Fifth Grade
Language Arts Description
The fifth grade language arts program includes the areas of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, reading, writing, and public speaking. All of these subjects come together as students develop their abilities to analyze literature critically in expository essays, book reports, and oral presentations.
Students in the fifth grade read five books with the whole class, reflecting cross-curricular themes of challenge, personality characteristics, interpersonal relationships, and conflict. In addition, monthly book reports lead students on a literary journey with the purpose of reading from a variety of genres. These categories include mystery, biography, science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, humorous fiction, sports, ghost stories, adventure, and animal stories.
Students develop writing, research, and presentation skills through a variety of assignments, both individually and in groups. Critical analysis and interpretations of literature are cultivated through essays, book reports, research reports, and PowerPoint presentations. In addition to formal grammar, vocabulary, and spelling instruction, self editing, peer editing, and teacher supported editing help the students master the specific skills necessary to effectively communicate. The fifth grade poetry/songwriting unit exposes fifth grade students to a variety of poets and songwriters, both past and present. Additionally, students create original works of poetry and lyrics. Students share their work in a culminating performance of poetry and songs.
Social Sciences Description
This course traces United States History within a chronological framework from its roots in the European Age of Exploration through the pre-Revolutionary period, with an emphasis on American colonial life. Students develop a basic understanding of the principles of democracy and the relationship between the past and the present. Information is presented through text readings, class discussions, videos, and group simulation exercises. Students are challenged to analyze historical events and decisions. Note-taking, research papers, PowerPoint presentations, and tests are assessment tools used to evaluate student progress.
Math Course Description
This course expands the students’ working knowledge of arithmetic and problem solving techniques and strategies developed during the previous several years. Students are introduced to new concepts such as misleading graphs, manipulation of negative integers, solving equations, area, circumference, volume, factorization, transformations, and manipulation of fractions in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Problem solving, conceptual math, and practical math are included in the course.
Art Course Description
This course is designed to give students a broader understanding of cultures and artists from around the world while building upon the foundation of the technical and conceptual skills they learned in the fourth grade. Students will use a wide variety of mediums while working individually as well as in groups. They will explore a wide array of two and three dimensional projects with an emphasis on developing an awareness of cultural traditions and master artists work from around the world.
