Coast to Coast — Name the States
A free geography game that pairs with our Geography and State Location units — type or point to name all 50 states, practice by region, and climb the class Hall of Fame.
🧭 Play the 50 States GameA Little About Me
Welcome to Baird Middle School! I am so happy you have joined the Baird family and hope your child leaves my classroom loving social studies, loving to read and write, and just as importantly loving school. Of all the grade levels I have taught, 5th is my favorite — students at this age are learning to be independent and self‑sufficient, but still love to give and receive hugs. 😊
My own kids are grown now, and watching them grow into adults with careers they love has been one of my proudest moments — a reminder that all the hard work of parenting (and teaching!) really does pay off. They had amazing teachers and mentors along the way, and the teachers here at Baird will support and mentor your child too, throughout their middle school years and beyond.
My goal for your child is that they love school, build strong relationships, and get a solid education that helps them attain a job they love and a comfortable lifestyle.
Course Description
Social Studies focuses on U.S. history and is designed to bring history alive. Lessons are explored through the eyes and perspectives of the women, men, and children who lived during that time.
Quarterly Projects
Baird believes in a hands‑on approach to learning, so parents can expect one project each quarter. Each will be explained thoroughly, with due dates clearly written in the Planner. Projects teach responsibility and encourage creativity while providing an opportunity for deeper learning.
| Quarter | Project |
|---|---|
| Q1 | Immigration Doll and Ancestor Interview / Questionnaire |
| Q2 | Native American Project |
| Q3 | Students plan an expedition after learning about famous European explorers, their motivation to explore, and navigational instruments — then present to an 8th grader and a parent. |
Units by Quarter
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography Immigration (Festival — Ethnic Eats) |
Native Americans Exploration |
Colonies American Revolution (Part 1) |
American Revolution (Part 2) Constitution State Location |
Course Assessments
Formal and informal classroom assessments, projects, essays, quizzes, and unit tests.
Film in the History Classroom
Video is often beneficial to students as they connect with history. Students will view informational videos related to the unit of study, historical documentaries, and excerpts from historical fiction films — all viewed for educational purposes.
Grading Policy
Most homework is completed in class; anything unfinished needs to be completed at home that evening. Some assignments are given specifically to complete at home. Students are expected to return homework on the due date. Late work may receive partial credit and should be turned in the next class period — no late work is accepted the last week of each grading period (Progress Report / Report Card). After an absence, students must make up missed work; work from absences turned in by the next class meeting earns full credit, with additional time granted if needed.
Students should use AST time (8:45–9:05 each morning) to check in for missing work and updates on lessons they missed.
Grades use a traditional total-points scale, with more points for bigger, more important assignments and assessments. Please check ATLAS several times a week.
Standards
This course addresses California's Common Core guidelines for Literacy in History/Social Studies, the C3 Framework for Social Studies, and the California History–Social Science Framework.
Textbooks & Materials
- myWorld Interactive — Savvas Learning
- History Alive — Teachers' Curriculum Institute
- Esperanza Rising — Pam Muñoz Ryan
- The Fighting Ground — Avi (Edward Irving Wortis)
- Articles, videos, and worksheets relating to each unit of study
See the 5th Grade Student Handbook for more detail on rules, procedures, and policies.
Questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out by email, through ATLAS, or ParentSquare — I usually respond Monday–Friday between 9 AM–5 PM and within 24 hours.
Thank you for sharing your child with me. I look forward to an exciting year with them.