Emerson Elementary School - Berkeley, California

Fourth/Fifth Grade teachers Ms. Perenon, Ms. Weddle and Ms. Dunn

Fourth and Fifth Grade at Emerson

How do you make three 4/5 classes great? The answer is collaborate! We have found that collaboration and planning together make all the difference when you are teaching a class of 32. What does this mean in practice? In math, for example, the three 4/5 classes are blended and broken into three groups which are instructed with curriculum specially designed to meet the needs of the students, while still covering the California state recommended standards for each grade level. Students learn math concepts and practice skills necessary for successful math thinking.

Another example of teachers and students working together is in social studies. Each year we study as a whole group either 4th or 5th grade social studies themes, so that by graduation every student has been immersed in each theme. Students work individually and in groups to complete assignments, and teachers work the same way when designing them!

We group our field trips around social studies. There are some extremely exciting and rich trips to be made when studying California history, as we are this year. Our most extensive trip is the three-day trip to Coloma, where students will get a chance to relive the Gold Rush. Plenty of hands-on activities make this an experience children never forget.

Literacy activities are sometimes integrated with social studies, and other times involve literature groups of complex children’s novels, and guided reading of books at each student’s reading level. Students do a lot of thematic writing, and practice many genres such as persuasive writing research reports, personal narratives and creative writing. We also practice the mechanics of writing, with a focus on editing and revising for errors, and learning grammar and spelling rules to help make writing clear.

The 4/5 classes are exciting places, with minds whirring and pencils flying. We invite you to visit to see critical thinkers and future good citizens at work!.Back to Top

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