Fifth Grade
Fifth Graders are School Leaders
Welcome to the fifth grade. Fifth graders are the role models for our elementary school. They are expected to be the leaders and set positive examples of expected behaviors across various school settings. It is our hope that they will continue to build their critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as further develop their social skills. In reading, students will read and comprehend literary and informational texts. We offer multiple opportunities to engage in discussions about texts that support language development and knowledge building. We offer a variety of reading formats, including read-alouds, shared readings, paired readings, independent readings, and other learning activities that incorporate literacy materials, talking, and writing.
Fifth graders grow as writers as they learn to adjust language to best communicate ideas, content, and message. Our students work to understand the distinction between conversational and academic language and their purposes. Throughout the year, we leverage the writing process to plan, revise, and strengthen our writing as students work independently and collaboratively with adults and peers to produce texts. Our students continue to improve keyboarding skills, with a focus on increasing speed as well as accuracy.
In Math, students further develop their understanding of the place value system. Students continue to work towards mastery of the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) Students apply the four operations to whole numbers, decimals, and fractions (with and without common denominators). In geometry, students understand the attributes of two- and three-dimensional shapes to calculate specific measurements (length, area, volume). Students are encouraged to strategically identify and utilize mathematics tools in an appropriate manner, and think more deeply into the surface of the operation in order to determine why it works. 
In Science, students will:
In Social Studies, students will:
Students should expect to receive math homework every day, as well as read for 20-30 minutes every night as a way to practice and apply the skills and understandings discussed in class. In addition to the independent practice of content, homework helps prepare them for the responsibility of managing their time and commitments.
- Focus on physical and chemical changes in matter
- Investigate energy and matter flows in ecosystems
- Study larger Earth systems and how they affect one another
- Build an understanding of space systems
In Social Studies, students will:
- Develop questions to help identify evidence about topics related to the historical events occurring in the Western Hemisphere that can be answered by gathering, interpreting, and using evidence
- Identify and classify the relationship between multiple causes and multiple effects
- Identify rights and responsibilities of citizens within societies in the Western Hemisphere
Students should expect to receive math homework every day, as well as read for 20-30 minutes every night as a way to practice and apply the skills and understandings discussed in class. In addition to the independent practice of content, homework helps prepare them for the responsibility of managing their time and commitments.