Mrs. Pitsoulakis' 2025-2026 Teacher Page
WELCOME TO 5TH GRADE!
Hello! My name is Dianne Pitsoulakis and I'm excited to be your child's fifth grade Advanced ELA teacher.
Let me tell you a little about fifth grade Advanced ELA. The fifth grade ELA curriculum offers our students an exceptional variety of novel studies as well as solid support and understanding of the fifth-grade literature and informational common core standards. In a typical week, students may be introduced to one or two standards. I always begin with a model lesson of the standard, followed by partner practice and ending with an independent practice. You will hear the students refer to this way of instruction as "I do, we do, and you do". Students are given handouts as study guides, either paper copies or handouts sent to them in their One Note Notebook. We practice the learning standards several times throughout the week before a formative is assigned. You will be aware of dates when a summative assessment is given.
Our writing units are well designed and allow the students to write and research many different topics throughout the year. Our structured word inquiry study allows the students to explore the meanings, origins and structures of familiar and unfamiliar words. We will also study vocabulary in conjunction with SWI. Students will participate in journal writing activities throughout the year. Students are encouraged to read independent reading books that they may check out from our library or from the public library. During snack every day, students have an independent reading time or may listen to a read aloud. We also practice Typing club during independent free time.
I will go over more information during my Curriculum Night presentation. Please mark your calendar to attend Chelsea Curriculum Night on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5:30-7:00. More details will be coming.
Thank you for stopping by to check my webpage. I will keep you up to date on our daily and ongoing activities. Please look at my Week at a Glance tab for homework assignments. Also, look for my Weekly Update email each week where I review our learning activities for the week and share important dates for your calendar. If you didn't receive my Weekly Update this week, please contact me. Thank you!
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you have!
It's going to be a fantastic year!
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Here are some dates to add to your calendar:
- Chelsea Meet & Greet- Wednesday, Aug. 20, 11:30-1:00. Parents and students are invited to visit their homeroom classroom, meet the teacher and drop off supplies. Please stop in to meet your math teacher also. I will have all sorts of information on your desk when you arrive!
- First day of school- Thursday, Aug. 21. This is our first full day of school! Students will need a healthy snack, lunch and gym shoes for PE.
- Curriculum Night- Thursday, Sept. 4, 5:30-7:00.- I will present the Advanced ELA curriculum, review schedules and parents will have an opportunity to sign up to volunteer for classroom parties and field trips.
- Picture Day- Monday, Sept. 8. You will receive an email from the photographer with instructions for ordering your child's photos.
5th Grade English/Language Arts Learning Standards: Quarter 1
Literature Standards:
RL 5.1 I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. I can provide text evidence to support an answer.
RL 5.2 I can determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL 5.4 I can determine the meanings of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL 5.6 I can describe how a narrator's or speaker's point of view influences how events are described.
L 5.2 I can demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Informational Standards:
RI 5.1 I can quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RI 5.2 I can determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
RI 5.3 I can explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.
RI 5.4 I can determine the meaning of general academic and domain specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
L 5.2 I can demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Fast Bridge Testing
All students will participate in Fast Bridge Testing three times during the school year, fall, winter and spring. Students will test in Reading and Math.
Please make sure your child brings headphones to school. We will keep them in class for the entire year.
Our Fall Reading Fast Bridge Test will be administered to students on Wednesday, September 10th during the ELA Block. Students will need headphones and may chew gum or hard candy during the test. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
