Fifth Grade

Fifth grade is a year spent in refining skills, which the students have been developing during grades K-4 in preparation for the more independent work they will experience in future school years. Many new ideas are introduced such as developing organizational skills through the use of notebooks and the student agenda. Working with other students in class and on projects also provides students with a valuable learning experience. Students are expected to complete all assignments on time, thoroughly and with a sense of pride in their own work.

In the English Language Arts program, 5th graders will use a whole language approach. They will be learning and refining reading skills such as comprehension, sequencing, main ideas, drawing conclusions, making inferences, predicting outcomes, recognizing cause and effect relationships, interpreting figurative language, the use of research tools and vocabulary development. Whole selections of literature not workbooks are the primary learning tool. By the end of the year, 5th graders should feel confident to read novels independently. Spelling is a separate subject but is stressed in all content areas, even mathematics and science.

A major component of the ELA program is writing.

Students in 5th grade will use a process writing approach. Students will write everyday, often selecting their own topics. Paragraph writing is emphasized. Other writing activities include friendly letters, business letters, stories and reports. Grammar lessons will be geared to students' strengths and weaknesses. Writing tasks will be integrated into all content areas. Students are encouraged to use clear handwriting, correct spelling and grammar to show pride in their written work.

The Mathematics program in 5th grade includes basic number facts and operations and expands these skills into problem solving, decimals and fractions. All the number facts in the four operations of mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) are sharpened and refined for advanced mathematics applications. Geometry, graphing and measurement receive more emphasis. The students are introduced to two-step word problems using the four mathematics operations. Students in 5th grade need to know the basics acquired in grades K-4 in order to understand mathematics at this level.

The Social Studies program develops a general understanding of the Western Hemisphere. Map skills, graphs, geographical and historical data are used. Most of the year is devoted to studying the seven geographical areas of the United States: the Southeast, New England, Middle Atlantic, North Central, South Central, Southwest and Pacific States. Other topics covered are Canada, Latin America and South America. Project work, in addition to many audiovisual aids contribute to the students' awareness of these areas. The social studies program includes a Fall NYS Assessment.

The Science program in 5th grade includes an electromagnetism unit, a terraria unit as well as units on matter and energy, the universe and living things.

Parents will need to provide a quiet place in the home for their children to complete assignments, review mathematics facts, study and read. Parents may help by asking children spelling words, reviewing vocabulary or studying for a test with their child. The use of the agenda to check assignments is one such tool to monitor a child's progress. Parental support and assistance will enhance success in 5th grade.