Art

Fifth grade children’s art classes help students become more visually and aesthetically aware. Students learn the basic art elements and the language of art, and they grow in their appreciation of art. They gain confidence practicing techniques and skills in both two-and three-dimensional art materials and become familiar with the work of various artists and artistic styles.

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Language Arts

In fifth grade language arts, students continue to read independently, while also seeking deeper levels of understanding by communicating their observations and questions. Students focus on studying historical fiction and nonfiction literature and develop the ability to form short answer and essay responses. Learning of literary elements and devices is emphasized through novels and short stories. Vocabulary and spelling development continues, including an emphasis on word roots and affixes. Students also study the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing, as well as grammar mechanics and usage. Weekly journal writing offers students an opportunity to practice these writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Students demonstrate their learning through traditional quizzes and tests, as well as through seminars, multimedia projects, and oral presentations.

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Mathematics

In fifth grade mathematics, students continue with the Khan Academy and progress in their math education while drawing upon the knowledge taught in previous levels. Students are guided to a sound concept development, critical thinking, and efficient problem-solving skills. Mathematical concepts are presented in a clear and sequential way to facilitate understanding and mastery. Students encounter work with number theory, estimation and computation, geometry, multiplication and division, fractions, decimals, percent, exponents and negative numbers, fractions and ratios, algebraic concepts, coordinates, area, volume, capacity, probability, ratios, and rates.

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Science

Our fifth grade program continues with Pearson’s Interactive Science curriculum. The school provides each fifth grader with an Interactive Science textbook that includes interactive text, science inquiries, and links to digital lessons and activities. The textbook belongs to the student, and daily lessons will involve interaction with text and images that will help with the development of good study skills. Students can expect to engage in a variety of hands-on science inquiry activities during each unit of study. Investigations throughout the year will focus on organisms, including humans, and ecosystems, Earth and space systems, Earth’s processes, and properties of matter and energy. Chapter checkpoints will focus on mastery of key concepts and vocabulary, while unit tests will focus on mastery of concepts and skills learned during an entire unit. Core units of study are taught in a spiral pattern from year to year, building on previous learning in order to develop depth of knowledge and further understanding in many of the same overall topics with new learning opportunities as the grades advance.

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Social Studies

The study of American history continues with early colonization, the Revolutionary War, the establishment of the U.S. government, westward expansion, and changes through the 20th Century. Students are required to prepare projects and written reports using reference materials, and engage in discussions and debates about the topics learned.

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Spanish

The fifth grade Spanish program continues to build upon the five basic skills for second language acquisition (listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness) while conversational skills are emphasized. Students build on the linguistic base needed for developing communicative skills by employing question-answer structures in various realistic situations. The program introduces more complex structures of the language to expand oral and writing skills. Students explore and comprehend various aspects of the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries.