEKS 5.2A)
• Compare and order decimals using <, >, or = (5.2B)
• Round a decimal to the tenths and the hundredths place (TEKS 5.2 C)
• Estimate the solutions problems (TEKS 5.3A)
• Add and subtract decimals (TEKS 5.3K)
• Multiply decimals (5.3E)
• Represent the multiplication of decimals with objects or a picture. (TEKS 5.3D)
• Divide decimals. (5.3G)
• Represent the division of decimals with objects or a picture. (5.3F)
• TEKS https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/texas-administrative-code/19-tac-chapter-111

Questions to ask your child (Math)

• How is adding and subtracting fractions similar to adding and subtracting whole numbers? Different?
• How is multiplying and dividing fractions similar to multiplying and dividing whole numbers? Different? 
• What is the purpose of a decimal point in a number?
• What are the similarities and differences in estimating problems involving decimals and estimating problems involving whole numbers?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• When cooking or following a recipe, have your child add up the fractional quantities to determine how much is used.
• For example, if a recipe calls for ¼ cup sugar, 1 ⅔ cup flour, and ½ cup brown sugar you could ask your child to determine how much sugar and flour are used in the recipe.
• Give your child a shopping list and ask them to determine how much the items will cost at the grocery store. If your child adds all for multiples of something (like 3 cans of tomato sauce) ask them if there is a more efficient strategy they could use.
• Extension: Have them determine how much change they will receive if they pay with a certain quantity of cash.

Science

• Differentiate between inherited traits of plants and animals such as spines on a cactus or shape of the beak, and learned behaviors such as animal learning tricks or a child riding a bicycle. (5.10B)
• Explain the process that led to the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels. (TEKS 5.7A)
• Explain how landforms such as deltas, canyons, and sand dunes are formed by wind, water, and ice. (TEKS 5.7B)
• Differentiate between weather and climate. (TEKS 5.8A)
• Explain the role of the Sun and ocean in the water cycle. (TEKS 5.8B)
• Demonstrate that the Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours causing day/night and the movement of the Sun across the sky. (TEKS 5.8C)
• Compare and Contrast the physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. (TEKS 5.8C)
• TEKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/ch112a.html#112.16

Questions to ask your child (Science):

• What is the difference between an inherited trait and learned behavior?  
• What are some examples of inherited traits and behaviors?  
• What are some examples of learned behaviors?
• How can you describe and identify landforms such as deltas, canyons, and sand dunes?
• How are wind, water, and ice involved in the formation/changing of landforms?
• How is sedimentary rock involved in the formation of fossil fuels? How long does this process take?
• What is the relationship between Earth’s rotation and the day/night cycle?
• How do the shadows relate to the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Have your child compare the inherited traits of various plants and animals. 
• Explain how learned behaviors are different from inherited traits and provide examples of both. 
• Encourage your child to explain the process that leads to the formation of sedimentary rock and fossil fuels. 
• Have your child explain how different landforms are created on the surface of the Earth. 
• Work with your child to understand the difference between weather and climate. 
• Have your child explain the water cycle and the role of the Sun and the ocean. 
• Have your child explain and model the difference between rotate and revolve. 
• Encourage your child to explain the physical characteristics of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. 

Social Studies

• Describe the accomplishments of significant individuals who settled for religious freedom and economic gain during the colonial period (TEKS 5.1B)
• Understand the causes and effects of events prior to and during the American Revolution (TEKS 5.2A)
• Understand the importance of the Founding Fathers and early Patriots (TEKS 5.2B)
• Compare the systems of government of early European colonists, including representative government and monarchy and identify examples of representative government in the American colonies, including the Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses. (TEKS 5.13A, 5.13B)
• TEKS https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=2&ch=113&sch=A&rl=Y

Questions to ask your child (Social Studies):

• What were the arguments for and against colonial independence from Great Britain?
• What happened at the Boston Tea Party?
• Who is one of the Founding Fathers? What did they do?
• How is a representative government different from a monarch?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Together with your child, learn more about the 13 original colonies or the Founding Fathers.

English Learner/Emergent Bilingual Students

Overview:

Your child is becoming comfortable with Texas schools. The focus is now developing his/her English and supporting him/her to learn the core content.

How will my child learn English?

During this time, your child’s teacher is providing strategies in the classroom in order to help with Second Language Acquisition. Teachers report the strategies and linguistic accommodations they provide for the students in order to help the students be successful in acquiring the English language. 

Questions to ask your child?

• What did you learn in your_____ class?

• How did you ask for help?

• Who did you talk to the most in your classes?

• What is your homework for today?

How may I support my child?

• Check out books including audiobooks in English or in their home language from public libraries.

• Encourage your child to read and/or listen to audiobooks daily.

• Be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences scheduled by your child’s school.

• Schedule time every day for your child to do homework.

Resources

Parent Guide: https://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/resources/parent-guide-el-english.pdf

The 50 Best ESL Resources for Kids:   http://www.studentguide.org/the-50-best-esl-resources-for-kids/

Colorín Colorado (bilingual website):  http://www.colorincolorado.org/

PBS Kids http://pbskids.org/

Unite for Literacy: https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/

Supporting English Learners in Texas: https://www.txel.org/Parents-And-Families

Reading 

Informational & Argumentative

• Mine texts for relevant information and grasp the central claim/argument of a text (TEKS 5.6G & 5.9i)
• Notice when an author is trying to make an argument versus trying to persuade (TEKS 5.9 D & 5.9E & 5.10B)
• Use evidence across informational text to support a position, while also understanding the other side (TEKS 5.6F)
• Study author’s craft and text structure to prepare for complex conversations (TEKS 5.9Diii & 5.10B & 5.10C)
• Sort text around new debatable questions and ideas as they create reading plans (TEKS 5.6A & 5.6B) 

Writing  

Argument Essay (TEKS 5.12C)

• Investigate deeply to understand an argument and use evidence to build an opinion (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11B)
• Draw from earlier drafts to build a powerful argument (TEKS 5.11C)
• Study prompts for rebutting counterclaims (TEKS 5.11B)
• Understand the audience and choose the right words to appeal to it (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11C) 
• Review editing strategies they already know and learn new ones (TEKS 5.11D)

GRAMMAR

English

• Subordinating Conjunctions and Complex Sentences (5.11D.viii)
• Comparative Adjectives (5.11D.iv)
• Italics and Underlining for Titles and Emphasis (5.11D.x)
• Superlative Adjectives (5.11D.iv)
• Capitalization of Abbreviations, initials, acronyms (5.11D.ix)

Spanish

• Irregular Verbs (5.11Dii)
• Possessive Pronouns (5.11Dvii)
• Reflexive Pronouns (5.11Dvii)
• Prepositions ‘when’ (5.11Dvi)
• Compound Sentences (5.11Di)

• English Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment__K-12_English_06-2019.pdf
• Spanish Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment_K-12_Spanish_06-2019.pdf

Questions to ask your child (Reading and Writing):

• What is the author saying about [topic]? Do other authors agree?
• What is your opinion about [topic]? What evidence do you have? 

How can I help my child learn at home? 

• Read several books on a specific topic and engage in meaningful debates about it. Help your child see that authors also have opinions about the topics they write about and you can often see it in their writing. 

Math

Reading

Fiction

• Research the setting and other magical creatures in the story to make inferences ahead of the character (TEKS 5.8D & 5.9A)
• Evaluate problems for their significance to the main character, plot, and theme (TEKS 5.8B & 5.8C)
• See themes and life lessons with different lenses to analyze how they can be shaped by a character’s perspective (TEKS 5.8 C & 5.6F)

Writing  

• Generate ideas, write blurbs, and develop different characters and problems for each, before deciding on a seed idea (TEKS 5.11A & 5.11B)
• Draft and make large-scale revisions to include more details (TEKS 5.11B & 5.11C)
• Review editing strategies they already know and learn new ones (TEKS 5.11D)

GRAMMAR

English 

• Quotation Marks with Dialogue (5.11D.x)
• Complex Sentences & Commas in A Complex Sentence (5.11Dx)
• Use of Indefinite Pronouns (5.11Dvii)
• Use of Collective Nouns (5.11Diii)

Spanish  

• Subject/Verb Agreement (5.11Di)
• Possessive Pronouns (5.11Dvii)
• Reflexive Pronouns (5.11Dvii)
• Collective Nouns (5.11Diii)

• English Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment__K-12_English_06-2019.pdf
• Spanish Language Arts TEKS: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Vertical%20alignment_K-12_Spanish_06-2019.pdf

Questions to ask your child (Reading and Writing):

• What is the author trying to say? How do you know?
• How is the author’s craft influencing what you feel or imagine while you read?
• What is the author saying about [topic]? Do other authors agree?
• What is your opinion about [topic]? What evidence do you have?
• How can you relate to [main character’s] journey and the problems he/she faced?
• What did [main character] learn? What can you learn from that?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Read a variety of poems. Discuss the features you notice and how the author uses them to evoke feelings and create meaning.
• Read several books on a specific topic and engage in meaningful debates about it. Help your child see that authors also have opinions about the topics they write about and you can often see it in their writing.
• Analyze the symbolism of the setting in the story and what it can really mean. Use other texts to learn more about the magical creatures and settings in a story.

Math

• Represent and solve perimeter problems (TEKS 5.4H)
• Represent and solve area problems (TEKS 5.4H)
• Represent and solve volume problems (TEKS 5.4H)
• Use objects or pictures to represent the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism (TEKS 5.6A, 5.6B, 5.4G)
• Convert measurements (TEKS 5.7A)
• Classify two-dimensional figures using a graphic organizer (TEKS 5.5A)
• Explain how to balance a budget (TEKS 5.10E)
• Set up a budget (TEKS 5.10D, 5.10F)
• Compare and contrast different ways of paying for things (TEKS 5.10C)
• Define income tax, payroll tax, sales tax, and property tax(TEKS 5.10A)
• Explain the difference between gross income and net income(TEKS 5.10B)

Questions to ask your child (Math):

• When might we need to convert from one unit of measurement to another?
• What is the relationship between perimeter and area?
• How can graphic organizers help us to classify two-dimensional figures?
• What attributes can be used to classify two-dimensional figures?
• What would you do if your expenses were more than your income?
• What is the difference between gross income and net income?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Have your child practice measurement conversions for projects around the house. 
• For example, if I know I have 3 feet of ribbon and need 33 inches of ribbon for a project do I have enough ribbon?  Have your child explain how they know (converting 3 feet to inches).
• Give your child pictures of a variety of two-dimensional shapes. Have them create a graphic organizer (such as a Venn diagram) so organize the shapes according to their attributes.
• Work together with your child to set up a budget using weekly or monthly household expenses. Periodically look at the budget together to see if the budget needs to be adjusted.

Science

• Design and experimental investigation that tests the effect of force on an object. (TEKS 5.6D)
• Take time to review concepts learned in the previous nine weeks including academic vocabulary. 
• TEKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/ch112a.html#112.16

Questions to ask your child (Science):

• How can forces change an object’s movement, shape, or position?
• Does increasing the force on an object affect how far it travels?
• Refer to the previous nine weeks' parents guide for more information. Please check with your child(s) teacher to see what specific standards need the most review. 

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Work with your child to design an investigation of how the amount of force applied to an object affects the distance it will travel.
• Go back over all of the questions for the year. 

Social Studies 

• Identify significant events and concepts associated with growth of U. S. territories (TEKS 5.4C)
• Understand important issues, events, and individuals in the United States during the 20th and 21st centuries including World War I, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Depression, and the impact of the oil industry (TEKS 5.5A, 5.5B, 5.5C)
• Identify the accomplishments of notable individuals in the fields of science and technology (TEKS 5.22A)
• TEKS https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=2&ch=113&sch=A&rl=Y

Questions to ask your child (Social Studies):

• What is Manifest Destiny?
• How did industrialization change the United States?
• Who were some of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement?
• What were some of the most important innovations that happened during the Industrial Revolution ? Why do you think they were so important?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Engage your child in conversations about what they are learning in school.
• Visit places in Houston and the surrounding area to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement.
• Read together about Civil Rights leaders.

English Learner/Emergent Bilingual Students

When your child has met the reclassification criteria, they will no longer receive English language development support (although they will continue to learn English with other students). Teachers will continue to monitor your child’s progress. Please continue to ask the teacher how your child is doing. If your child did not meet the reclassification criteria, he/she will continue to receive English language development support.

Questions to ask your child?

• What book are you reading at school?

• What did you do in your _____ class?

• Did you ask for help when you didn’t understand? Who helped you?

• What is your homework for today?

How may I support my child?

• Schedule an individual meeting with your child’s teacher to learn how you can continue to help your child succeed.

• Encourage your child to read and/or listen to audiobooks daily.

Resources:

Parent Guide: https://educationnorthwest.org/sites/default/files/resources/parent-guide-el-english.pdf

Reading activities in English and Spanish: https://readconmigo.org/parents/activities

Colorín Colorado (bilingual website):  http://www.colorincolorado.org/

Unite for Literacy: https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/

Supporting English Learners in Texas: https://www.txel.org/Parents-And-Families