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FIFTH-GRADE CURRICULUM In addition to the close working relationship that the fifth grade “lower division seniors” develop with their homeroom teacher, every child receives the benefit of being taught by the entire fifth-grade team. Each fifth-grade teacher specializes in teaching one core subject area (language arts, mathematics, or social studies/science) to all sixty of our students. The lessons are then extended into the homeroom periods. This curricular organization has been designed to serve as a stepping stone to middle division by giving the children the experience of having different teachers for different subjects during their final year in lower division. The three fifth-grade teachers plan and work together as a cohesive unit to provide the best possible educational experience for the students.
LANGUAGE ARTS A variety of literature that is appropriate to the interests and needs of the students provides practice in developing those skills necessary to appreciate and understand the literature as it relates to language, composition, and thinking skills. Beyond the text, students participate in an independent reading program and are guided through an analysis of several novels. Social studies and science are enhanced by reading from a variety of different types of sources. It is hoped that students will be encouraged by the diversity of materials offered to help them prepare for the many types of reading they will encounter in the future. The fifth grade expands on the grammar learned in fourth grade, reinforcing parts of speech and expanding clauses to include compound and complex sentences. Organized paragraphs are developed with details in support of a main topic. The use of punctuation is expanded to include quotation marks and a wider use of the comma. Students do extensive work in writing. Opportunities are provided for regular and unstructured writing, and this is integrated across the curriculum. The editing and revising processes are two main areas of focus in fifth grade. Creative writings include poems and stories. There are extensive opportunities for vocabulary enrichment. Vocabulary from selected class novels and content areas, as well as the Wordly Wise program, help in the enhancement of this academic area. Spelling is reinforced through the vocabulary program and across the curriculum in the various academic areas. Although students use their laptops for many writing assignments, handwriting is part of the fifth-grade curriculum. The student is encouraged to produce well-written and well-formed letters.
MATHEMATICS The fifth-grade math program is a sequential continuation of the skills being taught in fourth grade. The early part of the year reviews skills previously covered in place value, addition and subtraction. Skills in multiplication and division are refined and expanded to include exponents, pattern diagramming, and prime and composite numbers. Children review and refine addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills using decimals. Fraction skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are reviewed and practiced. Geometry skills covered include measurement of angles and calculation of area, surface area and volume. Ratio, proportion and percent are introduced toward the end of the year. An attempt is made to give the children a love and curiosity for the complexity and beauty of mathematics. Independent experimentation into number theory and logic is encouraged.
SOCIAL STUDIES History is viewed broadly as a body of information and a process through which we attempt to understand the human experience. Our social studies program introduces students to this concept of history. Research-based projects, integrated lessons, and specialized field trips allow students to experience what it may have been like to live in ancient times from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. Students learn that they live in history, that their present is a product of the past, and that their future is an outcome of the present. A fifth grader is also expected to develop an interest in current events. Emphasis is placed on this through weekly discussions of news articles and usage of Time for Kids magazine.
SCIENCE Children attend the Science Discovery Center once a week for hands-on activities dealing with current topics. The science curriculum includes topics in the areas of life science, earth science, and physical science. Classroom laboratory and research experiences also encourage the excitement of discovery and the children’s understanding of scientific inquiry. Wherever possible the science topics covered are integrated across the curriculum. Field trips reinforce concepts while teaching the children applications of these concepts within the community.
COMPUTER Computers are used in all aspects of the curriculum to practice skills and problem solve. Students are taught how to use Internet search engines to find specific information and to complete multimedia projects through various software. Computers are used to enhance the curriculum in all areas wherever possible.
9/06
Berkeley Preparatory School
This page was last updated on August 31, 2006.
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