Language Arts

Language Arts study continues to reinforce and develop the following skills:

• sentence structure

avoiding run-on sentences

adding phrases and clauses

identifying and varying sentence types and structure

• identifying parts of speech

• using parts of speech correctly

• basic mechanics of writing — capitalization, punctuation

• note taking

• preparing outlines

• bibliography writing

Houghton Mifflin's text is used. Concentration on paragraph writing continues. Students work on developing topic sentences, writing detail and concluding sentences, and varying the types of sentences within a paragraph. Topics range from current events, science, social studies, vocabulary stories (paragraphs which use weekly vocabulary words), movie reviews, book reviews, personal experiences and free choice.

Writing as a process continues to be emphasized. Assignments are frequent and varied. Students are exposed to and practice many types of writing including narratives, expository, descriptive and persuasive. Poetry and fiction writing is developed. Traditionally, fifth grade assignments include one book report per quarter.

In fifth grade, more sophisticated writing skills are developed. Students work on plot and character development, setting and point of view. Original, descriptive language is encouraged. Students learn how to write and use dialogue.

The development of listening and speaking skills is an important part of the fifth grade language arts program. Students are encouraged to be aware of non-verbal communication such as eye contact, body language and posture. Fifth graders have several opportunities to practice their speaking skills during oral presentations.

Reading

In fifth grade, the basal reader, Houghton Mifflin Reading Anthology is used.

Novels continue to be read both as a class and aloud by the teacher. Students are required to read and recognize books in the various genres of literature. The elements of a story — character, setting, plot, conflict and resolution — are emphasized. Silent reading is encouraged upon early completion of an assignment. Nightly silent reading is expected in fifth grade. www.eduplace.com/kids

Spelling/Vocabulary

The Houghton Mifflin’s Reading Integrated Spelling series is the text used in fifth grade. The text, which is part of the basal reading series, reinforces words introduced in the reader. Review of spelling generalizations continues.

Students are tested weekly. Test formats include word lists, sentence dictation and error recognition, and definitions. In addition to the words introduced in the spelling unit, fifth graders are expected to learn the definitions of their reading vocabulary.

Math

The fifth grade text is Houghton Mifflin Math Virginia. Study begins with a brief review to determine mastery of fourth grade concepts. www.eduplace.com/kids

Supplemental work is provided to those who require it. Once the class shows sufficient mastery, new concepts are introduced.

Mastery of fractions are emphasized in the fifth grade math program. Addition and subtraction of fractions are reinforced, multiplication, division and simplification of fractions are introduced. Decimals are also studied at length, beginning with review of the relationship of fractions and decimals and decimal multiplication. After sufficient review, division of decimals is introduced.

In fifth grade the concept of percent is introduced. Children learn how to find the percentage of a given number, and how to convert fractions and decimals to percentages.

Many important geometry concepts and skills are studied in fifth grade. They include:

• parallel and perpendicular lines

• identifying and measuring right, obtuse and acute angles

• finding the area of triangles and parallelograms (including rectangles)

• similar and congruent triangles

• important symbols used when working with geometric figures

• the correct use of protractors

Math is integrated with other subjects (e.g., study of  the scientific method in science) and is applied in useful and entertaining ways (e.g., averaging grades and graphing students favorite sports). Students are expected to master:

• long division with multiple digit divisors

• addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions

• addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals.

Social Science

The focus of the fifth grade social science program is World Regions. The text used is Harcourt Horizons World Regions.

The year begins with the study maps and Early Man and Kingdoms. The daily life, religion, customs and culture of India, China, Greece and Rome are studied, as well as the similarities between regions. While studying the different regions, students also study the abundant natural resources of various regions. They are given the opportunity to do written and hands on projects that display their understanding of the various regions.

Fifth grade students then begin a study of the Chinese, Japanese culture and African Kingdom. The study of world regions continues with European Nations and the Crusades and changing times. As they develop an understanding of the world’s regions, students develop a deeper understanding of the cultural and economic conditions of each region studied.

Also, ongoing is the study of modern countries of concern and contemporary Asia, and the Renaissance. This culminates in a year-end Region Report. Each child selects a world region and, after careful research, presents both a written and oral report. Creativity is encouraged.

The fifth grade social science program strongly believes the study of history should be entertaining as well as educational. Students are encouraged to explore and discuss current events. Technology is also used to explore World Regions.

Physical Education

Sports involvement continues in fifth grade. Students begin to organize their own teams and choose positions.

Written and verbal testing is begun. Students are expected to know the rules of the game they are studying, and the positions and characteristics of its players.

Other physical education activities at the fifth grade level include:

• dancing

• basketball

• flag football

• track and field

• field hockey using scoops

• physical fitness testing.

Science

The text used in science is McGraw Hill Science. The year begins with Scientific Investigations.  While studying matter students continue use the scientific method in experiments and investigation of the states, composition, and effects of temperature. A review of the fourth grade objectives motion and electricity follows.

Fifth grade students then study Living Systems concentrating on parts of the plant and animal cells and characteristics of each. Parts of the oceans, salinity, Students end the with a review and expansion of the forth grade objectives weather, earth patterns, cycles and ecosystems. www.mhscience02.com.

Art

The fifth grade art program focuses on helping students build a core sense of their personal style and creative abilities by offering very challenging lessons that require material awareness and independent problem solving. Students are taught some advanced drawing, painting, and sculpture techniques and exposed to many different artists and their styles. Examples of realism, impressionism, cubism, and modern art are viewed and discussed which help to nurture individual ideas. Students have a thorough understanding of the importance of art within our culture and are given opportunities for group discussion of art, art appreciation and analysis.

During fifth grade, students demonstrate skills learned the previous year and define and practice the following:

Drawing (conté crayons and pastels)

• A clear understanding of line value, shading, and light/shadow

• Silhouette

• Breaking down a subject into shape and form

Painting (canvas, acrylics, various papers, palette knifes, and bamboo brushes)

• A clear understanding of primary, secondary, and complimentary color mixing

• Texture techniques

• Japanese sumí brush and Chinese bamboo brush techniques

Sculpture

• Large and small-scale projects

• Assemblage

Collage/ Mixed Media

• Murals

• Sculpture

Art History

• Asian Art

• Modern Art: Pollack, Rauchenburg, and Johns

Music

By the end of the fifth grade year, the learner will:

• review all fourth grade concepts

• identify and demonstrate the re pentatonic scale

• identify and demonstrate the whole rest in singing and speaking where the beat equals the quarter note

• identify and demonstrate low ti (ti,) in dt, l, and dt, d patterns in singing and from an

instrument being played

• identify and demonstrate the la pentachord (mrdt, l,) in singing and from an instrument

being played

• identify and demonstrate the melodic alteration of F-sharp and its corresponding key

signature of G Major in singing and with written competency

• identify and demonstrate ti-tam (single eighth note and dotted quarter note) in singing

and speaking when the beat equals the quarter note

• identify and demonstrate ti in d’tl and d’td’ patterns and the inverse patterns in singing

and from an instrument being played.

• identify and demonstrate upbeat in the following notes: two beamed eighth Ë notes,

quarter note and single eight note

• identify and demonstrate ta-a-a (dotted half note) in singing and speaking where the beat equals the quarter note

• identify and demonstrate three beat meter in singing and speaking where the beat equals

the quarter note

• identify and demonstrate tim-ri (dotted eighth note and single sixteenth note) in singing

and speaking where the beat equals the quarter note

Library

In fifth grade, students continue exploring a variety of literature. They further their knowledge of the patron catalog and the Dewey Decimal System. They continue to develop and practice their research skills using a variety of resources, and they are introduced to copyright laws as they apply to plagiarism.

By the end of the year, students are expected to:

• demonstrate awareness of a variety of literature including genres of fiction, myths and

legends, folktales, biography, poetry, multicultural literature…

• identify the main classes and sub-classes of the Dewey Decimal System

• shelve both fiction and nonfiction books (with up to three numbers after the decimal

point)

• understand how to use a variety of reference resources

• create a bibliography using Internet sources

• demonstrate awareness of copyright laws as they apply to plagiarism

 Technology

Fifth grade students begin the year learning spreadsheets. Using a spreadsheet program students learn to: enter data, select cells, edit worksheets, format worksheets, create formulas, create lists and charts, analyze data, and use keyboard shortcuts. In addition, students use the Internet to gather some of the information for their spreadsheets. Students end the year by familiarizing themselves with Hyperstudio.

Community Service

Fifth grade students spend with the lower grade students in a mentoring and tutoring program