Academics

Grade 5

Philosophy

We believe that all of our students can develop self-directed and independent learning skills with guidance and support.  Creating a “positive and safe” learning environment is top priority in 5th grade.  We stress a positive attitude with every student…they need to be willing to try things that are unfamiliar and challenging to them.  Making mistakes is an integral part of learning and we impart that notion in our students, but we also instill the importance of not making the same mistake, again.  In addition to this, we also believe that every student deserves respect from one another.  Taking care of others is just as important as taking care of yourself.  By ensuring that these goals and attitudes are foremost in our classroom, learning can take place and reach great heights.

Students working on a computer lesson in the classroom
Students practicing for a dance performance
Students at camp doing archery
Students at the basketball intramural tournament

At Momilani Elementary, the upper grades teach in a unique classroom situation.  Teachers team teach the curriculum, which means that one teacher instructs the entire grade level, at the same time, in an open classroom setup.  There are no partitions to divide the classes.  In 5th grade, one teacher teaches math and social studies, the other one teaches reading/writing and science.  Both teachers give instruction in P.E., health, music, art, and technology.  Students readily adapt to this situation because the configuration is similar in all grade levels, starting with Kindergarten.  5th grade curriculum centers around grade level standards for math, reading, and science, U.S. history for social studies,  and writing in various genres.

Activities that 5th graders may participate in include student council, JPO, math team, intramural basketball, complex-wide track and field, drama performance, Camp Erdman bonding event, and our Starbucks motivational reward system.

5th grade is an exciting and challenging year, and we look forward to becoming a part of our student’s education!

Meet the Team

Mr. Travis Kashiwa

Mr. Kashiwa

My Name is Mr. Kashiwa. I graduated from the U.H Manoa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2003. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade. Although each teaching assignment was wonderful, I really enjoy teaching 5th grade the most. 

In my free time, I love to fish and dive from my kayak. I’ve been fishing and diving my whole life. I can remember looking for tako with my dad before I could even swim. He would pull me around on a bodyboard as we looked for those tasty 8 legged creatures.

Mrs. Kim

I always had a love for children whether they were my younger cousins or volunteering at my former elementary during school breaks.  I graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2010 with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  Soon after, I taught at my alma mater, Kaneohe Elementary School, for 13 years in grades 3-6 before making my way to Momilani Elementary.

During my free time, I like to read, garden, and spend time with my 'ohana.  A fun fact about me...I like to collect popcorn buckets from Disneyland/DCA!