Instruction in 5^th grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• increasing reading/writing vocabulary through wide reading, word study, literature circles, discussions, etc.
• expanding vocabulary essential to understanding text
• using appropriate comprehension strategies and effective strategies before, during, and after reading
• reading and responding critically to a variety of texts
• identifying and interpreting elements of fiction and non-fiction
• drawing conclusions, making generalizations, and gathering support from the text
• summarizing main ideas in fiction and non-fiction and from spoken texts
• using active listening skills
• making oral presentations
• using writing process appropriately to plan, compose, edit, and revise a variety of forms of writing
• using complete sentences, correct word order in sentences
• evaluating and selecting own compositions for publication
• using correct capitalization, punctuation, grammar and usage
• extending ideas with varied sentence structure
• proofreading own writing for spelling and correcting most misspellings independently
• creating readable documents with legible manuscripts and cursive writing
• using technology to obtain, organize, and produce text

Instruction in 5^th grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• using a variety of mathematical skills and strategies to reason, communicate, and explain mathematical and everyday practical problems
• using geometry to interpret, represent, and solve problems
• selecting and using appropriate tools and techniques to measure objects and solve problems
• judging the reasonableness of an obtained measurement
• interpreting and analyzing data collections, statistics, and probability in problem-solving and communicating findings to others
• beginning to apply algebraic methods to solve mathematical and real world problems
• communicating mathematically by modeling, listening, reading, writing, speaking, and drawing
• performing accurate computation in problem-solving
• understanding and using fractions, decimals, ratios, and percents effectively for computing, estimating, and problem-solving
• developing greater use of mental math skills

Instruction in 5^th grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• understanding and applying the scientific process of observing, generating questions, predicting, collecting and interpreting data, and drawing conclusions
• evaluating different points of view using relevant experiences, observations, and knowledge; and distinguishing between fact and opinion
• deciding what evidence, models, or explanations can be used to better understand what is happening in a current problem or situation
• understanding and explaining the basic causes of weather systems and weather’s effects
• locating specimens using a microscope
• defining and identifying the parts of a cell
• understanding the relationships between aquatic communities and societies
• recognizing and identifying how energy transfers
• recognizing forces that affect motion
• understanding simple machines and their relationship to everyday life

Science units taught in 5^th grade include

• Microscopes and Pond Life
• Weather Forecasting
• Machines/Energy/Motion

Using the democratic principles, values, and traditions of the United States, students will be educated in the history and development of our country. This program will operate in conjunction with 8^th grade and 11^th grade to teach the entire history of the United States.

Units taught in 5^th grade include

• Geography Skills
• Exploring and Settling America
• Life in Colonial America
• The American Revolution
• Introduction to the Constitution
• The Frontier

Instruction in 5^th grade will focus on development of the following learning competencies:

• explaining the cultural diversity of America’s history
• identifying the achievements of Native American groups
• discovering the reasons for and means of exploration in the New World
• explaining the political, economic, and social settlement of colonial America
• discovering the causes and effects of the Revolutionary War
• studying the Constitution, examining the organizations of our government
• identifying the conflict between the pioneers and the various Native American tribes as the West was explored
• explaining the importance of the movement of people, goods and ideas as the Westward expan-sion continued between 1820 and 1850

The 5^th grade art program is one in which students will discover

Through the 5^th grade music program, students will discover

During 5^th grade, students may elect to continue instruction in instrumental music. Students who participate in this program will discover

In the 5^th grade physical education program students participate in fitness, rhythmic, and individual activities and in team sports. Through these activities, students continue motor development, learn rules of and develop skills for participating in sports, and are encouraged to maintain a good fitness level, which enhances personal wellness. Through health instruction, students learn about health products, physical changes affecting attitudes, heredity, and problem-solving, social and anger-management skills. They learn about water safety and rescue, conflict mediation techniques, and gang awareness. Students develop personal wellness plans, learn about functions of the body, and continue their study of nutrition.

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