FIFTH GRADE HIGHLIGHTS FIFTH GRADE HIGHLIGHTS
RELIGION: In fifth grade we use the text Christ Our Life. In fifth grade the emphasis is on the Seven Sacraments of the Church. The curriculum goes into great detail about each of the Sacraments. We also learn from the Bible and church doctrine. We learn about the church year, and especially Advent and Lent. We also focus on new prayers such as Act of Faith, Act of Hope, and Act of Love. The students are able to receive the Sacrament of Penance twice a year. We also attend weekly Mass.
ART: Using the elements and principles of art students are able to copy, enlarge and reduce art. They are able to explain the purpose of space and form as well as texture and value in works of art.
COMPUTER: In addition to continuing in word processing skills, spreadsheets are introduced in the fifth grade. The level of computer skills and software are determined by the grade level and computer knowledge of the students. At all grade levels, time in the lab is used to reinforce skills of the basic curriculum. Computers are also available in the classroom for students to use.
LANGUAGE ARTS: In fifth grade, the English is included in the Houghton Mifflin Reading series. We focus on Grammar in the Writing Process. The students do a variety of writing throughout the year. In Spelling we practice writing with the words from the Reading lesson.
MATHEMATICS: In fifth grade we use Saxon Math 65. In this series students are learning to remember the foundational skills of Mathematics. Each lesson builds on the one that was taught prior to that lesson. The students receive daily practice. Each concept is revisited throughout the book. Students also receive daily practice in their Math Facts.
MUSIC: Fifth grade meets with a music specialist twice per week for 45 minutes. Students continue with Orff and Kodaly concepts in the Music and You text and the Music Express Magazine. Students learn more complex musical forms and rhythms, sing two-part harmonies, and develop listening and theory skills. Fifth graders perform in the Christmas and Spring music programs and may join the extra-curricular St. Michael singers, which meets 3 times weekly during study hall. They may also join Band, which meets once per week.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: A Specialist works with all students. The program is designed to spiral so that a student may progress through different skills, from emerging to proficient levels in an activity unit. The program emphasis is on team sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, floor hockey, football and softball. Lead-up games provide practice of the skills. The program also provides individual activities so students may strive to improve independent skills.
READING: The Houghton-Mifflin Reading series includes, comprehension skills and strategies, information and study skills, fluency, decoding/phonics, vocabulary and spelling. Genre studies focus on Tall Tales, Poetry, Plays and Autobiography. Six themes are covered: Nature’s Fury, Give it All You’ve Got!, Voices of the Revolution, Person to Person, One Land, Many Trails, and Animal Encounters.
SOCIAL STUDIES: In fifth grade we use Houghton Mifflin. The focus of the Social Studies program is the history of the United States. The students learn how our country is formed. They also learn about the many cultures and changes of our country’s history. We put emphasis on the Explorers. The students do many special projects during this unit. We also focus on the Fifty States. The students also do many special projects during this unit.
SCIENCE: In fifth grade we use the Scott Foresmann textbook and Foss Kits. Both have a great hands on approach to Science. The students do various experiments throughout the units.