Fifth Grade Curriculum

Study Skills

“Active” study strategies are taught in fifth grade.   Since no one method will meet the needs of all learners, they are offered a repertoire of strategies.  We’ll be using a program called "The Mind That's Mine” to learn about learning.  

Religion

This year, the students will study the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Students will learn that the Church is the sacrament or sign of Christ in the world. They will come to appreciate the difference Jesus makes in our lives. Students will learn that there are many signs of Christ's loving presence in our daily lives. People, especially, but also special or sacred things, places and times reveal the presence of God. Strands from Scripture, Church, Trinity, Morality and Prayer are interwoven into course content. Special attention is given to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Opportunities for its regular reception will be provided.

Language Arts

The students will be reading numerous chapter books of various genres and literary forms.  Students will examine literary devices and become familiar with the terminology.  Some of the books we will be reading include: Holes, My Brother Sam is Dead, A Year Down Yonder, and The Giver.  Students will also be working in literature circles toward the end of the year. 

Students will learn many reading strategies and techniques, some of which include: using context clues to determine word meaning, cause and effect relationships, character analysis, literary terminology, participating in literature discussions and self-monitoring comprehension.

The five-paragraph essay is a major emphasis in fifth grade.  Special focus will be given to the opening and closing paragraphs.

Students will use brainstorming techniques and a variety of graphic organizers to become more proficient writers.  Some of the writing strategies taught include:  writing a thesis, linking a closing paragraph to the introduction, finding a focus, working with paragraphs, brightening up boring beginnings, writing satisfying endings, replacing overused verbs, comparing using similes and metaphors and editing techniques.

During the course of the year students will become proficient in the following areas:

• Analyzing an author's style and purpose in both functional text and poetry
• Discerning content and details in order to draw conclusions and inferences, and to determine missing information
• Exploring myths and works of fiction as well as drama and literature from around the world
• Knowing the parts of speech to include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and objects
• Use of standard English to include proper sentence structure, transitions between complete ideas, phrases, appositives, modifiers, and tense
• Applying punctuation, capitalization, and formatting titles
• Analyzing media messages and forms of persuasion
• Reading aloud with acceptable rate and tone, and responding by connecting text with oral instruction and responding in both verbal and written modes
• Identifying plot, main events, cause and effect sequences, and state an appropriate title in order to retell a story
• Applying metaphor and simile
• Directing and responding to an audience in formal presentations and telling stories to groups giving evidence to support and clarify ideas
• Increasing one's personal vocabulary library through analysis and study of word relationships
• Mastering the writing process and language conventions in creating and revising original compositions
  

Math

The Elementary Math Curriculum strives to put into practice much of the current research about how students best learn mathematics. Our core math program is supplemented by a variety of other diverse resources. Students work on classroom activities that often target multiple concepts. These activities are multi-level, offering a wide range of extensions and questions for students of all ability levels to address and think through; concrete, encouraging the use of manipulatives and other tools; and meaningful, usually based on real-life contexts and situations. Through the use of Flash Masters, Mountain Math, Challenge 24, and other games, students gain mental math competence and rapid fact recall. Technology is integrated in our math program through the use of document cameras, interactive white boards, and online math activities.

In addition, small-group and whole-class discussions are key for pulling out important ideas, comparing a variety of strategies used among students, and connecting the concrete to the more symbolic and abstract. Students learn how to record and express their thinking, both verbally, and in writing, as well as respond to, and learn from their classmates. There is also an emphasis on the development of a productive disposition in students toward mathematics as a sense-making endeavor, and toward themselves as persistent problem solvers, and successful learners of mathematics.

In fifth grade, students review concepts and procedures related to whole number operations, including multi-digit multiplication and division; word problems that are incrementally developed and continually practiced throughout the year; continual development of whole number concepts; whole number computation; mental math; problem solving; patterns; functions; measurement; geometry; fractions; decimals; statistics; probability; exponents; square roots; and percentages.

Science

Science concepts include simple machines, Earths oceans and plants and animals. Through hands-on activities and observations, the children relate science to the world around them. Air, water and temperature are also studied.

Social Studies

The focus is United States history beginning with the American Revolution and concluding with Westward Expansion and Immigration.  Students engage in a multitude of research projects that culminate with thematic presentations.  Although technology is integrated throughout the curriculum, specific focus is given to social studies topics.  Students present information using a variety of media, such as: Podcasts, Website design, blogs, and PowerPoint presentations.

Physical Education

Our physical education curriculum builds on the basic skills learned in previous grades. Skills involving team sports (softball, kickball, soccer, volleyball and basketball) are enhanced at this level. Skills of responsibility, leadership, tolerance for others, and cooperation in small groups and teams foster an appreciation of recreation and physical fitness as part of healthy living.