About the Teacher

Mr. Wassif

Fifth Grade Teacher

Salem Lutheran School

Mr. Wassif, is an alumnus of California State University, San Bernardino with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, with concentration in history. Mr. Wassif received his California Teaching Credential from California State University, San Bernardino. While attaining his credential, he has taught students in 5th grade. Since the year 2004, he has been teaching at the Fontana Unified School District. Mr. Wassif gladly joined Salem Lutheran school in October 2007 to teach 5th grade.

Mr. Wassif believes that every child can excel, and he provides his students with the encouragement they need to reach their goals.

Mr. Wassif's sense of humor makes his classroom fun and unique.

Curriculum & Information

Fifth Grade is a year of new discoveries. By reading short stories and novels on a variety of themes, children discover new worlds, ideas and experiences.

Students will produce creative reports, work on projects and deliver oral presentations across the curriculum. They will explore the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospels and the beginnings of the Church in the Acts of the Apostles.

Subjects covered in Fifth grade include, but are not limited to:

Science

Students will investigate through in-depth reading, hands-on activities and projects a variety of scientific material. They will learn how plants live, grow and react to environment. They also study population and ecosystems, space and the solar system, light, sound, and energy, as well as work and machines.

Physical Education

Fifth graders attend P.E. class in the gym three times a week. Fitness, health, and sportsmanship are taught through games, sports and exercise.

Social Studies

Students will fine tune their knowledge of United States history, research and write a report on a State, deliver a presentation on a current event and demonstrate knowledge of United States geography by identifying the location of all fifty states.

Math

Using Saxon based material; fifth graders will expand their knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Skills will extend to include fractions and mixed numbers and math problems with multi digits, decimals, and percentages. Fifth graders will also solve a variety of word problems using key strategies and explore geometric figures.

Music

Children in grades first through sixth will develop skills in singing, playing instruments and movement.

Spanish

Fifth graders are exposed to Spanish twice a week. They will read, write and understand Spanish on a much broader level.

Art

Salem art classes are relevant, fun and challenging. Students will develop artistic awareness and hands-on skills by using a variety of tools and mediums. Students in grades first through sixth will study well-known artists and works of art, as well as create age appropriate art projects.

Language Arts

Reading is taught using the Open Court Curriculum. Fifth graders will refine their grammar, spelling, and vocabulary skills by identifying and correctly using the various parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, and interjections. Students will also construct good grammatical sentences and paragraphs using proper punctuation and mechanics.
Fifth graders will practice the writing process through drafting, revising, proofreading and publishing. They will write in various modes: description, persuasion, personal narration, summary and story.

Computers

Fifth graders expand on computer skills in Salem’s computer lab once a week. In word processing students learn how to Format a newsletter, and create numbered lists. On the Internet they will sharpen their Search skills. They will create PowerPoint presentations, and produce spreadsheets by entering data and making charts.

Bible

Classroom religious studies focus on applying Christ’s teachings to everyday life experiences.
All students (Junior Kindergarten through sixth grade) attend chapel services each Wednesday at 8:45 conducted by the School Chaplain. Parents are always welcome to attend chapel.

More information is available about the General Curriculum used at Salem.