Grade 5 Curriculum

Curriculum Standards Grade Level 5

 

Language Arts

In Grade Five, students grow in their commitment to lifelong reading and writing for many purposes. Assignments are designed to promote clear thinking and expression in both written and oral communications. Students are exposed to a variety of literature that is analyzed for character, setting, plot, tone, and theme.

 

Literature/Oral Language

·         Review of summer reading

·         Novel readings, biographies, classics

·         Reading comprehension strategies and activities in order to critically evaluate text for different purposes

·         Character development

·         Sequencing of evens

·         Integration with Social Studies units

·         Figurative language

·         Development of abstract though and make inferences

·         Use of prior knowledge to make predictions, understand new information, and make meaning

·         Formal and informal written reading responses to independent and class readings

·         Develop independence in reading

·         Value reading as an important part of their lives

·         Participate in a print-rich environment

·         Dramatic expression

·         Developing confidence in voice

Grammar

·         Mechanics of revision and spelling

·         Parts of speech: nouns, pronouns, verbs, direct objects, prepositional and superlative phrases, interjections, conjunctions, adverbs, adjectives, possessives

·         Punctuation: sentence endings, commas, quotation marks

·         Spelling lessons from spelling text and writing experiences

Vocabulary

·         Learning pronunciation and definitions

·         Putting words in context

·         Forming analogies

·         Finding synonyms and antonyms

·         Categorizing words

·         Correct usage of vocabulary learned

Written Language

·         Six traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions

·         Build a spelling vocabulary for writing

·         Recognize and construct sentences beyond a simple structure

·         Development of detailed paragraphs

·         Development of essays, expository biographical writing, persuasive writing, creative writing, critical thinking and expression

·         Make effective word choice that conveys meaning

·         Use of informal writing across the curriculum to facilitate learning

·         Prepare, create, revise, and publish a variety of pieces of written work

·         Write and respond together with other students, teachers and parents

Spelling

·         Correctly spell grade level words and high frequency words

·         Understand and use spelling rules and strategies

·         Integrate learned vocabulary words into writing with correct spelling

 

Science

Science is a way of knowing, a process for gaining knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Students will participate in a hands-on active curriculum where they "do" science, not simply read about science to emphasize the importance of science in their daily lives. Students will work through the scientific process by observing, inquiring, questioning, formulating and testing hypotheses, and analyzing, reporting and evaluating data.

 

Our Changing Earth

·         Understanding that the Earth's surface is constantly changing

·         Study of plate tectonics

·         Determine how weathering and erosion change Earth's surface

·         Explain how volcanoes, earthquakes and uplift affect the Earth's surface

·         Relate the Earth's change to existing physical land features

Magnetism

·         Investigate the behavior of magnetism with hands-on work with magnets

·         Compare and contrast the magnetic field of Earth and a magnet

Electricity

·         Understand the features of static and current electricity

·         Describe the behavior of static electricity in nature and everyday occurrences

·         Analyze the behavior of current electricity

Genetics

·         Understand the transfer of traits from parents to offspring

·         Describe how some characteristics could give a species a survival advantage

·         Identify the parts of DNA

·         Compare and contrast phenotypes and genotypes

·         Use of Punnett squares to predict the outcomes of offspring

Matter

·         Understand the occurrence of chemical and physical changes that in matter

·         Evaluate evidence that indicates a physical change ha occurred

·         Investigate evidence for changes in matter that occur during a chemical reaction

Environmental Awareness

·         Become aware of ecological and social issues related to natural resources

 

Social Studies

Students will study United States history from colonial times through present. They will study the foundations of America and compare this to the 19^th and 20^th century America. They will also compare geography culture, and government of Canada and Mexico to the United States to engage students in make world connections.

 

·         Development of the New World and the United States

·         Westward expansion in the United States

·         Recognize key individuals and groups in the development of the United States: Native Americans, explorers

·         Development of United States government: the three branches of federal government

·         Development and expansion of the United States through the 1900's

·         United Stated as a world influence from 1900's-present

·         Compare the government, geography, culture, and economies of Canada and Mexico to the United States

·         Develop good citizenship qualities through a year-long service learning project TBA by the teacher and students each year as well as year-long service to our sister school in Palestine

 

Mathematics

Students in fifth grade will learn to apply mathematical skills to become creative problem solvers. They will solidify efficient computation strategies and understanding of basic mathematical concepts. Attention is also paid to the development of higher level thinking skills that can be applied in real life experiences.

 

Numeracy/Place Value

·         Compare, order and round whole numbers up to 12 digits

·         Represent whole numbers and decimals in a variety of ways

·         Identify relationships between whole numbers, fractions and decimals

·         Students will understand number theory and fractions concepts by writing composite numbers as a product of prime factors, using exponents

·         Identify the GCF of two numbers

Computation/Estimation

·         Identify and use the steps to multiple digit multiplication for whole and mixed numbers, fractions and decimals and integers

·         Identify and use the steps to long division for whole numbers

·         Add and subtract numbers and decimals up to nine digits

·         Add and subtract fractions and mixed numbers

·         Addition to fractions and mixed numbers

·         Estimation of sums, differences, products and quotients with whole and mixed numbers

·         Write and evaluate expressions involving exponents

·         Change numbers between percents, decimals, fractions and mixed numbers

·         Identify, order, compare, add and subtract integers by use with and without a number line

Data

·         Students will analyze, interpret data, statistics and graphs

·         Understand how to select a random sample

·         Find range, mode, mean and median

Probability

·         Interpret ratios and probability

·         Find and determine equivalent ratios

·         Use unit rates and prices

·         Use scale drawings to solve problems

Measurement

·         Utilize different types of measurement

·         Change units of time and elapsed time

·         Convert between customary and metric units of length, weight, mass and capacity

·         Estimate temperatures in Fahrenheit and Celsius

·         Determine perimeter, area and volume of a given space or object

Geometry

·         Measure and classify angles

·         Use angle measure sums to solve problems

·         Draw congruent/similar figures and tessellations

·         Describe diameters, radii, chords, and central angles in circles

·         Classify triangles and quadrilaterals

Problem Solving

·         Estimate and determine if results are reasonable, when solving real life problems requiring computation, with or without a calculator

·         Demonstrate the ability to reason mathematically

·         Communicate mathematically using vocabulary, symbols, oral language and pictures

·         Through open-ended questioning, uses higher level thinking skills to solve single and multi-step word problems

 

Religion

Religion is an integral part of the entire school day. Through religious education, students' experience of learning and living achieves its deepest meaning. Relationship to Catholic theology and worship will enhance the spiritual life of all students

 

Beliefs

·         Jesus' humanity and divinity

·         Jesus' incarnation

·         Jesus welcomes, forgives, and heals people

·         Church carries on Jesus' mission through discipleship and the sacraments

·         The marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, apostolic

·         The three theological virtues: faith, hope, love

·         The early Church; Paul

Worship

·         Sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist

·         Restored order of the sacraments here at the Cathedral of the Madeleine

·         Sacraments of healing and service: Reconciliation, Holy Orders and Matrimony

We Live as Children of God

·         We receive God's own life in  Baptism

·         We are strengthened by Confirmation

·         We are fed through the Eucharist

Prayer

·         Prayer to be channels of grace

·         Prayer as a time to listen to God

·         Prayer through the Bible: labeling/learning the sections and nooks of the Bible, how to find a Bible verse

·         Formal and informal forms of prayer: The Apostle's Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Confiteor, Hail Holy Queen, The Angelus, How to Pray the Rosary, the prayer of St. Francis

Special Celebrations

·         The seasons of the liturgical year

·         Seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter

·         Holy Week

Building Catholic Character (Virtues)

·         Participate in rotating three-year Virtues program

·         Participate in year-long service project to be decided upon at start of year

·         Participate in global service in support of our sister school in Palestine