5th Grade

In fifth grade, students draw more detailed and comprehensive connections between their learning experiences and the world around them, developing advanced skills in research, note taking, time management, and report writing.

Reading

The reading program focuses on enhancing both literal and inferential comprehension skills through novel studies that explore a variety of literary styles. Additionally, students strengthen their comprehension by separating fact from opinion, applying prior knowledge, and making real-life connections. Through stories and other activities, fifth grade students work hard to expand their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of analogies and verbal reasoning. The novels that students will be reading are:

Wonder
Save Me a Seat
Esperanza Rising
Blood on the River
Number the Stars
Among the Hidden
Restart
Bud, Not Buddy
A Long Walk to Water
Song for a Whale

Biography Tea

math

The math curriculum follows the McGraw Hill Reveal Math Program and focuses on conceptualization and real-world problem solving as well as on mastery of whole number operations, fractions, decimals, geometry, percentages, probability, measurement, ratios, and early pre-algebra. The goal is to prepare the fifth-grade students for the higher-level thinking that is the foundation of any middle school pre-algebra or algebra class they may take in the future.

PI DAY

Writing

In writing, students will be guided by the Houghton Mifflin English Level 5 curriculum and will gain continued exposure to the five-paragraph essay, focusing on the writing process and revision. Throughout the year, students work on expository, narrative, and persuasive writing, and units on poetry. Additionally, students write essays in conjunction with their novels and studies in both science and social studies, focusing on theme, literary analysis, argument essays using text evidence, and more.

Writing: Autobiographies

SCIENCE

Science brings on a unique and hands-on approach with units in biology, the Earth, and physical science. Fifth grade students will be studying the Savvas Elevate Science & MysteryScience Curriculum. They will also experience an overnight field trip to AstroCamp to accompany the study of the solar system and the Earth’s place in the universe. Another stand out aspect of the fifth grade’s program is the spring inquiry-based Science Share, where students take on the role of scientists in formulating questions and testing hypotheses on any given topic applicable to the curriculum.

CHRISTIAN DISTINCTIONS Field trip: AstroCamp

Social studies

Our Social Studies course follows the Houghton Mifflin California Social Studies curriculum. Social Studies brings United States history to life with topics such as Native American history, European exploration and settlements, colonization, the Revolutionary War, the birth of an independent nation, our founding fathers, the Constitution, immigration, and westward expansion. A simultaneous focus on age-appropriate current events encourages students to be aware of contemporary issues as well, and a mastery of our 50 states and capitals gives them a better understanding of United States geography and its relationship to the larger world.

Christian Distinctions

LAND FORMS Ronald Reagan museum

Walk Through the American Revolution