Welcome to Grantfork's 5th Grade
Teacher: Christy Zeller
My name is Christy Zeller. I grew up in the small town of Mulberry Grove where I attended school from Kindergarten to 12th grade in the same building.
I had always known that I wanted to be a teacher, so after high school I went to McKendree College where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Education.I married my husband Nic in 2009, and in 2012 we had our son, Braden. We also have two boxers named Frank and Daisy. I love teaching for the Highland School District and can’t imagine being anywhere else. Moving to Grantfork has proven to be a wonderful change and I love being able to spend everyday in the classroom.
Please take a moment to look at the subject guidelines
Language Arts Reading • Comprehend using vocabulary skills and word attack skills on unknown words • Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency (inferences, predicting, compare and contrast, cause and effect, sequence of events, facts and opinion, main ideas, and connecting prior knowledge) • Understand how literary elements contribute to stories (theme, character, setting, plot, conflict, climax, and solution) • Read and respond to a variety of literary works (realistic and historical fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, biography, and poetry) • Accelerated Reader Writing/Grammar • Use correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and sentence structure • Develop well-organized and coherent writing • Write and edit compositions and essays to accomplish a variety of purposes, such as persuasive, narrative, and expository • Use resources to gather, analyze, and evaluate information Oral Language • Listen in formal and informal situations • Listen and follow oral instructions • Use speaking skills effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience • Use information to communicate in oral and written form Science Life Science • Understand the life processes • Learn the parts of plant and animal cells • Learn the five kingdoms and how to divide them • Classify animals - vertebrates vs. invertebrates; classify plants • Identify and observe simple life cycles • Describe and compare offspring with their parents Physical Science Classifying Matter and Kitchen Chemistry Kit • Observe, collect data, hypothesize, and deduct • Make generalizations about observations • Accurately report and display results of an investigation • Explore atoms, elements, molecules, compounds, and mixtures • Identify physical and chemical properties and changes • Know the differences between solids, liquids, and gases • Use appropriate science safety procedures Electrical Energy and Get a Charge Kit • Investigate electrons, electric currents, and circuits • Explore relationship between electricity and magnetism • Understand the function of generators • Distinguish between conductors and insulators | Earth Science • Know the layers of the Earth • Know the atmospheric systems • Learn about weathering and erosion • Learn how rocks change and fossils form The Earth’s Resources • Explain renewable and nonrenewable resources • Learn how water, land, & air resources can be conserved • Realize the effect of reducing, reusing, and recycling Scientific Method • Know & apply the concepts & processes of scientific inquiry • Note that similar investigations may not produce similar results Social Science Political Systems • Constitution • Branches of the federal government • Democracy • Causes of the American Revolution • Causes of the Civil War Economics • Trade. • Early life on our continent • Supply and demand • Goods and services Math Whole Numbers • Convert whole numbers to word, standard, and expanded form • Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers Decimals and Fractions • Identify and compare decimals • Add, subtract, and multiply decimals • Compare and order fractions and mixed numbers • Add, subtract, and multiply fractions Geometry • Find the perimeter, circumference, area, and volume of geometric figures • Measure, identify, and draw angles • Identify and describe geometric shapes • Identify congruent figures and lines of symmetry Graphing, Probability, and Ratios/Percents • Organize, display, and evaluate data using a variety of graphs • Explore and understand probability • Explore ratios, percentages, and decimal relationships Measurement • Measure using customary and metric units • Convert within the metric and U.S. customary system • Compare differences in degrees of temperature Problem-solving • Solve problems that are related to real situations | Ecology and CARE Kit • Learn about the parts of an ecosystem • Producer and Consumer roles in an ecosystem • Predator/Prey relationships • Construct and describe a food chain • Learn how water cycles through an ecosystem History • Explorers of the new world • Colonial America • Revolutionary War • Civil War • Early Westward Expansion • Read and understand timelines Geography • Read and utilize maps, charts, and graphs • Latitude and longitude • Routes of important U.S. explorers Health Growing Up Well • Bullying • Relationships with friends • Peer pressure • Assertive behavior • Alcohol • Alcoholism • Smokeless tobacco Promoting Health and Preventing Illness and Injury • Eye and dental care • First aid and fire safety • Analyzing media influence through advertising • Effects of depleting ozone layer and sun exposure • Environmental effects on health Understand Human Body Systems and Factors That Influence Growth and Development • Recognize the parts and describe the function of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems • Identify what gives the body its size and shape • Define calorie and identify foods with high caloric content • Recognize positive/negative affects of physical activity • Classify foods by nutrient contribution • Recognize reliable sources of food and dietary information • Define puberty and its characteristics • Recognize behaviors and choices that reduce health risks • Interpret food label information Mental and Social Health Skills • Communication skills and conflict in relationships • Media influence on choices and behavior • Decision-making and problem-solving • Personal hygiene • Identify safe/unsafe situations and place |