The focus of fifth grade is the Sacraments. Fifth graders explore each sacrament, its symbolism, and how we are filled with grace because of our union with that sacrament. We also focus on the Church and its components and spiritual meaning. We also focus on a Saint every month and this year will incorporate a particular virtue to enhance the meaning of Mercy in our Religion. Students are invited to participate in a variety of prayer experiences, growth in scripture, a call to service, and a reflection of their own spiritual being. Grade Level Prayers: Act of Faith, Jesus Prayer, Prayer for the Faithful Departed, and Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
The literature curriculum consists of novel studies developing comprehension strategies, independent reading, book reports, and vocabulary. Comprehension strategies include literary elements such as setting, characters, theme, plot development, conflict and resolution, and vocabulary development. Other comprehension strategies include summarizing, cause and effect, sequencing, asking questions, and inferring, predicting, visualizing, and making connections. Students use activities for motivation for independent, shared, and guided reading. Nonfiction text are chosen to enhance social studies and science curriculum. Vocabulary relating to novel studies as well as selected weekly assigned words will be assessed.
Common Core Standards are used for language. The writing program will focus on the writing process and incorporating Six-Trait Writing (ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions). They will practice a variety of formats for a variety of audiences including writing narrative, informative, explanatory, and opinion pieces. Research writing will be a component in the writing program. There is also a main focus on grammar under the Common Core Standards.
The math curriculum continues the scaffolding of previous learning. It is aligned to the Common Core Standards for math. These standards include division of whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals, addition and subtraction of fractions, measurements, geometry, algebra, graphing and problem solving. We are implementing a new text book and curriculum focused on the common core and the use of centers to enhance learning. The name of the program is Envisions 2.0 Social.
This includes geography, history, civics, economics, culture, citizenship, government, and skills. 5th grade’s focus is American History up to 1791. Native Americans, Explorers, Independence, Founding of a Nation, and the Legacy for US Today. The students complete an extensive state report in May. We use Our Nation by Macmillan/Mcgraw-Hill.
The science units include: Variables (all disciplines), Levers and Pulleys (physics), Environments (biology, ecology), and Weather and Climate. The science curriculum also participates in Mountain School in the spring. This gives children the opportunity to experience the outdoors, nature, learn ways to respect God’s creation and learn more about the North Cascades National Forest. We use Science by Houghton Mifflin.
We will be using a variety of forms of technology in class and at home to enhance our learning. Twice a week we will go to the computer lab and use the lab for Writer’s Workshop on Tuesdays and Fridays. We will use the programs RenWeb and Google Docs to name a couple. One of the students’ folder will be used for this class. In that folder we will place all of their logins and passwords that way they always have them.