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Language Arts

Fifth grade Language Arts involves reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. Focus is given towards integrating spelling, grammar, and vocabulary into daily language use, both in reading and writing. The children are exposed to numerous genres of literature including nonfiction letters and biographies, realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery. Each unit, students are allowed to read a book of their choice and complete a follow-up book project exploration and presentation. Writing involves the children having their own writing portfolio where they keep and work on creative pieces throughout the year. These portfolios remain in the "Writing Workstation", where students can explore personal and descriptive narratives, create prose and poetry, five-paragraph essays, and research papers.

Math

Fifth graders grow in their number sense throughout the year as they delve into the following topics: Number Theory; Estimation and Computation; Geometry Explorations; Division; Fractions, Decimals, and Percents; and Using Data: Addition and Subtraction of Fractions. Our Everyday Mathematics curriculum provides numerous opportunities for solidifying key number concepts and critical mathematical thinking skills through collaboration and fun learning games.

Science

The students spend the year in the Life Sciences. Reproduction and Heredity, Living Systems, Biomes, and Environments will be major areas of study.  Lab-based learning focuses on DNA, Environments, and Variables. Fifth graders learn the scientific process through both in-class experiments and participation in the Invention Convention.

Social Studies

Fifth graders study United States history spanning from Reconstruction after the Civil War to current events. Learning takes place through readings, discussions, historical fiction read-aloud novels, projects, and educational field trips. Students are also exposed to geography by using Nystrom's Hands-on Social Studies program.