Fifth grade is a very important and pivotal year for students. It is the transitional year prior to moving to the Middle School Building and entering Middle School. Independence and being personally responsible are encouraged, reinforced, and in the second half of the school year required as they prepare for this transition. The curriculum will present them with learning activities that promote continued growth with basic skills, use of critical thinking abilities, and various research topics.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum is a based on novels that include: realistic fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, humor, mystery, and adventure. The novels appeal to students of this age and offer literary enrichment through varied topics and reading levels. The reading instruction is integrated into other subject areas. The students will read novels in class with an emphasis on activities that reinforce comprehension skills and foster their enjoyment of reading. Students will choose one book monthly from the class library to read at home and will complete interesting activities.
The writing program is integrated into all subject areas. Students will increase their knowledge of spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar and apply those skills to all writing assignments. The students will learn and apply the basics of narrative, descriptive, letter and research writing techniques.
Mathematics
The fifth grade math curriculum reviews the four basic operations of whole numbers and provides practice with these operations to attain mastery in skill and accuracy. In addition, the program covers decimals, fractions, and geometry. Students also study percents, measurement, metric and standard computation, and money. Word problems encompass all of these skills. The program will allow students to work with real world math problems and to promote a confident attitude toward the study and use of math.
Science
The curriculum centers on an integrated approach to learning science. Studies in the fifth grade include life, physical, and earth sciences. Major units include: earth science, weather, human body, plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Social Studies
The fifth grade course of study focuses on United States History beginning with Native American civilizations and extending through the late 1800’s. The course incorporates geography, government, economics, sociology, and a strong emphasis on history. Students explore significant themes such as exploration, colonization, and immigration. Important events such as the American Revolution and the adoption of the Constitution are studied in depth. |
