Fifth Grade Curriculum Overview

Language Arts: Fifth grade students will receive instruction in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, & viewing. By the end of 5th grade, students will demonstrate mastery of many concepts and skills, including the following: • Read and comprehend texts from a variety of genres and a variety of subject areas • Construct new knowledge by making connections between new and previously held ideas • Write for a variety of purposes • Understand a problem or conflict in text and determine an appropriate solution • Use background knowledge and experiences to draw conclusions and make valid generalizations • Use evidence/reasoning to support opinions and solutions to problems

Mathematics: Fifth grade students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of 5th grade, students will be able to: • Classify counting numbers into subsets (odd/ even, prime/composite); find factors and multiples; and use divisibility rules • Find equivalent fractions and dd/subtract fractions/mixed numbers with unlike denominators • Understand and apply percentages to circle graphs • Compute area and volume of simple geometric figures and measure capacity • Understand congruence and the relationship of circumference to diameter of a circle • Represent and investigate mathematical expressions algebraically by using variables • Discuss advantages and disadvantages of various types of graphs (including circle graphs) • Problem solve, develop arguments, use language of mathematics, make connections, and communicate

Science:Fifth grade students will investigate evidence related to scientific concepts. They will conduct experiments and do research that focuses on earth science, physical science, and life science. By the end of 5th grade, students will be able to:• Use records, tables, or graphs to predict patterns of change • Identify and find examples of constructive and destructive forces while relating the role of technology to monitoring and controlling these forces • Explain the difference between physical and chemical change • Describe the relationship between electricity and magnetism • Classify organisms into groups • Compare and contrast characteristics of learned behaviors and of inherited traits • Identify plants, animals, single-celled organisms, and multi-celled organisms • Relate how microorganisms are harmful or beneficial

Social Studies:Fifth grade students will continue the formal study of United States history, beginning with the Civil War and culminating with the present. Concepts in geography, government, and economics will interface with the study of history. By the end of 5th grade, students will be able to: • Explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War, and analyze the effects of Reconstruction • Describe and explain life in America from the late 19th century to the present, including the U. S. involvement in various wars and conflicts, the Great Depression and the New Deal, the Cold War, and significant people and events during this time period • Locate important places in the United States, both natural and man-made • Describe and explain how geography affects economic growth and expansion of the U. S. • Explain the protection of citizens’ rights under the constitution, including the process for and history of amending the U. S. Constitution • Use economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events