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.