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Language Arts
The fifth grade language arts curriculum continues to emphasize the reading and writing program goals of grades three and four. In addition to fiction, poetry, myths and legends, and expository writing, students will also be exposed to Shakespeare and a study of literary terms. Reading strategies will continue to be emphasized as students read more challenging literature. The broad variety of genres allows the student to expand in depth and range of reading. Content area reading is further developed in fifth grade.
Writing as a process of thinking in print is emphasized, and the framework for
grammar and mechanics is constructed as the writer moves toward writing in a clear and purposeful fashion. Writing strategies taught in fourth grade will be reviewed and expanded upon in fifth grade. Students apply learned strategies, draft, revise, edit and produce final drafts for publication as books, stories, poems, expository works, journals, oral presentations, and a multitude of other forms. This process helps the student to understand the structure of language and apply grammar and usage skills in both creative and expository materials.
Mathematics
The fifth grade program continues to concentrate on the mastery of the operations and further develop the fundamental number concepts. Major units of study are decimals, fraction concepts and operations, numeration and order, geometry and spatial sense, algebraic sentences, mathematical properties, patterns, functions and sequences, measurement, ratio, proportion, and exploring data. The four operations are extended through problem solving activities and real-life applications. Various mental math techniques, calculators, computers, and the Smart Board reinforce the basic concepts and extend the knowledge acquired for these operations. The fifth grade math curriculum is periodically integrated with language arts, social studies, and science through real-life applications, map skills, and measurement.
IB Units
Science
The focus of the fifth grade science curricula is to expand and refine the students’ scientific skills and knowledge. The content includes topics in life, physical, and earth sciences in addition to scientific reasoning and technology. A variety of techniques, activities, and materials are utilized to stimulate scientific awareness to make science relevant and engaging for students. The scientific method continues to be emphasized in the fifth grade. Hands-on investigations are designed to promote inquiry/process skills within the scientific approach.
During an in-depth inquiry of renewable resources, students will learn about the various types of renewable resources and the application of renewable resources. Students will explore their role in the use of renewable resources.
Through an IB unit inquiring into communication technology, students will explore how it has evolved over the millennia and affected people's lives.
Social Studies
The fifth grade program explores geography through an IB unit of inquiry. As a part of this unit, the students will focus on the influence of geographical features in the lives of people. Students will also investigate how people have interacted with the environment for their benefit.
Through an IB unit of inquiry investigating belief systems, students will explore prejudice, bias and opinions and discuss the influence beliefs have on society.
An IB unit inquiring into the impact of a society's decision will provide an in-depth study of the Civil War and slavery.
Through structured inquiry, fifth grade students develop new understanding about interconnectedness of individuals, communities and their history.
Exhibition
As part of the IB curriculum, students will explore the transdisciplinary theme “How We Express Ourselves” through a cumulative project called the Exhibition.Â
The PYP Exhibition is a significant event in the life of a PYP school and student, synthesizing the essential elements of the PYP and sharing them with the whole school community. As a culminating experience it is an opportunity for students to exhibit the attributes of the learner profile that they have been developing throughout their engagement with the PYP.*
*From PYP Exhibition Guidelines August 2004
Students learn dialogues about familiar topics and listen to and talk about short oral texts. They read a variety of classroom and simple authentic materials containing familiar and new vocabulary, and demonstrate understanding. They participate in a variety of reading situations, such as guided, shared, and choral reading, using expression, correct pronunciation, and intonation. They are then ready to respond to questions and to paraphrase or retell the story. Stories, songs, rhymes, and plays continue to be the core of the program. Songs, games, and stories from Chinese/Spanish culture are a key component of the program, as well as occasional integration with the classroom curriculum.
In fifth grade, color relationships and value are explored. Students recognize the artists' intentions in using ideas and color to create mood. Students study and apply art principles, (e.g., balance, dominance, contrast and unity), to their artwork. Understand and use several different ways of showing depth, and rudimentary perspective. Discriminate that light, distance, relative size, and motion affect the appearance of an object.
Drawing from observation, especially from nature, is emphasized and practiced in their sketchbooks. Students will continue to learn to value and respect their own work and the work of others. Students will view and critique works of the Renaissance, Nineteenth-century American Art and Japanese art to enhance their appreciation and understanding of the intermingling of art and culture.
Fifth graders continue to be able to use a variety of musical media including singing, dancing, playing of all classroom instruments and recorder. Many of their musical skills in rhythm, melody, and dynamics come to a culmination during their study of recorder in fifth grade. Students are encouraged to develop discerning ears when listening to all music, including spirituals and music from other American traditions.
Physical Education
The emphasis is on fitness and the acquisition of specialized skills used in various recreational, individual and team sports. Focus will be on concepts and strategies to improve team and individual performance in lead-up and game activities, and on understanding and respecting personal differences of others. Team building activities are included, as students continue to build interpersonal skills and work toward common goals.
Through technology instruction students learn to effectively use the computer and other technology tools to enhance, support and extend their learning in all areas of the curriculum. Because students learn best when they apply skills they have learned to projects with authentic purposes related to classroom work, classroom teachers and the technology teacher collaborate to plan activities and projects.
Library/Research Skills
Fifth graders are introduced to a wide variety of books and authors during their library period and continue to build upon the information literacy skills learned in earlier grades. They independently select appropriate reference materials to locate information, evaluate information for relevancy, appropriateness, detail, currency, authority and bias.
WIS fifth graders will demonstrate their knowledge and skills by researching and presenting a year-end project on a real-life issue and the solutions to it.
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