What’s Happening in December for Fifth Grade?

5th Grade – December Curriculum Overview

December is our Month of Light. In Fifth Grade, we will focus on how knowledge, community, and our own choices can be “lights” that help us and others. Because December is a shorter month, we have three instructional weeks (Weeks 18–20), followed by Winter Break from December 22, 2025, to January 2, 2026. The workload is lighter on purpose so families can balance school, holidays, and rest. Students should always check Google Classroom for their official assignments, reading logs, and PE logs.

Weekly Subjects

• Week 18 (Dec 1–4): Community & Citizenship – Sharing Our Light
  • Language Arts:
    • Read a kid-friendly passage or article about citizenship or community helpers.
    • Write a short paragraph explaining one way people can “be a light” in their community.
    • 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: Practice multi-step word problems using real-life situations (shopping, sharing, or planning a small event).
  • Science: Review safety rules and “bright ideas” in science—how careful choices keep everyone safe during experiments.
  • Social Studies/History: Introduce or review terms like community, citizen, responsibility, and service. Talk about how people help each other.
  • Visual & Performing Arts: Create a small “Light in Our Community” poster or drawing showing people helping one another.
  • PE: Aim for 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 18 Words (Community & Citizenship): community, citizen, responsibility, kindness, helpful, neighbor, respect, support, volunteer, together
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for each spelling word.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Write a short story OR complete your assigned online practice/quiz (StudyStack or the tool linked in Google Classroom).
• Week 19 (Dec 8–11): Voices & Choices – Using Our Light
  • Language Arts: 
  • Spelling
  • Read a passage or story where a character makes an important choice.
  • Write a paragraph about a time when a character’s choice made things better for others.
  • Continue daily reading and update the reading log with minutes and reflections.
  • Spelling – Week 19 Words (Light & Choices): choice, decision, courage, honest, promise, bright, light, shadow, reflect, guide
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for each spelling word.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Write a short story OR complete your assigned online practice/quiz (StudyStack or the tool linked in Google Classroom).
  • Math: Practice interpreting simple bar graphs or charts (for example, minutes read by different students or favorite books).
  • Science: Explore light in science (natural vs. artificial light, sources of light, or simple light experiments if materials are available).
  • Social Studies/History: Discuss how leaders and everyday people can use their “voice” to help their communities.
  • Visual & Performing Arts: Design a “Shine Your Light” bookmark or mini-poster with a positive message.
  • PE: 20–30 minutes of movement on most school days + record in PE log (Google Classroom).
• Week 20 (Dec 15–18): Review & Reflection – Carrying the Light Forward
  • Language Arts:
    • Review key skills from this semester (reading comprehension, paragraph writing, and vocabulary).
    • Write a short reflection: “How have I been a light to others this year?”
    • Finish and submit your December reading log in Google Classroom.
  • Math: Mixed review of major topics from the fall (place value, operations, word problems, fractions/decimals as appropriate).
  • Science: Light review of favorite science topics from the semester; student choice if possible.
  • Social Studies/History: Reflect on what you learned about community, responsibility, and using your voice.
  • Visual & Performing Arts: Create a “My Year of Light” page with words and images that represent what you learned and how you grew.
  • PE: 20–30 minutes of movement most school days + record in PE log (Google Classroom).
  • Spelling – Week 20 Words (Review & Word Work): synonym, antonym, plural, singular, contraction, possessive, sentence, paragraph, summary, reflection
  • Spelling – Weekly Assignment (Mon–Thu):
    • Daily: Study flashcards or play learning games on StudyStacks.
    • Mon: Write a definition for each spelling word.
    • Tue: Write one complete sentence for each word.
    • Wed: Copy each word in cursive and say it aloud.
    • Thu: Complete December's Spelling Test on StudyStacks and submit a screenshot on the Google Classroom assignment.

Fun Fridays (Dec 5, 12, 19)

• Dec 5 – Lanterns of Light: Make simple paper or jar lanterns and talk about how people can be “lights” in their communities.
• Dec 12 – Light of Kindness: Create cards or small notes of appreciation for family, friends, or community helpers.
• Dec 19 – Solstice Reflection: On or near the winter solstice, turn off the lights for a few minutes, then slowly turn them back on while each person shares a hope for the new year.

Optional Family Fun Day (Dec 26 – During Winter Break)

• Year-in-Light Reflection: As a family, talk about your brightest memories from 2025, one challenge you grew through, and one way each person brought light to someone else.

Recommended Free Resources

• iCivics – Games about Community & Citizenship
• Khan Academy – Reading & Language Arts
• ReadWorks – Reading Comprehension Passages
• CommonLit – Free Reading Passages

December in 5th grade is about keeping things manageable, meaningful, and bright. Use what works for your family, skip what doesn’t, and let this month support both learning and rest. Students should always check Google Classroom for their official assignments, reading log forms, PE logs, and any printables.