5th Grade

Teacher: Lexi Westermeyer

During the year, 5th grade students will focus on the following:

Religion - Using the Christ Our Life textbook, students grow in faith and understanding through:

• Study of the sacraments

• Learning how to live as disciples of Christ in daily life

• Exploring scripture and developing familiarity with the Bible

• Building a strong foundation in Catholic teachings, prayer, and service

Math - Students will deepen their understanding of multi-step problem solving and number operations through:

• 4-digit by 3-digit multiplication

• Long division

• Adding, subtracting, and multiplying fractions

• Understanding and working with decimals

English Language Arts - Using the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, students will develop strong reading, writing, and language skills through:

• Reading a variety of literature and informational texts

• Applying comprehension strategies (cause/effect, use of graphic organizers, summarizing, etc.)

• Expanding vocabulary and academic language

• Strengthening writing skills, including structure, organization, and mechanics

• Understanding parts of speech and conventions of English grammar

Science - Using the Smithsonian Science Kit program, students will engage in hands-on investigations in:

• Ecosystems

• Life science

• Earth science

• Physical science

Social Studies - Using the Social Studies Alive! curriculum, students engage with American history, civics, and geography through interactive learning experiences. Units of study include:

• Indigenous cultures of North America, with an emphasis on cultural diversity and regional adaptations

• Colonial America and the development of the Thirteen Colonies

• The American Revolution and the fight for independence

• Early U.S. history, with connections to civics, government, and economics

About

My name is Lexi Westermeyer, and I am thrilled to join the St. Joseph Catholic School community this year as your 5th grade teacher. I believe learning should be fun and meaningful, and I work hard to instill a love of learning in each of my students. I recently relocated from Seattle, where I taught kindergarten for nine years. I am passionate about helping students develop a growth mindset, build a love of reading, and learn self-regulation strategies to help them be their best selves.

I’m a product of Catholic education and hold a bachelor’s in Special Education from Gonzaga University, with certifications in elementary, early childhood, and special education. I also have two master’s degrees—one in Curriculum and Instruction and one in K–6 Mathematics.

As a lifelong learner, I feel joyful to be doing this work at St. Joe’s and can’t wait to support our 5th graders as they grow, explore, and succeed!

Daily Raising of the Flag

Every morning, our 5th graders proudly raise the American flag—a tradition that reflects leadership, responsibility, and school spirit. As part of their daily duties, these students set the tone for the day by honoring this important symbol. It’s just one of the many ways our 5th grade class leads by example at St. Joseph!

Annual Classroom Events

Flag raisers

Presentation of the Stations of the Cross

Día de los Muertos altar building

Las Posadas Christmas Celebration