WELCOME TO THE FIFTH GRADE!!

The exciting world of the fifth grade is apparent in the dynamic and energetic classes we have at Grant Middle School.  We currently have 151 students in the fifth grade. 

In the 5th grade we have three teaching teams.  Mr. Bonk (Math and Social Studies) and Ms. Houle (Science and Language Arts) are team 1.  Mrs. Puff (Social Studies and Math) and Mrs. Pifer (Language Arts and Science) work together as team 2.  Team 3 also has 2 teachers, Ms. Mangan (Language Arts and Social Studies) and Mrs. Vandever (Math and Science).  We also have two special education teachers working with both teams, Mrs. Engelhardt (categorical) and Mrs. Tilli (resource). Each team usually works separately with its students but sometimes all fifth grade teachers work together on large activities, like our end of the year social event, for the students.  In year's past, one of the outings our students have enjoyed is a class trip to a White Caps game in May.

One of the exciting learning experiences students have in the fifth grade is our Bear Adventures.  Students are given a stuffed bear to name and personalize and then give them to friends and relatives to take with them on vacations, sending back postcards, candy and other items that help students learn geography.  Our bears have been spotted in such far away places as Russia, Peru, Hawaii, Europe and even Australia!!  Pictures of our bears sometimes are taken and sent back to us.  This is a very exciting lesson for students as they anticipate the many postcards and gifts sent to them from their bear's guest hosts!

(Above Picture)
Students in Mr. Bonk's room show their bears as they
 host a "Bon Voyage" party for their bears.

Our Big Events, which are incentive field trips, occur at the end of each marking period.   These social outings are directly linked to coursework completion.  We may go bowling, to a movie or maybe roller skating!  Students look forward to the chance to learn about each other in a new and often exciting event and try very hard to make sure homework is in on time.

At the end of the school year, fifth graders have a culminating social event.  For the past three years we have attended a White Caps baseball game. 

Click here to go to Mrs. Mangan and Mrs. Vandever Team Information