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Fifth Grade

IMG_3857Ms. Kim Klaus
Email: kim.klaus@apsva.us

After 20 years, I’m thrilled to be returning to the Randolph community! I began my teaching career here at Randolph, taught for many years at Claremont Elementary, and just finished 5 years at Ashlawn Elementary. Before I entered the teaching world, I grew up in Richmond, Virginia and attended the University of Mary Washington. After college, I followed my love of history and became a park ranger, where I ran outdoor children’s programs at Civil War battlefields. My love of working with children led me back to school to get my teaching degree. I have a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason and a Master’s in Reading Instruction from the University of Virginia. My favorite picture book is Pink and Say, a book that makes me cry every time I read it. When not at school, I love spending time with my wonderful husband, two sweet sons, and our two dogs, Cindy Lou and Malibu.


Kerry AbbottMs. Kerry Abbott
Email: Kerry.abbott@apsva.us

Hi Everybody!  I’m Ms. Abbott, and I’m starting my 24th year of teaching in APS.  I have filled many different positions including Communications/ Videography Teacher, Tech Coach, ITC, Architecture Teacher, Musical Director, and 5th Grade Homeroom Teacher.I grew up in Buffalo, New York.  Go Buffalo Bills!  I completed my undergraduate degree at Niagara Falls University, and my master’s degree at George Mason.  I live in Arlington with my 2 daughters Abby (8th grade) and Eloise (6th grade).  I am excited to be joining the Randolph Stars this year and I look forward to being a part of this wonderful community both professionally and personally.

 

 


Mary Perez standing by the mascot wallMs. Mary Perez
Email: mary.perez@apsva.us

I have been teaching in Arlington for 23 years! I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade as well as English to second language learners. I am returning to Randolph after 9 years at Abingdon Elementary. I have a BA in English from VA Tech (Go Hokies!) and an MEd from Marymount University. I am married to Mr Perez and I have 2 children as well. My daughter Claudia studies archaeology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, and my son Marcus is a junior at VA Tech. We have a very full house with 2 cats and 2 VERY active border collie mixes named Findlay and Skippy. In my spare time I LOVE to travel (especially to Scotland), try new restaurants, and hike with my dogs. I am a MAJOR Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fan and I love love love to READ!

 


Fifth grade marks a significant transition as students complete their last year of elementary school and prepare for the next phase of their education in middle school. We continue to strive to develop our students into balanced learners and to understand their roles and responsibilities as global citizens. In order to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for their continuing education, we not only focus on teaching important content, but important habits for students to succeed.

As readers, we will provide support to students to analyze, infer, predict, draw conclusions, interpret, and identify the main idea of more increasingly complex texts. Students will expand their repertoire of writing by producing new and various forms of writing.

Math content will build on previously introduced concepts and expose students to new ideas, skills, and strategies. As young scientists, students will explore energy and develop an understanding of how it changes and takes on multiple forms, including light, sound, motion, and electricity. Students will revisit ancient civilizations from around the world and reflect on their contributions in social studies.

Through our trans-disciplinary IB PYP units we will build connections across and between all of the content areas through our approaches to learning while also developing our learner profile attributes, including being caring, open-minded risk takers. Finally, as the culminating year of the IB PYP at Randolph, fifth graders maintain the opportunity to reflect on their learning through Exhibition. A largely student-directed process, Exhibition allows students to explore a topic of their interest and demonstrate its importance within the global community. We look forward to a wonderful year of learning!