Fifth Grade Curriculum Overview
 

Language Arts
In fifth grade, students read novels, short stories, folk literature, dramas, nonfiction, and poetry which support cultural diversity and the study of world history. They begin a study of Shakespeare and his works. Comprehension and thoughtful consideration of the literature’s meaning are stressed at all times. Fifth grade students write weekly expository essays of various forms including more detailed research reports, persuasive and informational compositions, comparison and contrast essays, stories, letters, personal narratives, memoirs, and poems. Students write and speak with an attention to standard English conventions, including sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. They are encouraged to practice public speaking and to develop confidence when presenting things to others. They continue to hone their speech skills as they do formal declamations (memorizations) and speeches.

Research tools, including the dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and encyclopedia are used as aids in the writing process. Sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar are stressed in drills and writings. Spelling and vocabulary are expanded through word studies and vocabulary-building exercises.

Mathematics
Fifth graders begin to apply their mastery of basic facts and concepts to more complex operations using fractions and decimals, integers and rational numbers, expressions and equations, ratio, proportion, and percent, plane and solid geometry, statistics and probability, and coordinate graphing. Solving word problems and group problem solving continue to be emphasized.

Science
In fifth grade students are ready for a more in depth look at topics which were first presented in their earlier years. They study with a science specialist who also incorporates science in the news and various internet-based exploration possibilities. Students begin the year with the study of animals by taking a comprehensive look at the the great variety of life and its forms, the classification of living things, life cycles, reproduction, heredity, and evolution. They learn about cells, their structures, and processes. Then they apply this knowledge to an in depth study of the various systems of the human body. Hands-on experiments, reading literature, and videos are a regular part of the curriculum. Each year the students do an individual science project for the February Science Fair, helping them to learn the important concepts of observation, prediction, gathering information, recording results, creating a display, and presenting the material to others. They may also participate in some sort of outdoor education and community-building program.

Social Studies
Fifth grade students do a world history overview from the beginning, including the pre-historic times, Mesopotamia, the great ages of Ancient Greece and Rome, including the lasting ideas from these ancient civilizations including Judaism and Christianity, the early and medieval African kingdoms, and China's dynasties and conquerors; Europe in the dark ages, the spread of Islam and the "Holy Wars," and the Meso-American civilizations (the Mayas, Aztecs, and Inca);  European exploration and expansion, trade, and the clash of cultures during the Middle Ages; life during the Renaissance and Reformation, England from the Golden Age to the Glorious Revolution, Russia’s early growth and expansion, feudal Japan, and trading and slavery; the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and Romanticism in the early nineteenth century; the Industrial Revolution, immigration, industrialization, and urbanization, and the capitalist and socialist movements here and abroad; the reform movements and the "Great Wars" of the early twentieth century. They work with maps, globes, and other geographic tools and participate in a variety of projects and activities as they focus on these areas. They will also do an overview of Central European countries in preparation for our International Fair.

Spanish
Fifth graders build upon their knowledge of Spanish while they study what would normally be taught in the first half of a second year high school course. Opportunities to make use of their Spanish skills are provided through internet websites and pen pals.

Art
Students in fifth grade continue to challenge themselves as artists under the tutelage of an art specialist. Students explore different fields of art, including mask making, textile arts and sculpture. They also study the art of the Renaissance and American art of the nineteenth century as part of their Social Studies themes. Students have art class once a week.

Music
Fifth graders continue to increase their knowledge of basic elements of notation, rhythm, melody, form, and timbre by applying them in instrumental instruction on the recorder and various percussion instruments. Students learn to synchronize with a group as both an instrumentalist and a singer, and they learn about vocal ranges and harmony. They also continue their study of orchestral instruments and various famous composers and develop basic compositional skills through group and individual projects, learn the basics of harmony and melody, and solidify basic singing skills. Students have music once a week.

Physical Education
The physical education curriculum for fifth grade increases students' basic knowledge and skills in sport activities. They gain precision with increasing control and accuracy. They develop habits of teamwork, learn how to apply the basic rules of various sports, and participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness Program each year. Students have physical education twice a week.

Technology and Research
Fifth grade students develop solid keyboarding skills in our computer laboratory. They also use the lab for internet research, word-processing and in depth reports in Science and Social Studies classes. In addition, students have weekly internet-based assignments to support the emphasis on current events across the curriculum. Students are exposed to the computer several times each week.

Character Education and Debate

Fifth grade students talk about many character issues presented in their books: In particular, they discuss the dynamics of growth and change as presented in their literature textbook. They also begin a study of debate techniques while looking at various issues of relevance to them at this age.

Environmental Education and Community Service
Fifth graders work together to determine a service learning project based on a community need, and then work together to complete it. This provides an opportunity to cooperate, plan, and show their caring spirits while they help someone else in the community. An example of a past project is research into local organizations which reach out to the homeless, learning how homelessness can affect children, and volunteering to help at a homeless shelter and to interact with homeless children. This project is integrated with social studies and language arts. The class also does some sort of project which promotes environmental awareness. One project concerned cleaning up a neighborhood area which had become overgrown and littered. The school was honored for its participation.