Fifth Grade Curriculum

Fifth grade students are issued Chromebooks for use at school to access enhanced curriculum  material, research and learn both individually and collaboratively, and strengthen technology skills.

RELIGION
Students delve into our blessed seven sacraments in fifth grade.  Through plays, videos, and online resources, students develop a deeper understanding of the symbolism and purpose of each sacrament. Our fifth graders also study the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy as they learn to share their love and talents the way Jesus intended.  Additionally, the children participate in class meetings throughout the year where they are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings on various topics which helps them grow and strengthen their social-emotional learning. 

LANGUAGE ARTS
In fifth grade, students do novel studies throughout the year. As a class, they will read a variety of genres of novels, answer comprehension questions, expand students’ vocabulary, and complete activities related to the novels.

Vocabulary words are given to students at the beginning of the week. These words correspond to the words that they will be reading or using with each novel read. There are typically about 10 words per week. Students will have opportunities in class to use and practice their words. At the end of the week, an exit slip will be their assessment on their vocabulary words. They will need to understand the meaning of each word as well as how they can use it in a sentence.

Every child is encouraged to read 20-30 minutes a day. Students are participating in an optional 30 book challenge. If students complete the book challenge, there will be a party at the end of the year to celebrate their accomplishment. Students track the books that they are reading throughout the challenge on the given reading log.

MATH
Fractions and decimals are the core of fifth grade math.  Students learn how to manipulate, represent, and compare fractions and decimals. They will know how to multiply, divide, add, and subtract fractions and decimals.  During the last months of the year we move into geometry, data and statistics, and pre-algebra concepts. The curriculum utilizes word problems and real-world applications to enrich their math lessons and to help prepare them for standardized testing.

SCIENCE
Physical science, Earth science, and Life science are the main foci of the fifth grade Science curriculum.  In Physical science the topics covered include matter and mass, chemical processes in everyday life, and gravity's effects on objects.  In Earth science, students explore the Earth’s major systems and how the Earth’s surface is affected by water. Finally, students encounter how organisms depend on each other to survive in Life science.  Throughout the year, students are able to apply what they are learning in the Science lab and report their results through data interpretation and graph creation.

Students attend STEM class weekly where they participate in hands-on activities which promote real-world problem solving skills.

SOCIAL STUDIES
Fifth grade Social Studies begins with the world before the opening of the Atlantic, touching on Native American, Mesoamerican, West African, and European civilizations. The curriculum then brings all of these cultures together with the colonization of America. Fifth graders review in detail the events leading up to and comprising the American Revolution. They learn about the struggles and innovations of the new nation, and how America expanded to its current borders. The year ends with study of the rift between the North and South that developed into the Civil War, and the Civil War itself. Students will learn how to interpret primary sources and artifacts, imagine themselves in the events they learn about, and use fiction and nonfiction writing to enrich their Social Studies learning. Students also track current events throughout the course of the year and are responsible for summarizing, presenting, and discussing national and world events regularly.

Please refer to the Specials/Fine Arts page to learn more about our fifth grade curriculum in the areas of Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Technology.