What's Happening in November for Fifth Grade?

What's Happening in November for Fifth Grade?

5th Grade – November Curriculum Overview

November in Fifth Grade is a month of gratitude, heritage, and giving. We’re exploring family stories, local history, and the night sky while building geometry skills, reading stamina, and writing. Lessons are hands-on, flexible, and designed for both independent and family learning. Students will find their detailed assignments and materials in Google Classroom. Some basic printables may also be available here for free users.

Weekly Subjects

• Week 14 (Nov 3–6): Family Stories
  • Language Arts:
    • Write or retell a favorite family story (paragraph or short narrative).
    • Start a simple gratitude journal with 1–3 entries per day.
    • Reading Log: Read daily and record title, author, minutes, and a short reflection in your digital reading log. Logs are submitted in Google Classroom at the end of the month.
  • Math (Geometry Basics): Review and draw basic polygons from the spelling list (triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon). Label sides, angles, and vertices.
  • Science: Talk about how Earth’s seasons connect to harvest and family traditions. Optional: observe changes in weather or plants and record them in a nature journal.
  • Social Studies/History: Interview a relative (in person, phone, or video) and create a basic family tree or “family story” page.
  • Visual & Performing Arts: Draw or paint a picture that represents your family story or a moment of gratitude.
  • PE: Aim for at least 20–30 minutes of movement most school days (walk, bike, stretches, dance, playground, etc.). Record your activity and time in the PE log form linked in Google Classroom.
  • Spelling – Week 14 Words: geometry, polygon, triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, angle, vertex
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for this week's words.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Write a story OR complete your assigned online practice/quiz (StudyStack or the tool linked in Google Classroom).
• Week 15 (Nov 10–13): Service & Kindness
  • Language Arts:
    • Write thank-you letters to community helpers (mail carrier, neighbor, teacher, etc.).
    • Continue daily reading and update your reading log with minutes and reflections.
  • Math (Shapes in the Real World): Go on a “shape hunt” around your home or neighborhood. Find real-life examples of each polygon and record them in a chart (object + shape).
  • Science/Space: Introduce basic astronomy terms and how Earth’s rotation and revolution affect day, night, and seasons.
  • Social Studies/History: Discuss how communities show kindness and support (food banks, mutual aid, volunteers).
  • Visual & Performing Arts: Create a small poster or mini-poster thanking a community helper or group.
  • PE: 20–30 minutes of movement most school days + record in PE log (Google Classroom).
  • Spelling – Week 15 Words: astronomy, planet, orbit, rotation, revolution, axis, equator, hemisphere, eclipse, constellation
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for this week's words.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Write a story OR complete your assigned online practice/quiz (StudyStack or the tool linked in Google Classroom).
• Week 16 (Nov 17–20): Local History
  • Language Arts:
    • Write a short report or paragraph about a local historical site, person, or tradition.
    • Continue daily reading and update your reading log. Make sure your log is ready to submit by the end of the month.
  • Math (Constellation Geometry): Plot simple constellations on grid paper. Connect the stars to form polygons and identify angles and vertices.
  • Science/Space: Learn about telescopes and how they help us see distant objects in space.
  • Social Studies/History: Connect your local history topic to the idea of heritage and community stories.
  • Visual & Performing Arts: Create a “night sky” artwork using constellations and geometric patterns.
  • PE: 20–30 minutes of movement most school days + record in PE log (Google Classroom).
  • Spelling – Week 16 Words: telescope, colony, observatory, independence, satellite, constitution, meteor, government, asteroid, democracy
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for this week's words.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Write a story OR complete your assigned online practice/quiz (StudyStack or the tool linked in Google Classroom).
• Week 17 (Nov 24–27): Fall Break / Family Time (Core Subjects Off, Spelling On)
  • Core Subjects: No new Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts, or PE assignments this week.
  • Spelling – Week 17 Words: comet, citizen, galaxy, rights, universe, responsibility, nebula, amendment, gravity, congress
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for this week's words.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Complete November's Spelling Test on StudyStacks. Submit a screenshot on the Google Classroom assignment.
  • Optional Ideas (Not graded):
    • Read together as a family or keep up with your own reading for fun.
    • Help with cooking, baking, or holiday prep and talk about family traditions.
    • Spend time outside noticing seasonal changes in your area.

Fun Fridays

• Gratitude tree craft with leaves labeled for people, places, and experiences.
• Visit a local historical site or museum (virtual or in-person) and talk about community heritage.
• Family stargazing night with hot cocoa and constellation spotting.
• During break week: family games and light learning—board games, puzzles, or read-aloud time.

Recommended Free Resources

• Khan Academy – Geometry
• Nat Geo Kids – Space & Astronomy
• ReadWorks – Reading Comprehension
• CommonLit – Free Reading Passages

November in 5th grade is about gratitude, family stories, and noticing the patterns around us—from shapes on paper to stars in the sky. Use what works for your family, skip what doesn’t, and let this month be full of connection, curiosity, and gentle learning. Students should always check Google Classroom for their official assignments, reading log forms, PE logs, and any printables.

What's Happening in November for PreK?

PreK – November Curriculum Overview

Welcome to November in PreK! This month centers on heritage, giving thanks, and celebrating family traditions. Activities are hands-on, comforting, and designed to help children connect with their families and the world around them. Choose what fits your child and enjoy the warmth of the season together!

Weekly Subjects

• Language Arts (Mon–Thu)
  • Week 13: Listen to and retell “Bear Says Thanks” or another gratitude story. Act out the story with toys or puppets.
  • Week 14: Family Stories—Share a favorite family tradition or holiday memory; draw a picture of your family together.
  • Week 15: Letter Exploration—Trace and build the letters H, T, and N using playdough, nature objects, or craft sticks.
  • Week 16: Thankful Book—Make a simple “I am thankful for…” book with drawings or photos.
• Math (Mon–Thu)
  • Week 13: Counting—Count family members, place settings, or leaves collected on a walk.
  • Week 14: Sorting—Sort utensils, napkins, or food items by type or color while helping set the table.
  • Week 15: Patterns—Create patterns with fall foods (cranberries, corn, beans) or colored beads.
  • Week 16: Measuring—Help measure ingredients for a simple recipe or compare the sizes of fruits and vegetables.
• Science & Nature (Mon–Thu)
  • Week 13: Nature Thankfulness—Go on a gratitude walk and name things in nature you are thankful for.
  • Week 14: Animal Habits—Learn how animals get ready for winter; make a cozy nest or den for toy animals.
  • Week 15: Weather Watch—Talk about chilly mornings, frost, or rain; draw what you see from your window.
  • Week 16: Harvest Time—Explore fruits and vegetables; taste something new or visit a local market.
• Social-Emotional & Practical Life (Mon–Thu)
  • Week 13: Gratitude Practice—Say “thank you” to family members and friends; make thank-you cards.
  • Week 14: Family Helpers—Help with a household task like folding napkins, sweeping, or baking.
  • Week 15: Feelings—Talk about feeling cozy, loved, or excited for special days; use drawings or stories.
  • Week 16: Sharing—Practice sharing food or toys with others; talk about giving and kindness.
• Art & Music (Mon–Thu)
  • Week 13: Handprint turkeys or gratitude trees with painted leaves.
  • Week 14: Family collage—use photos or magazine cutouts to make a family tree or group portrait.
  • Week 15: Sing “Over the River and Through the Wood” and play with rhythm instruments.
  • Week 16: Cooking or pretend play kitchen—make a simple snack or play with food toys.
• Movement & Outdoor Play (Mon–Thu)
  • Each Week: Daily outdoor play, raking and jumping in leaves, animal walks (waddle like a turkey, scamper like a squirrel), and nature walks.

Recommended Free Resources

• Storyline Online – Free video read-alouds by actors.
• PBS Kids – Educational games, shows, and activities.
• Starfall – Free early literacy and math activities.
• Cosmic Kids Yoga – Yoga and mindfulness videos for young children.
• Nature Scavenger Hunt Printables

November is a time for gratitude, family, and honoring traditions. Choose the activities that fit your family, and celebrate each moment of togetherness!

October Hearth Circle: The Month of Transformation

🎃 OCTOBER 2025: THE MONTH OF TRANSFORMATION  🎃

💖 Monthly Mantra 💖  

(use to light candle/chalice)

With open hearts, we welcome change,  

Embracing the lessons each new season brings.  

We honor the cycles of letting go and becoming,  

Trusting that transformation is part of our journey.  

We celebrate our growth,  

Respect the wisdom found in endings and beginnings,  

And walk forward with courage and hope.

🕯️ Extinguishing the Chalice 🕯️

As we extinguish this chalice, we remember that transformation begins within.  

May we release what no longer serves us  

And step boldly into the changes that shape our lives.

🥳 Friday Fun Days 🥳

Oct 3: Leaf art or nature weaving—create something new from fallen leaves and natural materials 

Oct 10: Personal growth vision board—cut and collage images or words that show your hopes for change

Oct 17: Pumpkin exploration—cook, carve, or paint pumpkins; talk about cycles of growth and renewal  

Oct 24: Shadow stories—share family stories of change, transformation, or overcoming challenges  

Oct 31: Ancestor altar or remembrance craft—honor those who came before and the transformations they inspired