Fifth Grade

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.



Email Christy Zeller: czeller@highlandcusd5.org

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