Fifth Grade Curriculum Overview
One major goal of fifth grade is to help students become responsible, independent, active participants in their own education. The fifth grade curriculum is designed to foster this growth and development through a combination of direct and indirect instruction. The following are specific components of the fifth grade curriculum.
Language Arts:
The fifth grade language arts program is a combination of speaking, reading, writing and researching. Language arts instruction is integrated in all subjects throughout our entire school day.
Guided Reading Program:
Students build vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills through direct instruction. Students read books of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, folk tales, reference materials, Time for Kids , and content area textbooks. Students read as a whole class, in small groups or in pairs. We will respond to reading using graphic organizers, writing in literature journals, discussing topics in literature circles, and completing written assignments.
Fifth graders will be working in the Specific Skills Series from Barnell Loft. Students are individually placed in the Barnell Loft Series and required to complete weekly lessons. Topics of instruction include: Getting the Main Idea, Getting the Facts, Drawing Conclusions, Following Directions. Working Within Words, Using the Context, Locating the Answer, Detecting the Sequence and Identifying Inferences.
Independent Reading :
Independent reading is a critical factor in becoming a successful reader. Reading should be an enjoyable experience for your son/daughter and my goal is to have them develop a love for reading. Students will be self-selecting books of various types during the year to be read at home. When your child completes a book, he/she will sign up for a computer quiz or a conference to check for comprehension. In addition, students will be completing book projects. Some of these projects will be research reports integrated with social studies.
Working with Words/Language:
Fifth graders use the spelling textbook, Spelling Connections. Each student works in a consumable text on the appropriate level that offers a variety of exercises and activities, including proofreading. Fifth graders complete assignments in Vocabulary for Achievement and Daily Analogies to enhance vocabulary comprehension in a different context. In addition, students are exposed to the different parts of speech and complete written practice. Through spelling, vocabulary and grammar, students develop their abilities to use more precise, expressive words in their speech and in their writing.
Writing:
New Horizons Elementary School students in grades 2-5 are using a program called Step Up to Writing beginning this school year. This program is designed to help students learn to write clear, organized paragraphs, outlines, reports, essay question responses, and narratives. Students construct informal outlines, convert outlines to sentences, and compile sentences into paragraphs using sequential, organized techniques. Students work in writing groups to proofread for capitalization, usage, punctuation, and spelling. Final drafts are produced using word processing software and their best handwriting. We also use Daily Oral Language Plus , and the Daybook of Critical Reading and Writing.
Mathematics:
Everyday Mathematics , a program from the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, is the core of the mathematics curriculum. This program emphasizes mathematics instruction that is varied, rich and rooted in real world problems and applications. Instruction in the fifth grade places a high priority on teaching students how to understand problems and how to solve them. It is imperative that students at this grade level maintain an understanding of numbers and how they work.
Program highlights include:
• Numeration
• Operations and Computation
• Data and Chance
• Geometry
• Measurement and Reference Frames
• Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
Students keep a math notebook containing daily math lessons. Math homework will be assigned daily and will consist of practice concepts learned in class and enrichment activities. Fifth graders are given a weekly math challenge to complete at home.
In addition to Everyday Mathematics, students complete Arithmetic Drilled Daily (ADD) sheets. This program requires students to recall previously covered skills and concepts to keep them sharp and includes number story problems.
Students in grades 2-5 will be building computational fluency throughout the year by taking frequent timed tests. This new program, Practicing Basic Skills in Math , is designed using the most up-to-date research on math achievement.
Social Studies:
The fifth grade social studies curriculum covers United States history and geography. Some of the major skills that are taught are: how to read textbooks, acquire information from various sources and how to study for tests. Students are also taught how to answer essay questions. These are valuable skills for students to learn: much of their future education will involve reading textbooks and taking tests on textbook material. Along with the textbook, students read a variety of materials about American History (historical fiction, nonfiction, biographies, and magazines).
Students also use research skills in the completion of individual and group social studies projects. This year, students will complete three research reports in social studies and one independent project. Students will also complete current event summaries, reaction paragraphs and oral reports once a month.
Science:
The school uses the Full Option Science Program (FOSS) which was developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley. This hands-on activity learning science curriculum teaches scientific thinking process. Students conduct a variety of experiments, record scientific information, design experiments, and apply what they have learned. Science modules in the grade are: V ariables , Mixtures and Solutions and Landforms with an emphasis on our coastal region.
Creative Arts:
The fifth grade creative arts program includes opportunities for self-expression and appreciation of art and music. Students will have chorus with performances in January and June. We will participate is school-wide visiting artists program and "switch". Most creative arts activities will be integrated with science, social studies, and language arts to allow students to utilize their talents and build their skills.
Technology:
Our primary goal is to utilize the computer as a tool for writing and researching. Our class website will be used as a tool to enhance student knowledge of internet resources. Students use computer encyclopedias, atlases and the Internet for research. They complete projects using Microsoft Power Point, Microsoft Excel and other computer software.
Other Learning Opportunities:
Our students will continue to act as reading/writing mentors for younger students, this year working with Ms. Donna's second graders. Fifth graders can run for Safety Patrol Officers.
Behavior and Cooperation:
The behavior/cooperation portion of the curriculum encourages students to:
• Grow from dependence to independence.
• Develop the ability to self-regulate effectively when an adult is and is not present.
• Learn how to handle responsibility.
• Learn how to problem solve.
• Learn how to make decision and control emotions.
• Understand how to behave and interact in ways that meet their needs and the needs of the larger community.
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