Fifth Grade
Art
- » Development of specific skills and techniques
- » Art history
- » Multiculturalism
- » Calligraphy
- » Native American rattles
- » Contour drawing (2-D, 3-D)
- » Color & value (paint & charcoal)
Language Arts
Reading/Literature
- » Reading comprehension
- » Class novels
- » Historical fiction
- » Science fiction, fantasy, mystery
- » Biography
- » Character analysis and development
- » Critical thinking, compare/contrast
- » Plot, conflict, point of view, setting, foreshadowing, irony
- » Descriptive & persuasive essays
- » Creative writing
- » The writing process: drafts, peer editing, revisions
- » Haiku, Tanka, limericks, etc.
- » Reader response journals
- » Personal reflections
- » Describe, explain, compare and contrast
Language
- » Grammar
- · Recognition of nouns, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, adjectives
- · Use of vivid verbs, adjectives, & adverbs to enhance writing
- » Spelling
- · Weekly spelling words gathered from mistakes in student's own writing, weekly quizzes
- » Vocabulary
- · Weekly words from novels and other in class reading
- » Daily literature discussions
- » Presentations
- » Skits & speeches
- » Class play
- » Debate: Who discovered America?
- » Yosemite Town Meeting
Library
- » Social studies research
- » Review: library citizenship, research skills
- » Public libraries
- » Current topic research
- » Historical research: primary sources
- » Information-based project
Mathematics
Operations- » Geometric representation of long division, multiplication
- » Order of operations in algebraic format
- » Calculation tricks
- » Decimals: rounding, ordering, converting to percent
- » Mental math
- » Fractions: addition, subtraction, decimal equivalencies
- » Number theory: primes, squares, exponents, digit sums, binary numbers, prime factorization, divisibility
- » Coordinate graphing, symmetry
- » Mean, median, mode, simple probability
- » Area and perimeter of triangles, quadrilaterals, irregular figures
- » Challenge problems called "puzzle points" are used both in-class and out of class.
- » Utilized to teach the following problem-solving strategies
- · Making systematic lists and patterns
- · Breaking down a problem into easier sub-problems
- · Using manipulatives or models
- · Working backwards
- · Eliminating possibilities
- » These challenges help children develop independence, perseverance and logical thinking skills.
Music
- » Two-part singing
- » Build on rhythmic dexterity
- » Expand ear training
- » Understand musical notation
- » Learn 3-string dulcimer, pan flutes
- » Learn music from other cultures
- » Learn about historical periods in music
- » Identify orchestral & multicultural instruments
- » Learn syncopation
- » Write rhythmic notation and take rhythmic dictation
- » Play pentatonic, diatonic patterns on Orff instruments independently and in groups using two-hand crossover patterns
- » Build vocabulary of musical terms
Outdoor Education
Trip
- » Salt Point
- » Yosemite
- » Hiking, tide-pooling
- » Wood chopping
- » Tent pitching
- » Cooking
- » Blacksmithing
- » Pioneer living
- » Team activities
- » Yosemite Meadow Town Meeting
- » Historical role playing
Reflection
- » Journal writing
- » Introduction to sea life & geology
- » Pygmy forests
Physical Education
- » Fitness activities
- » Modified sports-related games: Ultimate Ball, 4-way soccer, zone football
- » Sportsmanship
- » Folk dance: Virginia Reel, Tarantella, La Cucaracha
- » Cooperative play: simple game strategies
Science
Process/Skills
- » Observation skills
- » Experiment design
- » Data collection
- » Graphing & visuals
- » Research skills
- » Using scientific tools
- » Cells
- » Classification of animals
- » STEP: salmon & trout education project
Earth Science
- »Weathering & erosion
- » Physical properties of water
- » Physical properties of energy
Self-Science
- » Sense of self
- » Values & skills
- » Setting goals
- » Friendship issues
- » Cliques & groups
- » Sense of physical self
- » Changes in my body
- » Healthy lifestyle
- » Inclusiveness, differences
Social Studies
Topics
- » Native Americans
- » Explorers
- » Colonial America
- » Slavery
- » Yosemite
Skills/Process
- » Mapping, tribe research, outlining, graphing, class slideshow
- » Research homeless issues, visit shelter, make & distribute lunches to homeless, essay
- » Research historical figure, create scrapbook, presentation, pioneer role-playing
Spanish
- » Numbers 1-500
- » Months & dates
- » Frequently used expressions
- » Gender & plurals
- » Occupations & possessive adjectives
- » Prepositions
- » Subject pronouns
- » Regular verbs
- » Telling time
- » Adjective agreement
- » Household items
- » Restaurant & market
- » Transportation
- » Sports
- » Traditional activities, songs, crafts, & music
Technology
- » Introduction to information literacy
- » Presentation skills
- » Integrated with language arts, social studies, science, & math
- » Mastery of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Keynote, iMovie, Appleworks, Internet research