Fifth Grade Curriculum

English Language Arts: MAISA
The fifth grade language arts curriculum is centered on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students summarize and critique stories and informational texts and form ideas, opinions and feelings in response to reading in a variety of genres such as historical fiction and periodicals. Students write informative, narrative, and opinion pieces, such as literary essays and persuasive essays. Grammar study, such as the correct use of verb tense, and word study will be incorporated throughout the year.

Math: Math Expressions
Math Expressions Common Core combines elements of standards-based instruction with the best traditional approaches. Through drawings, conceptual language, and real-world examples, it helps students make sense of mathematics. NSF-funded* and research-based, Math Expressions is proven to be effective in raising student achievement. Put your students on the path to becoming lifelong learners—and lovers—of all things math with our trusted Common Core math curriculum. 

Science:
Systems and Survival - Students examine three different “systems” in their lives, classification system, ecosystems, and human body systems. They use the characteristics of organisms to build model ecosystems, classify organisms by physical traits, and research human body systems and how they work together.

Structure and Properties of Matter - Students explore matter in terms of measurable properties and as made up of particles too small to be seen. Students develop an understanding that the number of particles and weight of matter does not change regardless of the changes it goes through.

Earth and Space Systems - Students develop a model to describe ways that the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere interact. They describe and graph data to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.

Social Studies: Early American History
The fifth grade social studies curriculum is a chronological study of early American history through the adoption of the United States’ Bill of Rights. By applying the tools of historians, including the use of primary and secondary sources, students explore how significant events shaped the nation. They begin with an introduction to the United States Constitution which, as the first unit of study, retrospectively frames their study of the early history of the nation. As they study the meeting of “Three Worlds” they explore interactions among American Indians, Africans, and Europeans in North America. Students also examine how these interactions affected colonization and settlement. They explore how geography of North America influenced daily life and economic activities as the three distinct English colonial regions developed. Throughout the course, students learn how ideas about government, colonial experiences with self-government, and interactions with Great Britain influenced the decision to declare independence. Within the historical study emphasis is placed on ideas about government as reflected in the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Students examine how and why the Founders gave and limited the power of government through the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, protection of individual rights, popular sovereignty, and the rule of law (core democratic values). Throughout the course students develop capacity for responsible citizenship as they apply the values and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States to contemporary issues facing the nation.

Puberty:
The Wonder Years-5th-grade students will learn about the changes in their body as they continue to grow throughout the years. A more detailed curriculum can be viewed at: https://pubertycurriculum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/9-Synopsis_Puberty_The_Wonder_Years_Grades456.pdf