Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

Throughout the day, fifth graders learn a lot about a variety of exciting things! Below is a brief overview of the major areas of the fifth grade curriculum.

Reading:
In 5th grade we use the Harcourt Trophies reading program. It is a comprehensive standards based program, which directly addresses the skills being measured on the Connecticut Mastery Test. It provides instruction in varied reading strategies. The program features read alouds, shared reading of anthology selections, and guided reading. It meets the needs of students who require varying levels of intervention and challenge. Another component of the reading program is independent reading and journal writing in response to books. There will be times when students create book projects to demonstrate their comprehension and responses to independent reading books in place of journal writing.

Language Arts/Writing:
Students will be learning a variety of specific targeted skills in writing, grammar, and spelling. Expository writing is a main focus. Students will also develop skills in researching and note taking. Creative writing and journal writing are also part of grade 5. Students will be maintaining a writer’s notebook, which will be a tool for fostering ideas for creative writing.
Math:
The fifth grade uses the Math Trail Blazers program. It features a hands-on, exploratory approach to math skills and problem solving. Many of the lessons are science based and involve cooperative group work in the exploration and development of concepts.

Science: (first half of year)
There are three major units in science; sound, electricity, and light. Sound includes a study of the properties of sound, sound waves, and how sound travels. Electricity includes hands on investigations with current electricity, simple circuits and parallel circuits. Students will learn about conductors and insulators. Light includes study of the electromagnetic spectrum, colors of visible light, lenses as well as reflection and refraction of light.

Social Studies: (second half of year)
Map Skills/Geography
In the first unit of study, students will learn about types of maps, geographical features, latitude and longitude, and continents as well as other main features of the world. Students will apply learning to the study of Africa’s physical features. In addition, students will be introduced to the term “culture” and have the opportunity to learn about Kenya and some aspects of Africa’s geography and people.
Japan
Japan will be a featured country of study along with map skills related to Asia. Students will learn about the culture of Japan as well as geographical features. Topics include Japanese schools, sports, art forms, tourist attractions, performing arts and Japanese cuisine. This unit is a favorite, featuring many interesting and creative hands on projects. To conclude the unit on Japan we take a trip to Japanica to sample authentic Japanese food and we have “Japan Night” where the students present their projects.