Fifth Grade Curriculum
Mathematics
A Single-Subject Math teacher teaches Math daily. Utilizing the SMART Board, Mrs. Sun engages every 4th and 5th Grade student in active lessons that build sequentially from hands-on activities to written problem solving.
Singapore Math
- A proven world-class curriculum that emphasizes developing a concrete understanding of math concepts by first using manipulative materials and hands-on SMART board exercises, followed by word problems, written exercises, and independent practice to solidify problem solving and computational skills.
- Accurate computation skills are integral to cognitive progress in Math so math facts are drilled and tested in all grades.
- Unique pedagogy emphasizes a Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach to build understanding of “why” before proceeding to the abstract “how.”
By Fifth Grade, students are expected to be fluent with all of the above math facts so that they can master each new concept without confusion. Weekly drills reinforce automaticity.
Academic Choice tutoring is available after school at no charge.
Science
The FOSS (Full Option Science System) program is taught three days a week by Mrs. Flavin, a single-subject Science teacher. FOSS science includes hands-on learning activities most days.
Fifth Grade units include: Mixtures, Solutions and Chemical Reactions, Body and Plant Systems, and Pendulums and Weather.
Students record findings in their science notebooks to learn the steps of scientific inquiry. Students then discuss the many new scientific events that are occurring to deepen their understanding of the world they live in.
Reading
Progress and achievement in the Fifth Grade are the direct result of past learning. Sounds, vowel patterns, spelling rules, and comprehension techniques absorbed during earlier training are never abandoned. These valuable tools are forever theirs. By Fifth Grade, students accept the challenge of the advanced reading material of the upper grades. They find they can cope with ease and confidence the new academic challenges. Study habits acquired in preceding grades are enhanced through careful application in association with new concepts learned. Fifth Grade is a key grade for learning fine study and work habits.
The children read the classic literature that is suitable for their grade level.
Literature
All the literature books are unabridged editions of the original text. Vocabulary development and rhythmic reading are stressed during the reading class at this grade level. Comprehension of material and vocabulary development are important elements of the Carden reading program.
The Class Book is an extension of literature and language. It exposes the students to different cultures around the world through folk tales and myths. It begins with “The God That Lived in the Kitchen” from Tales of a Chinese Grandmother. “Clever Semiletka” follows from Tales of a Russian Grandmother by Frances Carpenter and then the stories move on to Persia with the story of “The White-Headed Zall” from The Ivory Throne of Persia. Later in the year the Greek myths are read and enjoyed with “The Gorgon’s Head” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “The Peace Pipe” from The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The Graduation Book continues to enhance with the literature of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s renditions of the Greek Myths. These include “Jason and the Golden Fleece”, “Hercules”, “Theseus and the Minotaur”, and “Orpheus and Eurydice”.
The Homework series includes Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Great Stone Face” and Rudyard Kipling’s “The Cat That Walked by Himself” and other stories. The students develop comprehension skills and independent work skills.
All of these stories convey life lessons well worth learning. The work in this grade assures the student a foundation in classic literature.
Poetry
Students in the Fifth Grade learn up to twenty poems. They recite regularly during Friday assembly. Poets studied are Longfellow, Eugene Field, Emerson, James Whitcomb Rile, and others. A portion of a poem is dictated each day in the Daily Drill or Log.
Language Arts
Log and Daily Drill
Fifth Grade has a Log and Daily Drill dictated by the teacher. The Log is the same as in previous years. It includes a Fact for the day, Homework assignments, Sounds that are interrelated with the week’s spelling lesson, and Rule, which can be a spelling or language rule. The Log goes home with the student each day for study and to keep parents apprised of their child’s progress.
The Daily Drill consists of Penmanship, Sound Chart, Poetry, Spelling, and History. Tests are given every Friday in Spelling, with twenty words selected from the total of forty-two which were given during the week.
Language
The Fifth Grade reviews all the basic parts of speech. Phrases, adverbial, adjectival, and prepositional are added to the basic sentence pattern of subject and verb. The adjective, adverbial and noun clauses are perfected in the student’s writing. English grammar is made understandable through diagramming simple sentences and adding phrases and clauses. Regular, irregular, transitive, and intransitive verbs are studied. Present and past perfect, future and future perfect verbs are mastered and the student becomes adept in changing them into regular and progressive forms.
The students are given practice sentences that aid in identifying parts of speech and how the verb controls the sentence pattern. Regular, interrogative verb forms are written. Conjugation of verbs in singular and plural forms are written each day in the Daily Drill.
Writing
In composition, the children learn the structure of the “Carden Paragraph.” By doing this they learn to support the topic sentence, develop the key idea, compare or contrast themes, and close with a summation. This basic pattern can be used in any subject and enlarged to any scale.
The students accomplish four multi-paragraph book reports during the year. One report is given orally. The written reports are completed following a Carden writing pattern, and utilize the writing process.
Social studies
History
The History studied in the Fifth Grade covers American History from the end of the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. The History is taught by close study of the content including sentence analysis, outlines, and projects. This method of study engages the child and enlarges their reasoning capability and study techniques.
Geography
Geography includes the study of land, maps, and a country report.
Physical education
Each day our thirty-minute session begins with a warm-up consisting of stretching and running, followed by one skill, and then a game to use what the students have learned. We play baseball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, and many other games.
In the second semester we participate in National Presidential Physical Fitness Award Testing, which includes Sit and Reach, Sit Ups, Pull Ups, Shuttle Run, and Mile Run.
By participating in these activities every day, we feel a proper athletic foundation will be achieved so that our young athletes can enjoy sports on many different levels and lead an active healthy life.
Music
Beginning guitar and music composition are taught by Mrs. Krasczyk, our Music Specialist Teacher. In Music Appreciation, the students learn about influential composers. The 5th Grade performances during assembly make for a highly enjoyable year in Music.
Art and Art Appreciation
Abstract composition adds a new twist to Art this year. Art Appreciation focuses on Pop Art and contemporary art.
French
Grammar is the key word in Fifth Grade French. Through many oral and written exercises, the students are taught the numerous rules, and exceptions of the French language. Along with the grammar, basic vocabulary is learned. By the end of the year the students are able to write a grammatically correct essay.
Computer
In the Fifth Grade the students are introduced to Coding and Programming. Students apply their knowledge in ten technology areas: applied technology, databases, desktop publishing, graphics, multimedia, operating environments, programming, spreadsheets, and word processing skills. Students continue to type by touch and will also do research for projects on the Internet.